From the

Courtyard

Issue 102

April 2016

“...You have nothing to lose, except your kitchen aprons” The call had gone out from the GHQ’s courtyard at SAC Scouts: ”Assemble the Senior

Scouts!!”, the GSL decreed on the doorstep of the Scouters’ Room to one leader and his

buddy in charge of the scout group’s Facebook page. “Senior Scouts?? What are senior

scouts?” one other guy gawked in the post-Troop-meeting scrum for seating inside “The

Room”.

“G” was obviously referring to those many chaps who, in those several years before he him-

self as a nipper was enrolled in the SAC Scouts, had formed part of the scout group we all

grew up to love and cherish for the values it instilled in us, and the cherished memories of the

outdoor activities we had organized for us by the group’s leaders of then.

Unbeknown to us, “G” had the centenary of the SAC Scouts’ inception, as well as the up-

coming annual Scouts and Guides rally in Valletta (what we once affectionately called “St.

George’s Day Parade”) in mind. He wanted each event to serve as a vehicle for the other, to

pull in back into the GHQ’s courtyard all those former Scouts who had at one time or another

of their childhood or youth (or both!), gone through its rooms, slept under its canvas tents, or

toiled like miners in digging out the Mouse Hole.

Some bright spark, balancing his backside on one of the few remaining “still operational”

chairs in the Scouters’ Room, quickly quipped that the term “Senior Scouts” seemed like a

term pulled out of a South Florida nursing home’s marketing brochure. At one point of the

‘philosophical’ exchange which was stirred up, one lass innocently coined the term

“Greybeards”, and it caught on. The Facebook admin stuck to his guns, whilst caressing his

canine bodyguard, he wanted “Past Members” instead, and nobody argued with that depart-

“Greybeards, Assemble...”

In this issue

GSL’s Note.

Cubs..

Scouts..

Ventures..

Rovers..

Coming up

From the Courtyard

SAC Scouts

Issue 103

April 2016

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April 2016

ment especially if they were cat lovers (and smelt of one!), whilst risking closing the weekly

Wednesday meeting with some dog bite marks adorning his or her jeans!

However, with that scenario now set, “G” was stroking his chin like Lord Black Adder’s Baldrick,

and everyone was expecting him to blurt out in no subtle way the phrase “I have a cunning plan,

… a very cunning plan!!” And it was really a very simple one: gauge the Greybeards’ reaction and

response to an SAC Group’s summoning to assemble, by extending an invite to them to come

along for the Group’s Easter Camp campfire night, with an optional sleepover thrown in with it.

That would serve as a precursor for the following annual rally in Valletta.

It got the old vets buzzingly exited again, the moment the event’s invite was email-shot out and

placed on SAC Scouts’ Facebook page. Admittedly, some hadn’t been camping, let alone sleep-

ing overnight outdoors under the sun, since their hippie or disco days. Others had lost their camp-

ing equipment and outdoor clothes-wear to the innermost garage recesses of the obnoxious

“kunjata”, and considerable number had been so well domesticated by their spouses and part-

ners, that were already tied down to a traditional Easter drill of family meals or to following the vil-

lage parish procession of fake Roman Legionnaires and Gucci-adorned Jews.

Nonetheless, the usual small band of tough, hardcore studs showed up at the Zebbug campsite:

instead of camping-gear gadget-crazy freaks, they looked more like pleasant relaxed dudes with

big smiles beaming, as if to say or image-project “Boy, am I so glad to get away from the wife and

kids”, in between a wrinkled wink, nod and an elbow nudge in his fellow Greybeard’s ribs.

The recollections of memories past flowed in conversation like emotional pit stops of their young-

er years with the SAC Scouts, from the time when Scouting knew not of wifi or OHS-styled risk

assessments. Words like “BP-Guild” (parents’ action committee for fund-raising or camp meals’

cooking), or “Squeeky”, “Goofy” and many others, turned the heads of the modern tech-savvy

Scouts who were milling around on camp chore duties, scouting-skills’ instruction lessons, and

general Easter camp pandemonium. Yes, it happens at camp as well: the skies throw their worst

weather conditions at us for a spell, and it wrecks havoc to the camp-chief’s well organized time-

table, which is shredded by howling winds blowing a tent’s flysheet or two, with Akela still clinging

to it with his teeth like some zombie from the “Walking Dead” Tv-series.

