June 15, 2025 • 20 mins
David Brown – Director, Sport and Recreation Projects, Department of Local Government, Sports and Cultural Industries.
Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp is celebrating 80 years of rich history where generations of Western Australians have discovered the joy of outdoor adventure, built lifelong memories, and grown through shared experience in nature.
What started as a small national fitness camp for young people in 1945, has become one of Western Australia’s most valued outdoor education and recreation facilities welcoming tens of thousands of people through its gates each year.
From school students having their first canoe experience, families connecting under the stars, and community groups building teamwork on the high ropes, Bickley has provided something for everyone - regardless of age or experience.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
This is remember when with Harvey Degan on Perth six PR.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome evening, everybody, and welcome to the show. We have
a shorter program tonight, of course because of the footy,
but we still have lots to cover between now and midnight.
Soon we'll be taking a look at a milestone anniversary
of arguably WA's premier outdoor adventure and recreation camp. After
ten o'clock I'll be joined in the studio by Richard
(00:30):
Often he'll be taking a detailed look at our convict
past in Wa. And in the last hour we'll have
another episode of our serial Famous Fortunes, and then there'll
be a Beach Boys special where we'll play some of
the group's greatest hits. And this follows the passing during
the week of one of the founders of the Beach Boys,
Brian Wilson. So hope you can stay with us through
(00:52):
the rest of the night and then into Monday morning
with Tony Max Australia Overnight. But first things first, I
would like to be yet that many of you listening
to our program this evening are aware of the Bickley
Outdoor Recreation Camp located on the Darling Scarp alongside the
picturesque Bickley Reservoir, twenty five kilometers from the Perth CBD
(01:14):
in the suburb of Orange Grove. Now, maybe you've personally
experienced what the camp has to offer, or maybe your
children or grandchildren have been there to participate in the
multitude of activities that are available. For those that haven't,
listen up, the Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp is a place
where West Australians of all ages can participate in exciting
(01:36):
activities in a tranquil bush setting. And this year is
a very important one for the camp. It's celebrating its
eightieth birthday. Oh I wonder how many Westoses have been
to the camp at one time or another over that period.
Many thousands, I suspect. Well, if anybody knows, it would
be David Brown, Director Sport and Recreation Projects at the
(01:58):
Department of Local Government, and under lay lighted to say
that David has agreed to join us on remember when
Welcome David.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Hi Harvey, thanks having me, You're very very welcome.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Indeed, well, the David pressure from the opening bounds. Any
idea of how many people have experienced the camp.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
It'd probably be pretty tricky to give you a precise
number of people that have been through the doors, but
certainly looking back at the number of people that may
have stayed overnight of the camp, been on holiday programs,
family community camps and trips and things, which certainly say
the last twenty years, they're big least consistently delivered over
twenty thousand camp experiences each year, so that'll probably you
(02:37):
four or five hundred thousand alone over that last twenty
odd years for people who participated in programs, stayed there
or used quickly as the base to explore the surrounding bush.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
They're seriously big numbers. David, take us for a journey
through time back to June third, nineteen forty five. That's
when the Bigley Youth Camp as it was first known,
was officially opened. Whose idea was it to establish the
camp in the first place?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It was actually the National Fitness Council was designated to
investigate possible sites through a camp. And this was actually
ahead of nineteen forty five, so this was in sort
of the nineteen thirties, and it was around World War
two time, and it was part of a broader national
effort to improve physical fitness and social cohesion. And you know,
(03:23):
when looking through a number of locations, Bickley was identified
as a as a great location to establish the states
first youth model camp. And yeah, it opened up on
the third of June nineteen forty five.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
And one of the greatest advantages is I alluded to,
I think at the start of our chat today, was
that it's well essentially in our own backyard, just twenty
five k's from the birth CBD.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
That's it. Yeah, the site was chosen for its natural
beauty and practicality. It was leased from the Water Supply
Department around the Bickley Reservoir, you know, as a camp
located in the bush with a great location for it
and a really great way for youth and community to
go out and experience kind of camping and experience you know, activities. Now,
(04:11):
in the early days, it was probably pretty rugged. It
was tense for accommodation, and it's a few basic buildings
things like that. You know, campers would have been improvising
with what they had, making games from natural materials or
sort of spending time in the reservoir hiking and those
sorts of things. But yeah, that it's evolved a little
bit over the years into a range of different programs
(04:31):
and activities that are.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Run sure, has I imagine that back in the day, David,
there was a mere fractions of options for participants that
exist today.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Yeah. Absolutely. You know, back in the day, I think,
like I said, it was really a location where people
would go camp. He would have had groups such as
Scouts and Girl Guides and church groups and family groups
