The much-loved camp on Derby Hill will officially close its doors on Saturday, 24 September. The results of the closure are widespread, with 25 employees left without work and the cancellation of all future school camps and programs for disadvantaged young people.

The future of the camp is uncertain, and many are concerned about the loss of a valued community facility. Community events such as the Folk Festival have booked the camp for future events and are now left to find alternative accommodation.

Pam Lyons, organiser of the Folk Festival told the Times, “We have advertised the Blue Light Camp as available accommodation on our website. Some people have already paid deposits and we’re left trying to find them somewhere to stay for the festival.”

The camp was about to begin running programs for vulnerable, marginalised, disadvantaged young people at risk of being engaged in the youth justice system. These programs, designed to support young people to return to structured learning, will no longer be available to those who need them most.

Jonathan Mitchell brought on as the Executive General Manager of the camp early in 2021, managed to sustain the camp amidst the pandemic, despite considerable financial strains. When the camp was able to reopen in March this year, Jonathan told the Times, “Once restrictions were lifted, we were inundated with bookings, right up to 2024.”

CEO of Blue Light Victoria (BLV), Elissa Scott, told the Times that despite ongoing fundraising and grant applications, the pandemic has had a significant impact on BLV’s ability to generate income. BLV owns the campsite at Maldon and has had a lease in place for the site with the tenant, the Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp (VBLYC).

“The Maldon campsite requires significant maintenance, has increased running costs and expensive insurance (insurance costs have more than doubled),” said Elissa Scott. “A rental increase was not viable for the camp tenant. The camp will close at the end of September 2022 and will go on the market shortly, with the assistance of real estate agents Mason White.”

According to (BLV) the land is zoned PCRZ, which under the Victorian planning provisions is:

To implement the Municipal Planning Strategy and the Planning Policy Framework.

To protect and conserve the natural environment and natural processes for their historic, scientific, landscape, habitat or cultural values.

To provide facilities that assist in public education and interpretation of the natural environment with minimal degradation of the natural environment or natural processes.

To provide for appropriate resource-based uses.

BLV was established in 1976 and began delivering drug and alcohol-free discos for young people before being established as a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity.

BLV acquired the Derby Hill Property in Maldon in 1987, and the Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp (VBLYC), not for profit organisation, was born. Since this time, the VBLYC has run school camps, specialising in bicycle safety and, more recently, started the process of introducing programs targeting young people who have been identified as being at risk of becoming a victim or perpetrator of a crime.

In 2014 Victoria Police discontinued financial support for BLV, resulting in an array of partners and community stakeholders becoming involved in the running of school programs, discos and other programs. BLV is currently funded via a variety of sources, including Federal and State Governments, fundraising, sponsorship, donor support and fee-for-service programs.

Elissa Scott said, “Proceeds from the sale of the property will be invested. In line with our strategy, income from the investment will go towards furthering the work of Blue Light Victoria across the State. This allows Blue Light Victoria to continue to support many young people in regional communities and numerous schools.”

Since being purchased by Blue Light Victoria, the Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp has provided children with a unique opportunity to enjoy the history of our township, adventuring at the camp and participating in the Bicycle Safety Program.

There has been no comment from Victorian Blue Light Youth Camp (VBLYC) regarding the sale.

This article appeared in the Tarrangower Times, 16 September 2022.