Hello Wentyl,

In an exclusive story this week that's making waves around the nation, we’ve exposed alarming secrets about a historic institution called Lord Somers Camps, which counts the Victorian Governor as its patron.

We revealed the prestigious camps held a leaders’ event that included a re-creation of the Holocaust, including campers digging graves on the beach and taking showers in mock gas chambers. Campers were also forced to participate in sexual acts and wear electronic dog collars. 

The camp prompted a 2023 child safety investigation into boys’ and girls’ camps run in Victoria every January since 1929. Investigators found these so-called “Big Camps” involved activities which were potentially harmful, intimidating, traumatising, humiliating and degrading.

These included night-time sleep deprivation, public punishment including the use of a “Nelson” stronghold, and placing children who did not bond with others in a “pigpen” where they had water thrown over them and were encouraged to chant in unison.

Watching the 2026 Lord Somers Big Camp on the beach in January, I witnessed first-hand intimidatory tactics from large male leaders parading around with their tops off. 

If there weren’t photos, no one would believe it. 

Australia's Jewish leaders were sickened to learn about the Holocaust re-enactment exercise. Dvir Abramovich, chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission, called it “depravity of the worst kind” and a “stomach-churning sickness that is beyond words”:

“To use the Holocaust for domination, humiliation and psychological manipulation of young people is to defile the graves of every victim and to spit on the last breath of those who were murdered for existing."

As I write this, Victoria Police has urged other potential victims to come forward, schools are distancing themselves and Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner has issued a please-explain to the organisation. 

This week we also revealed how much money private school parents have to pay just to enrol their children, examined the ethical grey areas around activist teachers sporting “Always was, always will be” t-shirts at schools and reported the latest research exposing the sex, drinking and drug habits of our teenagers. 

On the lighter side, are we breeding a generation of junior gourmets? The changing tastes of schoolkids is highlighted by new data showing treats like pizza, sushi and butter chicken edging out the humble sausage roll at the canteen. Twistie rolls and 15c lemonade wiz icy poles, which were so coveted when I was young, sadly didn’t make the list! 

We hope you have a great week and keep in touch with us at education@news.com.au