It`s Been a Great Game

It’s Been a Great Game
Sixty Years in Scouting
Graham Farley’s Scout Story
A BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Graham Farley was born on 14th June, 1933 in England. He came to
Australia in 1937, the family settling down in Glen Iris. He attended
Malvern Grammar School, now affiliated with Caulfield Grammar
School.
Following a trip to the UK in 1951, he was enticed to become an
“assistant scoutmaster” with his old school group. About the same time
he opted for a career as a teacher, commencing a commerce university
course with the Education Department of Victoria.
As Graham changed schools, which was the pattern for promotion in those
days, he kept up his Scouting interest, as well as his membership of the
Citizen Military Force, often in partnership! He retired in the rank of
colonel.
Having been principal of Birchip High School, he accepted the foundation
headmastership of Braemar College at Woodend, from which he retired
21 years later in 1996.
Graham married Shirley in 1971, and their son, Roger, was born in 1973.
Shirley and Graham live in Macedon on five acres – a piece of turf that
keeps them busy, when they are not involved with their Church and other
“good turns.”
Having held many warrants (certificates of leadership) in Scouting, he is
currently an Honorary Commissioner and still on the training team.
It’s Been a Great Game
Sixty Years in Scouting
Graham Farley’s Scout Story
Graham joined the Boy Scouts Association in 1952 as an
Assistant Scoutmaster. He attended his first troop meeting
on 16 February that year. Sixty years later, he is still
relatively active in Scouting at the age of 78 years as an
Honorary Commissioner and has maintained his interest in
Leader Training.
Graham has kept a fairly detailed diary since he was 16. A
short synopsis of his private and Scouting life is given at the
end of his story.
As many may know, the first thirty chapters were published
in Australian Scout from 2005 to 2009, with a view to those
and the rest of the story being available in this CD format. ©
1
The author on the occasion of the Scout gathering on the steps of Parliament House, 2007
Graham Farley, OAM, RFD, ED, BCom, BEd (Melb.), MEdAdmin (UNE), ThL (ACT), FACE
Scout Leader Trainer
2
Foreword by John Ravenhall AM
former Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia and National Commissioner for Leader Training
This is a personal account of a life led in reverence of, and belief in the values and practical
application of the educational opportunities provided by the program, involved adults and youth
leadership in the Scout Movement. It also provides us with a valued insight into the history of
Scouting in Victoria over the period particularly from 1952 into the 1980s and pertinent insights into
later developments.
The commitment of Graham J. Farley OAM to spiritual, moral, educational, family and Scouting
ideals forms the basis of activities that have inspired youth and adults to encourage the physical,
intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they take a
constructive place in society as responsible citizens...the very aim of Scouts Australia.
It has indeed been a Great Game – “Get out and Get in” – the Gang Show connection epitomises the
team work of which the author has been so much a part. The planning, scripts, preparation, coordination of various teams – scenery, lighting, make-up, musical scores, selections and inductions,
casting, acting, singing, production, direction, publications, rehearsing and presentation in which all
elements come together to give pleasure to others and significant development of every involved
individual while working in a team!
In the stories we see this taking place, to a greater or lesser extent in all the stages of the experience
and development of the author and his “charges.” Scouting is also strong on leadership development
taking initiative, taking risks responsibly and nurturing. The early effect of these features clearly
influenced the author from age 18 as his account of first camping and leadership experiences show.
Together with his academic training Scout’s values most probably led him into his nurturing and
educational career as a teacher and school principal.
The booklet illustrates the range of opportunities available to people through Scouting and some of
the thinking involved in charges made to programs, dress and how Scout training strived to provide
the best needs-based preparation for adults and you and leading the way in standards and
effectiveness compared to all other voluntary associations or organisations.
3
Chapter
Year*
Chapter title
Page
1
1952
Hip holes and striped paint
2
1953
The “Explan” and a green shoulder knot
14
3
1955
Flags, badges and paper drives
20
4
1956
A city boy goes country
27
5
1957
Mirboo North revisited!
32
6
1958
The Golden Age of Scouting
36
7
1959
Rovering to Success with 6th St. Kilda
41
8
1960
Rovering to Senior Scouts
46
9a
1961
Gang Show – an experience of a lifetime
51
9b
1961
“Jamboreeing” with “Seniors”
51
10
1962
A year of diversity
57
11
1962
The Campfire Club – camaraderie and support
61
12
1963
Will you be our Senior Scout leader?
66
13
1963
The Monte Carlo Hoadley Hide
70
14
1963
Relationships and expeditions
74
15
1963
An element of danger!
77
16
1964
The next crop – “The Lower Eight”
81
17
1964
Senior Scouts reach new heights at 1964 Jamboree
86
18
1964
A magnificent experience – the 1964 Jamboree
91
19
1965
“Unlocking the land” – Hoadley Hide, 1965
95
20
1965
B-P Revue – “Gangster” inspired
9
100
*The chapter describes events commencing with this year
21
1965
A most rewarding time ends
4
106
22
1966
Hiking in England -- a culture shock!
