Each year, over 1,000 Scouts head down to the Southern Highlands to participate in a weekend of hiking, overnight camping, cooking over an open fire, and activities. This year, ScoutHike turns 20 years old and the celebration continues with the theme "Keep Cool!"

The Southern Highlands State Forests are the home of ScoutHike. 27 Activity Points are set up to offer experiences to Scouts that are often a bit of a challenge to run on a regular Scout night. The Activity Points are geared at the Explorer Level of the Award Scheme and while they will not pass off an activity completely, they will give valuable exposure to Scouts who more than likely can easily complete the activity back home.

Being a Patrol Activity, the Patrol Leaders are put to the test! They are responsible for making camp on Friday night (in the dark), cooking breakfast on an open fire, breaking camp and heading away into the Forest to complete as many activities as they can, all before arriving at their assigned sleep point for Saturday night.

This is followed by more cooking, catching up with friends, making new friends and finally getting to sleep, all before the challenge to finish as many activities as they can by 1pm the next day. The closing event starts at 2pm followed by the trip home and the pledge to do it again next year.

With AJ2013 not too far away – here is a bonus two nights camping!

Dates: 4th-6th May 2012
Registrations are now OPEN
Registrations close on 13th April

More information at www.ScoutHike.com

In 2011, ScoutHike had visitors from VIC and SA and this year, ACT has already got Patrols ready. Will you be there with Scouts from your Troop?

Katina Rantzos from Woolworths Neutral Bay has shown her support for Scouting by arranging a barbecue at the shop and donating the proceeds to Scouting in the Lower North Shore.

Hilary Yerbury, the District Commissioner, accepts the cheque for $616 from Katina and thanks her and the staff at the store for their generous contribution.

Hilary Yerbury

Harmony Day will be held on Wednesday 21st March in 2012. The day has been set aside by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to celebrate the cultural diversity of Australia.

How Can You Participate?

Woolworths are once again offering Scouts a chance to demonstrate our support for Harmony Day and raise our Groups' profiles within local communities. They have invited Scout Groups to approach their local Woolworths stores to discuss whether the store can support a Scout Harmony Day activity.

Each store manager has the discretion as to whether they are able to support Scouts and Harmony Day. Location also plays a factor in their ability to host a promotion, so keep in mind whether a store is freestanding, or part of a shopping centre, and the amount of room that may be available.

Approaching Your Local Woolworths Store

Store managers may be less busy before noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so this may be an appropriate time for you to contact them. If you are unsure of the contact details of your local store, they are available on www.woolworths.com.au under the 'Store Locator' tab.

In some locations you may also need to gain permission from the shopping centre management. This will be advised when you discuss the promotion with your store manager.

What Sort of Event Can Your Group Hold?

As the locations and facilities vary between Woolworths stores, your Group needs to be flexible when approaching the store manager.  Ideas that have worked for Groups in the past include:

• Sausage sizzle
• Raffle or other competition
• General display
• Participating in other Harmony Day Festivals (with Woolworths' support)

No matter what you are planning, register your event at www.harmony.gov.au so you can order promotional material. Registration is open now.

We also ask that you take photos of your event, and send them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Photos are a great way of sharing ideas!

State Finance Committee

The State Finance Committee is seeking nominations for an Under 30 Member to become part of this key Scout Committee. Ideally, the nominee will have financial or accounting skills or is currently studying finance or accounting related subjects.

The time commitment for the successful candidate is one meeting each month on the third Tuesday of every month, alternating between State Office and the CBD as well as reading or preparation required in between.

This is a real opportunity to become involved in the strategic financial future of Scouting.

Nominations can be sent to Rebecca Gosby, Scouts Australia NSW Honorary Treasurer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Nominations close March 15, 2012.

Insurance Committee

The Insurance Committee is seeking an Under 30 Member to support its mission. Candidates do not have to be working in the insurance industry but could have a finance or administration background, or have an interest in this area. Rovers with appropriate skills are encouraged to apply.

You would need to attend Committee meetings quarterly on a Wednesday at the State Office and offer your support as required.

To apply, please contact Neville Hendersen, Chairman Insurance Committee, by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Go on an Australian animal adventure this summer at WILD LIFE Sydney! All members of Scouts NSW are eligible for a special discount up until 28th February, 2012.

Wear your scarf to WILD LIFE Sydney, let them know you are a Scout and receive 30% off the single admission price.

This offer is available to youth and adult members, so head to WILD LIFE Sydney at Darling Harbour these holidays and take advantage of the fantastic savings.

