Edmund Rice Community Services TAS

Ebony's Story — Volunteer Week Spotlight
🎉 “Rice has taught me that life is not at all as serious as it’s made out to be — just have fun!” 🎉
Ebony’s journey began during a high school leadership retreat, and ever since, she's kept coming back to camp, bringing joy, leadership, and an unforgettable spirit.
We asked her a few questions:
1. What makes being an ERCS volunteer something everyone should try at least once?
I truly believe that everyone should try Edmund Rice Camps at least once, regardless of who you are! Personally, ERCS has given me the chance to support vulnerable individuals and communities, creating a safe and fun environment where participants feel a sense of belonging. Through ERCS, I've connected with incredible people who share similar values — some of whom have become my closest friends. Eddie Rice has taught me that life isn’t as serious as it’s made out to be, and to just have fun! On a personal level, the experience has helped me grow by challenging me to step outside my comfort zone and significantly enhancing my leadership skills. The enthusiastic and welcoming atmosphere is something I look forward to every holiday.
2. How did you end up joining the Eddie Rice crew? – What’s your story?
My journey with the Edmund Rice Camps community began during a Year 10 leadership retreat at high school. We travelled to the Huonville PCYC, where we were paired with participants, played games, sang songs, and created unforgettable memories that I still reflect on today. That experience sparked something in me, and I was inspired by the positive impact I was able to make in just one day. Since then, I haven't stopped returning to camps — driven by the desire to continue making a difference and creating more meaningful connections.
3. What’s the best thing about being part of our volunteer community?
My favourite thing about being part of the volunteer community is the freedom to be as loud, silly, and crazy as I want — without any judgment. The energy that all the volunteers bring to camp is incredible and truly sets the vibe for the whole experience. The reactions we get from the public when we break into song are absolutely priceless! It’s such a fun, carefree atmosphere that makes every moment unforgettable and keeps me coming back time and time again.
Want to be a volunteer..join us: https://ercs.org.au/support-us/volunteer/

We have some staffing changes that have occurred in ERCS Tasmania to let you know about. Brendan Webb is no longer working for the organisation. Andrew Blackett is having shoulder surgery and will be away from work for a few weeks commencing this week. In the meantime, our National Director of Youth & Community Services, Jessica Alikaris, will be working with and supporting Emma Brough and Georgia Summers as casual staff. If you have any questions about programs and activity in the coming weeks, please reach out to Jess on [email protected].

As a community of Edmund Rice people, we value your passion and commitment to building this community for our children and families. We are committed to listening to our community to keep building our mission and are using this time to consider the results of our review over January to determine future activity.

After morning tea on Friday, we discovered four envelopes that warned: DO NOT LET GET OUT. Of course we had to investigate! We worked out that the random words we’d received were ingredients for a recipe. We set out on a scavenger hunt to collect the ingredients in buckets, but we were confused what they were for. The pirate then called again! 🏴‍☠️ He’d taken the group leaders and turned them into pirates, and the only way to turn them back would be to splash them with the potion we’d created! 🧪

We ran out to find our group leaders trying to destroy our team flags, but luckily we gave them the potion in just enough time for them to turn back! After turning them back into group leaders, they told us that they’d found the treasure, and took us to a secret disco room! 🪩 After a bit of a boogie 🕺, we got into some party games of pin the tail on the whale 🐳, pass the parcel 🎁, and jellyfish piñatas! 🪼 We enjoyed some party food with our buddies, and got ready to say goodbye to our buddies and celebrate the week with an impromptu water fight! 🔫

What an amazing week we’ve had! We owe so many thanks to our friends at St Aloysius College, Foodbank, our MasterChef’s Shelly and Nicky, all the parents and friends of our community who donated baked good or helped in the kitchen, Ashgrove, the team at Kingston Primary and St Virgil’s for having been part of making this week possible. And of course, thank you to the tireless work that each and every leader put into being present in their buddy’s week and getting to know how awesome they are! 🌀🌀