Barb de la Hunty, Branch Commissioner, Program Initiatives, and Peta Nicholls, Project Officer, Lones, attended the inaugural National Lones Gathering at the Glenelg Water Activities Centre in South Australia from 23 to 24 May 2009. Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia currently run successful Lone Scout Groups and Western Australia is about to recommence the program. Lones is a unique Group of Scouts which communicates via email and internet, phone, mail and through the School of the Air program called ‘Scouts of the Net’. Barb and Peta gained a better understanding over the weekend of what it is to be a “Lone Scout”. They returned to Western Australia with resources as well as the combined knowledge and support from Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia.

I received warm thanks from the Director of Celebrate WA, Jennifer Young, for the involvement of seven Venturers and two Leaders in assisting with the presentation of the Western Australian Citizen of the Year Awards at Burswood Entertainment Complex on Saturday 30 May 2009. I would like to add my sincere thanks to Venturers Michael Boyle, Leith Ives, Brandon Arnold and Jack Hubbard from the Westfield Scout Group and Bart Dekker, Arten Dekker and Sam Praetz from the Falcon Scout Group as well as Janeane Arnold, Assistant Venturer Leader from the Westfield Scout Group and William Pillings, Venturer Leader from the Falcon Scout Group.

Benny the Beaver belongs to the 9th Wellard Scout Group in Ontario, Canada and was sent to Australia for a nation-wide tour. Prior to his visit to Western Australia, he toured New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmania. During his 12-day stay, this lucky bear was well taken care of by Hilary Sturgess and Carol Mathie, Branch Commissioner, Joey Scouts and visited Manjadel, the 1st Byford Joey Mob, went sightseeing in Bunbury and attended the Joey Leaders’ Conference. He jetted out of Perth on 18 June to Victoria.

The Venturer Youth Training Team showed great initiative and conducted a Unit Management Course at the Bridgetown Showgrounds over the weekend of 13 and 14 June. Youth, Leaders and trainers attended from the Metropolitan area, Forrest Vasse District and Albany Group. The course was designed to provide Venturers with the knowledge and skill to run their own Units. The Award Scheme was outlined to enable Venturers to have a sound knowledge of the structure that underpins the Venturer Program.

A meeting of the Training Team and Personal Leader Advisors was held on Monday, 15 June 2009 at Branch Headquarters. Part of this meeting was dedicated to a discussion regarding the future direction of training. A preview was given of the goals formulated from Swan Patrol's recent Acorn Workshop together with the aligned outcomes from the more recent Scouts Australia strategic planning workshop which affirmed the direction in which we are headed. The challenges which lay ahead for the Training Team are manageable. The objective is to position Scouting to provide adult training in such a way that the content is appropriate and relevant, the mode of delivery is flexible and courses are tailored to meet the needs of participants. We are serious about delivering uniformly high quality Youth Programs across all Sections through well trained Leaders who are supported and led in an effective manner. Attainment of the Wood Badge in accordance with the Mutual Agreement should be a priority for all Leaders.

The Baden-Powell Guild Annual General Meeting was held at Branch Headquarters on 20 June 2009. Chris Denny, Assistant Chief Commissioner, Secretariat, represented me at the meeting as I was in Sydney at the National Operations meeting.

The second one-day Essentials training course was held on Sunday, 21 June. Peta Crane, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Adult Programs, represented me at the course and presented each of the trainees with a copy of the Fieldbook for Australian Scouting.

The Chief Commissioner's Council meeting held on 23 June discussed the work done by Swan Patrol on reviewing the Acorn Intentions and our Strategic Plan. The connections with the national strategic plan were noted. In summary, the thrust of the existing Acorn Intentions was endorsed, with particular focus on a smaller number of priorities for the coming year. Key messages included the quality of our youth programs is of paramount importance, the roles of District teams and Group Leaders are pivotal to our success and the effectiveness of training of Leaders is crucial. Deputy Chief Commissioner Clinton Smith and I will work on refining the document and then bring it forward to the Board.

