Diabetes Camps Victoria celebrates 70 years

Giving children with type 1 diabetes ‘a happy, healthy holiday’ was (and still is) at the heart of the program.

In January of 1954, twelve brave kids aged seven to fourteen, embarked on a 10-day adventure together. They travelled to Flora Feldie, a beautiful estate in Selby. The property was generously loaned by Mr E.C. Hattam, who was a dedicated early supporter and president of Diabetes Victoria.

That trailblazing camp was supported by a trained nurse experienced in diabetes care, a dietitian, a cook, and a recreational officer. The children enjoyed riding horses and swimming – simple joys made possible in a supportive environment.

70 years on, we still deliver our diabetes camps in partnership with the Royal Children's Hospital and Monash Children's Hospital. Our guiding motto is ‘Independence through Adventure.’

Natalie Logan started her camp journey as a volunteer dietitian and is now the Diabetes Camps Victoria Program Coordinator.

“I have seen first-hand the immense impact these camps have,” Nat says. “I don’t live with type 1 diabetes, but camps have changed my life.”

“Our camps are a unique, supported space where children and teenagers can connect with others who understand their journey.

“It’s a place where they can build confidence and learn practical skills – including injecting their own insulin, perhaps for the first time, managing their blood glucose levels, learning more about pump therapy, or simply how to advocate for themselves in the wider community.”

While they build a sense of independence, campers also engage in peer support and the magic of shared experience.

“At camp, lifelong memories and deep, lasting friendships are formed,” Nat says.

“It’s incredibly inspiring to see so many former campers return as volunteers, alongside the friends they made at camp, eager to give back to the community that supported them.

“We could not deliver these camps without the support of our volunteers, as each camp requires significant resources.

“The demand for places is always high and, sadly, most of the time we cannot offer a place to everyone who applies.”

Our 70-year celebration event in May served a dual purpose. It was an opportunity for past campers and volunteers to connect and reflect, while also raising awareness and funds for our teenage camp program.

Ramona Long has been a beloved camps volunteer since 2014, bringing her vibrant energy to 17 camps.

Before she joined the program as a volunteer, Ramona was a camper herself. She says teenage camp is arguably the most important, given how difficult it can be navigating the transition to the adult health system.

“It’s the group that needs it the most,” Ramona says. “Puberty and teenage years are already a tumultuous time, to add diabetes management on top of that is really challenging.”

“In my own experience transitioning from childhood into adulthood, I found teenage camp so impactful. I was diagnosed very young, so I wasn’t taught diabetes management firsthand. When I was in high school it was almost like being diagnosed again... I was going through all the education that my parents went through.

“Diabetes camp is an opportunity to go from relying on your parents, having that tether and having them making decisions for you, to building that independence.”

Teenage camps allow young adults to build connections with peers who are going through similar experiences.

“You’re being thrown into the adult world, so it’s crucial to have that safe space.”

Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan says diabetes camps had a profound impact on his son, Lochie.

“Lochie was diagnosed with type 1 at age 9 and attended junior camp when he was 10,” he recalls.

“He was trying to come to grips with his diagnosis – as an active kid he was concerned about sport and how it would limit him.

“One of the camp volunteers was training for a marathon while managing his own type 1 diabetes and he was an inspiration for Lochie.

“The time that volunteer spent with him set Lochie on the path to his swimming journey, and he went on to swim at a national level.

“Not many other experiences still profoundly impact people 10 – 20 years on. Campers leave feeling empowered, and those two or three days at camp can change the direction of their lives.”