going and staying there. But you know, in the eighties
and nineties and a lot of these programs would have
really into more formal type arrangements and it bit You've
(05:03):
got things such as fantastic places to be participating in
ab sailing off the natural rock face. There's an opportunity
to do flying fox across the Bickley Reservoir as well
as the range of you know, I said before, it's
a fantastic base to explore the region. You know, we
offer mountain biking and orienteering and a lot of games
like raft building and those sorts of things. So really
(05:26):
maintaining that focus on getting people outdoors and experiencing things
and enjoying the local.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Surround is it fair to say, David, from the get go,
Bitley was more than somewhere where participants just learn the
basics of camping. Surely they would have also been taught
the fundamental skills of sharing and living together.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Absolutely. I think that was really that focus in those
early days of setting it up. It was about building
fitness and creating social sort of cohesion across those use
and getting people out experience in the outdoors, but learning
important skills living independently and you know, so there would
have been community living and those sorts of groups out
(06:09):
there spending time together and learning what it's like to
be in the bush and spend time out in their community,
you know, building relationships and friendships with people and learning
valuable skills. That really did a good foundation for them
for the future.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Now, David, I believe the Gold League for people don't
know what the Gold League is, so basically their bird fanciers,
the Gold League people. Yep, the Girl League were one
of the early groups who could appreciate just what Bigley
had to offer.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah. No, the Good League is very one of the
very sort of special to Depictarly, they've got a little
area they're referred to as the Good Area, but they
ran camps and a lot of year sixers would have
been there to a Gold League camp. Over the year.
They would have been sort of a week for long
or so camp where they would have gone and experienced,
you know, nature and learn about the environment, sustainability. You know,
they've been a long term partner and work with Bickley
(07:01):
for a long period.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I think the what's it called the TS Edmundson Sanctuary
has been established by the Gould League.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Hasn't it. Yeah. Absolutely, Yeah, they've done some amazing work
up there, and certainly Bickley and the team up there
have done great work building relationships with the places like
the Gold League. They've got strong relationships with the Southeast
Regional Center, the Urban Landcare who've helped restore and protect
the camp's environment. Thousands of seedlings planted, we control education
(07:28):
signage installed to be able to sort of identify local
birds and flora fauna, those sorts of things. So yeah,
it's a really fantastic space to go and just appreciate
nature and find a tranquil spot in a fairly busy world.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I hope you're enjoying my interview with David and David
If you don't mind, we can take a break now
and pay a few bills and we'll be back with
more on this this's the eightieth anniversary of Bickley.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
On Perth six PR. This is remember when with Harvey
d Gan.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So welcome back everybody, and I'm having a chat right
now to a very informed man in regarding the Bickley
Outdoor Recreation Camp, which is celebrating its eightieth birthday, was
set up in the nineteen twenty nineteen forty five, i
should say, and David Brown has been taking us through
some of the early days at Bickley. David, can you
(08:28):
take us through some of the main facilities that have
been added since the birth of Bickley when it was
a very rudimentary camp back in those days.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Yeah. Look, in the early days, as we said, there
might have been a couple of old buildings in a
sort of a kitchen and mainly a number of tenths.
But over the years there's been a number of additional
buildings and dorms added x army sort of and I
think the Jenny was formerly part of the Purse causeway
and yeah, so you've got a number of different buildings
(09:00):
and things that have been established there over the years
to really turn it into a little bit more comfortable
than what it might have been back in the nineteen
forties but still maintained that very rustic and rural Fiel David.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I believe the old Pickering Brooks Schoolhouse is on site.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Tell us about that. What's its purpose there?
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Yeah, Look, the Pickering Brook Schoolhouse stands just inside the
front gates and it's really been used as the recreation
room there at the Bickler Camp. So all the campers
would be staying in the dorms and using the camp
facilities during the day. Then you know, at times they'll
be using the old pickering Brook Schoolhouse for group activities,
whether it big craft or sort of movie nights, or
(09:39):
activities and other things that might be happening throughout their camp.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
It's probably not the right weather or the right season
for this, but you've got an Olympics and handed swimming pool,
and is that available for people who are attending the
camp to have a swimming Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Look, the Biclary reservoir are certainly there. And going through
bit of the history, you know, I understand that the
camp used to host some in carnivals and it was
even frequented by some former Olympic athletes of the likes
of John Hendrix and Percy Oliver. But whilst it might
not be used as a fifty meter swimming pool was
often anymore. It's certainly used for people to go in
there and have a swim and kayaking and water based
(10:18):
programs when we do raft building and those sorts of things.
