OXENFORD FACILITIES AND A RAMBLE ABOUT HOMING PIGEONS :)

We have some great facilities in Oxenford, take for example Gambamora Park with its picnic area, baseball field, tennis court, public toilets, BMX track, playground etc - and also the wonderfully landscaped area around the Regatta Waters area and Coomera Lake.

We also have a nice little pocket of activity behind Cottonwood Plaza. Here you'll find the Coomera/Hope Island Cricket Club (an interesting name for a cricket club located in Oxenford) and also the headquarters of the Pigeon Club.

If you have ever chatted with a homing pigeon enthusiast then you'll know just how fascinating this sport can be - for example, did you know that  during World War I, in 1914 during the First Battle of the Marne, the French army had 72 pigeon lofts which advanced with the troops? Then, in WW2 the United Kingdom used about 250,000 homing pigeons and awarded 32 of them the Dickin Medal, which is the highest possible animal's decoration for valour. These pigeons were used both to relay messages and as camera carriers for aerial reconnaissance.

Image shows a WW1  carrier pigeon roost

The Australian Army made extensive use of pigeons too  in WW2  especially so in New Guinea where, surrounded by rugged terrain and unusual atmospherics, wireless communications often failed. I could go on but won't - but if you're interested to read more  click here and also here.

A stone's throw from the Pigeon Club you'll find the Oxenford and Coomera Community and Youth Centre several activities  take place there - visit http://www.youthcentre.org.au/ to know more. The centre is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 5pm on Saturday - a church group or two meet there on Sundays too. The youth and community centre runs playgroups, Mature and Motivated fitness classes, school holiday programs, various classes and more.

The Oxenford and Coomera Community and Youth Centre is also where our quarterly meetings take place.