111
23
1966
Upholding Aussie traditions in the UK
116
24
1966
An expedition to the Black Forest
121
25
1966
Fourteen unforgettable days at Gilwell, UK
126
26
1966
Farewell to Old England
132
27
1967
Back in the land of Oz and back into the training scene
136
28
1967
A full Scouting life
140
29
1967
Venturing into a new Area
145
30
1967
Jindalee Jamboree Queensland with its theme of Pirates
152
31*
1968
Multiple warrants and the Axedale Hoadley Hide
157
32
1968
Canoeing expedition to Gippsland Lakes
164
33
1969
A year of this and that – Section, Area and Branch
169
34
1969
The UK Advance Party Report and “Change” in Scouting 174
35
1969
Second Australian Senior Scout Venture, Nunawading
178
36
1970
The River Glenelg expedition
183
37
1970
38
1970
A very active troop, and reconnaissance for the River Goulburn
188
The River Goulburn expedition
193
39
1971
The Design for Tomorrow Report
199
40
1971
Another full year of Scouting activity
203
41
1971
Now for the Upper Murray and its head waters
206
42
1972
43
1973
Back to the Gippsland Lakes for the next canoeing expedition
212
From Barwon to the Kara Kara District to the UK again
218
*
This and subsequent chapters were not published in Australian Scout
44
1974
The January continuous woodbadge courses
224
45
1976
A significant career change in my life
229
46
1978
A quiet period and the All Sections Advanced Course
237
5
47
1980
Still involved in leader training – just!
242
48
1982
The Third ASAC course
247
49
1983
Overseas trip and five Scouting landmarks
250
50
1984
Still training
253
51
1986
Just doing enough training to stay on the books!
258
52
1987
World Jamboree and Conference
261
53
1990
Not too old to help on a Hoadley Hide
264
54
1992
268
273
55
1996
More leader training opportunities
and the history of training
Another career change coming up – retirement!
56
1999
A Silver Koala, a Hoadley Hide and helping at BHQ
278
57
2000
Gilwell visits and the Leaders’ Manual
283
58
2000
The Melbourne Gang Show’s fifty year story
286
59
2002
60
2004
An “elder statesman” and “Fifty years of training in 45-minutes”!
292
Gilwell Reunion, Lodge night,
and Ken Brewster’s memorial service
294
61
2005
I write for the Australian Scout
296
62
2007
The Elmore Jamboree and the anniversary city parade
298
63
2010
The Committee for the Far Future
302
64
2010
My Scout membership in review: 1952 to 2010
303
65
2010
A biographical note
306
66
2010
Warrants/Certificates held in Scouting and Postscript
307
Index
308
6
Author’s notes about illustrations
I believe I have elsewhere mentioned that in 1952 I had a “Box Brownie”
camera that had a fixed lens that took eight pictures on a roll of film. The
user manually wound on the film until the next number appeared in a
window on the camera. Otherwise, you could expose the same piece of
film more than once.
In 1964 my parents presented me with a Voigtlander 35-mm camera that
could take either 24 or 36 exposures. Colour film had also been introduced
and the cost of both this and black and white was greatly reduced, thereby
encouraging the photographer to take many photographs, particularly closeups. Digital mobile phones have increased the number exponentially.
I not only took prints but also transparencies but these do not lend
themselves to good reproduction.
I trust that the reader can appreciate my improved ability to take
photographs, but again I had to limit myself to the number that is
reproduced.
Then there came a year when I was not directly involved with youth
Scouting and it was not normal to over-photograph on adult training
courses. In the final chapters, I have been obliged to descend to including
pictures of Gilwell both from my own sources and official books.
For those members of the movement who might “read” this CD and know
that they were photographed all those years ago and that those images have
not been included, I plead the need to cull the many photographs that could
have been included.
I started writing up a diary of key dates and events when I was 16 and have
maintained the habit to the extent that I have a large steel cupboard full of
them. As I recorded more detail I was also too busy to write it up
immediately. Consequently there was sometimes a six-month delay in
typing it up to date. But I had my day-to-day diary as a check.
I always knew that dates, places and names must be recorded. Hence the
detail that I now can offer in the following “pages.”
7
Scout Hymn1
Now, as I start, upon my chosen way
In all I do, my thought, my work, my play,
Grant as I promise, courage new for me
To be the best, the best that I can be.
Help me to keep my honour shining bright,
May I be loyal in the hardest fight,
Let me be able for my task, and then,
To earn a place among my fellow men.
Open mine eyes to see things as I should,
That I may do my daily turn of good,
Let me be ready, waiting for each need,
To keep me clean, in thought and word and deed.
So, as I journey, on my chosen way,
In all I do, my thoughts, my work, my play,
Grant as I promise, courage new for me
To be the best, the best that I can be.
Ralph Reader
Source: Australian Scout Song Book
1
Approximately every twenty-five pages I have inserted a song, most of which came from either the London or Melbourne
Gang Shows. These songs have been the ones that I have hummed and sung as a shower baritone. They have become part of
my Scouting Story. There are many others that I could add, but these are a few of them
8
Chapter 12
had spent 12 years as a student.
The Group Scout Master (as a Group Leader
was called then) had, for several years, subtly
invited me to the annual break up camp fire and
there is no feeling like being wanted.
Hip holes and striped paint
Why get involved at all?
I had no valid reason to become a Scout leader
in 1952. For instance I did not have a son
whom I wanted to get into Cubs! But I had been
pursued by the leaders of 15th Malvern, Malvern
Grammar School’s sponsored group, and I also
wanted to keep in touch with the school where I
But when lent a copy of Lord Baden-Powell’s
Scouting for Boys, I was sold right there on the
spot. Can you imagine an eighteen year-old
learning about knots and trying out lashings
with bits of string and kitchen brooms! The
Scout Promise and Laws seemed to be very
much in line with the values I had been taught at
school and church. Scouting was about to fill
more than just a niche in my life. I admit that I
was about to dream about it. University
lectures, however boring, could be enlivened
with thoughts of planning the next meeting’s
program!
The author on the eve of the Sydney jamboree, 1952
I was on the edge of starting a commerce degree
at the then only university, The University of
Melbourne, with a view to becoming a
secondary teacher. A few years later I was
drafted to do army national service training.
Church, Scouting, teaching and military service
were to intertwine in my life for many years to
come.