But as we say, in addition to the organized camps,
one of the things that Bigley is there's a lot
of groups and family groups and community groups that go
there and stay in our Billabond camping area and just
use it as a base to be out of the
and go and spend some time around the dam and
stay cool in summer and enjoy the surround.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Indeed, way back in the day, I believe there was
a youth hostel which was gutted by fire.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Can you take us through.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
That and has that been rebuilt or replaced with another
structure in the meantime.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Yeah, so it was I think in the early nineteen fifties.
It was built there and it was later gutted by fire,
but that later became the warden's heart and it was
fit it out for the following warden. I think that
was a book. Bert Wilkinson who retired in nineteen seventy
six and understand Burti spent many hours building the stone walls,
(11:11):
the barbecue areas and amphitheater, and remained on site a
warden until about nineteen eighty eight.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Right David I was reading that at the start, at
the very very start, thanks to a subsidized fee structure,
participants had to pay one and thrippans a day. That's
on about thirteen fourteen cents or something in decimal currency,
one thripans a day to access the camp.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Goodness me, what a bargain that was.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Absolutely, yes, no, they certainly pretty affordable camp experience then,
and look from our point of view, we try and
make sure that they remain as affordable as possible so
that everyone gets the opportunity to attend camp, you know,
weeks at the Across all of our recreation camps, we
offer a pricing structure that makes it affordable for schools,
community groups to receive a significant scant off the full
(12:00):
price to make sure that all the facilities, whether it
be staying overnight at the dorm at the campgrounds or
participating in activities, they've got access to that and hopefully
we'll continue to do so for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah, they be paid more than one trippance obviously, but
I think you've managed to keep your fees down.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Is it still subsidized the Bigley.
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Care, Yeah, absolutely, so the state government certainly works to
make sure the camps are subsidized. So in terms of
the cost of running the camps, then they offer a
significant discount for both school and community groups to make
sure they're able to afford so that students and others
who want to attend the camp still able to do so,
and it remains very affordable.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
History records that your inaugural camp manager was a Russell
Small and he was quite instrumental, I believe, in introducing
a raft of recreational activities round about the nineteen eighties.
So you took a leap forward apparently at that time.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Yeah. Yeah, I think as we sort of touched on
in the early history, it was very much a campground
where people probably found their own activities and used the
natural resources around them for games and getting out of
the water and those sorts of things. But the model
sort of shifted a little bit to create more instructor
led activities and programs, and that involves things such as
(13:21):
raft building and absolutely flying folks, you know, just games
and bushwalking, mountain biking, these sorts of things to really
provide that full camp experience, so people can go there,
stay for a couple of nights and enjoy the camps
and surrounds, but participate in activities that might push them
boundaries and get them outdoors and experiencing new, unique opportunities,
(13:41):
but you know, safely with a very qualified, skilled instructor
there to help you through.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
You've obviously had a number of very very competent camp
managers over the course of the eighty years, and we've
mentioned Russell. You've got Craig Waite and David Hall as
Bickley staff. Believe they were heavily involved in creating a
range of programs as well.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yeah, look, Craig and David both worked there for a
very long time. I actually attended the retirement of David,
who was the assistant manager at Bickley for I think
it was over thirty five years, and you know, it
was lucky enough to just hear some of the stories
about how those programs and things have changed and involved
just to make sure that you know they're continuing to
meet the community needs and sort of create those camp
(14:28):
experiences that are still unique and challenging. But in addition
to those two, we've got a current manager there, Aaron Bertram,
who's been there for thro over twenty years himself, and
he's really taken the camp from strength to strengths by
building out on those existing programs, creating new ones and
improving the facilities around the camp and access to the camp.
