Wallace Forgie

and the camp he developed

Wallace Forgie, a Canadian, came to Madras to work with the Madras chapter of the YMCA as its Secretary. Though he retired in 1936, he stayed on in Madras to devote his life to working with under-privileged youngsters.

Two years after his retirement, Wallace Forgie set up Camp Tonakela. Apparently, Forgie chose the Canadian-Indian name meaning ‘NOT FOR SELF’ but it also sounds like “THANUKKU ILLA” in Tamil, which too means not for self. Food for thought indeed!

Forgie, with his vast experience in outdoor camping, felt that city-folk needed to be encouraged to enjoy camping. In 1946, 15 acres of land was acquired in Avadi by the Camp Tonakela Association. The Camp’s objective was, in Forgie’s own words, “to provide a well equipped camp site, conduct training in camping and in the leadership of every form of character building activities.”

Forgie also had a vision of helping the nearby villagers enhance their skills in gardening, agriculture, handicrafts and cottage industry. Camp Tonakela was to act as the support centre for these villagers who were interested in developing their skills.

Now, in its 75th year, Camp Tonakela continues to enthrall nature lovers who enjoy the beauty and mystery it offers. Camp Tonakela offers 15 acres of greenery with lots of trees and shrubs, a small pond and a covered swimming pool, all within its compound . There are 24 tents, adequate sanitation facilities and a kitchen with utensils for the campers to use.

To get to Tonakela, take the New Avadi Road from Poonamalle High Road opposite Pachaiyappa’s College. Just after passing the Dunlop factory on New Avadi Road, there is a black topped road on the left near the Ambedkar statue. This road follows the tank bund until a temple is reached outside Aiyappakkam village. Turn right at this point and follow the track north to the camp. The distance by this route is about 20 km from Madras Fort.

* * *

The headquarters for the International Camping Fellowship is at Camp Tawingo in Canada. Camp Tawingo was founded by Jack Pearse, the former director of the YMCA Camp On-da-da-waks operated by the Ottawa YMCA. Apparently, Wally Forgie founded that camp as well. Dissatisfied with their camp location on Black Bay just outside of Ottawa, Wally suddenly one day packed up some gear, got on the train in Ottawa, got off in Pembroke and biked along rough roads, trails and through the bush till he came to a beautiful stand of Red Pine trees on a bluff overlooking a large lake. “Here,” said Wally, “we will make a camp!” And he did, founding Camp On-Da-Da-Waks which means ‘Men of the Woods’ in the Algonquin language. Including its time on Black Bay, this camping operation was recognised as the oldest in Ontario while it ran (until 1967). Camp Tawningo used to send annual donations to Camp Tonakela.

Forgie came to India as part of YMCA outreach but became an admirer of Indian culture and religion which were much more integrated into people’s lives. He left the Y and began this mission on his own with support from camps in Canada.

Wally Forgie was “a kindly man with a lot of integrity and a desire to help and uplift persons he worked with and worked for without regard to religion, caste, etc. in the finest tradition of the YMCA,” a Canadian collegian writes. Another collegian recalls, “My earliest recollection of Wally Forgie was during one of his visits to Camp On-Da-da-Waks in or about 1959-60. He was particularly fascinated with the many pine cones scattered about the camp property and was quite intent on taking a number of them back to Madras. The other thing I recall is the very large and lit cigar he had stuffed in the side of his mouth.”

The Murugappa group has long been associated with Camp Tonakela. It was in the early 1950s that Slater of Tube Products of India, Avadi, and his wife helped to run the medical centre at the Camp.

For decades, TI Cycles and Tube Products utilised a camp site for official get-togethers and meetings. The workers’ union also used to make use of this facility, which they still do. Four generations of Chandhoks of the Upper India Group have been associated with the running of Camp Tonakela.

In a month, nowadays, over 1200 campers, 800 picnickers and 1000 swimmers use the Camp’s facilities. Day-to-day expenses are met by the income from camps, picnics and swimming. Capital expenditure has to come from donations. (Compiled from commemorative souvenir Camp Tonekela 1938-2013.)

Note: For more information contact the Director (Tel: 72000 58476) or the Camp (Tel:2655 0261).