Thumbstick Travels

SCOUT YOUTH FORUM

The 19th Annual Scout Youth Forum held over the weekend of 3 to 6 July was attended by 26 Scouts. The Forum gave the Scouts their single most important opportunity to discuss topics, give opinions, make recommendations and let their views be known on a formal basis to the highest level of Scouting in Western Australia. Over the weekend the Scouts discussed five issues: Field of Dreams (Manjedal), Leaders Leaders Leaders, The World Wide Web of Scouting, Now and Tomorrow, and Bullying in Scouts. To see the recommendations made by the Scouts contact WARC Chair Ayden Mackenzie or Vern Casey, Branch Commissioner, Scouts. I was very impressed by the calibre of the participants and the quality of their comments. I thought the topics were very appropriate and the challenge is now to respond to the excellent contribution made by our youth members. Thanks to Ayden Mackenzie for convening the weekend and to the numerous adult Leaders who once again provided great support.

Revue cast – final performance night

BRANCH REVUE

The Branch Revue, held from 9 to 11 July 2009, was a credit to all the youth and adult members and helpers involved in what was a truly enjoyable show. It was apparent that the cast were enjoying themselves as much as the audience was enjoying their routines. Numerous youth members were able to achieve in a variety of award scheme areas through their participation in the Revue and I continue to be impressed by the weaving together of fun, achievement and a lot of hard work. It is an excellent environment in which Girl Guides and Scouts work cooperatively. My thanks go to Llew Withers, Branch Commissioner, Performing Arts for his steadying hand throughout the six months of rehearsals and Director Tanya Hill for her energy and commitment.

Deputy Chief Commissioner, Field Operations, Neil Macpherson; Branch Commissioner, Scouts; Vern Casey, Executive Manager, Marty Thomas

Revue Directors Adam Geurds and Rhiannan Horton; Chief Commissioner Peter Walton; Revue Director Tanya Hill

Congratulations and thanks to Revue Directors Adam Geurds and Rhiannan Horton and to all the performers and crew for a very successful event. The effort put in by our youth and adult members and supporters was a credit to them.

Around the Branch

HERITAGE CENTRE

Historian and consultant Dr Brian Shepherd commenced work on 7 July at the Scout Heritage Centre to develop the Lotterywest funded Strategic Plan initiative. Brian has 20 years’ experience as a consultant to over 300 small museums around Western Australia and is well known for his work on the Museum of Childhood project at the Edith Cowan University. Brian and his team will look at several options as to how best to conserve our Scouting heritage. Volunteers are being sought for a task force being established to share Scouting history and stories. If you are interested, please contact Julia Day, PR and Fundraising Officer on 9480 4200 or jday@scoutswa.com.au.

Sheridan Bunney, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Youth Programs and Vern Casey, Branch Commissioner, Scouts returned on 10 July 2009 from a Scouting Cultural Exchange visit to Singapore. Both Leaders made special mention of what an honour it was to accompany this particular group of Scouts and it is with pride that I thank the following Youth Members for their exemplary behaviour:

LONE ROVER INVESTURE AND SQUIRING CEREMONY

Welcome to our first Lone Rover, Michelle Baker, 1st Lone Rover Crew, who was invested into the Lones Scout Group on 11 July 2009 at the DNA Tower, Kings Park by Barb de la Hunty, Branch Commissioner, Program Initiatives, and Peta Nicholls, Project Officer, Lones, and followed by a Rover Squiring Ceremony. Lones have published their first newsletter which will shortly be up on their section of the Scouts website.

ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES – ROPES AND SPARS

As mentioned in the July edition of Chief’s Corner, the first Ropes and Spars elective course was conducted between 17 and 19 July and attended by five participants – three Scout and two Cub Scout Leaders. Leaders refreshed their skills and enhanced their knowledge in the traditional skills of pioneering. Ropes and spars skills are unique to the world of Scouting and the course assisted in teaching our members how to work together and to communicate in such a way to achieve a common goal.

As a result of the course, the Scout Leaders are now interested in setting up a bridge for this year’s Cubilee. If you would like a course operated for your Group or District, contact Hawk at pioneering@y7mail.com. The course is open to all Section Leaders, registered committee members and fellowship.

MANJEDAL CLIMBING WALL OPENING

The new climbing wall installation at Manjedal was “opened” on Sunday 19 July and Executive Manager Marty Thomas represented me. Despite it being a very wet day, there was a turnout of about 35 people, some of whom took on the challenge of climbing the wall. A small opening ceremony acknowledged the contribution of the Dick Smith Foundation as well as the efforts of Manjedal Activity Centre Manager, Mick Foster and Assistant Branch Commissioner, Adventurous Activities, Stuart Jaggs and their team on what will be a significant Adventurous Activities activity for years to come.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING / UNIFORMED BOARD MEMBERS

The 100th Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday, 25 July 2009 at Baden-Powell House.

