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Gatton Scout Group enjoying a 5km Morning Hike
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Scouting and COVID-19 Restrictions
The escalating COVID-19 in NSW is of concern to all Queenslanders with our local situation appearing to be largely under control. Things, however, can rapidly change. We are so dependent on the NSW-Queensland border being secure.
An altered version of QBSI 7.15 was issued late on 27 August, reflecting the relaxation of the COVID social restrictions in the 11 south east Queensland local government areas from Stage 2 to Stage 3, aligning all of Queensland with Stage 3 restrictions.
Vaccination is the best long-term way of controlling COVID-19 that we have available to us and I encourage you to roll up your sleeve for the two jabs and join the expanding group of adults in Scouting who have done the right thing.
Compliance with QBSI 7.15 remains important to enable us to continue delivering for the young people of Queensland.
Impact of hard COVID-19 lockdown on Scout events over the next few months:
The uncertainty associated with both the effectiveness of the restrictions and compliance of the community with those restrictions makes planning for forthcoming Scout events difficult.
This is the known status of forthcoming events:
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Let’s keep monitoring the situation to achieve a responsible balance between the safety of our Youth Members and Volunteers and the provision of wonderful events and the associated memories, learnings and friendships.
30 September membership invoices
As part of our 2020 COVID response, we moved to six-monthly billing of membership to assist Scout Groups with managing their cash flow under the then difficult circumstances. We have retained six-monthly billing going forward but the 30 September 2021 membership billing will be based on the actual membership numbers as at midnight on Thursday 30 September. I am hoping that our membership data is already very close to being correct driven in part by Operoo.
28-29 August 2021 Award Presentations
We have traditionally presented Adult Recognition Award medallions and certificates and Australian Scout Medallion/Award, Queen’s Scout and Baden Powell Award certificates in this weekend each year noting that the 2020 presentations were deferred until February 2021.
We made the decision this year to separate the presentations into four ceremonies from the previous three ceremonies and the original two ceremonies, to reduce the maximum number of people at each ceremony as a COVID risk mitigant.
All ceremonies were held at Baden-Powell Park and were held outside adjacent the Charles S Snow Centre again to reduce the COVID risk, with mask wearing most of the time, temperature checks and hand sanitisation.
We can be very proud of the way in which these ceremonies were organised and staged as a fitting honour to the great work by our young people in earning their peak awards and the adults recognised for going above and beyond the requirements of the Scouting role to which they are appointed, over an extended period.
His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO the Governor of Queensland and Chief Scout is an absolute delight presenting the Queen’s Scout and Baden Powell Award certificates and the Silver Kangaroo Awards, addressing the ceremony and then posing for formal photographs and photographs with any of our members who asked. He engages with people so nicely and commented to me about the enjoyment he gets out of meeting with members of Scouting.
Well done to the Organising Team led by Jean Clifford, Linn Pihl and Shaun Sandilands, the Work Team led by Chris Dunne, the Check-in Team led by Madi Bambrick, the Host Team led by Chev Christie, the Brisbane Gang Show Sound Team and our two M/Cs Xanthia Dubler and Tobias Kennett.
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His Excellency with the Queen's Scout recipients (and a well-placed trailer!)
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His Excellency with B-P Award recipients (and that pesky trailer)
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His Excellency with Silver Kangaroo recipients Phil Harrison, Bob Campbell and David Day
(and the trailer is still there!!)
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His Excellency with Girl Guides State Commissioner Kathryn Pearson, Daryl Scott and Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner Phil Harrison
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“Tango” Taj Pike
When one of us is down, we always lend a hand.
Taj Pike is a Youth Helper at Ashmore Scout Group and has been diagnosed with Lymphoblastic Lymphoma. This is a tough time for Taj and his family. If you are interested in assisting financially, a Go Fund Me account has been established: https://www.gofundme.com/f/qq5mb7-help-the-pike-family
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Deadlines for Adult Member and Formation Adoption of IT implementation deadlines
Following on from a resolution at the July 2021 Region Commissioners’ Conference, QBSI 9.16 Information Technologies has been written and published. It includes deadlines for the adoption of the information technologies by adult members and by Formation which are important for the future of Scouting in Queensland.
