Joey Scouts turn 21

Scout
AUSTRALIAN
OCTOBER 2011
NSW snow
adventure
A new Australia
room at Kandersteg
From Timor to the
World Jamboree
Joey Scouts
turn 21
HOPPY 21st, JOEY SCOUTS
Inside
OCTOBER 2011
8
How quickly they grew up, from the pioneering NSW trial of 1979
A WORLD OF SCOUTING
10
4
Impressions of the 22nd World Scout Jamboree
THE TIMOR CONNECTION
12
At the World Jamboree -- and a Victorian Leader's visit
THE NEW-LOOK AUSTRALIAN ROOM 14
Thanks to Dick and Pip Smith, our room at Kandersteg gets a makeover
CAN'T SAY NO TO SNOW
15
'snow challenge too great for 1st Carringbah Venturers
A.C.T. ACTION
17
Rovers to the top of Australia; and a surprise visit for the Pfadfinders
ACTIVITIES: SCUBA
18
Underwater magic is accessible through the Victorian SCUBA team
OPERATION NIGHTHAWK
19
A weekend of excitement for hundreds of WA Scouts
SCOUTS FOR FAIR TRADE
There's a
Bear in there
34
Individuals can prevent child slavery
Scout
AUSTRALIAN
OCTOBER 2011
NSW snow
adventure
A new Australia
room at Kandersteg
From Timor to the
World Jamboree
8
29
REGULARS
News
Diary
Cub Scouts
Venturers
Adults in Scouting
Looking Locally
Windy Valley
4
7
24
30
33
35
38
Bob’s bit
Joey Scouts
Scouts
Rovers
International
Purple Six
FAQ
Australian Scout ... sharing the message of Scouting.
7
20
26
32
2
38
39
Joey Scouts
turn 21
COVER: Another extreme
adventure for 1st Carringbah
Venturers, NSW: Jordan
Bacon digs his snow
cave for the night.
PHOTO: Jason Juretic.
REPORT: Page 15.
News
Bear Grylls
comes to town
Hundreds of Scouts in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth got the chance to get
up close and personal with UK Chief
Scout Bear Grylls during his recent
national tour, "A wild night with Bear
Grylls". Bear's program of talk and
video finished with the Scouts swarming on stage to sing "Heading to a new
tomorrow" from the 2011 Melbourne
Gang Show.
PHOTOS: Jennie Leggett, Rachel
Munro and Jenny Wardell
ACT Branch has unveiled its
logo for the ACT Contingent
to AJ 2013. The logo was
designed by Jenny Major
of the Erindale Rover Crew.
It features the Carillon
on Aspen Island in Lake Burley
Griffin, and the Royal Bluebell
(Wahlenbergia gloriosa),
Canberra’s floral emblem.
Shouting about Scouting
An invitation from his local Scouts
has led to a Federal MP sharing
his experience in Canberra. Josh
Frydenberg, MHR for Kooyong, told
Parliament how he recently attended
the annual report and presentation
of Boroondara Scouts at the 1st Hawthorn Scout Hall at Scotch College.
“Boroondara, which to a large degree mirrors the boundaries
of Kooyong, is a hub of activity for hundreds of Joeys, Cubs,
Scouts, Venturers and Rovers,” he told the House. “There are in
fact 19 Scout Groups with over 1200 members in Boroondara,
leading many to claim it is the largest Scout District in Australia.
“Some of these Groups, like 1st City of Camberwell and 1st
Kew, are particularly noteworthy as they are amongst the oldest
in the country. Their formation came soon after the first-ever
Scout camp was held in 1907 on Brownsea Island off England’s
Dorset coast.”
Backstage at the Sydney Convention Centre
Backstage at Melbourne's Plenary Hall
“In Boroondara you will often find Scouts planting trees,
involved in Clean Up Australia Day or, as they did recently, assisting the flood victims in Victoria repair their homes. It is this
special opportunity to help others while at the same time getting
involved in a variety of other fun activities, like theatrical performances at Camberwell Showtime or the Melbourne Gang Show
that gives the Scouts such broad appeal.
Victoria’s inaugural Our School raffle has finished with a bang – a live webcast of the prize
draw so participating schools could share the
excitement on their computers
A total of 197 schools raised $300,000 in the
new offshoot of the very successful Scout Raffle,
which has raised $3 million for Victorian Scout
Groups over the past seven years.
“As I listened at the AGM to the young Scouts and the Group
Leaders talk about what they had achieved over the last year,
including some who had recently been to Sweden for World
Jamboree, their enthusiasm and commitment was both obvious
and infectious. No wonder their membership numbers are growing at such a rapid rate.”
The webcast involved the crew from Commercial
Video Productions, a team of Rovers, Rover MC
David Venn and Scouts Christopher Willis and
Petra Green – and was watched live by a very
impressed bunch of sponsors.
Mr Frydenberg congratulated Boroondara DC Phillip Wood,
Melbourne RC Brendan Watson, Chief Commissioner Bob Taylor, and their fellow Leaders. But he had a particular mention
for two local identities:
Once Chief Commissioner Bob Taylor had drawn
the first prize, a Toyota Camry hybrid valued at
$39,433, the Scouts took over to draw and announce the remaining 42 prizes. After a bumper
start, the Our School raffle is tipped to be even
bigger next year.
“Let me say also how pleased I am that Lord Baden-Powell’s
grandson, the Hon. Michael Baden-Powell, a Branch Commissioner of Scouts Victoria, resides with his wife, Joan, in Camberwell in the heart of my electorate. Their contribution to the
Scouting movement is both longstanding and significant.
www.ourschoolraffle.com.au
4
He went to explain about the origins of Scouting, Baden-Powell,
and some former prominent Scouts. “Living by the ethos ‘live,
do and lead’, the Scouting movement is also highly conscious of
its commitment to serve the broader community.
www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr130911.pdf (p. 92)
October 2011 Australian Scout
Australian Scout October 2011
5
Victoria
100 years at
1st Cheltenham
October 15-16 2011
The Group welcomes all past and
present members to join them on
this special occasion. They also seek
photos and memorabilia for displays,
and information on the whereabouts
of other former members. The program includes a special dinner on the
Saturday night. Book now!
Inquiries to anncoram43@gmail.com
Sailing and
Powerboat courses
The Victorian Sailing and Power Boating
Unit will be presenting instruction and
training in sailing skills and power boat
operation at Holloway Bend, Brighton,
during the 2011 12 season.
The four-day sailing courses cover the
first level of the ANTA SIS10 Yachting
Small Boats Competencies (Vic. Branch
Standard). Places are available for older
Scouts, Venturer and Rover members.
Leaders are also invited to apply as the
course also covers the sailing requirements for the Activity Guide Badge.
Course details:

5, 6,19 and 20 November 2011;

3-6 January 2012 (four days continuous);

4, 5, 18 and 19 February;