2
Published in Australian Scout, April 2005
9
Les Picken, the Scoutmaster, put me through my
Tenderfoot badge.3 and I put together a uniform.
Foolishly I did not buy a proper Scout shirt but
cut off a collar of a khaki one that I already had.
These were the days of cotton shirts and shorts,
scarf and the traditional “lemon squeezer” felt
hat. Uniform was bought from the one Scout
Shop4, which was on the ground floor of the
then state headquarters at 516 Collins Street.
(That was prior to moves to 384 Elizabeth
Street, 8 Queen Road, 50 Barry Street, and now
Mount Waverley.)
that one had to cut down a tree! Nowadays the
good Scout plants them.
In 1952 I believed that Scouts did good turns,
hike, camp and wore badges. 15th Malvern, the
sponsored school group, did not have the
traditional ten-day annual camp in January but
put more emphasis on the Easter camp at
Gilwell Park, with supporting weekend and term
holiday ones at the Malvern District site at
Officer, the G. W. S. Anderson Park.
Graham Farley “on parade” before a church service at St.
John’s Anglican Church on a Sunday afternoon in Finch
Street, Malvern. It was never easy to get a good turn up
of Scouts either on a Sunday or for church but the Cubs
came in force!
Sheath Knives
The Scout belt not only kept one’s pants up, but
carried the leather pouch for one’s “bowie”
knife5. The sheath knife, which every Scout
worth his salt wanted to carry, was a must. It
was just the thing for cutting rope (and carving
one’s initials into the bark of a tree). Fifty years
later, such weapons would have to be registered
if not outlawed. Readers may recall the
Crocodile Dundee film when the hero produces
his knife in New York with the words, Now this
is a knife.
First camp
If sheath knives were not enough, all good
patrols had an axe in their patrol box. That a
saw was much more efficient with which to cut
wood was beside the point. How many near
misses there were with toes in those days I do
not know, but then thongs were not really in.
Part of the Scout test system in those days was
I recall making my first cup of billy tea. That
the fire was not hot enough for it and I had tealeaves floating on the top of the gluey mess did
not devalue this great camping experience.
Those to whom I offered a mug from it did not
flinch but were charitable in the extreme. I had
got used to toilets without doors in Air Training
Corps camps, but this business of squatting in
the bush over an open hole was yet another
challenge.
The “Scoutmaster,” as the Scout leader was
known in those days, arranged for a weekend
camp prior to Easter to clean up the campsite. I
went along. I was lent a ground sheet and a
sleeping bag. The latter was just about warm
enough for a summer’s night. I was shown how
to dig a “hip hole,” and I did survive the night,
fighting off mosquitoes and ignoring the other
sounds of the nightlife.
3
No apparent equivalent, but the Link and Scoutcraft
Badge have elements of this prerequisite (Promise and
Law, basic knotting, make-up of the flag &c)
4
Mr. Harold Williams was quartermaster for the
Association
5
The buckle also opened bottles!
10
efficiency of the water proofing of a wellpitched tent fly and tent or the alternative.
“Snoopers”
Fine weather camping is one thing. Having to
make forays into the drizzle for nearly every
bodily need is another. As the water continued
to drip down, so did the temperature fall. But
camps have to eventually come to an end and
the Scouts, who had had enough of the wet
muddy conditions, dragged their sodden tents to
the flag circle area from which they were loaded
into the furniture van for the homeward trip.
The “Straddy” (as the Stradbroke Cup was
known) meant that Easter was a “competition”
camp with troops vying for an “A” Grade
pennant. Camping standards were the criteria
for success. To sort out the winners, teams of
experienced Scout leaders, generally
commissioners (so they could not be accused of
favouritism), would move or snoop about the
camp sites. Hence their unofficial title.
Campfires and parades
Norman Johnson’s Camping for Scouts and
Others was probably the authority on camping,
but each “snooper” had his individual quirks.
One snooper would say that paths should be
swept – another that they should remain in their
natural state, leaf and twig strewn.
The “hollow” at Gilwell was the site for the
campfires, the Scouts Own and other paradetype gatherings. The campfires were held on
both the Saturday and the Sunday nights. Later
on I was to become a leader in such events, but
in 1953 they were great spectacles. Even by
then, Scouts did not always know the words of
their songs to any great extent. The large
number of Scouts also presented a great
challenge to the campfire leaders. Leaders
resorted to very simple songs and they needed
all the personality that they could muster for
their rôle. Levi Molineux was famous and very
competent in this respect.
If one fluked an “A,” then one was triumphant.
One could cope with being awarded a “B.” But
any other grading would lead to comments such
as, “Well, we took part,” or “Without the
pressure of the standards, the Scouts enjoyed
themselves this camp,” &c. One can always
justify failure!
As it was in the ‘70s. Now the Norm Johnson campfire
circle. It was even more primitive in 1952 but “very
authentic”!
I only attended the last day or two of the Easter
camp. That evening, it started to rain. It
continued all the next day – the penultimate one
in camp. One quickly learnt about the
Scout troops traditionally had bugles in their
equipment stores but few could tunefully blow
any calls on them. Rather, it was the one note
11
blast.6 The assessors would roam around the
banks of the hollow endeavouring to silence
these amateur buglers, but with about the same
success as stopping a Mexican wave at one-day
cricket matches.
15th Malvern met on Friday nights in what had
been a kitchen in the “servants’ wing” of the
Italianate building that the school occupied8.
Furniture vans
Furniture vans were the principal means by
which members of the Scout Movement moved
to camp or for hikes.7 Not every one owned a
car and there was far less “parent transport” in
those days. Not every one owned a car!
Furniture removalists would fit out their vans
with side windows and provide bench seating.