Don't forget about the great parking discounts. Pay $10.00 if you park at Wilson Parking at 383 Kent Street, 2 Market Street, 321 Kent Street. Remember to get your ticket validated when you enter WILD LIFE Sydney.

Click here to find out more about WILD LIFE Sydney.

Scouts Australia is proud to be a Major Sponsor of National Youth Week 2012. Held from Friday 13th April to Sunday 22nd April 2012, National Youth Week (NYW) is back this year with the new theme of Imagine. Create. Inspire.

NYW is an amazing experience for youth around Australia, allowing them to immerse themselves and get involved in a fantastic range of events, activities and competitions. Young people are encouraged to share ideas, showcase their talents, celebrate their contribution to the community, attend youth events, enjoy themselves and HAVE FUN … and that’s what Scouting is all about too!

Join thousands of young people aged 12–25 from across Australia and get involved in NYW this year. NYW is an opportunity for young people to:

• Share ideas
• Attend live events
• Have their voices heard on issues of concern to them
• Showcase their talents
• Celebrate their contribution to the community
• Take part in competitions
• Have fun!

How can You get involved? There are many ways you can get involved in NYW 2012:

• Attend the official National launch
• Attend your state or territory launch or closing ceremony
• Host an event
• Enter the competitions
• Find out what’s going on in your local area
• Follow NYW 2012 on Facebook or Twitter

So Be Prepared for New Adventure and get involved in National Youth Week 2012.

For more information on NYW click here.

All Members need to be aware of the new Work Health and Safety legislation that came into effect on January 1, 2012.

Employers have always had responsibilities for the health and safety of its paid employees and contractors while at the workplace, but the new legislation, amongst other changes, includes volunteers in these responsibilities.

Click here for more information on the Act and how it affects Scouts Australia NSW.

The 2012 Scout Year is about to commence and it is a great time to hold an Open Day to recruit new families into Scouts. This Open Day kit was developed to support Groups in their recruitment efforts. Good Luck and send any interesting photos or articles to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To download the Open Day Kit please click here.

An exciting and challenging new position has become available for someone to help support the growth of Rover Scouting in Australia. Initially, the Adviser - National Rover Council will oversee the successful implementation (across Australia) of all recommendations of the 2011 Rover Review.

The Adviser will have the opportunity to work with the best young adults in our country, to assist in their development and to support the planning and organisation of dynamic activities developed by the youth members of our final section. It is a creative and open-ended position that can provide many rewards and opportunities.

For further details, please download the Role Description for the position. This includes all relevant application information.

Attention Groups,

Membership fees for 2012/2013 have now been set.

Click here to read a letter from the Chief Commissioner and SEC Chairman.

Are you on Facebook? Do you like Scouts? Now you can 'like' Scouts on Facebook!

Scouts Australia NSW has launched its very own Facebook page. It's easy to connect with us, simply follow the steps below:

• Click here to visit the page
• 'Like' us to show you're proud to be part of the Scouts community
• Share the page with your friends and ask them to like us too!

The exciting new page is aimed to serve as a place for everyone involved in Scouts in NSW to share news and keep in touch with one another. Your input is vital to its success, so please forward any news stories, event information, photos, videos or messages you would like to share to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  and we will endeavour to publish it on the page.

Scouts Australia NSW already has over 290 'likers' but there is plenty more out there. Help us grow the page and show your support of Scouts by checking it out and 'liking' us today!

All youth members, Leaders, and their families are invited to attend the Royal Easter Show. Purchase your tickets through Scouts and receive a 25% discount!

Ticket Prices:

Adults - $27.00
Children - $17.60
Concession - $20.60

All tickets include GST and exclude postage and handling. A $5.00 postage fee will be applied to all Group orders.

Age Range Definitions:

• Children 3yrs and under have free admission
• Child ticket includes children aged 4-15 years of age inclusive
• Concession: Students in full time tertiary study in possession of Student ID Cards with Student Transport Identifiers. Pensioners in possession of a NSW Senior Citizen’s Card. War Widow/ers in possession of War Widow/ers Transport Concession Card.

ShowLink Tickets:

All tickets are ShowLink tickets. As well as Show entry, ShowLink tickets include return travel on CityRail, Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses, regular 'blue and white' Sydney Buses and Sydney Ferries. ShowLink is not valid on premium buses and ferry services or private buses.

The ShowLink system does not cater for all towns and cities. Please check the NSW website for more details.

Please note: tickets bought through Scouts may be used for entry on any one day during the Show, NOT just Scout Day.

Download an order form here.

Attention Groups, Districts, Regions, Crews, and Fellowships...

