GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR HIRE

It is the responsibility of each group to ensure that campers understand and follow Blackwood’s procedures. The person in charge is responsible for the group at all times and they are deemed to be responsible for overall group behaviour, supervision & safety.

WEEK-END & HOLIDAY BOOKINGS ARE ACCOMMODATION ONLY – THERE ARE NO ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE TIMES

ACCOMMODATION SITE / WEEK-END BOOKINGS / SCHOOL HOLIDAY BOOKINGS
ARRIVE / DEPART / ARRIVE / DEPART
The School Accommodation Site / 5:30PM / 4:00PM / 5:00PM / 1:00PM
The Residence Accommodation Site / 5:30PM / 4:00PM / 5:00PM / 1:00PM
The Tent Shelter / 5:30PM / 4:00PM / 5:00PM / 1:00PM

ON YOUR ARRIVAL

  • Collect and sign for the key to your Accommodation Site from the Blackwood Hotel (Pub) – it doesn’t have to be the person who made the booking. Please return to the key to the Blackwood Hotel (Pub) on departure – thank you.
  • What does your Accommodation Key open?

THE SCHOOL KEY OPENS / THE RESIDENCE KEY OPENS / THE TENT SHELTER KEY OPENS
The School Accommodation Site / The Residence Accommodation Site / The Tent Shelter
The Cleaning / Storage Cupboard / The Cleaning / Storage Cupboard / The Tent Shelter Gates
The Gas BBQ / The Gas BBQ / The Axe Box at the Wood Chopping Site
The Wood Shed behind the Office

BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE

  • Please return all equipment & furnishings to its correct location.
  • All groups are required to clean the camp on departure day. A list of cleaning duties is displayed in each camp. Blackwood is a Not-For-Profit Charitable Organisation so please leave it AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO FIND IT.
  • A cleaner, who is available for a fee, can be booked through Blackwood Staff. If you require the services of the cleaner $50 cash must be left on the kitchen bench prior to departure.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

  • The Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. Manual has necessary information on emergency procedures. These procedures are also posted in each camp. All visitors should familiarise themselves with these:
  • Fire Fighting Equipment.
  • Extinguishers and smoke detectors are vital and are located in each camp. These should not be tampered with or removed.
  • Fires.
  • No fire or BBQ may be lit on the property in periods of fire danger without the consent of Blackwood Staff.
  • Fire Restrictions and Total Fire Ban days must be strictly observed.

ACCOMMODATION SITE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & LOCATIONS

ACCOMMODATION SITE / ROOM / EXTINGUISHER TYPE
The School / Kitchen / Fire Blanket
Dry Chemical A:B (E) Class
Dining Room / Water
Lounge / Water
Opposite Laundry / Dry Chemical A:B (E) Class
Outside Staff Bedrooms / Powder A:B (E)
Water
The Residence / Kitchen / Fire Blanket
Dry Chemical A:B (E) Class
Entrance off Staircase / Water
Laundry / Dry Chemical A:B (E) Class
Water
The Tent Shelter / Kitchen / Fire Blanket
Dry Chemical A:B (E) Class
Dining / Lounge Area / Water

PROPERTY DAMAGE & LOSS

  • Groups are only permitted to access the buildings of their allotted Accommodation Site for the period they have been allocated. Please be aware other people may be using the other Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. accommodation sites.
  • Please report all breakages and losses to Blackwood Staff so they can be repaired / replaced promptly.
  • Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property.
  • Serious damage as a result of your groups behaviour will result in your School being invoiced to cover the expenses to repair the damage.

PARKING

  • All vehicle parking is strictly at the owner’s risk.
  • Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. takes no responsibility for the loss or damage to any vehicle.

THE ENVIRONMENT

  • The School and Shelter camps are designated “Land for Wildlife” areas. Please look after our natural environment by:
  • placing all rubbish in bins provided
  • placing glass and plastic in recycling bins.
  • If staying at the Residence, please take note if there are any chooks (there will be a sign on the fridge) and ensure that they are not allowed out of their pen!! Also check that they have enough water and food. Feel free to feed them scraps but no PEELS please.

SMOKING

  • All buildings at Blackwood S.S.O.E.C. are designated smoke free zones.
  • Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre has a strict no smoking policy.
  • Blackwood Special Schools is located on Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Land and is therefore a smoke free area.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

  • The consumption of Alcohol must be kept to a minimum by all groups visiting Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc.
  • REMEMBER the person in charge is responsible for the entire group AT ALL TIMES.

