September 2011

Queen’s Scout Award Presentation - september 2011 from left to right, standing with the newly presented queen’s scouts are: Terry Brooke, Deputy Chief Commissioner - major events; phil crawford, State commissioner - venturer scouts; her excellency, the governor of new south wales and chief scout, professor marie bashir AC Cvo; doug menzies, chief commissioner; jan goodall, deputy chief commissioner - youth programs; and elston hynd, deputy chief commissioner

In this issue...

List of Queen’s Scout Awardees. . . . . 2 Jambo .7 .15 .13...... 9 Operation Dragnet...... 15 Australian Contingent to Cooperation: Scouting and. . . . . 17 3 Hunting in the Great Sandy Desert. . . The Boy Scouts of America the Duke of Edinburgh Award by Pat Lowe National Jamboree – July 2013 Farewell from the Editor...... 18 5 1st Caringbah Family Camp ...... 1 Look Wide advertising rates...... NSW Venturer Unit...... 19 by Darcie MacPherson Contact List Gone With the Wind...... 7 State Venturer Scout Council. . . . 12 Windsurfing with 1st Caringbah Look Wide is a publication of the Contact List New South Wales State Venturer Council . The contents are derived 8 A New State Commissioner...... A Change to Navigation...... 13 from submissions by the Regions, Phil Crawford Interview with Charles Watson OAM Districts, Venturers and Leaders . queen’s scout awards

Queen’s Scout Awardees Saturday 17 September 2011

Caley Robyn Walls Stuart James McManis 1st Ballina Normanhurst

Robert James Slater Sushen Gupta 2nd Baulkham Hills 1st North Rocks

Christopher Evan Hvass Mitchell Robert Hayes Belrose 1st North Rocks

Rick John Warneke Paul Leslie Thompson 1st Berowra Peel Valley

Thomas Stephen Rusbatch Cassandra Emma Lee Georges River 1st Sailors Bay

Richard Mark Hodge Hugo Michael Lee 1st Hornsby Heights/ 1st Sailors Bay Normanhurst Bronte Vorn Wilson Michael Vincent John Foley West Pennant Hills 1st Lilli Pilli Ciara Holder Bowe Alan James Blunt 1st Willoughby Lones Melody Rochelle van Bergen Luke Angus Robertson 1st Woollahra/ Lower Hunter Paddington

Andrew Christopher Andrews 1st Narellan

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 Hunting in the great sandy desert

The toughest country Pat Lowe is an Englishwoman who migrated to for human beings Australia in 1972. After spending several years in Perth, was surely the hot, arid she moved to the small town of Broome in the north deserts, where my partner Jimmy Pike grew up. With no of Western Australia, where she met Aboriginal artist surface water for most of the Jimmy Pike. Best known nowadays for his paintings, year and a short, unreliable rainy which are hung in galleries across the world, Jimmy season, the deserts had relatively started life in the Great Sandy Desert of Western low populations of animals as Australia where he learnt to hunt and gather food as well as of human beings. During the late dry season, they had to his ancestors had done for millennia. Pat and Jimmy concentrate in large groups near joined forces and went to live for three years at a camp known supplies of permanent in the desert, where Jimmy taught Pat about desert life. subterranean water, which they Besides exploring Jimmy’s childhood homelands and had to dig for, and walk over increasing distances to find going hunting nearly every day, the pair collaborated plant food and animals to hunt, on a number of books about desert life. carrying water for the journey in wooden coolamons. After Pat spoke to Look Wide to describe some of her good rains, when rock-holes and experiences of hunting in the Great Sandy Desert. other ephemeral waterholes had filled up, people could disperse through their country in small For many thousands of years before Europeans set family groups, seeking out sources of food they foot on the great southern land, later to be called couldn’t get to during the dry season. Australia, the people who lived here were hunters and gatherers. Over the vast continent there were Desert people knew their country, vast as it was, hundreds of different language groups and many intimately. There was no such place as ‘indoors’ different cultures. Coastal people, living close to for them, unless you count oceans alive with turtles, fish and other seafood, the hastily constructed led relatively settled lives. They varied their w o o d - a n d - g r a s s T h e saltwater diet with animals from the hinterland – mangkaja where t o“ u g h e s t emus, goannas, snakes and marsupial mammals they sheltered c o u n t r y f o r – but theirs was a land of plenty, from which they o n t h e r a r e h u m a n b e i n g s didn’t have to travel far to feed themselves. They occasions when w a s s u r e l y t h e h o t , got their vegetable food from trees, bushes and heavy rain set smaller plants, or dug them up from the ground. in. Their lives a r i d d e s e r t s , were outward where my partner Riverside people also depended partly on fish l o o k i n g . T h e y J i m m y P i k e for their diet, partly on dry-land mammals and could find their way grew up reptiles, seeds, fruit and the roots of plants. easily over hundreds of ” Forest people ate different foods again and long, rolling sandhills that, to developed their own ways of getting and European eyes, all look alike, to reach a waterhole processing them. People lived off whatever was that was no more than a tiny dry depression in the available in their particular country, and they sand. They learnt to do this from childhood; by adapted their lifestyles accordingly. the time they reached adulthood, both men and