After that tester, “G” was feeling vindicated that his “cunning plan” might, in fact, work out pretty

well. The Greybeards themselves were all psyched up at the prospect of returning within the SAC

Scouts’ ranks for the parade in Valletta. Dozens of emails, phone calls and Whatsapp messages

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April 2016

were exchanged, often at odd or unearthly hours of the night, raising the eyebrows of the consort

under the covers with the Greybeard. All was in motion, the improvised uniform’s order of dress

was disseminated to all the Greybeards who could be mustered, backed up with a stash of readily

available units of our uniquely folded red-and-white SAC Scouts’ scarf (since many claimed the

“kunjata” used it to clean windows, or it had been exchanged at some overseas scout camp with

an unknown blonde!). I even got a phone call from my old VSL, which was the last thing I ex-

pected him to call me about, since we had stayed in touch for business reasons over the years.

“It’s gonna be big, maybe the last of its kind, or at least so for the next 100 years… !!” (yeah, right:

go figure I will be six feet under, and not anywhere near moonbase Alpha!).

I was doubly enthused about the whole shebang: my 11 and a half year old son had enrolled last

September in another scout group, and would also be marching down through the streets of Val-

letta on the same day, albeit being the last time in a Scout uniform’s pattern design we had grown

up in, and which we had spent so many hours starching and ironing, fixing countless badge

patches or moving them around once we moved between patrols or from the Troop into the Ven-

ture Unit (and that not forgetting the spit shine DMS army boots and highly polished all brass car-

tridge woggles the District Commissioner hated to see us in!)

Sunday 17th April came, and it brought a swell day of bright warm sunshine under a cloudless

sky. After Holy Mass at the College chapel, the current members of the SAC Scouts had their

group photo taken, reminding me fondly of those same group poses and picsnap shots our dear

Cubbie coordinated so well like a choreographer-cum-paparazzo on the College’s main door’s

steps. We had no drums then, and we all tried to push forward our left side’s badge-laden shirt

sleeves, so there was a record for posterity for the wife or “kunjata” to see that yes, “I was a camp

-cook, and a cook-instructor as well, so I know how to a fry an egg” (contrary to what she as-

serts!).

The rest of the summoned Greybeards assembled punctually later on the Floriana Granaries,

amidst big bear hugs, long strong handshakes of all sorts (not just the Scout handshake, but even

university fraternity or secret society ones unseen prior to this day), and the friendliest of pats or

soft punches on the arms like long lost siblings who hadn’t seen each other for decades. One

scout shirt had fitted, some Scout green berets had been dusted off, a couple of Gilwell woggles

and beads of the Woodbadge were donned, and several SAC Scouts’ scarves were dished out.

The motley group of assembled Greybeards were made up of all sorts: doctor of medicine, law

and dentistry, town mayors, architects, financial gurus, bankers, and other professional jobs and

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specialist trades I cannot all recall. Many of us ran out of business cards to exchange, others ad-

mitted that they use their kids’ Facebook navigating skills to keep abreast of things, but all

seemed to have aged gracefully in all manners and ways, from waistlines to salt-n-pepper hair

colours.

The Greybeards’ crew totaled to nearly 50 individuals, who had responded so positively to the

GSL’s first call, to assemble and commemorate the SAC Scouts’ first 100 years. It was claimed

that we outnumbered the regular current total members of the Group, but who cared: we were

proud to be there, even more for the number of heads we turned for the sizeable turnout we had

on parade. The size of our contingent was also easily spotted on webcam by other former SAC

Scouts in Canada and Australia…, word reached us later.

Emotions were many and varied of all sorts. Too many to collate and list here. Many of us

missed Cubbie amongst us: he mentored and supervised us in our prime years, he had given us

all he could and more on several occasions, individually and collectively. Whilst it must be con-

ceded that today’s Scouting isn’t that with which we grew up with, we felt that the core values of

the Scout Movement (as perpetuated by the SAC Scouts’ standards) remain strong in a world that

is ever changing. What I took home afterwards, and each time prior to that when we met in small-

er groups, was the sense of brotherhood and camaraderie which is like no other anywhere else.

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SAC Graybeards—Back in the day!

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It’s been a great gig of SAC Scout Greybeards, maybe less their Harleys or LandRovers, but

awesome nonetheless. I wish we could have done it earlier, but am sure that having met again

after so much time, we will work harder to make it bigger and more of a regular effort on the SAC

Scout Group’s event calendar.

By Maj. Ivan M. Consiglio, AFM (Retd.), ex-Cub Pack ACSL & Venture Unit member

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From the

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A few words from our Group Scout Leader

Annual Parade

This year, the annual parade was held on April 17th.

Before the parade, the Group attended mass together to thank the Lord for its 100 years of scout-

ing. Then, the customary Group photo was taken infront of the College main door. Unfortunately

not all members were in uniform due to the transition to the new uniform in the coming months.

Most new members haven’t got a uniform at all while others have grown out of their current uni-

form.

Nevertheless, this was a very special occasion for our Group as forty three former members from

late teens to nearly seventy years old joined us during the parade.

