Western Australian Branch
'Baden-Powell House'
581 Murray Street
WEST PERTH
PO Box 467
WEST PERTH 6872
+61 8 9480 4200
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AJ2010 Farewell AJ’ers. To the 878 youth members and 200 adults attending AJ2010 I wish you a safe, happy and memorable Jamboree. I have no doubt that it will be a wonderful experience for our youth members in particular. The work Contingent Leader Vern Casey and his team have done in sending off the largest Western Australian contingent ever to go to a Jamboree cannot be underestimated. On behalf of the Western Australian Branch, I congratulate and thank you. May you return home safely, not completely exhausted and with many happy memories and with the satisfaction of having made a wonderful contribution to Scouting. The Heritage Centre has set up an impressive display of Jamboree memorabilia in the Branch headquarters foyer starting from the 1935 Frankston, Victoria Jamboree. It’s worth a look. |
Thumbstick Travels |
Rover Annual General Meeting and Dinner I attended the Rover Annual General Meeting and dinner which was held at the Valley View Restaurant and Function Centre in Swan Valley on Saturday, 13 December 2009. We have very good reason to be proud of these fine, young Australians who are the ultimate proof of the value of the Scout Method. A full list of the evening’s Awardees will be reproduced in the next edition of Chief’s Corner.
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| Around the Branch Returned Services League Remembrance Day Commemorative Service Branch Commissioner, Venturers, Mavis Ives, represented me at the Returned Services League Remembrance Day Commemorative Service held at the Flame of Remembrance, State War Memorial, Kings Park on 11 November 2009. She was accompanied by Bill Heel, OAM. The service was attended by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Dr Ken Michael, AC, the State President of the Returned Services League, Mr William Gaynor, OAM RFD and hundreds of Western Australian school children. The Service is about remembering and acknowledging the sacrifice our men and women made on our behalf all those years ago and continue to do so today. It is about remembering that many of them may have survived the conflicts but carry with them pain and suffering for the rest of their lives. National Meetings Board Chairman Larry Lucas, and Executive Manager Marty Thomas attended the scheduled National meetings in Brisbane between 13-15 November. Unfortunately, due to pressing work commitments, I was unable to attend. Manjedal Family Day The Manjedal Family Day was held on 22 November 2009 and with 90 volunteers helping throughout the Centre for the day, approximately 600 people enjoyed activities such as rock climbing, crate stacking, abseiling, the aerial runway, camel rides, the tunnels and the climbing wall. Mick and Margriette Foster, Manjedal Activity Centre Managers, have advised that they received both positive and constructive feedback from the event. They believe, for example, that schools can better learn of the facilities at Manjedal by touring during school days rather than the weekend. Joey Splash The hot and sunny weather made conditions perfect for Joey Splash which was held in conjunction with the Manjedal Family Day on 22 November. Over 150 Joey-aged children participated including Joey Scouts from the Warnbro and Duncraig Scout Groups who had a sleepover at Eaton and then came along for the Fun Day. |
McHappy Day Around 140 Scouts from six Scout Groups participated in McHappy Day on 14 November, raising money for Ronald McDonald House charities. Scouts reported having a great time with 100 percent of money raised to help seriously ill children and their families. In return for our support, McDonalds is providing camp blanket badges for all participants and in early 2010 will place Scouts Australia promotional tray mats in its 750+ stores. Further details and photos are on the national website.
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Coastal Plains Cub Scouts District Challenge Coastal Plains Cub Scouts held their Annual Challenge Day on Sunday, 29 November at the park adjacent to the Bullcreek Leeming Scout Hall. As winners of last year’s challenge, the Bullcreek/Leeming Cub Pack chose and ran a Medieval Challenge theme with each pack building their own castle and catapult, ballista or trebuchet and then participating in a massive water and flour bomb fight. Visitors to witness battle included Larry Lucas, Board Chairman, Bill Biggins, District Commissioner, Coastal Plains, Craig Gwatkin, Branch Commissioner, Cub Scouts, Russell Aubrey, Mayor, City of Melville and Rasa Subramaniam OAM, JP, Councillor, City of Melville. Congratulations to the Willagee-Kardinya Cub Pack who were presented with District Challenge Shield by the Mayor.