3, 4, 17 and 18 March; and

21, 22 April and 5, 6 May.
The two-day power boating courses
cover the competencies of the National
Power Boat Handling Course. Warranted Leaders, Venturers (16yo+) and
Rovers are invited to apply. Satisfactory
completion of this course is an Association requirement for any Member
operating a power boat on a Scouting activity and where required also
provides a certificate of exemption for
the Power Boat Operator Licence Test.
Courses are presented on the first and
second days of the January, February
and March above sailing courses.
The cost of each sailing and power
boating course is $60.
Courses are also presented for advanced level sailing and safety (rescue)
boat handling. Details are available on
request.
Further information may be obtained
from Paul Peeler, Branch Senior
Instructor – Sailing & Powerboating
and Yachting Australia Training Centre
Principal, on (03) 95963370 after 7pm
or by email at pkahp69@gmail.com
6
Victoria
Bob’s bit
October 2011 Australian Scout
Day light saving has commenced,
spring is here and the outdoors now
becomes a stronger focus of our programmes and activities as we lament
or celebrate the success of our footy
team over the winter!
Diary
October is the month for Regions to
present their Annual Reports following
the September District presentations.
You are invited to support your Region
Team by attending at the locations
listed here. These include the annual
report dinners for the Rover Council
and Victorian Scout Foundation
Sat 1-Sun 2
The Branch Report Presentation originally scheduled for Friday 28 October
has been moved to Friday 18 November at Monash University. An open
invitation is extended to all members
to attend by registering your intention
via the link on the Victorian website.
In my September journeys to District
Report Presentations in such places
as Warrnambool, Ballarat, Colac,
Mildura, Kerang, Leongatha, Seymour
and Kaniva in the country and to metropolitan Districts such as Kingston,
Boroondara, Hume, Casey, Maroondah and Sherbrooke I have met a
number of local government, state and
federal politicians.
OCTOBER
 Region Annual Reports & Awards
Presentations month
 21st Anniversary of Joey Scouts
 Cohen Shield
I emphasised to them the role we play
as volunteers in youth development
in our communities and how we can
ous responsibilities in preparing youth
the concept of partnerships has been
overwhelmingly positive. We all must
strive to cultivate these partnerships
and at the Branch we will now take
the opportunities and relationships
which have been nurtured in Plenty
Valley Region under the leadership
of our Strategic Development Officer
Rob Charlesworth to use as a model
throughout the state.
North West
11 am lunch
Western
11 am lunch
Bays
7.30 nibbles
Mt
Dandenong
Eastern
8 pm
Grampians H&C Centre, 8-22 Patrick Street,
Stawell
Amstel Golf Club, 1000 Frankston Rd,
Cranbourne
1st Nunawading, Mark Place, Nunawading
6.30 dinner
Old Gippstown Folk Museum, Lloyd St, Moe
Plenty Valley
7.30 nibbles
Geelong Conf. Centre, Adams Court, East
Geelong,
Commercial Hotel, Campbell St, Swan Hill
Northern
11 am lunch
Mernda Village Community Centre, 70
Mernda Village Drive M390G8
Oriana Reception Centre, Hampstead Rd,
Maidstone
Benalla Bowls Club, Arundel St , Benalla
Melbourne
6 -8 pm
Federation Square, Melbourne
Lerderderg
8 pm
Scout Foundation
West Coast
6.30 dinner
Sydenham CR College, Sydenham Rd,
Sydenham
Bruce County Motel, Blackburn Rd, Mt
Waverley
Images Restaurant, 60 Liebig Street, Warrnambool.
Australian Scout October 2011
Sat 8
Sat 8-Sun 9
Mon 10
Sun 9
Wed 12
for partnerships plans for all Districts
7:30 pm
6:30 dinner.
Sat 8
for the adult world. Their response to
Geelong
Rover Council 6 pm dinner
Fri 7
partner and complement their vari-
Region annual reports and presentations
Friday
October 7
Sunday October 9
Saturday
October 15
Tuesday
October 18
Wednesday
October 19
Thursday
October 20
Friday
October 21
Saturday
October 22
Sunday October 23
Monday
October 24
Wednesday
October 26
Thursday
October 27
Friday
October 28
Sat 1- Sun 9
Sun 2
Sun 2
Fri 14-Sat 16
Fri 14-Sun 16
Sat 15
Sat 15-Sun 16
Fri 14- Sat 15
Sat 15-Sun 16
Sun 16
Sun 16
Fri 21-Sat 22
Sat 22
Fri 21-Sun 23
Fri 28
Sun 30
National Special Needs
workshop
BARCOM trip # 2
Daylight Saving begins
Scout Fellowship Annual
Report & Presentations
Rainbow Simpson
Award entries close
Queen’s Scout & B-P
Awards, Government
House
Service day, Gilwell Park
ASF working bee,
Warburton Rover Chalet
School Term 4
commences
Scout Magazine, theme
planning #2
Alpine Rover crew &
BCNG AGM & Winter
Party reunion
Patrol Activity, Gilwell:
JOTA/JOTI
Cohen Shield, Ballarat
District, Pax Hill
Bays Region Joey Scout
21st Birthday party
54th World Scout
JOTA/15th JOTI
Strzelecki Showtime
Patrol Activity, Clifford
Park: JOTA/JOTI plus
activities
Bays Region Cub Scout
Bowling
Personal Leader Adviser
Conference
Strzelecki Showtime
Rover Dinner
National Training
Council meeting
Australian Scout
Medallion applications
close at Branch
INFO BOOK 2012
submissions due
7
A Victorian perspective on the maturing of our youngest Section
Hoppy 21st birthday, Joey Scouts
By HELEN BARBER
l
2nd/4th Sale with Noelene Houghton
Beginnings
l
1st Mountview with Deborah Cusack
Helen Strutt trialled the very first
“Joey Scouts” program in Newcastle,
New South Wales in 1979. It was very
successful and it provided a great model
for the commencement of Joey Scouts
across Australia. Many meetings and
discussions were held across Australia,
with the principles for establishing the
Joey Scout Section being adopted by
the National Executive Committee on
November 19 1989. In April 1990 five
State Branches had appointed Branch
Commissioners for Joey Scouts. These
were Ian Napper (SA), Greg Marnier
(Qld), Jan Tarbotton (ACT), Helen Strutt
(NSW) and Lee Williams (Tas.)
1st Epping with Margaret Box and
Helen Buller
Victoria had a Project Commissioner for Joey Scouts, Meredith Walsh.
Later on, in 1991, her role would be
changed to Branch Commissioner for
Joey Scouts. Meredith did a sterling
job with great assistance and encouragement from Jack Griffiths and Brett
Wingfield, as well as William Wells,
John Ravenhall and Sue Dowlan. In
1998 Meredith resigned to work on the
“Scouts in Schools” program and Mick
Adams took on the role as BC. Mick
continued in the role until Lyn Rickerby
was appointed in 2008.
Official launch
The ACT and SA Branches simultaneously launched the birthday of Joey
Scouts on July 1 1990. The Chief Scout
of Australia, Sir John Young, AC, KCMB,
with Neil Westaway, Chief Commissioner of Australia, attended the launch
in South Australia and the National
Commissioner for Youth Program, Kirsty
Brown attended the launch in the ACT.
The first Victorian Mobs
The original Victorian pilot Joey
Scout Mobs, started in October 1990,
were:
Berwick District with Barbara Weeks
and Mick Adams,
l
l 1st Norlane West with Stephen Taylor
and Dorothy Podger
l
8
10th Footscray with Margaret Harrison
l
l
1st Romsey with Margret White
l Upper Murray District with Sue Dowlan and Maria Ord
l
7th Chelsea with Sandra Cadby
1st Cheltenham with Paula Holtman
and Val Thomas
l
These Mobs were a major success and
by August 1991 the 50th Joey Scout
Mob was approved for commencement.
Differences to other Sections
The new Section was to be known
as Joey Scouts not Joeys. The Joey
Scouts would be the first of the five
Sections of Scouting and they would be
part of each Scout Group. “Mob” was
selected as the collective term for a
group of Joey Scouts and adopted by all
Branches across Australia.
The Joey Scout Section would
be a training Section just like all the
other Sections but the methods used
would differ. Learning would be through
playing and doing things, participation
in activities, games and stories related
to nature, self, fun and helping others.
There was no Award Scheme or tests
nor was there any intentions of adding
them at that time. Overnight activities
or sleepovers for Joey Scouts were only
permitted by the Branch Chief Commissioner, however 10 Mobs were chosen
to pilot sleepovers in 1998.
The uniform for Joey Scouts was
a tan scarf with a National Joey Scout
woggle. These were worn with everyday clothes. In 1996 Joey Scouts would
change to a tan T-shirt and wear their
Group scarf. With the introduction of
the new navy blue uniform in 2004 the
Joey Scout uniform included the blue
short with a tan insert. The Section flag
would be tan with the World Scouting
emblem and lettering in white.
Leaders
Leaders would use the names of
friends of the forest in the Australian
October 2011 Australian Scout
bush or aboriginal names. They would
wear tan shoulder tabs and tan plume.
They would be trained to Stage 3 level
(now Basic Level Training) prior to their
Mob beginning, with an expectation that
they would be Wood Badged within 12
months of starting in their Mob.
Resources
The Joey Scout Leaders Handbook, Promise, Law and Theme wall
charts and pocket cards for the Joey
Scouts, as well as National Joey Scout
woggles, were available at the Scout
Outdoor Centres (as Snowgum was
then called).
Feature stories and articles
started appearing in Australian Scout
magazine from the June 1990 edition.
Joey Scout File also commenced at this
time, with responsibility for the content
shared around the States on a rota
basis. It has now been co-ordinated by
Victorian Joey Scout Leaders for a number of years, with occasional content
from Leaders in other States.
Pater Marriott, ABC Scouts, wrote
a special song, “Hop to it!” for the Joey
Scouts. And there was even a newsletter in the late 1990s called “What’s
Hoppening”.
Highlights
Highlights for
the Joey Scouts during the 21 years have
included the introduction of the Challenge
Participation badges
(Adventure, Buddy,
Care and Share and
Environment) and
in 2005 the pinnacle achievement
of the Section, the
Promise Challenge.
The Founders Day Parade in 2007 to
celebrate the 100 years of Scouting was
an exciting highlight too.
There have been the biennial Zoo
days (our next one is on November
19). Region Days have included Bush
Games, It’s Magic, Emergencies, Hop
to Heritage, Under the Big Top, Science
Australian Scout October 2011
and Kite Days, Hallowe’en Hop, Pirate
Invasion, Heany Hop and many more.
District days, Hops and Campfires too.
Joey Scouts have attended all of the
various Showtimes around the State as
well as Gang Shows too. They have
attended Anzac Day services and cared
and shared by collecting soup, pencils,
toothbrushes and toothpaste. Joey
Scouts have even had or participated
in Branch and Section Youth Forums.
They have attended Joey and Cub Days
at the Jamborees as well as JOTA and
JOTT and Fantastic Hop. And past
birthdays, 6th, 10th and 18th have been
celebrated too. Many of these events
have been commemorated with the
obligatory badges, some even designed
by the Joey Scouts themselves.
1995: Zoo Day
1992: 1st Romey
For the Leaders there have been
the biennial conferences at North Blackburn, Clayton, Monash Uni, Box Hill,
Ringwood East, Seymour, Gilwell Park
and Wallan Wallan. There have also
been Craft and Program days around
the state for ideas and fellowship
too. They have assisted at Cuborees
and Jamborees, Cohen, Stradbroke,
Hoadley Hide, Baycamporee, Ventures,
Sandown Scout Expo and other inter
Section activities.
First major event
Our first major
event was Kangaree
in 2010. It was an
awesome achievement and enjoyed
by more than 440
Joey Scouts and 230
Leaders, as well as
many Adult Helpers,
Parents, Rovers and
Venturers. Counting
down to Kangaree
2012 on April 14-15
has already started.
So, from very nervous and excited
beginnings, we now have 1233 Joey
Scouts in 180 Mobs across the state.
Many happy returns for a very happy
21st birthday, Joey Scouts and Joey
Scout Leaders!
1991: 1st Norlane
Calendar: February 1994
1993: Mick Adams and
Lyn Rickerby
9
The 22nd World Scout Jamboree, Sweden
Impressions of a world of Scouting
Unit 3
Camp in Camp
MCs Ben and Freya
By PHIL HARRISON
The Australian Contingent to the 22nd
World Scout Jamboree, consisting
of 192 youth members, Rovers and
Leaders, was the largest to a World
Scout Jamboree in living memory. With
130 Scouts and Venturer Scouts in four
Units, and Rovers and Leaders involved
in a broad range of International Service
Team roles, the Australian Contingent
was well and truly noticed.
As Contingent Leader, one of my
highlights was having dinner at each of
the Australian Units. I saw four functional Units, preparing and presenting wellcooked meals, and met numerous other
dinner guests from multiple countries
at each Unit campsite. At the Australian
Contingent reception at the Jamboree, I
made the comment that a World Scout
Jamboree is about meeting people,
developing friendships and making links
that will last well beyond the two weeks
of the Jamboree itself.
The Swedish Scout and Guide
Association are to be congratulated on
their very efficient planning, organisation and management of the event.
They succeeded in all aspects of building and supporting a temporary city of
40,000 people on the fields of Rinkaby,
near Kristianstad in southern Sweden.
maybe it’s someone bursting to go to
the loo. What’s that – a toilet flushing?
Many thanks to all those who
worked hard on all aspects of the
preparation for the Jamboree, and then
at the Jamboree itself, including the
members of the Australian Contingent
Management Team, the four Australia
Unit Leaders and their Assistant Unit
Leaders, as well as the Australian Rovers and Leaders who were part of the
International Service Team.
The day is now starting to wake as
I hear the buses making their way to the
Jamboree site to take the Scouts away
to the daily activities. I think I can hear a
gas stove now being fired up to please
someone’s caffeine addiction.
•
Phil Harrison is Australian Contingent Leader to the 22nd World
Scout Jamboree.
40,000 Scouts Snoring…
By DAVID McKINLEY
It’s 4 am and I’m lying in bed awake. I
listen for any sounds near and far. What
is that noise? Is it some kind of wild
animal in the distance?
No, it’s 39,000 Scouts snoring,
all in some kind of rhythm and different
pitch. What else I hear are the distant
jet planes taking people to some far off
land. I hear a cough and a shuffle in a
sleeping bag, I hear footsteps walking
along the road outside, it’s probably
Security doing their routine pass by or
I look outside and see the beautiful sunrise and the mist that make up
this huge event that we call the World
Scout Jamboree!
•
David ‘Macca’ McKinley is a NSW
Leader.
Camp in Camp
By RYAN KIDD
the most enjoyable opportunity provided
by the Camp in Camp was the chance
to interact with Scouts of different
nationalities on a more personal level
than is possible on the Jamboree site
and experience their interpretations of
Scouting. Of particular significance was
the participation in the ceremonies and
activities of the host groups.
The host groups were extremely
welcoming and did not hesitate to lend
a helping hand or accommodate for the
needs of the Jamboree patrols. Campfire songs, skits and games in a variety
of tongues could be heard late into the
night, accompanied by the universal
languages: music and laughter.
Camp in Camp, free of the typical
hectic Jamboree schedule, relaxed
the participants and Leaders alike.
The peaceful atmosphere gave rise to
reflection on the Jamboree experience
and developed in the Scouts a deeper
understanding of the values that ‘Simply
Scouting’ embodies.
Activities on offer at Sonnarp
included volleyball, swimming and
canoeing in the adjacent lake. However,
Speaking with Freya from Victoria
during the WSJ2011, her thoughts
may assist future youth members that
participate in any international or largescale events.
Freya’s WSJ2011…
“It can be a bit overwhelming and
some Scouts can feel a little homesick
but we need to draw strength from
within ourselves or from the support of
friends to get through,” Freya said. “It’s
normal as we get tired and the weather
starts to take effect, getting involved in
activities, socialising and chatting with
friends or Leaders helps this stage. It’s
important to keep having good fun,”
Freya explained.
Bear Grylls with Nick and Jacqui
A cultural exchange with Austria
The activities are different to
Australian Jamboree; the emphasis is
more on the interaction than the ‘wow’
factor but there is a great opportunity
to connect with the many other Scouts
from around the world.
Each of the Sub Camps has
started to enjoy dinners with other
Patrols. “We enjoyed an invitation for
Camp in Camp
10
October 2011 Australian Scout
Australian Scout October 2011
The Timor experience:
pages 12-13
The ACT experience:
page 37
Teaching others is an essential
component of Scouting and many said
that they found the opportunity to learn
from and instruct the younger host
Scouts a rewarding experience.
Camp in Camp will undoubtedly rank
among the greatest aspects of the
Jamboree experience. After days of
the constant, exhilarating, yet admittedly exhausting, cultural and social
barrage that characterises the activities
and subcamp life, the camp of Sonnarp
provided time for much-needed rest,
relaxation and reflection.
Ice climbing
More
A media view
There is an excellent article on
the World Jamboree on the Financial Times website: http://
www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/2/4ff78238c876-11e0-833c-00144feabdc0.
html#axzz1X9WNowRe
Or go to www.ft.com and search for
“woggle”.
dinner from Croatia with the USA and
Spain; the Croatians’ tomato soup was
delicious.”
Freya decided to come to
Jamboree to make new friends. “I
wanted to experience new cultures and
everywhere you go here you have the
opportunity to learn more about things
than you’d ever find out at home.” Freya
was one of the Australian Contingent‘s
Young Spokespersons and had
the opportunity to attend a training
workshop. “They showed us about
body language by watching television
presentations and about protocols and
different ways to say things.”
Freya spoke on behalf of the
Australian Contingent on the radio
regarding the International Exchange
of the Kangaroos to Austria on World
Scout Day. Austria invited the two
Kangaroos to attend Austria for the
day and we hosted Faironika, the
Austrian cow. This international cultural
exchange showcased the Scouting
spirit that was alive and well in
WSJ2011.
11
The Timor
Connection
By ATTILA OVARI
The World Scout Jamboree in Sweden
was an exciting time for all. In particular
the Australian contingent was joined
by two Venturers from Timor-Leste,
Fernando and Octaviano, who were
sponsored to the Jamboree by Scouts
Australia. I was fortunate enough to be
in the same patrol with them and also
coordinate their week in Canberra prior
to the Jamboree.
Fernando and Octaviano had
never been outside Timor-Leste before
this great adventure. So on the Monday
prior to our departure these two brave
Venturers said goodbye to their family and friends and hopped on a plane
to Darwin. In the few hours that they
were in Darwin that they were invested
into Australian Scouts by the local Sea
Scout Group and then placed on the
red-eye flight to Sydney.
They spent about one hour in Sydney before flying to Canberra. Yes, July
is cold in Canberra and Timor-Leste is
warm all year round. On arrival in Canberra Fernando and Octaviano were
given coats to wear. However there was
no preparation for the cold Canberra
winter. From their faces it looked like the
two of them had arrived at the end of
the world. They did not look impressed.
Canberra provided a range of
new experiences for the two Venturers.
There are many things that we take
for granted that provided a smile or a
sense of uncertainty in the beginning for
the two of them. These things included
escalators, shopping malls and the lack
of motor cycles on the road. During the
next four days Fernando and Octaviano
spent time learning about Australia,
while talking with Australian Venturers and visiting places like Parliament
House.
Then on the Friday night it was
time to head down to Melbourne for Fernando and Octaviano. They flew out of
Melbourne to Sweden on the Saturday. I
flew out of Sydney on the same day and
we next met in Bangkok for the rest of
the adventure.
From Copenhagen on Fernando
and Octaviano really got to experience
international Scouting. As we all greeted
and met Scouts from all the continents
of the world on the streets, we got to
rely on the Timor-Leste Venturers’ language skills. Unlike Australia schools,
in Timor-Leste it is compulsory to learn
many languages at school. So with the
languages of Portuguese, English and
Indonesian, we were set to talk with just
about anyone and everyone.
At the Jamboree there were all the
events on offer as part of the Australian
troop, plus Fernando and Octaviano
got to participate in the Portuguese
speaking activities also. This involved
a reception, meetings and a party.
Overall it seemed that they got to live
the best of both worlds. This being the
case Green Troop got to benefit from
their experience in construction. It was a
great opportunity for cultural exchange
for both the Australians and the TimorLeste Venturers. We all look forward
to a future Scout trip to Timor-Leste to
meet up again.
•
Attila Ovari is an International
Program Advisor with Scouts ACT.
There is a full set of pictures on his
Facebook, http://www.facebook.
com/aovari.
Thanks
Fernando and Octaviano were
sponsored to the World Jamboree
by Scouts Australia. In addition,
we would like to thank:
Snowgum (especially the Belconnen ACT store) for their donation of
many of the vital items for the WSJ,
including, most importantly, thermals
l
l AirNorth for the donation of return
flights from Dili to Darwin. www.
airnorth.com.au
l The following staff in various
diplomatic representations who
assisted the Scout Movement by
facilitating the issue of visas and
diplomatic guarantees:
Jane Viol, Third Secretary,
Swedish Embassy, Canberra
l
l Elisa Da Silva, First Secretary,
Timor-Leste Embassy, Canberra
lRoyal Norwegian Embassy,
Canberra
l Ambassador Miles Armitage
and Lucille Sadler, Australian
Embassy, Dili
l Cindy Young, Canberra Convention
Centre
l The office of Senator Gary
Humphries
l Joanne Cullen, ACT Legislative
Assembly
l Jason Jones and his family, Scouts