It was a humbling experience for me to see that such a good number of veterans accepted our

invitation besides the many others who would have liked to come but had other commitments that

prevented them from participating. The Group would like to thank all of them for honoring us with

their presence. It shows they are still proud of having been part of the Group and also showed

current members what being part of our Group may mean to them in the future.

GSL’s note

Full complement at the Annual Parade 2016

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Group Scarf

The annual parade was the first outdoor activity where we wore our new Group scarf. The scarf

now carries the new college badge at the back making our scarf more distinctive than ever. May

all members wear it with pride.

GSL’s note

SAC Former Scouts on the Floriana Grannaries before the Annual Parade

SAC Scouts sporting their new scarves

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HQ Works

As you will see in the photos below, works on the room next door are progressing as planned.

The old wooden beams were replaced and the stone slabs were carefully put back again. In the

coming weeks all should be over and we are sure we shall make good use of the extra space

provided. Some outstanding works would have to be done by ourselves to try and save on ex-

penses. We hope to finish off the plastering and electrical supply to the room. The room shall be

officially inaugurated on August 27th during our 100th year anniversary celebration reception.

ANZAC Day

Members from our Troop led by assistant scout leader Andrew Agius took part in the Anzac Day

celebrations on April 25th. We were kindly invited by the Australian High Commissioner H.E. Ms.

Jane Lambert to be part of the ceremony held at the cemetery at Pieta to remember and com-

memorate the Australian and New Zealander soldiers that died during the Gallipoli battles during

World War I. Our scouts assisted distinguished guests to lay wreaths at the memorial and also

laid a wreath in the name of our Scout Group.

Aosta Trip Meeting

A meeting is being held for all participants and parents at our HQ on May 11th at 18:30. Please

ensure that members are present and that at least one parent or guardian is present for the meet-

GSL’s note

Works underway on our new roof throughout April.

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ing. Parents and older members also please ensure all information we asked for is submitted by

then (passport photo and details, emergency contact numbers and email addresses, medical

conditions etc).

SAC Scout Group in the Press

For those of you that may have not noticed, our Group featured prominently twice in the Times of

Malta during April. I have attached pics of the articles for those that may have missed them. We

are indebted to Ms. Claire Caruana from The Times of Malta for her interest and support.

GSL’s note

SAC in The Times

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Celebrating the Centenary of Cubbing with the Jungle Book As you might all be aware, this year is the Centenary of the Cub Section within the Scouting

Movement Worldwide. As part of the celebrations, the IHQ Chief Commissioner together with the

National Events Committee, organised an activity where they invited all Cub Scouts and Cub

Leaders to an Association viewing of the new release of The Jungle Book.

This was a very important event since the Cub Section bases its symbolic framework on this sto-

ry.

The event was held on Sunday 24th April. The St Aloysius College cubs met in front of the Phoe-

nicia Hotel. Once all the cubs arrived the pack walked into Valletta where they met the other

packs that were participating in the event. A group photo was taken on the stairs near the new

Parliament Building. After that all the packs walked to the Embassy Cinemas where, after being

given water and popcorn, they settled down into different cinemas to watch The Jungle Book.

The cubs enjoyed watching the film immensely especially singing ‘The Bare Necessities’

Following the film, the SAC Pack walked back to the Phoenicia Hotel and waited for their parents

to pick them up, and played a few games while they waited.

100 Years of Cubs

Cubs having fun!

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By Joanna Camilleri—Ellul

Aka Rikki - Tikki - Tavi

ARTICLE TITLE

The Blue and Brown patrol

from SAC Cubs during the

event.

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Sac Scouts are invited to participate in the yearly event

Every year, on the 25th April, Australia and New Zeland celebrate Anzac Day, a remembrance for

their countrymen fallen in the Gallipoli campaign in the first world war. In Malta, the ceremony is

organised by the Australian high Commission, and is held at Ta Braxia cemetry, in Pieta, which

houses the Commonwealth War Graves. Here lie buried many of the casualties who died later, of

wounds sustained in battle, as Malta served as a military hospital base at the time, and several

thousand wounded soldiers were brought to our island for treatment and convalescence.

As happens every year, the St. Aloysius' College Scout Group were asked by the Australian High

Commission to participate in the ceremony by providing a guard of honour at the entrance, and

acting as wreath bearers for the present dignitaries. It is a great honour for our group, to be con-

sistently present at Anzac day and assist in the execution of a beautiful ceremony, part of a net-

work of events organised by Australian and New Zeland communities around the globe. This year

proved to be a bit of a struggle to find attendees, as the 25th of April fell on a Monday, whilst the

boys were at school. However, we must extend our appreciation to those scouts who were able

to make it, and to their parents and the college authorities for being understanding and supportive

of the role our group was asked to play in this event. They looked mighty smart in uniform as any-

body who watched the evening news will attest to!

