Welcome to another edition of Leader News. This is a jam-packed edition, containing everything from our latest appearances on mainstream media to the October activities of our Scouts. Use the links below to jump to what you're searching for:
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Scouts NSW x Heart of the Nation
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Scouts NSW has partnered with Heart of the Nation to fit defibrillators in Scout halls across the state. Heart of the Nation is dedicated to increasing the survival rates of cardiac arrest by making Automated External Defibrillators (AED) easily accessible throughout communities. As part of the partnership, we are inviting Scout Groups across NSW to submit their interest in securing 23 Community Defibrillator packages for their Scout halls, which includes installation and training.
To submit an EOI for a package, click here.
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New Board Director – Bernard Cronan
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Congratulations to Bernard Cronan who was appointed to the Scouts NSW Board earlier this month. A qualified Chartered Accountant, his extensive professional experience includes external financial audit, management consulting and strategy. Bernard was previously a Scout, beginning as a Cub Scout and continuing right through to Leader. With degrees in management and certifications across technology, innovation and leadership, Bernard is a strategist at heart, a consultant by nature, an auditor by training and a Scout in values.
Welcome Bernard!
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Alpine Activity Centre – Open All Year!
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Did you know the Scouts NSW Alpine Activity Centre is open all year round?
BOOK NOW for amazing summer adventures on Lake Jindabyne or in the Snowy Mountains. Self-contained cottages available for families and bunk-style lodging for larger groups. Open for Scout Groups, family bookings, as well as school and corporate bookings. Visit the website or contact Sandra for more information!
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ScoutHub: Trek 1 2024 Member Registrations
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Registrations for 2024 Scouts NSW memberships will open in January!
ScoutHub is our online portal for registration and payment, and Trek 1 is the billing period covering Jan-Jun 2024. All current members are required to register for Trek 1 via ScoutHub to continue Scouting in the new year. ScoutHub Admins and Leaders will receive further information in November on the rollover process, and all members will receive a unique link to register at the time when registrations open in January.
Stay tuned for further updates!
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Updates to the Activity Notification System
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We are excited to be trialling an updated version of the Activity Notification System (ANS). The original ANS replaced the E1 Part 3 last year and helped us to meet SafeWork requirements. You can opt to continue with the old form for now or use the new one. The new system should provide a smoother, more streamlined experience, with better automation and less redundant questions. In addition, your emergency contacts will now be kept informed of any changes to your activity. Adult members can log in using their Scouts Office 365 account to track their requests, but youth members will also have access.
You can find the updated form here.
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Summer Alpine Camp 2024
Registrations are now open for the epic eight-day Summer Alpine Camp in the adventure capital of NSW – Jindabyne and Kosciusko National Park! Running from 12-20 January 2024 and open to all Scout members from any state, you can choose your own adventure with a range of activities including white water kayaking, mountain biking, abseiling and horse riding. Guides and Assessors will also be on camp, as well as a Youth Unit Council to help review and assess your OAS, SIA, Duke of Edinburgh and formal VET (TAFE) qualifications too.
Find out more and register here by 30 November.
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Venture24 – Leaders Needed!
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We have more than 150 NSW Venturers heading to have an awesome adventure with Scouts Victoria in January and we need additional Leaders to volunteer to support the event. Registrations for adults are open for Line Leaders to support Venturers.
If you are interested visit venture24.au and register before 15 November.
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Dragon Skin 2024
Venturer Scouts, Rover Scouts, Leaders and Supporters from around Australia! Join us as we celebrate 40 years of Dragon Skin in 2024. The premier event in the NSW Venturer Scout calendar, Dragon Skin is on from 29 March to 1 April 2024. Get your teams together and put yourselves to the test with three days and three nights of hiking, initiative activities and parties at a camp like nothing else in Australia. Registrations open 1 December.
For more information, click here.
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Governor-General’s Camp 2024
The opportunity to experience a once-in-a-lifetime event camping on the grounds of Government House, Canberra, is back! Now taking place from 14-19 April, Units, supported by adult Leaders, will camp together, eat together and support wellbeing together. Everyone from Joey Scouts to Rover Scouts is encouraged to apply – note that Joey Scouts and Cub Scouts will be invited to attend only from 16-19 April. Registrations are now open and close 30 November! Find out more or register here.
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Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2024
Scouts NSW is once again marching in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade on 2 March 2024 and we're calling on members to join us! We are going to join together and show the world how Scouts bring together people of all types to be one of the leading youth organisations, and how we embrace the theme of “Our Future...”.
Click here to express your interest in attending this event and to learn more. Applications close on 5 January 2024.
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Dick and Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund
The fourth round of applications for the Dick and Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund close on Sunday 12 November. The Fund may provide grants to youth members or project patrols to undertake activity skills, leadership training, adventurous journeys or expeditions in Australia and overseas.
