Operation Archer

Operation Archer took place on the weekend of 18-19 May at Wivenhoe Dam. This year we had a new HQ location and a new course. The unique aspect of Operation Archer included off track navigation. Venturers Scouts were required to plot their route using map and compass to locate bases. Each team was live GPS tracked for safety.

Over 70 Venturer Scouts participated in 12 teams. Base activities included pioneering, map reading and team building skills. We also ran a Raft Race afternoon activity, where participants built their own raft and competed in a time trial through a set course on the Dam.

This year was a sleepless night as the last team came in around 04:30am. A couple of teams were geographically embarrassed but all enjoyed the experience and have asked for more off-track navigation next year.

2024 Winners of Operation Archer was Indooroopilly.

2024 Winners of the Raft Race was Taringa Milton Toowong.

A big Thank You to everyone who attended this year, it was a great experience. We hope to see you all next year for Operation Archer 2025.

Tyakunda Trailblazer

On 2 June, Tyakunda District again hosted our annual rogaining event, Tyakunda Trailblazer. After last year’s successful inaugural event within the district, we opened it up to everyone this year and were pleased to have around 230 youth members competing, with roughly one third coming from outside Tyakunda District and supported by around 50 leaders.

Joey Scout and Cub Scout teams were given their maps early to give them time to level up their navigation skills and plan their routes on their last section night before the event. They were then accompanied on the 2-hour rogaine by a Leader. Scouts, Venturer Scouts and Rover Scouts on the other hand, had just 30 minutes prior to see the map and plan their route, before the start of their longer 3-hour rogaine. Teams then quickly navigated their way from checkpoint to checkpoint, trying to maximise points and still make it back before the finish time in order to avoid the late penalty. After making it to the end, participants were rewarded with a burger, fresh off the barbecue, while the points were tallied.

In the Joey Scout and Cub Scout competition, the overall winners were the “Fearless Bushwalkers” from Kenmore – Luke, Torin, and Jabiru (Ruth) with the “Enoggera Emus” winning the Joey Scout Section. In the Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout competition, it was the “Sherwood Quackers” that took out the Scout section prize, and the “Drop Bears” from Taringa Milton Toowong winning the Venturer Scout section prize. For the Rover Scout section, it all came down to time since points were tied, but it was Oakleigh that took the win over Indooroopilly by just 2 minutes 10 seconds. However, the overall winner of the longer course was the “Drop Bears” from TMT – Alexi, Benjamin, Eric, Ethan and Raphael.

Thank you to the Leaders who volunteered their time to support the event and a special thanks to Adam for once again setting the course. Everyone had a great time and we’re looking forward to being back next year, where we’re planning to make it even bigger and better again.

New Home for Proserpine Scout Group

Big News! Prosperine Scout Group have relocated to new premises in Cannonvale and opened the doors to our members on Tuesday 14 May.

After 3 years of sharing the Guides Hut in Proserpine, it was very exciting to be able to fly the flag on our new flagpole.

Once the former prep building of Cannonvale State School, the hope is that with this relocation it will open the opportunity to entice some new adult members in the roles of Leader and committee as well as increase our youth numbers.

Along with the support of the Leaders and Parents, Bunnings Cannonvale have offered the group sausage sizzles and Bendigo Bank have donated promotional flags, tablecloth and aprons to assist with Leap & Jamboree fundraising.

A huge BRAVO to Treasurer Kia Ellem and Leader Sally Griffith for their ongoing dedication and support of the group and being instrumental in the move and growth of the group.

Bunya Park Scouts

The Bunya Park Scouts had the honour of participating in the recent International Peace Conference held in Toowoomba on 18 May. This significant event was organised by Pureland Learning College and was an opportunity for the Scouts to engage with the community and showcase their commitment to peace and understanding. The conference, hosted by the Karina O’Reilly “Cookie,” our Venturer Scout Leader, provided a platform for the Scouts to interact with various community members and leaders, fostering new relationships and strengthening their network within the city.

At their table, the Bunya Park Scouts displayed an array of activities and information that reflected their dedication to the Scouting principles, particularly as Messengers of Peace.

The presence of the Bunya Park Scouts at the conference was not just about promoting the Scouts as an organisation but also about embodying the spirit of peace that Scouting encourages. It was a day filled with learning, sharing, and promoting the values that Scouts hold dear, such as community service, leadership, and the pursuit of peace.

The conference was a resounding success, leaving a lasting impression on all who attended and contributing to the Scouts’ reputation as a force for good in the community. The Bunya Park Scouts returned from the event with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper appreciation for the role they play in promoting peace and harmony in the world.

Kawana and Landsborough Cub Scouts Lion Walk

Cub Scouts from Kawana and Landsborough took to the Brisbane CBD on the weekend following the Lion Walk. They discovered lions on many buildings, while learning about the history of the city and exploring the new changes being made such as the metro station and the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge. They also spent time exploring the native fauna and flora in the Botanical Gardens.

2nd Nambour Joey Scouts Step Out Adventure

Buderim Joey Scouts joined 2^nd Nambour Joey Scouts (and 4 wonderful Venturer Scouts) at their den for a fun night of games, making pizza’s (savoury and dessert), trying fire extinguishers, campfires and preparing for their adventure that was to come in the morning.

Then it was to bed ready for an early start. Come 0430 Sunday morning the Joey Scouts emerged out of their sleeping bags, got ready for the day ahead and headed off to the train station to ride the 2 hour train to Brisbane’s CBD. Once arriving at the city the Joey Scouts were keen to start on their Joey Scout Step Out adventure that Emu had organised. Starting at City Hall in King George Square before going to the Shrine of Remembrance, Memorial Galleries and displayed their poppies they made the night before (this was a highlight for the Joey Scouts as they loved how interactive it was), ANZAC Square, the General Post Office (and posted some postcards – Emmi might get one or two of those), St Stephen’s Cathedral and Botanical Gardens.

After stopping for lunch and of course a play on the playground, they headed off to The Cube at QUT (this was also favourite among all), crossed the Goodwill Bridge wandered along the River at South Bank and finished at the Brisbane Sign (aka collapsed in an exhausted heap!). Finally, it was time for a little trek to the train station…some 13km of walking, 4 hours of train rides and 12 hours since their early start all exhausted, sore, but happy Joey Scouts, Venturer Scouts and Leaders arrived back at Nambour. Despite being sore and tired, everyone had such a great time, they were already planning their next trip to Brisbane and what they would like to do again (and spend more time at) next time!

Moreton Bay PrideFest 2024

Representatives from Scouts Queensland were delighted to be joined by the Queensland Premier at Moreton Bay PrideFest on 8 June.

What we’ve been up to!