And I think that's why we see so many schools,
(14:50):
community groups, family groups come back year on year. You know,
a significant portion of the people who go to Bickley
are people who are booking for next year when they
leave this year because it's just something that they I
really enjoy and want to come back to.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
That's a great endorsement.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Got a few more things to ask you about if
you don't mind indulging us at this late hour of night, David,
we appreciate that and we'll be back very shortly.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
This is remember when with Harvey Digan on Perth six PR.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Welcome Back Facts and I'm talking to David Brown from
the Department of Local Government and we're having a chat
about the eightieth anniversary of the Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp
and you've been taking us through some of the great advances, David,
that have occurred since the camp opened in nineteen forty five.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And you know, I.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Suppose in rounding it off, you'd say that Bickley has
got something for everyone, hasn't it. It might be for schools,
it might be corporate bonding, team bonding sort of exercises,
church groups, youth and family groups and so on. So
do you have an average demographic or is it the
usual from eight to eighty sort of range.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
You know, yeah, it really is across the board. Now,
I think a lot of our groups would be school groups,
you know, so we support schools and that would be
primary school camps, but also your high schools. You may
have outdoor head students and those sorts of things. And
you know, it's always fantastic to see these students who
come along and learn skills and participate in these activities
(16:28):
at camps later on in their journey coming back as
outdoor leaders running programs and those sorts of things. But
with bigly, as we say, they've got those those dorm
facilities and those camp operations, but they've also got some
camp sites which we do see a lot of families
come back year on year around Christmas and use them
and different community groups, church groups, others. And yeah, there's
(16:51):
a special charm in Bickley. It's the simplicity of the
bunk beds, the cozy dining hall. You know, it's really
helped shape a number of people's lives and you really
looking forward to continue to see what kind of services
and programs that continue to grow from strength to strength.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Yeah, David, clearly there's a focus on like minded groups.
But what about just an individual of someone's for example,
listening to our conversation tonight and he or she says,
might I might go up to Bicly on my own?
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Can people do that? Do you take individual bookings?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Look, people are able to book the campsite those sorts
of things. In terms of the programs and activities, then yes,
people can book those, depending on availability and those sorts
of things. But it really is, like I say, a
place that everyone should be able to go and enjoy.
So from that perspective then yeah, you know a lot
of it is school bookings and other groups and community groups,
(17:46):
but you know, we do just find that up there.
It is a place that a lot of people use
as a base to go hiking, bushwalking, just explore you know,
So from that perspective, then yeah, you have people booking
the camp area and using that as a bit of
a base to go out and explore the natural surrounds.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Good despite the best intention, shall we say, and the
clear professionalism that it is quite obviously, quite obviously existed Bickley,
Unfortunately there are individuals who break the rules. I suppose
they can't help themselves. So what checks and balances are
in place to hopefully prevent any untoward incidents arising.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Look from our perspective, you know, safety is and absolute priority.
So we've got staff who are on site now. Staff
are all skilled first datas and trained in the programs
that they deliver, so whether that be roping, whether that
be out on the water running you know, kayaking or
cano ngo sorts of activities and really familiar with the
(18:45):
grounds the surrounds to make sure that the facility is
as safe as it possibly can be. But you know,
you're you're staying and you've got people there guiding you
through who are very skilled to what they're doing, really
are very knowledgeable. And before we've bigly what you find
is that people working there been there for a long time.
They just love it. Attending the eightieth anniversary afternoon tea
(19:06):
back on Desertive Joune, there was just so many people
there who went back there talking about fond memories having
worked there for twenty or thirty years because they love
that part of the world, They love the bush there.
So you've got really experienced people who love and appreciate
that nature, that environment out there running these programs. So
it's yeah, really, you know, safety is are an absolute priority,
and we've got the right people there to guide and
(19:27):
help share those experiences with people.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
If there are people who just try to make up
their own rules or don't observe the rules that are
in place, what measures have your people got who possibly
want a victim from the camp itself.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
We would hope that it never got to that, but
certainly when we're running programs are within camps, there's rules
that make sure that everyone knows what's expected in them,
so as well as the instructors being skilled and qualified
teaching what they do, people need to operate within the
right rules and that's for everyone safety. So if you're
attending a camp and you've got one person who's not
operating within the rules or safely, then that can experience
(20:06):
or impact the experience of others. So we'd certainly make
sure that people are operating in a safe environment. And
if you want to participate that those kinds of activities,
you need to do so within those rules, because you're
talking about activities that if not done correct if not
done correctly, can be dangerous. And whether that be at
height or whether that be at a camp, those sorts
(20:27):
of things. But you know, if done in the right way,
which ninety nine point nine percent of people do, then
I think they've been really successful programs. Very few injuries.
They're putting in a few bumps and bruises and those
sorts of things along the way, but for the most part,
people want to do the right things. They want to
enjoy their camp.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
All right, David, Well, thank you very much for your
time tonight on remember when you've given us a great
insight in to the Bigley Outdoor Recreation Camp, which is
celebrating its eightieth birthday, and we wish you all the
best for the future.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The next day to year is no rius.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Thanks very much, really appreciate it.
This is remember when with Harvey Degan on Perth six PR.
Speaker 2 (00:08):
Welcome evening, everybody, and welcome to the show. We have
a shorter program tonight, of course because of the footy,
but we still have lots to cover between now and midnight.