3 rt

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 Hunting in the great sandy desert ...continued women had to be competent hunters who could a den of kittens or puppies. follow game wherever it led and, once they had caught it, head straight back to camp. Once when, with the help of our dog, Kilu, we had killed a female cat for dinner, When I went to live in the desert with Jimmy squeezed her Jimmy, I was a failure at finding my way. nipples and found that At first, my incompetence was a source they contained milk. of amusement to Jimmy and his family, Concerned that she must but when I showed little improvement have left kittens behind, they would shake their heads and say, he followed her tracks to ‘Ah, poorfella.’ Once, I brought out find her den. Kilu, ahead my compass and showed Jimmy how of us, suddenly dived it worked, the needle always pointing into a clump of spinifex north, thinking he would be interested. and emerged with a tiny He examined it briefly then handed black kitten, spitting and it back, with the remark: ‘All right for scratching, in his jaws. you. Blackfellas know which way we’re Jimmy retrieved it unhurt, going.’ named him Karnka (Crow), and adopted him. On another occasion, after a couple of Kilu learnt to tolerate hours following tracks on foot, we got Karnka, but they never jimmy pike in the back to our car and I realized I had lost great sandy desert got on. the key. I remembered having taken some dried fruit out of my pocket, and thought the key must In the eons before have fallen out then. ‘You’ll have to follow your Europeans arrived with their foxes and cats, which tracks back and look for it,’ Jimmy said. We both multiplied and spread throughout the continent, knew this would take me ages, as I tried to retrace the desert supported many species of native our steps over all the twists and turns we had animals. Stories from old people describe a land made, so he soon relented. Taking a direct route of surprising variety, but once cattle and sheep and ignoring our earlier tracks, he led me straight stations were established along the rivers and in across country. Suddenly, he gave a nod towards the hill country, they were like a magnet to desert the ground. ‘There’s your key,’ he said, leaving me people, who gradually drifted towards them and to pick it up. were put to work. Most of them never came back. Jimmy left in the 1950s and lived for a time as Hunting for desert people required a whole array a fringe-dweller before being sent off to stock of skills, besides a faultless sense of direction. camp to learn to ride a horse and muster cattle, Being able to read tracks was vital, as was a good a job he became good at. The last small groups understanding of animal behaviour; there would of his relations were ‘brought in’ during the 1960s be little point in following the day-old tracks of and 1970s, a few stragglers even later. a dingo, an animal that ranges far and fast. On the other hand, last night’s tracks of a cat might When some of these people first returned to the lead you to fresher ones, since cats hunt mainly desert in the mid-1980s, driving the seismic lines at night, rest in the daytime and tend to range and mining tracks in their own cars, they looked around the same area for several days. A well- in vain for the tracks of animals they once knew; used trail of a cat or a dingo during the breeding the Burrowing Bettong, the Mulgara, the Golden season could be counted on to lead the hunter to Bandicoot and many others have vanished from

4 rt

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 Hunting in the great sandy desert ...continued the sandhills, while the bilby is just hanging on covered by vegetation at various stages by its toenails here and there. Cats, introduced of regrowth. by Captain Cook and his successors, are probably responsible for most of the local extinctions, As a result of the devastation caused by cats assisted by the gradual disappearance of people and wildfire (foxes haven’t penetrated the desert and the waterholes they used in any great numbers) and the disappearance of to dig out. Most desert so many small and medium-sized mammals, animals had no need to I was a failure desert people, who now live in towns and drink water, getting at finding my way. At small communities, are left mainly with the moisture they first, my incompetence was reptiles to hunt. Ironically, the most needed from their a source of amusement to commonly hunted mammal these days food, but the Jimmy and his family, but when is the feral cat. dingo, a placental I showed little improvement mammal that came Today, desert people hunt mainly with originally from Asia, they would shake their rifles, often shooting from the window needs to drink. The h e a d s a n d s a y , of a vehicle. Traditionally, of course, they dingo, wild and tame, “Ah, poorfella” hunted on foot. The classic weapons were was the one animal that fashioned from wood. Men used spears and preyed on cats, but its numbers boomerangs, women carried long digging sticks, have diminished since people left the desert and and both genders used hunting sticks – strong no one remained to take care of the waterholes. clubs carved from hard wood for throwing or Without water, dingoes were forced to move to hitting. Some women liked to hunt with spears, the ranges and riverside for most of the year, and Jimmy told me that his mother used to take and there they were and still are in her husband’s spears, danger of being shot or poisoned leaving Jimmy and his by pastoralists. Meanwhile, cats, small brother with her with their ability to survive on the young co-wife, and metabolic fluids of their prey, multiply often came back to unchecked. camp with a dingo or cat. Another result of people leaving the desert was the increase in wildfire. Hunting a cat requires People used to burn parts of the patience and is best country constantly, mainly for hunting. done with dogs. Having Long spinifex grass pricks the feet picked up tracks fresh and legs and hides the ground and enough to be worth any animal tracks left on it. After fire investigating, the the sand is exposed and easy to walk hunter follows them over. Furthermore, bustards or bush wherever they lead – turkeys and other birds are attracted sometimes for hours. to the scorched ground, where Sooner or later, the they pick up dead insects and can cat realises it is being sometimes be killed with a spear or, nowadays, followed and starts to run. When the hunter shot with a rifle. Clear ground also allows food sees its running tracks, he too picks up speed. A plants to grow. Such ‘mosaic’ or ‘patch’ burning cat can run fast in bursts but it doesn’t have the provided fire breaks, leaving most of the country stamina of a human being or a dog, and sooner

