Community
13 June, 2025
Help needed
FOR more than 25 years ‘Camp Quality’ families have been enjoying holidays in a cabin at Warrnambool’s Surfside 1 thanks to local Rotarians.
A project of the Rotary Club of Warrnambool, the cabin has provided greatly appreciated support to families with children undergoing cancer treatment.
The cabin offers a peaceful retreat at no cost to families.
The project began in the late 1990s with a partnership between the Rotary Club of Warrnambool and Camp Quality.
Initially, four successful holiday camps were held at the former Surfside Caravan Park, providing childhood cancer affected families a brief escape from the hospital environment.
In 1999, to offer a more permanent solution, the Rotary Club of Warrnambool purchased a second-hand cabin from Horsham Caravan Park for $14,000 and paid an additional $600 in transport costs.
With the support of local community groups, including the Warrnambool Historical Vehicle Club and the Warrnambool Masonic Lodge, the Camp Quality Cabin was set up at the then Surfside Holiday Park.
Since then, the cabin has been maintained and made available all year-round.
It remains the only facility of its kind in the state, operated in partnership with the Rotary Club of Warrnambool, Camp Quality, the Warrnambool City Council and Surfside.
In 2012 the cabin was replaced with a $100,000 modern, two-bedroom unit with improved amenities.
The replacement project was funded by the Rotary Club of Warrnambool and its supporters.
Last year the club replaced the fridge, television, curtains, beds and lounge suite.
It also re-surfaced the exterior deck and handrails.
The cabin is now regularly used and has an annual occupancy exceeding 75 per cent.
“Unfortunately, after many years of exposure to the harsh salt air, the cabin’s exterior timber cladding and fasteners have significantly deteriorated,” the club’s Camp Quality project coordinator Rachel Furnell said.
“To ensure its longevity we need to remove the timber cladding and replace it with durable Colourbond sheeting.
“But to complete this we need help from local tradespeople who can remove the existing timber and put up the new sheets. Our club members don’t have the expertise to do that work.
“This support, whether through time, materials or expertise, will help ensure the Camp Quality cabin continues to provide a safe, comfortable retreat for cancer-affected families in need.”
Among the many messages left in the cabin by families who have spent quality time holidaying were the following:
‘Thankyou for an amazing holiday. The whole family enjoyed this for different reasons – relaxation, the beach, the fantastic native reserve and we were lucky enough to enjoy the night market and carnival.’
‘Thankyou so much for the opportunity to stay here these past few days – it’s been a wonderful respite from another rough year.’
‘Thanks for giving my family a big getaway – I’ve really enjoyed this stay.’
‘Thankyou for letting us use your cabin, it was such a great escape for us all, especially after the tough year we’ve had. Thankyou to all involved for making it happen – you guys are awesome.’
* If you are a tradesperson, or know someone who is who may be able to help, please contact the Rotary Club of Warrnambool on 0400 688 941 or email warrnamboolrotary@gmail.com.
