Newsletter 2021 Term 1

Welcome to all our new and returning members. SJW membership continues to grow. We have spaces in the Wednesday Cubs (age 8-10), Thursday Venturers (age 14-18) and Wednesday Rovers (age 18-25) and a few spots in other age ranges. We are looking for parent help in the Joey section in particular, as two leaders, Tony “Dingo” and Warwick “Wombat” are moving to new roles within the group this year, so I’m asking all parents to consider joining our volunteer team, or asking someone you know. We are also seeking Cub Leaders.

COVID continues. Please remember to keep everyone safe by staying home if unwell and following the safety signs at our Scout den.

Group Night Friday 12 Feb; dinner from 5:30; activities 6:15

Group night is held in week 3 of term, and is very popular with the youth and replaces the normal meeting night that week (Mon & Wed Cubs, Thurs Joeys and Venturers, Wed Rovers). A separate invitation will be sent by Operoo form to collect dinner orders. As always, help required on Thursday night and Friday BBQ duty. The invitation is here and attached.

Advancing from Cubs to Scouts – Fri 26 Feb at 7pm

All cub families advancing to Scouts this year or term 1, 2022 (born before Feb 2011) are invited to an information session to explain how the older section works. It is a big leap from Cubs, which is largely adult directed, to Scouts, which is largely youth led, but Cubs grow and develop to meet the challenge. Informed parents is important for a smooth transition.

New member sessions “Introduction to Scouting” – Thurs 18 Feb & Thurs 18 Mar

To welcome new parents into the group (including those transferring in), and to fulfil our safety responsibilities, please attend the next mandatory “Introduction to Scouting” session date above at 6pm.

Scouts Qld requires the Leader of the Group (me) to personally brief all new parents and children and the easiest, and most engaging way, is with a short group session. The usual format is a briefing by me, a perspective from a parent, meet and greet so that we all know a little about the new families and a short youth session mainly around personal safety and expectations. Cub Scouts can join the Joey program for the night, and we’ll try and accommodate siblings in the Joey program, but please check in with the Joey Scout leaders at the start of the night.

Please respond by logging into Operoo and submitting the “Introduction to Scouting” form.

Sailing/water camp, weekend of 20 & 21 Feb: Cubs and older - Brownsea

Look out for the Operoo form to RSVP.

Venturer den renovation, car park, bike path, other works

Our 10c container donation bin is generating about $1000/year revenue, with potential for more if parents can bring containers to the den and encourage family, friends and neighbours. Access to our donation point is very convenient. Please spread the word to your neighbours, or collect from work.

The Venturer den now has two toilets and renovation is proceeding satisfactorily. The solar system has been ordered. Gresham St bridge is being replaced; with the water mains being tunnelled under the creek now, and some consequent positive changes to our driveway access anticipated (now April) thanks to close liaison between Scouts and BCC. BCC has replaced the bike path, with bollards and some more grass turf expected this term. We welcome two new hirers of our dens this term. Hall is available Monday nights – so please get the word out. Hall hire is an important way to maintain our relationship with the community and retain our council park lease.

Bowls Club/New building

The Ashgrove Bowls Club has closed, and Scouts submitted a tender in November to move the younger sections to that site (500 meters from the current den). We expect a decision in March. If successful, it will be a positive move with some transitional issues and we ask for your patience. Long term, the much loved and charming “main den” will be demolished as it can’t be brought up to modern community standards. Scouts motto is “Be Prepared” and our plan B is to build a new Scout hall on our existing leased site in front of the current main den but that is not a simple task. Venturers and Rovers will continue in either case to operate out of the two storey building.

Other items, pest control.

Please log on to our new youth badge system Terrain. Details from your section leader.

Interested in helping? Check our SJW website for options from a little time occasionally to joining the fun and reward of being a volunteer leader.

We have a small committee to support the uniformed leaders that meets monthly and we need a secretary to help with communications and event organising (currently Alan is acting as secretary). Please get in touch if you are willing to help. More info.

Anyone know of a pest controller that might give the scouts a discount? BCC requires an annual inspection and best if we can get it donated. We could put a sign on the den/FB page to acknowledge their support.

Group Calendar

The calendar is constantly updating as events are added, with the latest always in the google calendar that everyone can access.