First Koori Scout Group

Scouting in Victoria will begin its first culturally specific Koori Scout group at the Northlands Koori Community Scouting Centre at Elm Street, Preston. Members of the Koori community and Scouting have been working on starting a group over the past two years.

The program for over 20 Koori youth aged eight to 16 years, both girls and boys has a heavy emphasis on outdoor adventure and the bush, combined with traditional Koori culture.

The members from the Yarta Wirta Aboriginal Health Services youth group and other Koori kids from the area make up the newly created Koori Scout group said the program co-ordinator Ms Erica Ireland, Scout Youth Development Commissioner.
Members of the Yarta Wirta youth group came away camping in the Grampians where they undertook adventurous activities like abseiling and bush walking as well as visiting the Brambruk Living Cultural Centre at Gariwerd (Grampians) National Park. For many of the kids it was their first time out of the city and a whole new world, Ms Ireland said.

The program is based on adventure learning tied in with cultural activities based around respect and pride in Aboriginal culture and connection to the land. At the Grampians the Koori Scouts went on night walks, learned about the local tribes, did boomerang painting and throwing, traditional dancing and bush tucker as well as challenging activities like abseiling and rock climbing.

Many of the youth members of the Koori Scout group are youth at risk. They couldn't believe how dark it really is in the bush and there were no showers or TV! The kids will design their own uniform and the scarf is the colour of the Koori flag, Ms Ireland said.

The aim of the Koori Scout group is to raise motivation, improve self-esteem, enhance life skills and the participation in new experiences - to take on new challenges both physical, mental and spiritual. The group involves urban Koori teenagers from Northcote and the surrounding area. It is run in conjunction with the Fitzroy Stars Aboriginal Youth Club Gymnasium Incorporated.

Scouting earnestly supports multiculturalism in our society. The Scout commitment to honour and respect the traditions and beliefs of Australia's multicultural society is embodied in the values and principles of the world-wide movement.
The group is funded by the Fitzroy Stars and ATSIC. The group is a Koori specific youth program run by and for young Aboriginal people with their own Koori adult leaders. Scouting hopes to extend the program to Healesville and the Bahma Forest near the Murray River.

The newly created Koori Scout group will liaise with Northlands Secondary College, KODE School, Police, Hutton Street Primary School, the Victorian Aboriginal Health Centre and the Yarta Wirta Youth Group.
The establishment of the Northcote Koori Community Scouting Centre will run programs for the whole community including basketball, ballroom dancing, self defence group and other Aboriginal community groups. The centre will also be decorated in Koori murals and Aboriginal art and they are looking for more suggestions from the community.

The establishment of the centre will provide an opportunity to experience first hand the challenges and importance of bringing people together from different backgrounds and cultures, to build better relationships between neighbours. Our aims and objectives fit closely with the goals and key issues of Reconciliation, Ms Ireland said.

Scouting is providing training for the new Koori adult leaders and assistance from other Scouting volunteers (including Ms Erica Ireland and a Rover Crew - Scouts aged 18 to 26 years). Scouting in Victoria actively promotes culturally specific Scout groups including the world's first Tamil speaking group, Vietnamese, Russian, Turkish, Greek and a Coptic Valley of the Nile group. These groups use the language and traditions of their ethnic heritage to complement and enrich the Scout program.

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Harold Celebrates 20 Years

Resident of East Kew, Mr. Harold Gardiner is celebrating 20 years as the Scout Victorian Branch Commissioner for Rovers (Rovers are youth members of Scouting aged 18 to 26 years - women and men) and over 47 years commitment to the youth of Victoria.

Harold joined Scouting at the age of eight in the St. Kew Cub Pack and 57 years later he is still in Scouts. He became an adult member of Scouting in 1952 and has over 47 years of voluntary service to Scouting in Victoria.

Caroline Overbeek is the chairperson for the Victorian Rover Council, she believes that the two key people who have contributed and guided Rovers to success has been Bill Waters and Harold Gardiner.

Harold was the District Commissioner for Kew Scouts in 1965 and a scout leader at the 6th Kew Scout Troop in 1955. Harold joined the 1st Kew Rover Crew when he turned 18 as well as remaining a scout leader.
In 1954, aged 20 he went skiing at Bogong Rover Chalet, this lead to a love affair with the sport which continued for over 20 years. It was at Bogong that Harold met Bill Waters who was the Victorian Branch Commissioner for Rovers for 35 years from 1930 to 1965.

Harold has been helping Rovers for one quarter of the time that the youth section has been in existence. He has done it for the love of Scouting and Rovering, receiving no remuneration at all, Ms Overbeek said.
Harold has seen Rovers control their own activities, a World Moot held in Victoria (like a Jamboree for Rovers). He has guided and advised the Rover Council since 1979 and watched Rover activities like Mudbash, Surfmoot and the development of the Mafeking Rover Park at Yea.

2200 Cub Scouts Invade Gembrook

The event of a lifetime for Cub Scouts is about to happen - yes its on again - Cuboree*99 will be held on Tuesday 13 to 17 April at Gilwell Park, Gembrook.The theme for this years Cuboree is Rolling On - The Journey Continues.

What is a Cuboree? Over five days, more than 2200 Cub Scouts (girls and boys aged 8, 9 and 10) and 720 adult leaders will converge on Gilwell Park for fun activities, making new friends and participating in interactive challenging endeavours. (A Cuboree is like a Jamboree for Cub Scouts.) The Cuboree even has its own web site at www.scouts.asn.au/victoria/cuboree.