5 rt

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 Hunting in the great sandy desert ...continued or later it tires. Then it will either climb a tree, Emus, prized for the quantity and flavour where it remains trapped until the hunter of their meat, were trickier prey; fearful of knocks it down with his throwing stick, or human beings, they see them coming and hide in the spinifex, where it is easily found. run away fast. There were two ways of getting Dogs, being so much faster than people, are close enough to an emu to spear it. One a bonus. They can soon overtake a fleeing was to conceal oneself and one’s spears in cat and either run it to ground and kill it, or a hide built out of branches and grass near stand guard at the bottom of a tree until the a waterhole used by emus, and wait till one human being arrives to knock it down, when came down to drink. Hunters who spotted they grab it and finish it off. Without them, an emu in the field played a different trick; the hunter might succeed in knocking the cat one would hide himself as well as he could out of its tree but then have to take up the behind a tree or termite mound, while the chase again as the cat runs away. other would throw himself down, roll around and kick his legs in the air. An emu is a curious Goannas and snakes take less effort to bird, and might approach to find out what catch. With them, the main skill required is strange creature this could be. With luck, to recognise a fresh track and to read which it would come close enough for the hiding way it is going; snakes use friction to carry spearsman to launch his weapon. them along, and on sandy ground it is easy to see the pressure points where the sand has Pat Lowe, June 2011 banked up slightly behind them. Both snakes and goannas spend much of their lives in burrows, and that’s where they like to hide themselves if they are caught outside. Often, indeed, they can be found at home; the hunter has only to make sure that the tracks go ‘one way’ – in but not out again – and, in the case of a goanna, that it has not already made its Look Wide escape through a separate exit hole. Then, it is just a matter of digging out the burrow and Advertising Rates 2011 pulling out the hiding reptile. In the mating season, there may be more than one. People prefer to hunt non-venomous snakes such as Black-headed Pythons or Children’s Pythons, Full Page Colour...... $ 250 and can distinguish them by their tracks. Full Page Black & White...... $ 200 However, they will take on a venomous snake if they can get it without putting themselves Half Page Colour...... $ 150 in danger of being bitten. One of Jimmy’s relations, Peter, carried home a female Half Page Black & White...... $ 100 King Brown snake he’d killed, holding it by the head and letting its tail drag along the Quarter Page Vertical Colour...... $ 70 ground. When Jimmy and I went hunting later that day we crossed Peter’s recent tracks, and Quarter Page Vertical Black & White ...... $ 70 Jimmy pointed out the track of a male King 40mm (1.5") Horizontal Strip at foot ...... $ 50 Brown, which, unbeknownst to Peter, had been following the trail of his dead mate.

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 gone with the wind by Cristián Dallish the Venturers were – and are – fast Ist Caringbah Venturer Unit developing as independent windsurfers in their own right. It was in the early days of October, at the South Metropolitan Boree Regatta that the adventure For the next season, the South Metropolitan of windsurfing was born for a group of nearly a Leaders hold even greater ambitions. score of South Metropolitan Venturers and their They plan to: Leaders. With the help of seven savvy windsurfing instructors and the generosity of the windsurfing • hold three concurrent courses next summer community – who lent the group of novices plenty of gear – the daring beginners cascaded • offer courses to parents vicariously through the sport of windsurfing, a • apply for grants for ten windsurfing rigs sport billed as one of the most challenging, but • expand to offer this experience to rewarding, in the world. Venturers in other regions

Throughout the total of thirty lessons that were conducted that summer, a cumulative total of It takes a decided amount of dedication to engage over 600 hours were windsurfed between nearly in this sport, but clearly it’s all too possible. And in twenty beginners – of these, seventeen of them the end, the thrill of becoming one with the wind gained Level 1 qualifications in windsurfing, is all worth it. thirteen gained Level 2, and six gained Level 3. With the Venturers eventuating to independently If you would like to try windsurfing too, come and organising lessons, and some of the dedicated join us at the: windsurfers becoming even qualified enough to teach other novices the basics in windsurfing, and South Metropolitan Boree Regatta even adventurous enough to ride wild waves, 14 to 16 October 2011

lots of equipment was donated and lent by the NSW windsurfing communtiy

7 Building a Better Future Today. A new state commissioner

and St George were amalgamated to form South Metropolitan Region.

In 1998 I returned to being a VL in my Group.

In 2004 due to work commitments I had to resign from Scouting.

This year saw that commitment lifted, which has allowed me to resume my association with Scouting.

My vision for the Section is to see the number grow, which means that there have to be more Scouts moving up to the Venturers and more Venturers moving on to Rovers.

I cannot do this on my own; I will need the support of the Region Commissioners, District Commissioners, Venturer Leaders, Rovers and finally, you the Venturers.

Phil crawford at the recent If we can achieve this we will queen’s scout award presentation, Government house Sydney continue to have a vibrant and enthusiastic Section.

As the new State Commissioner for Ventures I I look forward to getting out and about, meeting would like to take this opportunity to introduce as many of you as possible, and seeking your input myself. into the future of the Section so we can move forward in a positive and constructive manner. Firstly though, I would like to acknowledge the endeavours and efforts that my predecessor Yours in Scouting Charles Watson OAM gave to the position over the period of his tenure as State Commissioner, Phil Crawford and on behalf of all those in the Section wish him State Commissioner Venturer Scouts well in his Scouting future.

A brief history of my Scouting career.

I started my Scouting Career in 1990 as Trainee Venturer Leader and remained the Venturer Leader in my Group till 1996.

In 1996 I became one of two Regional Commissioners appointed to oversee the Section when the two Areas of Central Sydney

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011

AAUSTRALIANUSTRALIAN CCONTINGENTONTINGENT BOYBOY SCOUTSSCOUTS ofof AAMERICAMERICA NNATIONALATIONAL JJAMBOREeAMBOREE JULYJULY 20132013

BoysBoys agedaged 112-182-18 yyearsears

VisitVis iwww.bsa2013.scouts.com.aut www.bsa2013.scouts.com.au fforor mo morere in informationformation first caringbah family camp 11 to 13 March 2011 by Darcie MacPherson 1st Caringbah Venturers

This year’s Family Camp – or commonly known as Wombat Camp (for obvious reasons) – was full of rapids, sleepless nights and enough lace monitors to last a lifetime.

Most braved the treacherous trail to Coolendel camping grounds on the Friday night, setting up camp for the weekend in the pitch black. Others made the smarter choice and came down Saturday morning refreshed and ready for an exciting weekend.

