be prepared … for a new adventure

Tasmanian Branch Newsletter - December 2016

Be Prepared … for a new Adventure

Tasmanian views, news and events

December 2016 Issue 11 Webpage: www.tas.scouts.com.au

www.facebook.com/ScoutsTas

Years of Service page 7

Tour de Tassie page 16

Scouting Album pages 8 & 9

Regatta pages 6 & 7

Branch Calendar page 4

Chief Commissioner’s Report pages 2 & 3

http://www.facebook.com/ScoutsTas

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Chief Commissioner’s Report Just can’t believe it is December, where did the year go! I just can’t believe I’m saying this either, Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope you all will have a great Christmas, New Year and break over the festive season. During January I will be having a small break myself in New Zealand from the 6th

January to the 30th January. During this period Greg Boon will be your contact; I will check my emails from time to time to see if Greg has any questions.

Last month I indicated that the State Govern-ment was voting on, do we do the “Cash for Containers” or not. Unfortunately the result was 20 to 3 against the idea, but both Liberal and Labor parties are keen to see how NSW “Cash for Containers” go, and if everything goes well we are hoping that our state will be next to implement the idea. South Australia has been doing it for 39 years now with great success. When I was in Adelaide for a Nation-al meeting I took the time to have a look at some of their depots (one of many photos). There is more in it than I thought, SA Branch recycles cars, scrap metal, plastics as well as the cans and bottles; they employ over 100 people.

Over the next month I will be visiting a lot of Scouting Centres to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and have a couple of drinks with all the great Leaders we have in our Branch. I hope to see most of you at these visits.

I unfortunately missed the great activities at the Joey Southern regional event. I was told that they received some rain and the Joeys wouldn’t go home, so they continued the activities in the rain. You can't stop the Joeys when they are having fun. Well done to the organising com-mittee. A lot of work goes into these events, and a big Thank You from the Joeys and myself.

The Youth Program Review (YPR) has been approved to continue to the next stage and Julie Creed has or-ganised a two day information conference on the 4th & 5th February next year and then on the Sunday a Training day for the Leaders who want to go back to their Districts to pass on the information to their Leaders. As this is the normal date for the Sectional Branch Councils I will have to find another date for the Group Leader Conference.

The Tamar Group attended the Kids Event at the Sil-verdome Launceston. It looked like they had a great turn out and hopefully had enough pamphlets that Branch provided.

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Chief Commissioner’s Report Cont’d The last activity of the “100 years of Cubbing” was the Flash Mob run in the three regions, Hobart, Launceston and Devonport. In Hobart we had Cubs everywhere, which was great to see. Unfortunately the numbers were a little low but the Cubs who attended had a great time

with the Grand Howl in the Mall and then a lot of mystery activities through the city. Terry put a lot of time and effort in-to the day and a Big Wolf to Terry.

As I was in Adelaide at a National meeting I missed the Clarke Trophy. I was told the weather was great, which is a change. Congratulations to Lindisfarne, Blackmans Bay and Northwest Bay Scouts for their great achievements. Thanks to Greg for stepping in for me and helping to present the Australian Scout Medal-lions. (below) congratulations to the Scouts who achieved such a high award.

I also missed Kingston’s boat shed re-launch over the same weekend. Hope everything went well.

ABC and some of the papers had an article that said the University in Glasgow (England) did a sur-vey and found that Youth who attended Scouts have better mental health over their lifetime. We knew that, but now everyone knows, the secret is out. For more reading go to https://www.newscientist.com/article/2112209-scouts-and-guides-grow-up-to-have-better-mental-health-at-age-50/

We had several Groups helping with the fund rais-ing for McHappy Day. As I said in the last News-letter Ronald McDonald do so much for the fami-lies who have children in hospital. I haven’t had any reports back as yet on how they went. Well done and thank you to these Groups.

The first of our Christmas dinners will be over by the time you read this newsletter with a spit roast for the Fellowship in the south. Hopefully next year we will have a Fellowship dinner in all regions. Why should Youth have all the fun!