For more information, click here.
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November to Remember
All adult members are invited to NSW Fellowship’s Infinity 23 gathering on the weekend of 4-5 November. This gathering at Cataract, for Fellowship, Rover Scouts and Adult Leaders, will include a formal dinner, guest speaker Christopher Holcroft (an acclaimed author and current Venturer Scout Leader in South Metropolitan Region), campfire and activities.
For more information on accommodation or bookings, click here.
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Cumberland Gang Show Auditions
If you’ve got a creative side just bursting to shine, join the cast of the 2024 Cumberland Gang Show. They are auditioning for the 2024 show “Off the Record” on Saturday 2 December between 9am and 5pm at Baden-Powell Activity Centre, Pomona St, Pennant Hills. Cumberland Gang Show is open to all active members aged eight or older by 1 January 2024. Registrations to audition close Sunday 26 November.
Register here.
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Campfire Conversations
Tonight, Chief Commissioner Lloyd will launch Campfire Conversations – an opportunity for you to ask him and the Leadership Team your burning questions and discuss what’s on your mind. Questions can be submitted ahead of time, either anonymously or not, via this link.
This is the first of a regular series to be repeated throughout the year, where Lloyd will be joined by the best people to talk on different themes dependent on submitted questions. The first session is tonight – Thursday 26 October from 7.30-8.30pm – so get in quick!
Click here to register.
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Mandatory Training Requirement Change
The National Child Protection Policy now requires all members aged over 18 who interact with our youth members to complete their mandatory on-demand training modules – Child Safe Scouting and WHS for Scouting – within three months of the member’s application for membership being accepted OR prior to an overnight activity, whichever comes first. If the member does not complete the training within the given timeframe, membership with Scouts NSW will be withdrawn and they will no longer be able to attend Scouts NSW events or activities.
For any questions, please contact training@nsw.scouts.com.au.
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Anti-bullying training
New anti-bullying training will be rolled out for all age sections in coming months. A SharePoint site – which will have preamble videos and a PowerPoint presentation – will be created, with the training to be presented by Leaders. Assistance for Leaders in presenting the training will be provided over a week period where Leaders can log in and ask questions about the presentation. Anti-bullying materials will be sent out to Groups to add to the training regime. More information will be provided on this training in the future, so watch this space.
For any questions, please contact training@nsw.scouts.com.au.
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Help reshape NSW major events – Join the team!
Seeking opportunities to start a new Scouting journey? Consider the Events portfolio. We’re currently looking for a team to help produce the best possible events Scouts NSW has ever seen. For more information, click here.
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This year marked the 66th Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), the world’s largest digital and amateur radio Scouting event. Scouts got out and about to JOTA-JOTI (Jamboree on the Internet) events across NSW last weekend (20-22 October), connecting with each other and their counterparts worldwide. Check out some of the photos here.
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Magical Mystery Tour 2023 (Taylor’s Version)
On 9 September, Rover Scouts from all over the state chose their favourite Taylor Swift Era and participated in the Normanhurst Rover Unit annual Magical Mystery Tour. Teams were given cryptic clues to navigate them to their final location, going through the Sutherland Shire, over the Seacliff Bridge to Kiama and finally to Robertson. Rover Scouts had an awesome weekend and loved being sent on an adventure down the South Coast!
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Flat Gorge Rovers Present Bushdance!
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From 22-24 September, Rover Scouts from all over NSW travelled to Tamworth for Bushdance. Flat Gorge Rovers put on an excellent event, including an extensive town tour and line dancing. An excellent time was had by all that attended.
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Cuboree
We can’t wrap up Leader News without mentioning Cuboree – what an incredible feat of collaboration, passion and enthusiasm. The event could not have happened without the dedication and support of a large number of volunteers including Leaders, Adult Helpers, Rover Scouts and Fellowship members, as well as our Venturer and Scout JSLs.
To read more about Cuboree and see the amazing photos, click here.
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Youth Safety in Scouting
Scouts NSW is committed to operating as a youth safe organisation and implementing youth safe policies and practices in accordance with the elements of a child safe institution outlined by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse report entitled Creating Child Safe Institutions.
Remember
All suspicions, concerns or allegations about criminal matters or child protection matters should be reported directly to the Chief Commissioner, CEO, State Commissioner (Youth Protection & Issues Management) or the Manager of Safeguarding Youth, Issues Management and Research at the NSW State Service Centre. To make a report you may use the online youth protection form, call 9735 9000 or email YouthProtectionTeam@nsw.scouts.com.au.
Imminent Danger
If someone is in danger NOW, the matter should be reported directly to NSW Police on 000. Where a report is made to the Police, you must also subsequently notify Scouts NSW Service Centre.
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