ACT
The Fietz Family and 1st Balwyn
Buchanan Venturers, Scouts Victoria
l
l
Jeff & June Harrison, Scouts NSW
l Andrew
Fernanda and Octaviano with Melissah Dawson at Snowgum Belconnen
12
Cooper, Scouts Victoria
In June, I embarked on a study tour offered by Victoria University. The focus of
the tour was to partner up with University National Timor Lorosae (UNTL) and
teach in schools in Dili. I was told before
I left for East Timor that the experience
would change my life; it wasn’t until I
returned that I realised what that meant.
On arriving we entered a world
where people yearn to learn from us,
practise speaking English, are inquisitive about our life in Australia and most
of all wanted to help us and show us
around Timor Leste. The school I had
the pleasure to volunteer at was called
Finantil Secundário Escola, the school’s
headmaster was so excited to learn I
had studied biology, he handed me a
Portuguese textbook and asked me
if I would teach the topic of Evolution.
Stunned by the privilege, I took the
challenge and with patience, Google
Translate, and lots of local coffee, I
prepared lessons for my days ahead.
Despite a limited English vocabulary,
many of the students had fun impersonating and drawing animals on the
classroom’s blackboard as we worked
together to break down the barriers and
form connections between both biology
and language. Many of the students
were older than me because it is common for 23 year olds to be graduating
from school. With the violent uprising
in 1999, most schools in Timor Leste
were destroyed and I was lucky to be
in a school that could afford chalk for
the blackboards and electricity to power
their two computers.
One of the UNTL students,
that helped proved to be a priceless
resource time and time again, was a
The team of Scouts, Venturers and Leaders from the ACT attending the WSJ with
Alistair Coe MLA and ACT Chief Commissioner, Peter Harris.
October 2011 Australian Scout
By RICCI BURGESS
Australian Scout October 2011
In Timor
Rotarian, Felismino. ‘Amino’, as he
was affectionately called, assisted me
in locating a Scout Group, and with his
translating, I was able to describe the
experiences I had in Cub Scouts back
home, showing them our Cub Scout
yellow book and pictures of Djerriwarrh
District Cub Scouts doing various activities like visiting the Shrine of Remembrance and attending pre-Cuboree
camp.
In Dili, I was fortunate enough to
witness a remarkable project, Dollars
for Dili. This is a partnership between
Timorese and Australian Scouts and
Rotarians, and together they were
renovating existing damaged buildings
and constructing new toilet facilities in
school.
The Dili Rotarians are a group of
inspirational Timorese. They do an immense amount of work in the community with many of them, like us, juggling
their passion of being active in the
community with a busy life of university,
work, and family. When I asked them
more about the services Rotarians offer
they mentioned a new project. If Australians were to visit Timor Leste and
contact them they would be more than
happy to provide language translation
and tours.
What I learnt the most from this
experience was no matter how unfortunate people can be in life, many of them
will have the determination to be better
and to build their country into one of
which they can be proud. Scouts truly
are messengers of peace and you can
be a messenger too.
•
Ricci Burgess is ACSL 1st Bacchus
Marsh.
13
Kandersteg International Scout Centre
The refurbished Australian Room
“To be invited to open the refurbished
Australian Room at Kandersteg has
been one of my Scouting career
highlights,” says Neville Tomkins,
International Commissioner for Scouts
Australia.
Fresh from his return from
the 22nd World Scout Jamboree in
Sweden, and his brief visit to the
Kandersteg International Scout Centre
(KISC), Neville spoke to Australian
Scout magazine.
“This was my second visit to
KISC, which means that I have now
seen this inspirational place in both
summer and winter. For me, Kandersteg is a mecca for Scouts around the
world.”
The Founder of
the Scout Movement,
Lord Baden-Powell,
not only wanted an
international Youth
Movement, but also a
permanent Jamboree.
With this concept, the
Kandersteg International Scout Centre,
high in the pristine
Swiss Alps, was born.
Scouts from all over
the world visit Kandersteg to camp and
participate in amazing
alpine activities; and
others come to the
Centre to volunteer for
short periods of time.
Neville commented that in recent
years the Australian
Room, located on the
top floor of the Chalet
with extraordinary
views, was looking
rather tired. “To our
delight, Dick and Pip
Smith specified that, as part of their
donation to Scouts Australia in 2008
to recognise the centenary of Scouting
in Australia, a small amount would be
used to refurbish the Australian Room
at Kandersteg”, Neville added.
14
Trekking up Mt Kosciusko
“Through the tremendous work
of volunteers at KISC, and local suppliers, the refurbishment is complete,
and the room looks fantastic,” commented Neville. “It looks more open,
lighter, and more welcoming, and also
accommodates an extra bed”.
Neville remembered KISC staff
saying that the Australian Room has
been one of the most popular rooms
in the Chalet and, and is booked many
months in advance. “It will now be
even more popular.” He was delighted
that a number of Australians volunteering at the Centre were able to join him
for the opening on Saturday August
20. They included David Langron
(NSW), David Mahler (Victoria), Sian
Brown (NSW) and Michael Freeman
(ACT). They were joined by two Leaders on holiday at the Centre, Andrew
Cooper (Victoria) and Wendy Freeman
(ACT).
In his opening address, Neville
commented that Australia and KISC
have had a long association. Soon
after the Centre’s opening in 1930, Bill
Waters, a Victorian Rover Commissioner from Australia, visited Kandersteg and “lived the dream”: skiing, ice
climbing and meeting Scouts from
around the world. Inspired by the idea
of Scouting in the mountains and the
snow, Bill Waters returned to Australia
full of enthusiasm. By 1931, Australian
Scouts had mounted their first ski touring expedition, and by 1940 Victoria
had constructed its own alpine chalet,
the Bogong Rover Chalet. Today, the
chalet offers remarkable alpine experiences to Scouts from across Australia.
1st Caringbah's winter action
Can't say No to snow
By DARCIE MacPHERSON
in a car park, it was obvious we were
alive and Baggy and Bruce had done
We have just returned from our 2011
above and beyond comfy hotel beds.
the right thing and spent two hours that
snow trip and thought we would give a
bumper edition article summarising last
year’s and this year’s all for the price of
one!
Our wilderness instructor Bruce
Easton showed us how to dig our own
caves with Jess and I giving up after 10
minutes and stealing a Leader’s when
night digging them out! (Leader comment: they were perfectly safe and had
a pole air hole as a back up!)
We were greeted with clear blue
he wasn’t looking! The night (although
skies and perfect weather the next
trekked up to the base of Mt Kosciusko
freezing cold with a whopping -16
morning, which we spent building jumps
through a freezing cold blizzard to build
degrees) went well except for Leanne
and racing down the hill on air boards.
small caves in the snow to sleep in. Af-
and Jordan Bacon who only realised
Then we hiked back to civilisation and
ter spending the previous night sleeping
the next morning they’d been buried
grabbed our snow gear to hit the slopes
In 2010 a group of Venturers
“I pay tribute to Dick and Pip
Smith for their generous donation
which has enabled this refurbishment
to occur,” Neville concluded. “I also
pay tribute to all the volunteers from
Australia who, over many years, have
contributed their skills and ideas for
KISC to be the tremendous success it
is today.”
If you are interested in applying
to volunteer for three months at KISC,
visit www.kisc.ch
October 2011 Australian Scout
Matts gets air
Australian Scout October 2011
Rafiki windsurfing
15
Darcie has fun
Megan night skis
for the next two days. Night skiing was a
first for all of us and was an experience
that we’ll never forget. We finished off
our snow trip by having a blast at tube
town, being pulled up the slopes on
giant donuts and sliding down the icy
tracks. Most embarrassing moment of
2010’s snow trip was Emma forgetting
to get off the lift, causing the lift to stop
and an attendant awkwardly having to
lift her down and Baggy being a top
husband and filming it all for us.
This year wasn’t so much about the
adventure as spending as much time
on the slopes as possible. Donning our
Aldi snowsuits at 6.30 every morning
and spending up to 12 hours skiing/
snowboarding everyday, it was obvious
we were getting our money’s worth. We
spent our time building our skill level
and dominating the peak, for some this
meant spending hours at the terrain
park shredding on rails and jumps, but
for others this meant finally learning to
turn after three years of snowboarding.
Everyone enjoyed themselves at
this camp, with the trip ending on a high
note with all the Vennies wishing to stay
longer, except for Jess who unfortunately stacked it big time, almost embarrassingly, and broke her wrist on the
last day. Another highlight was some of
our new windsurfers bringing a windsurf
board and taking that up and down the
mountain, with a few other dedicated
Vennies. Best stack goes to Rafiki at the
Happy Valley terrain park. That’s one
clip we’ll be sending to Australia’s Funniest Home Videos.
Darcie, Jess and their snow cave
Pfadfinder surprise
The German-speaking Joeys, Cubs
and Scouts at ACT’s Pfadfinder Group
were busy in their hall on Monday night,
going on a trip around the world when
suddenly, from the other side of the
world, six real-live Rovers from Germany showed up to visit our Group, and
play games with us in German! These
German Rovers had recently been to
Africa with Scouts, so they offered to
take us all to Africa on a Lion Hunt (in
German, of course!) Then they took
us to wintery Germany, and showed us
Eis-Tik where you needed two friends
to rub your back to warm you if you got
ACTion
Trip to the Top
By CAMERON URQUHART
We camped in tents the entire
way, cooked all our food, and had to be
fully self-sufficient in food, drink, cooking, camping, spare parts, tools, recovery gear and fuel for a up to four days at
a time. On the way back we had a day
to recover in Cairns.
For any Venturers thinking of attending next year, make sure to bring
ear plugs, ear muffs and chloroform
or you’ll be up all night listening to the
deafening roar of the Leaders snoring
all night.
In summary, it was one of the best
experiences many us have had in Rovers, as far as an expedition concerned.
It is something that has not been done
by ACT Rovers before. There is already
talk of driving to the top again in 2013.
Darcie MacPherson is publicity rep
for the 1st Caringbah Venturers,
NSW.
October 2011 Australian Scout
them.
Along the way we had mechanical issues with the vehicles, recovered
Four Wheel drives including ours, and
saw bush fires, beautiful countryside,
lovely Queensland weather, a bit of rain,
beautiful beaches, wild turkeys, other
Scouts, other people, and of course the
most northern tip of Australia.
So looking forward to next year’s
trip where rumour has it we will be back
into the adventure cross country ski-ing
and building an igloo and caves in the
back country.
16
sat in a big circle and shared cake with
From June 18 till July 8, 12 enthusiastic
Rovers and three well equipped Four
Wheel Drives travelled to the most
northern tip of Australia (Cape Yorke)
via the Old Telegraph Track, a distance
of about 8000 kilometres, on some of
the most difficult roads, testing drivers’
abilities, and working as a team.
Ryan from Padstow managed
to ski an elevation of 13,000 metres
in three days so he took out that prize
along with Skip who was close on his
heels all week.
•
tipped), At the end of the evening, we
•
Australian Scout October 2011
Cameron Urquhart is Quartermaster,
Murrumbidgee Rover Crew, ACT.
17
A C T I V I T I E S
S C O U T X S C U B A
By BRUCE ELLIS
Operation Nighthawk WA
It was a beautiful, crisp autumn night
in mid April. The sky was clear, and the
weather report was predicting a fantastic weekend. We all gathered at the
Sorrento Scout Hall on Friday evening.
Tomorrow was going to be a full day, so
we had to get the camp set up and the
paperwork done.
August 13-14 was Operation Nighthawk
WA in Boddington, a gold and bauxite
mining town in the agricultural heartland, 100 kilometres south of Perth. On
the same night Scouts from Queensland hiked over on the other side of the
country.
It was Scuba Camp 2011 and the
Scout Scuba team was gathered along
with another 10 divers. Seven divers
were aiming to complete their PADI
Advanced Open Water qualification,
while the other three were just along for
the dives.
Saturday started with a navigation exercise in the Rye pier car park. If
you can’t navigate round a simple box
and get back to your starting point in a
car park while blindfolded, how can you
accomplish the same skill in the limited
visibility in the sea? Oops, we seem to
have discovered a number of navigationally-challenged Venturers, Rovers
and Leaders. Several repetitions of the
exercise later, the challenges have been
overcome.
We entered the sea. Out to the
end of the pier we went, navigating
around the hazards left by sundry
fisher folk and multiple fascinating local
denizens. Surprise, surprise, we all got
there. Off into the deeps the candidates
went, navigating first an out and back,
then a triangle and finally the square,
getting back to within set marks each
time. After that, we had a session of sea
horse wrangling – or at least observing
– around the pylons of the pier. The sea
horses won as, being a bit shy and well
By GREG RICKET
camouflaged, they kept moving away
from the divers.
Back on land, and after lunch,
task 2 was undertaken. We were to visit
Blairgowrie marina and identify different types and varieties of undersea
denizens for our underwater naturalist
dive and, incidentally, get to know the
dive site, so we could look at it again
after dark that night. We saw all sorts of
different animals and plants, easily identifying the 5 different vertebrates and
invertebrates we needed to find. That
night, the whole place was a wonderland and seemed so different by torch
light. Those who turned their torches
off found that many of the little animals
made their own light.
After an excellent BBQ, the
exhausted divers prepared for a very
early morning trip through the heads to
visit one of Victoria’s hidden wonders, a
scuttled World War 1 submarine.
The morning dawned bright and
we were much warmer, having discovered the heating in the hall. After a
hurried breakfast and with dawn only
just appearing, we went to the Portsea
Pier for our boat. Unfortunately, due to
a miscommunication, we had to wait for
hour. What a morning!
Finally, our boat arrived and out
through the heads we went. The visibility was magnificent and the submarine
was in great shape. On the sand to one
side of J4 we looked at the difference
in visible colours as influenced by 28
metres depth. Look. No reds or oranges
were to be seen, except in the torch
beams. We checked our depth gauges
and found them all a little different.
Then, we had a few minutes exploring
the sub, gliding through the schools of
fish and looking into the engine room.
All too soon, it was time to ascend back
to the surface and our safety stop.
On the way back to Portsea, we
dropped down onto the Lonsdale wall
for our 2nd dive of the morning with a
long rope attached to a big buoy on the
surface. 30 minutes of exhilarating drift
diving followed. We rushed along with
the current at 10 kph, dodging boulders,
skipping over sponge beds and, generally, scaring the fish as we flashed past.
Finally, 5 km up the bay, and nearly at
Queenscliff, we returned to the surface.
Wow, what a morning!
Back to the Scout Hall for a hot
lunch and finishing up the paperwork.
Seven new PADI Advanced Open Water
Divers emerged from the hall, having
had a number of fantastic experiences
and enjoyed them all with new friends.
Scout Scuba regularly provides
Discover Scuba Dive experiences most
months to offer non-divers a controlled
taste of diving. Additionally, we can train
you to be an Open Water Diver, or even
an Advanced Open Water Diver, and
we run a yearly camp for experienced
divers. For more information, e-mail bal.
scuba@vicscouts.asn.au
•
18
Bruce Ellis is Assistant Branch
Commissioner for Venturers and a
member of Scout Scuba Victoria.
October 2011 Australian Scout
From noon on Saturday, 600
Scouts and 200 plus Leaders descended on Boddington. They set up camp on
the oval at the high school. The school
generously allowed us to use toilet
facilities, classrooms for offices and the
undercover area and canteen.
The whole town was so generous
to the event. The shire council was our
logistic backbone. But we needed land
to hike over and the first farmers we met
were an elderly couple and their son
on the adjoining property. They were
intrigued by the idea of what we were
proposing. They were so very generous
with their time and advice and help with
the mapping. The next landholder gave
us the area around their shearing shed
for a base and a back-up plan if the
river flooded and it did. So they moved
the bulls out of the lower paddock and
shut off the electric fences so we could
follow the same direction but with dry
feet. Without these families there would
have been no Nighthawk WA 2011.
Then there were the businesses.
Newmont Boddington Gold and BHP
Billiton Worsley were so very generous
in their large grants of money. Coates
Hire gave us anything we wanted at
half hire cost, and Boddington IGA,
Boddington Bakehouse, and Davo’s
Woodyard came to the party with
goods, gear and services at the right
price. At midnight “Pommy” Paul from
the fire service went out into the cold
with a water tanker and filled up all the
port-a-loos at bases dotted through the
bush. The hotel offered
us freezer and kitchen
space if we needed it
and the cafés kept us
fed on the dozens of
trips down while we
were mapping and
buying and sourcing
stuff.
Australian Scout October 2011
And then there was Sergeant
Roy and Senior Glen of the Boddington
Police. They helped us, advised us,
went mapping with us and generally
boosted our confidence that it was all
do-able. And they were there for us
on the night, making sure all was
secure, visiting bases and
having lots of fun with the
kids. We even had a coffee
machine trailer that travelled
around the 8 bases all night
– refreshing the leaders.
At one stage it was seen to
be “pulled over” by a police
vehicle full of officers in need
of a cuppa.
At the half-way Delta
base the Scouts had a cup
of hot chocolate courtesy on Vittoria Chocochino,
D’Orsogna meats and Tiptop
bakers. On return to home
base the Scouts had a soft
drink and a Boddington
bakehouse pie bought with
some of the money donated by the mining companies.
So who won? Tuart Hill – Yokine
Wombaks, followed by 1st Herne Hill
equal with 1st Subiaco Dingoes, last
year’s winners. As usual we were
over subscribed but managed to get
83 teams out on course instead of the
expected 72. To do this we shaved the
start intervals down to 9 minutes rather
than 10 and it worked. And the Boddington District High School teams did
well too. Since they “camped” us we
made space for two teams of Outdoor
Education students. They are the same
kids who have put forward their names
in interest of re-starting the Boddington Scout Troop. That interest began
when we started visiting the town eight
months ahead of the event. So if nothing else happens, that
is a huge win for the
community.
Lots of local
people came down on
Saturday night to have
a look at what we were
doing and many were
there on Sunday to be
part of the presentation ceremony.
And the weather. We had our first
wet Nighthawk. Previous years have
been cold but this time storm were
forecast. Fortunately most of it skirted
around us. And the cloud cover kept
the cold at bay. The Scouts were well
prepared for the weather and where it
did rain it did nothing to dampen their
spirits. Every Scout I spoke to said they
had a ball.
Next year, our fifth, we are going
back to town 1 of the 4-year rotation
(Gingin). At with last year’s event in
Beverley, the only complaint from the
locals is that we would not be back till
2015. As one farmer said after going down to clean up his shearing
shed where Echo base was located,
he “could not find even a single lolly
wrapper”. The Shire and townspeople
commented on the spotless condition of
their town when we gave it back to them
and how well behaved and respectful the Scouts had been. We weren’t
surprised: we know that’s how Scouts
behave.
•
Greg “Chil” Ricket was Event Chief
Marshall at Operation Nighthawk.
19
Joey Scouts
with Helen Barber
that we can escape safely) … where
to get them from (supermarkets and
hardware stores) … how often to check
them (every year, a good time is when
daylight savings starts and finishes).
When your Joey Scouts go home
tonight, get them to check with their
parents where their fire alarms are and
whether they are working.
Fire Brigade
Our firemen and women do a wonderful job at keeping us safe in our
community. Ask your Joey Scouts
what they think fire fighters do and
where they are in our community and
how they help us. Remember that we
have the Metropolitan Fire Brigade or
MFB in metropolitan Melbourne and
the Country Fire Authority or CFA in
the country.
Quiet activity – What is an emergency?
Have Joey Scouts talk about what an
emergency is and when they need to
call the fire brigade? Keep it simple and
stay calm.
Activity: Home Evacuation Plan
pencils, textas, Home Fire Escape Plan
grid (www.homefiresafety.com.au)
Talk to Joey Scouts about what is
needed in a home evacuation plan.
Get them to draw a picture of the inside
of their house. Get them to think about
where they would meet if there was a
fire. Not everyone will live in a singlestorey stand-alone house. So think
carefully about where the safest place
to go if there was a fire.

