Mallacoota Camp

By Miriam Riverlea, Editor, Mallacoota Mouth Earlier this year, Anglesea hosted an All About Fun camp to provide some fun and fellowship to the communities of Far East Gippsland who had suffered through bushfires.

During the second week of the Easter school holidays, members of the Mallacoota and Gipsy Point communities traversed the eastern half of the state to gather at Burnside Camp in Anglesea.

They were joined by families from Clifton Creek, Sarsfield and other parts of Gippsland, each with their own story of how the bushfires had impacted their lives and communities. But while the fires were the impetus for bringing everyone together, the focus of the camp was firmly on fun and fellowship.

The idea of offering a camp developed early in 2020, when a group from Anglesea, led by Pauline Dean, gathered to discuss ways to provide support.

Fiona and Brad Simcoe, managers of Burnside Camp, Baptist Camping Victoria, offered the use of their facility, while many Anglesea community members devoted their time, energy and local knowledge to support the group throughout the week.

They liaised with Reverend Jude Benton, who promoted the camp through her local networks, with the support of MADRA (Mallacoota & District Recovery Association) and the Lions’ Clubs of Mallacoota and Anglesea.

The camp provided a welcome interlude from the experience of living in a bushfire affected community.

The 42 participants included several farming families who often find it difficult to leave their properties for a well deserved holiday. For everyone, it was a chance to rest and recharge, and experience the sights and spectacles of a different part of Victoria.

All meals were catered by the team at Burnside Camp, while the program itself was generously funded by the Victorian Bushfire Appeal conducted in

Families travelled from bushfire affected areas of Gippsland for a week of fun in Anglesea.

partnership with the Victorian Government and Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation.

Vouchers were provided by local businesses, including Morgans Bar & Grill, and Anglesea News & Lotto.

The program included a wide range of activities both at the camp and in the local area.

On the first day, the group quickly bonded while scaling the rock climbing wall and encouraged each other as both children and adults navigated a challenging high ropes course that culminated in an exhilarating zip-line ride.

In quieter moments, the kids played board games and tie-dyed t-shirts, while adults visited the local community garden and art space.

Families were also free to explore the region on their own, taking in the surf and shopping, with many campers bringing home bargains from Anglesea’s Seaside Seconds op shop.

There were opportunities to visit the nearby Chocolaterie, as well as surfing and golf lessons supported by Go Ride A Wave and the Anglesea Golf Club and Pro Shop. The group set off early one morning down the Great Ocean Road to explore the Split Point Lighthouse and estuary at Aireys Inlet, before heading to Lorne to visit Erskine Falls and enjoy a BBQ.

Evening entertainment involved a live performance by talented local musician Tristan Ross, and on the final night the camp was transformed for a Bollywood party.

The region’s indigenous culture was acknowledged throughout the week, with a moving Welcome to Country by Waddawurrung woman Corinna Eccles on the first night, and a session on caring for country as part of the Eco Logic estuary and lighthouse tour.

These moments served as reminders of the importance of family, community and treading lightly on the earth.

It has become apparent that the recovery process is a long one, and that it’s vital to recharge along the way.

Thank you to all the individuals and businesses who donated their time and energy to make it such a fun and memorable experience!

HISTORY SPOT Bridging the Gap

By Jan Morris, Anglesea & District Historical Society

It has always been a problem – the Anglesea bridge. At first it was lack of a bridge that was the problem.

The western side of Anglesea River was known as Gladstone. The eastern side was known as Swampy Creek. How to get from one side to the other was always a problem.

The horse-drawn coach drivers used to wait for low tide, make their passengers walk, and canter the horses across the mouth of the river, hoping they wouldn’t get caught in the quicksand.

Many a near fatality occurred to both man and beast when vehicles were overturned in the quicksands.

The other alternative was to row across. That is why Mrs Murray had a landing below her store, so people could row across to get their supplies.

Eventually a small footbridge was constructed across the upper reaches of the river at the narrowest point. This would not take horses and carts.

Anglesea River was the demarcation between Winchelsea Shire on the west and Barrabool Shire on the eastern side. In the 1800s neither shire wanted to pay for a bridge. However, good news was to come. A petition sent to the Winchelsea Shire in 1889 received the following reply from the Council meeting:

Swampy Creek before the bridge was built “That in the opinion of this meeting, a bridge over the Anglesea River is a work of the utmost necessity.”

The locals raised 100 pounds and the two shires had to share the remaining cost. However, the project ran over budget and guess who found the extra money? The locals!

It was 1892 before the completion of the bridge joined both sides of the river into one village named Anglesea River. The “River” part of the name was dropped in 1950.

By 1968, the bridge was over 70 years old and inadequate for the traffic of the 60s. After huge amounts of rock and

Newly built “old” Anglesea Bridge infill on the banks of the river, the bridge was re-aligned and replaced. The road to the bridge was diverted from Murch Crescent.

What is the worst traffic problem in Anglesea today? The Anglesea bridge. On a nice summer’s day cars come down the Great Ocean Road by the thousands. Where do they bank up? The Anglesea bridge.

Every year the problem gets worse, as more and more traffic comes to enjoy the Great Ocean Road. We are not selfish. We are happy to share our beautiful coast with visitors, but they get frustrated as we do, because it takes so long to get over the bridge.

What is the answer? Widen the bridge or make another road at the back of Anglesea. I don’t know the answer but it certainly needs to be addressed.