The group was well represented from all sections, cubs, joeys, scouts, vennies and oldies (parents). By 10 o’clock Saturday morning everyone had grabbed their inflatables and was off to the river, either to ride the rapids, jump off rocks or just sit back and relax. After lunch the day turned sour world series, late afternoon cricket match. Darcie with an afternoon drenching. Thankfully it didn’t was a champion as always, taking after her mum last long and we were able to hold a 1st Caringbah and dominating for most of the game. rt

Some of our joeys and cubs singing around the campfire

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 first caringbah family camp ...continued

highlights of the weekend included:

• Singing around the campfire • Riding the wild rapids • Killer wombats terrorising innocent The night finished off on a high note with a big turnout 1st Caringbah campers at night for 1st Caringbah’s campfire sing-a-long, at which we celebrated Nathan, Beth, and Kanga’s birthdays. Lastly to Luke our resident Pom who has gone Thankfully Baggy didn’t get out his guitar to start home to the UK, from all of us Vennies thanks howling ballads until much later in the evening. for your friendship, good times, leadership and skanking! We’ll miss you and hope you visit us Sunday was similar activities spent by the river but soon! was mainly consumed by packing up everyone’s camping gear and heading home. Xx Princess Darcie

1st caringbah venturer scouts enjoying some river surfing

1 1 Building a Better Future Today. Nsw State Venturer Scout Council state commissioners

State Commissioner Venturer Scouts Phil Crawford...... 02 9750 7501...... 0400 308 247 ...... [email protected]

Assistant State Commissioner Venturer Scouts Andrew Millen ...... 0418 650 735 ...... [email protected]

Regions

Greater Western Sydney Aaron Wardle ...... 0421 076 497 . . . . . [email protected]

Hume Luke Bartley...... 0421 343 187 ...... [email protected]

Hunter and Coastal Phillip Murphy ...... 02 4328 3247...... 0418 675 406 ...... [email protected]

North Coast Ian Hale...... 02 6681 6706...... 0416 253 545 ...... [email protected]

North West Cameron Baxter...... 02 6722 1222...... 0428 329 622 ...... [email protected]

Riverina Brenton Dearing...... 0429 564 111 ...... [email protected]

South Coast and Tablelands Alan Blake...... 02 4295 1184...... 0411 755 571 ...... [email protected]

South Metropolian Keith Gallard...... 02 9584 2374...... 0407 950 012 ...... [email protected]

Sydney North Kerry Griffin ...... 02 9875 1303...... 0438 239 001 ...... [email protected] the Golden West Gary Jonassen...... 02 6332 3405...... 0419 264 236 ...... [email protected]

Lones Warren Batty...... 02 6760 7430...... 0427 607 430 ...... [email protected]

Branch Venturer/Rover Liaison Officer (to be advised)

Branch Venturer/Rover Liaison Mitchell Shaw...... 0431 218 368 ...... [email protected]

12 Building a Better Future Today. a Change to Navigation: Venturer section

Charles: After six years as State Commissioner of During my term, additional functions Venturer Scouts, and with an earlier two years have come my way: in the role, Charles Watson OAM spoke to • Chairman Organising Committee/ Look Wide’s Editor, Mike Bearryman, about Executive Director Dragon Skin his time in office and the future of the role. • Liaison Officer, The position was handed over to Phillip RSL of Australia NSW Branch Crawford on 18 July 2011. • Coordinator Scout Participation ANZAC Day commemorative activities in the Sydney CBD

Look Wide: Charles what do you say about the • Logistic Director 22AJ 2010 position as State Commissioner Venturer Scouts NSW? • NSW Branch delegate to the National Venturer Section Review Charles Watson OAM: My philosophy regarding the position, was that the position is one of being Not too much imagination is necessary to gauge primarily the technical adviser on Venturing to the the work load performed to achieve reasonable Chief Commissioner, and being the coordinator results in these activities. of the Venturing organisation within the Branch. rt

LW: How?

Charles: Bringing together those responsible for Venturing within the Regions, so that the Venture Youth program is effective and well conducted – and, importantly, in line with the National perspective. And, I must emphasise, not as a commander of Venturers within the Branch.

LW: Was this achieved?

Charles: Sadly, as some in Regions have envisaged themselves in the past, consequently placed themselves in a position not answerable to the Regional Commissioner.

LW: It would appear you did achieve their cooperation and respect. What other tasks do you feel you had success in?

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 a Change to Navigation:

Venturer section ...continued

LW: Was it worth while?

Charles: It has given me much satisfaction to see It is not without some sadness that I leave the an increase in Venturer strength from an annual Venturer Section. This position has given me loss, be it only small (22% 2010-11); the increase the opportunity to meet so many wonderful in Queen’s Scout Awards; the continued status of youngsters and to have come across many and Dragon Skin as the major annual Scouting event varied Leaders, both in the Section and the many held in Australia; the removal of hurdles in the others who support the Section. My appreciation administration of the Queen’s Scout Award; and goes to all these Leaders. the establishment of the State Venturer Scout Council as an effective technical and managerial LW: Any last thoughts? body. Charles: In this I believe the title, Branch or State Some achievements made in the last six years Commissioner Venturer Scouts, is not position include the re-establishment of the newsletter, descriptive and the more appropriate title should Look Wide; the coordination of the program of be Assistant to the Chief Commissioner (Venturer youth courses within the State; the acceptance of Scouts) with a similar flow on to Regions. cross state border attendance at youth courses; and the mechanism to gauge the effectiveness of LW: Thank you, Charles. operation on the Venturer Unit.

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011

{{DRAGNETDRAGNET UUPDATE}PDATE}

Welcome one andWelcome all to Ope onerati onand D rallag ntoet .Operation The playing Dragnet area is pl.a nneThed ,playing the seek areaers ar eis bplanned,eing selected... all this the Seekers are being selected… all this event is missing is you. event is missing is you. We have put together this update to let you in on what is in store at this actioned We have put together this update to let you in on what is in store at this action-packed event. packed event.