know two ways out of every room
Dial 000 (Zero, Zero, Zero)

have a safe meeting place, eg the
letterbox
Where the fire is

If it is at your house, get out of your
house first, and go next door to a neighbour and ring from there.
decide on a plan with your family
and practise it

remember if there is a fire, ring
Zero, Zero, Zero.
If it is safe to do so, ring from your
house – but only if safe to do so.

(Only use your home phone if it is
safe to do so)
The phone number where you are.

Stay on the line and follow the operator’s instructions
Never go back inside. Let the
firefighters do that.

Stay at your safe meeting place
with your family
Ask for Fire Brigade
20
DROP to the ground, as flames travel
upwards towards your face and hair and
you will be seriously burnt if you let that
happen.
ROLL on the ground, keeping your
hands on your face, and as you roll
smother the flames so that they go out
and can’t hurt you any more.
Game: Get Down Low! Go! Go! Go!
Explain to the Joey Scouts that when
a fire happens inside a building the
smoke rises to the ceiling and the
cleanest and freshest air is near the
floor. That is why it is so important to
Get Down Low and crawl under the
smoke to safety.
Divide Joey Scouts into teams. Have
four helpers hold a large plastic sheet
or light tarp, or attach it to four chairs at
knee height if you don’t have enough
helpers. The plastic sheet or tarp is the
layer of smoke from a fire. Joey Scouts
must Get Down Low and crawl under
the “smoke” to safety. Continue in relay
fashion a number of times so that the
Joey Scouts practise Get Down Low!
Go! Go! Go!. You could also set up
an obstacle course using mats, chairs,
hoops, etc. and have the Joey Scouts
crawl through these to practise crawling
under the smoke safely.
Put your escape plan where everyone in
your family can see it (eg on the fridge
or family noticeboard or back of front
door – where it is seen all the time)
Smoke alarm, battery
Have a talk about smoke alarms with
the Joey Scouts and show them what
they look like. Ask questions like: What
are they there for (when we are asleep,
we do not know if a fire is happening
so the smoke alarms wake us up so
STOP where you are, as running fans
the flames and you will be seriously
burnt if you let that happen
COVER your face with your hands to
protect your eyes and mouth from the
flames and the gases from the flames
Activity: Call for the Fire Brigade
Activity: Do you have a smoke alarm
in your house?
flames and will be much safer. Like
musical chairs but when the music
stops the Joey Scouts Stop, Drop,
Cover and Roll.
This game shows Joey Scouts that
if your clothes catch fire, that you
roll on the ground and smother the
Game: Alpha, Foxtrot, Romeo (phonetic alphabet)
All emergency services and air
services use the phonetic alphabet.
Have the Joey Scouts play this game
to get an idea of how to spell words
using this alphabet.
Laminated phonetic alphabet words,
laminated practice words (Fire Brigade,
Joeys, Scouts, Help, Care, Share,
Other, People), A4 paper, pencils, Blu
Tac
Pair up Joey Scouts. Place the practice
words around the hall. Joey Scouts
collect a pencil and some paper. Place
a pile of the phonetic alphabet words
in the centre of the hall. Each pair of
Joey Scouts picks a word and then finds
the phonetic alphabet words to match
their word. Have them spread them
out in front of their word and write them
down. When everyone has finished
then have a look at all of the words and
the phonetic alphabet words that make
them up.
over the A4 card to stick the photocopy
master on. Smooth off and then cut out
around the edges. Fold on the fold lines
and then using sticky tape, assemble.
and a home escape plan. Go to
http://www.mfb.vic.gov.au/Community-Safety/School/Kids-Zone.html for
more resources.
Song: I am a strong fireman (tune:
“I’m a little teapot”)
The CFA has a mascot named Captain Koala. Go to www.cfa.vic.gov.
au – Education & Training - Fire Safe
Kids for more resources.
Go to www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au – Songs
for this and other great catchy little
songs
Finger plays and action songs
Go to www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au for some
fun finger plays that teach Joey Scouts
the important job that fire fighters have
in our community.
For the next 4 activities email me for
a copy of the quiz, word searches
and maze.
Activity: Quiz
quiz pages, pencil
Joey Scouts complete the quiz with
their Leader. Once finished have a talk
about what the quiz was about.
Craft activity: Make a Smoke Buster
fire truck
Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police, People Who Help Us signs, Blu Tac
Place signs around the hall. Zero, Zero
Zero is in the centre of the hall. The
October 2011 Australian Scout
MFB Smoke Buster photocopy master,
A4 card, glue sticks, scissors, sticky
tape
Either print or photocopy the fire truck
directly onto the card or have the Joey
Scouts collect a piece of A4 card and a
photocopy master and run the glue stick
Australian Scout October 2011
Help your Joey Scouts to not be scared
but be prepared and safe in their community.
Joey Scouts find the special safety
words hidden inside the puzzle.
photocopied sheets, pencils
Two Joey Scouts are “flames”. They
run after the other Joey Scouts. When
these Joey Scouts are tagged, they
Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll to smother
the pretend flames and remain on the
ground. The game finishes when all the
Joey Scouts are on the ground. Restart
the game and continue until all the Joey
Scouts have had a turn as “flames”.
Also check out www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au/
Community-Safety/School/Kids-Zone.
html for more great resources.
photocopied sheets, pencils
Activity: Fire Word Search
Game: “Flame” Tag
Arrange a visit to your local fire station,
whether MFB or CFA to meet the fire
fighters, check out the equipment and
maybe get to sit in the fire truck too.
How exciting! What an adventure.
Activity: Smoke Buster Word Search
Joey Scouts find the special safety
words hidden inside the puzzle.
Activity: Help Smokey find the Fire
maze
maze sheets, pencil
Joey Scouts follow the maze to help
Smokey the Fire Truck find the fire and
put it out.
Activity: Stop, Drop, Cover and Roll
or Crawl Down Low! Go! Go! Go!
Tattoos
MFB tattoos, dish of water, wet cloths
Game: Fire Brigade, Ambulance, Police, People Who Help Us (NSEW)
Game: Stop, Drop, Cover, Roll,
Leader calls out at random the various
signs. Joey Scouts run to them. Last
Joey Scout to touch the wall is out.
When Zero, Zero Zero is called all are
back in again. Incorporate Stop, Drop,
Cover, Roll and Get Down Low! Go! Go!
Go! into the game as well.
Joey Scouts select which tattoo they
would like. Peel off the protective
plastic cover and place the tattoo onto
the spot where the Joey Scout wants
it placed. Place a wet cloth over the
tattoo and thoroughly wet it. Wait 30
seconds. Peel off paper backing.
The MFB has a “Junior Fire Safety
Information Pack” which contains
stickers, a bookmark and brochure
SES
The SES or State Emergency Service
helps in many emergencies across
Australia, whether they are caused
by nature or are man-made. Emergencies like floods, wind, storms,
cyclones, fires, earthquakes, road
rescue, search and rescue. SES
teams often support other emergency services such as police, search
and rescue, fire brigade, ambulance
services and surf lifesavers with
rescue and first aid. They also coordinate the activities of other relief
agencies such as Red Cross and the
Salvation Army when required.
The SES is made up of volunteers
who do training so that they can help
during emergencies. They also help to
educate people about what to do during
an emergency and encourage them to
be well prepared for emergencies and
21
disasters.
SES volunteers wear orange uniforms.
In Victoria there are more than 5500
SES volunteers who are organised
into 149 units. These volunteers are
ready for action at any time of the day
or night, using their rescue skills, first
aid, communications, boat handling,
storm response and many more skills
and resources. They love to show their
equipment and skills and answer people’s questions.
The SES has a mascot called Paddy
the platypus. Go to www.ses.vic.gov.au
for lots of resources to share with your
Joey Scouts. You can make an SES
male and female volunteer doll in card
or paper. Plus there are mazes, colouring sheets, puzzles and interactive
games that will help your Joey Scouts to
be safe in their community.
coastal safety through their Surf’s
Up program but also have a Beach to
Bush program that travels to regional
and remote schools to teach about
beach and aquatic safety. In Victoria, there is Life Saving Victoria that
has more than 50 Life Saving Clubs
spanning the Victorian coastline
from Portland to Mallacoota. Did
you know that you can start being a
lifesaver from the age of 13?
Our surf life savers do a wonderful
job at keeping us safe on our beaches and in the water in the summer
months. Ask your Joey Scouts what
they think the surf life savers do and
how they help us.
Surf life savers have to be very fit in
order to be able to assist and rescue
people when they get into trouble in
the water at the beach. See how fit
your Joey Scouts can be after trying
this game.
Continue randomly for a short time until
all the Joey Scouts can do the actions
really well.
Activity: Larry and Lizzie Lifesaver
A4 photocopy of body outline, paints
and paintbrushes, pencils or textas
Joey Scouts collect a sheet and colour
in Larry or Lizzie lifesaver. They must
have a red and yellow quartered skull
cap, sunglasses, zinc cream, long
sleeved shirt (yellow with red writing),
shorts or pants (red with yellow writing),
thongs or runners. Draw some rescue
equipment for them too. This might
include a rescue tube, rescue board,
jetski, helicopter, rope, inflatable rescue
boat (IRB) or rubber dingy.
Activity: Signs
Game: Surfer race
1 skateboard per team
Joey Scouts are divided into two teams.
The first Joey Scout of each team has
to crouch down on their skateboard,
pretending to be on their surfboard.
They use their hands to move themselves down the hall, touch the wall and
back to their team. Continue until all
have gone through twice.
When you go to the beach there will
be signs up along the foreshore or
near the car park that tell you various things about the beach that you
are about to visit. Have a variety of
signs for your Joey Scouts to look at.
Ask them what they think they are,
you might be surprised what they
come up with. Make sure that you
know the correct answer so that they
know what the signs really mean
when they go to the beach.
Some could mean:
Contact your local SES unit to organise
a visit to your Mob. Perhaps have a
joint night with your Cubs and Scouts to
check out all of the SES equipment and
to find out how the SES helps us to be
safe in our community.
Surf Lifesavers
Surf Life Saving is Australia’s major
water safety and rescue authority.
They not only teach people about
22
Surf lifesavers have to be sun safe
when on duty at the beach. Here is
a fun game to reinforce the sun safe
message.

