History of Crosslands
1972
In 1972 Eddie Long, a successful land developer and builder, submitted plans to make major developments at Crosslands. Eddie Long had spent many of his youthful days as a beneficiary of the camp’s ministry to the young people of Sydney. In 1974 it was voted to authorise a re-development scheme. His keen interest in nature drew him to spearhead further development of the site, and today a building bears his name.
1952
Eric White, circa 1952, as a student minister, camped at Crosslands as part of his training as a Master Guide while studying ministry at Avondale College. White eventually became the youth director for the Greater Sydney Conference where Crosslands became a hub for Pathfinder and youth activities.
Current
Crosslands Youth and Convention Centre continues to serve the youth and the constituency of the Greater Sydney Conference. The many improvements over the years has made it an attractive center for school camps and church gatherings.
1856
The first European settlers in the area were Burton Crossland and Matthew Charlton, one on each side of Berowra Creek. In 1856 Charlton engaged Crossland as caretaker of his property on the eastern bank of Berowra Creek. Crossland's son Tom carried out fishing and farming on the Crossland property and Charlton's son Albert later sold his property to him, giving Crossland holdings on both sides of the creek.
1947
Since 1947 the original Crossland grant has been occupied by a Seventh-day Adventist youth camp. In 1949 The Greater Sydney Conference of Seventh-day Adventists took over the management and ownership of the site.
1946
In 1946 the youth leader of the South New South Wales Conference, Albert White, saw wisdom in seeking a rural location to establish a youth camp. He discovered the Crosslands property was owned by F. Calderwood at the time, and negotiations for its purchase began.
First Inhabitants
The first inhabitants of the area were a subgroup of the Dharug, the main Aboriginal group of the Hawkesbury Region. They sheltered in caves and beneath screens made of bark or branches. They found an abundance of food from the local vegetation, the plentiful fish, shellfish and small animals of the area.