One hundred people celebrated with the Subiaco Scout Group to commemorate their 100 years of Scouting as a Group. The Group was formed in 1908 and Fay Hall, Archivist/Librarian at the Scout Heritage Centre has some evidence to suggest that the month of formation could have been June. A Scout medallion was struck to commemorate 100 years of Scouting and these special commemorative medallions were presented to Marjorie Harris, Joyce Page and Ramsay Main who have all provided outstanding Leadership to the Group from 1936 up until today. An Honour Board was unveiled to display for prosperity all those Scout Medallion awardees, Life Members and Leaders who have served within the Group. I was represented by Peta Crane, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Adult Programs, and, together with Milton Schuttloffel, Field Commissioner, North, they presented Group Leader Ramsay Main with his 30-year service award. Congratulations, Ramsay.

Sheridan Bunney, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Youth Programs, and Vern Casey, Branch Commissioner, Scouts, will be taking part in a Scouting Cultural Exchange visit to Singapore from 3 to 10 July 2009. The group is eagerly anticipating taking part in activities with the Toa Payoh District, the Toa Payoh Eagles Scout Group, the Raffles Institution 02 Scout Group and the Beatty Secondary School Beavers Scout Group and renewing acquaintances from the Groups’ visit to Perth in November last year. This could be the start of many opportunities and exchanges for our Youth Members.

I am delighted to announce that historian and consultant Dr Brian Shepherd will commence work with the Scout Heritage Centre on 7 July to develop the Lotterywest-funded Strategic Plan initiative. Dr Shepherd 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. Dr Shepherd and his team will look at several options of how best to conserve our Scouting heritage.

Members of Performing Arts have been rehearsing exhaustively for the Branch Revue which will be held from 9 to 11 July 2009 at the Zanten Theatre, St Norbert’s College, 135 Treasure Road, Queens Park. Please support them, it’s sure to be enjoyable and entertaining. Tickets can be purchased emailing arts@scoutswa.com.au

A new section has been formed in the Adventurous Activities team called West Australian Scout Pioneering (WASP). One of their goals is to equip Leaders with the skills to run a successful pioneering program which will cover proficiencies in basic and advanced rope skills, knowledge of equipment, light-weight pioneering, safety controls and risk assessments, mainline pioneering of towers, bridges, etc, anchorages and pulleys and rope care. The aim is to operate a minimum of two courses for Leaders per year, one for metropolitan Leaders and one for country Leaders with the next course to be run between 17 and 19 July. Please contact Greg Barbera on 0418 930 8338 or email pioneering@y7mail.com if you are interested.

The move to amend the constitution (now to be known as the Rules of Association) occurred in 2007 and was motivated by a desire to have uniformed representation on the Board. The proposed new Rules of Association for the Western Australian Branch go to the Annual General Meeting to be held at Baden-Powell House on Saturday 25 July. It is important that we have a good attendance at the meeting to usher in the changes. A key change will be the introduction of uniformed Leaders onto the Board. Once the Rules are adopted, provision has been made to coopt three uniformed Leaders - a Commissioner from Branch, a District Commissioner and a Group Leader. The proposed Rules deliver that outcome, we now need people to step forward. I am happy to discuss the role with anyone who might be interested and would like to know more.

As the Advanced Training Course was postponed, we are working on a modified Advanced course, the first part of which would be a non-residential weekend to be held on 1 and 2 August. Course participants will undertake the three obligatory World Organisation of the Scout Movement sessions and will be assessed on their knowledge, skills and experience with a view to identifying a training plan tailored to their individual interests and needs in order to complete their Advanced training with a minimum of effort, while not compromising on quality. To the maximum extent possible and appropriate, we intend to offer participants the opportunity to complete much of the training through their normal Scouting roles. We see the structure of this course as the future of Advanced training in Western Australia. I encourage you to take part in this modified training course and invite other Leaders to register their interest as well.

As reported at the May Chief Commissioner’s Council meeting, Dave Kelly has taken on the role of Branch Commissioner, Scoutsafe with our thanks and best wishes. At the 23 June 2009 Chief Commissioner’s Council meeting he reaffirmed the Scout Promise and was presented with the Branch scarf and Branch Team strip. Hugh Butler and Stuart Jaggs have been appointed Assistant Branch Commissioners, Adventurous Activities. Thank you to all three for accepting these positions. Welcome aboard and I wish you happy and successful Scouting in your new roles.

Unfortunately, the situation with Property and Equipment returns has not improved greatly since the May Chief Commissioner’s Council meeting. I am aware that Neil Macpherson, Deputy Chief Commissioner, Field Operations, made it a priority at the May District Commissioners’ meeting to select one type of outstanding return per month and work with the District Commissioners to complete the outstanding returns with the Groups. I commend Neil and all the District Commissioners on this endeavour and look forward to the results.

