Hands on Learning Report

Term 3 has been all about the community and the Hands-on Learning pillar of 'A Chance to Give Back'. We picked a beautiful day to plant 150 trees at Soapy's Dam in Canadian. 

Not only did we plant these trees, but we also got to check up on the 200 we planted last year, too. 

Despite the very dry summer over 2025/26, we had a good success rate. Friends of the Canadian Creek (FOCC) helped us by supplying the trees and equipment, and they even cooked us a sausage sizzle for lunch. We spoke a lot that day about how when we visit Soapy's Dam in the future, we know we helped make it a beautiful spot and encourage wildlife to the area. 

This term, we were also invited to the Ballarat 5th Scouts Annual Reports and Awards Presentations evening, where we were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for building and donating a shelving unit. Straalen (and his mum) were kind enough to come along and accept the certificate. Thanks, Straaz! 

Another highlight has been welcoming the newest member to the Hands on Learning team, Nigel.  

Nigel has become an integral member of the crew, participating in activities, offering suggestions and getting in and giving everything a go. Nigel has already been voted MVP and we have loved having him join us. 

We might have chosen a beautiful day to plant trees, but this was not the case with most Wednesdays this term. Mother Nature seems to save all her rain and wind for a Wednesday. On one occasion, we had to retreat to the canteen to dry our socks and warm up with a game of Monopoly.  

Some very exciting news to end Term 3: we have moved into our shed. We have heaps to do to make it a place to belong,  but it should keep us busy for the rest of the year, and into 2027.