Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 Rachel WESTAWAY (Prahran) (13:24): I rise to recognise a remarkable community asset in our region. Urban Camp in Parkville has been enabling young people to thrive through urban experiences for 40 years. It is tucked into parkland near Melbourne Zoo and housed in a heritage-listed building dating back to 1941. Urban Camp offers affordable school camps and group accommodation for just $58 per child per day. What began in 1984 as a grassroots initiative by Kensington community schoolteachers has grown into a thriving community-owned enterprise. Entirely self-funded, Urban Camp welcomes over 12,000 guests annually. More than 70 per cent of its visitors are from regional schools, many of whom would not otherwise have access to a city experience. Each child visiting spends an estimated additional $50 in our local economy but, more importantly, has a priceless experience that helps bring country and city closer together.

Demand has well and truly outgrown capacity. Urban Camp is turning away 158 schools every year. I was pleased to meet CEO Elizabeth Compton and hear directly about the camp’s vision for expansion, including 66 additional beds and a multipurpose learning space and improved accessibility. This is exactly the kind of community-owned initiative that deserves to be heard. The member for Mornington and I both visited at the same time, and we are actively exploring every avenue to support Urban Camp’s case. I call on this government to back them.