Scout Days at the Royal Easter Show will take place over the final two days of the Show in 2012 - Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th April.

Both days fall in the NSW school holidays and the Chief Commissioner felt that this was a perfect opportunity to showcase Scouting to our target audiences. 

Scouts Australia NSW is seeking interest from those who are able to contribute ideas and materials for an interactive activity. The activity should target Cub and Scout ages and provide the opportunity for a number of young people to participate throughout the day.

In 2011, kids at the Show were given a taste of what being in the Scouts is like with an array of fun and adventurous activities to try including a Climbing Wall, Bazooka Water Guns, an Obstacle Course and Water Bottle Toss Golf. 

We require the help of 75 Youth and Adult Members including Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Leaders to cover a variety of jobs including setting up, running activities and managing registrations. We would appreciate a commitment to a 5 hour shift.

If you are interested in supplying an activity or willing to help out on the day, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or call 0421 079 903 or 9735 9034.

The Easter Show is a fun day out and a great opportunity to introduce people to the wonderful world of Scouting. We'd love to see you at Scout Day in 2012!

The Lord Baden-Powell Society is a donor society and division of Scouts Australia whose 1200 members help young Australians experience the benefits and joys of Scouting through providing private financial support.

The Society through the generosity of its members is planning to provide over $150,000 in Grants to assist at least 250 Australian Scouts in need to attend the Queensland Jamboree in January 2013.

The Society will allocate up to $600 per Scout to go towards the costs of attending the Jamboree. Grants will be made on a needs basis with preference going to the most deserving applicants. Applications for these Grants are made and managed by the State branches. Your first point of contact should be your Scout Leader and/or Group Leader or the NSW State Office

Contact the NSW State Office for application kits on 9735 9000 or by fax on 9735 9001. You can also email NSW Branch Trust Management Committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Closing date for applications is 18th May 2012.

If you would like more information about the Lord Baden-Powell Society, to become a member or make a donation please visit www.scouts.com.au

All Cub Leaders and Youth Helpers are invited on a whirlwind World Tour from 16th – 18th March 2012.

Your tour will depart from the lounge at:

Yarabah Conference Centre
30 Nentoura Road, Morisset

You may arrive at the lounge from 7pm, Friday 16th March 2012 and the tour will conclude at 2pm, Sunday 18th March 2012.

The cost of the tour is $110. Please complete the Activity Notification Form and submit the form and payment to the Tour Director:

Patricia Shaw
5 Bogan Street
Greystanes NSW 2145

Direct payment may be made through your local office (Region Office) via Journal entry to Account  – 15225/101/04/4384. Please ask for your name to be included and then send the form. Closing date is 28th February 2012.

Tour T-Shirts are also available for order. These are a black polo shirt with embroidered logo - NSW Palaver WORLD TOUR 2012. Shirts can be purchased for $30 each. Please complete the Order Form and forward to the Tour Director. Payment may also be made via your local office (Region Office) using the above account number. Closing date for T-Shirt orders is 31st January 2012.

You will need to arrive in uniform and bring suitable clothes, including a sun hat for activities, sleeping bag, sheet, pillow slip and personal items. You will also need to bring something to wear on Saturday evening in the theme of St. Patrick’s Day and a hat for the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

I hope to see you ready to join the fun and games the tour team has prepared for you.

Patricia Shaw
State Commissioner Cub Scouts

14 year old Grace Didlick, Tamworth Oxley Scout Troop, has been featured in an article in the January edition of Dolly magazine. The one page interview is part of a special 'Your Space' feature.

Grace spoke about why she joined Scouts, her experience at AJ2010 and her plans to attain the Australian Scout Medal.  

Click here to read the article.

Scouts Australia NSW delivers excellent programs to young people across the State. Hundreds of volunteers make this happen, both at Scout Group meetings in Scout Halls (where volunteers work directly with young people), but also on Committees at the State level. Committee Members give their wisdom, advice and skills to help the Scout Movement continue to operate with excellence in a society that has more demands and requirements every year!

Currently we have a vacancy to fill on our Scoutsafe (Risk Management) Committee. We are specifically seeking a new Committee Member with great skills in Risk Management, Privacy and OH&S management. Ideally, this person would have a secondary interest in the management and handling of people related issues. Appropriate Tertiary Qualifications and significant experience in one or more of the above fields is highly desirable.

The "Scoutsafe Committee" is a State Committee that monitors, formulates and implements processes, procedures and practices in the areas of privacy, health and safety and risk management. This Committee meets monthly, usually by teleconference.