Michael Hovington Chief Commissioner [email protected]

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2112209-scouts-and-guides-grow-up-to-have-better-mental-health-at-age-50/



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Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

From the Team at BHQ

Come and join us for Christmas end of the year

drinks and nibbles at The Lea

Come for an hour or five minutes

23rd

December 4pm till 7pm

Office re-opens 23rd January 2017

December Branch Calendar

Date Event Where

2 - 4 TV2016 - South

13 Regatta Meeting

15 Combined Branch Committee Meetings The Lea

23 Branch Office Closes for Christmas & New Year

25 Christmas Day

26 Boxing Day

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Craft Water Safety Inspections Due 30th September 2016 NOW OVER DUE TOP 22 & 23 forms can be found on MyScout under Resources

Now is the time so your Group is all set for a Summer of water activities

Tas Laser Skirmish

Tas Laser Skirmish will be continuing our offer for “Manic Monday” Sessions for Scouting Groups and families. The format is we run sessions on Mondays over the twilight months from 6pm – 8pm. It’s for 2 hours and we combine groups, giving smaller groups an opportunity to play in a big game, so everyone gets to meet other groups whilst interacting in a fun activity.

Maniac Monday 6pm – 8pm – Price: $19.90 per player *

* There will be no minimum number of players required, however sessions are only confirmed once we secure 20+ players in total for any session.

All Sessions Include: - Army shirt & hat hire - Laser Skirmish gaming equipment - Various missions (games) - Our staff supervise & run games

Player Requirements: - Players required to wear long trousers (trouser hire an additional $5 per player) - Wear enclosed sturdy shoes e.g. runners or hiking boots are fine - Sign our disclaimer form. Participants under 18 must have their guardian sign

Venue: “The Lea Scout Camp”, Gilwell Drive, Kingston.

How to Book: Scouting groups can contact Jonathon to discuss and/or visit our web site.

Thanks for your interest and we hope to see you in action on the battlefield!

Kind Regards

Jonathon Simonetis Manager – Tas Laser Skirmish Phone 1300 139 690 www.taslaserskirmish.com.au

http://www.taslaserskirmish.com.au/

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SCOUT GUIDE REGATTA 2017 @ SNUG BEACH

REGATTA TASTER

Cubs and Guides 8-10 years, along with your Cub/Guide Leaders are invited to come along to the

Regatta Taster at Snug on Saturday March 11th 1pm-4.30pm

While the Regatta is essentially a Scout/Guide event, the Regatta Taster is a great event to promote Scouts and Guides. Come along and see 800 or more Scouts, Guides, Venturers and Rovers, Leaders and parents from all over the state “unplugged”, competing and enjoying some fun water activities.

We will gather on the parade ground at 1pm, form into groups and head off for some awesome fun-filled ac-tivities including. Come and have a go- kayaking/canoeing (2 Leaders/parents will need to help in the water) Bucket relay Squeezy bottle battle Swim Thong throw Greasy/slippery pole Musical flags Sand sculpting ***4 way Tug-of-war*** @ 3.30pm

Finishing with a HUGE Water Bomb Battle on the beach near the bridge at 4.00pm. What to bring: Your Leader, parent Lunch and afternoon tea, including a drink. **MUST HAVE water shoes** and be ON AT ALL TIMES (due to oyster shells at this beach) can wear sandals, old sandshoes etc. Bathers +rash vest or wetsuit (if you have one), goggles (for water bomb battle), set of warm dry

clothes including hooded jumper if possible, towels x 2, sunscreen and hat (all in a backpack). Raincoat if likely to be needed. Please ensure all items are named, include your group so you have a chance of getting them returned. **PLUS** Filled water balloons/bombs (ideally 20 for each participant)

You will be given a map of the Regatta site indicating where the activities are and an order to follow. All Groups will need to have a Leader to go around the activities with their Cubs/Guides. The Leader will run the activity when they arrive at it, apart from the greasy pole (a couple of Rovers will be able to help out in the pool). Hopefully you will all get to do all of the activities listed above.

There is NO COST to attend this event.

