Edge camp back from the brink

One year after the destructive Waroona-Yarloop bushfire swept through the Forest Edge Recreation Camp burning much of its infrastructure to the ground, the site welcomed its first group of campers

A school group from Guildford Grammar was the first to enjoy the facilities in the beautiful location last week.

Owners Sonia and Graeme Watson had drawn on businesses and volunteers from throughout WA to completely rebuild the dormitories and activity areas which had been destroyed in the blaze.

About 200 sponsors, donors and volunteers involved in getting the camp back up into operation celebrated the milestone on January 29 with an official rebuild opening day to thank the guests for their part during the past eight months of rebuilding.

Mr Watson said it was an amazing success story and support from the wider community and businesses across the State had been pouring in.

“It has been a year where we felt every emotion from the devastation of losing the camp in the fire to the humble feeling of so many offers of help and finally the elation of seeing the facility rebuilt,” Mr Watson said.

“Total strangers, some of which had never been at Forest Edge before, offered help and we have made many new friends in the process.

“We will still go ahead with the dry snow sports facility which will be an 18-month project.

“The ski lifts have already arrived in Fremantle and work has started.”

Dry Snow Sports WA will be Australia’s first facility of its kind and the owners hope the project will be completed in the middle of next year.