The more utilitarian vans had neither. Readers,
who have not experienced such a mode of
transport, must visualise the camping equipment
(patrol boxes, table-tops, packs of tents and the
personal packs,) neatly placed down the centre
of the cabin. Well that was the way they went
to camp.
One of a series of books written by John Thurman, the
then director of training or “Camp Chief” at the UK
Gilwell Park training centre. They were my “bread and
butter” in my early Scouting days. Should I have been an
engineer instead of a teacher?
The home journey had additional items in the
form of wet tentage, dirty tea towels,
unconsumed food and grubby Scouts. But the
campfire song-books came out again and
sometimes these trips were the most memorable
part of the camp. How tame it must be
nowadays to travel in a plush coach with
individual TV sets in the back of the seats in
front. Can they still sing?
Following flag-break and prayer, there would be
inspection, collection of subs and notices. The
evening’s program would be split up between
games on the parquet floor of the school’s
assembly hall, formerly the ballroom of
Valentines mansion, badge testing, patrol
corners and instruction. Sometimes “wide
games” would be organised on the playing field
or in the streets of Malvern. Do they have these
games now? Or are safety concerns paramount?
Leaders just had to have faith in those days that
Scouts did not come to grief, not that there was
much car traffic then, or many undesirable
characters at large.
Troop meetings
Scouts once met in daylight hours. By 1952, the
night meetings were the vogue. That the
uniform, designed for active daytime wear, was
not varied accordingly was not a matter of
concern. One just froze, particularly with
“jumpers off” for flag-break.
6
As at one-day cricket matches
Or for that matters for church and other picnics.
Nowadays it has to be by bus or car
7
8
Now Malvern Campus of Caulfield Grammar School, in
Willoby Avenue, Glen Iris
12
Pioneering on the lawn in front of the Malvern Grammar
School building on a Saturday afternoon – quite a change
from Friday night Scouting!
13
Chapter 29
the accuracy of all railway station clocks in
Victoria. Later he was able to arrange for the
Association to have a gold pass to assist country
leaders to attend training courses.
The “Explan” and A Green Shoulder Knot
The Explanatory Course
But my diary says that in the Scout hall it was
cold and the fire was miserable. In one of the
breaks between sessions, we reversed the
seating putting what there was of a fire behind
us and the chap giving the yarn in the colder
centre of the hall!
In order to hold any warrant in the Boy Scout
Association in 1952, the leader had to undertake
an Explanatory Course.
Why this strange title? B-P introduced the
woodbadge as the key training course for Scout
leaders. After one or two of these it was found
that too many leaders came to it inexperienced
in basic Scouting skills. Hence the
“Preliminary” course was introduced.
But I had attended the course and the GSM
could now apply for me to receive a warrant as
an ASM (Assistant Scout Master). This came
through in September, 1952.
But the same feature was observed on these
courses, so the “Explanatory” was then brought
in. Later training schemes would modernise the
title to Stage One.
In 1952 country leaders could do a “Mail Bag”
course as an alternative if they could not get to
one of the listed Explanatory courses. Today’s
equivalent of that afternoon and evening course
is the “Introduction to Scouting Seminar.”
15th Malvern Scouters: Gerald McNamara, ?, Bob
Barrow, ?, Gerald McNamara GSM, the author,
Mrs. McNamara and John Cudmore
On Saturday, 24th May, 1952, I went with many
others, including a 15th Malvern lady cub
master, Yvonne Marple, to the 5th Caulfield
Scout hall, where some very experienced Scout
leaders yarned to us.
That bottle drive!
If I have one horror memory of 1952 it was the
bottle drive10 that I foolishly organised towards
the end of the year. Such drives could be
efficiently arranged and were quite beneficial in
terms of funds, as the bottle merchants, “Bottleohs” as they were known, were very happy to
purchase used beer bottles for refilling, at
something like a shilling a dozen.
I only remember one or two of them. One was
“Narse” Lesser (Wesley College), who
introduced us to his Scout library. This
stimulated me to collect my own Scout library
over the years and to make sure that I had read
them all. Levi Molineux, Assistant County
Commissioner for Training (ACC), arrived with
a handful of late applications. Has anything
changed?
Our drive that Saturday afternoon went well.
My Scouts were surprised to see the piles of
bottles that some “tea total” families had
Ian Hodges was also one of the team. A senior
management employee of the Victorian
Railways, at one stage he was responsible for
9
10
It is difficult to put a value on them in 2005 terms. In
1952, they were worth ten pence a dozen, which would be
far more than a dollar, given that newspapers, now over a
dollar, cost less than threepence in those days.
Published Ibid, July 2005
14
collected in their sheds or at the back of their
gardens.
expected to be able to say, “Come here, and he
cometh”!
Several parents drove their cars so that the
Scouts could collect these bottles and bring
them back to the school for stacking,
preparatory to their being collected, presumably
on the following Monday. But our collection
had coincided with a strike by the bottle
merchants!
I soon learnt that it was not like that at all.
There was always the spectre of the Group
Scoutmaster
The strike dragged on and on. The bottles
remained stacked behind the cricket nets. No
matter how cooperative the headmaster and staff
were to us Scouts, there was a limit to how long
these bottles could remain uncollected. For they
were too tempting to healthy school boys to
leave undisturbed! Eventually the strike
concluded and the bottles went, but that was the
last bottle drive that I would ever conduct.
Collecting used newspaper would prove to be a
far easier deal.
(and all those commissioners stacked above
him) giving directions as to this and that.
I am a Scoutmaster!
“Below” me were the Scouts, who, if they did
not like the program offered, they just did not
turn up to the meetings!
At the end of 1952, the SM, Les Picken, advised
that he would be going to Adelaide. There I
was, waiting in the wings, for this big moment.