Scout Leaders, contact Jo Maddock (Sandford Cub Leader) for further information 0409399874 or email [email protected]

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Scouts Australia – Tasmanian Branch & Girl Guides Tasmania

Tasmanian Scout Guide Regatta

PO Box 36, Blackmans Bay, Tasmania 7052 Email: [email protected]

Phone: 0488964817

Time is running out to register your Troop/Unit for the Regatta – your Registration form should reach me by 15 December. Alternatively, there is a $50 surcharge for Troops/Units registering by mid-January.

Remember: you will need parent help at the Regatta. Leaders, please ensure anyone over 18 who

will be staying overnight at the Regatta has Working with Vulnerable People certification.

Troops/Units who are already registered and wish to add to their numbers after 15 De-cember do so by filling in the Additional entry form. This will be available on the Scout and Guide web pages, MyScout or by emailing me (contact details above).

Next Regatta Scouts and Guides aged 8–10 are invited to the Regatta Taster. There are more details in the Regatta Taster Day article.

On behalf of the Regatta Committee, best wishes to all Leaders for a happy Christmas and a refreshing and relaxing break.

Lyn Muir

Years of Service Awards

10 Years Leigh Barwick Mt Faulkner Scout Group

15 Years Terry Bryan Tasmanian Branch

25 Years Randall Treloyn 10th Hobart Scout Group

35 years Mitchell Lees Somerset Scout Group 50 years Don Fitzpatrick Old Beach Scout Group

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Scouting Album

Taroona Scout Group—Remembrance Day

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Scouting Album

29th October. Ceremony for Peter Cunningham (formerly Evandale Scout Leader and North Midlands District Scout Leader). Peter was awarded the Silver Wattle and his 20 year service. This ceremony was followed by a lunch at Peter’s daughter’s home where a BBQ was enjoyed by all, as well as a cake (left) that had been made especially for the occasion.

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This is the last Newsletter report for 2016. I wish everyone joy and happiness for 2017. Safe travels to all. Enjoy the silly season and see you all next year.

Orientation Day for the Tasmanian members of the Australian Contingent attending the 21st New Zealand Jamboree 2016-2017 was held on Saturday 12 November, at The Lea Scout Centre, with Alan Murray the Australian Contingent Leader for the 21st New Zealand Jamboree. All Leaders, Rovers, Venturers and Scouts attending from Tasmania attended plus family members. It was a very interesting and worthwhile session. Tasmania has 14 members attending the Jamboree. Looking forward to hearing all about your adventurers next year.

21st New Zealand Scout Jamboree Date: January 2017 Location: New Zealand Age Range: Scouts + Venturer Scouts aged 16-17 years + adults Applications: registrations.international.scouts.com.au Contingent Leader: Alan Murray (ACT) Information sheet: New Zealand Scout Jamboree Website: auscontingenttonz21.com.au

New Zealand Moot 2017 - Big Bang Date: 13-17 April 2017 Location: Ahuroa, New Zealand Age Range: Rovers Applications: Opening soon Contingent Leader: Andre Selton (Vic) Email: [email protected]

Nord National Scout Jamboree Date: 1-8 July 2017 Location: Bodo, Norway Age Range: 12½-16 years + adult leaders + IST Applications: registrations.international.scouts.com.au Contingent Leader: Bjørn Arne Berge (ACT)

Boy Scouts of America Jamboree, USA – No one from Tasmania has registered as yet. Date: 19-28 July 2017 Location: Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, West Virginia, USA Applications: registrations.international.scouts.com.au Contingent Leader: Phil Britt Email: [email protected]

15th World Scout Moot Date: 25 July – 2 August 2017 Location: Iceland Age Range: Rovers Applications: registrations.international.scouts.com.au Contingent Leader: Matthew Kusi-Appauh (NSW) Website: wsm2017.com

31st Asia-Pacific Region Scout Jamboree Date: 27 July - 2 August 2017 Location: Mongolia Age Range: 12½ years+, adult leaders and IST Applications: Opening Soon Contingent Leader: Phil Harrison

VCP Bundeslager 2017 German National Scout Jamboree Date: 27 July - 5 August 2017 Location: Germany Age Range: Venturer Scouts Applications: registrations.international.scouts.com.au Deposit due with initial application

International Report

https://registrations.international.scouts.com.au/

http://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/transient-soz-comfy-cms/comfy/cms/files/files/000/002/999/original/NZJ2017_Application_Information_Cover_Sheet_1_April_2016.pdf

http://international.scouts.com.au/system/comfy/cms/files/files/000/002/282/original/German_National_Jamboree.pdf

http://auscontingenttonz21.com.au/

mailto:[email protected]





http://www.wsm2017.com/


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SISEP - Scout International Student Exchange Program Applications to participate as a host family are invited from families who have a son or daughter in Scouts or Venturer Scouts. Overseas visitors require host families for around six weeks in July and August (depending on their country’s school holidays), as well as a willing school and an active and friendly Venturer Scout Unit.