Swimming allowed

Stinging jellyfish present
Action Game: 5 Ss
Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide signs
Joey Scouts spread out around the hall
space. A Leader randomly selects a
sign and holds it up. Whatever it says,
Joey Scouts do.

Danger No Swimming

Sharks
SLIP – slip on a shirt

No Diving
SLOP – slop on sunscreen

No Scuba Diving
SLAP – slap on a hat

No Spear Fishing
SEEK – seek some shade (put up an
umbrella or sit under a tree or sunshade)

Deep Water
SLIDE – slide on some sunglasses
Explain to your Joey Scouts that pictures are a good way of communicating
simple ideas to help people understand
October 2011 Australian Scout
the environment around them.
Game: Swim between the flags
Two red and yellow flags (red on top
half, yellow on bottom half), 2 rods or
dowels.
Attach flags to rods or dowel ready for
the game. Joey Scouts line up at one
end of the hall – this is the water’s edge
at the beach. Two Leaders or Parent
Helpers hold a flag each halfway down
the hall, a short distance apart from
one another. On “Go” the Joey Scouts
have to “swim” down the hall but they
must “swim” between the flags. On the
next “Go” the flag holders will alter the
distance between themselves, either
further apart or closer together and the
Joey Scouts have to “swim” between
the flags again. Continue a number
of times until you think that your Joey
Scouts will have understood the concept. You could rotate the flag holding
amongst the Joey Scouts instead of
Leaders or Parent Helpers if you wish
too. This game could also be played
outside.
Game: Know your flags
1 Red flag, 2 red and yellow flags from
previous game, 1 black and white flag
as shown, rods or dowels
Attach flags to rods or dowel ready for
the game. Joey Scouts line up at one
end of the hall – this is the water’s edge
at the beach. Four Leaders or Parent
Helpers hold a flag each halfway down
the hall, a short distance apart from one
another. On “Go” the Joey Scouts have
to “swim” down the hall but they must
“swim” between the flags as in the previous game. On the next “Go” the flag
holders will alter the distance between
themselves, either further apart or
closer together plus they will add in the
“Surfing area” flag. The Joey Scouts
can either “swim” between the flags or
some might like to go surfing. On the
next “Go” introduce the “Danger – No
Swimming” flag. Remember the Joey
Scouts are at the water’s edge. What
should they do? The Red flag means
Danger – No Swimming so they must
sit down at the water’s edge and NOT
go swimming. Continue the game a
number of times until you think that your
Joey Scouts have understood the concepts in this more advanced game. You
could rotate the flag holding amongst
the Joey Scouts instead of Leaders or
Australian Scout October 2011
Parent Helpers if you wish too. This
game could also be played outside.
Safety Tips for at the beach
might like to buddy up with a Sea
Scout Mob or a Mob who meets near
the sea or a river. Contact your local
surf lifesaving club to arrange a visit
to see and hear what lifesaving is all
about. Check out www.boardiesday.
com.au for more information.
Other resources about Surf Lifesavers
include:
F: Find the flags and swim between
them - the red and yellow flags mark the
safest place to swim at the beach.
L: Look at the safety signs - they help
you identify potential dangers and daily
conditions at the beach.
A: Ask a surf lifesaver for some good
advice - surf conditions can change
quickly so talk to a surf lifesaver or lifeguard before entering the water.
G: Get a friend to swim with you - so
you can look out for each other’s safety
and get help if needed. Children should
always be supervised by an adult.
S: Stick your hand up for help. If you
get into trouble in the water, stay calm,
raise your arm to signal for help. Float
with a current or rip. Don’t try to swim
against it.
Australian Scout Magazine, Joey Scout
files: Fun in the sun, Sun Smart, Feb
2000, pages 39 and 40; Beach and marine, Mar 2002, pages 37, 38 and 39
Australian Year of the Lifesaver, Oct
2005, pages 19 and 20.
www.rlssa.org.au
www.swimandsurvive.royallifesaving.
com.au
www.lifesavingvictoria.com.au
www.beachsafe.org.au also has beach
safety instructions in English, Chinese,
Korean, Japanese, Hindi, Malay and
Arabic.
I hope that your Joey Scouts have enjoyed learning about Community Safety
Month and about all of the emergency
services who keep us safe in the community in this series of Joey Scout File.
Your ideas?
Joey Scout File Team
Do you really enjoy putting Joey
Scout programs together?
Do you have a passion for:
craft ideas?
games?
songs, action games and stories?
graphics?
web content?
Boardies Day is on Thursday December 1 2011 in Victoria. This is a day
where people can wear boardshorts
to support fundraising efforts for
Surf Life Saving Clubs around Australia. Perhaps organise a Boardies
Night where everyone in your Group,
not just your Mob, wears boardshorts
or beachwear and raises money for
your local surf life saving club who
will use this money to buy gear and
equipment necessary to keep our
beaches safe over the summer. You
Then come and join us on Zoo Day
at 12:30 pm at the Bandstand between the Frogs, Giant Tortoises and
the Lions to get the ball rolling.
We need a team of 6 to 8 Joey Scout
Leaders to have fun and work together to provide the Joey Scout File.
The first issue that the team will need
to program for will be July 2012, but
ready for the Editor of Australian
Scout Magazine by May 1 2012.
If you have any queries please
contact Helen Barber, ajbarber@
optusnet.com.au.
23
Cub Scouts
with Sue Glenn
Animated yarns
Many people are wary of Animated
Yarns, yet they are just a short story
punctuated by activities, games, songs
and/or craft. They rely on having everything ready to go early so organisation
is the key. Prepare the equipment and
the team for their roles. If you want to
take your time with it, a Pack Holiday is
a great time to run an Animated Yarn or
two. The following Animated Yarns are
from different parts of the Jungle Book.
Have a go. Once you get more experienced, try to adapt a story yourself or
with your Leader Team.
Red dogs
By JULIE BENNELL
Mowgli is almost full grown. Raksha
and father wolf have died. Baloo and
Bagheera are slower and Akela is so
old his once-silver grey coat had turned
milky white. Mowgli does all of Akela’s
hunting now.
Game (stalking for food): Sleeping
pirates
Equipment: set of car keys, empty tin
can (place keys under can), blindfold.
Cubs in circle with one in centre blindfolded. Choose one to stalk and steal
keys. Mowgli and his brothers were out
tracking when they heard the strangest
cry they had ever heard.
They raced to Council
Rock to find out
if anyone knew
what it was.
Game (Who’s
Who)
Equipment:
Set of
cards
with
jungle
animals’
names
written
(several
the same) on
them.
Hand out
cards –
each has
to make
noise of
animal and
join groups.
As they
arrived
they found
Phao,
Phaona’s
son, who was
training to take over
24
from Akela. Akela and about 40 others
wolves were already there. Suddenly a
wolf called Wontolla limped out of the
jungle and collapsed at Akela’s feet.
He was a mess, with blood all over
him, one paw almost chewed off and
one ear torn. He told them that the Red
Dogs were coming. They had killed all
his tribe. Wolves hated the red dogs.
They call them Dhole, because they kill
for fun and leave nothing for food for
anyone else.
Craft: Make red dogs from red play
dough.
The pack knew that the red dog had to
be stopped so Mowgli went to Kaa who
was very wise in such matters. Kaa said
he once saw a buck escape from a pack
by using the ‘little people’. These were
the wild bees that live in the rocks and
caves beside the Waingunga River.
Activity: Make edible bees
Equipment: 2 Clinkers or banana lollies
(wings), 2 Jaffas (eyes), 2 coloured pipe
cleaner (legs), 1 jelly bean (body), food
wrap.
Kaa told Mowgli how it had happened
and although Mowgli knew that it was
very dangerous he had to do it. He told
the pack to wait at the shallows, and
then he went up stream, climbed a tree
and waited for the red dogs to pass
under him. When they came he called
them names so they would get so angry
that they would chase him without looking where they were running. He swung
through the trees past the caves and
dived into the river. The bees attacked
the first of the red dogs to death while
the rest dived into the river to get away.
When they tried to get out of the river
the pack was waiting for them. A great
fight started and during this Akela was
badly hurt. He sang the ‘death song’ and
died.
Game: Running through the jungle
(fruit salad)
Two lines of Cubs sitting down, each
with a name. Call name and those run
around group. Call “fruit salad” and all
run.
October 2011 Australian Scout
Based on Mogwli’s
brothers
By KEN ORD
Frightened Deer
Each deer has a piece of paper to stand
on. This represents a bush. Except
one deer, who is grazing. Shere Khan
approaches and tries to catch the grazing deer. The deer runs for shelter and
comes behind a deer on a bush. This
deer must run off and find another bush
to shelter behind. If caught, Shere Khan
and the deer change places.
Hot coals
Pack in a circle passing around a hot
coal. If caught holding the hot coal when
the whistle goes they get their fingers
burnt and lose one life.
Lost jungle animals which Mowgli
has to find
Sixes in relay formation with a Leader at
the end of hall in front of each Six. One
at a time, the Cub Scouts run to the
Leader and have a letter drawn on their
back. The Six must identify the animal
by putting the letters together.
Raksha protecting Mowgli
Pack forms circle to represent Wolves’
cave. One Cub representing Shere
Khan is taken from the circle. An article
is placed in the centre of circle to represent Mowgli. One Cub is designated
to be Raksha. Shere Khan is recalled
Australian Scout October 2011
to outside the circle. He must select
a point to enter the circle to capture
Mowgli. He must exit through the same
point. He is unaware of where Raksha
is standing. Raksha is not allowed to
move until Shere Khan picks up Mowgli
then she must tig Shere Khan to rescue
Mowgli.
Shere Khan is hunting
Cut out Shere Khans with moveable
legs to be made.
Cubs in a circle, and two are chosen
to go into the centre. One is Mowgli
and the other Shere Khan. Shere Khan
is given the roll of newspaper and
blindfolded. He calls Mowgli “Where are
you?” And Mowgli replies, “Here I am,
Shere Khan.” Shere Khan listens and
tries to hit Mowgli once with the roll. If
he catches Mowgli the Cubs change
roles.
Jungle trails as taught by Bagheera.
Song
Pack in large circle. All are trees except
Mowgli and his lair brother. Shere Khan
is roaming nearby. Mowgli takes the
hand of his liar brother, saying “come
along brother” and they run together
weaving, in and out of the trees. If
they bump a tree, the tree says ‘crack’
and this is a signal for Shere Khan to
pounce and try to catch one before they
get home.
(Frere Jacques)
Sharp eyes
On a moonlight night in the jungle
Handcraft
Mowgli was trained to see quickly and
remember what he saw Sixes sit in
groups at equal distances. Two Leaders at each end of room have large
bag each. One Leader quickly takes an
article from his bag and throws it to the
other Leader who quickly catches it and
puts it in his bag. Cubs watch then write
down what was thrown and in what
order.
Dance of Baloo
Come a-hunting, come a-hunting
Cub Scouts all, Cub Scouts all
Out into the jungle, out into the jungle
Hear the call, hear the call
The Jungle Story
(Here we go round the mulberry bush.)
Here we go round the council rock, etc
The youngest Cub Scouts are introduced etc.
“You know the Law, look well O wolves”
etc.
Mowgli was shown by Mother Wolf etc.
Then Shere Khan roared: “The Cub is
mine” etc.
Akela asks: “Who speaks for him?”etc.
Close
25
Scouts
brought to you by the Scoutfile Committee
We hope the Promise & Law activity program suggestions in this
issue fuel some good discussion and development in your Troop,
and that our messy game ideas promote lots of grotty fun!
It’s always a great time of the year to
get down and dirty with your scouts,
with smelly, wet, messy and fun games,
be it inside or out! Messy themed nights
or adapted game segments of a normal
Troop night are a fun way to either
bring your Cub Pack and Scout Troop
together for a joint night, or for a special
game treat as the Scouts finish another
half year of intense Scouting.
Promise & Law
Most Leaders are looking for new and
interesting ways to cover Promise and
Law. Here are some to get you started.
Street orienteering
This entails a bit of preparation but is
great fun.
Equipment: map, coordinates, balloons,
string, written situations. Each Patrol will
need some shopping bags, pen, paper
Patrols will be given a list of coordinates
relating to a local map. They need to
visit each of the points in order (each
Patrol will have a different order). At
each point they will find a balloon (colour coded for each Patrol).
They need to burst the balloon and
discuss the situation inside relating to
the Scout Law (see below). They need
to work out which laws apply and why/
how. While walking they need not only
to collect their own balloon rubbish but
also collect as much other rubbish as
possible. When they get back to the hall
they need to write down each law that
applies to the situation.
Points are awarded for realising which
laws will apply (hopefully they will realise that most situations are covered by
several laws), as well as for the amount
of rubbish collected.
SITUATIONS:
A Scout throws rubbish out of a car
window. Environment, Trustworthy, Considerate, Respectful (note if you know
you are doing the wrong thing it lowers
your self respect)
B On a hike there are signs banning
playing in the sand dunes. Several
Scouts decided to play on the dunes
and if caught say that they didn’t see
the signs. Trustworthy, Respectful (of
rules/laws etc), Environment, Considerate (if damage is done, other people
cannot enjoy dunes)
C On a camp a number of older Scouts
join in picking on one of the younger
Scouts. Considerate, Friendly, Trust-
26
worthy, Loyal, Helpful (not helping
anyone!), Respectful (of Scout and self)
Courageous (act of cowardice to pick on
younger Scouts)
D After a Jamboree a Scout returns
home with a flag he has “souvenired”
from another Troop, at night, in secret.
Trustworthy, Respect (others AND
yourself), Considerate, Friendly (not to
other Troop).
E A group of older Scouts is smoking in
front of a younger Scout. Trustworthy,
Respect, Considerate (bad example
PLUS puts them in difficult situation),
Loyal, Courageous? (giving in to peer
pressure?)
F During a game the ball gets you out,
but you pretend it hasn’t. Trustworthy,
Loyal, Respectful, Cheerful, Considerate
G.You are having a Patrol sleepover in
the hall. The Leaders have left the den
unlocked, and your Patrol decides to
raid the Chocolate Frogs. Trustworthy,
Helpful, Loyal, Respectful, Considerate
Balloon games
If it rains on your street orienteering
night (or is preferable for some other
reason: situations can still be stuffed
into balloons and the following balloon
games played. At the end of each game
the Patrols sit down and discuss the
situations.
St George and the dragon with three
tails
Patrols run round in a line trying to burst
the balloons tied to the back of the other
Patrols.
Candle initiative
2 balloons strung up on opposite side
of “crocodile infested river” (the hall).
Given spars, rope, string and candle,
Patrols need to burst 2 balloons to
release “life raft”.
Balloons in the air
Patrols keep their 3 balloons up, while
Messy
games
Remember, some healthy competition
between the Patrols is always good to
encourage and helps build Patrol loyalty
and belonging.
trying to get other Patrols’ balloons.
Sit ‘n’ burst relay
Each member of the Patrol has a balloon which they must take to the other
end of the hall and sit on it till it breaks.
They then pick up the enclosed piece
of paper and run back to the rest of the
Patrol.
Law Fishing
Option 1: mousetraps. Set a number of
mousetraps, have a washer suspended
on the end of a piece of dowel (this
becomes the fishing rod). Scouts “catch
a fish” (mouse trap) and it has a number
underneath which refers to Law. Then
they have to explain what that Law
means to them.
Option 2: fish. Make up a number of
paper/cardboard fish and tape a magnet
to the underside. Using the same fishing
rod as above: they need to “catch” the
fish.
Volunteers
Not strictly speaking directly related to
the Promise and Law directly but an
interesting exercise. Ask each Patrol
to write down all the volunteer activities they can think of (of course Scout
Leaders heads the list!). After about 15
minutes get the Troop together to make
a combined list. It usually amazes the
Scouts just how much in the community
is done by volunteers. Ask them what
would happen if everyone wanted to be
paid.
October 2011 Australian Scout
Below are a few ideas for messy theme
nights, but we’re sure that once you get
started you’ll have plenty! As always,
we’d love you to send in your programs
and photos to share with other Troops!
Get down and dirty night
Before the start of night set up a wading
pool, plus billies set up on gas rings
for hot water to clean up. Kick the
night off at your troop with the usual
practices and opening parade and
thereafter the Troop converges outside
to participate in some rotational games
which are messy, wet and unbelievably
exhilarating.
Jelly wrestling
Each Scout to bring some set jelly to
put into the wading pool – two youth
members at a time, on knees wrestle for
approx. one minute.
they catch it.
Foaming at the mouth
Scouts sit on chairs with 1 tsp Salvital
powder in mouth and are given a ½ cup
of lemonade. The idea is to see how
long they can keep the mixture in their
mouths. Great done in Patrols.
Leaders’ revenge
Flour bombs to be thrown at Scouts
outside in the park.
The night finishes with a wash down
with hot and cold water, followed by
clean-up.
Shopping list
While lying on belly with hands behind
back, six Scouts at a time in the jelly
filled wading pool.
Eggs galore
Scouts pair up and are given an egg to
throw – then take a step back each time
Australian Scout October 2011
Find the gallstones
Bury lollies in sponge cake. Disposable
gloves to be worn. Lollies to go into
kidney dishes to eat later. 5 separate
sections of cake
Mend the broken heart
Sewing heart-shaped foam which has
been cut, with tapestry needles and
dental floss. 5 separate sections of
foam and lots of lengths of floss. Reuse
needles by placing on tray.
2 packets freddo frogs (for prizes), 1
can Salvital, 30 plastic cups, 2 x 2ltr
bottles of plain lemonade, 2 doz eggs –
12 hard boiled, jelly – 4 litres for eating,
tissues, flour and rubbers bands for
flour bombs.
Grunge night: special thanks to Belinda
Parker, Graeme Lowe, 2nd Melton Cub
Pack, 1st Lower Templestowe Scout
Group and Diamond Valley Scout
Group.
Medical with a twist
The medical night with a twist involves
five different rotational bases themed
around a body organ or human body
function or disease.
The Scouts rotate through the five
bases in Patrols. You may need to
adapt the bases somewhat depending
on how many Patrols you have.
Find the missing eyeballs
Decorated table tennis balls (draw eyes
on them) in porridge. Use bare hands
to find 1 eyeball each. Place into kidney
dish. Replace table tennis balls into porridge before next group.
Join the severed artery
Frogs in pond
ghetti. Use bare hands to find the tumor.
Place into kidney bowl. Replace meatballs into spaghetti before next group.
Fish throwing
Yep, we’re serious! Make sure Scouts
(and Leaders!) are dressed in old
clothes or plastic ponchos. Put a tarp
down on the floor and with the PLs
standing on or in front of the tarp with
buckets, get their Patrols to throw sardines at/to them. A relay game with the
sardines can work well too.
Snakes cut in
half in jelly. Must
match the same
colour halves and
tie them in a knot.
Disposable gloves
to be worn, 5
separate dishes of
jelly, arteries to be
eaten when activity
finished.
Find the brain
tumor
Meatballs in spa-
27
Bell Park Scout Camp, Nyora
Bell Park Scout camp is on Scout Drive,
off the South Gippsland Highway just
after the Lang Lang golf course. This
camp is unusual in that it offers an area
where trench fires can be dug, making
it the perfect location to run a Back to
Basics or Scouting of Yesteryear camp.
There is also a Chapel, providing a
great opportunity to get your Scouts
organising and running a Scouts Own
– Citizenship target 1(b) Explorer and
Adventurer levels.
ing upgraded)