At the time I think I was rather taken aback by
his decision and its consequences, but then I was
a “trained” leader, I had read many of the Scout
books that “Narse” had recommended.
Additionally being a university student and
training to be a teacher, surely being in charge
would not be all that bad.
Leadership was required. I was no longer
school captain or a flight sergeant in the Air
Training Corps. It meant a complete reappreciation of the situation.
On the other hand there was always that give
and take – the Scouts, if they were to have
Scouting, needed a leader. There would be
compromise. Rather, one found oneself very
‘naked’ and alone with the expectant faces of
the troop gathered around me in a horseshoe.
So, from the start of 1953 I changed over the red
shoulder knot on my left shoulder for a green
one. I was now the Scoutmaster of 15th
Malvern. Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe has
those classic lines when the members of the
House of Lords enter and sing, Bow, bow, ye
lower middle classes! Bow, bow, ye tradesmen,
bow, ye masses! &c.
Assistance
I had very little assistance. The GSM was
present at most meetings. This had its good and
its bad points. It was good to have “back up,”
but one did not feel fully trusted and someone
was always looking over one’s shoulder,
perhaps even critically.
In this “rank,” I had falsely presumed that all
power flowed to me and from me. I was in
charge! As in the Bible story of the centurion, I
15
I felt that I could handle the troop with good
planning of programs. I was to have my first
challenge on a hike to the Blackburn Lake,
when one PL went swimming against my
wishes. However, to go swimming in a fresh
water lake without support was rather foolish of
the boy. But he did not drown. He was a good
swimmer. Eventually we understood each
other’s responsibilities.
set of ideas for programs, unlike the excellent
set available today.
The Gilcraft Series
The Scout Shop carried these books on its
shelves for sale at a reasonable cost. The
writers were experienced but they were dealing
with British boys in the British milieu. While
Australia was still very predominantly “British”
in 1953, there were some very basic differences
in how the Australian boy responded to
leadership, authority and programs.
But of course, the Gilcraft books were English
sourced. The John Thurman series of books on
pioneering (knots, lashings and spars) were
international in application, except that the
Australian bush was a more rugged venue than
cultured English lawns and streams.
I have already referred to the existence of
Scouting libraries. With the exception of a few
books, such as Leon Costermans, Trees of
Victoria, and Johnson’s Camping for Scouts and
Others, nearly all Scout literature originated in
Britain.
Leon Costerman’s book, Trees of Victoria
Apart from the different seasons, trees and birdlife, the material in these books could be applied
in the Australian situation without too much
need for interpretation. Many of these books
were in the Gilcraft series.
Baden-Powell Society
When I returned at the start of 1953 to the
university for my second year I spotted in
“Farrago” a meeting called by a Graham
Maclaren of those interested in Scouting and
Guiding.
I should imagine these Scouting books may still
be found on bookshelves of retired leaders, but
they were a principal source for programs and
ideas in 1953. Gilcraft’s How To Run a Troop
provided some forty-five troop night programs,
one for every night of the year, excluding
vacations. The Victorian Scout, as Australian
Scout was then called, published a very limited
We first met in Graham’s rooms in Ormond
College. Quite a dedicated group began to meet
fairly regularly with frequent outings. One of
these was to Gilwell Park. Another was to the
Organ Pipes National Park and Jackson’s Creek.
16
I was never involved in the headquarters
recommended method of obtaining leaders. I
seemed to find them by chance. But a
successful troop or unit attracts its own leaders,
as I was to find out.
It was through this society that I met Beverley
Graham, a Guider, who later married the
Reverend Alex Stone and was to teach French
for a year at Braemar College.
I also met Alan Bucher by the same means. The
society lasted while we were at “the shop” at
least into 1955.
1953 passed with the customary troop meetings
and special events, such as working bee
weekends at Officer, scoutcraft competitions
and the reception of cubs coming up from the
pack.
Imperial Headquarters
This leads me on to recall that in those days, the
“Victorian” branch reported directly to Imperial
Headquarters in Buckingham Palace Road,
London.
Staves
I did introduce “staves” to the troop. All the
literature and drawings by our founder had
Scouts equipped with these six-foot long poles,
marked off in feet for estimation and minor
pioneering.
There must have been some local national
liaison to arrange for jamborees and the like. It
would be some years before the Australian Boy
Scout Association was formed and the nation
accepted autonomy for its Scouting.
There were racks for the staves in the troop
room. If it worked in the UK, I was certain that
it would work in Australia! And providing that
my Scouts did not have their staves when other
Scouts were about to jeer at them, they were
quite proud of them.
Patrol camping
Getting back to the task of running the troop,
my Scout books told me that patrol camps were
the recommended way to develop camping
standards and most of the patrols had camps at
Officer prior to Easter camp at Gilwell.
Greystanes Jamboree
This was held in Sydney at the end of 1952. I
attended as an ASM and was made the joint
QM. In later articles I would like to make
observations on these “mass” gatherings of
Scouts and both their advantages and
disadvantages.
Unlike today, with assessable sites right across
the state, the Stradbroke Cup was only held at
Gilwell. Run in parallel was the Cohen Shield,
which provided opportunities for Scouts to
demonstrate their Scouting skills, such as
cooking.
Leader assistance
A parent, Donald Northway, offered to assist
me. I was then quite miffed when district
“kidnapped” him and made him the DC! In
later years when leading training courses, I
would recommend that at least four leaders were
available for each section. Sections need
sufficient leaders to allow for absences, illness
and for periods of leave. But for those first few
years, I had irregular adult support.
An aerial view, presumably taken from a flag tower at the
Greystanes Jamboree in Sydney at the end of 1952,
17
showing the lay out of a troop site for fifty Scouts and
their leaders
in the Scouting mode of flag break, patrol sites
and traditional activities, such as pioneering.
