Location #2 - Camp Gregory, Woodgate (South East Queensland minitour)
March 09, 2021
Stop 2 - Camp Gregory (9-17 March)
Tour Journal
Transit day - 9March
stopped at ISIS RSL sub branch and met 5 x old diggers
Greeted with amazing people
Fresh Mudcrab
“The real healing starts with being in the right environment” Mick - Caretaker camp Gregory
M & E - Adam w/ Boat (ex Army Firies now civvie contractor firie - Oakey)
Groundskeepers - Mick (ARA - RAAOC / 7SIG), Bob (RAAF), Rich (ARA) & Wife (Army Brat) - 4 Total w/ 1 x Family
Day 1 - Visit Woodgate 10March
Met older couple (Ken & Rita) from Nambour who’s son is in Army (just posted to Pilbara Regiment) - Support / Family x 1
Family walk of CG property perimeter
Arvo fishing with kids and Phoenix caught a Diamond fish
Recorded - Campfire song 2 - Nirvana Polly
Gout foot - Grrr
Dusk reserved for “happy hour” yarns at the Camp Kitchen & Common area
Morning breathe session 25min & yoga flow 10min
Checked out the bee hives
Day 2 - Visit Bundaberg 11 March
Breathing triangles & circles 20min and yoga stretches 10min
Family movie day
Let gout foot rest
Met 2 more veterans (Tom Toowoomba & Brisbane Wade 2/14) found out they woodwork pens and trialing an old school technique for making fishing hand reels
Evening yarns with the group
Phoenix and Havi shown how to pull in crab pots
Day 3 - a day I camp - 12 March
Havana caught her first fish
Podcast booked with Mick caretaker on Sunday
Possible podcasts with Mick & Tom (IED Belfast)
Veteran motorcycle mob arrived for weekend. - sus out where from and MC chapter
Uploaded and posted Tony Q & Craig Ball 1 & 2 podcasts, sent Kate & Tina podcasts to Clint
In-camp day being mindful of “Perfection” veteran mindfulness challenge Day 7 round 2
Got to know more about camp mates and yarn mental health & PTSD awareness
5min breathing & allowed myself to sleep in and recover
Day 4 - Woodgate beach and VMC hangs 13 March
40 mins beach and ocean grounding swimming with the kids at Woodgate beach
Hang around campsite day
5mins snooze & 5 circles breathing
Arvo board games chatting and hanging around the Veterans MC - at large - chapter from Gold CoaSt & hinterland (8 vets / 3 partners)
Talked with Clint? VMC & Vsterans Health Association (follow up regarding services on gold coast)
Met Ray, Tom & Wades mate from 2/4 that’s a mobile advocate (follow up) and he also has my details regarding DVA matter
Day 5 - A day in camp - 14 March
20min breathing ⏺ circles with CO2 hold
Morning gratitude
Farewelled the Veterans Motorcycle club 12 veterans & wives (3 families)
Recorded Podcast with Mick Polak
Met Tom (Sam) ex mil? Emma’s brother & Scotty (Ex Navy) the successor groundskeeper to Mick when he goes home
Bicycled with family around Camp Gregory perimeter
Paddleboarded 3kms checking out the mangroves & marine life
Played coights & round of mini golf with the family
Evening catchup with everyone at Camp kitchen
Day 6 - Bundaberg exploring - 15 March
Meet and greet of Veterans @ Bundaberg Veterans drop in center. (Bluey- president pass on details to a John Felton YVCQ) recently changed name from Vietnam to Veterans of all.
Tour of the Bundaberg factory
Explored Bargara beach esplanade
Day 7 - A wet day in camp - 15 March 21
Homeschooling
A quick visit to Woodgate for some transit day preparations
Cooked Woodfired pizza dinner for the groundskeeper teams & arvo yarns
Connected more with story from Bob the mower man (Vietnam and PTSD)
Handed II tour pamphlets and patches
Tom from Toowoomba connecting us up with his mate Tim veteran who has a potential great story for podcast
Reach
Veterans
First Responders
Immediate support
Amenitites
Offgrid BYO fresh water & power
Burn, bash and carry your rubbish
Glass and can recycling
No toilet cassette dump point - dump at Woodgate caravan parks
Common area & massive camp kitchen, BBQ’s, wood fired smoker and pizza oven
Massive Firepit
M/F Shower block with limited hot water (solar) off rain tanks
Activities / Meeting shed with pool table, dart board, additional supplies fridges and bar, library, DVD collection, chill out couches and board games
4 hole bush golf course
3 wings of ATCO donger accomodation for up to 25 pers
Camp, Caravan, RV & car accessible
Very Limited - Optus was the carrier with most signal
Watch out for the midgies! Stock up on insect repellent and/or a bug zapper, fires when allowed help and take vitamin b a couple of days before arriving (apparently they reduce the bite swelling)
Great merchandise
Fire pit/BBQ’s built on several caravan sites
Cost & Booking information
Free for up to 14 days,
Camp Gregory will gladly accept donations via onsite tin (preferred) OR bank transfer
168 Darville Rd, Woodgate QLD 4660
Best to call the caretakers mobile OR leave text
Welcome
Veterans
First Responders
Immediate Support
Civvy friends on prior approval
Things to do in the area
Fishing & camping at Camp Gregory
Recommended BYO boat / tinnie
Visit Woodgate, Childers, Bundaberg, Bargara
Bushwalking (including nice perimeter walk)
Dusk “Happy hour” by the camp kitchen/common area
Chillout and get some respite in a peaceful setting
