Greetings

Most do not visit Branch Headquarters but if you happen to visit over the next few months I am sure you will be impressed by the new display in the foyer put together by Fiona Fiona, Project Commissioner, Multicultural Scouting. She has composed vividly colourful photographs of children which were taken at the Fitzroy Crossing camp last year against a vibrant backdrop of colour together with a wonderful collection of artefacts belonging to herself, Ric Walne, Program Development Officer, National Indigenous Scout Program and Barb de la Hunty, Branch Commissioner, Program Initiatives, and her family. Barb’s collection includes carved artefacts dating from one of the many trips made by her father, Laurie de la Hunty, through the northwest as a geologist from the 1940’s to the 1970’s and from the journeys of her grandmother, Violet Strickland, who taught spinning throughout the State from the World War I onwards. Boab nuts belong to Barb and Ric. The blue turtle was purchased by Barb during her last visit to Fitzroy Crossing. The clapping sticks were made by Fiona at Warriedar Station on the Yalgoo camp in 2008. It’s a wonderful display. Well done, Fiona.

(Photo: Sharmaine Lupton from the Fitzroy Martuwarra Scout Group, one of the Scouts in the foyer display.)

Youth Achievements

Congratulations to Scout Travis Eaton of the Broome Scout Group who was presented with his Australian Scout Medallion on 23 May 2009 in Broome by Vern Casey, Branch Commissioner, Scouts. Travis is the first Australian Scout Medallion awardee for the Broome Scout Group and the Kimberley region.

The Venturers Outback Ad-Venture was by all accounts a great success. A convoy of nine vehicles containing 22 Youth members and 18 drivers and support adults left Forrestfield Scout Hall on 14 April. The aim was to travel as much as possible on 4WD tracks and the journey took them over the Holland and Telegraph tracks, through the Cape Arid and Cape Le Grand National Parks, Esperance and Albany. Not only did the Venturers gain from this fantastic experience but the less experienced 4WD drivers were able to gain new skills with experienced 4WD drivers ready to assist and advise where necessary. The adventure included: two punctured tyres (at once) on one of the larger vehicles while attempting to negotiate a narrow gap between two trees between Cave Hill and Dundas Rocks and a vehicle fire caused by long grass on the track through Cape Arid to Cape Le Grand. Youth Members, Adults and vehicles made it home on 26 April, a day later than planned.

Youth Sections

The April 2009 Chief Commissioner’s Report reported that the Willetton Venturers and Rovers helped out with face painting and dressed up as the Hare Ball at the Joey Leap. In fact, it was the Westfield Venturers who helped out with the face painting and dressed up as the Hare Ball. Sincere apologies to Westfield for the error – well done and thanks.

WANTED

WANTED

Around the Branch

A cover story in the West Weekend Magazine on 30 April 2009 featured Doug Dowdell, a Baden Powell Guild and Scout Association member and recognised him for his tireless contribution to several community organisations. The article also covered many interesting snippets of Doug’s life and it was a fitting acknowledgement of his wonderful contribution to volunteering.

Swan Patrol members attended their first strategic planning workshop on 2 and 3 May 2009. The aim of the Acorn Workshop was to set priorities, goals and supporting objectives for the next three years and then to work on strategies for delivering those objectives. By the workshop’s end we had arrived at a clear and select number of goals that fit within the existing Acorn. We will present these goals and strategies to the Chief Commissioner’s Council meeting on 23 June 2009, to which all Board Members and Branch Support Staff will be invited.

It is excellent to see new Sections emerging within Groups. I extend a warm welcome to Joey Scout Leader Amanda Losik and Assistant Joey Scout Leaders Cheryle Harris and Debbie Moon and congratulations to the Newman Scout Group on the formation of the new Joey Scout Mob. I am also delighted to see the formation of the Cub Scout and Scout Troop within the Porongorup Scout Group and welcome Vanessa Ward, Cub Scout Section Leader and Jodi Vitler, Scout Section Leader. I wish you and all the new Joeys, Cub Scouts and Scouts in these new Sections many happy years of Scouting.

The Harmony Quilt, featuring two squares made by Branch Support Staff member Fiona Graham, was on display again last week at the Annual Western Australian Craft and Quilt Fair at the Convention Centre and displayed later on the television news of one of the major networks.

Congratulations to Brian Cobb, Cub Scout Leader at Warwick Scout Group who received the prestigious Rotary Paul Harris Award which is given in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world. It is the pinnacle of Rotarian awards and is only ever awarded to people who make substantial contributions to our community.

Finally, thank you to everyone who participated in the ANZAC Day 2009 Service. I received a letter from Kevin Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of the RSL thanking us for our outstanding support.

Thumbstick Travels

I attended the opening of the Master Mariners Competition which ran over the weekend of 2 and 3 May. Iain Mackenzie, Group Chairman of the 1st Pelican Point Sea Scout Group, who hosted the event, advised me that the two days of competition went well despite the winds being a bit lighter than the Scouts would have liked. Final results were close with half a point separating some of the crews, but the Canning Sea Scouts prevailed and were awarded the Scout Shield. The Venturer Shield was awarded to the Canning Venturers and the Rover Oar was awarded to the Pelican Point Rover Crew. Special thanks go to Garth Caesar, Scouting Event Co ordinator, David Heppingstone, for judging, and Philip Raston of the 1st Pelican Point & Sea Scout Council for his preparatory work prior to the event.