BBasicasic Details Details TheTh Pre-Waratahe Pre-War Activityatah Activity What: Operation Dragnet What: Operation Dragnet The Pre-WarataTheh A cPre-Waratahtivity for 201 Activity1 is sim pforle. 2011 is simple. WWhere:here: VulcaVulcann Stat eState Fore Forestst When: 11th toth 13 November 2011 ½ When: 11 -13 November 2011 If at leaIfst at least your half tea myour has team com phaslete completedd either the eitherir Init itheirative Initiativeor Exped oriti ons Cost: $50 Cost: $50 ExpeditionsBadge by W Badgearatah by an Waratah,d can sho andw us can a p hshowotoc ousp ya ophotocopyf their pass pofo rtheirt wi lpassport,l receive AApplicationspplications fr fromom t hthee W Warataharatah W Websiteebsite a **ahwillem *receive* lifesa anve r{ahem} of an a lifesaverdvantage ofin anthe advantage Operation .in the Operation. www.waratah.greaterwestscouts.com.au

QQualificationsualificatio nRequireds Needed Under the new activities policy, to participate in the competition, all Venturers (and it’s recommended for staff as well) will need Under the new activities policy, to participate in the competition, all Venturers (and it’s recommended for staff as well), will need to to have at least a Level 1 Bushwalking Certificate. In preparation for this, we strongly recommend everyone gets their current have at least a Level 1 Bushwalking Certificate. In preparation for Operation Dragnet, we strongly recommend everyone gets their qualification. current qualification.

YYouou cancan speakspeak ttoo yyourour RegionRegion BushwalkingBushwalking Leader, Leader or or if i fyou’re you’r ehaving havin gtrouble, trouble the, th eGWS GW ActivityS Activ iTeamty tea ism more is m othanre th happyan hap topy helpto all hparticipantselp all parti c–i pvisitant sthe – vQualsisit th sectione Quals ofse courtio nwebsite of our sforite morefor m info.ore info.

DDon’ton’t fforgetorget eeachach t eteamam a lalsoso n needeed a am memberember th whoat ho holdslds th etheirir A pApplyply B Basicasic F Firstirst AAidid Certificate.Certificate.

HHintsint sto t oSurvive surv theive Dragnet the dragnet WWhoho Areare The th eSeekers? seekers? • Each team will need to bring a GPS and UHF Radio. The Seekers are an Australian band who... oops wrong • EachMak teame sure will yo uneed kno wto hbringow y oau GPSrs w oandrks UHFbefo rRadio.e the Seekers. The Seekers are an Australian band who… Makeweek sureend. youIf yo knowu don how’t ha yoursve on eworks, or c abeforen’t ge tthe on e, oops! wrong Seekers. weekend.contact D Ifra yougne tdon’t for h ehavelp. one, or can’t get one, A Seeker is a team of Rovers and Leaders who will be roAam Seekering th eis f ao rteamest o vofer Rovers the we andeken Leadersd. If the ywho tag will you be, y roamingou contact Dragnet for help. the forest over the weekend. If they tag you, you will lose • Get some sleep the night before! Dragnet will start at will lose a life. Some seekers may even have special tricks up a life. Some Seekers may even have special tricks up their • Get some sleep the night before! Operation Dragnet their sleeves. 12:00am Saturday and continue for 36 hours straight. sleeves. willYo startu wi latl g12:00amet to sle eSaturdayp but a w andell rcontinueested tea mfor w 36ill hours Of course if you’re hurt, the Seekers will be able to help you straight.make it You furt hwiller. get to sleep but a well rested team Of course if you’re hurt, the Seekers will be able to help you out or get you to a Support Team. will make it further. out or get you to a Support Team. • Dragnet is a hiking competition, plan as you would • Dragnetfor a hik ise .a T hikingravel lcompetition,ightweight, splanhare asm eyouals awouldnd for a phike.racti cTravele hiki nlightweight,g and navig shareation mealsskills. and practice EExpectationxpectatio nof oUnitf u nLeadersit leaders hiking and navigation skills. It is expected that all Venturer Scout Units participating in • Avoid “The Morgue” at all costs. Teams that lose all OItp e isra t expectedion Dragn e thatt w il alll h a Venturerve at lea s Scoutt one L Unitseade r participating in attendanc e in • Avoid3 liv e“sThe wil lMorgue be sent” h ater eall an costs.d it is Teams a bori nthatg p lloseace tallo asOperation a member Dragnet of staff. will Un haveits w iatth least both one gen Leaderders sh oinu attendanceld make 3 elivesnd u pwill. be sent there and it is a boring place evaser ya pmemberossible a oftte mstaff.pt t oUnits hav ewith a le abothder o fgenders each ge nshouldder pre makesent. to end up. every possible attempt to have a leader of each gender present. • Be prepared to have fun!!!! If you’re having issues, contact us – we’d love to help. • Be prepared to have fun!!! If you’re having issues, contact us – we’d love to help.

You Can Run…You C Youan Run. May.. You Hide… May Hi dBute... B utCan can Youyou es cEscapeape the dra gnethet DRAGNET?

How to Get Involved {DRAGNET UPDATE} It’s easy!

WSimplyelcom efill on oute a thend registrationall to Ope formsration (available Dragne fromt. T heour pl websiteaying), aorganiserea is pl andanne getd ,any the qualifications seekers are needed,being s ecollectlecte d.your.. all this evpaymentsent is mi andssin sendg is yit ou.all to: We have put together this update to let you in on what is in store at this actioned packed event. Operation Dragnet c/– GWS Venturers 6 Baden Powell Place Basic DetaiWinstonls Hills NSW 2153 The Pre-Waratah Activity What: Operation Dragnet The Pre-Waratah Activity for 2011 is simple. All applications must be received no later than 3:00 pm, Friday 7 October 2011. Late applications cannot be accepted. Please Where: Vulcan State Forest make all cheques and money orders payable to Scouts Australia, Greater Western Sydney Region. When: 11th-13th November 2011 If at least ½ your team has completed either their Initiative or Expeditions CAllos Leaders,t: $5 0Rovers and Supporters must also have theirBad gformse by Win abyra t7a hOctober and can 2011show. Staffus a pmembershotocopy who of t hwisheir p toas sworkport wtogetherill recei ve shouldApplic submitations ftheirrom tformshe W atogether.ratah Website a **ahem** lifesaver of an advantage in the Operation.