Host families do not receive any subsidies except the pleasure of welcoming someone into their home and having an international experience "in their own backyard".

It is preferred that applications to be a host family are submitted by mid-February each year for a detailed information package on being a Host Family, or for a Host Family application form. Contact Sam van der Wijngaart.

Are you up to the challenge? It is beneficial for a Venturer planning to go on exchange to be part of a host family first. Outgoing Venturers leave November 2017.

Contact me for more information. Sam van der Wijngaart Branch SISEP Coordinator [email protected] http://international.scouts.com.au/travel-with-scouting/sisep

Pen Pal Program For those Leaders doing prep work for term one 2017 have you considered International Penpal's? I have several Cub Packs and Scout Troops from a variety of states in the US looking to establish links so their Packs and yours might work together in 2017 on Badge work. If your Pack might be interest-ed in working with a US Pack/Troop now is the time to start the link so the Leaders can work out what each Pack needs to do to assist the other Pack. I also have 40, 11 year old youth looking to have one to one links with Australian Scouts. Please contact me at the below email address if you are interested. Darren Beauchamp [email protected]

Annastasia Bedford is the Tasmanian Branch dedicated Pen Pal coordinator. The On-line Pen Pal Form can be found on MyScout. https://tas.myscout.com.au/admin/recent_documents or www.scouts.com.au/penpals

Please contact if heading overseas or if you would like any information on Award Scheme opportunities while overseas, letters of introductions or if you have a story to tell or just for any reason at all.

Fiona Broadby Branch Commissioner International [email protected] 0427 249 576

International Report Cont’d


http://international.scouts.com.au/travel-with-scouting/sisep

http://www.scouts.com.au/penpals

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Can I start my Report this month by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fan-tastic 2017. 2016 has been a great year for Cub Scouts and I look forward to the com-ing year being even bigger and better.

Cub Scout Centenary 2016 And so we come to the end of our 100 years celebrations. I hope that you enjoyed the special events that we put on this year. I would also like to thank everyone for their support in attending these 100 year activities. It has been fantastic to see the Cubs out in the community and enjoying themselves, doing what Cubs are supposed to do. It started from our first event in Campbell Town in February, the Campfire event at the end of July and finished with Flash Mob/Scavenger Hunt in Oc-tober. Well done to everyone involved.

Australia Zoo Competition Congratulations to Belinda Robins from Aberdeen in NSW who was the winner of the Australian Zoo competition.

Commissioner’s Challenge 2016 Congratulations also to New Norfolk, St Helens and Burnie Cub Packs, who have now completed the Commissioner’s Challenge for 2016. The Commissioner’s Challenge has now finished for the year. If you have completed the challenge, please send your ap-plications to me by no later than 16 December. Badges cost $2.50 each.

2017 Cuboree As we are coming up to the Christmas break, I thought I would summarise where we are up to at the moment with the 24th Tasmanian Cuboree.

Firstly, the theme for this year’s Cuboree is Scientific Discovery and the Cuboree will be called "Curious Cubs". It will be held at The Lea from Friday 29th September to Sunday 1 October 2017. Please be aware that this is the first weekend of the school holidays, but it is also AFL Grand Final weekend.

