Matt meets famous ex-scout Sir Richard!

Matt Douglass, one of Avoca Beach's scouts, wanted to meet Sir Richard because he was in awe of the man and he wanted to promote the 100 years of Australian Scouting. Sir Richard Branson was once a scout too. He did, scouts never give in!

Sir Richard Branson is one of Britain's most successful businessmen. With a commercial empire spanning entertainment, travel, drinks, retail, insurance and telecommunications there are few sectors which have not escaped the attentions of his famous Virgin brand. In Australia the Virgin brand is in the form of Virgin Blue Airlines; and Virgin Mobile (phones).

Richard has spent his life challenging the status quo, innovating and striving for success. His parallel career as an adventurer has seen him enter the record books in hot air balloons, speed boats and more attempts are planned. Richard says about Scouting:

"Great fun, great adventures. Lots of outdoor activities which I love. Experience of leadership. Never could learn how to tie a knot though!"

Matt, you've got one up on Richard, hopefully you have learnt to tie your Scoutcraft knots!

Join the Scouts......

You never know where it might take you .....

Sir Richard Branson was once a scout !!

We Want You !

No not scouts, (although we could do with a few more...), but parents.

As our current parent supporters group committee is now retiring, some members having served admirably for up to ten years, all committee positions now fall vacant and must be filled immediately if 1st Avoca Beach Scouts is to continue successfully. We ask for your support.

Our Group Committee is an essential part of the 1st Avoca Beach Scout Group. It is comprised of a group of caring parents that work to support the uniformed Leaders running the affairs of the group in practical ways like keeping the hall maintained, collecting fees, paying the bills, assisting with the organization of activities, social events and raising funds to meet the Group's ongoing expenses.

The Group Committee usually meets once a term for a one hour meeting where most of the business is conducted. It’s serious stuff keeping the wheels turnin’ and the lights-a–burn’n. The harsh reality is though our parent supporters can enjoy a pretty good social life just by being involved. Scouting is for children, but it is their parents as well as caring adults who give the youth scouting. All our Leaders and committee members have volunteered their time and talents to enable the scout program to be delivered to our youth members.

Our Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held on the 2nd April and it is essential we fill the important committee positions of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Hall Hirer and Fundraising/Job Week Co-ordinator by that date. There are also other roles available, but these are the important positions to be filled for our group to function. The work involved in these positions is not onerous and I can provide a full description of the roles and responsibilities together with all assistance and support needed.

If these important supporter roles are not filled for 2008, then our group would need to close as it cannot function without the input provided by these positions.

PS at any time we are also ALWAYS looking for leaders. A few new scout leaders at the moment would certainly not go astray. For the ultimate challenge and fun, be a leader!

Please support us.

Rob “Musca” Milne – Group Leader, 1st Avoca Beach Scouts

Family Surf Camp – Weekend of 15th & 16th March

On the weekend of the 15th and 16th March 2008 is our family surf camp. This is a great opportunity for all families of cubs and scouts to get together, relax and have fun, on the beach!

All Avoca Beach cub and scout families, parents, children, relatives and friends are not only welcome to attend, but encouraged!

Please note that whilst we may conduct some activities like hiking or boating, supervision of the behaviour and care of all children will be, at all times, the sole responsibility of their parents or carers. Note that this camp site is immediately adjacent to an un-patrolled surf beach, which at times can be quite dangerous for swimming and surfing. All children should only enter the water with the approval of and supervision by their parent or carer. Leaders will not be supervising this weekend, they need a break and will be relaxing too!

The camp is held at the Glenrock Scout Centre located right on the beach in the Glenrock State Conservation Area, Off Burwood Road, Kahibah, Newcastle.

Camping is outdoors. There are no shops in camp, but it is in close driving proximity for milk, bread, ice and gas etc. to Dudley and Kahibah. Supermarket facilities are available in Charlestown (5km away). Town water supply is provided and there are male/female septic toilets, and hot showers. There is a weekend onsite duty warden. Camp activities in the Conservation Park include swimming, canoeing, beach fishing and excellent hiking on marked trails around the park on the Yeulerbah Walking Track, part of the Great North Walk.

You will need to BYO everything for outdoor camping and cooking. No facilities or resources will be provided by Avoca Beach Scouts, other than bringing the group BBQ. Please plan and bring everything your family will need. Open fires are permissible in the designated fireplaces, but would depend on any fire restrictions on the day. No pets/animals allowed, leave them at home (but not your scout!).


Camp fees are free for all Hunter and Coastal registered scout members (cubs, scouts & leaders – membership has its privileges!) $14.60 per person, per weekend for all others (no exceptions!) and will be collected on the Saturday afternoon, please bring the correct amount and change. This is the same as to whether you arrive Friday evening or Saturday. Arrival is anytime after 5.00pm Friday (please check in with Nicole at the warden’s house) and departure before 4.00pm on Sunday.

This is an official scout camp and regional training facility, there will be members from other groups and possibly the invited public too; we wish Avoca scouts to be an exemplary example of the scouting community. Poor behaviour or disregard of the camp rules will result in the offenders being asked to leave. Please advise your children of this. Full scout uniform should be worn by all members when arriving and leaving the camp; which is normal scout etiquette at all official scout camps.

I look forward to seeing you there and have fun !

“Musca"

Scout Day at the Easter Show, Sat 29th March

If you are thinking of going to the Easter Show this year, then as you know this can be an expensive experience, here is an opportunity to save some money...

All Youth Members, Leaders, and their families are invited to celebrate 100 years of Scouting in Australia at the Royal Easter Show on Saturday March 29, 2008. Purchase your tickets through Scouts and you will receive a 25% discount.
Come along on the day and join in the Grand Parade at 1 pm, as well as experience FREE Scout activities at the Overflow. To be eligible, tickets must be purchased between February 18 and March 14, 2008.

Discounted Ticket Prices:
Adults $24.00
Children $16.10
Concession $19.10

All tickets are ShowLink tickets. As well as Show entry, ShowLink tickets include return travel on CityRail, Sydney Olympic Park Major Event Buses, regular ‘blue and white’ Sydney Buses and Sydney Ferries. ShowLink is not valid on premium bus and ferry services or private buses.

Child includes children aged 4 – 16 years, and school children 16 – 18 years with a ROA School Pupil ID (Form 202) or School Transport Pass. Children 3 years and under have free admission.

Concession includes holders of a Tertiary Concession Card, NSW Seniors Card or Pension Card.

To be eligible for this offer all tickets have to be centrally purchased through our group. We would send in one group order for all required tickets to Scouts Australia, NSW. Note that while we must centrally order the tickets, you are free to attend the show as you wish to on the day, no need to go together or do a joint group activity, of course you can if you wish to add to the experience! The Easter Show Grand Parade is a century old show tradition and it would be a great honour to attend. Again all scout members can join in this special Centenary event if they wish to and it would be great for the kids, but there is no obligation to do so. Don’t forget to wear your uniform for it!

The closing date to purchase the tickets is on the 14th March and we would need to have the money in on that date. So if you are interested and you wish to take advantage of this offer we would need to have the money into the group by the 12th March to allow time to send it in. This will be the closing date for us. So if you are interested get your orders in now!

All the best,

Musca.