The future of the YCW Camp at Philip Island is in doubt. We are building up a picture of the significance of the asset for Cardijn movements and we’d love to hear from you if you have a story of the camp. Read how at the end of this item.
Our last newsletter provided the views of ACI, and of a new ‘Mannix’ body for veterans, regarding the future of the Camp. The Mannix group proposes to give the YCW Camp to an RSL veterans agency, and use the cash reserves of the Camp Committee for the benefit of the nominated YCW veterans families which it claims are the sole beneficiaries.
At the request of this group, we also now provide its response to our last newsletter. Its total denial of YCW entitlement derives from its legal opinion; we are aware of different views.
While we don’t dispute that veterans have an interest in the camp, there can be little sympathy for a campaign to strip the YCW of its primary entitlement. While the Mannix group’s legal opinion is untested, the YCW’s moral argument is unassailable.
In addition to its inconsistencies (as it seems to us), this ‘black letter’ interpretation of the law denies natural justice. It overlooks the plain evidence, on the public record, and unchallenged to our knowledge, that the Camp was always intended primarily for the YCW movement (including the families of YCW veterans), and has overwhelmingly been used for these purposes since its inception.
It is inconceivable that the prime stakeholder in ‘The YCW Camp’, at the ‘YCW Beach’, is not the YCW, which has managed, maintained, fundraised and improved the property over the decades. To attempt to completely disperse the YCW’s entitlement to the property (subject to its responsibilities to veterans) seems to us indefensible.
We invite readers to share your stories of the Camp, to contribute to our understanding of its history. It may have been just a brush, or perhaps you were a regular at working bees, or fundraisers. Maybe you recall friendships shared on a YCW or YCS camp, a summer holiday, or a sports team’s or leaders’ weekend.
We would also welcome any thoughts on a new use or development for the Camp, or views on the use of proceeds from any sale that was to occur in the future.
Please don’t hesitate to be in touch, to share an anecdote or a longer story, or ask a question ‘here’.
CORRECTION
An earlier version of this article said that the funds would be “apportioned” among the stated beneficiaries. This was incorrect. We apologise for the error.