By Andrew Agius

SAC Scouts Present at ANZAC Day

Wreath– bearer accompanies a dignitary during ANZAC Day

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100 Years of Photos

The ventures pitch in to help preserve the group’s collective memory

The Venture Unit has bravely volunteered to undertake a task worthy of medals, surely we will

deserve the 'Long Service' medal since this task is going to take us ages to complete!

The task at hand is in fact the project of scanning all the old scouting photos we have at HQ.

This project has been in the pipeline for quite some months particularly after we found several

thousands of photos at Cubbie's house. Most of these were taken by himself but also include

large quantities of antique photos from the research Cubbie had done for his book 'Scouting in

Malta'. Things have now kicked off thanks to a new computer and scanner which can also cater

for negatives and slides, of which we have plenty!

The idea is to create a digital database of as many images as we can so as to use them in the

100 years anniversary BBQ and reception, but also to save them for posterity particularly since

some photos are damaged or faded.

I would like to appeal to all ex scouts, who may still have some old photos from their scouting

days to please scan and share them with the Group so that we can add them to our database.

This can be done by joining the ex scouts facebook page, emailing the photos to

group@sacscouts.org or bringing them on a pen-drive to HQ on a Wednesday.

So many negatives!

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100 Years of Photos

By Andre Brincat

Looking through old photos in the Mousehole.

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One Crew member runs us through the Crew’s plans and how Rover scouts ex-

tends beyond the weekly Wednesday meetings.

For the coming year, the Rover scouts of the St. Aloysius’ College scout group have several activ-

ities already. On the 14th May the group will have a barbecue night watching the Eurovision. Later

in summer there are plans for a joint activity with another scout group, a ‘hike/expedition’ from

Marsa to Marsa, and a planned car-wash to help raise funds for the Rover Crew. The Rovers also

have planned to build and sail a kayak made out of plastic bottles. The idea is to make and use

this kayak during Summer camp this year. Another activity that is planned for the summer is a trip

to Italy from July 25th to July 31st and will consist of both Rovers and scouts.

Since becoming a member of the Scout group, I have meet different individuals and have helped

within the scout group more since I joined the Rover section. The Rovers mostly consist of scout

members over 18 years old and the scout leaders, all of whom have grown closer since becoming

members. The Rovers meet every week though the members continue to keep in contact through

messages and personal social media so as to sort both official Rover activities and smaller, pri-

vate gatherings. Although at times during the meeting we do have a clashing of ideas and pas-

sionate debates, the Rover are a close knit group, akin to a (if slightly dysfunctional) family.

By Andrew Zammit Montebello

Scouting for Life

It’s a family thing. Andrew Zammit Montebello (right) stands with his brother

and father at the end of the parade on SAC’s 100th anniversary.

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Former Scouts are Back

The presence of the Former scouts is stronger than ever after their presence at SAC’s

100th Parade. Here’s what some of them had to say.

I would like to thank all for giving us past scouts the opportunity to take part in the 100th Anniver-

sary parade with the current SAC scouts. We were a very good number, I am sure there are oth-

ers out there who would have loved to attend. For me it was a trip full of nostaglia, I have

marched this route many times, My father before me did the same, my son has done it and now

my daughter is also in scouts and for the first time in many years there were 2 family members

taking part at the same time. I will keep the promise I made to your GSL and bring over some old

photos for your collection. Am looking forward to August to meet the old timers again."

Christian Mifsud

Former SAC Scout & Leader

Sunday 16th April was a very unusual day for one of our SAC scouts, Andrew Abela, who took

part in the same parade with his dad and his granddad.

On the occasion of SAC Scout Group’s centenary, the group’s leaders have invited all former

scouts to attend the Annual Parade which is held in Valletta every year. This invitation was ac-

cepted by around 50 former scouts, who felt the need to be present at the Granaries in Floriana

Mr. Mifsud (first left) waits to form up with other former SAC scouts prior to the

start of this year’s parade.

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and march one more time with today’s scouts.

Andrew Abela, aged 12, explained that he is very proud that this was a very special occasion and

this meant a lot for him, since he had the opportunity of marching in the same parade with his fa-

ther and grandfather. This also reflects the boundless values of scouting which were transmitted

over the past 3 generations.

Andrew says that frequently both relatives recount to him with great passion, the adventures they

have been through in their scouting days. He says he feels honoured that he is continuing further

on the legacy started by his grandfather and his father Ivan.

The above is a translation of an online article which was written by Stefan Pullicino and featured

on www.newsbook.com.mt

Former Scouts are Back

Andrew Abela, flanked by his father and grandfather.