Board Chairman Larry Lucas, Executive Manager Marty Thomas and I attended Scouts Australia meetings in Sydney on the weekend of 20 and 21 June. I also participated in meetings of the Branch Chief Commissioners and the Operations Committee on Friday 19 June. The good news is that youth and adult numbers are up all around the country. Progress is being made on improvements to the content and mode of delivery of our adult training programs. The Scouts Australia 2009-2014 Strategic Plan was also reviewed and the innovative and very helpful software being used to monitor its progress was demonstrated. The Scouts Australia Annual General Meeting was held on the Saturday evening. Sir William Dean AC KBE stepped down as National President, having served in that role for six years. Sir William has been a great supporter of Scouting over a long period and for that we are most grateful. We are most fortunate to have another former Governor General (and I am sure to all our delight, a sandgroper), Major General Michael Jeffery AC CVO MC (Retd) taking on the role of National President. Scouting is indeed most fortunate to have such eminent Australians supporting the Movement. Former Chief Commissioner Sue Mitchell was elected to the National Council - well done Sue. Mr Ian Langford-Brown also stepped down having served six years as National Chairman and he is replaced by Victorian David Jones OAM

“One of the key events in the Scouting calendar is the National Annual General Meeting which is held in June each year and it is there that we formally present the events and outcomes of the past year. One of the significant documents tabled is our “Report to the Nation” which contains an excellent summary of Scouting in Australia as it brings together the achievements, challenges and milestones which have highlighted our year.

“It is well worth reading, and will be available for download on the National website from Monday, 22nd June.

“At this year’s AGM we also extend our grateful thanks to our retiring President Sir William Deane.

“Not only has Sir William provided invaluable advice and support to both the National Team and the National Executive Committee but through them his support has flowed to the tens of thousands of our youth who are, and have been members of Scouts Australia.

“However if there is one field of Scouting endeavour that is possibly closest to Sir William’s heart it is the programs that Scouts Australia undertakes working with indigenous Australians. Sir William worked with us in obtaining our original funding from the Federal Government and subsequently through his direct efforts we have received further funding for this project.

“On behalf of us all I extend our thanks to Sir William for all that he has done and is doing for Scouting in Australia.

“This is my last contribution as National Chairman and, as I stand aside I thank you all for your friendship and support over the last six years. I have really enjoyed being part of the journey that Scouting has taken during that period and I am extremely proud of the many young people and leaders that I have met and who are the heart and soul of our great movement. I wish you continued success in the years ahead.”

“The Scout Method – it’s what we are all about but is it happening in your Mob, Pack, Troop or Unit? One of the seven methods is: ‘The provision of opportunities for leadership and responsibility.’ All young people want to be given responsibility and have leadership opportunities – it is our responsibility to ensure all youth Members are provided with these outcomes.

“As a Leader how do you both encourage and provide leadership opportunities for youth Members? Do you run a Pack, Troop or Unit Council? How much say do youth Members have in developing the program? Does your Mob sit down and brainstorm program ideas at the beginning of each term? Do your Patrol Leaders run patrol activities? Do your Cub Scouts choose the themes for the year as a part of your Sixers Council?

“Is leadership just the responsibility of the youth Members wearing the stripes? Sharing the leadership can be challenging – but check out the faces of the kids provided with these opportunities. Even the shyest or most disruptive member will thrive when given new opportunities. To create a strong, robust section make sure you give out heaps of responsibility every week.

“But, there is a catch! The reins can’t just be handed over so all of the Leaders can have a chat and coffee in the den! Our job is to model, coach and support the development of our youth leaders. It requires heaps of training and even more patience. It is all worth it though when, in the future, you see in the media one of your former youth Members taking on significant roles in the community. For further information check out the Leader handbooks for your section or ask your District/Region team for support.

“If your section isn’t providing dynamic involvement in decision making and leadership opportunities for the youth Members then what you’re running isn’t Scouting!”

During July the nights start to get shorter again. The Sun rises at 7.17am on the 1st, setting at 5.23pm. By the 31st, it rises at 7.06am and sets by 5.40pm. The Moon is full this month on the 7th, new on the 22nd, and on the 4th an almost Full Moon is very close to the star Antares in Scorpius.