Eildon Camp - History
Late in 1983, Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School purchased the land near Lake Eildon where its camp and outdoor education centre is now situated. In February 1984 a group of Year 10 boys became the pioneers of our student body at Eildon.
Initially the facilities were simple. Students were housed in four large tents which had been used by the army. Ten students could be accomodated in each.
Rudimentary living conditions provided a challenge to the students, although few failed to dream of heating and hot showers! Facilities were gradually improved. Old timber rails were used to make seats and tables and a basic shower was built from raw materials.
Water was pumped from the dam and in summer showers were warm as the sun heated the poly pipes but in winter it was a different story. The construction of a shed which functioned as an on-site kitchen, fueled by gas, meant that meals could be prepared on the site rather than being transported down from the house at Skyline Road.
In 1985 electricity was connected to the site. This required the use of helicopters to carry cables over otherwise inaccessible terrain. With power available more substantial building was possible and a period of rapid growth followed.
A new roadway was laid, the large dam was excavated and construction of the main buildings commenced. By 1986 the dormitory, kitchen and teaching buildings were complete and a new era of outdoor education began at PEGS. After years of good service the old tents had begun to fall apart. The camp had been finished just in time.