When Scouts come together in such numbers a
great atmosphere develops and the memories
that will last one’s lifetime. The Greystanes
gathering was an eye-opener to me. I had to
organize the duty patrol to collect the rations for
each meal and then store them hygienically. I
think I did reasonably well, but it was just as
well that the SM of the troop realized that the
joints of meat had exceeded their “shelf life”
(for we had no refrigeration in those days) and
condemned them. It was another lesson that I
would not forget!
Alan and I tackled the matter of patrol cooking
first but with the SM’s full assent. Alan and I
divided up the available kitchen gear and
encouraged the patrols to do their own cooking.
While this required some energy to see things
through and accept some “culinary disasters,” it
was a much more positive Scouting approach
and the lads appreciated it.
4th Caulfield
I got to know Alan Ponsford while at the
university. Alan’s father was GSM of 4th
Caulfield and Alan was both a Rover and an
ASM. On the eve of entering Puckapunyal
army camp in January, 1954 for three months
military service11, Alan invited me to be a
Scouter at 4th Caulfield’s troop January camp at
Eumeralla Anglesea.
Fourth Caulfield Scouts constructing camp gadgets at
their ten-day summer camp at Eumeralla, Anglesea, 1954
Flags flew proudly from the flag staff and the
patrols lined up for patrol inspections. Mapping
was on the program. Even a flying fox was
rigged up but it was neither steep nor dangerous.
Rover Alan Ponsford at the 4th Caulfield camp
The troop entered camp just after Christmas.
Eumeralla was new to me with its views out
over the Southern Ocean and its cliff face walk
down to the beach. Having read all the books
advocating patrol cooking I was surprised on
entering this camp to find that the SM was
comfortable with central cooking. There was
even an element of “holiday camp,” with the
SM preparing the meals and the lads not directly
Fourth Caulfield’s Scout Master inspecting a patrol. Note
the introduction of staves which is referred to in the text.
I see from the photograph that I encouraged the
4th’s lads to make and carry staves. The other
innovation was to have a “rest hour” or period
after lunch, the value of which I soon
appreciated.
11
This was the first National Service scheme and was
introduced in 1951 for all 18-year olds
18
From a selfish point of view the camp got me fit
for the forthcoming military experience. I
entered the army camp, but within a fortnight of
long hours, hard work and plenty of fresh air,
the army had trimmed me down by several
inches around the waist. I was soon down to
twelve stone or about seventy-six kilograms!
A 15th Malvern patrol at the 1954 Gilwell Easter camp
Author’s note
I have tried to retain as much as possible the
content of the articles as they appeared in
Australian Scout.
But I have noticed that although “striped paint”
appeared in the title of the first article, there was
no further comment.
This of course referred to the senseless and cruel
teasing of new (tenderfoot) Scouts at their first
camp.
Studying the map prior to setting out on a hike at the 4
Caulfield January camp at Eumeralla, Anglesea, 1954
Quite unnecessarily, elder boys (and were
leaders all that innocent?) would send them on
fruitless tips to the QM tent to ask for
impossible items, such as a rubber hammer, sky
hooks, a yard of milk or striped paint. Here the
game would be furthered with the hapless
individual sent back to his patrol site with some
foolish and incorrect item, for the sequence to
be repeated. And we talk about our success in
retaining Scouts!
th
19
Chapter 312
The “CEBS,” as it was generally known, was
and is a very worthwhile organisation with a
broad program, but perhaps a bias more towards
indoor games such as basket ball. Some years
earlier I had been a member of the “CEBS” at
St. Bede’s, which had buoyant numbers and a
very active program in several age sections.
Flags, badges and paper drives for a new
Troop
A leader is wanted
In 1954, I was both in my third year in the Scout
movement and a Commerce degree at The
University of Melbourne. I thought I was
starting to get the hang of what a good Scout
troop was meant to be. I was well into my
Woodbadge Part 1 and would apply for the Part
2 (continuous) course in January.13
These were the days when involvement in
church and its activities was quite “cool” for
many young people. But the pressing need in
1954 was for leaders to look after these
“CEBS,” who would also have been regular in
attendance at Sunday School. The church was
their main social activity outside of school.
I continued to be SM of 15th Malvern
encouraging both patrol and troop camping.
The troop again camped at Gilwell at Easter, but
we did not win a high grade pennant. The
G.W.S. Anderson Park at Officer was the other
favourite site for camps.
Convinced by now of the value of Scouting, I
offered my services, but as a Scoutmaster. This
would mean that the boys in question would
have to be attracted to an “alien” activity with
all that such a change would mean. Further, the
church’s vestry and congregation would also
have to give their blessing.
Sponsored groups
Sponsored church groups were not new, but
they were not all that common in Australia. But
it was fortuitous that at the 1954 church Synod,
the Rev’d W. Lloyd had successfully moved a
motion recommending the setting up of Scout
and Guide groups in Anglican churches15. So,
the vicar and vestry accepted my offer, but I
think with some understandable reluctance.
Flag break at the 15th Malvern September camp, 1954, at
the G. W. S. Anderson Scout Camp, Officer
But then 15th Malvern had been a “sponsored”
group. As against the more numerous “open”
groups, a sponsored group had to accept a
degree of supervision and direction from its
sponsoring authority. In the case of a church
group, one could anticipate some guidance on
spiritual matters, particularly from the vicar, and
what activities could be held on a Sunday.
Sometime towards the end of 1954, I was
approached by my vicar, the Rev’d Reg
Roddick of St. Bede’s Church, Elwood14, as to
whether I would like to lead the Church of
England Boys Society group at his church. I
was a regular member of the congregation.