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Volunteering WA Garden Party “Thank a Volunteer Garden Party” organised by Volunteering WA to celebrate United Nations International Volunteer Day 2009 was held in the Government House Gardens on 4 December 2009 with Larry Lucas, Board Chairman, Kevin Pestell, Deputy Chairman, Sheridan Bunney, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Youth Programs, Geoff Lund, Group Leader, Bullsbrook, and Faye Lund, Anne Marie Thain, Venturer Leader, Salter Point, Robyn Broad, Group Leader, Carnarvon, Nathan Bunney, SWAYC Representative, and Colleen Marsh, Scout Store in attendance. There was opportunity to meet with the Governor, His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC and Mrs Julie Michael. The event was also an opportunity to network with over 400 people from all walks of volunteering. Scout uniforms made our presence immediately identifiable and a number of former Scouts made themselves known. Scouts Environmental Awareness Program (SEAP) AWARD The Scouts Environmental Awareness Program (SEAP) team was selected as a finalist in the 2009 West Australian Landcare Awards. They received the required number of votes to make them eligible for the first ever People’s Choice Award to be presented by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry; the Hon. Terry Redman, MLA. Angela Petrow, Branch Commissioner, Environmental Programs, and Conrad Slee, founding member of SEAP, represented SEAP at the gala dinner award ceremony which was held on 30 November 2009. Commonwealth Day Celebrations The Joint Commonwealth Societies Council in Western Australia have again asked us to assist with the procession of the Commonwealth and Australian State flags in the Cathedral and Ballroom for the Commonwealth Day Celebrations 2010 to be held on Sunday, 7 March 2010 and Monday 8 March 2010. Mavis Ives, Branch Commissioner, Venturers, will be liaising with Joan Tonkin MBE JP, Chairman of the Council for the tenth consecutive year that we have assisted with this event. Nominations Committee During her term as Chief Commissioner of the Western Australian Branch, Sue Mitchell, Branch Commissioner, Special Projects, was active in nominating Association members for many National, State and local Government community awards. Sue’s experience puts her in a unique position to continue working in the nominations/awards area and it was with pleasure that the Board accepted her appointment to the Board’s Nominations Committee on Tuesday, 10 November 2009. International Commissioner With Emma Barker’s second term as International Commissioner coming to an end in late March 2010, a call for applications for the position has been posited on the Scouts Australia website. The functions of the role are worth examining as they could provide extensive opportunities for the right candidate. The closing date is 31 December. Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards 2010 We are aware of several nominations for the Premier's Australia Day Active Citizenship Awards 2010 and we are hopeful that our nominees reach the finals. I will be thanking those District Commissioners who nominated candidates for actively promoting Scouting throughout the wider community. Group News New Scout Group - Southern River I am delighted with the establishment of the new Southern River Scout Group. The Group started the week commencing Monday, 9 November 2009 with Cubs on Tuesdays and Scouts on Wednesdays. |
Derby The Derby Scout Group has an abundance of news. They have successfully fundraised for a new shed which was opened on 24 November 2009 and relocated to a new Scout hall. Among the many people to be thanked for their contribution to the purchase and installation of the new shed are Robin (builder) who donated his time for free, Dave Miller, SJ, Lee, the Scouts, Cub Scouts and Joey Scouts as well as their parents. The Group has made welcome new Joey Leader Rachal Smart who has joined their ever expanding Group. With 30 youth members, the Group is looking forward to adding a new Scout Section Leader in the New Year. Additional fundraising has commenced so that the Derby Group can participate in the 2010 Kimberley Trek Adventure which will be held in Perth together with the Gingin, Hampton Park and Broome Scout Groups. Many thanks to Group Leader Jason Bradley for supplying his Group’s news.