The Chief Commissioner of Scouting in Victoria, Mr. John Ravenhall AM will see off the first of the special Puffing Billy trains at 8.00am with other trains leaving at 11.30am and 3.00pm on Tuesday 13 April at the Emerald station.

Cub Scouts from Victoria and interstate will enjoy camping in tents, many for the very first time said the Cuboree Director, Mr. Peter Mentiplay. Cub Scouts from far and wide will be on a journey between different times, from Prehistoric ages through to the present and into the future. The imaginative activities for the Cuboree are based on mans journey through time from methods of transport used by stone age man right through the middle ages to futuristic time and space travel, Mr. Mentiplay said.

The five days of activities include Pirate School, Roam n Round, GP Flight 99, Doing Time, Grotto Land, Gilwell Racetrack, Cubgate, Gilwell Station and Gilrock. Each night the Cub Scouts will gather around the stage in the main camp fire area to be entertained before returning to their sub camps for supper.

The many activities are based on wind and water transport of the Middle Ages, tricks and trades of pirates, Roman life, modern flight, exploring Gilwell Park by foot to locate exclusive grottos, modern car transport with a Grand Prix, futuristic space travel, steam train activities and Stone Age, he said.

The planning for the Cuboree has been in gear for almost a year prior to the event to ensure a successful, safe and fun time for all. More than 720 adult Cub Scout Leaders will supervise and lead the activities during the five days of the Cuboree. The very first Victorian Cuboree was held in 1997. The Cuboree focuses on learning experiences in a fun and challenging environment, the activities excite children's creative abilities and imaginations, Mr. Mentiplay said.

Over the five days 6600 hot dogs will be consumed, 4000 litres of milk drunk and 16500 bread rolls eaten, 5000 hamburgers and 9000 muesli bars - its quite a job to cater for all the Cubs and their Leaders, he said.

The Cuboree journey begins with a thrilling ride on Puffing Billy from Emerald to Gembrook, on the recently restored section of the track. The Cub Scouts from all over Victoria will then be bused to Gilwell Park for five days of fun and adventure.

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SERVICE TO SCOUTING AWARDED

Max is a Good Scout

Local resident of Newborough, Max Grubb has received the Silver Kangaroo award which recognises eminent achievement and meritorious service over a period of at least 20 years to Scouting and to the advancement of young people in the community through Scouting. (Max is the only awardee of the Silver Kangaroo in Victoria this year - 3 last year).

Max Grubb, former District Commissioner of the Mt Baw Baw District Scouts joined Scouting as a leader in 1952, he was a Cub Scout Leader with Yallourn, Group Leader with Newborough and District Commissioner for McDonald and Mt Baw Baw Districts. His previous awards include the Silver Acorn and a 20 year service award.

Scouts Australia, Victorian Branch congratulates the 299 Scout Leaders across the state who received Good Service Awards from the Chief Scouts of Australia and Governor General His Excellency, The Hon. Sir Wlliam Deane AC, KBE. The awards will be presented at Gilwell Scout Park by the President of Victorian Scouting Mr Brian Loton AC on Sunday 21 March 1999.

More than 290 adult Scouting volunteers have received Scout Good Service Awards, including the Silver Kangaroo, Silver Emu, Silver Koala, Silver Wattle, Silver Arrowhead and Certificate of Merit, recognising their commitment and dedication to the Scout Association.

Good Service Awards recognise quality service to the community in the development of young people and a dedication to the Scouting Movement said
Chief Commissioner of Victoria, Mr John Ravenhall AM.

Adult Scout members receiving the awards have volunteered hundreds of hours to Scouting over many years, the awards recognise their important role in the development and education of youth in Victoria, Mr Ravenhall said.

These dedicated Scout Leaders are just a few of the 5,000 adult volunteers in Victoria who give their time to Scouting each week because they care about the future of our children. They have all found Scouting is a great life, for young and old, a great way to help people take a constructive place in society as responsible citizens.

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Scouts Attack Sedentary Lifestyle

"Brought up on a mix of junk food, video games and spectator sport, what hope do the children of our nation have to become active young leaders in the future?" asks Scouts Australia Chief Executive, Richard Miller.
Scouts Australia has launched a new marketing drive to recruit Australian boys and girls to take part in more active pursuits that can range from abseiling to white water rafting.

"It's time for a leading youth organisation to tackle, head on, growing community concerns over the sedentary lifestyle led by many of the nation's children."We are launching a campaign that communicates the excitement of scouting, personal development and leadership," said Mr Miller.
"People are surprised at what the modern Scouts program involves. For many years we have encourage female membership. Scouts don't just sit around a camp fire tying knots, outdoor adventure activities are integral to our program," Mr Miller said.
Recent figures show that Scouts Australia has 70,000 members.

Some of Australia's high profile celebrities such as Jamie Dury, Rove McManus, Peter Garrett, Sally Browne and Dick Smith are proof that a solid grounding in a childhood spent in Scouts can lead to a big future.

"Scouting gave me as much responsibility as I could handle. It didn't set any limits on my desire for adventure," said the former lead singer of Midnight Oil and environmental campaigner, Peter Garrett.

Dick Smith said he owes a lot to Scouting."It's had the most fantastic influence on my life. It gives people the courage to be individuals but also to work as a team," Dick Smith said.

The new national campaign, which includes television, press and outdoor advertising, focuses on Scouting being the antidote in an age where sedentary lifestyle dominates. "The concept is you can keep your video games - life is more exciting with Scouts," Mr Miller said.

The marketing drive to recruit young Australian's for a better future will launch in March. 2004 will also see a new look for the Scouts with a modern uniform due to be launched in July.