To apply, please contact Robert Rodgers, Chairman Scoutsafe Committee, by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Insurance Committee is seeking an Under 30 member to support its mission. Rovers with appropriate skills are encouraged to apply.

To apply, please contact Neville Hendersen, Chairman Insurance Committee, by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You would need to attend Committee meetings and offer your support as required. For example, you might be asked to research a particular case or give advice on a people issue and share your findings with the Committee. You may also be asked to mediate some specific cases or assist in fact finding research relating to reported incidents.

The Christmas season is upon us and Santa is due to come down the chimney in only a few weeks! So make sure that there is somewhere for him to leave the presents. Why not buy a Christmas tree from a local Scout Group? Below is a list of Scout Groups selling Christmas trees.

Click Here for locations and sales information.

IMAGINE a primary school where over a thousand students had to share just 8 classrooms - forcing them to attend in shifts so everyone could learn. Unfortunately that is the harsh reality in some primary schools in East Timor.

That's the challenge that Aimutin Escola Primária, a school in East Timor's capital Dili, faces every day. With 18 teachers taking shifts to work together, there are simply not enough resources, teachers, classrooms and facilities to service the school population.

Enter the Timor-Leste Partnership Project – a collaboration between Scouts in Australia and Timor-Leste, Rotary Clubs in Dili and Australia , and the Centenary of Canberra's "Dollars for Dili" campaign. Whilst being an alliance between these organisations, it has also been a partnership between Australian and Timorese young people from Scouts and Rotaract.

A core part of the project is Timor-Leste Scouts and Rotaract taking a major part in identifying different schools in the area to find one that could benefit most from the aid, and then bringing in their Australian counterparts to help in the service on the ground.

The Timor-Leste Ministry of Education in Dili is also involved.

Twenty three year old Rover Scout Lauren Tubby from says that the project has made an enormous difference to the school.

"It was a fantastic project where we were able to work together with the local Scouts and have created strong bonds together. I'd totally do it again and recommend it to others to do,' she said. "It's great to see the work we could do for the school and lovely to see how much they appreciated it."

Lauren joined Rovers from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia and Rotarians to travel to Timor-Leste in July, with funding from Dubbo South Rotary Club, the ACT Government's 'Dollars for Dili' campaign and Scouts Australia as well as a significant financial contribution from each of the team members.

The scheme is also supported in Dili by Toll Remote Logistics, Scouts Timor-Leste, the Timor-Leste Ministry of Education and the local Rotaract and Rotary Clubs of Dili.

The project has been working to improve the school's health and sanitation, where there are currently only four toilets servicing the entire school's population. The project has signed on a local contractor to build another eight toilet cubicles for the school to improve the school's situation.

2012 Project Manager and Victorian Rover Nicole Strachan says that the project was a brilliant opportunity to provide service with the inspiration Timorese youth.

"To extend who you are through the provision of service was an amazing experience. The friendships forged are lifelong and the opportunity to help develop one of the most beautiful nations will be with you forever. I cannot wait to share this project with new rovers and rotaractors next year.

Scouts Australia NSW has been contacted by the producers of the Bear Grylls live on stage show, offering Scout Youth Members the opportunity to perform with Bear Grylls on stage in a special finale song number.  If you are eager to perform at the Sydney Show that is coming up this weekend, Sunday 16 October 2011, we are still looking for a minimum of 15 participants so that the performance can go ahead.

The show is being held at the Sydney Convention Centre, with a starting time of 4pm.  The show producer would kindly request the youth who are participating in the finale number to gather at 2pm for a 2.30pm rehearsal.  The actual finale performance will be at 6.20pm and the kids will be free to leave by 6.40pm.

To assist you in learning the song to be perfomed on stage, please click below to download the score and guide vocals.

• Bear Grylls score
• Bear Grylls guide vocals

If you would like to register your interest, please contact Jon Willis, Executive Producer, directly on 0418 546 146 or by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Doug Menzies, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia NSW, has issued a letter which addresses the uniform requirements for all Members in New South Wales. 

Please click here to read this update.

The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) has today announced the list of organisations which have been successful in receiving funding under Volunteer Grants 2011.

Scouts Australia NSW has received 17 successful applications amounting to a total of over $58,000 in funding.

