Student Testimonials
We hope to grow this page!
If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear from you.
Please email info@campcreative.com.au
Include a photo if you can.
ALLAN NIXON
Camp Creative has become a special event that I look forward to every year since 2003. I was first encouraged to attend Camp Creative by Myrtle Robertson, a long time resident of Bellingen. Myrtle was the widow of the previous minister of the Uniting Church in Bellingen and I have known Myrtle's family since they were neighbors of mine in Brisbnane in the 1950's and 1960's.
There is a huge variety of courses offered at Camp Creative and initially I selected a cooking course the first year I attended. I soon realised that cooking was not my forte! However, I found the camp experience and concerts performed throughout the week really enjoyable, so I had to find a new course to embark on, so I could return the following year!
Myrtle encouraged me to try Chinese Brush Painting, as no prior experience was required. She had been having weekly painting lessons from Stephen Cassattari (the camp painting teacher) when he was a resident of Bellingen for many years.
I found the painting class to be very enjoyable and relaxing and I have gotten to know many of the course participants who continue to attend each year. Stephen also runs painting classes in a number of locations throughout NSW, which I have also attended on occasions.
Quite often, I find that I am the only male in the class other than Stephen. Whilst I like the other female participants, I would like to encourage more men to try Chinese Brush Painting, as it is a very rewarding experience and quite different from other types of watercolour art. The painting is composed of different types of brush strokes with two or more colours on the brush.
There is no age limitation to participate in the course. Myrtle was a regular participant until she passed away at the age of 90. She left all of her painting books and art equipment to me, so I figured that she wanted me to continue attending the course.
— Photo shows the Chinese Brush Painting class in January 2025.
Tutor Stephen Cassettari is in the back row, 6th from the left. Allan Nixon is next to Stephen.
“I would like to thank Stephen for his assistance and encouragement over the years and this results in many of his students (like myself) returning to his class each year.”
“I am grateful over the many years of returning each time to Camp Creative, and being welcomed again by the always helpful committee members, volunteers and most especially by the continuing returning, enthusiastic students who not only have practiced throughout the year but inspire me to fully appreciate this wonderful art as well as the overall concept of Bill Lockley in providing such a vision.”
SUZI ZGLINICKI
About 25 years ago my sister invited me and my family to Camp Creative. She had been to the camp in Nambucca Heads and did drumming with Chinta the first year it was held in Bellingen. The following year we joined her. My husband and two children 10 and 5 were there, along with her two children.
Since then I have only missed Camp Creative a few times.
I began doing writing courses, lots of writing courses, but I found my happy place in a watercolour workshop with Ron Hindmarsh. I worked with him three times but also did a myriad of art courses in mixed media and acrylics. I went on to study fine art at the National Art School and in 2023 earned my PhD.
Finally five years ago at the camp I did a watercolour botanical course. It was so enjoyable and the teacher remarked that I could probably teach the course. As she did not return I put my hand up and was excited to be accepted as a tutor at Camp Creative. 2025 was my third year teaching watercolour and ink botanicals and my greatest joy is seeing everyone in my class, including beginners, create the most beautiful images of plants and flowers.
Camp Creative has become a family tradition and my granddaughter now comes along every year. She says that one day she would like to be a guide at the camp just like all the wonderful high school students that help us so much.
Suzi Zglinicki is our Watercolour & Ink tutor
— Photo shows Suzi’s granddaughter at our 35th anniversary in 2020.
MONICA SCANLON
My husband and two daughters have such wonderful memories of learning new skills, meeting wonderful people and enjoying the area of Bellingen, Urunga and surrounding areas such as Dorrigo.
Mostly though it brought three generations of our family together - my in-laws and two of my husband's brothers and their families who would gather doing all different courses yet come together at lunchtimes, for evening meals, the concert in the park or the final concert. One brother lives in Bellingen and that is why we started going.
Our house is adorned with artwork from my mother-in-law, some of which was done in mosaic classes at Camp Creative.
The attached photo is a much loved family photo of my father-in-law Frank Scanlon (who loved to play his violin in the music group) and three of his sons and two of his grandsons back in 2012.
What joy!
Camp Creative 2012
3 Generations of Scanlons at Concert in the Park
(Mark, Jirra, Tim, Frank, Paul, Robert)