QContactualifi Waratahcations Needed The Playing Field Announced All problems, complaints and queries can be Under the new activities policy, to participate in the competiAftertion, aa llongl Ve nandture adventurousrs (and it’s r esearch,comme Operationnded for st aDffragnet as wel lis) wexcitedill nee dto tforwardedo have at l etoas ourt a L Campevel 1 Chief, Bush wStevealkin gWallace Certifi con:ate. In preparation forannounce this, we sthattron gVulcanly rec oStatemme nFdorest ever ywillon eplay get shost the itor c utherrent qualification. 0415 771 752 Operation Dragnet 2011 Playing Field or email to Vulcan, near Oberon, has been the site of Dragon Skin in 2010 and You [email protected] speak to your Region Bushwalking Leader or if you’re having trouble, the GWS Activity team is more than happy to previous years, however we will be using a brand new portion of the help all participants – visit the Quals section of our site for more info. Failing that, keep up to date with all things Waratah Forest for the challenge this year. at our website. Don’t forget each team also need a member that holds theirOperation Apply Ba sDicragnet First A willid C playertif i outcate . across approximately 25 km of pine www.waratah.greaterwestscouts.com.au forest, which means camp fires will not be allowed. Hints to survive the dragnet The area isW hilly,h obut ar withe tnoh esteep se emountainskers? or ridge lines, it is passable. Getting• E Toach and team From will n Dragneteed to bring a GPS and UHF RadTheio. cover Tforhe teams Seeke tors ahidere a nfrom Aus Seekerstralian b aornd vice wh oversa... oo varies,ps wro withng some Make sure you know how yours works before the areas beingS eopenekers .and some being so dense that you won’t see a hand in The Operation Dragnet team has made weekend. If you don’t have one, or can’t get one, front of your face. arrangementscontac tot D getrag neveryoneet for hel pfrom. Lithgow train A Seeker is a team of Rovers and Leaders who will be There are multiple safety points throughout the playing area where teams roaming the forest over the weekend. If they tag you, you station to the starting point. will need to check in and report their position to our support and admin • Get some sleep the night before! Dragnet will start at will lose a life. Some seekers may even have special tricks up people. This check in will be by radio or in person. (Don’t worry, we won’t To ensure12 all:0 0participantsam Saturda yarrive and conon time,tinue wefor 36 hours straight. their sleeves. tell the Seekers where you are) recommendYou travelwill g byet ttrain.o sleep but a well rested team will Of course if you’re hurt, the Seekers will be able to help you make it further. There is no Water Supply in the forest; however some water will be out or get you to a Support Team. We will also bus you from the closing ceremony available at Safety Points. Teams are expected to carry enough water for back• to LithgowDragnet byis a5:00 hik ipmng conom Sunday.petition, plan as you woutheld weekend. for a hike. Travel lightweight, share meals and A full info package on the site will be included in the team acceptance pack. For a listp ofra ctraintice htimesiking from and nalla voverigati othen sCityRailkills. Expectation of unit leaders network, checkout the transport page of our It is expected that all Venturer Scout Units participating in • Avoid “The Morgue” at all costs. Teams that lose all website. Operation Dragnet will have at least one Leader in attendance 3 lives will be sent here and it is a boring place to as a member of staff. Units with both genders should make Country eTeamsnd up .passing the forest to get to Lithgow every possible attempt to have a leader of each gender present.

should contact us for alternative registration • Be prepared to have fun!!!! If you’re having issues, contact us – we’d love to help. locations. for new adventure!

You www.waratah.greaterwestscouts.com.auCan Run... You May Hide... But can you escape the dragnet scouting and the duke of edinburgh award by John Kane State Commissioner for Special Projects After discussion between the offices Scouting in New South Wales and the Duke of of Scouts Australia NSW, The Duke of Edinburgh Award have always had a close relationship Edinburgh Award (NSW) and Her Excellency and we recently observed a prime example of how Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, far this relationship extends. Governor of NSW, an agreement was reached which saw the Governor make an One of our Venturers, Julian Cooper, was recently additional special presentation of Julian’s placed in an unusual position where he had Queen’s Scout Award at the Duke of qualified for both his Queen’s Scout and Gold Edinburgh Award ceremony. Duke of Edinburgh Awards but, due to family commitments and the fact that Julian is now studying Also attending the ceremony were several in America, he was not in a position to attend NSW Commissioners: Government House on two separate occasions to be presented with his two certificates by the Governor Jan Goodall of New South Wales. Deputy Chief Commissioner – YP