The new Rules of Association were adopted by ballot and will now go to the Department of Commerce which will check for compliance. This process will take approximately 10 days and, if there the Rules are passed, they immediately take effect. The three uniformed members elected at the 28 July Chief Commissioner’s Council meeting will assume their positions on the Board. Congratulations to Craig Gwatkin, Branch Commissioner, Cub Scouts, Steve Hunt, District Commissioner, Swan Valley, and Tony Snow, Group Leader, Canning Scout Group on their Board appointment.

Fay Hall, Archivist/Librarian, Heritage Centre, and Brian Court were presented with Life Memberships Awards for their contribution to Scouting in a variety of roles. Due to illness, Shirley Robinson OAM was unable to be present to receive hers. Chris Williams, Honorary Architect, was also unable to be present to accept his Award and arrangements will be made for another suitable opportunity to make the customary presentation.

It was good to see so many previous Chief Commissioners continue to take an interest in Branch matters. I acknowledge the attendance of Martin Thomas, Gordon Cargeeg OBE, Derek Martin OAM, and Graham Stickland.

A sincere thanks to everyone from Branch who assisted with setting up the Annual General Meeting and particularly to Office Manager Nicci Kerr who co-ordinated the event. Great job, Nicci. Special thanks go to Pat and Tony Smith for their wonderful efforts in catering, cleaning up and being the last-Scouts-standing on Saturday evening. Their final touches were very much appreciated. Finally, Maddington Scout Group, the supper was delicious and we hope you continue to cater for us in years to come.

ESSENTIALS TRAINING COURSE

The third one-day Essentials training course was held on Sunday, 26 July 2009 at Baden-Powell House. Peta Crane, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Adult Programs, represented me at the course and presented each of the 30 trainees with a copy of the Fieldbook for Australian Scouting.

NIGHTHAWK

Nighthawk continues to gather momentum. The Shire of Murray have donated $2,500 towards the 8-9 August event and it has received great publicity in the community newspaper Murray News Near You.

GILCREEK MAKEOVER

Ian Darwen, Project Commissioner, Indigenous Scouting and chippy-at-large has completed the colour bond custom orb re-roofing at Gilcreek.

BlueScope Steel representatives generously donated roofing with a trade value of $18,000 for the cottages as well as the toilet and shower block with enough material left over to undertake some repair work to the museum roof. State Sales Manager Neil Sutherland further advised Ian that the materials would be donated freight free. A letter of appreciation from me to BlueScope thanking them for this outstanding generosity is being sent shortly.

I would again like to thank Ian Darwen for his very generous contribution of manpower in the re-roofing work at Gilcreek and the very favourable contract price for the re-roofing at Farris Place. Greatly appreciated, Ian.

GERALDTON SCOUT GROUP

Congratulations to the 1st Geraldton Scout Group which was awarded $3,100 through the Woolworths Fresh Food Kids Community Grants program to buy new sporting equipment. Along with two other Mid West youth organisations, the Group was featured in The Geraldton Guardian on 15 July 2009. Cub Scout Leader Karen Fawell was delighted with the windfall as the Group will now be able to purchase new life jackets and supply youth members with new hiking back packs.

FRIENDS OF SCOUTING WA

James Maughmer and Dawn Kelly have formed Friends of Scouting WA, a resource to support specific Branch activities or events. The Friends will come under the Adult Recruitment and Retention portfolio. They are looking for like-minded people who have an interest in helping with Scouting and past Leaders, Scout Committee Members, past Members or anyone who has a general interest in Scouting can apply. Their first meeting will be held on Monday, 17 August at Baden-Powell House at 7.00 pm. A flyer will be circulated next week.

HERITAGE CENTRE – ORAL HISTORIES

Congratulations to Fiona Graham, Branch Development Officer, who has won for the use of the Heritage Centre a recordable MP3 player. A recordable device such as an MP3 player was a major resource which had been lacking in the Heritage Centre and its acquisition means that oral histories can now be recorded. Bill Heel OAM and Doug Dowdell are first on the list. The donators of the prize, Collections Australia Network (CAN), have asked Fiona to upload to YouTube historical Scout photographs with explanatory voiceovers using the MP3 player. She will notify us of her success in due course.

HERITAGE CENTRE – CONTACT DETAILS

We have had several requests to remind Members of the new name of the Scout Heritage Centre. If you wish to contact anyone at the Heritage Centre, please telephone 9480 4211 or email heritage@scoutswa.com.au.

