The Tottenham Youth Club members were given a very special opportunity thanks to the Cowra Break Away Program last Saturday, June 3.

Thanks to the Waugoola RFS and the SES the youth club were given a trip to to Wyangala Dam for “a break away from reality”. 

The program, run since January 2011, offers disadvantaged, sick kids or kids living in the care of organisations approved by the Department of Youth and Community Services.

The program operates every month rain, hail or shine with the children’s carer or parents arriving Friday afternoon and departing Sunday after lunch.

Depending on the weather the kids take part in a number of activities such as flying from Cowra Airport, boating and ski tubing at Wyangala Dam, off road carting just to name a few of the activities available.

If the weather turns bad there are in hanger activities including two virtual reality simulators and a 5.4 x 1.8 meter digital, 6 car slot car track.

The program is mainly funded by Graeme Hutchinson, CEO of KRE Industries (Metal and More) South Windsor, with help from Waugoola Rural Fire Service including all accommodation, meals and activities with no cost at all to the participants.

The program relies on the help of volunteers; other local service groups such as SES and Rural Fire Service also have an active role in the program with the Kids learning fire prevention, off road fire tanker ride and SES boat ride at the Dam.

Mr Hutchinson said it was a great weekend though a bit cold.

“It gives the kids a break even if it is cold, half the time by the end of it they don’t what to leave,” he said.

More details about the program can be found at the group’s facebook page Cowra Break Away.

Carer Tim Gilchrist had this to say about the group on its facebook page.

This is a MUST for all. It’s all about the kids – until the carers get involved ! For the kids, this is possibly the gateway to future adventures. For the carers, this probably goes on the ‘bucket list’.

OK – so it’s a bit of drive to get there, punctuated by one or two ‘are we there yet ?’ type questions. We all lobbed around 6 (ish) and immediately left again for a feed at a Chinese restaurant  Back at the camp, and socialising we all got to know each other. 

Saturday starts early – too early for some ! Got to get out there and get the kids up in the powered parachutes – oh, all right then. No protest from the kids..

Next – Brekkie.  A good feed and then off to Lake Wyangla (hmmm – was that really its name ?). The kids get to be towed around the lake on a biscuit.

Next: Mount MacDonald Fire Station for Scones, Cream and Jam. There is a lookout somewhat behind the fire station that overlooks the upper reaches of the lake – postcard stuff.

Next: Back at Cowra Airport – all showered and refreshed (inside and out) we were invited to a BBQ at the Waugoola Rural Fire Brigade.

Next: The carers were confident that the kids would all be asleep real early – WRONG. Thought process incorrect. 

Sunday: Another big brekkie and it was off to the ATV track.

Next: Lunch and then a drive home.

This is a wonderful break for the kids.”