Warren Goodall State Commissioner – Activities

John Kane State Commissioner – Special Projects

x Building a Better Future Today. farewell from the editor by Mike Bearryman with my Bendigo Unit on the steps of Editor, Look Wide Bendigo Cathedral watching a young brand new husband and wife walk through As the ‘sun’ sinks across the landscape and my an Honour Guard of their peers – Michael time as a member of the Australian Scouting and Joanne Bennet – both ex-Chairpersons, both movement draws to an end, I look back to the Queen’s Scouts (circa 1980). I remember a young neolithic days of 1973. lad in South Australia (circa 2000) who told me he had three ambitions. One, to be a Queen’s Scout; two, to be a Rover; and three, to be a Leader of “Hey Mike, can you help Venturers – Dylan Hunt. Yep, he made Queen’s our local Scout Group?” Scout. Yep, he did better with Rovers: he formed his (1st Frankston, Victoria) own Rover Crew, the Flash Rovers of Adelaide. Yep, he is now a Leader. Dylan wrote to me and advised me that the Flash Rover den has a name “The From those humble days as a member of a Scout Mike Bearryman Rover Den”. And then there’s… Group Committee I progressed to Scout Leader, Hey, hang on! We can’t keep remembering close Group Leader, Venturer Leader, District Venturer to 40 years of kids, Look Wide could not carry Leader (Vic, Qld, SA), Regional Commissioner the number of pages. (Venturers) and Assistant State Commissioner (Venturers) (NSW); always working in low I guess what I am saying to all readers throughout socioeconomic areas with young people, many New South Wales – and yes Look Wide is read of whom have became “life long” friends. I have in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia – be had the privilege of holding Scout Warrants you an adult or an eager budding adult (Venturer), from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and if you have half the fun, meet half the great currently New South Wales. In my younger years people that I have then you’ll be a better person. as a VL of the Bayview Venturer Unit (Frankston) I ask one thing of you all, New South Welshmen, and Golden Square Venturer Unit (Bendigo) the Victorians, South Australians and Queenslanders main theme was Adventurous Activities such as remember all your states are attached to NSW rock climbing, abseiling, alpine bush walking and Look Wide is attached to you. Keep it so. (summer and winter). I saw a need to take these The September Issue of Look Wide is the last young people out from their ‘depressed mundane issue that I will edit. I wish all readers the very best lives’ and show them there of Scouting. Good Bye and may your is a better way… this is no God keep you safe. different from 99% of all adult members, except I did One last thing before I go I wish to thank it longer. Wanda Whittaker (NSW HQ) for her dedication to Look Wide and Today I remember Venturers putting up with me! Salam to Barry as a partnership, a stepping Clark (SA) just being at the right place stone from being a ‘kid’ to at the right time. Thanks mate. a young adult. I remember the greatest joke teller of all Mike Bearryman time, Mark (Mighty Mouth) PS For those mad enough to Taylor – Bayview Venturer want to keep in contact, Frankston (circa 1976). I will always be found at: I remember standing proud [email protected]

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 NSW venturer unit contact list NSW Venturer Unit Contact List

Region Commissioner Region Commissioner Venturer Scouts Venturer Scouts Aaron Wardle Phillip Murphy 0421 076 497 02 4328 3247

2nd Baulkham Hills ...... Wendy Sheppard 1st Anna Bay ...... Nerida Stocks 1st/2nd Blacktown ...... Rick Nicholls 1st Belmont North ...... Tim Windever 1st Blaxland ...... Ian Ross 1st Bensville ...... Gail Campbell 1st Carlingford ...... David Mort 1st Beresfield ...... Greg Allen 1st Castle Hill ...... Nick Hourd 1st Berkeley Vale ...... Sally Hunt 1st Dural ...... Simon Edwards Broken Bay ...... Simon Stoney 1st Emu Plains ...... Paula Hyatt 1st Ermington ...... Chris Lummis 1st Budgewoi ...... Andrew Upton 1st Erskine Park ...... Andrew McLean 1st Byattunga ...... Flora Masens 1st Glossodia ...... Darell Wilson Cardiff ...... Lee Ford 1st Hazelbrook ...... Bruce Fullerton Cessnock City ...... Linda Allen 1st Kings Langley ...... Margo Dalziel Charlestown ...... Ray Moorhouse 1st/2nd Merrylands ...... Tristan Hornstra Cooks Hill City, Wickham ...... Keith Edmonds 1st Nepean ...... David Simmons East Maitland ...... Mark MacKenzie 1st North Mt Druitt ...... Kelly Ellwood 1st Forster-Tuncurry ...... Greg Gilbert 1st North Rocks ...... Alister Hayes 1st Gosford ...... Adam Wakeling 1st Oakville ...... Gary Riches 1st Kanwal ...... Don Plant 1st Penrith ...... Kerry Haviland Kotara ...... Christine Moffatt 1st Springwood ...... Jennifer Huthnance 1st Riverstone ...... Collette Avery Kurri Kurri ...... Michael Steele West Pennant Hills Valley ...... Peter Woodbury Lower Hunter ...... Michael Jupp 1st Westmead ...... Eliza McGrath 1st Mannering Park ...... Sue Chalker 1st Whalan ...... Phil Grubb Maryland-Shortland ...... Paul Cree 1st Winston Hills ...... Warwick O’Keeffe 1st Medowie ...... Chris McHugh 1st Merewether ...... Bill Brown 2nd Muswellbrook ...... Nigel Petersen Region Commissioner Venturer Scouts 1st Narara ...... Martin Roberts 1st Ourimbah ...... John Scotland GaryJim B Jonassenuchian 1st Rathmines ...... Volker Baumgart 0202 63326337 43405161 1st Raymond Terrace ...... Bruce Hockey 3rd Bathurst (All Saints Cathedral) . . Gary Jonassen 1st Scone ...... Ben O’Regan 1st Dubbo ...... David Power Seaham ...... Jane Hogno 1st Mudgee ...... Phillip Larkin Singleton ...... Vicki Mason-Cox 2nd Orange ...... John Eiseman 1st South Wallsend ...... Tim Robinson 3rd Orange ...... Leigh Williamson Taree ...... Wendy Allomes 3rd Parkes ...... Barry Read 1st Telarah ...... Ruth Drain 1st Teralba ...... Barry Kilby Region Commissioner 2nd Thornton ...... Wayne Scott Venturer Scouts 1st Tilligerry ...... Dave Knight Luke Bartley 1st Tumbi ...... Ian Lockwood 0421 343 187 1st Valentine ...... Julie Sullivan 1st Wallsend ...... Evan Gleghorn 1st Camden ...... c/– Lee Dyson (GL) 1st Wangi ...... David Archer 1st Canley Heights ...... Anjele Vu 1st Cobbitty ...... Kathleen Conroy 1st Warners Bay ...... Allan Kirkpatrick 1st Miller ...... Mark George 1st Wingham ...... Greg Gilbert 1st Narellan ...... Ian Bromley 1st Wyoming ...... Karen Mitchell 1st St Andrews ...... Kevin Hill 1st Wattle Grove ...... Adam Johnston 1st Yaralla ...... c/– RCVS Region Commissioner Venturer Scouts Alan Blake Region Commissioner 02 4295 1184 Venturer Scouts Brentonc/– Regi oDearingn Office 1st Albion Park ...... Kevin Gregory 0429Wand 564a W h111ittaker 02 9735 9011 1st Austinmer ...... Christopher Hardy 1st Balgownie ...... Rob McKnight 1st Corowa ...... Graham Reynolds Ettamogah ...... Tina Kipp 1st Batemans Bay ...... Terry Jackson 1st Finley ...... David Brown 1st Bomaderry ...... Brendon Harris 1st Leeton ...... Andrew McCabe 1st Bulli ...... Robert White 1st Yass ...... Brett Farquharson 1st Bungendore ...... Teresa Bostle Yanco Agricultural High School . . . Liz McGregor ...... (continued over) 19

