New providers to continue valued services at camp schools and Landsdale Farm

• Six camp schools across Western Australia will be operated by Fairbridge WA
• Family Support WA to manage Landsdale Farm
• Access for students at an affordable price maintained as part of the new agreements
• Change in structure delivers an estimated $3.18 million in net annual savings for WA 

Students and community groups from across the State will continue to enjoy six camp school sites and Landsdale Farm School, with new operators announced today.

Family Support WA, founded in 1996 by parents and staff of Landsdale Farm School, has been selected to manage and operate the Landsdale facility.

The not-for-profit organisation will take over the running of the farm, providing programs and opportunities for students and people with disability by building strong relationships with special needs schools and disability services organisations.

Additionally, the organisation plans to develop education programs that link farm activities with the Western Australian curriculum for visiting school groups. The general public will also have continued access.

Fairbridge WA has been selected to operate the six camp schools in Bridgetown, Dampier, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Pemberton and Point Peron.

Public school students will continue to receive priority access to the camp school sites.

Fairbridge WA has committed to providing students and other members of the community access to school camps and outdoor activities that are high-quality, affordable and available to all schools.

The organisation specialises in camp accommodation and outdoor education, and has an emphasis on helping disadvantaged young people.

The Department of Education will contribute $250,000 per year to Fairbridge WA to ensure camping experiences remain consistent across all sites.

In December 2017, as part of Budget saving measures, the State Government announced the Department of Education would cease funding the ongoing operations of six camp school sites and the Landsdale Farm School facility from 2019, and seek alternative providers to maintain access for schools.

Comments attributed to Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery:

"I am pleased that Family Support WA will take over the management of Landsdale Farm, given their involvement with the farm for many years.

"Fairbridge WA is also a fantastic fit to take on the provision of the six camp school sites.

"Staff are committed to providing students from all schools in Western Australia with an affordable and high-quality camp experience.

"Camp school sites and the Landsdale Farm School facility are resources for schools, not schools themselves, and not the core business of the Department of Education.

"While they are much loved and valued, they are not solely used by schools. They are also used extensively by the public, including sporting and community groups, and in the case of the Landsdale facility, a majority of visits were outside school hours.

"We inherited the worst finances in the State's history and had to look for ways to contribute to Budget repair, while limiting the impact on students.

"Under the new agreements, students will continue to have access, at an affordable price, to those services and facilities they know and love."

Minister's office - 6552 5700