Persevering with purpose

In 1952, a gilt-edged invitation came in the post for brothers Terry (16) and Robin McKay (13). The invitation was to attend the inaugural Northbridge Crusader Saturday Night Meeting at Dr Ian Holt's Northbridge home. At the time, they had no idea who Dr Holt was, but these monthly meetings greatly aided their spiritual growth and were the start of Robin’s continuing and growing involvement with CRU.

From a young age, Robin McKay always had a great sense of belonging to God. He knew about repentance and forgiveness, attended the local Anglican Sunday school, and remembers being “on God's side.” However, it was at a CSSM (Scripture Union) Beach Mission in the summer of 1952 where he was talking with a leader and dedicated his life to Jesus in prayer. Robin exclaims, “I couldn't get over telling Terry afterwards - that experience and act of dedication, it's virtually being born again!”

The next year saw his first trip to the sparse Lake Mac campsite with Dr Holt to help erect old army tents and a marquee for the Christmas Crusader Camp season. The campsite had a weatherboard store hut and a corrugated steel unlined kitchen shed with a small wood stove, a sink with tank water, and two kerosene fridges. There was also a corrugated steel “2-holer” pit toilet overlooking the lake, affectionately named “Holt’s Humpy.” These were Robin’s very first memories of a campsite that would help share the hope of the gospel with thousands of campers over the next five decades.

We were absolutely hooked on Lake Mac and helping with improvements - with a vision of the potential for reaching young people with the gospel!

Some significant challenges threatened to derail the site’s development. Funds were in short supply, and there were difficulties in getting necessary permissions from the local council. It took over 16 years for water to be connected, meaning that development work was continuing with the hope that this would be achieved but without certainty. To make it worse, tools were often stolen from the site.

Yet the following years were filled with significant developments. The erection of the Hall in 1955 saw volunteer workers in their late teens and early twenties serving as labourers; levelling ground, carrying corrugated steel roofing, nailing weatherboards, and laying concrete floors. The jetty and swimming pool enclosure were built and lasted for almost 60 years before being replaced commercially. When mains water was connected Robin, who had just completed an Architecture degree at UNSW, designed the toilet block with a working septic system, providing the luxury of “flushable loos”, and showers. Countless further works followed and continued to provide an enjoyable camping experience for the many campers that stayed on the site year after year.

“We were absolutely hooked on Lake Mac and helping with improvements - with a vision of the potential for reaching young people with the gospel,” shares Robin.

Many regular working parties were carried out by the Senior Crusader Fellowship, a ministry formed with the prime function of equipping the group spiritually for God’s service, both within and beyond CRU.

Pictured: CRU Lake Mac working party

During this time, Robin's parents also served at Lake Mac. His father, Dick, was a builder by trade and assisted with construction works, and his mother, Robbie, kept the working parties well fed. She was known as “Mrs Mac” – CRU’s first Lake Mac cook! Robin recalls that they were all “well fed by Mrs Mac as a labour of love for her Lord Jesus.”

Robin served as a leader on Senior Boys’ sailing camps for a few years and also led on a series of Crusader Bushwalks between 1958 and 1962. Robin recalls, “We had annual bushwalks which were an amazing event. Six or seven days in the Blue Mountains, miles out from civilization. The isolated, idyllic environment with morning Bible messages was conducive to close spiritual encounters with the boys.”

While working as an architect, Robin met Wendy at his office, and they were married in 1964. After living in England for nearly two years, they returned to build their house at Emu Plains. Busy with his own architectural practice and three sons, Robin’s CRU Camp involvement slowed, however, he and Wendy still served as house parents on a few sailing camps at Lake Mac and other CRU Camps at Gerringong and Wyangala Dam.

Possibly Robin’s most unique and recognizable contribution to Lake Mac was his innovative design of the A-frame timber tents. “CRU can claim the introduction of ‘glamping’ to the world back in 1968 with the construction of the unique timber tents,” Robin says playfully.

“The timber tents obviated the need for constantly erecting, repairing and packing away old army tents, and had a floor to keep the mattresses off the ground. There were plenty of mattresses in the store hut, but having them on the grass wasn't a good idea,” Robin explains.

Pictured: CRU Lake Mac winterised timber tents, 1993

The iconic design was not just driven by practicality, however. Robin’s intention for the tents was to retain the camping character that Lake Mac was known for, and not to be just a replica of the campers’ bedrooms at home. He recalls, “When the kids came on camp, we wanted something that was a bit more exciting for them that had a real camping flavour about it. They had to roll up the canvas on each triangular end and close them down again. And when used properly, they were weatherproof.” The canvas ends not only retained the tent-like feel but allowed for ample ventilation and “natural air-conditioning” – especially suited for the summer camp seasons!

Robin reflects, “When coming up with solutions for what was needed, designs were always with God’s guidance. I think the timber tents were part of that God-given insight into what the campsite should look like, and how we enjoyed camping in the scrub that Lake Macquarie was.”

52 years later, the iconic A-frame cabins remain in use today as part of the newly-redeveloped Lake Mac site. Over time, the canvas ends had to be replaced with infill structures for increased safety and security, yet the cabins still retain much of the character of the original design.

Robin reflects, “One day we might know how many campers have actually come to a saving knowledge of Jesus through being on camps at Lake Mac. God used those camps as an amazing force for presentation of the gospel. In that environment, where campers are away from home, with a group of friends, and with dedicated leaders who are there to point them in the right direction to Jesus, it’s a unique opportunity.”

We praise God for the McKays and the hundreds of faithful servants who have partnered in CRU’s ministry over the years. We are thankful for their perseverance when major challenges arose. Under God’s guidance, their sacrifice, commitment and generosity have enabled thousands of children and young people to encounter Christ. Their Godinspired work from decades ago still bears fruit today and laid the platform for later site developments. Our new cabins are already providing the opportunity for tens of thousands more children and young people to enjoy Christian community at Lake Mac. God’s work continues!