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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Governor of NSW invested as Chief Scout of Scouts NSW
Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC was invested as Chief Scout of New South Wales on Thursday 11 July, following her appointment as the 39th Governor of New South Wales on 2 May. To read the full media release, click here.
Wear your Scarf on World Scout Day
World Scout Day is coming up on 1 August and is a great opportunity to celebrate Scouting in your local community! We're calling on all past and current members to share their Scouting pride by wearing their Scout scarves to work or school on World Scout Day. A template letter is available for Youth Members to download and bring to school.
Don’t forget to send in your photos to the Scouts NSW Facebook page and use #nswscarfchallenge so we can share your photos!
Help Scouts NSW spread the word about Return and Earn
Up until 25 August, people can gift their refund to Scouts NSW when they take their eligible cans, bottles and cartons to one of the 318 Return and Earn reverse vending machines in NSW. We have raised over $2,000 so far, with all funds allocated to the Family Support Fund. Social media posts have been developed which you can use to spread the word and encourage your local community to donate their eligible containers to Scouts NSW. For more information and to access the posts, click here.
Support your local Scout Group through My Community Project
My Community Project is a NSW State Government initiative that allows you to vote for the projects you want your electorate to fund, including projects by local Scout Groups in your electorate. To learn how you can support your local Group, click here.
Families can redeem two Active Kids Vouchers with Scouts!
On 1 July, the NSW Government released a second Active Kids Voucher to eligible families and the great news is that families can use both Active Kids vouchers with Scouts NSW! The first voucher received by Scouts NSW will go towards the Scouts NSW membership fee, while the second will go towards participation/program activities. The funds from this voucher will be transferred to the Group and can go towards term fees, activities, events or camps. For more information, click here.
Scouts jet off to World Scout Jamboree!
On 17 July, 692 Scouts and Leaders from around Australia (including 277 from NSW) travelled to the United States to take part in the world’s largest Scout camp - the World Scout Jamboree. The Scouts racked up a total of 28,200 flight hours between them and took up almost the entire economy cabins of three Qantas planes! They have since arrived in West Virginia, and have dived into the adventure, challenge and fun of the World Scout Jamboree! To follow the Australian contingent’s adventures, click here.
NEW YOUTH PROGRAM
Is your Group ready for the new Youth Program?
77 Groups across NSW are currently implementing the new Youth Program and we want your Group to be next! We have created a handful of resources for you to use to ensure that you are ready to take on the next chapter in Australian Scouting – an adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive Youth Program! To find out how to get on board, click here. To learn more about the New Youth Program, click here.
UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
Nominate a Youth Member for the Scout of the Year Award
The Scout of the Year Award celebrates youth members who have contributed exceptionally to Scouting and the wider community. If you know a Joey, Cub, Scout, Venturer or Rover who has created positive change in their community, we encourage you to nominate them for this prestigious award. For more information on the Scout of the Year Award, click here. To nominate a youth member, click here. Nominations close 20 August, so get your nominations in soon!
Join Us at the Scouts NSW booth at the Camping Caravan Lifestyle Expo!
For the first time ever, Scouts NSW will have a large display and activity base at the Caravan Camping Outdoor Lifestyle Expo in Sydney Olympic Park. We’re looking for members and supporters who can provide an activity for the weekend, help run and manage activities and game stations, or volunteer in any way! If you’re interested in helping out, please complete an Expression of Interest form click here.
Youth Members Invited to take part in Resilience Survey
Scouts Australia is partnering with Resilient Youth Australia to research the impact of Scouting on young Australians. Youth Members aged between 8-25 years old (Cubs, Scouts, Venturers and Rovers) from across NSW are invited to take part in the National Youth Resilience Survey, and go into a draw to win one of three JB Hi-Fi vouchers. Please share the link to the survey with your Scout families and encourage your Youth Members to complete the survey here.
Special Needs Conference
Applications for the annual Special Needs Conference are still open! The conference will take place on 10-11 August at the Baden Powell Scout Centre, and provides adult Scouting members and youth members over 15 years old the information and resources to assist the delivery of Scouting to those with Special Needs. For more information, click here.
Agoonoree 2019
Applications for ‘Top Secret Agoonoree’ are now open. The event will take place on 27-30 September at the Bundilla Scout Camp, providing Scouts with special needs an opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities and make new friends. For more information, click here.
Cuboree 2020 Leaders, Junior Service Leaders and Parent Helpers wanted!
Cuboree 2020 is just under six months away and is set to be the biggest and best one yet! We’re on the lookout for Leaders, Junior Service Leaders and Parent Helpers to join in the fun and help make Cuboree a memorable experience for our Cub Scouts. Help us spread the word! To find out more or to register, click here.
STATE NOTICEBOARD
Meet the Team
Contacting State Office staff is easier than ever before with the launch of our new ‘Meet the Team’ contact page. Members and supporters can visit the page and complete a contact form for their message to be passed on to the relevant Department. To meet the State Office team, click here.
Help refugee families enjoy a Scouting life
Imagine leaving everything you know, to travel to a new country. Your home, your school, your friends, all left behind. How do you start again? How do you connect to your new community and make new friends? That’s where we can help!
The Scouts for Refugees Support Fund offers financial assistance to young refugees and their families living in NSW to enjoy Scouting. Membership fees, the cost of uniforms and money to help with some activities is available now. If you know someone who could benefit from help with their cost of Scouting, tell them about the Scouts for Refugees Support Fund. More information is available on our website or speak with your Region Office.
100 years of Leader skills and commitment
This year marks 100 years since the first Wood Badge was awarded to a Leader in Scouting. That’s 100 years of recognising the commitment and the skills of our adult members who have supported and continue to support young people around our State and across the world. It’s time to celebrate the accomplishments of our Leaders who have achieved their Wood Badge. To learn how you can share your Wood Badge story, click here.
Join the State Advisory Council for Environment
The new look State Advisory Council for Environment is currently looking for new members to contribute their passion and ideas to the future of environmental programming, and direction within the State. If you are interested in sustainability, plants and animals and environmental management, be sure to apply. No previous experience is necessary, just a creative mind and willingness to work with a like-minded team of youth and adults.
To apply, email the State Commissioner - Environment at simone.haider@nsw.scouts.com.au.
A look back at the history of the Stan Bales Rover Service Award
The National Rover Council award was established by the National Rover Council in 1981 and recognises Rovers and non-Rovers alike who have made a major contribution to the Rover section and given at least five years of outstanding and consistent service. In 2001 the Rover Service Award in NSW was renamed the Stan Bales Rover Service Award, to recognise the valuable contribution of Stan Bales. To learn more about the history of the award and about Stan Bales, click here.
Child Safety in Scouting
Scouts Australia NSW is committed to operating as a child safe organisation and implementing child 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, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Youth Safety, Compliance and Support), the CEO or the Child Protection Officer at the NSW State Office.
To make a report use the online child protection form, call 02 9735 9000 or email childprotection@nsw.scouts.com.au.
Imminent Danger
If a young person is in imminent danger, the matter should be reported directly and immediately to NSW Police on 131 444.
Where a report is made to the police, you should also subsequently notify the NSW State Office.
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