As part of National Volunteers’ week, I paid recognition to all our hardworking volunteers by hosting a morning tea at Branch Headquarters on Tuesday, 12 May 2009 with Guest of Honour Mara Basanovic, Chief Executive Officer of Volunteering WA. A special thank you to Fiona Graham and Executive Manager Marty Thomas for setting up the Scout Store for the event, Hilary Burgess for her freshly baked scones,   Carol Mathie and Pam Todd for assisting during the event. There has been some feedback from Groups advising that many volunteers work and were unable to attend the morning tea during a week day. We were following the precedent set from previous years in holding it during the day, mid-week, but I would be happy to look at doing it differently next year, if that is the wish of the majority.

On 16 May, I had the pleasure of addressing over 40 Leaders who were undertaking the Essentials Training Course. It was great to see such a large number, although it certainly stretched our capacity to the limit. In thanking those present, I stressed the importance of seeing Essentials as the first step along the path of completing the Woodbadge, an achievement which will enrich their involvement in a contribution to Scouting.

Eyes Up – Compliments of Megan Argo

“June sees the shortest day of the year in the Southern hemisphere, known as the Winter Solstice. This year it falls on 21 June when the Sun will rise at 7.17 am and set at 5.20 pm. Full Moon this month is on 8 June and New Moon is on the 23rd.

“Saturn is still prominent in Leo in the early evening, although it sets earlier as the month goes on. Meanwhile, Jupiter is rising earlier each night. It will be up by 9pm by the end of the month and is well worth a look as four of Jupiter's moons should be visible close to the planet, even with binoculars. Venus and Mars are still close together in the early morning sky and will appear closest to each other (known as a conjunction) on 19 June. They will be joined nearby by a thin crescent Moon and the elusive planet Mercury on the 21st (the best time to look is between 6.30 am and 7.00 am).

“You may recently have received an email saying that Mars is going to appear as big as the full moon in August. Don't believe it! This rumour has been going around since 2003 and is sadly just not true. In August 2003, Mars was at its closest to Earth for several thousand years and, while it was brighter than normal in the sky, it was still a very long way from us (more than 55 million kilometers) so a reasonable telescope was needed to see any details on the surface. All the planets travel in circles around the Sun. Mars is further from the Sun than the Earth is, so every few years we overtake it as we go around the Sun, and this is when the two planets are closest to each other. This will happen next on 29 January 2010 when we will still be almost 100 million kilometers from Mars.

“May was a busy month in space with the launch of the shuttle Atlantis to fix the Hubble Space telescope, as well as the launch of two European space telescopes, Planck and Herschel, aboard an unmanned Ariane-5 rocket. You can see some satellites (including the International Space Station) with the naked eye quite easily, even from Perth. One great place to go for accurate predictions is Heaven's Above http://www.heavens-above.com/. Just tell it your location to get a list of upcoming satellite sightings.

“Free International Year of Astronomy planispheres are still available for your Group. Just send an email to megan.argo@gmail.com with your Group name, how many Scouts you've got and an address where they can be posted.”

Board Issues

Property Returns – URGENT ACTION, PLEASE

The Board expressed serious concern that more than 80 percent of Groups have not submitted their Property, Equipment and Financial Returns more than two months beyond the due date. Accordingly, they resolved to ask me to have the matter conveyed to the District Commissioners to urge them to work with Groups to get the Returns in without further delay. The Board also requested that the content of the training of Group Leaders be reviewed to ensure that the importance and the mechanics of completing Property, Equipment and Financial Returns is included in training for Group Leaders.

Constitution

The working party of Les Farrant, Robert Mitchell and myself has completed the review of the Corrs Westgarth Chambers revision of the Constitution. We are optimistic that the final draft of the Constitution will be presented to the June Board meeting.

Management of Buildings and Facilities Projects

The Board has considered the risks and liabilities of Groups for the maintenance and use of existing premises and when undertaking improvements to halls and other facilities. While the Board does not wish to impede activity, nor stifle local initiative, it is important to recognise that, depending upon the nature of the work, there can be statutory and regulatory requirements which must be met. Ignorance or good intentions are no excuse before the law. The Board is particularly concerned because all property is held in the name of and registered by the Scout Association (WA Branch)

In larger or more complex undertakings there might be technical and design considerations beyond the experience and expertise of Group members. Ultimately the Association (the WA Branch) is liable for all works undertaken by Groups. Therefore, if in any doubt about what is required, Branch should be contacted. Branch must be consulted if works involve a contract and contracts must have the approval of Branch before being awarded. Where tenders are to be called, Branch must be consulted before proceeding. Initial enquiries should be directed to the Property Officer, Bob Suann on 9480 4208

In light of recent property and building contract issues facing some Groups, the Board has asked me to ensure that the foregoing is understood by Districts and Groups. Group Leaders are reminded that professional expertise is available within the Association to provide advice to Groups. In the first instance, Chris Williams, Honorary Advisor to the WA Branch should be contacted on 9221 9898 during business hours.

Something to Think About

Good Scouting!

Peter Walton
Chief Commissioner