Despite the dropping temperatures, our youth members have still managed to get out and about over the past month or so and enjoyed meeting new people.
We had a visit from Juanita Hughes as part of her Dementia Friends program, where the youth were educated about dementia-signs and impact on the sufferer and their families.
Joeys
Our Joeys this month continued their tour of Europe with their own version of Tour de France at Pooh Corner, Wacol. This was not the Joey’s only adventure for the month as they gathered for a train trip in to Brisbane City for the annual Joey Bear Hunt arranged by Qld Branch Joey Leaders. It was a fantastic – and exhausting – day out exploring the city as they searched for ‘Bear’ who managed to get all over the CBD before we found him. Despite their exhausting day, the Joeys – who are indefatigable – rocked up a couple of days later to continue their European tour with a ‘trip’ to Spain and held their own La Tomatina festival (basically a giant tomato fight). From there it was on to England where we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth – making our own crowns and flags and enjoying lovely marmalade sandwiches that Paddington and HRH would die for.
Cubs
Our Cubs were very studiously investigating various modes of transport. They decided to join the Joeys on the Tour de France to assess the merits of bike riding. Apparently fun, yet exhausting. A couple of days later, they tried their hands at constructing vehicles out of cardboard boxes. I would love to say they were hugely successful, however this was not the case. It would seem that ‘Cub Power’ is not very efficient. Undeterred, they rocked up on Saturday to hop on a train bound for Shorncliffe – which sadly only made it to Bowen Hills where they had to transfer to a bus (track closures) which took Waaaaayyy longer than the train. We eventually made it to Shorncliffe and warmed up with dinner at the Brownsea Water Activities Centre where the Cubs investigated water travel (sailing and rafting) the next day. Alas, also not entirely successful so we had a few wet Cubs by lunchtime. We couldn’t blame them for having a night off that week and were happy when they showed up the following weekend at the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba to go back to the drawing board and learn about transport from the beginning. We learned how the boot, glove compartment and head and tail lights were named, and also learned that the lamington was invented in Toowoomba and named after Lord Lamington 8th Governor of Qld.
Scouts and Venturers
Our Scouts and Venturers certainly enjoy a good cake. They started out the month with a friendly game of bowling at Zone Richlands. They decided they really need to get lessons before the next one. The following week they opted for something a bit more creative and enjoyed another Sip & Paint night. The following week a group of Scouts (plus one Cub and some Leaders) completed their First Aid certificates – well done guys. They will definitely come in handy. Their latest adventure was a photo navigation night around Forest Lake, finishing up at the local Maccas to warm up. Our Venturers have been mostly tagging along with the Scouts – although Hunter did manage to get to the Ipswich Field Archery on the weekend to complete his Safe Participant – Archery qualifications.
QLD Day Awards
Of course, the grown ups in the group have also been busy, apart from all the activity preparation and first aid course, that is. We were very excited and proud when our Venturer Leader (Bagheera) Allan McLaughlin, Joey Leader (Maggi) Mikaylah McLaughlin and Treasurer (Koala) Krystal Smith were the recipients of Queensland Day Awards presented by Hon. Annastacia Palaszczuk (Premier), Milton Dick MP and Cr Charles Strunk at the Blue Fin Fishing Club. The Blue Fin put on an amazing spread and it was great to catch up with some of the local volunteers.
We also were lucky enough to attend a little afternoon tea where we welcomed the new Editors of the Lake News (I apologise in advance, Paul, for all the times my contribution will be late) and say our farewells to the old.
We had our monthly Group Support meeting and thanks to a few of our dedicated parents who have been working hard organising our upcoming Harry Potter Trivia Night on July 30. As always we are lucky to have the support of our local representatives, including Cr Charles Strunk who has made a generous donation to our Group, Heritage and FLOC who continue to bless us with their generosity in approving our requests for much needed equipment, and our other local clubs and businesses.
If you’d like to support us, jump online to our Facebook event for the Harry Potter Trivia night and buy a table of tickets ($15pp) for a fun night out, or head to Blue Fin Fishing Club on Lilac Street on July 26 to support our community dinner (we receive a donation for each meal over $15).
If you are interested in finding out more about how your family can be involved in Scouting, please get in touch.
We’re always happy to chat. Contact Rosella on 0402308182