12
Published Ibid, September, 2005
I described these courses in my article, Being Trained
in the ‘Fifties, in Australian Scout, April 2004, page 32
14
St. Bede’s church has recently been sold due to
demographic changes and community church attendance
patterns and has been converted to apartments.
13
15
While the Anglican Church was then still officially the
“Church of England,” I have used the modern term for
ease of understanding.
20
In 1954, the St. Kilda Scout district had two
sponsored groups, namely 3rd (Jewish) and 7th
(Roman Catholic). 9th St. Kilda, although
“open,” was a Sea Scout group with a waterbased program and a sea-going uniform. The
DC was Claude Breydon, who was a great
supporter of the Rover section
I had become accustomed in the atmosphere of
the private school for the parent to say whether
or not their son would join Scouts. I now came
up against perhaps the healthier alternative of, “I
am very happy about it, but my son will decide
whether he wants to become a Scout.” That
meant we had to more “wooing”!
First steps
The second last week of November in 1954 was
a very active one for Tony and me as we spoke
with parents and their sons. While there would
be plenty who would enjoy “the game of
Scouting,” we needed to seek out the boy
leaders who would become the PLs.
Memory cannot help me recall how a Mr.Tony
Blunn came forward to assist me in this project.
Tony was a member of 8th St. Kilda, a nearby
“open” group. He was very enthusiastic about
the new project and had the ability to relate to
youth. This complimented my role as the
administrator and organiser.
Perhaps we had gone into an area where “angels
feared to tread,” and in our enthusiasm and
confidence we ignored many difficulties as
though they did not exist. Even then, there were
many bureaucratic steps to be taken to set up a
new troop, but the December Parish News
announced that the “vestry has authorised the
establishment of a Scout Troop to replace the
Senior Section of the CEBS. …”
So from the start of 1955 there must have been
meetings of the “target” boys at which Tony and
I would have described and demonstrated the
aims and program of the Scout movement. But
I am sure that it was Tony to whom the lads
turned to be convinced as the joys of Scouting.
At 15th Malvern I had learned the importance of
visiting the homes of potential Scouts,
particularly while they were still in the Cub
section. Barriers soon broke down. Adults got
to know each other. One became acquainted
with the atmosphere of the “home.”
Tenderfoot training
In those days, a Scout, prior to investiture, had
to pass what was known as the “Tenderfoot
Badge.”
So, during January, Tony and I were hard at
work meeting with groups of boys and
encouraging them to know the make-up of the
Australian Flag and how to fly it, the basic
knots, and the ten Scout Laws amidst other
aspects of Scouting.
By now I had given “notice” to 15th Malvern,
but had offered to stay with that group until at
least Easter and in the meantime supervise any
patrol camps as the Scouts prepared for the
Stradbroke Cup at Gilwell Park.
Rover Alan Bucher, 1st Footscray, and 6th St. Kilda’s
GSM Bert Leckie, check Graham Farley’s patrol
points score, while Robert Hance and Bill Wright
look on with a view to making sure that justice is
both seen to be done and is done! Photo: Bob Barrow
This meant that I attended both meetings on the
same night, leaving 15th Malvern’s about halfway through in the safe hands of Michael
21
present and took a rôle in the ceremony. The
atmosphere must have had a very emotional
effect on those invested.
Chalcraft and driving back to Elwood before the
end of the new troop’s meeting.
First investitures
Scarves and hats
th
On the 7 February, Tony Blunn had about a
dozen boys at a meeting. A week later I
invested the first two patrol leaders, Ron Moore
and Bill Wright. Tony and I wee greatly helped
when Mr. Bert Leckie came forward and offered
his services as GSM. Bert would liaise with the
vestry and establish the group committee,
leaving us to get on with the basic youth training
program.
The Venerable Bede of the medieval church had
given his name to our church. Hence it was
logical that the badge would have as its key
symbol a book of parchment together with a
feather pen. The colours for the scarf were blue
with red binding.
The Scout hat was quite novel to our invested
Scouts. School caps were still in vogue and
most male adults wore hats. The Scout hat
could lend itself to being a “Frisbee” and I recall
a lot of energy was needed to convince our lads
that the hat must be respected. Besides they
were relatively expensive.
A fortnight later, I invested John Vaughan,
Graeme Thomson, Donald Anderson and Barry
Wilson. By 1swt March, these six were in
uniform.
By the middle of March, I completed the
investiture of the troop members, that now
numbered 18, namely: Geoff McMaster, Philip
Johnston, John and Robert Hance, Graeme
McGuinness, Robert Barnfield, Ron Preston,
Howard Quirk, Robert Palmer, Geoff Hughes,
John Butcher and Ian Taylor.
Once the numbers of invested members began to
grow, the new Scouts wore their uniforms with
pride and in public without embarrassment.
While CEBS had a uniform, it was not
universally worn by its members.
The investitures took place in the sanctuary of
the church with the only light coming from the
candles on the altar. The vicar was generally
22
In April, the full troop with flags supported the
St. George’s Day service in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
A week later a number marched in Melbourne
for the Empire Youth Day celebrations. Church
parades would be held monthly at St. Bede’s
church.
First camp
Sleeping under canvas must surely still hold its
anticipation and wonder of survival! The 6th St.
Kilda Scouts ventured to the Malvern District
campsite at Officer on the weekend, 13/15 May.
I borrowed tents and patrol equipment from 15th
Malvern. Ron Moore’s father had a flat tray
truck and he transported the gear. The boys
travelled by train. The camp was apparently a
great success.