Soon we'll be taking a look at a milestone anniversary
of arguably WA's premier outdoor adventure and recreation camp. After
ten o'clock I'll be joined in the studio by Richard
(00:30):
Often he'll be taking a detailed look at our convict
past in Wa. And in the last hour we'll have
another episode of our serial Famous Fortunes, and then there'll
be a Beach Boys special where we'll play some of
the group's greatest hits. And this follows the passing during
the week of one of the founders of the Beach Boys,
Brian Wilson. So hope you can stay with us through
(00:52):
the rest of the night and then into Monday morning
with Tony Max Australia Overnight. But first things first, I
would like to be yet that many of you listening
to our program this evening are aware of the Bickley
Outdoor Recreation Camp located on the Darling Scarp alongside the
picturesque Bickley Reservoir, twenty five kilometers from the Perth CBD
(01:14):
in the suburb of Orange Grove. Now, maybe you've personally
experienced what the camp has to offer, or maybe your
children or grandchildren have been there to participate in the
multitude of activities that are available. For those that haven't,
listen up, the Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp is a place
where West Australians of all ages can participate in exciting
(01:36):
activities in a tranquil bush setting. And this year is
a very important one for the camp. It's celebrating its
eightieth birthday. Oh I wonder how many Westoses have been
to the camp at one time or another over that period.
Many thousands, I suspect. Well, if anybody knows, it would
be David Brown, Director Sport and Recreation Projects at the
(01:58):
Department of Local Government, and under lay lighted to say
that David has agreed to join us on remember when
Welcome David.
Speaker 3 (02:05):
Hi Harvey, thanks having me, You're very very welcome.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
Indeed, well, the David pressure from the opening bounds. Any
idea of how many people have experienced the camp.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
It'd probably be pretty tricky to give you a precise
number of people that have been through the doors, but
certainly looking back at the number of people that may
have stayed overnight of the camp, been on holiday programs,
family community camps and trips and things, which certainly say
the last twenty years, they're big least consistently delivered over
twenty thousand camp experiences each year, so that'll probably you
(02:37):
four or five hundred thousand alone over that last twenty
odd years for people who participated in programs, stayed there
or used quickly as the base to explore the surrounding bush.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
They're seriously big numbers. David, take us for a journey
through time back to June third, nineteen forty five. That's
when the Bigley Youth Camp as it was first known,
was officially opened. Whose idea was it to establish the
camp in the first place?
Speaker 4 (03:02):
It was actually the National Fitness Council was designated to
investigate possible sites through a camp. And this was actually
ahead of nineteen forty five, so this was in sort
of the nineteen thirties, and it was around World War
two time, and it was part of a broader national
effort to improve physical fitness and social cohesion. And you know,
(03:23):
when looking through a number of locations, Bickley was identified
as a as a great location to establish the states
first youth model camp. And yeah, it opened up on
the third of June nineteen forty five.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
And one of the greatest advantages is I alluded to,
I think at the start of our chat today, was
that it's well essentially in our own backyard, just twenty
five k's from the birth CBD.
Speaker 4 (03:48):
That's it. Yeah, the site was chosen for its natural
beauty and practicality. It was leased from the Water Supply
Department around the Bickley Reservoir, you know, as a camp
located in the bush with a great location for it
and a really great way for youth and community to
go out and experience kind of camping and experience you know, activities. Now,
(04:11):
in the early days, it was probably pretty rugged. It
was tense for accommodation, and it's a few basic buildings
things like that. You know, campers would have been improvising
with what they had, making games from natural materials or
sort of spending time in the reservoir hiking and those
sorts of things. But yeah, that it's evolved a little
bit over the years into a range of different programs
(04:31):
and activities that are.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Run sure, has I imagine that back in the day, David,
there was a mere fractions of options for participants that
exist today.
Speaker 4 (04:42):
Yeah. Absolutely. You know, back in the day, I think,
like I said, it was really a location where people
would go camp. He would have had groups such as
Scouts and Girl Guides and church groups and family groups
going and staying there. But you know, in the eighties
and nineties and a lot of these programs would have
really into more formal type arrangements and it bit You've
(05:03):
got things such as fantastic places to be participating in
ab sailing off the natural rock face. There's an opportunity
to do flying fox across the Bickley Reservoir as well
as the range of you know, I said before, it's
a fantastic base to explore the region. You know, we
offer mountain biking and orienteering and a lot of games
like raft building and those sorts of things. So really
(05:26):
maintaining that focus on getting people outdoors and experiencing things
and enjoying the local.
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Surround is it fair to say, David, from the get go,
Bitley was more than somewhere where participants just learn the
basics of camping. Surely they would have also been taught
the fundamental skills of sharing and living together.