The following Groups/Committees/Camps and Regions have been successful in receiving funding:

• Coffs Harbour Scout group
• Braham Committee
• 1st Lismore
• 1st Mudgee
• 1st St Georges Basin
• Cardiff Scout Group
• Lynchwood Scout Camp
• North West Region
• Tamworth Hillvue Scout Group
• Tamworth Oxley
• 1st Cobargo Scout Group
• 5th Bankstown ICPA Scout Group 
• 1st Balgownie Scout Group 
• Mt Keira Scout Camp Volunteers Group
• 1st Russell Vale Scout Group
• 1st Gundagai Scout Group 
• Third Broken Hill Sea Scouts

The successful recipients will receive between $1,000 and $5,000 each to enable the purchase of small equipment items and contribute towards reimbursement of other costs, including fuel and transport costs for volunteers with a disability, training courses, and background screening checks for volunteers.

Congratulations to all the successful recipients!

Scouts Australia NSW is organising a special dinner to celebrate the achievements of Queen’s Scout, King’s Scout and Baden Powell Awardees over the years, from the inception of the award, to the most current recipients.

Scouts Australia NSW has a database system containing the names and details of the more recent awardees, however if you received your award earlier, or your details have recently changed, could you please register your details in the form below or call 1800 SCOUTS (1800 726 887).

We don’t want anyone to miss out on this special reunion, so please pass on this information to anyone you may know who has been a past recipient.

Thank you for your co-operation.

The Australian Institute of Personal Trainers is hosting the first International Health and Fitness Forum at Sydney Cricket Ground on October 28 and 29, 2011. 

As a special offer to Scouts, you can attend this first of its kind event for $80 per day instead of $275 per day.   Hear from leading entrepreneurs including John Symond of Aussie Home Loans and Paul Greenberg from Deals Direct.   

In order to access this great price, click here to go to the IHFF website, and in the “register now” page, enter the code AIPT80 in the voucher/code section. 

Please CLICK HERE  to view the program.

Would you like to extend your role in Scouting or find it hard to commit to Scouting each week but still want to stay involved?

Well we have the answer! Why not become a Ranger at Cataract Scout Park, the site that will host the 24^th Australian Jamboree in 2016?

The Rangers accommodation for the weekend is in a large four bedroom brick house, with a kitchen, two bathrooms, heating for those cold winter nights and AC for those hot summer days.

You will still be involved with Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and external clients, by running the activities we have to offer at the Park.

If this is what you are looking for you will be required to commit to the following:

• Give up one weekend in six
• Undertake training to run our onsite activities
• Be prepared to undertake a small amount of on-site maintenance on your rostered weekend when not running activities
• Work and live in a team environment, with up to six other Rangers and their families

We currently have one whole team weekend vacant, so why not get a few friends together and make up a new team. Otherwise you could join an existing team and make new friends.

For more information contact Terry Brooke via email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Give it a go!

On Monday 19 September 2011, a group of 15 Scouts, made up of Venturers, Rovers and Scout Leaders, experienced an exhilarating descent as they abseiled down the 115m high AMP Building at Scout Place, Circular Quay.

In the spirit of the Scouting slogan, “Be Prepared…for New Adventure”, the abseil aimed to promote the importance of responsible risk-taking in young people as part of the City of Sydney’s official unveiling of Windlines: The Scout Compass of Discovery (funded through the benevolence of Dick and Pip Smith).

In 2008, Dick and Pip Smith donated $1 million to Scouts Australia to help celebrate 100 years of Scouting in Australia and to promote the importance of responsible risk-taking.

Windlines: The Scout Compass of Discovery, by artists Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford, aims to infuse a sense of adventure and exploration in locals and visitors alike.  With the turning of the windvane, the significant sculpture captures the physical and imaginative journeys of discovery, which lie at the heart of the Scouts program.

Former Scout, Dick Smith, who was a key speaker at the official unveiling, emphasised how the Scouts approach to responsible risk-taking underpinned his success in business and life.

"Scouts had the most incredible affect on my life, because they taught me responsible risk taking,” he said.

Looking out across the spectacular views of Sydney Harbour from the top of the AMB Building, and taking that first brave step down, will undoubtedly remain an unforgettable moment in what was a great adventure for this group of young people.

Attention Scout Groups!

The 54th Jamboree on the Air and 15th Jamboree on the Internet is on its way and a number of local and regional events have been organised in NSW.  This is your opportunity to participate in amateur radio and/or internet activities, united with 500,000 Scouts and Guides from around the world.

