Wollangarra is an independent non-profit outdoor education project established in the firm belief that young people and mountains are natural partners with a great deal to offer each other. The pioneer-style homestead, which serves as our base camp, is situated on a small, remote river flat of the Macalister River, half way between the towns of Heyfield and Licola. Wollangarra is a unique and simple place. It has no electricity, is accessed by flying fox and has been built by hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers using second hand recycled materials. Nearly 2000 old railway sleepers were used in the construction. It allows young people the opportunity to discover the heart of Victoria's high country in small, well organised and supervised hiking groups, and shows them practical and important ways in which they can help the environment.
Wollangarra is a combination of two aboriginal words, "Wollanbin" meaning high places and "Koolangarra" meaning young people.
Through outdoor education, Wollangarra aims to provide a small but vital step towards a healthier environment, a stronger community and happier young people. We believe that by "doing" rather than "talking", and "fixing" rather than "complaining", we can help young people to see environmental issues as exciting and demanding challenges to the way we live, rather than as endlessly depressing and negative threats to our future.
Wollangarra was founded by Ian Stapleton who also founded the Mittagundi youth project near Omeo. Ian has since handed both projects on to committees of voluntary councillors to run.
The Directors are appointed by the Wollangarra Council and possess a wealth of experience and skills in conservation, education and bush craft. The staff, who change each year, include people with outdoor education experience, Wilderness First Aid qualifications and other relevant experience. Wollangarra maintains a high staff to participant ratio.
No, not at all. A degree of fitness will help, but our "Meeting the Mountains" expeditions are designed as an introduction to high places not as a once in a lifetime challenge. We provide backpacks, sleeping bags, tents, japaras, woolen mittens and balaclavas, water bottles, eating utensils, food and even boots! Only warm clothing is required - and the mandatory toothbrush.
Every single part of the house and the buildings around it, came over the flying fox and was hauled up to the building site by hand or was hand hewn from the surrounding bush. Young people from all over the state came together to take on the task, to help a project they believed in. They all had a great time doing it too!
On our remote river flat we have built a beautiful pioneer style building which accommodates up to 24 young people in a simple but comfortable way. Various out-buildings are also at Wollangarra, as is a well cared for and extensive vegetable garden. There is no electricity and everything is in the old style - wood fired stoves, boilers, open fire places and old gas lights. Commitment and perseverance has resulted in unique and outstanding buildings which have had minimal impact on the environment that Wollangarra is working hard to help protect.
Wollangarra operates a three stage program. While each stage is completely independent of the others, "Stage I" is the initial contact for young participants. From here Stages II and III are accessible, however an individual school is not required to commit to the whole program. Attending only Stage I is fine.
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