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VALE SHEILA GREEN Sheila Green passed away on Saturday, 5 December 2009. At 93 years of age, she was the oldest member of the Baden-Powell Guild. Sheila became a Girl Guide in 1931 and attended the first Australian Jamboree at Frankston in Victoria in 1935 with the Western Australian Girl Guide Contingent. In 1937 she became a Cub Master of the 16th Kalamunda Cub Pack and remained there until 1946 when she transferred to 25th Victoria Park Group to start a Cub Pack. She continued her association with the Girl Guides up until 1981 when she was awarded the Silver Emu on her retirement from the Girl Guide Association. In the same year, she was awarded the Silver Acorn by the Scout Association for exceptional and outstanding service. In 1995 she was the recipient of the Order of the Southern Cross for long and distinguished service. Sheila joined the Baden-Powell Guild in 1978 and served for 15 years from 1980 to 1995as Curator of the Scout Museum. Her interests extended beyond Scouting as evidenced by Bill Shaw History Award she received from the Kalamunda Historical Society as well as her commitment to the Anglican Church. The news of Sheila’s passing was sadly received by many.
VALE CHRIS HARRIS  Chris Harris passed away on Saturday, 12 December 2009. Chris’ most significant role within Scouting was that of Manjedal Campsite Warden, a role which he held for over 30 years from 1975 to 2006. He dedicated many years to developing and managing Manjedal and provided great camping experiences for thousands of Scouts. Under Chris’ stewardship, SES and other community groups were encouraged to use Manjedal for training and exercises. His children were raised at Manjedal and at least one was married in the Manjedal Chapel. Chris joined the Scout Association in 1957 as a Cub Scout. He was appointed to the position of Cub Scout Leader at the 1st North Perth Scout Group in 1975 and from 1977 to 1997 held various positions within the Byford Scout Group including that of Group, Scout and Venturer Leader. He joined the Manjedal Fellowship in March 1998. Chris is remembered for his unfailing kindness and his interest in other people. |
Eyes Up by Megan Argo The last month of the year sees the days start to shorten again. On December 1st, sunrise in Perth is at 5.03am and sunset is at 7.07pm. By the end of the month, the Sun rises at 5.13am and sets by 7.25pm. The new year marks another complete orbit of the Earth around the Sun - a distance of 940 million kilometres which we travel at a speed of 30 kilometres per second. This month Venus and Saturn are both morning objects. Venus will be bright in the morning sky before sunrise while Saturn will be fainter but higher in the sky. Jupiter is still bright in the evening sky but is setting by 11pm. As Jupiter sets in the west, Mars rises in the east. December sees the constellation of Orion the hunter dominating the night sky, although from Australia he appears to be standing on his head! Underneath Orion as we see him is Taurus the bull, and the star cluster known as the Seven Sisters. This group is a cluster of young, hot stars which have formed comparatively recently. With the naked eye you should be able to see six or seven stars, but with binoculars you should be able to see many more. December sees the final meteor shower of the year. The Geminids will peak on December 14th and could see rates of up to 100 meteors per hour. While Gemini will be relatively low down in the sky in the North, it is still worth a look. For the best view, find Orion and look below it to the right. Don't forget that free planispheres are still available for your Scout groups. Just email megan.argo@gmail.com with how many you would like and an address where they can be posted. The International Year of Astronomy may be coming to an end, but events will continue: keep an eye on www.astronomywa.net.au for details of upcoming astronomy events and opportunities. |
Seasons Greetings and Best Wishes AS the year comes to an end and we have time to reflect and spend time with our loved ones, I extend to all of you my sincere thanks for all that you do for Scouting. I wish you a peaceful and joyful Christmas. May 2010 bring all that you desire. |
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