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Absolutely. I think that was really that focus in those
early days of setting it up. It was about building
fitness and creating social sort of cohesion across those use
and getting people out experience in the outdoors, but learning
important skills living independently and you know, so there would
have been community living and those sorts of groups out
(06:09):
there spending time together and learning what it's like to
be in the bush and spend time out in their community,
you know, building relationships and friendships with people and learning
valuable skills. That really did a good foundation for them
for the future.
Speaker 2 (06:24):
Now, David, I believe the Gold League for people don't
know what the Gold League is, so basically their bird fanciers,
the Gold League people. Yep, the Girl League were one
of the early groups who could appreciate just what Bigley
had to offer.
Speaker 4 (06:38):
Yeah. No, the Good League is very one of the
very sort of special to Depictarly, they've got a little
area they're referred to as the Good Area, but they
ran camps and a lot of year sixers would have
been there to a Gold League camp. Over the year.
They would have been sort of a week for long
or so camp where they would have gone and experienced,
you know, nature and learn about the environment, sustainability. You know,
they've been a long term partner and work with Bickley
(07:01):
for a long period.
Speaker 2 (07:02):
I think the what's it called the TS Edmundson Sanctuary
has been established by the Gould League.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Hasn't it. Yeah. Absolutely, Yeah, they've done some amazing work
up there, and certainly Bickley and the team up there
have done great work building relationships with the places like
the Gold League. They've got strong relationships with the Southeast
Regional Center, the Urban Landcare who've helped restore and protect
the camp's environment. Thousands of seedlings planted, we control education
(07:28):
signage installed to be able to sort of identify local
birds and flora fauna, those sorts of things. So yeah,
it's a really fantastic space to go and just appreciate
nature and find a tranquil spot in a fairly busy world.
Speaker 2 (07:41):
I hope you're enjoying my interview with David and David
If you don't mind, we can take a break now
and pay a few bills and we'll be back with
more on this this's the eightieth anniversary of Bickley.
Speaker 1 (08:00):
On Perth six PR. This is remember when with Harvey
d Gan.
Speaker 2 (08:05):
So welcome back everybody, and I'm having a chat right
now to a very informed man in regarding the Bickley
Outdoor Recreation Camp, which is celebrating its eightieth birthday, was
set up in the nineteen twenty nineteen forty five, i
should say, and David Brown has been taking us through
some of the early days at Bickley. David, can you
(08:28):
take us through some of the main facilities that have
been added since the birth of Bickley when it was
a very rudimentary camp back in those days.
Speaker 4 (08:37):
Yeah. Look, in the early days, as we said, there
might have been a couple of old buildings in a
sort of a kitchen and mainly a number of tenths.
But over the years there's been a number of additional
buildings and dorms added x army sort of and I
think the Jenny was formerly part of the Purse causeway
and yeah, so you've got a number of different buildings
(09:00):
and things that have been established there over the years
to really turn it into a little bit more comfortable
than what it might have been back in the nineteen
forties but still maintained that very rustic and rural Fiel David.
Speaker 2 (09:13):
I believe the old Pickering Brooks Schoolhouse is on site.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Tell us about that. What's its purpose there?
Speaker 4 (09:19):
Yeah, Look, the Pickering Brook Schoolhouse stands just inside the
front gates and it's really been used as the recreation
room there at the Bickler Camp. So all the campers
would be staying in the dorms and using the camp
facilities during the day. Then you know, at times they'll
be using the old pickering Brook Schoolhouse for group activities,
whether it big craft or sort of movie nights, or
(09:39):
activities and other things that might be happening throughout their camp.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
It's probably not the right weather or the right season
for this, but you've got an Olympics and handed swimming pool,
and is that available for people who are attending the
camp to have a swimming Yeah.
Speaker 4 (09:55):
Look, the Biclary reservoir are certainly there. And going through
bit of the history, you know, I understand that the
camp used to host some in carnivals and it was
even frequented by some former Olympic athletes of the likes
of John Hendrix and Percy Oliver. But whilst it might
not be used as a fifty meter swimming pool was
often anymore. It's certainly used for people to go in
there and have a swim and kayaking and water based
(10:18):
programs when we do raft building and those sorts of things.
But as we say, in addition to the organized camps,
one of the things that Bigley is there's a lot
of groups and family groups and community groups that go
there and stay in our Billabond camping area and just
use it as a base to be out of the
and go and spend some time around the dam and
stay cool in summer and enjoy the surround.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Indeed, way back in the day, I believe there was
a youth hostel which was gutted by fire.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
Can you take us through.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
That and has that been rebuilt or replaced with another
structure in the meantime.