The next deadline is 30 November 2021: Adult Member activation and use of Office 365 email.
Use of MS Teams for meetings
Two or three years ago Scouts Queensland held two Go To licences for on-line meetings. Last year to support Scouting@Home most Scout Groups bought a Zoom licence. Now with the implementation of Office365, MS teams can be used for on-line meetings at no cost. Youth can be invited into on-line meetings as guests. Three weeks ago, we set a new benchmark with 139 MS Teams meetings running simultaneously! As far cry from where we were just two years ago!!
Daryl Scott
Chief Commissioner
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September
4 September - St George's Ball (The Warehouse)
5 September - Father's Day
8 September - R U OK? Day
18 - 24 September - Agoonoree
19 - 24 September - Cuboree
21 September - International Day of Peace
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Gracemere Joey Scout Celebrity
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Central Queensland Today recently wrote an article featuring Joey Scout, Jeff, from Gracemere Scout Group. The Joey Scout Challenge Award is a massive accomplishment at such a young age, congratulations Jeff!
Check out the article here.
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Shaping the future of the World Scout Movement!
For the last two weeks, the 42nd World Scout Conference and 14th World Scout Youth Forum was held virtually. Usually held every three years in a major city anywhere in the world, the COVID pandemic made this impossible. The events were held virtually with delegations from 170 of the 172 National Scout Organizations in attendance, along with global partners who met to shape the future of Scouting - the world’s leading educational youth movement.
The World Scout Conference and Youth Forum was the largest ever convened in the event’s 100-year history, and provided a platform for up to 2,800 participants to take an active role in shaping the standards, policies and shared goals of the Scout Movement worldwide.
The theme of “Bridging the World” challenged participants to build bridges in their communities and across borders between National Scout Organizations, emphasising the need to work together to put our planet on a path towards peace and sustainability.
Of the 24 Australians, seven were from QLD. The lights burned brightly at Auchenflower as the team met following COVID safety requirements to lead 16 sessions of the 200 that were held. The team worked from 6pm to about 3 am each day due to the virtual clocks that were used for the Conference. It is hoped in three years time that members will be able to attend the next Conference and Forum in Egypt in 2024.
Youth Program Team
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Tokyo 2020 - Scouting Mascots!
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Check out the Tokyo Mascots both wearing a Queensland Scout scarf!
Thanks to Warrick Jackes from the Queensland Branch Environmental Education Team. Warrick first gave service as a Rover Scout at the Queensland Invitational Games in Brisbane and is now refereeing Goalball at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Volunteering in Scouts and Goalball - another example of the opportunities scouting offers! |
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In the April 1917 Headquarters Gazette (U.K. Imperial Scout Headquarters, London), it was announced that “The Chief Scout has been pleased to confer the Silver Cross for Gallantry on Senior Patrol Leader Robert Diddams, of Brisbane Troop, Queensland, Australia, for rescuing a lady from drowning and attempting to rescue another lady, with great personal risk to himself.” The award was approved by His Majesty the King and granted by the Chief Scout (Sir R.S.S. Baden-Powell) and the Executive Council. The formal presentation was made by Chief Scoutmaster C.S. Snow, and the certificate was presented by Mr. F Heusler (a member of the State Council) at the annual ‘pow wow’ held at Stradbroke during Easter. On the occasion of the presentation, Troop Leader Diddams was cheered by his mates and carried shoulder high around the camp.
This is the first record of an award for Gallantry to a Queensland Scout. There have been many awards for gallantry awarded to Scouts and Leaders over the years since 1917, with the following requirements: BRONZE CROSS with Red Ribbon – The highest possible award for gallantry granted only for special heroism or extraordinary risk; SILVER CROSS with Blue Ribbon - Awarded for gallantry with considerable risk, and GILT CROSS with Blue and Red vertical Ribbon – Awarded for gallantry with moderate risk. Photo of the Silver Cross and Gilt Cross medals above and there are examples on display in the Scouts Queensland Heritage Centre at Baden-Powell Park. There are many brave and inspiring stories about these awards.
