Mount Eliza’s iconic Camp Manyung, managed by YMCA Victoria, is turning 100!
With more than one million campers having passed through its gates, it holds a special place in the hearts of families and communities across Victoria.
The parcel of farmland owned by the renowned Baker family was handed to the YMCA to manage in 1925 for youth camps is now the state’s longest running residential camp. For generations, it has been a place where young people discover new skills, build confidence, and form friendships that last a lifetime.
Over the decades, Camp Manyung has changed lives and supported communities through some of Victoria’s most testing times. After the world wars, it provided a place of rehabilitation for returning soldiers. In later years, it offered respite for farming families from Horsham and surrounds struggling through relentless drought, its now known for its inclusive programs for schools and disability groups. At every stage, the camp has responded to community needs while continuing to offer young people the joy of outdoor adventure and connection.
Set in the coastal bushland of Mount Eliza, Camp Manyung has welcomed school groups, sporting clubs, families, and community organisations from every corner of the state. Many campers have gone on to return as parents, teachers, and even grandparents, bringing new generations to experience the same sense of adventure.
YMCA Victoria CEO Carolyn Morris said the centenary will honour the countless stories that began there.
Over 100 years, more than a million people have shared in the Camp Manyung experience – learning resilience, discovering nature, and connecting with others. This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate those memories and the vital role camps play in young people’s lives.
Call for stories
As part of the centenary, YMCA Victoria is inviting anyone who has been part of Camp Manyung’s history – as a camper, staff member, volunteer, teacher or visitor – to share their memories, photos and experiences. These stories will form part of a living history project capturing the camp’s impact across the decades.
“If Camp Manyung has been part of your life in any way, we’d love to hear from you,” Carolyn said. “Your story is part of the fabric of this camp’s history.”
Save the Date
The centenary celebrations will culminate in a community event at Camp Manyung on November 16. Past and present campers, staff, families and local community members are warmly invited to attend and share in this milestone.How to get involved
If you have a Camp Manyung story to share, be part of the celebration or want more information about the 100-year celebration, please contact campmanyung@ymca.org.au