OUT of BOUNDS AREAS

  • FULL ADULT SUPERVISION is required AT ALL TIMES when children are accessing the Adventure Playgrounds at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc.
  • The Low Ropes area is out of bounds AT ALL TIMES.
  • The Yabby Dam is out of bounds AT ALL TIMES.
  • The Bush Cooking area is out of bounds AT ALL TIMES.
  • The Imagination Trail is out of bounds AT ALL TIMES.
  • The woodshed is out of bounds for children unless under the supervision of a responsible adult.

TELEPHONES

  • The School has a telephone in the 2nd Staff Bunkroom and in the Dining Room.
  • The Residence has a telephone in the Office / Store Room.
  • The Tent Shelter has a telephone located on the Eastern side wall near the 1st Aid cupboard.

ADDRESSES, PHONE NUMBERS & VICROADS MAP REFERENCES

VicRoads Map – Edition 4
SITE / ADDRESS / SUBURB / POSTCODE / PHONE / State Map / Town Map
The Office / 1015 Greendale-Trentham Road / Blackwood / 3458 / 5368-6768 / Map 59 F 9 / Map 290 G 3
The School / 1015 Greendale-Trentham Road / Blackwood / 3458 / 5368-6555 / Map 59 F 9 / Map 290 G 3
The Residence / 4 Terrill Street / Blackwood / 3458 / 5368-6576 / Map 59 F 9 / Map 290 G 3
The Tent Shelter / Corner Cann & McLennan Streets / Blackwood / 3458 / 5368-6383 / Map 59 F 9 / Map 290 G 4
  • Emergency Calls - Emergency numbers are listed in the manual and near each phone.
  • Please inform camp staff if the emergency services have been called for any reason.
  • All private calls must be paid for – price list located on the wall near the phone, and money to be placed in the MONEY TIN provided.

ACCIDENTS, ILLNESS & FIRST AID

  • In the event of an accident or illness, campers are responsible for filling out the Incident Report Form located in each camp, and ensuring that the form is received by Blackwood staff.
  • Every group using the camp (including weekend and holiday users) must provide their own first aid equipment and trained staff. Please bring appropriate first aid for the specific needs of your group.
  • DIAL 000 FOR ALL EMERGENCIES

GROUP LEADERS/TEACHERS IN CHARGE

  • Please post/fax a list of ALL camper’s names and emergency numbers to Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. before your arrival. This list will be returned with your bond.

BEDROOMS

ACCOMMODATION SITE / BEDROOM / BUNKS / TENTS / BEDS / SLEEPS
The School / 1st Student Bedroom / 4 / 8
2nd Student Bedroom / 2 / 4
3rd Student Bedroom / 2 / 4
TOTAL No. of STUDENTS / 16
1st Staff Bedroom / 1 Bunk & 1 Single Bed / 3
2nd Staff Bedroom / 1 Bunk & 1 Single Bed / 3
TOTAL No. of STAFF / 6
TOTAL NUMBERS / 22
The Residence / 1st Student Bedroom / 3 / 6
2nd Student Bedroom / 3 / 6
3rd Student Bedroom / 3 / 6
TOTAL No. of STUDENTS / 18
1st Staff Bedroom / 1 Bunk & 1 Single Bed / 3
2nd Staff Bedroom / 1 Bunk & 1 Single Bed / 3
TOTAL No. of STAFF / 6
TOTAL NUMBERS / 24
The Tent Shelter / 2 Person Tents / 8 / 16
3 Person Tents / 2 / 6
TOTAL NUMBERS / 22

FOOD SAFETY

  • The person in charge is responsible for SAFE FOOD HANDLING PRACTICES AT ALL TIMES while staying at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc.
  • NO FOOD IS TO BE LEFT BEHIND AT THE END OF YOUR STAY.