Speaker 4 (10:50):
Yeah, so it was I think in the early nineteen fifties.
It was built there and it was later gutted by fire,
but that later became the warden's heart and it was
fit it out for the following warden. I think that
was a book. Bert Wilkinson who retired in nineteen seventy
six and understand Burti spent many hours building the stone walls,
(11:11):
the barbecue areas and amphitheater, and remained on site a
warden until about nineteen eighty eight.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Right David I was reading that at the start, at
the very very start, thanks to a subsidized fee structure,
participants had to pay one and thrippans a day. That's
on about thirteen fourteen cents or something in decimal currency,
one thripans a day to access the camp.
Speaker 3 (11:36):
Goodness me, what a bargain that was.
Speaker 4 (11:39):
Absolutely, yes, no, they certainly pretty affordable camp experience then,
and look from our point of view, we try and
make sure that they remain as affordable as possible so
that everyone gets the opportunity to attend camp, you know,
weeks at the Across all of our recreation camps, we
offer a pricing structure that makes it affordable for schools,
community groups to receive a significant scant off the full
(12:00):
price to make sure that all the facilities, whether it
be staying overnight at the dorm at the campgrounds or
participating in activities, they've got access to that and hopefully
we'll continue to do so for a very long time.
Speaker 2 (12:11):
Yeah, they be paid more than one trippance obviously, but
I think you've managed to keep your fees down.
Speaker 3 (12:17):
Is it still subsidized the Bigley.
Speaker 4 (12:20):
Care, Yeah, absolutely, so the state government certainly works to
make sure the camps are subsidized. So in terms of
the cost of running the camps, then they offer a
significant discount for both school and community groups to make
sure they're able to afford so that students and others
who want to attend the camp still able to do so,
and it remains very affordable.
Speaker 2 (12:41):
History records that your inaugural camp manager was a Russell
Small and he was quite instrumental, I believe, in introducing
a raft of recreational activities round about the nineteen eighties.
So you took a leap forward apparently at that time.
Speaker 4 (12:58):
Yeah. Yeah, I think as we sort of touched on
in the early history, it was very much a campground
where people probably found their own activities and used the
natural resources around them for games and getting out of
the water and those sorts of things. But the model
sort of shifted a little bit to create more instructor
led activities and programs, and that involves things such as
(13:21):
raft building and absolutely flying folks, you know, just games
and bushwalking, mountain biking, these sorts of things to really
provide that full camp experience, so people can go there,
stay for a couple of nights and enjoy the camps
and surrounds, but participate in activities that might push them
boundaries and get them outdoors and experiencing new, unique opportunities,
(13:41):
but you know, safely with a very qualified, skilled instructor
there to help you through.
Speaker 2 (13:46):
You've obviously had a number of very very competent camp
managers over the course of the eighty years, and we've
mentioned Russell. You've got Craig Waite and David Hall as
Bickley staff. Believe they were heavily involved in creating a
range of programs as well.
Speaker 4 (14:05):
Yeah, look, Craig and David both worked there for a
very long time. I actually attended the retirement of David,
who was the assistant manager at Bickley for I think
it was over thirty five years, and you know, it
was lucky enough to just hear some of the stories
about how those programs and things have changed and involved
just to make sure that you know they're continuing to
meet the community needs and sort of create those camp
(14:28):
experiences that are still unique and challenging. But in addition
to those two, we've got a current manager there, Aaron Bertram,
who's been there for thro over twenty years himself, and
he's really taken the camp from strength to strengths by
building out on those existing programs, creating new ones and
improving the facilities around the camp and access to the camp.
And I think that's why we see so many schools,
(14:50):
community groups, family groups come back year on year. You know,
a significant portion of the people who go to Bickley
are people who are booking for next year when they
leave this year because it's just something that they I
really enjoy and want to come back to.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
That's a great endorsement.
Speaker 2 (15:03):
Got a few more things to ask you about if
you don't mind indulging us at this late hour of night, David,
we appreciate that and we'll be back very shortly.
Speaker 1 (15:19):
This is remember when with Harvey Digan on Perth six PR.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Welcome Back Facts and I'm talking to David Brown from
the Department of Local Government and we're having a chat
about the eightieth anniversary of the Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp
and you've been taking us through some of the great advances, David,
that have occurred since the camp opened in nineteen forty five.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
And you know, I.
