Term 1 Term Planner Uploaded

Visit the Term Outline tab at the top of the page and open the Term 1 Plans for Monty Scout Group.

NB – Scout Section will be released after the Scouts receive their plan on their first night.

Jamboree 2010 Report

8 Scouts and 3 Leaders from Monty packed their bags and eagerly boarded the bus and left for AJ2010 at Cataract Park, NSW in early January. 2 weeks later, 11 exhausted Scouts and Leaders returned to their families. Rumour has it that some jumped straight into the bath tub, others slept for 2 days, and many did not want to see pasta or salad rolls for several weeks.

More importantly, the Scouts had a great time at the campsite getting along with other members of the Troop from 1st Eltham Scouts.  They participated in many activities on and off-site.  These included:

• Sydney city tour
• Jamberoo water park
• water avtivities at Chowder Bay
• ferry rides
• adventurous activities at Challenge Valley
• giant water slide
• cirque-de-scout
• skills village
• an Australiana village
• BMX riding
• concerts
• carnivals
• movies
• Scout Idol
• Gang Show
• Opening and Closing ceremonies

From all reports, everyone had a great time participating in the many activities.

Many thanks must go to the Leaders who looked after the Monty and 1st Eltham children  – Nashie, Linda, Curly, Ramsey, and Jezza.

Venturer (NW) visiting Borneo for a Community Service Project

One of our Venturers, NW, will be leaving for Borneo to do a community project in the next few weeks.

Good luck N and have a safe trip.  Obviously putting some of the Principles of Scouting (as identified by the founder Lord Baden-Powell, acting in consideration of the needs of others and develop and use their abilities to the betterment of themselves and the community in which they live).

Looking forward to a report when you get back in mid-December.

Edendale Visit – From a Cub Scout’s Perspective

Written by RT

Last Sunday morning the Cubs went to Edendale Farm.  There were signs that said “What am I?” and on the ground there was a square of concrete that had footprints on it.  You had to guess what animal’s footprint it was .  And you could lift the flap on the sign to get the answer.  Under the answer was a thumbs up and a thumbs down.  The thumbs up and thumbs down were telling us good and bad things for the environment about the animals. Each Cub got to read the thumbs up and thumbs down.

When we started walking we went to sit down and Tania our guide told us a lot about animals.  My favourite bit was when we got to bottle feed milk to some baby goats and lambs.  We had lots of fun.  And thanks to Bagheera and Akela for organising a great day.

Our Eskies immortalised!

I just spotted our Eskies on a website called Rikki’s Scouting Resources with a tip on how to remind Scouts to close the lid. See the post here.

In case you are unaware, I am led to believe that these Eskies were purchased by a former Scout several years ago as a gift to the Montmorency Scout Troop for all they had done for him.  Apparently, he bought one soon after starting work and his parents chipped in an equal amount to purchase the second.  The Scout Troop named one “Billy”, the other “Bob”, in recognition of the former Scout’s nickname, “BillyBob”.

Thanks Liam for your kind donation several years ago.

Cub Scouts visit Edenvale Farm – World Conservation Badge

Written by Joan P (CSL) and Andrew T (ACSL)

On Sunday, 18th October Montmorency Cub Scouts visited Edenvale Farm in Eltham.    Established in 1986 for local residents, Edenvale Farm in Gastons Road is a community farm that covers almost six hectares. It sits on the banks of Diamond Creek and is home to farm animals, fruit trees and vegies. Ten children and four adults had a great time, wandering around the property for over two hours, enjoying the stories and guidance from Tanya, our tour guide for the visit.   She was most informative and very interesting, allowing the children to handle guinea pigs and hens.   This gave them the opportunity, perhaps otherwise missed in today’s hustle and bustle to feel, look and learn a little more about nature.   We also talked about environment, conservation and recycling (which is part of our World Conservation Badge the Cub Scouts are undertaking this term).   Before we had to leave the farm we were able to see the young of some different species being fed and had the opportunity to feed the young lambs their milk.  A really great time and certainly well worthwhile a visit.

Another activity towards our World Conservation Badge that the Cub Scouts are undertaking each week is a clean up of the surrounding area around our Scout Hall.    So far, we have collected at least half a big wheelie bin of rubbish from this small area.   Well done, Cub Scouts!!

We have also been learning about cloud formation and soil density.

During our Pack Holiday in December, we will be researching a different environment to what we have in Montmorency, that is the terrain between Bay Park Scout Camp in Mount Martha and the beach and then discussing the differences between the two.

Venturers visit Port Melbourne for supper

Written by Stephen D, Venturer Leader

The Venturers visited Port Melbourne (Beacon Cove) for a fish and chips supper on Wednesday, October  21.

Train to the city and tram to Beacon Cove followed by couple of kilos of chips and assorted fish, potato cakes and drinks as we watched a beautiful sunset over the bay across to Williamstown and discussed upcoming end of school year and potential Expeditions that need to be planned.

As often occurs on these out of hall evenings at least one Venturer is running late and catches a later train/tram, lots of SMS’s to make sure we all know where everyone is.  In this case there were several delays so we did not get the whole group together until about 8:45 and so it was then time to turn right around and head back.

A late night but good fun and we can recommend D’lish Fish at Beacon Cove (Also note Charles Wright in the Green Guide this week also recommends the same place but from a different perspective!)

WOOLWORTHS FRESH FOODS COMMUNITY GRANTS

Woolworths is committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of children. As a result, they recently made a Grant available for community groups around Australia, focussing on Priamary school aged children.

We would like to thank Woolworths (Greensborough) for their contribution of $500 recently towards purchasing new equipemnt for our Joeys section.

Banyule City Council, Community Grant: Heating for the Hall

Pete S, President of the Parent Committee recently applied for a Banyule Council Community Development Grant on behalf of the Scout Group, asking for money to install a heating system for the Hall.

Banyule City Council has just informed us that we have been successful in this Community Grant application and that we will be receiving nearly $3500 for the project to take place.

The Hall will have heating in place before winter sets in.

Many thanks to Pete for doing the ground-work and putting in the Grant application on behalf of the Group.

Many thanks also to Banyule City Council for making these funds available to us.

Montmorency Primary School Fete

On Saturday October 17, Montmorency Primary School held a fete where we were asked to participate by having a stall.  Suggestions were put forward as suitable activities that could be held on the day such as paper boomerang making and sand-art, but each had its set of problems.  In the end, it was a young child who suggested decorating biscuits with sprinkles, smarties and marshmallows for the children attending the fete.  What a brilliant idea – why didn’t an adult think of that?

With parent help from Pete, Jo and Jo, Cub Scout KS, Joey Scout OP and a nearly Joey Scout ZP, the Group ran a succesful stall whereby children decorated their biscuits while the parent(s) were able to chat about Scouts in and around the area.

As a result, there were several expressions of interest and we hope to see a some more children in the upcoming months as a result of this simple activity.

Thanks must go to the Montmorency Primary School for the opportunity to participate in their fete and be part of a wider community event.  Thanks also to the Banyule District for the loan of a shelter (all of ours were at EDAC – see EDAC post) and promotional banners and leaflets that came in handy.