The Doxa Story

In 1972 Father Joe Giacobbe, whose student appointment covered some of Melbourne’s most disadvantaged communities at the time, realised that many of the young people he worked with in the concrete environs of the high rise high rise public housing flats might never experience a holiday or a visit to the country during their childhood.

Father Joe started taking children on holidays himself, which was not feasible for long due to the expense. To overcome this, Father Joe decided he would establish a camp so there would always be a place for young people to experience life away from their everyday city existence.

The concept of a holiday camp was launched at a Sportsmen’s Night hosted by Roy Higgins in 1973. As a sign of the high esteem in which Father Joe and his dream were held, more than ten thousand dollars was raised that night. From here, an appeal was started – with both the state and federal governments agreeing to match fund-raising efforts dollar for dollar.

With $300,000 raised, Father Joe’s vision was becoming a reality, and 5 hectares of beautiful bushland near Malmsbury was leased from the then Forestry Commission. The camp was formally opened on 26 September 1976, by Sir Henry Winneke, Governor of Victoria.

Original buildings included eight cabins, with support facilities including a kitchen, dining room, gymnasium and manager’s residence. From these early days, volunteers were the backbone of the camp, and undertook a great deal of the maintenance work involved to keep the accommodation and grounds in good repair.
In 2006, the Doxa Board made the decision to refurbish the Malmsbury camp which now boasts 71 beds, central heating and bathrooms, as well as separate rooms with en-suite facilities for staff. The camp’s natural resources have been utilised in a sustainable way with the installation of water tanks, a recycled water system and solar panels.

As well as being available to disadvantaged schools, the Malmsbury camp is still the heart of the Doxa Summer Camp Program, which gives 10-12 year old children from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity of a week’s holiday during the summer break. The Doxa Cadetship Program, which since 1992 has offered talented young people from disadvantaged families the opportunity of a tertiary education, also uses the camp each year for training activities.

The first of two special Doxa schools for disadvantaged young people experiencing difficulty in the regular school system was opened in West Melbourne in 2000, followed by the Bendigo school in 2007. In 2005, Doxa City Camp was added to the Doxa facilities. Located in Elizabeth Street Melbourne, opposite Melbourne Central Station, it gives primary school children from rural Victoria what is often their first taste of inner-city life.

All told, since 1976, Doxa has brightened the lives of over 60,000 disadvantaged young people. From our humble beginnings, hundreds of people have worked together to help make Father Joe’s dream of lasting change for disadvantaged young people a reality. To all those who have been part of the story, to all who believe in making a difference, Doxa is both grateful and indebted.

RECOLLECTIONS…

“In the early 70’s I was in the Sacred Heart Hospital recovering from a gall bladder operation. Every day a young priest, who was not long ordained kept popping his head in for a chat – Father Joe Giacobbe. During our discussions he described to me his ambition to start a camp for disadvantaged young people, especially those from inner Melbourne who would never get a chance to experience country life and the great outdoors. His vision was to create a foundation which would have the sole purpose of helping disadvantaged youth have a chance in life.”

-Graham Walker

“I thought Fr. Joe was the coolest priest around. When I think back to those times, I think how nice it was to have a place away from home where you could feel comfortable and really enjoy the people and surroundings. No TV, or computers, or mobile phones, just the pure joy of nature and other people’s company.” -Linda Glouftsis (nee: Bryar)
Our association with Doxa began in 1979. At about this time we were asked by Father Joe if we would like to be part of a working bee group and so the ‘Doxa Working Bee Family’ was born. Approximately every three months a designated weekend was put aside to tackle all the maintenance jobs unable to be covered by the current camp personnel. We feel very proud of all the tasks we took on and have some fabulous memories of the times spent together at Doxa.”

-George, Helene, Narlissa, Trinas and Natasha Pitsakos

“The camp has a special place in my childhood memories. It was a home away from home. We would meet up with our friends and spend the weekend exploring the Wombat State Forest, fishing and swimming in the Lodden River. It was a wonderful place to be a part of. Twenty-five years later, I still keep in contact with the friends I made there. I wish all children could have the experiences I had.” -Narlissa Bray (nee Pitsakos)
“It was in the late 60’s, early 70’s, that Joe shared his dream of a camp for kids with the people of St Brendan’s. Joe’s enthusiasm was catching and it wasn’t long before the whole parish was involved in several fundraising events. We had several picnics with Joe on the banks of the river to see the land where he hoped his dream would come true, and to see the buildings progress. For many years the parishioners of St Brendans, young and old, have spent wonderful weekends at Doxa.” -Carol Harris
“Our family was part of a group of volunteers relieving managers in the early days of Doxa Camp. We cannot forget the wide smile on children’s faces when they were offered second helping, including dessert. How delightful it was to see them playing freely in the countryside rather than the concrete jungle of the housing commission flats where most of them lived.”

-Luci, Mario, Paul and David Martini

“The Doxa Malmsbury camp is like second home. As part of the Cadetship Program, all the cadets would come together to learn techniques, skills and knowledge on how to cope not only with university, but also how to survive in the corporate world. It gave us the chance to catch up with fellow cadets, share our experiences with each other, and build and grow life long friendships.” -Sam Szirom “I remember the camp as being a place of transition for myself. Transitioning from a shy, timid, introverted person who had zero self esteem to a confident, secure leader who had the confidence to finally pursue the dreams I had. Looking back on my life and the things I’ve achieved, I can clearly see that the times at the camp have left a permanent, positive mark on my life.” -Andrew Bergen
“Since the start of the Doxa Cadetship Program, the camp at Malmsbury has been central to a feeling that our cadets belong to something exciting and worthwhile. Cadets have got to know each other, work with their management team and each other, and make life-long friendships. Many will say it was the time they spent at the Doxa Camp that gave them a sense of connection and hope for the future.” -John S. Cheetham, Manager, Doxa Cadetship Program
“The story of the Doxa Foundation from birth, childhood, teenage years and now adulthood, is taking its journey into the future with a healthy diet of dedication, loyalty, commitment and enthusiasm, supported by a cast of thousands. Over the years, many lasting friendships have been formed, thanks to the opportunity to be involved with Doxa. The privilege has indeed been ours, and we have been blessed to be part of this unique and wonderful Foundation.”

-Maureen Earls

“Father Joe – you’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, being such a positive influence and motivating force throughout my time knowing you. I think it fitting that I sign off with a quote I learnt from you: ‘Do not go where a path has already been laid. Go where there is no path and leave a trail behind.’ ”

-Vanessa Fox

Scroll down to read some Doxa recollections by:

Graham Walker
George, Helene, Narlissa, Trinas and Natasha Pitsakos
Luci, Mario, Paul and David Martini
Maureen Earls
Vanessa Fox