TREK A BOUT (compliments of Philip Friend)

Trek a Bout is coming soon!!!!
A fun day for all the family to share…

On Saturday 12 September Trek-a Bout 2009 will be held on the now familiar route around the Swan River walkway including the Narrows Bridge and the Causeway.

As in previous years Scouts and Girl Guides, their families and friends of Scouting are invited to come along and join in the fun and fellowship and get some good healthy exercise as they walk the distance of their choice between the various Checkpoints. At each Checkpoint Trek cards will be stamped so the walkers can earn the Trek badge for the distance they have chosen to walk. Badges will be available after the Trek for participation and for walking 10km, 20km and 40 km! Of course participants can also use their walk to raise funds for future Scouting activities – such as Jamboree or Enduro or the like…

Sausage sizzles will be available for purchase at each end of the circuit and water can be refilled at each Checkpoint. Your Trek card will show you where each Checkpoint is located.

So we do hope to see you there wearing your smart uniforms or activity shirts and showing them off to the people of Perth and perhaps you might even be lucky enough to get one of the special Chief’s Gold stamps on your card as you pass Checkpoint H!

Scouts can start and finish anywhere along the route, stop and picnic as they want and can even catch a ferry or enjoy a leisurely ride on a train into Perth Station and then walk down to join the Trek. Leaders, please let your youth know that this can be organised as a Section event or they can simply attend with their families and friends. We want it to be fun and a relaxed and healthy day for all ages.

Trek cards and sponsorship forms are available on the Scout and Girl Guides websites so simply download them as you need them so that everyone gets a chance to join in.

For enquiries or further information contact Philip Friend at dc.riverranges@scoutswa.com.au or on 9458 1684.

National

I have paraphrased a newsletter circulated on 16 July by Paul Parkinson, National Commissioner for Adult Training and Development

TRAINING QUALIFICATIONS: GOALS WORTH ATTAINING!

Registered Training Organisation (RTO). We were advised a few days after the official visits and review of our operations and practices, that we are compliant in meeting the requirements of the three Standards that comprise the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The excellent result for this audit doesn’t mean that we can sit back and take it easy for a while. What it does mean is that we have to maintain the rigour and attention to all of our work no matter what part we play in it.

Assessment Choice at Basic Training level is available for those Leaders undergoing their Basic training who don’t want to receive a Certificate III in Frontline Management or a Certificate III in Leadership Support. All BCsATD have the details of the process as it relates to your Branch, but it simply means that you will be assessed for Scout competencies only at the basic level, and not have to submit your workbooks for accredited assessment. No choice at Advanced training level though. Everyone works towards what Baden-Powell identified as the outward sign of the Movement’s ‘fully trained Leader’ – the Wood Badge, and the extra qualifications that go with it. Goals worth attaining! Have you thought about doing your Diploma? The SAIT offers the Diploma of Management and our own qualification, the Diploma of Leadership, if you have attained your Wood Badge, and are prepared to do a little bit extra in attaining industry recognised and valued qualifications.

Eyes Up by Megan Argo

August sees the days continue to lengthen with the Sun rising at 6.35am and setting by 5.59pm by the end of the month. The Moon is full on August 6th and the New Moon this month is on the 20th. Jupiter is visible all night and will be the brightest object, after the Moon. If you are up early on August 7th, you will be able to see Jupiter just 3 degrees from the almost full Moon.

Jupiter was hit by an object during July, leaving a visible scar on its thick atmosphere. The impact was discovered by Anthony Wesley, an amateur astronomer in New South Wales, who noticed a new black mark on the planet through his backyard telescope. News of the event spread quickly around the world and several large telescopes were used to observe the planet over the following days.

Impact Mark on Jupiter, 19 July 2009

Something to Think About
Aligning Strengths in the Face of Difference²

High performance teams thrive on opposition, including differences of opinions, approaches, cultures, ways of thinking and styles of working. They do so by transforming opposition into collaboration. By aligning their strengths in the face of differences, they optimize resources and work efficiently toward their goals. They don’t waste time or energy on what doesn’t work; instead, they focus on bringing out the best of what works, individually and collectively.

In order to transfer opposition into collaboration, team members need to discover and understand their differences. To do this, they must be courageously open to learn what makes them different from one another, and recognise how these differences can serve their team. Only then can they align strengths and work harmoniously toward a common purpose.

Good Scouting!

Peter Walton
Chief Commissioner

¹www.scouts.com.au/main.asp?iStoryID=9836332
² “Appreciative Team Building” Diana Whitney, Amanda Tosten-Bloom, Jay Cherney and Ron Fry