The following event in the Sydney North Region has just been posted:

Sydney North Region

Type of event: Weekend camp with radio, internet, electronics, and water activities
Description: Scouts and Guides camp for the weekend and participate in a rostered range of radio and internet activities, and assemble an electronic kit. The water activities team also run canoeing and sailing activities. Cubs can visit for an hour or two and participate in radio and internet activities.
Sections most suited to: Cubs and Scouts
Date: All weekend 15-16 October
Location: Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park at Narrabeen
Cost: Cost for Scouts and Guides is $50. This price includes camping fee, electronics kit and all activities. Cost for Cubs is $5 (includes JOTA badge, radio and internet activities)
Closing date for bookings: 23 September 2011
Contact name: Glenn Satchell
Contact email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: For more information please visit http://jota.uniq.com.au

Please keep checking the website for more updates!

The deadline for entries for the NSW Environment Photo Competition has been extended until 11 November 2011 (COB) with reconsideration being given to all current entries, plus any new entries received.

The decision to extend the competition has been reached to encourage more entries to reflect the true theme of the competition- Scouts in action.  The judges are looking for photos which show the Scouting community’s direct involvement in environment projects.

Welcome to the fifth year of Scouts Australia’s partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) to raise funds for seriously ill children and their families by participating in McHappy Day!

Last year the day raised over $2.3 million for RMHC, and we also had a record number of Scouts take part in raising funds. Many Groups provided feedback about last year’s experience and we are working with RMHC and McDonald's to make Scouts Australia’s involvement in McHappy Day 2011 bigger and better than ever.

This year is a special year at RMHC as it is the 20^th Anniversary for McHappy Day.  The target set by RMHC for 2011 is $3 million, which they are hoping Scouts will in some capacity assist them in achieving!

This year we are once again asking Scout Groups to assist young McDonald’s staff in collecting money for RMHC in their local McDonald’s on McHappy Day. However, if you don’t live near a McDonald’s, why not conduct your own fundraising event to raise money for RMHC!

100% of the money raised on McHappy Day goes to RMHC, so our members can feel good about helping seriously ill kids… and it’s also a great way for your Group to talk about Scouting with families in your local community.

McHappy Day may also provide an opportunity for you to establish an ongoing relationship with the management of your local McDonald’s restaurant. This could result in employment opportunities, prize donations or community advertising for Scouts.

In return for Scouts Australia’s participation in fundraising for RMHC on McHappy Day, McDonald’s will provide participants with a free badge. McDonald’s will also place Scouts Australia promotional tray mats in all its 800 restaurants during March-December 2012.

For Groups fundraising in McDonald’s restaurants

In October, the Branch Coordinators will provide the name and contact number of McHappy Day event managers in each McDonald’s restaurant. Once you receive the contact details from your Branch Coordinator, you can give the event manager a call and start planning your Group’s involvement in McHappy Day.

If your Group is planning to participate in McHappy Day, please click here to read more about your role in McDonald’s Restaurants, including what to expect and consider as part of your Group’s involvement.

 For Groups conducting independent fundraising events

Scouts Australia encourages all Groups to work alongside their local McDonald’s while conducting fundraising. However where this is not possible, Groups are also able to conduct whatever sort of fundraising event they like. Once you have counted the proceeds, please make out a cheque to Ronald McDonald House Charities and send it to us as soon as possible after McHappy Day. You can post the cheque to the Branch Coordinator at your state Branch Office, or directly to Natasha Omar, National McHappy Day Coordinator, at Scouts Australia House, Level 1, 8 Help St, Chatswood NSW 2067.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your NSW Branch Coordinator, Rosalie Batistoni by phone 9735 9034 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thank you for taking part in McHappy Day 2011 to raise funds for seriously ill kids and their families!

 SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? REGISTER YOUR GROUP’S INTEREST TODAY!

 McHappy Day Registration

To assist Groups in teaming up with a local McDonald’s store, this year we are asking Groups to nominate the top three McDonald’s Restaurants they would prefer to attend, from a list of available McDonald’s stores.  To view this list, please click here .

To register your Group for McHappy Day 2011 please submit your Group name and contact details in the registration form below, and nominate your three selected store names.

Please register your involvement no later than 18^th September 2011 so we can advise the stores accordingly.

Attention: Leaders

Fishers Ghost Amateur Radio Club (FGARC) will once again be manning the Amateur Radio Building at Cataract Scout Park this year. Cataract Scout Park is the only Scout Park in NSW that has a dedicated radio shack. 

Why not bring your Cubs/Scouts to Cataract for this event and let them enjoy the experience of talking over the air waves to other Scouts around Australia. 

Young Guns Fishing Adventures have been providing fishing lessons in all aspects of fishing for many years. Specialising in land based fishing lessons for both fresh and saltwater species, they are one of the most renowned tuition providers in NSW.