waterslide

climbing wall (should be operational later this year)
See the Victorian Info Book 2011, page
162, for contact/location details etc.
AJ2013
Promo DVDs for AJ2013 are winging
their way out to your GL / LIC, so
your Scouts can find out how they
can “Dream It Live It” at Maryborough in January 2013.
Why not have a night that all eligible
Scouts, Cubs and their parents can
attend to view the DVD and ask
questions? Maybe you could invite
along some ex-Scouts who have
attended previous Jamborees to talk
about their experiences? This night
can also be a great time to talk about
fundraising ideas – Group, Troop and
individual – to help ease the financial
burden of attendance and build some
fundraising momentum.

collect water from plants overnight

make an overnight shelter and
sleep in it

miniature yachts

floating fires

yabbying

bridge building
Fitness activities:

BMX bikes available

low ropes course

commando course (currently be-
Feedback from Scoutfile readers – ideas, suggestions, things your Troop are finding to be problems, etc
Suggestions of locations for all level hiking
Thank you to a couple of readers who sent in suggestions for getting badges to
stay on shirts:


28
The qualifying tests are in the green Scout record book.
The Victorian Branch Scout Council
welcome your queries and contributions and are happy to help, or find
the right person to assist you as
needed, so please forward these to
askjoan@vicscouts.asn.au J.
The Scoutfile Committee
Peter Bannan
Margaret Cuthbertson
Peter Fowler
Peter Marriott
Andrew Marsh
Get a Girl Guide to sew them on J - Eltham Olave Girl Guides
Wendy Mosely
“Colour blend” thread (available from Spotlight) to either hand or machine
sew badges to uniform. Colour blend thread is similar to extremely fine fishing
line, is transparent and very strong – A.K., Berwick VIC
Mel Palankay
All responses and inclusions for future issues can be sent to scoutfile@australianscout.com.au These will be passed on to those seeking the info, or included when
possible.
Looking for more info on where
Scouts should position badges on
their shirts? See your Branch Info
Book (Vic pg 56) or State website.
So many of our Scouts
learn a second language or
come from a bilingual background. Some even learn or know sign language. These are great badges to encourage your Scouts to achieve
and also count as a Proficiency Badges.
Water activities on the dam:
Desperately seeking

What about encouraging
your multi-lingual Scouts
to get their Language/Deaf
Sign Language Emblem?
dig a trench, light a fire and experiment
with different styles of cooking using a
camp oven, a flat plate or a grill
coracles
Shaving cream challenge
Language Badge
Cooking camp:

Remember it’s important to spend time with your Patrol
and build a friendship with them (Patrol Activities are great
for this). Being able to muck around with them it very
important but you need to make sure they know there is a
time and place for this – it comes down to respect
All you need is balloons, shaving cream, disposable plastic razors and
a good mop. Give each Patrol 3 mins to see how much shaving cream
they can remove from the balloon using the razor. Have a pin at the
ready: a balloon covered in shaving cream makes for a nice explosion
when popped all over a Scout!
Bush Survival - especially for those
at the Adventurer level:
make drinkable water from dam
water
PLs (and adult Leaders!) often find it tricky to get their
Patrol/Scouts to listen to them. Try taking the following list
to your next Troop Council and discussing how the PLs in
your Troop might be able to use these ideas to help get
their Patrols to listen and in turn work effectively.
The hall accommodation is good for a
Leadership Course as well, with plenty
of space for indoor and outdoor activities. It could sleep up to about 50, or
more if you use the cabins.
Some activities that could be run
here include:

PLs’ tips
Getting your Patrol to listen to you
Peter Smith
We welcome all suggestions,
contributions and comments, so
please email them to scoutfile@
australianscout.com.au
October 2011 Australian Scout
Language emblem:

Carry on a simple conversation for 10 minutes.

Write a letter of at least 100 words.

Translate in your own time and with the help of a dictionary an
easy passage from a book or magazine. Scout literature should
be used when available.
Deaf Sign Language emblem

Using AUSLAN or the Paget Gorman sign system:

Carry on a simple conversation with a deaf person in sign language for 10 minutes.

Demonstrate an ability to use finger spelling and to “read back”
in that mode”.

