Hot Water System Upgrade

A New Chapter for The Portsea Camp: Hot Water System Upgrade

At The Portsea Camp, our mission to provide exceptional experiences for children has remained steadfast for over 75 years. Since our founding in 1946, more than 100,000 children have come through our doors, enjoying unforgettable adventures, building lifelong friendships, and learning essential life skills. Maintaining our facilities is vital to continue serving our community, and one of our recent challenges was upgrading the hot water system in our Parade Ground buildings.

The Hot Water Challenge

The Parade Ground buildings, constructed in 1887, are the primary accommodation area for our campers, hosting up to 177 people. These historic buildings feature a 250-meter hot water ring main that once serviced 45 shower outlets, bathrooms, laundry facilities, and our community hall. After nearly 30 years of service, the old system of five large electric tanks began to fail, leaving us in urgent need of a sustainable and efficient solution.

A Sustainable Solution from Solahart Mornington Peninsula

Solahart Mornington Peninsula answered our call with a tailored plan to meet our unique needs. Collaborating with Rheem Commercial, Solahart designed an eco-friendly heat pump system. Instead of a single ring main, the solution utilized a decentralized system with 21 heat pumps strategically placed throughout the building, allowing us to:

Decommission the aging ring main
Reduce operational costs
Increase efficiency
Preserve the heritage features of our historic site

Creative Funding Solutions

Managing the costs of this large-scale project was no small task. We were fortunate to work with Smart Ease, whose Sales Director, Assunta Martino, and her team provided a seven-year payment plan that made the upgrade possible. Additionally, Kat Neale and the Greenbank Environmental team helped us secure Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs), offering financial incentives for implementing an energy-efficient system.

Installation: A Collaborative Effort

Completing the installation before our next camper booking required a coordinated team effort. The dedication of skilled professionals from the Mornington Peninsula ensured we met our tight deadline. Key contributors included:

Emily Weston (Site and Facilities Manager) and Andrew Weston (Maintenance Coordinator), who oversaw the project on-site.
John Riley and his colleague Richard, our plumbing partners for over 30 years, who prepared the pre-installation points.
Luke Mackenzie (“Luke the Electrician”) and his team, who managed power connections and mains upgrades.
Dru Daly and the team at Reece Plumbing in Tootgarook, who kept us supplied with essential materials.
Nigell Tierney and Michael Greenwell from Solahart Mornington Peninsula, who led the installation team and completed the project in just 15 business days.

Thank You to Our Supporters

This project was a true community effort, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved. To Solahart Mornington Peninsula, Smart Ease, Greenbank Environmental, and all the local tradespeople who contributed—thank you for your support and dedication.

Special thanks to our Chairman, Mark Betts, and CEO, Sandra Martin, for their unwavering leadership and commitment to The Portsea Camp’s mission.

Continuing Our Legacy

Thanks to this successful upgrade, The Portsea Camp is now better equipped to provide transformative experiences for children while ensuring our facilities remain reliable and sustainable. This is just one of the many ways we’re working to ensure The Portsea Camp continues to serve the community for generations to come.