The directors, Todd and Melanie, have tailored a specific program to the Cub Scouts Fishing Badges Level 1 & 2.  They are also offering a special price for Scouts NSW Groups who book before 5 September 2011 for the Spring and/or Summer holidays.

Bear Grylls, the hero of MAN vs. WILD and Chief Scout of the UK, has announced a second Sydney show, to be held at 4pm on Sunday 16 October, at the Sydney Convention Centre.

If you missed out on tickets for the first show, you can now pre-purchase tickets to the most daring and adrenalin-fuelled show in Sydney, before they go on sale to the general public.  Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Thursday 25 August at http://premier.ticketek.com.au/ppredirect.aspx?pp=QFANC&sh=BEARGRYL11.

Be part of the adventure and join Bear Grylls, as he shares his experiences of survival in some of the world’s toughest environments, in conversation with one of his greatest fans, comedian and broadcaster Merrick Watts.

Be inspired as Bear relives some of the great escapes and sticky situations of his life as a soldier, mountaineer and serial adventurer. Learn about the intrepid crew behind MAN vs. WILD, and the mind-boggling logistics which go into every expedition. See breathtaking footage of some of the world’s most remote and hostile locations and find out what it is like to be parachuted in there --- from the man who did it, and survived!

Don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal, and experience…The Stories, The Danger, The Man.

"As a Scout, you are the guardian of the woods. A Scout never damages a tree by hacking it with his knife or axe. It does not take long to fell a tree, but it takes many years to grow one, so a Scout cuts down a tree for a good reason only - not just for the sake of using his axe. For every tree felled, two should be planted." - Baden Powell

With these words Baden Powell recognised the importance of the environment and a Scout’s duty toward it. Today, when the environment is constantly talked about in all areas of life we see just how right he was!  Scouts are the guardians of the woods and we continue this tradition in 2011 with Scout Environment Weeks over the month of September.

Scout Environment Weeks is a simple, yet highly effective concept to encourage Scouts to learn more about our environment and be active locally, whilst working towards some of the many environmental awards available in Scouts.

To participate in Scout Environment Weeks with your local Scout Group there are three simple criteria:

• Should be conducted within the month of September.
• All participants must complete a minimum of 4 hours which will contain education or training and a practical work component.
• All activities should be conducted within a 50km radius of your formation’s regular place of meeting.

Contacting your local council or local environmental organisations such as LandCare or “Friends Of” Groups is a great way of finding out more ideas of what you can do. Scouts Australia also have a number of partnerships with group such as Clean Up the World, which provide you plenty of ideas and resources to get really involved. Please click here to download a list of project ideas to get you started.

Please click here to download a Registration Form to participate in Scout Environment Weeks, request badges for everyone who participated, and let us know about your project. 

Don't forget to fill in the Registration Form and send it in to your Branch Commissioner for Environment via your Branch HQ, so you can receive the badge and we can all share the great work Scouts across Australia are doing for the environment (maybe even include photos of your efforts)!  A SEW2011 Badge is available for each participant once a registered activity is completed.

So why not take the time to prepare an environmental activity for your formation or entire Scout Group, perhaps partner up with another organisation in your local community, and show what Scouts can do for fun and enjoyment in our local environment.

54th JAMBOREE ON THE AIR and 15th JAMBOREE ON THE INTERNET

THEME: PEACE, ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL DISASTERS                                       

15-16TH OCTOBER, 2011                                                  

The 54th Jamboree on the Air and 15th Jamboree on the Internet is on its way and a number of Scout Groups have organised local events which you may be able to attend.

• Scouts Australia NSW - Not For Profit Community Organisation
• Large and Diverse Property Portfolio
• Full Time Permanent Role based at Sydney Olympic Park

Scouts Australia NSW seeks a Property Economics Officer to assist and influence the Association's strategic and practical management of its property, facilities and other assets, to ensure maximum practical utilisation of, and financial returns on, this large and varied portfolio.

Three hundred and eleven Adult Members of Scouts Australia, New South Wales, were honoured by the Chief Scout of Australia, Her Excellency, Governor-General Ms Quentin Bryce AC in the annual Adult Recognition Awards for good service, part of The Scout Association's observance of the founding of Scouting at the first Scout Camp held at Brownsea Island in the UK on 1 August 1907.

Congratulations to all the recipients for 2011!

To view the full list of Adult Members who received Adult Recognition Awards, please click here .

The National Rover Council runs an annual competition aimed at encouraging Rovers to go out and have adventures. This competition is designed to encourage Rovers to consider what would be an adventure to them, and to plan and implement such an activity. Remember you have until the 1 November 2011 to participate in such an adventure.

