Minto Bush Camp

Was Minto Bush Camp truly a “Tropical Minto”? The eucalyptus trees surrounding us at Minto Bush Camp whisper tales of a past both vibrant and controversial. This wasn’t just a campsite; it was the heart of the Communist Party of Australia’s National Training School, a place where ideology met the Australian bush. Established in 1958, Minto Bush Camp served as a hub for communist education and culture. Eric Aarons, the first principal, brought his experience from China, shaping a curriculum around Marxist thought and its application to Australian industry and politics. While ASIO, Australia’s intelligence agency, kept a watchful eye, suspecting radical plots, Minto Bush Camp offered more than just revolutionary teachings. It provided a leafy retreat, a place for communists and their sympathizers to enjoy the cool waters of the Georges River. The Eureka Youth League, Young Communists, and industrial committees alike gathered under the gum trees, creating a distinctly Australian atmosphere. This contrasted sharply with the government’s portrayal of communism as a foreign, alien threat. ASIO’s surveillance, including planting moles and intercepting phone calls, revealed no paramilitary training, only vigorous volleyball matches. The camp wasn’t without its critics. The local Returned Services League and a future mayor raised concerns, fueling media interest in the “communist menace.” The Campbelltown Ingleburn and District News even featured the camp on its front page. However, the media frenzy soon subsided, returning to more mundane local news. Minto Bush Camp evolved, mirroring the changing face of the Communist Party. It became a venue for discussions on gay rights, feminism, Aboriginal autonomy, and the anti-war movement. Key figures like Kevin Cook, a communist and Aboriginal activist, frequented the camp, contributing to the planning of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The camp hosted barbecues and wine-bottling events, rewarding the volunteers who built and maintained the site. With the Communist Party’s decline in the 1980s, Minto Bush Camp was transferred to Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative College, continuing its legacy as a gathering place for diverse groups. From high schools to men’s groups, Celtic groups to churches, and even witches, the camp’s history is etched into the very land we stand on.