The Cuboree Committee and other positions as they stand at the moment are as follows:

Camp Chief: Vacant Site Coordinator: Susanne Hovington Registrations: Phil Leaver Minutes Secretary: Vacant Catering: Phillipe Pascal Works & Services: TBC Security: Noel Gadd Parking: Kingston Rotary (TBC) First Aid: St John's (TBC)

Sub Camp Chief 1: Stephen Yam Sub Camp Chief 2: Jillian Parkinson Sub Camp Chief 3: Terry Bryan Sub Camp Chief Scouts: Rob Winter

Pioneering Activities: Ian Brunker/Tony McDonald Scouting Fun: Pamela French External Base: Jon Bentley Venturer Base: TBC Rover Base: TBC

Cub Report

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Grey Wolf Awards Emily Cowen Burnie Scout Group

Cub Report Cont’d Other things of interest are:

The cost will be the same as the last Cuboree. There will be no special Cuboree hats this year. The Cuboree scarves will again feature, however either the scarf back-

ground colour, or scarf border will differentiate the Sub Camps. There will again be a 6 badge Cuboree set. Buses will again travel from the North & North West, however we will appoint coordinators in

each area to promote this better.

Exciting things and we are still 10 months away from the event. If you are interested in filling any of the vacant positions or would like to be involved, please let me know.

Position Vacant Before I finish my Report for this month, I would just like to note that my term as Branch Commis-sioner is coming to an end in July next year. I have greatly enjoyed the last five and a half years in the role, but it is time to hand the baton on to the next Cub Scout Commissioner. If this is a role that you think would be of interest, please contact me over the school holidays and I will send you a position description. Applications for the role will be out in February next year.

That’s it for me for this month and indeed for 2016. I would once again like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Enjoy your holiday break and I look forward to seeing you all back in 2017. Please don’t forget to send me your photos, programme ideas, or any other suggestions you have for inclusion in the Newsletter.

Good Hunting.

Terry Bryan Branch Commissioner Cub Scouts [email protected]

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Tasmanian Community Fund

Applicants to Round 33 of Tasmanian Community Fund Grants should know whether they have been successful by mid-December.

Round 34 of the Tasmanian Community Fund will open on 28 January 2017. The Fund will be seeking small (up to $20,000), medium ($20,001 to $90,000) and large collaborative program projects ($100,000 to $500,000).

It is essential that applications for TCF funding be numerically correct so a final check is vital for the success of your application. Leave sufficient time in your program to allow for this ac-tivity and contact me if you have any queries or want me to check your application.

DSS Volunteer Grants The Community Grants Hub, on behalf of the Department of Social Services (DSS), is inviting volunteer based community groups to apply for Volunteer Grants 2016 funding.

These grants provide small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. The funding will help volunteers to do their important work, and the grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 each will allow organisations to buy much needed equipment, such as: phones rent and outgoings computer / IT/website/software insurance utilities postage stationery and printing accounting and auditing travel/accommodation costs

Further information can be found at https://www.dss.gov.au/grants/grants/funding-open-for-application/volunteer-grants-2016

This grant closes at 2pm on 20 December 2016

Please contact me if you require any information or advice regarding grants.

Graeme Nichols Project Commissioner Grants Ph 6229 5569 4 Nelson Avenue, Kingston 7050 Email: [email protected]

Grants Report

https://www.dss.gov.au/grants/grants/funding-open-for-application/volunteer-grants-2016


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We have come to the end of 2016, 100 years of Cub Scouts, with 4 Packs tak-ing advantage of our special evening program. Judging by the comments in the visitor’s book; Howrah Cubs and Joeys, Kingston, 10th Hobart and Sandy Bay Cubs had a thoroughly enjoyable night.

We have also hosted Sandy Bay Rotary Club and various individuals this year. Tony Peck and I drove up to the 4th Launceston Scout Hall for their recent 60th anniversary. We were made very welcome and our display was well received by the large crowd who braved a very wet day.

Doc Dick (Richard Geeves), Tony Peck, Noelle Rattray and myself embarked upon a Scout Hall crawl recently as part of our mission to photograph and record all Scout Halls, past and present, starting with the Hobart area. We spent a very pleasant day driving around and photographing halls, many former ones of which have been altered to suit other purposes. We rewarded ourselves with morning tea in Sandy Bay and lunch in New Town.

Below is a photo of 1st Hobart YMCA Wolf Cubs taken in November 1916. As mentioned in my last report, they were operating as early as September 1915. Here they are being in-spected by Scouting hierarchy and they look resplendent in their uniforms which would have been ordered from Great Britain having taken six months to arrive!

