Orana Campsite - The History
Orana Campsite was originally owned by a local farmer Mr. Thomas Chaplyn. In 1967 Mr. Chaplyn and Girl Guides Western Australia District Commissioner, Mrs Rae Comini arranged a lease which enabled Girl Guides Western Australia to utilise the site as a basic campsite.
In 1970 the Rotary Club donated a green storage and wet weather shed to be used by the local Girl Guide Unit as they pleased. Water was later laid from the road to the grounds generating fresh running water to the property.
In early 1987 the local Girl Guides Association held one of its regular committee meetings under the trees on the magnificent property. The parents of the girls attending the Unit we so impressed with the peace, tranquility and beauty of the property, it was later decided that development to the site would be beneficial to the Girl Guide Unit and the greater community.
Interest free loans form the Town Council, a garden party held by the Business and Professional Women's Association, donations and fundraising drives, enabled the property development scheme to begin. Support and donations we received from many local businesses, parents, friends and townspeople, which facilitated the progress and success of the development at the Orana site.
In 1988 an ex-Westrail single men's quarters was purchased as part of the new development. The building was transported from the town centre to Orana Campsite through paddocks, bush land and farming properties. This was to become the core of the new building improvement.
Later that year a concrete pad was laid and earthworks were dug in order to build around the already standing structure. Gradually the building was completed with incredible support and assistance from the wider community.
On Saturday 26 September 1992 Orana Campsite was completed and officially opened.