Broken Bay Scout Group

Australian Scout Medallion (ASM) for Greta

We’re sure Greta’s heard this many, many times – but a big B-R-A-V-O-O-O to her just the same! Greta was presented with her Australian Scout Medallion (ASM) Certificate in early April by Chief Commissioner Neville Tomkins OAM JP.

Greta was just one of 39 NSW recipients and she was awarded her medallion at the Broken Bay Scout Group 2016 Christmas celebrations.

For those who are wondering exactly what the ASM represents it is “the highest award in the Scout Section” and is considered “the pinnacle” of Scouting at this stage.

A Giant Milestone for Goliath

Have you encountered “Goliath”? If you look around the leaders of the Broken Bay Scout Group and searched for one of the taller individuals with a big cheeky smile then you’ve found him. Yes, he’s pictured on the right in the above image with “Kotick”.

Goliath in March clocked up 10 years’ service and a big heartfelt thanks goes from all of us within the Group.

Keep up the great work Goliath and leading by example to our Scout troop! We know you’re ready for anything!

Founders Day 2017 Celebrations

A big B-R-A-V-O-O-O to Ondine and Luke on their recent AI & EH Chapman Awards at Founders Day on Sunday.

Ondine and Luke were distinguished for their application and dedication to all things scouting within their section of Scouts. Ondine a recipient for Cubs and Luke a recipient for Venturers.

A Grey Wolf award was also bestowed on the day.

Well done to all award recipients for their efforts and to our leaders for providing encouragement to all individuals within the Group (Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers alike).

There were loads of activities – with Broken Bay Scouts offering up a Pillow Fight pole as part of the entertainment…

Other activities included a rock climbing wall, sock wrestling, canoeing, chariot racing plus loads more…!

A great day for everyone!

It’s a new lawn for our Umina Cub/Joey Hall Grounds

Is there anything better than watching paint dry? Well there is – and that’s watching a freshly laid new lawn being watered after laying many rolls of turf. A most rewarding experience for those that participated.

A big thank you to all that participated in the laying of the turf (parents and children alike) and to those that prepped the land ahead of time!

We’re certain everyone will enjoy running, playing and camping on the new turf.

Even some hardy new plants were added to the mix.

Welcome rain took care of the watering for a couple of days. Looking forward to seeing the lawn well established soon.

Scouts & NASA Association

Zero Robotics Express Advocate 27-01-2017.pdf

I must confess to not being aware of the association of Scouts and NASA until it was brought to my attention by Anthony (thank you!).

One of our own members of the Broken Bay Scout Group Luke Tuthill who has been engaged in Venturers and as helper to our Group has been involved in a robotics championship which involves interaction with the International Space Station. Well done Luke! For more information please read the link to the PDF file above.

Did you know that “More than two-thirds of all current and former astronauts have been involved in scouting”. Should you wish to learn more about the long history of Scouts and NASA please follow the link below. Very interesting reading and shows how adventure doesn’t have to remain on good old terra firma.

https://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/informal/features/F_NASA_and_Scouting.html

Return Dates – Joeys, Cubs, Scouts & Venturers

So how has everyone enjoyed the holidays? We had a busy time with State Cuboree, Corroboree, a Venturer camp and Australia Day activities but we’re all set to get right back into it next week!

Cubs return Tuesday, 7 February at 6.30 pm Umina Hall
Joeys return Wednesday, 8 February at 5.00 pm Umina Hall
Scouts return Thursday, 9 February at 7.00 pm Ettalong Hall
Keen Venturers returned Monday, 30 January at Ettalong Hall

Looking forward to another year of scouting fun! See you next week!

Your Broken Bay Leaders

YouTube/NBN News footage of Corroboree

Well didn’t Scouts have a wonderful time at Corroboree! Troop shot of which BBSG was part of above.

If you’re interested in getting a real feel for what happened at the camp with some of our Scouts featured please watch the footage taken by JNNTV – Scouts TV link below:

For NBN News footage of the event link below:

http://www.nbnnews.com.au/2017/01/20/scouts-converge-in-the-hunter-valley/

Hope you enjoyed watching these clips as much as I did!

Corroboree here we come!

The weather was 34 degrees when Scouts sallied forth at 6.30 am bound for the 2017 Scout Corroboree at Lostock (on the Paterson River near the Barrington Tops).

Accompanied by the troop mascot R2-D2, R2-D2 made sure that no Scout (male or female) would be left behind…making plenty of C-3PO jokes as the Scouts embarked the bus.

This year’s Corroboree has a movie theme and the Broken Bay Scouts as part of their Troop has a Star Wars theme (in case you haven’t already gathered). The Gateway to their camp will be an AT-AT. Some Patrol Names include: “The Jawas”, “The Tusken Raiders”, and “Storm Troopers” with even tents being named after Star Wars planets such as Naboo and Kashyyyk.

We bid the Scouts a wonderful time at Lostock whilst they engage in the traditional activities such as kayaking, swimming, as well as an overnight bivouac and hike.

Looking forward to all the stories guys upon your return!

A big “B-R-A-V-O-O-O” to our wonderful leaders that have accompanied them!

Cubs take to the water at state cuboree

Cubs got to enjoy an array of fun-filled activities at the 2017 NSW Cuboree themed “Myths & Legends” held over 5 days early January this year.

The water slides were an obvious hit as you can see from the images!

The Cubs also got to undertake other activities which included: abseiling, gold panning, candle making, sponge tossing, flying fox, and many others.

What a great way to see in 2017 Cubs! Thank you to all the wonderful leader and parents that accompanied them.

100 Years of Cubs, 100 Years of Taronga Zoo

Where to begin on this adventure? Such a big day and lots of excitement particularly amongst the younger members of the Group that had never previously visited Taronga Zoo.

To celebrate 100 years of Cubs and 100 Years of Taronga Zoo, Cubs and Scouts were given the opportunity to embark on this journey by the most exciting means of travel available – train, ferry and by Sky Safari Gondola. They must almost have earned a badge for that surely?

Once at the zoo Cubs, Scouts, Leaders and Family Members got to go their separate ways and see the amazing animals that just don’t frequent our backyards.

The weather was perfect with skies so blue and water so green and the cityscape backdrop was a photographer’s dream.

Great fun on the Gondola that takes you right over some of the animal enclosures!

Cubs and Scouts re-grouped and two ceremonies were held – one by Cubs to farewell three of their members and the other by Scouts to welcome the three new additions.

On to enjoy the free flight bird show! We were blown away by all the shows we saw on the day. This one featured amazingly trained birds including doves, chickens, wedge tailed eagle, condor, galahs, black cockatoos, owls and many more flying right overhead. Even trained rats made an appearance!