This is my last report as PC Heritage as my six year term comes to a close. I will be working closely with the new PC and expect to continue to be actively involved for many years to come. I have thoroughly enjoyed my term with wonderful discoveries being made and es-pecially working with the small but dedicated group colleagues who have become firm friends.

Susan Gardner Project Commissioner Heritage

Heritage Report

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My name is Susanne Hovington and I have been involved in Scouting since 1976. In my new role as Project Commissioner Fellowship I look forward to spending time sitting back and re-establishing great friendships.

I looked up fellowship and found this great meaning “valued fun and good fellowship is the cement of the community”.

My goal is to see three great Fellowship Groups catering to the social fel-lowship of our three regions. Please help me achieve this goal by putting up your hand to co-ordinate a group in the North or Northwest.

YOU are valued and important to the success of Fellowship and Scouting. Membership is open to an-yone involved in Scouting or after Scouting, from parent committees to Leaders and your partners. To become a member and participate in great social activities in your region please email me with your details including your membership number if you have one. If you are already a registered member e.g. Leader, membership is free. If you are not registered on our data base the cost is only $49 per year payable to BHQ.

I will be at the Leven Hall Christmas BBQ Dinner on the 27th November. Please come up and intro-duce yourself and let’s get a Fellowship Group started in your region.

Yours in Scouting

Susanne Hovington Project Commissioner Fellowship [email protected]

Fellowship Report

Tour de Tassie

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Another month has flown by, and we are now getting close to the end of another Scouting year with Mob and Group break-ups almost upon us. Hopefully 2016 has been a good year for your Mob and you can all look back on lots of interesting ac-tivities, a good number of badges being awarded and heaps of fun together! A re-

minder to sit down with your Joey Scouts and get them to help you review this last term or two, and pass on their ideas for next year’s program and perhaps for the running of your Mob too! Your Mob Newsletter items and photos are always appreciated as well, so don’t forget to send them in.

Although the weather wasn’t brilliant on the day, a good number of Joey Scouts, parents and Lead-ers braved the conditions and attended the Southern Regional Joey Scouts Event at the Hobart Re-gatta Grounds on Saturday 5th November. Unfortunately I didn’t quite make it down south in time to see you all in action but from what I have heard, the Joey Scouts had a great time. That isn’t sur-prising with activities like giant sized and active versions of Snakes & Ladders, Jenga, Angry Birds, Pokémon Go and Quidditch amongst those on offer. A big thank you to the organisers, and to all the Leaders, for all your efforts to make the day a success, despite the weather!

A week after this was McHappy Day and at least some Mobs were involved with this and helped raise some valuable funds for a great cause. I know our Burnie and Smithton Joey Scouts worked very hard washing cars that day as part of Hellyer District’s McHappy Day fundraising efforts. A great effort!

This month’s Promise Challenge Award recipients are Henry Crowle from the Mt Stuart Mob, and Luka Ryan, Hamish Leppard and Lachlan Stratton, all from the Howrah Mob. Congratulations to you all.

Next year’s Branch Joey Scout events are as follows...

The Joey Scout Leaders’ Lenah Hop will be held at the Fulton Park Scout Camp in Forth at the new time of Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th July (with optional arrivals on the Friday night). The theme is yet to be determined, but like all other Lenah Hops it should be an informative and enjoyable weekend for all new and experienced Leaders alike, so make sure you keep this weekend free if at all possible.

The Joey Scout State Event will be held on Saturday 26th August at the Ross Town Hall & adja-cent grounds. The theme is Australian Bush which should provide plenty of scope for a good range of fun activities. Can we get every Mob and maybe even every Joey Scout along to this event??

Just a reminder also that the Youth Program Review workshop and training session will be held at The Lea over the weekend of 4th & 5th February for all interested Leaders. If you would like to attend on the Saturday or both days and haven’t contacted Julie Creed or myself already, please get in touch ASAP. (The Feb Joey Scout Branch Council meeting may also be held on that Saturday morn-ing or perhaps on a separate day but at the time of writing, this is still to be decided.)

Finally, I would like to pass on my appreciation to each of you for all of your efforts in the Joey Scout section throughout the year, and to wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday season. I look forward to catching up with you in 2017. Happy Christmas!

