by Geoff Robson

When Doug and Judy Lawrence bought 400 acres of land on Sydney’s south coast in 1973, they weren’t dreaming of an idyllic country getaway for themselves. Rather, they hoped and prayed that God would use the land for children’s and youth camping ministry, in their own lifetime and beyond.

Now, 30 years later, their prayers have been answered, with the opening of Anglican Youthworks’ ‘Waterslea’ conference and outdoor centre this month.

While the site on the Shoalhaven River has hosted youth ministry for a number of decades, Doug, 77, and Judy, 74, believe the new 132-bed centre will help the land to reach its full potential as a ministry site.

After selling several ten-acre blocks, the Lawrences managed around 275 acres of property themselves for many years. The ‘Koloona Trust’ was formed to take charge of the land, and developed a 70-bed site called ‘Camp Koloona’.

In 1998, with limited finances and new accreditation procedures introduced, the Board began to consider how the site could be developed to meet its potential. After visiting the Youthworks’ campsites at Port Hacking, Doug and Judy were convinced that Youthworks was best placed to utilise the land. “It was a very opportune time for us to invite them in,” Doug says.

In 1999, the Board unanimously voted to donate the land to Youthworks. The process culminates this month, with the official opening of Waterslea on November 8. The brand new centre will accompany a refurbished Camp Koloona, providing a total of 200 beds onsite.

John Cross, Executive Director of Youthworks Business and Finance, says the partnership was timely for both parties, as Youthworks was looking for a way to expand its ministry.

“We’ve looked for about six or seven years, and we’ve been to sites all over the Shoalhaven, Kangaroo Valley, Jervis Bay, Milton – but when this site came along we felt that this was the one that God had destined for us. We felt this was where we could develop our vision to minister to more kids.”

While the land was donated, the building project has cost $5.65 million, funded by the sale of Youthworks properties at Jindabyne, Gerroa and Springwood, plus a $1.5 million loan and available Youthworks funding.

The site is a mixture of around 80 acres of cleared land and 200 acres of bushland. With access to the Shoalhaven River, activities such as canoeing will form a major part of the attraction for Waterslea.

A 25-metre swimming pool, archery and a low ropes initiative course will be available on the cleared land, while abseiling, caving and bushwalking are part of the bushland area.

Mr Cross said it is hoped that Waterslea will be suitable for adults and families as well as kids. It will host a range of children’s and youth ministries – both during school terms and in holidays – as well as clergy and regional conferences.

“It always involves compromise when you’re trying to build for different target audiences, but we think we’ve come up with a site that will be suitable for a wide range of groups,” he said. “We ‘re hoping it will be a real boost to the Shoalhaven and the south-ern part of the Diocese.”

Doug and Judy, who still live on the property, say they have no regrets about handing over the land and receiving almost nothing in return. In fact Doug says it was ‘a thrill’ to contribute to ministry in this way.

“Young people, and older ones, will come down to the site over the years and see the beauty of God’s creation, and be drawn to a relationship with him through Jesus. That’s our desire; that’s the very reason we came down here.”