The future of Venturing
In the modern world where money, achievement and how you look are given prominence, it’s easy to ov.jpg)
erlook the more important things in life, such as loving families, great friends, caring for others and developing self esteem both in ourselves and others.
Self esteem is how we feel about ourselves and if we have high self esteem then we more readily accept change and quickly bounce back after small setbacks and disappointments. People with high self esteem are usually more prepared to help others as they have confidence in their ability and capacity to do so.
Scouting and in particular, Venturing, is about developing personal skills and building confidence and self esteem. In our Founder’s day this personal development was focused more the skills required to gain employment; today it is a critical element in preparing young people for the long and stressful pathway through secondary and tertiary education and to the distant and unknown job market beyond. (Read more)
Reg Williams
Chief Commissioner of Australia
chief.comm@scouts.com.au
Scouts Australia welcomes David Jones as NEC Chairman
David Jones OAM FCA was elected Chairman of the National Executive Committee of Scouts Australia in June 2009. He has been a member of the National Executive Committee since 2001, and is also on the National Finance committee..jpg)
David recently starred in the August issue of Men's Style magazine as National Coordinator of the 100 Year Water Tank Project, which has seen over 1400 water tanks installed at Scout Halls and campsites around the country. Due to this project’s success, Men’s Style named Scouts Australia as one of Australia’s 12 leading innovative organisations in the area of sustainable business practices.
David has several goals he wishes to achieve in his role as NEC Chairman. (Read more)
David W. Jones OAM, FCA
Chairman, National Executive Committee
nec.chair@scouts.com.au
ACTIVE EDUCATION – Is that what your youth Members experience?
When dealing with young people, adults unfortunately have a common tendency to give lessons, by referring to their own past experience. But lessons bore young people! They do not agree to sit still and listen to adults. They want to do things themselves, make experiments and be active. Scouting recognises the value of young people’s spontaneous activity. ‘Aids to Scoutmastership’ starts with the following quote:
The code of the teacher…is in favour of silence and safety and decorum. The code of young people is diametrically opposite. It is in favour of noise and risk and excitement.'.jpg)
From the very beginning, Scouting was defined as active education. A key element of the Scout Method is learning by doing. Activities are the most visible part of the Scout program. They represent what young people do in Scouting. The prospect of taking part in exciting activities with friends is one of the main reasons why a young person joins Scouting. (Read more)
John Clarke
National Commissioner Youth Program
youth.comm@scouts.com.au
Training qualifications: Goals worth attaining!.jpg)
We live in exciting days and the middle of the year certainly had its moments of excitement. Of special interest is that the SAIT underwent another audit as part of the requirements of being a Registered Training Organisation (RTO).
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 and (if First-Aid qualifications), a Certificate III in Leadership Support. 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! (Read more)
Paul Parkinson
National Commissioner for Adult Training & Development
training.comm@scouts.com.au
Scouting and the environment… where we are going!
Since taking over as National Adviser my time seems to evaporate (much like the water we all try to conserve) BUT the future is looking better and better. I am amazed at the quality and qualifications of the State Environment Teams and I feel sure that by contacting them, you too will be pleasantly surprised both with the programs available and also the dedicated team members..jpg)
In the near future a number of environment events will occur, so just a short list:
- September 2009 – Scout Environment Weeks (SEW). Do something for the community in which you live.
- September 2009 – SWAMP in South Australia. This is huge, with over twice the expected numbers (650) attending. (Read more)
Gus Lloyd
National Adviser for Environment
environment@scouts.com.au
National Youth Council update(1).jpg)
With the year flying by, NYC has been busy with several recommendations happening at the moment. Some of the topics we are looking at include Leaders progressing through the Sections, the Scouts Australia website, Uniform Badges, and Scouts quitting after Jamborees.
Applications to join National Youth Council are going to be coming out around October so keep an eye out. If you would like an application and can’t find it online, send an e-mail to nyc.chair@scouts.com.au and I will forward one through.
If you would like to know more about National Youth Council or about Scouting from a National perspective, send us an e-mail and we will help you out as much as possible. I will keep this update short, but you will be hearing from me in the very near future.