The Alpine Centre at Jindabyne in the heart of the Snowy Mountains provides modern, clean, comfortable dormitory style accommodation in the Tony Balthasar Lodge.

We have dormitory style rooms for a 100 people, in two separate bunkrooms of 50 beds each. Separate self contained rooms and bunkrooms are also available for Leaders, teachers and supervisors under the same roof.

Facilities in the Tony Balthasar building include a fully equipped kitchen, dining room/assembly hall, drying room, supervisor’s lounge and TV/DVD player. There are also BBQ facilities and games equipment which are available to use on the large lawn area outside the building.

The snow season is not far away so you need to act now to secure your booking at this popular Scouting venue. Contact Kirrily on 6456 2433 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to find out what’s still available!

Over the past 12 months the State Activities Council (SAC) reviewed the policies and rules for the safe conduct of activities in NSW. We now have one Adventurous Activity Policy that is supported by a variety of skill specific Rules. These Rules will be reviewed on a regular basis by the SAC to ensure that Scouts Australia NSW continues to meet community expectations and best practice within the outdoor recreation environment.

The new Policy and Rules come into effect on Monday May 2, 2011. There will be a one month transition period between the old policies and new Adventurous Activity Policy.  I encourage you to familiarise yourself with the new requirements. Over the next few months, we will introduce additional guidelines to help improve Scouting for Youth Members.

The basic premise for the changes is to provide a link between the existing Youth Members award schemes (where appropriate) and the entry level into the freedom to participate in outdoor activities. Your Region Activity Team can assist you in gaining necessary skills, and I encourage you to contact your Region Commissioner Activities for support and advice.

If you believe that our review has missed a point of the obvious (I often call this a BFO - Blinding Flash of the Obvious) please feel free to contact your RC Activities for clarification. Any suggestions can be sent to me, in writing, c/o the NSW State Office - PO BOX 125 LIDCOMBE NSW 1825.   Our team will meet in June and this will provide an ideal opportunity to ensure that we continue to give the best outdoor experiences to our Members.

Warren Goodall
State Commissioner Activities

Click here to learn more

Scouts NSW has a vacancy for the role of the NSW Coordinator for the Scout International Student Exchange Program (SISEP). 

I would like to thank everyone in the Australian Scouting Community for their valued support over the past 10 days. Our first aim in Queensland is to make sure that Scouting keeps happening and that sectioned programmes start back on their due date.

Please select the link below for 2011-2012 Membership Fees for Regions on Annual and Quarterly Billing

The Insurance Committee is currently seeking help in identifying a member of Scouts Australia NSW under 30 years of age to participate in the committee. Candidates do not have to be working in the insurance industry but could have a finance or administration background, or have an interest in this area.

Do you know that you can apply for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (from Bronze to Gold Levels) while you are completing your Queens Scout Award? There is quite a lot of common ground between the awards and it is not too difficult to qualify for the D of E while you are travelling through to Queens Scout.

Your stories; Your Camp Blankets

You might remember the time that you sat around, unpicking your loose stitches so you could swap a badge with the kid from the other side of NSW at a Jamboree. Perhaps you look at a particular addition and remember exactly where you were the moment you first laid your hand on it. Or another might remind you of the experience, the ordeal of driving through 40 degree temperatures with no air conditioning to get to the camp where you met lifelong friends.

SAFETY ALERT 2010/4

Baden Powell centre at Pennant Hills now has a great new permanent crate stack site established, and the Leap of Faith activity has been completely refurbished and upgraded!

Are you thinking about your 2011 program? Why not think about the Air Activities Centre for something really fun and different!

Scouts NSW is seeking expressions of interest for the role of the NSW Coordinator for the Scout International Student Exchange Program (SISEP).

We have received notification of a medical device recall which may affect Scout Groups.

Scouts NSW has been fortunate enough to obtain 3 mobile climbing walls to assist in our provision of adventurous activities. To assist with easy collection and drop off, the walls will be stored at Cataract Scout Park and the Baden Powell Scout Centre at Pennant Hills.

Are you looking for a weekend stay in Sydney that involves some sightseeing and a visit to the city?

The State Insurance Committee is investigating the possibility of offering a group insurance scheme for Scout Groups/Formations who have trailers.

If you have any of the older style uniforms and / or badges you are willing to donate, we can give them a new home. NSW Scouts has a number of programs supporting Scouts in Vanuatu. Collecting and sending over these uniforms and badges is one of our programs.

Registering a Motor Vehicle in the name of the Association should be easy when you are equipped with the correct documentation. Read on for further details.