In 2017, the Outdoor Education staff had been searching for a suitable property in the local area for nearly a decade. When we were notified of a bush block at the far end of the lake, curiosity and hope led us to go and take a look. What we found was far from inspiring.
The property was overrun with weeds, scattered with six abandoned car bodies, and dotted with old asbestos sheds. It was clear that the site had been neglected for many years. Yet, as we walked the land and explored further, something else began to emerge.
Beneath the mess was a unique and striking piece of the Teviot Range wild, rugged, and full of potential. It quickly became clear that this landscape was a perfect fit for our Outdoor Education program. At the top of the property stood Pulpit Rock, a defining feature and a distinctive part of the Teviot Range; a place of perspective, challenge, and reflection - everything we hoped our students would experience.
After several visits to the site and extensive research, the property was purchased, marking the beginning of a long and demanding journey. What followed were years of development applications, environmental assessments, and the hard physical work of cleaning up the land.
By 2019, we were finally ready to welcome students for camping. What had once been an overgrown and neglected block became a living classroom. Looking forward, the site promised even more. A future of reafforestation and regeneration projects where students could actively contribute to the healing and stewardship of the land. What began as a rough bush block at the other end of the lake became a cornerstone of the program, shaped by vision, persistence, and collective effort.
- Mr Derek Jervis, Director Outdoor Education