Sue Cooper Branch Commissioner Joey Scouts [email protected]

Joey Report


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Clark Trophy 2016 On the weekend of 19/20 November we held the 2016 Clark Trophy at Fulton Park on a glorious sunny weekend at this magnificent camp site. This event is our State’s lead Scout camping competi-tion. All Patrols were eager to do well and they all did! Lindisfarne was triumphant in the points coming first to have the flag returned to their Troop for another year, Blackmans Bay and North West Bay were 2nd and 3rd respectively. All Patrols, however, are to be proud of themselves be-cause all Scouts engaged in the weekend positively with wonderful spirit.

Over 135 cheerful Scouts had a weekend full of Scouting challenges which Patrols took to with en-thusiasm. The weekend demonstrates that Scouts are highly capable of achieving a range of activi-ties and thrive on the opportunity to do so. The weekend was healthily supported by Leaders from the 23 + Troops represented; so a big thanks to all who took time to be at the event because with-out you it would not work half as well.

This year’s format was a standing camp with a higher emphasis on pioneering and camp cooking. We successfully trialled a MasterChef style dinner which required use of 5 specific ingredients. Also greater flexibility was offered for Patrols to plan their weekend by increasing time frames for point to point activities to occur. Scouts relished again the chance to be ‘independent’ of Leaders to com-plete a range of challenges.

The weekend provided opportunity for Leaders to socialise whilst occasionally being called on to oversee Patrols complete tasks. Leaders apparently had as much fun as the Scouts.

Special thanks to the crew at Fulton Park for all their hard work in organising the event.

BC Scouts welcomes any feedback from both Scouts and Leaders on the event as to what can be im-

proved and/or considered for next year’s competition.

Scout Report

Tour de Tassie 5 Reminder registrations for the 5th Tour de Tassie close on 23 December. This is a fabulous cycling adventure for all Scouts (12+) that is well worth participating in. The activity has support vehicles to help out when required. Don’t think you are able to make it ?! – Never Try, Never Know! It would be great to have Scouts from around the state attending and we are particularly keen to improve representation from the south. Think you have interested Scouts, please contact Pip Cornish. (Contact details on page 16)

Kayak World Record Challenge For southern Troops don’t miss out on the Guinness Record Attempt to launch 400 kayaks from Bellerive Beach for the Hobart Regatta in February. Would be good to see Scout Troops help out at this event.

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JOTA/JOTI Report

Scoutfest For your diary - 12 August 2017 – be there!

Scout Report Cont’d

Photos of Billycart Day, held at Paton Park, with Turners Beach taking home the trophy. Scouts from 1/2 Ulverstone, Penguin, Turners Beach & Motton-Preston built their own carts in some in-stances and by all accounts had a great day.

Wishing all Leaders, Scouts and their families a safe and relaxing festive season.

Jonathan Pyefinch Branch Commissioner Scouts [email protected]

Thanks to all the Groups who participated in JOTA and JOTI this year. According to returned reports approx 370 members participated and more than 30 parents also attended the various stations.

JOTI only stations were operated by Smithton, Spreyton, George Town, Clarence and Sandford Groups. 9 Groups were represented at the Launceston JOTA/JOTI station at Rocherlea. Other sta-tions operated from Paton Park, Burnie, The Lea and Cygnet. The Scout call sign VK7SAA was activat-ed at The Lea.

At the time of writing I was still waiting on reports and badge payments from some stations. I am investigating the possibility of expanding the activities available at the various locations and would like to be able to have radio operators available for the stations that were only able to do JO-TI this year. The soldering activity run at Paton Park is one of these ideas. I hope to increase partici-pation rates again next year.

Please send any comments or ideas regarding activities etc. that will enable us to improve the JOTA JOTI experience for those attending.

Please put 21, 22 Oct 2017 into your calendars for the next JOTA JOTI.

Peter Dodd VK7KPC Project Commissioner Radio and Electronics [email protected]

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If undelivered return to: SCOUTS TASMANIA The Lea Scout Centre 330 Proctors Road Kingston TAS 7050

be prepared … for a new adventure

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