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Camp Waterman

Other Name Children's Camp Location 25-27 McCarthy Road, OLINDA VIC 3788 - Property No 11665 File Number 111 Level Included in Heritage Overlay

[1/1] Camp Waterman

Statement of Significance

What is significant?
Camp Waterman at 25 McCarthy Road, Monbulk, a camp established in the 1930s by the Waterman family, who welcomed disadvantaged children. From 1944 the site was operated by the Churches of Christ on land donated by the Waterman family as a memorial to William Waterman, who went as a missionary to China and died there. Most of the buildings on the Camp Waterman site were constructed following the 1960s bushfires, which destroyed the earlier camp buildings. Apart from the Chapel and accommodation buildings, the site includes earthworks and landscaping.

How is it significant?
Camp Waterman, 25 McCarthy Road, Monbulk, is of local historic, social and aesthetic significance.

Why is it significant?
Of historic and social significance because the existing buildings although of mundane architectural values are redolent of the functions and character of the place over its life as an organized children's camp. The site layout, its landscaping and the functions of its various contoured levels also clearly express its former use. (RNE criteria B2, G1 and D2) The highly structured character of this place as one run by a religious body can be contrasted with the rough bush camp character of the Communist Party operated Camp Eureka and other more ad hoc examples in the area.

Of aesthetic significance because the Chapel, as a distinctive example of the ecclesiastical design of the mid-20th century with a unique response to its site in its fully glazed walls, has special architectural significance (RNE criterion F1).