As reported in a Brisbane Newspaper October 1939 – NINE YEAR OLD BOY GETS MEDAL FOR GALLANTRY. The honours decorations presented by the Governor (Sir Leslie Wilson) at Government House this morning included a Gilt Cross for gallantry, which was conferred upon 9 year old Wolf Cub Maurice Cropp, of Mt. Morgan Boy Scouts, who rescued another 9 year old Cub from drowning in the Dee River last March. His Excellency described the youthful recipient as "a very gallant little chap." The presentation was on the lawn at Government House, and those present included Chief Scout Commissioner C. S. Snow, District Commissioner W. Weller, Cubmaster J. W. Hughes of the Mt Morgan pack, also the rescued Cub, Kenneth Easton.
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Pittsworth Scout Group celebrated in style recently as they welcomed new Leaders and awarded Peak Awards to two deserving youth members. Scout Lachie Crighton was presented with the Australian Scout Medallion by Region Commissioner, Tracey Ferguson, who also presented Lindsay Schultz with the Grey Wolf Award. Both boys were rightly proud of their achievements and excited to be celebrating the momentous occasion with their families and the group.
With numbers growing, it was time to welcome new leaders to the group. District Leader, Carol Cann, was delighted to invest Assistant Cub Scout Leaders, Hal Hamlet and Leslie Russell, who are both parents of youth members. Additionally, returning Cub Scout Leader, Damian Sutton, reaffirmed his Australian Scout Promise.
It was wonderful to have 18 invited guests attend the evening, many of these Beauaraba District and Darling Downs Region leaders. Each of these guests have played a significant role in supporting our group and its youth members. Hopefully, our youth will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of these two fine young Scouts and continue the adventure.
For those of you who are unsure of Pittsworth's location, you can find us two hours west of Brisbane and half an hour south-west of Toowoomba. Take a drive to visit our beautiful region; we'd love to meet you!
Stacey Schultz
Group Leader
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2021-23 Scouts Australia Strategic Plan
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Scouts Australia have released their 2021-23 Strategic Plan. The plan is focused on how Scouting will enhance over the next few years, to set up Scouting in Australia for growth and success in this changing environment. Scouting needs to continue being prepared for future challenges. Most important is Scouts contribution to the education of young people through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
The Scouts Australia Strategic Plan is available for download here.
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Face-to-face Scouting - QBSI 7.15
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The following special update to QBSI is now available HERE.
- QBSI Cover and Content
- QBSI 7.15 Face-to-face Scouting under COVID-19 restrictions
- Queensland Branch Scouting Instructions (QBSI) v27082021 – complete QBSI document
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Vacant Position - Brand & Sponsorship Officer
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One of our Brand and Sponsorship Officers, Braeden Monnier, has secured a full-time communications role with the Queensland Government. We're delighted for Braeden and wish him all the best in this new adventure!
This means that we now have a part-time role available at the Queensland Branch Support Office in Auchenflower. If you are interested in this role, or know someone who is, more information on the application process can be found here. |
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Census Reminder - 30 September
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A gentle reminder that all changes to your Formation’s membership records need to be completed by midnight 30 September and can be done directly within SMS.
On 1 October 2021 a renewal invoice will be issued to each Formation for each “active” Youth Member, Adult Member and Youth Program Supporter recorded in the Scout Membership System (SMS) as at midnight Thursday 30 September 2021. This invoice will cover the membership period from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022.
Membership fees are published on the website and can be accessed here.
Please remember that whilst Scouts | Terrain and Scout Central are great tools for youth programming all updates to Membership details need to be completed within SMS.
Download the SMS census guide here.
If you are unsure of how to access the Scout Membership System (SMS) please contact the Membership Support Officer via email: membership@scoutsqld.com.au to obtain your Membership number and password. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any further queries.
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Annual Property Return Reminder
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A general reminder that Property Returns are due on the 19 September 2021.
The annual property return is an important process for ensuring that your Formation facilities and equipment are adequately insured. If an item is not listed correctly then it is not insured correctly.
