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The Crusader Union of Australia

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The Crusader Union of Australia
AbbreviationCrusaders or CRU
Formation1930
PurposeTo nurture church membership and train young Christians
HeadquartersEastwood, New South Wales
Region served
New South Wales &
Australian Capital Territory
Membershipindependent school students
Executive Director
Gary Hill
Staff71 permanent staff, 50+ casuals
Volunteers900+
Websitewww.crusaders.edu.au

The Crusader Union of Australia (Crusaders or CRU), is a Bible-based, interdenominational, non-profit Christian youth organisation. It has three main areas, CRU Camps, which includes: CRU Holiday Camps, CRU Study Camps and CRU Day Camps, Summit Educational Camps and Schools Ministry (made up of CRU School Groups and CRU Resources). CRU's frontline ministries are supported by two campsites (CRU Galston Gorge Camp & Conference Centre and CRU Lake Mac Camp & Conference Centre), and a Training Division.

History

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Earliest Logo of the Crusader Union of New South Wales used from 1930 until 1933[1]

Crusaders was founded in 1930 in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia by Howard Guinness,[2] a man keen to strengthen Christian work among school students in independent schools. He saw voluntary groups as a key to achieving this. The first Crusader Camp was held over Easter 1930.[3] In 1934 CRU was founded in Western Australia. From small beginnings in four schools, CRU has expanded to serve 185 Independent schools in New South Wales and the ACT.[citation needed]

The Crusader Women's Fellowship, began at Roseville Park in 1939. The land for the Crusader site at Lake Macquarie NSW was donated by Dr. Leslie Parr on March 4, 1946[4] and in the early 1950s Paul White mortgaged his home to buy land in Galston for £600. The land at Galston was prepared by 1955, however Cumberland County Council regulations initially prohibited the construction on the site, and so construction of the first two cabins started in September 1957. Dining facilities were not completed until 1960.[5] These sites are where the majority of CRU Camps take place.[citation needed]

In 1955 CRU merged with Scripture Union in all states except NSW. During the 1960s CRU became a Registered Company Limited by Guarantee to meet legal requirements. Initially established in Sydney's CBD, the office relocated to Strathfield in 1988, then Eastwood in 1993. The Crusader Union of NSW became the Crusader Union of Australia on 23 May 1990 and the Crusader ‘eagle’ logo was introduced in 1997. The CRU Camp brand was trademarked in 2002.

In 2019 CRU began an redevelopment of the Lake Macquarie campsite, increasing the capacity of the site from 120 to 380.[6] In 2020 the 'eagle' logo was phased out and replace with the current stylised letters.[7] In 2024 a 147 metre long zipline was constructed at the Lake Macquarie site, and was opened by Dan Repacholi.[6]

CRU Camps

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CRU run many different types of camps, including holiday camps for children in Years 3–12, study camps for Year 12 students and Day Camps during the school holidays for children in Years K-12.

Formerly known as Summit Educational Camps. Over 100 school camps are run each year, providing outdoor education to over 7,100 campers and training about 20 ministry trainees, called ‘Summit trainees’.

Schools ministry

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Six full-time staff and four ministry associates address over 100,000 students each year in 185 independent schools across NSW and the ACT. There are also Christian groups across Australia using CRU resources. The following schools have internal CRU Groups or Christian groups supported by CRU operating in them:

Sydney city

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Northern suburbs

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Inner west

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Western suburbs

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Eastern suburbs

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Southern suburbs

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South western suburbs

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Parramatta and the Hills district

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Central west

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Mid north coast

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Southern highlands

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South coast

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Australian Capital Territory

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Campsites

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CRU's ministries are supported by two residential campsites: CRU Galston Gorge Camp & Conference Centre, located in Galston Gorge and CRU Lake Mac Camp & Conference Centre, located in Lake Macquarie with water-based activities and its own sailing fleet.

Sailing Boats belonging to CRU Lake Mac sailing on Lake Macquarie with Eraring Power Station in the background.

CRU Galston Gorge is located 45 minutes from Sydney's CBD in a bushland location. The majority of the CRU Study Camps are run at this location. CRU Lake Mac is located in Lake Macquarie, 60 minutes from Hornsby or Gosford.

CRU is a Registered Training Organisation (NTIS No. 90717) offering training in ‘Apply First Aid’ (formerly Senior First Aid).

References

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  1. ^ Parker, Joy (1980). A Vision of Eagles. Crusader Union of NSW. p. 15. ISBN 0 9594548 0 2.
  2. ^ "CRUSADER UNION". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 3 July 1933. p. 10. Retrieved 27 June 2012.
  3. ^ Parker, Joy (1980). A Vision of Eagles. Crusader Union of NSW. p. 7. ISBN 0 9594548 0 2.
  4. ^ Parker, Joy (1980). A Vision of Eagles. Crusader Union of NSW. p. 38. ISBN 0 9594548 0 2.
  5. ^ Parker, Joy (1980). A Vision of Eagles. Crusader Union of NSW. pp. 40–41. ISBN 0 9594548 0 2.
  6. ^ a b Thompson, Rod (20 June 2024). "Dan's the man to test new Lake Mac zipline". Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  7. ^ Crusaders Timeline. Retrieved 1 June 2012
  8. ^ SACS – Chaplaincy Program
  9. ^ Abbotsleigh – Clubs
  10. ^ Special Events @ Crusaders
  11. ^ Covenant Christian School – Our Community
  12. ^ Knox – Crusaders
  13. ^ Parents Handbook – Cru
  14. ^ Mosman Prep – Crusader Camp
  15. ^ NBCS – Primary Years
  16. ^ Ravenswood – Special Interest Activities
  17. ^ Redlands – Secondary School Chaplain
  18. ^ Roseville College – Christian Faith
  19. ^ St Luke's Grammar School – Principal's Report
  20. ^ Meriden – Overview
  21. ^ MLC School – 21st Century Learning
  22. ^ Northcross – This is our School
  23. ^ Trinity – Prep Information
  24. ^ Friends of Arden – Crusaders
  25. ^ Northholm – Spiritual and Personal Growth
  26. ^ School Choice -Tara
  27. ^ The King's School -Christian Leadership
  • Parker, Joy (1980). A Vision of Eagles. Sydney, Australia: The Crusader Union of N.S.W. ISBN 0 9594548 0 2.
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