Welcome back to Scouting at your local Scout Group. Thank you for your continued membership and support to help our youth develop their potential. A few important points from your Group Leader, Alan Brake.

Carpark closure expected Thurs 29 April for 2 weeks (expected till 14 May).

Foot access provided – please park in SJW Royal Pde or school carpark. The new driveway will improve safety and is located where our current 75^th anniversary sign is located. Thanks for your patience. Those interested can see the new levels marked in orange paint on the bitumen.

Anzac day

Please wear uniform shirt, scarf, hat and plain coloured skirt/shorts (sandstone preferred - most scouts wear blue or grey school shorts/skirts. Any closed in shoes. 7:10 meet at Betheden Tce for 7:30 march. Scouts march just behind the veterans.

Return to SJW Scouts around 10am for clean up Australia day - 11:30 finish time. Parent help required for Joeys and Cubs.

Joey Parent meeting Thu 6 May at 6pm in top den. Invitation to follow.

We need to discuss the future of the mob once the current leaders relocate at end of term 3. All parents requested to attend.

Group night/AGM Fri 21 May at 5:30pm for 6:15 parade. Families invited. Joeys/Cubs finish 8pm; others 9pm.

Dinner provided. Have booked the Scout climbing wall which should be a lot of fun. Invitation to follow. The popular youth video collation is back post COVID.

Reminder Group Fee payment plans overdue

Polite reminder to help our volunteer treasurer (email). If you opted for the payment plan for group fees, please check you have made the final payment due for most people on 13 April. Xero reminders have been sent.

Milestone badges – should be awarded annually for active Scouts

Parents are encouraged to check progress in Terrain and discuss with your leader.

Who do you know?

Looking for help in the following areas if you, or someone you know, is interested. We’re all busy but make time for important things.

• Fundraising – particularly involving youth. Good skills for them to learn. Bunnings BBQ now 15yo limit, so SJW Scouts is not doing BBQ, but could do raffle or cake stall.

• Grass weeding – anyone willing to dig out some grass weeds to keep our new couch looking good? 10 minutes each week would make a difference.

• Q Store tidier / small equipment repair – looking for someone to keep Q Store tidy and repair broken tent poles particularly.

• Leaders in Joeys (Thursday night) and Wednesday Cubs – please ask your contacts if they are interested - good people to ask are university students and those starting work, and those whose family situations allow them more time to volunteer. Most of our leaders are parents however so that works too.

• Vacant committee positions: 1.25 hour meeting per month and some tasks in between: secretary, fundraising, quartermaster

Hire of den/grounds – anyone you know?

Did you know that our upstairs hall and scenic grounds are available for hourly hire by community groups and small business? This provides a community service and revenue to Scouts. Particularly looking for weekday, daytime hirers.

Building and Grants

BCC (council) has not yet made a decision (overdue) on leasing the former Ashgrove Bowls Club to SJW Scouts.

Venturer den renovation continues with electrical work nearing completion and new LED lights, supported by a BCC grant, which together with turning most of our fridges off, has drastically reduced our energy consumption. The new solar electricity system is working well and makes us carbon neutral.

Electrical safety upgrade completed in main den and old Rover den (yellow roller door). Q Store roller door serviced for improved safety.

Five active grants for first aid training for youth over 14 (till end Jun); LED lights, concrete path around Rover den, upstairs renovation (2). Applied for another two grants this term.