Lord Somers Camp
Encyclopedia
Lord Somers Camp, or "Big Camp" is an annual week-long leadership camp for boys held in Somers
, Victoria, Australia
.
Originally founded in Anglesea, Victoria
in 1929 by Lord Somers
the camp has been running continuously since 1929, excluding 1943-1945 when the site was occupied by the RAAF
.
The camp takes place over a 7 day period in early January each year.
. Somers aimed to duplicate the success of the hugely popular Duke of York Camps which were held in the United Kingdom
. The first and second camps were held at Anglesea, Victoria
with the assistance of the Anglesea Scouts. The camp moved then relocated to purpose built site in Somers
in 1931. Two of the original buildings still stand today, including the Executive Hut (staff quarters) and the Mess Hut (dining hall).
, rugby
, and Australian rules football
. Whilst the clubs were originally setup solely for the use of Lord Somers Camp members, gradually the clubs forged their own identity and became their own legal entities due to insurances issues in 1980s. Today, they operate completely independently.
In 1986, a female equivalent of the Camp, Lady Somers Camp commenced and has arguably been more successful. It typically follows the boys camp.
Other programs followed, including Diversity (for the intellectuality and physically challenged), VSK (Very Special Kids) and more recently Mirabel. Again, all managed and operated by LSC&PH volunteers
The township of East Balnarring was renamed Somers, Victoria
after the camp.
Somers, Victoria
Somers is a small town approximately 72 km south east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the south eastern corner of the Mornington Peninsula on Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.-History:...
, Victoria, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Originally founded in Anglesea, Victoria
Anglesea, Victoria
Anglesea is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Great Ocean Road in the Surf Coast Shire local government area. At the 2006 census, Anglesea had a population of 2,290....
in 1929 by Lord Somers
Arthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers
Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers, KCMG, DSO, MC , son of Herbert Haldane Somers-Cocks by Blanche Margaret Standish Clogstoun...
the camp has been running continuously since 1929, excluding 1943-1945 when the site was occupied by the RAAF
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
.
The camp takes place over a 7 day period in early January each year.
History
The camp was set up in 1929 by the then Governor of Victoria, Lord SomersArthur Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers
Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Herbert Tennyson Somers-Cocks, 6th Baron Somers, KCMG, DSO, MC , son of Herbert Haldane Somers-Cocks by Blanche Margaret Standish Clogstoun...
. Somers aimed to duplicate the success of the hugely popular Duke of York Camps which were held in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. The first and second camps were held at Anglesea, Victoria
Anglesea, Victoria
Anglesea is a town in Victoria, Australia. It is located on the Great Ocean Road in the Surf Coast Shire local government area. At the 2006 census, Anglesea had a population of 2,290....
with the assistance of the Anglesea Scouts. The camp moved then relocated to purpose built site in Somers
Somers, Victoria
Somers is a small town approximately 72 km south east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the south eastern corner of the Mornington Peninsula on Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.-History:...
in 1931. Two of the original buildings still stand today, including the Executive Hut (staff quarters) and the Mess Hut (dining hall).
Powerhouse
In order to provide a meeting and social outlet for the camp's participants, a "Club House" located at Albert Park Lake in Melbourne was built. Known as "Powerhouse", the activities were later expanded into sporting clubs, including rowingRowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
, rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, and Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
. Whilst the clubs were originally setup solely for the use of Lord Somers Camp members, gradually the clubs forged their own identity and became their own legal entities due to insurances issues in 1980s. Today, they operate completely independently.
Today
The camps are operated and staffed completely by volunteers who even have to pay for privilege and a give up a week of their holidays. The exact program has been adjusted inline with community expectations and socials changes over the years.In 1986, a female equivalent of the Camp, Lady Somers Camp commenced and has arguably been more successful. It typically follows the boys camp.
Other programs followed, including Diversity (for the intellectuality and physically challenged), VSK (Very Special Kids) and more recently Mirabel. Again, all managed and operated by LSC&PH volunteers
The township of East Balnarring was renamed Somers, Victoria
Somers, Victoria
Somers is a small town approximately 72 km south east of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the south eastern corner of the Mornington Peninsula on Western Port. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Mornington Peninsula.-History:...
after the camp.