To assist we have recently prepared two knowledgebase articles:
For more information related to the Scouts Queensland Insurance program please see QBSI 5.6 Insurance or email risk@scoutsqld.com.au.
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Like any business we try to avoid bad debts ie money owed to the Formation that cannot be collected as this can seriously impact the Formation’s ability to pay their bills in a timely manner. Refer QBSI 6.12 on guidance to manage Group Debt. If you have tried to recover a debt and the Executive Committee have agreed to write off the debt (within their delegated authority – refer QBSI 9.14) the link below explains how to write off this bad debt.
Record a bad debt in Xero
If you have queries please email financehelpdesk@scoutsqld.com.au
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| Michael |
McGrath |
Assistant Scout Leader |
Banksia Scout Group |
| Suzanne |
Ramage |
Assistant Cub Scout Leader |
Barcaldine Scout Group |
| David |
Ramage |
Group Leader |
Barcaldine Scout Group |
| William |
Meagher |
Adult Member |
Bayside Sea Scout Group |
| Linda |
Hughes |
Assistant Cub Scout Leader |
Birkdale Scout Group |
| Jaden |
Ribbe |
Assistant Joey Scout Leader |
Chinchilla Scout Group |
| Michael |
Armiger |
Scout Leader |
Greenbank Scout Group |
| James |
Day |
Scout Leader |
Mount Bruce Scout Group |
| Anita |
Rogers |
Adult Helper |
Mount Bruce Scout Group |
| Marianna |
Campbell |
Adult Helper |
Mount Isa Scout Group |
| Dylan |
Oakey |
Scout Leader |
Narangba Scout Group |
| Robyn |
Hazell |
Member - Scout Fellowship |
Rowallan Park Fellowship |
| Piripi |
Paki Paki |
Adult Member |
Rowallan Park Fellowship |
| Julie |
Chamberlain |
Adult Member (Chairman) |
Victoria Point Scout Group |
| Cathy |
Snellman |
Adult Member (Secretary) |
Woodridge Scout Group |
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| Francis |
Moynihan |
Assistant Cub Scout Leader |
Calliope Scout Group |
| Michelle |
Currin |
Venturer Scout Leader |
Clifton Hill Scout Group |
| Sau Kuan |
Cheong |
Assistant Cub Scout Leader |
Gordon Park Scout Group |
| Scott |
Apps |
Assistant Cub Scout Leader |
Marsden Scout Group |
| Joseph |
Little |
Adult Member |
Proserpine Scout Group |
| Warrick |
Jackes |
Activity Leader |
Queensland Branch Environmental Education team |
| Michael |
Vanderputten |
Branch Commissioner (Cub Scouts) |
Queensland Branch Headquarters |
| Shaun |
Sandilands |
Branch Adviser (Rover Scouts) |
Queensland Branch Headquarters |
| Nikketah |
Cuneo |
Branch Adviser (Better World Scouting) |
Queensland Branch International team |
| Sara |
Taylor |
Assistant Joey Scout Leader |
West Centenary Scout Group |
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| Laurelle |
Roberts |
Adult Member (Chairman) |
Bramble Bay District |
| Sean |
Read |
District Leader (Rover Adviser) |
Broadwater District |
| Scott |
Masters |
Group Leader |
Burpengary Scout Group |
| Brian |
Stockwell |
Assistant Scout Leader |
Noosa Sea Scout Group |
| Brent |
Greenfield |
Ass District Commissioner (Adventurous Activities) |
Tyakunda District |
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| Carolyn |
Harris |
District Commissioner |
Gympie District |
| Susan |
Keys |
District Leader (Joey Scouts) |
Sir Leslie Wilson District |
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| Stephen |
Fitzpatrick |
Group Leader |
2nd Nambour Scout Group |
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| Julie |
Bennell |
Cub Scout Leader |
Cleveland Scout Group |
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| Terence |
Fryett |
Assistant Region Commissioner |
Far North Region |
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| Merrill |
Ovenden |
Activity Leader |
Redlands District |
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To access the Learning and Assessment Plans (click below):
Learning Plan - Youth Program Leaders.
Learning Plan - Program Support Leaders
Click here to access the current Adult Development Training Calendar.
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