Speaker 2 (15:47):
Suppose in rounding it off, you'd say that Bickley has
got something for everyone, hasn't it. It might be for schools,
it might be corporate bonding, team bonding sort of exercises,
church groups, youth and family groups and so on. So
do you have an average demographic or is it the
usual from eight to eighty sort of range.
Speaker 4 (16:07):
You know, yeah, it really is across the board. Now,
I think a lot of our groups would be school groups,
you know, so we support schools and that would be
primary school camps, but also your high schools. You may
have outdoor head students and those sorts of things. And
you know, it's always fantastic to see these students who
come along and learn skills and participate in these activities
(16:28):
at camps later on in their journey coming back as
outdoor leaders running programs and those sorts of things. But
with bigly, as we say, they've got those those dorm
facilities and those camp operations, but they've also got some
camp sites which we do see a lot of families
come back year on year around Christmas and use them
and different community groups, church groups, others. And yeah, there's
(16:51):
a special charm in Bickley. It's the simplicity of the
bunk beds, the cozy dining hall. You know, it's really
helped shape a number of people's lives and you really
looking forward to continue to see what kind of services
and programs that continue to grow from strength to strength.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
Yeah, David, clearly there's a focus on like minded groups.
But what about just an individual of someone's for example,
listening to our conversation tonight and he or she says,
might I might go up to Bicly on my own?
Speaker 3 (17:20):
Can people do that? Do you take individual bookings?
Speaker 4 (17:24):
Look, people are able to book the campsite those sorts
of things. In terms of the programs and activities, then yes,
people can book those, depending on availability and those sorts
of things. But it really is, like I say, a
place that everyone should be able to go and enjoy.
So from that perspective then yeah, you know a lot
of it is school bookings and other groups and community groups,
(17:46):
but you know, we do just find that up there.
It is a place that a lot of people use
as a base to go hiking, bushwalking, just explore you know,
So from that perspective, then yeah, you have people booking
the camp area and using that as a bit of
a base to go out and explore the natural surrounds.
Speaker 2 (18:02):
Good despite the best intention, shall we say, and the
clear professionalism that it is quite obviously, quite obviously existed Bickley,
Unfortunately there are individuals who break the rules. I suppose
they can't help themselves. So what checks and balances are
in place to hopefully prevent any untoward incidents arising.
Speaker 4 (18:25):
Look from our perspective, you know, safety is and absolute priority.
So we've got staff who are on site now. Staff
are all skilled first datas and trained in the programs
that they deliver, so whether that be roping, whether that
be out on the water running you know, kayaking or
cano ngo sorts of activities and really familiar with the
(18:45):
grounds the surrounds to make sure that the facility is
as safe as it possibly can be. But you know,
you're you're staying and you've got people there guiding you
through who are very skilled to what they're doing, really
are very knowledgeable. And before we've bigly what you find
is that people working there been there for a long time.
They just love it. Attending the eightieth anniversary afternoon tea
(19:06):
back on Desertive Joune, there was just so many people
there who went back there talking about fond memories having
worked there for twenty or thirty years because they love
that part of the world, They love the bush there.
So you've got really experienced people who love and appreciate
that nature, that environment out there running these programs. So
it's yeah, really, you know, safety is are an absolute priority,
and we've got the right people there to guide and
(19:27):
help share those experiences with people.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
If there are people who just try to make up
their own rules or don't observe the rules that are
in place, what measures have your people got who possibly
want a victim from the camp itself.
Speaker 4 (19:45):
We would hope that it never got to that, but
certainly when we're running programs are within camps, there's rules
that make sure that everyone knows what's expected in them,
so as well as the instructors being skilled and qualified
teaching what they do, people need to operate within the
right rules and that's for everyone safety. So if you're
attending a camp and you've got one person who's not
operating within the rules or safely, then that can experience
(20:06):
or impact the experience of others. So we'd certainly make
sure that people are operating in a safe environment. And
if you want to participate that those kinds of activities,
you need to do so within those rules, because you're
talking about activities that if not done correct if not
done correctly, can be dangerous. And whether that be at
height or whether that be at a camp, those sorts
(20:27):
of things. But you know, if done in the right way,
which ninety nine point nine percent of people do, then
I think they've been really successful programs. Very few injuries.
They're putting in a few bumps and bruises and those
sorts of things along the way, but for the most part,
people want to do the right things. They want to
enjoy their camp.
Speaker 2 (20:44):
All right, David, Well, thank you very much for your
time tonight on remember when you've given us a great
insight in to the Bigley Outdoor Recreation Camp, which is
celebrating its eightieth birthday, and we wish you all the
best for the future.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
The next day to year is no rius.
Speaker 4 (20:57):
Thanks very much, really appreciate it.
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