Yours in Scouting,
Jade Elliott
National Youth Council Chair
nyc.chair@scouts.com.au
National Rover Council
The NRC has been working hard, keeping in touch through MSN meetings and getting together with John Clarke for the Rover Youth Program meeting. This meeting was a great success with many issues pertaining to the Rover Program discussed and workshopped..jpg)
Five Rovers will soon be off to attend the Asia Pacific Region Youth Forum and Conference in Kuala Lumpur. These Rovers are Jade Elliot (NYC Chair), Sophie Feint (NRC Chair), Alyssa Pears, Michael Green and Scott Witchard.
Rovers around the country have been kept busy in the past few months participating in various activities and events. (Read more)
Sophie Feint
Chair, National Rover Council
nrcchair@scouts.com.au
Australian Government calling for youth reps for national committee
Are you aged 15-24 and passionate about youth issues? Would you like an opportunity to be actively involved in the decision-making processes of the Australian Government? Do you have innovative ideas on how the Government can actively engage young people?
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) is currently inviting young Australians to apply for a position on the 2009-10 Australian Youth Forum (AYF) Youth Engagement Steering Committee.
The AYF is an Australian Government initiative that provides ongoing communication and engagement between the Government, young people and the youth sector. The Steering Committee is made up of eleven young people, who advise the Government on the ongoing development of the AYF and specific AYF activities and events.
Applications close at midnight, Friday 2nd October 2009 (AEST), and can be made on an individual basis or as a representative of a youth-led organisation.
For further information about the Youth Engagement Steering Committee and the application package, visit the website at www.youth.gov.au/ayf or contact DEEWR on ayf@deewr.gov.au or 02 6240 5679 (9am to 5pm AEST weekdays).
JOTA-JOTI 2009: Get involved in the world’s largest Scouting activity!
The 52nd Jamboree on the Air and 13th Jamboree on the Internet will take place on the weekend of 16-18 October 
2009, with over half a million Scouts and Guides from around the world expected to join in.
Every Member of Scouts Australia can make friends, exchange stories, experience different cultures and have fun. JOTA-JOTI also gives youth Members an awareness that they belong to a worldwide Movement.
You don't need any technical knowledge to join in - just ask the right people to help you! Anyone with an average knowledge of computers can help you organise and run JOTI - all you need is a computer that's connected to the internet. To participate in JOTA you must have a licensed Amateur Radio Operator to assist you. There are around 15,000 of these in Australia, and your operator will provide all the necessary equipment and expertise.
For detailed info on how to prepare for and participate in JOTA-JOTI, including fun downloads and tips on internet and radio safety, visit the JOTA-JOTI pages at the Scouts Australia International website.
Scouts in Action Week – First Aid
26th – 30th April 2010
Join Scouts across Australia and be part of the very first Scouts in Action Week, an annual national activity where every Scout from all corners of Australia will be able to participate in programs specifically targeting a skill that Scouts can use in their day to day lives.
The first Scouts in Action Week will focus on first aid, and if you’re looking for a way to incorporate first aid into your program, it doesn’t get much easier than this!
All Sections of Scouting (Joey Scouts to Rovers), including Leaders, will be able participate in a range of first aid programs that have been developed specifically for Scouting and which align with each Section’s Award Scheme. Groups will be able to register their participation and download programs and resources from a dedicated website.
Groups will be encouraged to link with their local St John Ambulance Division who will assist by providing training, equipment, and even helping to set up mock emergencies to make the experience as realistic as possible. Groups might even like to invite St John Ambulance members along to a combined camp that has a first aid theme.
Scouts in Action Week – First Aid is a concept developed by John Parr, who has 35 years of Scouting experience in Victoria and Queensland. John approached Scouts Australia earlier this year after receiving funding from Vodafone Australia Foundation’s World of Difference Program to dedicate a year of his life teaching 50,000 young Australians first aid skills through St John Ambulance Queensland. From that, the concept of a Scouts in Action Week was created.
The Scouts in Action Week – First Aid website will be launched in coming months, so note the date in your diary now and keep an eye out for news on how to register!
NYC Chair Jade selected as a finalist for the APR Outstanding Scout Award
National Youth Council Chair Jade Elliott has been named as a finalist in the 2009 Asia-Pacific Region (APR) Outstanding Scout Award competition.
