Thursday 25 January 2018

The Girl Guide campsite, Burnet Park near Glengarry is set for a complete transformation thanks to $187,420 from the Latrobe Valley Authority’s (LVA) Community Facility Fund.

The LVA’s community Facility Fund is part of the Andrews Labor government $266 million transition fund for the Latrobe Valley.

Works will commence later this month to repair and renovate the Park’s buildings and grounds, including refurbishing the kitchen, improving driveways, drainage and paths, landscaping, upgrading camping places, improving signage, removing dead and dangerous trees and securing the entire site with boundary fencing.

The Burnet Park Girl Guides campsite is owned by Girl Guides Victoria and has operated in the region for the past 50 years after the site was donated to Girl Guides Victoria by local farmers, the Burnet family.

The campsite has its 50th anniversary on 24 February this year, and major celebrations are planned to mark this important milestone.

The project has strong support from the community, from Girl Guides in Gippsland and Victoria and the Friends of Burnet Park group.

Latrobe Valley Authority has contributed $187,420 of the $245,020 building and grounds upgrades project.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Community pride and pride of place is a huge part of the work we are doing across the Latrobe Valley region, and for many locals, this site in Glengarry has a really significant history.”

“Our investment in this funding for the site will enable new generations of Gippslanders to find adventure, make new friends and learn important skills that they’ll keep for life.”

Quotes attributable to Latrobe Valley Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Karen Cain

“The project will secure the future of the campsite, the only Girl Guides Victoria campsite in Gippsland.

“These works will really bring the campsite up to modern standards, reducing ongoing maintenance costs and making it an attractive and highly usable location for local Girl Guide groups and other community organisations.”

Quotes attributable to Christine Oliver, from the Girl Guides Association of Victoria/Burnet Park Campsite Management Committee

“The Park had become tired and run down, but was highly valued as a camp and activity centre for Girl Guides locally.

“We have hundreds of Girl Guides using the facility every year for camping and day visits, and with these upgrades we hope to increase this significantly,” Christine said.

“Without these upgrades the camp was rapidly deteriorating – we are so excited that the facility will have a completely new lease on life and inspire future Girl Guides from throughout Gippsland and beyond, as well as becoming a great location for school and community groups and events.”