MANYUNG RECREATION CAMP

Camp Manyung is of significance to the State of Victoria for the following reasons:

- Camp Manyung is one of the longest operating youth camps in Victoria. It provides evidence from the late 1920s onwards of aspects of Victoria's camping history. It has great social value for its associations with several generations of Victorian campers. Many remember Camp Manyung as a special place where the YMCA camp experience changed their lives.

- The Camp Manyung complex is one of two permanent camps which demonstrates the YMCA's involvement in the welfare of young people and their families over more than 70 years in Victoria. In its scale and grand vision for future development, Camp Manyung demonstrates the strong commitment of the YMCA to youth camping in Victoria. It is the only remaining early Victorian property managed today by the YMCA as the city headquarters has been demolished and Camp Buxton is now in private ownership.

- Camp Manyung is a rare example of a purpose built, permanent seaside youth camp in Victoria. A number of innovative programs were introduced at Camp Manyung, including leadership training courses and family camps.

- Although imperfectly realised, Camp Manyung demonstrates aspects of its ambitious original design concept by notable architect, Eric Nicholls in conjunction with the YMCA's Ivor Burge. Burge wanted Camp Manyung to meet American YMCA camp ideals. Nicholls' design demonstrates the influence of his employer and later business partner, one of Australia's most prominent architects, Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin in its use of formal geometry and informal landscapes, architectonic motifs and low cost construction methods. It also exhibits some key aspects of the Garden City design movement. Aspects of the original landscape design by David Mathews, curator of Footscray Gardens, may remain.

- Camp Manyung is a rare example of a large youth camp complex built by voluntary labour (with the help of architect Griffin who designed the concrete brick making machine). 

- It is a rare example of a Victorian youth camp complex which provided affordable holiday accommodation. 

- Camp Manyung was associated historically with a number of prominent Victorians. These included its founder, Thomas Baker, founder of the Australian branch of Kodak and of the Alice and Thomas Baker Institute of Medical Research; Ivor Burge, Physical Director of the Melbourne YMCA and Camp Director at Manyung, who became important in the sporting history of Victoria (and indeed, Australia); the notable architects Eric Nicholls and Walter Burley Griffin; and the cycling champion, Hubert Opperman, who often demonstrated his skills at Camp Manyung. It was associated also with two prominent Melbourne businessmen, Bruce Small and Jack Handley.

Camp Manyung also has high local historical and social significance:

- Camp Manyung was associated with the development of Mt. Eliza from the 1920s as an important Victorian seaside resort.