After a thorough screening on nine nominations received for the 4th APR Award for Outstanding Scouts, five names were selected for the final round of interviews to be held at the beginning of the 23rd Asia-Pacific Regional Scout Conference in October this year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Jade has been a part of Scouting since 1998, starting with the Nhulunbuy Cub Pack in NT. She became a member of the National Youth Council in 2006 and was awarded the Queen's Scout Award in 2007. While part of the Lones Rover Crew, Jade took part in the 2007 APR Scout Youth Forum and Conference in Tokyo, Japan, and in 2008 took part in the World Scout Youth Forum and Conference in Korea. She is currently the Crew Leader for the NSW Lone Rover Crew.
Scouts Australia extends its congratulations to Jade and wishes her all the best for the final judging in October.
Read more at the Scouts Australia website.
Scouts Australia Annual General Meeting 2009
The Annual General Meeting of the National Council of Scouts Australia was held in Sydney on Saturday, 20th June 2009.
Scouts Australia was honoured to welcome Major General Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd), as President of the National Council. Major General Jeffery has previously served as Chief Scout of Western Australia during his seven-year term as Governor of that state (1993-2000), and Chief Scout of Australia during his five-year term as Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (2003-2008).
National President, Major General Michael Jeffery, addresses the National Council at the AGM dinner.
David W. Jones OAM, FCA, was appointed Chairman of the National Executive Committee for the next three years. He has been a member of the National Executive Committee since 2001, and is also on the National Finance committee. David joined 1st Victorian Sea Scouts at the age of eight, and has a long and distinguished Scouting career.
Scouts Australia thanked outgoing President, The Honourable Sir William Deane AC KBE, and outgoing NEC Chairman, Ian Langford-Brown, who have given outstanding service in their respective roles and continue to be strong supporters of the Association.
The Scouts Australia National Annual Report was presented to the National Council. The Annual Report details the achievements, challenges and milestones which have highlighted our year, and is available for download from the Scouts Australia website.
At the dinner following the AGM, former Chief Commissioner of Australia, Mr John Ravenhall AM, was presented with Life Membership of the Association in recognition of his exceptional commitment to Scouting in Australia.
Outgoing President Sir William Deane, Chief Commissioner Reg Williams, and outgoing NEC Chair Ian Langford-Brown present former Chief Commissioner John Ravenhall with Life Membership.
Keep up with the latest online!
Scouts Australia now has an official Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/ScoutsAustralia. Fans receive updates on the latest news, and can share discussions, photos and videos with other Members, Leaders, parents and supporters. Why not check it out? Even if you're not a member of Facebook you can still take a look.
Scouts Australia is also on Twitter! Follow our official feed at www.twitter.com/ScoutsAustralia.
The Scouts Australia national website is regularly updated with interesting news and events. Current highlights include:
- The Junior Landcare Pumpkin Challenge - can you grow Australia's biggest pumpkin?
- 'Be Prepared', an exhibition about Scouting in Geelong, is now on at the National Wool Museum!
- Scouts star in a Woolworths Community Grants TV ad... see it here!
There are plenty more interesting things on the national website, so make sure you come for a visit every now and again and find out 'What's New'!
Give Us Your Best Shot!
Scouts Australia is always on the look out for new and creative photos for use in publications like the Annual Report, National E Newsletter and also on the National Website. If you have great shots of events, activities and anything relating to Scouting, please send them in to nat.marcomms@scouts.com.au
or contact Shanna Bignell at 02 8440 5905 for more details.
|
Contact Us
Scouts AustraliaLevel 1 Scouts Australia House 8 Help Street Chatswood NSW 2067 Phone: 02 9413 1133 Fax: 02 9413 1177 Email: nat.marcomms@scouts.com.au |
Produced by the Scouts Australia National Office - Communications and Publishing Team.
If you received this newsletter from a friend and would like to receive future mailings, please register here. You have received this newsletter because you are a registered user of scouts.com.au. If you no longer wish to receive newsletters or want to change you email address, click here. (C) Copyright 2007-2009, Scouts Australia. All rights reserved.
|