After reading an easy passage from a book or periodical, re-tell
that matter in sign language. A sign language dictionary may be
used.
Snowgum has several language emblems available, but blank
ones can be obtained and embroidered if your particular one is not
available.
Don’t forget that school language teachers and other specialists
can sign off that such badgework has been completed. You could ask
your Scouts to obtain conMaybe language emblems could
tact details, such as school
be combined with some heritage
email for the teacher, so that
badgework activities, like Explorer
details could be clarified if
Citizenship 5a) or 5c).
needs be.
Australian Scout October 2011
Things to help encourage your Patrol to respect you and
hence listen to you include learning everyone’s name and
greeting them the moment they arrive at the hall with a
welcoming grin, checking to see if they have any tests
they want to do that evening, or if they are going to the
camp, or if they remembered to bring the stuff they were
supposed to, etc
Learn who their parents are and speak to them. Tell the
parents if the Scout has done something really exceptional that evening and let them know how you appreciate
it (in front of the Scout of course).
Be organised. When you have them quiet make sure
you’re ready to tell/show them what you need to, explain/
start the next activity etc
Get them in a quiet area and explain that as soon as they
have listened to the task at hand, they can get on with
activities/have supper etc.
Give them something that takes a bit of chewing: they
can’t talk and hopefully will listen
Be mysterious: tell them something great is going to
happen… (once they have listened make sure something
good does happen - like food!).
Have PLs run parades.
Know where all the Scouts in your Patrol are at with their
badgework and help them finish off badges.
Run Patrol camps.
Have Patrol meetings organised by the PL once a term.
Always include PLs as an important part of the Leadership
Team. Always have PLs get their Patrol on parade; when
running team games have the PLs organise their Patrol;
have Patrol time in every meeting where the PL teaches
something relevant to the program to their Patrol and
signs off badgework; have Scouts call the PL when they
are going to be away; have the duty PL run a new game in
the program.
If you want Patrol members to listen to you then set the
example by listening to others. Start with the adult Leaders in the Troop when you are on parade or beginning
an activity. Move on to other PLs when they are giving
instructions or want to talk to the Scouts. Finally listen to
what the members of your Patrol are saying, even if you
don’t agree. Establish a Troop habit of politeness when
anyone has something to say.
29
Venturers
South-east Australia has had the wettest
winter in many years, with good snow
falls and now it is spring. Spring brings
the melt, the melt brings good river flows
and good river flows brings great canoeing conditions!
For some rivers it is better for
Venturers to attend some of the competitions as spectators! The high water
flows and challenging conditions require
high levels of skill and much can be
learnt from observing. To watch skilled
paddlers may also inspire and challenge those who like the sport to take it
to the next level. Anyone wanting to get
involved should contact the Victorian
Canoe Association (www.vic.canoe.org.
au) or check the national body on the
internet to check out the requirements to
start canoeing competitively.
For anyone generally interested in
the sport it is worthwhile to have a hunt
around the internet and find a club that
provides the kind of involvement you are
seeking. There is a number of clubs with
their own websites, while the Association
may also advise you.
Before you go near the water
make sure you get out your trusty Info
Book and check out the requirements
for Boat and Charge Certificates. You
should also seek advice about suitable
rivers – know the river grading system
and the grades of the rivers you plan to
use – and be prepared to seek advice
from those who are more experienced.
For those who need training,
check the Info Book for courses offered
from our own resources and also check
what is available from the canoe clubs,
especially for more advanced paddlers.
Many of us start our paddling on
flat water and there is the great frontier image of paddling across a lake or
down a big river – and many believe it is
easier than hiking because you can load
a canoe with more than you can carry in
a pack!
Before you plan an expedition
involving flat paddling you need to
be as well prepared as for any other
expedition. In addition to the necessary
certificates mentioned above there is a
number of other precautions to be taken
30
with Don Leeson
as well:
l
NEVER CANOE ALONE
l Always
wear a life jacket (PFD) and be
confident in deep water
Obtain local knowledge of the area –
inland waters may be treacherous and
chop up badly in some conditions. Take
heed of strong wind warnings, storm
warnings and warnings from locals
about winds from particular directions.
The Gippsland Lakes is an area for
which this is particularly the case.
l
Be honest about your ability, including
your strength and stamina so that you
do not take on a challenge that can be
met in good conditions, but with no reserve. It is important to be able to cope
with a change in conditions.
l
l The challenge must be acceptable to
the least able of the group.
l Be adequately protected, both in the
sun and if it turns cold. Heat exhaustion
and dehydration are of considerable
danger in small craft, while hypothermia
is a threat in cold water and cold winds.
l Beware of sunburn on the water –
there is no protection unless you provide
it. Paddling with sunburn is decidedly
uncomfortable.
l Be well practised in rescue techniques
such as rafting up and emptying canoes.
Be appropriately dressed. Remember
that many bodies of water have rusted
metal, old wire, broken glass and other
dangers on the bottom, so wear runners.
l
l
Secure spectacles and sun glasses.
l Beware of navigational difficulties on
large expanses of water such as lakes.
Features which are obvious on a map
such as islands, inlets or peninsulas
may blend into each other when viewed
from a distance at water level, particularly where the landscape is fairly flat
and low lying. Hazy conditions which
commonly occur on open waters further
reduce visibility.
Large expanses of water such
as the Gippsland Lakes should only be
crossed by groups of experienced and
properly equipped paddlers competent in sea-kayaking techniques. Use
of a compass becomes essential and
weather conditions must be closely mon-
itored. Strong winds over shallow waters
produce steep choppy waves. There
is a significant history of unfortunate
incidents on the lakes featuring poorly
prepared individuals and groups.
Remember to keep within limits of
strength and endurance when planning
the legs of a paddle. On a large body of
water you must hare reserve strength for
head winds or other difficulties. Allow for
emergencies in your planning, including an accompanying power boat where
appropriate and make certain that your
plans are known to appropriate authorities.
Spring brings with it the Spring Racing
Carnival which features Fashions on the
Field. This also coincides with the commencement of the VCE exam season
that involves significant numbers of
older Venturers. The result is that many
Units may reduce the intensity of their
activities or focus on fun as a relief to
the study pressures.
How about you get the younger
members of the Unit to practise their organisational skills and organise a disco
night with a theme of Op Shop Fashions
on the Field? You could involve the
Troop and neighbouring Units to join
the fun. The challenge is for everyone
to create a fashion statement from the
Op Shop. Prizes can be given for fairly
obvious categories but also for different
amounts spent e.g . less than $5, less
than $10 etc.
Consider some games, quizzes
and other activities for the night. Maybe
conduct a quiz on past Cup winners and
their riders, perhaps including questions
from other sports as well, or jumbled
letters of names of horses in this year’s
cup field, not forgetting the Caulfield Cup
and the Derby or even the Geelong Cup.
The possible reduced attendance
of older Venturers during the exam
preparation season provides an opportunity to focus more on the younger
members. Take advantage of this time
to identify and develop their potential
as future leaders in the Unit by giving
October 2011 Australian Scout
them responsibilities and tasks that will
help them step into the roles that will
be vacated as older members move
to university or employment and away
from the Unit.
It is also important that the Unit
remain as a friendly drop in for those
who need a break from study but do not
want too much organisation or depth
in the involvement, so try to run some
good, boisterous games to let off steam,
followed by chill time where the gang
can just hang out and chat, maybe over
some supper.
While many of our Year 12 members will head off on Schoolies, it may
also be a good idea to consider a good
activity to celebrate the end of their
secondary school life. Other members
by then may be involved in their exam
season so think carefully about timing
and what you might do, but start thinking and planning now!
This is also a good time to chew
the fat about what might be done over
the January holiday period if you have
not already considered it. This year the
possibilities are much greater with water
in lakes and rivers such as we have
not seen for some time. Rather than
heading to busy coastal locations try to
check out somewhere of interest inland.
Consider a trip to the high country
to experience the beauty of the alpine
meadows in summer with their abundance of wildflowers and really pretty
hikes, go climbing or canoeing, or just
laze in the shade of a river red gum.
Remember that towns in the Murray
Valley have done it hard with floods and
would get value from people coming in
and spending some money on a great
holiday.
have visitors in the area to resuscitate
their businesses.
Wilson’s Promontory is another
area that was badly affected and has
recently been declared open to visi-
your visit. However there is a plenty
to be done in the northern part of the
National Park and it is still worth a visit.
You could incorporate this with a spot of
surfing at Sandy Point.
Your ideas?
tors. Again, it is important to check out
what is available – the popular day
walk to Sealer’s Cove is still not open,
Our Venturer coordinator Don
Leeson welcomes program-related
ideas, comments and photos from
other Units. Please email them to:
leeson_3821@hotmail.com
for example. Extensive information is
available on the Parks Victoria website
(http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au) and
you should check it before planning
Big Burger Challenge 2011
By TERRY BALDERSON
Saturday July 30 2011 saw the Big
Burger Challenge on again at Harkaway Scout Camp. High noon, registration opened for all challengers to try to
take home a trophy for the categories
of Heaviest, Tallest, Presentation, and
overall Champion Burger. 1st Upper
Beaconsfield Venturers had a lot at
stake: champions for two years running.
The Venturers registered, then went
inside the hall and set up the barbecues and tables ready for the competition to start at 6 pm. Once camp had
been established the Venturers went
to the campfire where they worked
out their strategies for the night. All
ingredients and plans for each burger
creation were kept top secret.
At 6 pm, seven Venturer Units lit their
barbecues, mixed, sliced and diced to
create their burgers. Judges weighed
and measured the burgers before the
burgers were devoured. The winner of
the Tallest Burger was Cannibal Creek
(Nar Nar Goon), 0.5 metres high,
excellent design with the use of dried
spaghetti. Runner up was 1st Upper
Beaconsfield.
Heaviest burger went to Tangenong
(1st South Frankston) and Bunarong
(Ballam Park) Venturers weighing a
massive 15.6 kg, edging out 1st Upper
Beaconsfield who were runners up.
Presentation went to Tangenong (1st
South Frankston) and Bunarong (Ballam Park) Venturers, with 1st Upper
Beaconsfield again runners up.
The Overall Champion of the Burger
Challenge went to Tangenong (1st
South Frankston) and Bunarong (Ballam Park) Venturer Units.
Other Units who helped make the
competition such a success were Dandenong, 1st Red Hill, 1st Somerville,
and Kalora Park. Hope to see you all
at the next ‘Big Burger Challenge, July
28-29 2012 (date to be confirmed).
•
Terry Balderson is VL Tangenong.
Areas like the Big Desert may
be worth checking for new growth and
regeneration. The Hattah-Kulkyne
National Park with its fresh water lakes
is worthy of consideration, especially for
investigation of environmental issues.
Check the internet for useful information
in considering this area.
The Grampians suffered badly
earlier in the year but the major roads
are now open. Check out the possibilities of walks and climbing opportunities
but take care to only use areas that
have been declared open to visitors.
Again, local traders will be pleased to
Australian Scout October 2011
Heaviest burger Tangenong & Bunarong Venturers: Back from Left: Josh Swaine, Rachael
Semmens, Peter Sephton, Cameron Jenky, Chloe Romanoff, Josh Hoskining. Front: Jacob
Sephton, Ryan Semmens, Dalton Burzacott & Aran Pinney.
31
Rovers
with Caitlin Brideson
A Baw Baw weekend
160km east of Melbourne lies one of Victorian Rovers’ exciting
assets, W. F. Waters Ski Lodge. The Ski Lodge is on Mt Baw Baw,
right in the midst of all the buzz of the Mountain. The lodge is open
all winter, with most winter weekends occupied by Rovers.
The lodge contains all you need for a good weekend away.
Apart from all the normal facilities, the lodge has its own pool table,
dart board, sound system and card and board games to keep everyone entertained for a weekend.
On July 29, 30 odd Rovers from Amaroo, Berembong and
Cragieburn, embarked on a weekend off friends, snow and a whole
lot of fun. With everyone at the chalet by nightfall a session of good
music and catch up was in order. As the night wore on the music
got louder as did some of the Rovers’ excitement in a game of
cards.
The early morning rise on Saturday was made easier by
bacon, sausages and eggs for breakfast as well as the wonderful sun shining waiting for us outside. Once breakfast was done
and cleaned up the keen skiers and snowboarders were out and
already at the top of the mountain ready to head down a few hundred times. For the rest of us just wanting a nice relaxing day we
went out and hired a few toboggans and hit the two toboggan runs.
Being Rovers, little kids at heart, the day was filled with snow fights
and lot of tobogganing. Everyone came back to the chalet for lunch
and back at it again just as quickly. All the snowboarders and skiers
made it to the top of Mt Baw Baw for a group ski down the mountain and a nice group photo.
After a big day of beautiful weather and lots of fun in the snow
everyone was ready for dinner. Saturday night dinner is a tradition
at the Rover Chalet. Saturday dinner is a uniformed occasion and
a time for all to sit down and have a good chat while enjoying a
yummy meal. After our meal we all sat round the wood fire enjoying
some pool and each others’ company ready for another day in the
snow.
Sunday morning is time for your last ski, board or toboggan
before all hands on deck to clean the chalet top to bottom. After a
fantastic weekend, everything packed and cleaned, all Rovers venture home tired, perhaps a bit sore but very happy and relaxed.
32
October 2011 Australian Scout
Adults in Scouting
Victoria
Congratulating Victorians with Long Service awards in August 2011
5 years
Damian Anderson, ACSL, 1st Churchill
Chris Butler, Group Leader, 1st Moorabbin Central
Lorraine Cliffe, ACSL, 3rd Sunbury
Nigel Dearing, ACSL, 13th Malvern
Dianne Dennis, Treasurer, 1st Heyfield
Peter Dickson, VL, 1st Bennettswood
Eddie Dumaresq, Adult Helper, 19th
Camberwell
Amber Francis, JSL, 1st Ranelagh
Debra Goble, AJSL, 1st Langwarrin
Jill Gourley, Treasurer), 1st Neerim
Jonathan Graham, ACSL, 2nd Colac
Ken Green, ASL, 4th Ringwood
Jennifer Heggart, Treasurer, 1st Trafalgar
Grant Jarvis, ASL, 1st Ferntree Gully
Paul Jones, ACSL, 2nd Knoxfield
Alfreda King, Treasurer, Baden Powell
Park
Victoria Lark, AJSL, 1st Wantirna South
Hilary Leigh, Adult Helper, 1st West
Waverley
Fergus Machutchison, Adult Helper,
Templestowe Lower 1st
Claire Maddison, ACSL, 3rd Doncaster
East
Benetia Mckenzie, AJSL, 1st Ashburton
Jenny Mcquade, Group Committee
member, 1st Woodend
John Powell, ACSL, 1st Thorpdale
Andrew Preston, ACSL, 1st Lilydale
John Purcell, ACSL, 1st Glen Iris
Adrian Rietwyk, ASL, Dandenong
James Scott, Auditor, 12th Caulfield
Steven Scott, Quartermaster, Sale
Stuart Simmons, Chairman, 1st Bennettswood
Kerri Slatter, ACSL, West Traralgon
Rosie Steel, ASL, 1st Kilmore
Warren Steel, ASL, 1st Lilydale
Lee Thistlethwaite, ACSL, 1st Glen Iris
Bill Thompson, Group Rostered Parent,
10th Malvern
Anita Walker, Chairman, 2nd Leongatha
Jane Ware, Group Committee FundraisAustralian Scout October 2011
ing, 1st North Balwyn
Matthew Wightwick, SL, 2nd Footscray
Brian Wills, ASL, 1st Ranelagh
Ian Woff, ASL, 1st Koo Wee Rup
Anthony Wright, ACSL, 2nd Clifton Hill
Andrew Yeaman, ASL, 1st Heatherdale
10 years
Rick Bradley, DC, Mt Baw Baw
Ian Brown, AVL, Baden Powell Park
Michelle Dew, ASL, 5th Ballarat
Brenda Edwards, Secretary, 1st Diamond Creek
Jenni Lowrie, ASF-Mt Baw Baw
Wayne Shaw, Treasurer, 1st Moe
Edward Tax, ASL, 1st Eltham
Stephanie Wallace, CSL, 1st Knoxfield
15 years
Janice Black, GL, 1st City of Camberwell
Barbara Butler, ASF-Geelong Rivers,
Daryl Gruar, Branch Activity Specialist,
Vic Branch Air Activities
Roy Keller, SL, 2nd Mildura
Christopher Kurz, ACSL, 3rd Templestowe
20 years
Donna Anderson, District Leader - Venturers, Whitehorse
Roger Berriman, Chairman, 4th Knox
Alex Forrest, Scout Foundation Member, Plenty Valley Region
Mark Hunter, SL, 1st Lang Lang
Peter Jeppesen, ACSL, 2nd Clifton Hill
Jeffrey Kemp, District Leader - Scouts,
Strzelecki
Kaye Notman, ASF-Cardinia
Terry Shipway, SL, 1st Beechworth
Michelle Simberg, Dist Leader - Venturers, Mt Baw Baw
Tony Williams, AVL, Pakenham
25 years
Olive Elston, DPC member, Cardinia
Jo Rutley, Camp Committee Secretary,
Banyule
30 years
Jan Lovell, District Leader – AT&S,
Glenelg River
Ann Naughtin, ARC - Joey Scouts, Mt
Dandenong Region
Russell Oldham, ASL, 1st Ferny Creek
Christine Walters, VL, Mulgrave
35 years
Phil Adams, Activity Leader, Vic Branch
Radio & Electronics Activity Unit
Rod Grummitt, Victorian Scout Foundation
Margaret Haberfield, ACSL, Allansford
Doug Smith, RA, 1st Nunawading
40 years
Janice Burkhalter, ASF-Emu,
Geoff Crombie, ASF-Kingston
Pam Knight, Leader spouse, Victorian
Branch
45 years
Jan Mcgowan, Dist Leader – AT&S,
Monash
60 years
Jock Cameron, Hon Commissioner
Victorian Leaders
awarded their Wood
Badge in August 2011
Joey Scout
Joanna Powell, JSL, Box Hill
11th
Michael Van Der Horst, AJSL,
Blackburn 1/8th
Shane Wale, JSL, Iramoo 1st
Cub Scout
Terence Beton, ACSL, Knox 8th
Teresa McLeod, ACSL, Melton 3rd
Keith Solomon, ACSL, Wantirna 2nd
Steven Weaver, ACSL, Oak Park 1st
Scout
Brian Donaldson, ASL, Ballarat 5th
Stacey Pascoe, ASL, Glen Waverley
2nd
Wendy Taylor, ASL, Drouin 1st
Venturer
Erolyn Blythe, AVL, Beaufort 1st
Group Leader
Louise Lang, AGL, Mooroolbark 1st
Terri Verberne, GL, Ringwood East
3rd
District Leader-Commissioner
Richard Blain, District Leader –
Scouts, Kingston District
Bill Henley, DC, Whitehorse District
Margaret Cuthbertson, District
Leader – Scouts, Nillumbik District
Brendan Watson, RC, Melbourne
Region
Sharon Woollam, District Leader
– Joey Scouts, Werribee Plains
District
33
Scouts for Fair Trade
By BOB BROWNE
We would probably agree that a cup of
tea, a coffee and of course a couple of
pieces of chocolate go a long way. They
are even better if we are resting and not
having to think too much more about
what goes on behind the scenes to get
the tea, coffee and cocoa to each of us.
You may know that slavery was
abolished on August 28 1833, when the
Slavery Abolition Act was given Royal
Assent. This Act lead to the abolition of
slavery across the British Empire including its colonies.
What has tea, coffee and chocolate got to do with slavery and Scouting? I hear you ask.
Today millions of women, children and men are still held in slave-like
conditions harvesting tea, coffee and
cocoa. The story of Lela gives an insight
into a life of a child labourer, and shows
that family members can be the cause
of this suffering. Fair Trade helps end
child labour and slavery by improving
and monitoring working conditions,
providing a fair price to farmers as well
Lela’s story
Lela worked on an Ivorian cocoa farm
for 10 years, until 2007. She was eight
years old when she started. After her
father’s funeral in 1997, Lela was
taken to the Ivory Coast by her uncle to
work on his cocoa farm: “I worked and
earned nothing, so I was dependent on
what they decided.
“I worked from morning to night
on the cocoa farm. After work I would
go and fetch firewood and then I would
have to help in cooking and cleaning
the home. I had to wake early because
I also helped to cook all the food for
the workers. I had no breaks; I would
also help wash the workers’ clothes
and clean the areas where everybody
slept. It was back breaking work.”
They “could not leave the farm
at all and we had no breaks. I was hit
sometimes; they used to call me orphan…”. Lela was treated worse than
the other children and has machete
scars for life on her hands and legs.
34
as providing specific money for communities to invest in better health care and
schooling.
As a Scout, our Duty to My God
should drive us to demonstrate concern
for others by considering what Scouting can do to help achieve the totally
abolition of child labour and slavery.
Everyone of these children caught up in
the extreme suffering forced upon those
in child labour are our brothers and
sisters, our neighbours. As Scouts, we
can live out our promise to our own God
by ‘loving our neighbours’. Do this by
taking action wherever possible to help
stop child labour and slavery – even if
our effort seems to be only a small way
to force change and make a difference.
Ask your Leaders to help you. As
part of the fight against slavery Scouts
can do something practical:

