Ballarat’s Cops N Kids camp to celebrate 25 years this weekend

A unique initiative started by Ballarat police has brought joy to hundreds of children with life-threatening illnesses.

Bringing smiles to the faces of seriously ill children and providing respite to their parents has been the driving force behind a police-run initiative for more than 25 years.

From getting up close and personal with wildlife, bouncing on trampolines, splashing police officers in a pool, being fingerprinted, served a sausage by a firefighter, panning for gold and a night at the cinema, there is no shortage of fun activities scheduled for the annual Cops N Kids camp, hosted over four fun-filled days in Ballarat every November.

There are also joy rides in helicopters, on motorbikes and in trucks but the highlight for most kids is the thrill of riding in a police car with its lights flashing and sirens blaring.

The success of the camp today dates back to the early 1990s, when members running the Ballarat Police Youth Club came up with the unique concept.

Sparked by the lived experience of then Smythesdale police officer – Senior Constable Larry Gilmore, whose now late wife was battling cancer – he and his good friend, Ballarat Sergeant John Moloney, developed the idea for a camp to bring joy to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

“It became a passion to try and make a difference in the lives of children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses and give their families some respite,” Mr Moloney told the Herald Sun.

After a few phone calls they were put in touch with Challenge – an organisation supporting kids with cancer – and it marked the beginning of a fruitful relationship now spanning more than 25 years, fuelled by a joint desire to provide invigorating experiences to kids with cancer.

The first Cops N Kids camp was hosted in the goldrush town in 1995 and from there the camp has “blossomed” into what it is today.

A Sovereign Hill actor with John Moloney, LSC Megan Ferry, Sgt Dave Collins, Sgt Dave Peitsch and LSC Ken Birch at a previous Cops N Kids camp. Photos: Supplied

Over the years it has sparked joy in hundreds of children from right across the state while simultaneously bringing together the Ballarat community as a proud host.

“We had 16 children the first year, then we had 32 and it went up to 45. Now we have around 60 each year, but 73 is the most we’ve ever had on one camp,” Mr Moloney recounted.

In 2004 the youth club – which had taken Ballarat kids on fun-filled day trips to the likes of Puffing Billy and to Melbourne – was also formalised into an annual camp.

Similar to a big family reunion for the children who attend each year, all newcomers are welcomed with open arms.

Though often unspoken, all in attendance are there because they have come into contact with police through tragic and traumatic circumstances, because they have a seriously ill family member at home or because they have lost a parent or sibling to illness.

While the location and activities have evolved since its inception, the camp objective has remained the same: to give these local kids an exciting, action-packed weekend free of anxieties.

The camps are run by a large group of volunteers – including police officers, their families and other community members passionate about the cause.

Many of the volunteers attended the camp as children and return to help out each year as adults.

Kids enjoy panning for gold at Ballarat’s Sovereign Hill

This weekend organisers will celebrate the camp’s much-anticipated 25th year after two years of covid-related cancellations.

The anniversary has prompted reflection of the many happy memories in years gone by – especially for Mr Moloney, who is still involved in the camps despite retiring from the force more than a decade ago.

“The passion is always there and always will be there,” he said. “We were given this opportunity, a door opened for us and we grabbed it with both hands and ran with it.”

He is humbled the camp continues to give children and their families a special gift – the kids trade their sick beds and hospital wards for the experience of a lifetime while their families receive four days of respite.

“It’s so rewarding seeing the smiles on [the kids’] faces, and on the faces of the carers and all the volunteers,” Mr Moloney added.

His sentiments were echoed by Ballarat police sergeant Dave Collins, who is also the not-for-profit’s president.

He became involved after attending one of the first camps as a young member and hasn’t looked back after seeing the positive impact of the camp with his own eyes.

He said the objective of the annual camp was to “enlighten” the kids’ lives.

Kids enjoy a ride at the Cops N Kids camp in Ballarat

“We’re not doctors and we can’t work miracles but we can give them four enjoyable days and give their families a weekend knowing they’re in good care.

“If we can do that, and see them go home happy, then we’ve done our job.”

Mr Moloney said the camps also benefited local police by giving them an opportunity to feel as though they had made “the world a better place”, therefore regenerating their enthusiasm for the job.

Both men said the 25-year milestone would not have been reached without the ongoing support of the community, organisations and businesses who had supported them through generous donations for the better part of 27 years.

Some businesses, such as Sovereign Hill, have been involved since the very beginning. The Ballarat attraction has donated hundreds of beds for the kids and carers since the camp’s inception.

“It is one thing we could never have dreamt about when we first started this and our thanks to them is so hard to express in words,” Mr Moloney said.

Sergeant Collins hopes the camp will continue for another 25 years, with the dream for some of the younger camp volunteers to steer it into the future for decades to come.

The camp will be hosted from November 18 to 21.

* The author is on the Cops N Kids committee