Every Opportunity taken
World Scout Jamboree
Local students Scarlett Grinter, Noah Sullivan, and Isaac Wilkin-Thom, along with 5 others from our local Scout Troop boarded their plane to West Virginia in America for the 24th World Scout Jamboree. There are 540 Australian youths going this year, they will be joined by over 40,000 other Scouts from around the world, to take part in the world's largest peace rally.
Camping right next door to Scouts from other countries, Scarlett, Noah and Isaac will have a once in a lifetime cultural experience. During the Jamboree, the Scouts have the opportunity to take part in whitewater rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, and zip-lining.
The camp is on a 14,000 acres Reserve, with mountains and forests, next to a 70,000acre National Park. The venue has the most environmentally sustainable human habitats ever built for Scouts. They have a rainwater recovery system and wind and solar-generated energy.
Bear Grills was one of the opening guest speakers, as he started his now-famous outdoor career in scouting.
Well done to all of you. "EVERY OPPORTUNITY TAKEN"
Ellie is leading the way....
On the last day of Term Two, Ellie Jones was one of 36 recipients within Victoria to receive her Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. This was a culmination of 12 months of service, physical endeavour, skill development, an Adventurous Journey and a five-day residential leadership program.
Ellie was given the honour of addressing the audience on behalf of all recipients, sharing her personal journey and benefits of completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award.
Excerpt from Ellie Jones speech:
My journey is not unique, though, every awardee present today has a similar story filled with their own peaks and valleys. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has reinforced for each of us the importance of initiative and enterprise, skill, self-discipline, and memory and imagination. It has not allowed us not to fall victim to the widespread disease of “spectator-it is”, the restless haste of modern life or the ever-present availability of stimulants and tranquilizers. It has taught us to have the compassion to make a change, to be leaders in practice rather than words and to live a purposeful and truly meaningful life where success is measured in qualities beyond dollars. Kurt Hahn once observed that “There is more to us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less”. The Duke of Ed has made that impossible.
Year 10 student, Noah Sullivan received the prestigious Australian Scout Medallion for his effort and dedication to Scouting and his Community.
This award is considered the pinnacle of Scouting at this stage. To earn the Australian Scout Medallion a Scout must:
- Participate in a Scout Leadership Course at any time after completion of the Pioneer Badge;
- Demonstrate an active leadership role in Scouting;
- Achieve the Adventurer Cord
A significant amount Noah's time and effort have gone into Scouts and his pursuit of this award, so it is wonderful to see him be rewarded for this hard work. Congratulations to Noah and his parents for all their support.
Education State Forum
Recently, Year 12 student, Ellie Jones continued her work as an advocate for rural, government education at the Education State Forum in Melbourne.
Ellie was invited to participate in a panel discussion as a Rural Youth Ambassador alumni, ensuring the voice of all country students is heard in critical education debates.