Join the Fair Trade Community
and educate our youth members
http://www.fta.org.au/sites/default/
files/downloads/FairTrade%20
Workplaces%20Guidelines.pdf

Signup application
Lela was hit for asking to visit her
mother and was told that her mother
had abandoned her.
Do you ever wonder who makes
your chocolate, tea or coffee? Whose
lives are being affected by the brands
that each of us buy? By choosing
products that have been made ethically
we make the decision to give children
like Lela and all children in the world
the best chance at a life without this
extreme suffering. With more than 27
million slaves around the world today
(more than the population of Australia), half of whom are children, the
decisions we make can have major
repercussions.
Ethical brands such as Rainforest
Alliance, Utz and Fairtrade inspect the
farms where the crops are grown, providing some of the highest child labour
standards in countries like the Ivory
Coast where the majority of cocoa is
grown.
While making the choice as individuals is an important first step, as the
LOOKING
LOCALLY
Send photos and captions to
editor@australianscout.com.au
http://www.fta.org.au/sites/default/
files/downloads/FairTrade%20
Workplaces%20Application.doc

Purchase accredited Fair Trade
tea, coffee and chocolate for your
Section, Group and District halls,
games and activities.
Where to buy Fair Trade: http://
www.fairlylocal.com.au/
Pray that we are blessed with
enough foolishness despite the costs to
believe that we can make a difference
even though others say we cannot.
Jeff Burzacott, ACSL 1st South Frankston,
with sons Mark (left) and Dalton.
Lately I have been lucky enough to attend two Wood Badge presentations and
each of the recipients had their family present. First was Christopher Enger who
received his Scout Wood Badge. His Grandma wore her Gilwell Scarf with pride
and his brother Matthew wore their grandfather’s Gilwell scarf.
Then I went to see Jeff Burzacott get his Cub Scout Wood Badge and again Jeff
had his family present.
Joan Bradd Branch Commissioner for Adult Training and Development
As part of the Scout Environment
Badge, 1st Bentleigh have been actively involved in National Tree Day
at Karkarook Park, Heatherton.
So, will you join the fight? When
you do, don’t forget to ask for your
certificate as an acknowledgement for
all to see that you have joined the fight!
Don’t forget the move to abolish slavery
started very small.
•
Bob Browne Branch Commissioner
for Faith Awareness, Vic.
world’s largest child focused organisation our Scout Groups can also make
a contribution by joining a movement
to support ethical consuming, and in
turn an end to child labour and slavery.
By becoming a Fairtrade Community,
Scouts commit to giving all children a
chance at having a childhood.
Chris Enger (front, second from the right)
is SL 3rd Doncaster East. Matthew
(front left) is District Leader-Scouts,
Manningham District.
Lela said: “I hated my life. I
wasted so many years. It felt like a
punishment from God. I could not run
away as I did not know the area and
had no money.” Lela was finally able
to escape when her brother came to
take her to his child’s funeral back in
Burkina Faso, at the request of their
mother. When she was interviewed
Lela told of many men from Burkina
Faso who would meet with her uncle
and then bring children – mostly boys –
to do cocoa farming.
Of course Lela’s punishment
was not from God, it was a result of
the desire for cheap products. Our
responsibility to is ensure we no longer
contribute to the trade in children.
October 2011 Australian Scout
Lexi Race Stelling, an enthusiastic Cub at 1st Beechworth, has
been presented with the Grey Wolf Award by GL Donna Hughes.
From left: Lexi’s father and ACSL Digby Race, Lexi, Donna.
Australian Scout October 2011
Each year Yarra Ranges District has a District Joey
Scout bowling competition for the Tui Shield. The Tui is
a bird from New Zealand. Photo: The winning Mob this
year was Warburton
35
LOOKING
LOCALLY
Send photos and captions to
editor@australianscout.com.au
Sherbrooke Forest District Cubs and Leaders haves had
There were lots of aaarhg’s and ‘ahoy thar me hearties’ and
two very busy weekends in a row – a Cub Scout Leader-
‘ watch out or ye’ll walk the plank!’
ship Course in the Gembrook Scout Hall and a fabulous
The crews had a great time playing ‘Capture the Flag’ and
‘Pirates on Gilwell Island’ pre-Cuboree camp.
‘Battleships with flour cannons!’
Australian Scout Fellowship
A working bee was
held at Eumeralla
Scout Camp on
August 26-28.
The working bee
was well attended
with 15 members
taking part. A major task was removing trees and undergrowth from the
front of the Troop Hall and mulching
the garden. Some work was done in
the chapel and the Team Trail had
a large amount of work done, tree
branches and general rubbish removed. Our August meeting was held
on the Sunday. The weekend was
very successful.
Our next Activity is a “Browse and
Buy Day” on November 5 at 2nd
Altona Scout Hall.
The End of Year Function at Box Hill
RSL is on November 27.
Our next meeting is on November 5 at
2nd Altona Scout Hall.
For further information call Laurie Allen on (03) 5222 1679.
l
For further information call Laurie Allen on (03) 5222 1679
Big Burger
When the David Macfarlane Venturers of 1st Carrum
Downs Scout Group had an excess of food from
the recent Annual Theme Camp they loaded up the
South Metro Showtime has celebrated its 30th birthday
with an audience of 2000 at the Alexander Theatre,
Monash University. Congratulations to the 250 cast
and crew. Counting down the weeks until the next one
... all 52 of them. www.southmetroshowtime.org
ABOVE: Heaviest burger Tangenong
& Bunarong Venturers
BELOW: The Four course meal by
1st Upper Beaconsfield.
Story: page 31
trailer with cereal boxes, cans of baked beans and
For two ACT Venturers the World Jamboree was ...
An experience like no other
By ZACH FOROSTENKO
The 2011 World Scout Jamboree held
in Sweden was very rewarding. I met
so many new people from so many
different countries. Since returning
I have around 100 new facebook
friends. I have already made plans
with some of the Australian friends I
met over there to get together again in
Australia or to meet up at future scouting events.
The best activity at the Jamboree
was the Camp in Camp. During this
event Scandanavian scouts hosted us
at a traditional Swedish scout camp.
We carved a pencil from wood, went
canoeing, learnt some first aid and
had a campfire. One disappointment
was that we did not meet Bear Grylls
who was at the opening ceremony of
the Jamboree and is the Chief Scout
of the UK.
The best activity on the Australian Post Tour was the home hosting
where we stayed for 2 nights with a
host family. There we experienced
traditional Swedish cooking such as
meatballs and we visited a Moose
Farm. We also had an event at a
Swedish Scout Hall. The scout hall
was more like a house and much more
luxurious that what we have here in
Australia.
I would certainly recommend
attending a World Scout Jamboree as
the experience is unforgettable.
spaghetti, soups, cartons of eggs, cheese, biscuits
and assorted fruit and vegetables and contacted
the City Life Cafe in Frankston, Victoria. City Life
•
provides meals to people in crisis. Venturer Michael
Canisius said “It was a good feeling that stayed with
me all day. I felt I was really making a difference
Zachary Forostenko is Secretary of the ACT Branch Venturer
Council
to people’s lives.” He was assisted by Christian
By SORREL FULLER
Bruun, 17, a Venturer visiting from Denmark on the
There were 40,061 people, over 146
nations, and the campsite was 6 kms
International Venturer Exchange Program.
36
October 2011 Australian Scout
Australian Scout October 2011
wide. That means that I am now lucky
enough to have many friends all over
the world, and especially all over
Australia.
A World Jamboree has different types of activities compared to an
Australian Jamboree; more learning
that simply just fun. The activity for
me that was the most fun was Camp
in Camp when everyone got a chance
to go off site for a night with just their
Patrol, and experience a traditional
Scandinavian camp. This experience
was amazing. We went canoeing on
a beautiful lake, made woggles out of
Reindeer horn and many other crafts.
But this was just the Jamboree
…
The Australian Contingent of
191 had a pre-Jamboree camp and
a post-tour. For the pre-camp we had
a few days exploring Copenhagen,
Denmark. The post tour was two
weeks travelling around Norway. Both
were also wonderful experiences. Part
of the post-tour was two nights with a
Swedish family. This was wonderful;
the people are so kind and welcoming. We were also lucky enough to do
the Olympic bobsled run in Lilihammer. Amazing fun, if you ever get the
chance.
My month in Scandinavia for the
World Jamboree was truly one I will
remember forever, so I cannot encourage you enough to attend a World
Jamboree or World Moot if you ever
get the opportunity. An experience like
no other.
•
Sorrel Fuller is a member of K2
Venturer Unit, Kama Scout Group,
ACT.
37
FAQ
A quick guide to
Scouting stuff.
How to join Scouting
Where to get forms
Phone 1800 640 454 for details of your
local Scout Groups
www.vicscouts.com.au
> Adults > Resources > General forms
How to find information
about Scouting
Chief Scout
Alex Chernov AO, QC
Governor of Victoria
Victoria www.vicscouts.com.au
Australia www.scouts.com.au
International www.scout.org
How to find information
on major coming events
International events
Doncaster Shoppingtown
9848 5206
www.international.scouts.com.au
Geelong 104 Moorabool Street
5221 6618
AJ 2013: Victorian contingent
Glen Waverley Shopping Centre
9886 7045
www.vicscouts.com.au/jamboree
Greensborough Plaza
9434 2272
How to contact Victorian
Scout Centres
Hawthorn 644 Glenferrie Rd
9819 4100
Knox City shopping centre
9887 3509
Bentleigh Brenda Hoppen
8575 4000
Malvern 200 Glenferrie Rd
9509 3100
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9642 4340
Executive Manager
Alistair Horne
Heathmont Fiona Hocking
9298 5050
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9873 5061
Australian Scout
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9370 0024
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8379 6222
Moorabbin 880 Nepean Hwy
9555 7811
Prahran 338 Chapel St
9525 0733
Mail order
www.scouts.com.au
>Member resources and networking >
Award schemes
Scout
AUSTRALIAN
OCTOBER 2011
HOW TO SUBSCRIBE
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Mail
Australian Scout,
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Phone
(03) 8543-9800 or 1800 640 454
Rate $50 for 11 issues (one year), $90 for 22
October 2011 Australian Scout
Chief Commissioner
Bob Taylor
Buy Uniform, Badges and
Publications at the following
Snowgum Stores
Where to sew the badges!
38
Scouts Australia
Victorian Branch
Australian Scout October
April 2011
2011
1800 811 312
Check website for details and opening hours:
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Or buy online at www.thescoutsshop.com.au
Assistant Chief Commissioner
Greg McDougall
Region Commissioners
Bays Cameron Whillas
Eastern Ian Newnham
Geelong Wayne Gunn
Lerderderg Dougal Mayor
Melbourne Brendan Watson OAM
Mt Dandenong Alan Richmond
Plenty Valley Peter Rutley OAM
North West Craig Whan
Northern John Horn
West Coast Ros Bamford
Western Jon Peart
Editorial committee
Chairman David Jefferson OAM
Management Committee Chairman
Neil Westaway AM
Helen Barber (Joey Scouts)
Kingsley Davis
Denise Evans
Don Leeson (Venturers)
Margot Petersen
Jon Willis
Editor Andrew Taylor
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© Australian Scout, 2011
editor@australianscout.com.au
39
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