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011 NSW venturerNSW Ventur eunitr Unit contactContact Lis tlist

South Coast and Tablelands continued: Region Commissioner 1st Burra ...... Tatiana Daniell Venturer Scouts 1st Burrill-Ulladulla ...... Tony Bewley Ian Hale Central Oak Flats ...... Ann-Marie Wilkinson 02 6681 6706 Goulburn ...... Ian Bain 1st Gundaroo ...... Andrew Mackie 1st Ballina ...... Rod Bray 1st Huskisson ...... Jeff Park 1st Bellingen ...... Travis Leader 1st Illaroo ...... Ian Ferguson 1st Byron Bay ...... Darrell Lamb 1st Jerrabomberra ...... Chris Binet 2nd Casino ...... Andrew Thomson Coffs Harbour ...... Graeme Lambert 1st Keiraville ...... Phil Nichols 1st Mullumbimby ...... Stephen Oliver 1st Kiama ...... Colin Booth Murwillumbah ...... Debbie Gooley 1st Korrahill ...... Ken Brown Nambucca Valley ...... Kevin Smith 1st Kosciusko ...... Ross Ewing 1st Port Macquarie ...... Bernie Fitzpatrick 1st Merimbula ...... Stuart Murphy 1st Woolgoolga ...... Kate Dean 2nd Queanbeyan ...... Russell Heywood 1st St Georges Basin ...... John Smith Region Commissioner 1st Thirroul ...... Stephen Barber Venturer Scouts 1st Warilla ...... Andy Gollop KKerryerry GGriffinriffin 1st Windang ...... Mark Lockhart 0024 39875823 91303001

1st Balmoral ...... Geoffrey Swalwell Region Commissioner 1st Bayview ...... Glenn Meredith Venturer Scouts 1st Beacon Hill ...... Philip Ruming Cameron Baxter 1st Berowra ...... David Langron 1st Brush Park ...... Michael Briggs 02 6722 1222 Chatswood ...... Peter Molloy 1st Glen Innes ...... Ann Blunt 1st Cherrybrook ...... Malcolm Souter 1st Clifton Gardens ...... Richard Muhs 1st Gunnedah ...... David Pease 1st Collaroy Plateau ...... Bob Richards Narrabri ...... Caroline Rothwell Cromer-Dee Why ...... Jim Baldwin Walarmura ...... c/– RCVS Denistone East (Ararat) ...... Odi Eskandarian 1st Wee Waa ...... Brett Grimmond 1st East Ryde ...... Jordan Hodgson Eastwood/Marsfield ...... Charles Donald Epping ...... Anthony McKellar Region Commissioner 1st Frenchs Forest ...... Craig Fitzgerald Venturer Scouts 2nd Gordon ...... Chris Stanley KeithC/- Re Gallardgion Office 1st Hornsby Heights ...... Gregory Clarke 0202 95849570 23744525 Killara ...... Lyn McDowell 1st Lane Cove ...... Lindsay Kearney 1st Bangor ...... Geoff Pendleton 1st Lindfield ...... Nick Dwyer 1st Hurstville ...... John Dwyer 1st Meadowbank ...... Ken Paton 1st Burwood ...... Stephen Rowe 1st Mosman ...... Ian Stone 3rd Mosman Bay ...... Paul Morris 1st Caringbah ...... Lindsay Young 1st Mt Colah/Mt Kuring-gai ...... Matthew Urmenyhazi 1st Clovelly ...... Dave Ferguson 1st Narrabeen ...... Neville Osborne 1st Dulwich Hill/Marrickville ...... Phillip Jones Normanhurst ...... Tasman McManis 1st Engadine ...... Andrew Laws 1st North Ryde ...... Norma Notley 1st Haberfield ...... James Blyde North St Ives ...... Ron Hamel 1st Lilli Pilli ...... Steve Langshaw 1st North Turramurra ...... Phillip Gibson 1st Loftus ...... Greg Langton 1st Northbridge ...... Mark Crew Roseville ...... James Balfour 1st Lucus Heights ...... Daniel Herbst 1st Sailors Bay ...... Ed Coates 1st Narwee ...... Myall Quint 1st Seaforth ...... Sandra Walker 1st Oatley Bay ...... Keith Gallard 2nd St Ives ...... Paul Gates 1st Padstow Heights ...... Barry Millwood 1st Tambourine Bay ...... Ross Emslie 1st Petersham ...... Tony Dent 1st Turramurra ...... Jeremy Barnes 1st Wearne Bay ...... Brian Anderson 2nd Turramurra ...... Dick Buckle 1st Woollahra/Paddington ...... Angela Lance 1st Waitara ...... Douglas Chilvers 2nd Banksia ...... Sam Assi 1st West Epping ...... Heather Frost West Pennant Hills ...... Daniel Boland 2nd Bankstown (LD Bach Vietnam) . . Minh Le 1st Willoughby ...... Michael Clark 2nd Caringbah ...... Michael Budge 2nd Willoughby (Antranig) ...... John Der Tateossian 2nd Gymea (St Catherine’s) ...... Daniel Shannon 3rd Rose Bay (Judean) ...... Simone McOnie 4th Kingsgrove ...... Laura Cole Lones Drummoyne ...... Steffan Nemeth Warren Batty Iron Cove ...... Peter Blakeney 0427 607 430 Kingsford ...... Anna Gankin 20

Building a Better Future Today. Look Wide • September 2011