FILL THE WOODBOXES

  • If you are staying at the Tent Shelter or School please ensure ALL WOODBOXES & KINDLING BOXES are full on your departure.
  • The woodshed is located behind the office at the School Site – the School Key will open the woodshed
  • Wheelbarrows are provided – 1 in the Woodshed & 1 in the Tent Shelter

PLACE BINS OUT FOR COLLECTION

  • Please place bins out for collection at the end of your stay – please ensure bins face the road:-
  • THE SCHOOL BINS go in front of the sign on Cann Street (Left Hand Side of Driveway)
  • THE RESIDENCE BINS go in front of the White Post on Terrill Street (next to CFA)
  • THE TENT SHELTER BINS go in front of the bin tree on the corner of McLennan & Cann Streets

CHECK LIST - ON DEPARTURE-:

  • ALL TENTS USED DURING YOUR STAY MUST BE CORRECTLY HUNG INSIDE THE SHELTER TO ALLOW FOR CORRECT DRYING & AIRING – REGARDLESS OF WEATHER CONDITIONS. (Please see Blackwood Staff if you are not sure of the tent hanging procedure.)

The School / The Residence / The Tent Shelter
Electricity / LEAVE ON / LEAVE ON / LEAVE ON
All Lights / Turn Off
(Except Exit Lights) / Turn Off
(Except Exit Lights) / Turn Off
(Except Sensor Lights)
Hot Water / LEAVE ON / LEAVE ON / LEAVE ON
Fridge / LEAVE ON / LEAVE ON / Turn Off & Open Doors
Internal Bins / EMPTY / EMPTY / EMPTY
Benches / CLEAN / CLEAN / CLEAN
Blankets / FOLD UP / FOLD UP / FOLD UP
Fireplaces / CLEAN & EMPTY / CLEAN & EMPTY
Firewood Boxes / FILL / FILL
BBQ’S / CLEAN & COVER / CLEAN & COVER
Heater / TURN OFF
Floors / SWEEP / SWEEP / SWEEP
Bench Seats / Placed on Tables / Placed on Tables / Placed on Tables
Windows / CLOSED / CLOSED / CLOSED
Hotplates / CLEAN
Camp Ovens & Fry Pans / CLEAN & OIL

CLEAN THE FACILITIES

  • At the end of your stay the person in charge is responsible for the cleaning of the facilities.
  • If you do not arrange for the Cleaner to clean after your stay the following MUST be done:-
  • ALL Carpets MUST be vacuumed
  • ALL Kitchen, Toilet & Shower floors must be swept & mopped
  • ALL Toilets, Showers & Basins MUST BE disinfected & clean
  • ALL benches & tables MUST BE disinfected & cleaned
  • ALL BBQ facilities must be cleaned
  • ALL Kitchen utensils & facilities MUST BE clean, dried and put away
  • FRIDGE & FREEZERS MUST BE emptied and clean – DO NOT TURN FRIDGES or FREEZES OFF
  • ALL furnishings must be re-located to their original location
  • Verandas & entrance areas MUST BE swept and cleaned
  • ALL cleaning equipment MUST BE put away
  • ALL Lights MUST BE turned OFF on your departure
  • PLEASE DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER
  • If the facilities are NOT left in a clean state at the end of your stay – your BOND MONEY WILL BE USED TO HIRE THE CLEANER TO CLEAN YOUR FACILITY AT A COST OF $100

PARTIES

  • BLACKWOOD S.S.O.E.C IS NOT AVAILABLE TO HIRE FOR PARTIES OF ANY KIND UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
  • Blackwood is a quiet & small country town and our neighbours must be respected at ALL TIMES.
  • IF YOU INTEND TO HAVE A PARTY WHILE IN BLACKWOOD YOU MAY STAY AT BLACKWOOD S.S.O.E.C. & CONSIDER HIRING THE BLACKWOOD HALL AS YOUR PARTY VENUE.

NOISE LEVELS

  • Please be considerate of our neighbours.
  • Noise does travel a lot further in the bush – especially at night.
  • THERE IS TO BE NO EXCESSIVE & NO OUTSIDE NOISE BEYOND 10pm.
  • Neighbours have been informed to ring the POLICE if the noise is excessive or continues beyond 10pm

PETS

  • Families and groups are welcome to bring pets during their stay at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc.
  • HOWEVER – all pets must be kept outside the buildings at all times throughout the year.
  • There are no kennels or pet specific shelters at Blackwood Special Schools Outdoor Education Centre Inc. – you are welcome to bring your own.
  • There are verandahs at The School & Residence Accommodation Sites.

We welcome your feedback on Blackwood’s facilities. Feel free to contact us.

I have read, understand and accept the Conditions of Hire outlined on this page

Signature:- ______Date:- ___/___/___