The Vicar of St. Bede’s Church, Elwood, the Reverend
Reg Roddick, receives the dedicated flags from Paul
Grenda, Michael Potter, and (cub) John Scales. The
photo was taken in 1962, seven years after the troop was
established. The laying of the colours on the altar was
customary at the monthly church parade of the group
Badge work
Parallel with all of this registration and
uniforming of the Scouts was the need to teach
the boys in Scouting skills and then present
them for the Second Class and activity badges.
By mid-year, several had reached Second Class
standard.
Hikes
Unless Tony and I remembered that Scouting
was an “outdoor” movement, we would be
failing the boys and might just as well have
continued with the CEBS “indoor” program.
Cub Pack
While it had not been the intention of the vestry
to sanction this section so early, the demand for
it became overwhelming as the success of the
lads aged “over 11,” became apparent. Two
leaders came forward, Val Guthrie and Barbara
Moore, and the section was active by
September.
The first hike was to Hurstbridge, using the train
to get there. Fourteen Scouts attended on the
Labour Day holiday. My diary notes tell me
that we introduced them to “twists” and
“damper.” Cooking on an open fire would have
been quite new to them. A second hike in April
was to Warrandyte along the banks of the River
Yarra.
Commissioning
The new Scout Troop was commissioned at a
special service on Sunday, 13th March before a
full congregation and many representatives of
the movement. The flags were dedicated and
the various adult and patrol leaders authorised in
their positions. It was a gala event for us all.
The troop was in being.
23
Tony on the other hand was dubbed “Duffy”! I
cannot recall why. It did not seem to be
complimentary, but rather one of respect and
acceptance.
6th St. Kilda Scouts on a hike. Graham is in the centre
Paper drives
Other developments
I n a previous article I described the pitfalls of
bottle drives. Now we had a look at the value of
what we would now describe as “recycled”
paper. As with bottles, the uniformed Scouts
would go from house to house seeking used
newspapers.
The troop attended that year’s “Gang Show” at
the Cathedral Hall, Brunswick. A six-day camp
was held in September at Officer. I was assisted
on this camp by Alan Bucher, a fellow
university student, and a member of 1st
Footscray.
These would be stacked on the grass verges and
collected by adults in cars. The paper would be
brought to the church, where another group
would stack and bind them in manageable
bundles. Finally, Mr. Moore would be there
with his truck and they would be loaded on to it.
A day or two later, Mr. Moore would deliver the
paper to the Australian Paper Mills and a cheque
would be received.
A Senior Scout patrol was formed from the
older boys, giving three sections in the Group.
Rovers would follow, but that is a later story.
Parents’ nights demonstrated the progress in
training. Mr. H. Sweeney donated a mounted
hide for inter-patrol competition. The Group
Committee was very active, having had its first
meeting on 18th July. The troop assisted in
preparations for the forthcoming jamboree, but
it was considered that it was perhaps too soon
for them to attend it. In light of events, that was
a very wise decision.
Paper drives proved to be an efficient and
relatively clean way of raising funds. The
whole troop was involved. There was that
feeling of satisfaction of something well done at
the end of the day. The group could now buy
equipment and, in particular, tentage.
I was then completing my Diploma of
Education. Before the year was out, the
Education Department announced the schools to
which graduates would be allocated for 1956. I
was appointed to Mirboo North High School.
Fortunately a Mr. Tony Daly came forward to
take over my rôle with 6th St. Kilda. But my
links with 6th were by no means severed.
Scouting names
This was the only time in my Scouting life that I
accepted a Scout name. I had been “Pharlap,”
and then “Flap” at school. I guess it was
inevitable that I would now be known as “Flip”!
24
In later years I averred that I learnt far more
about practical Scouting from “my mates” in the
patrol than I did from the formal sessions during
the day. Centralised meals may be more
efficient from many points of view, but this
critical “networking” can often be lost as a
consequence, or at least downgraded in
effectiveness.
Scout Wood Badge
In January, 1955, I attended a Scout wood badge
Part 2 course at Gilwell, having completed Part
1 the previous year. I had little difficulty
answering the 15 questions of the first part,
typing them for easier reading and I understood
the theoretical basis of Scouting that the readers
“wanted to read”!
The greatest memories for me were the
gatherings each night in what became the E. H.
C. (Tom) Russell Scout Hall around the fire
when, after a sing song, “Kenno” would yarn
about his experiences, particularly his meetings
with B-P.
The Part 2 course was conducted by W. D.
Kennedy (“Kenno”). He was assisted by several
experienced commissioners on a continuous
basis. One of these was Ashley Batten. A few
came for particular days, such as Colonel
Polglaze for pioneering.
I found myself with Doug Callister leading
much of the singing and this probably confirmed
my confidence in this role.
Having already specialised in pioneering, I
found that I was the elected leader to help our
patrol construct its Monkey Bridge over the
Lochan.
I was also selected to be the PL for our
overnight journey. Nowadays this would have
been cancelled for I recall we set out on what
would now be a “total fire ban” day and it was
probably even “Code Red”!
W. D. “Kenno” Kennedy
Our meals were brought out to us to avoid us
having to light fires to cook. I recall hearing
trees, dead from the 1939 fires, crash in the
forest in the windy conditions. But we
survived!
In the same way that the commissioners reverted
to being the SM and ASMs, we adult leaders
became “Scouts” for the week and formed
patrols.
Part 3 was, as it is today16, the application of
what one had learnt to the leadership of one’s
section “back home.” Because I was now
working in two districts, there was a slight
demarcation muddle but in due course the
beads, parchment and scarf were duly presented.
There were just sufficient participants to enable
the course to proceed. We were expected to do
a daily sketch, a task that I did not find beyond
me.
The leaders stuck very closely to the UK
Gilwell handbooks. We prepared, cooked and
ate our meals in the patrol huts. We slept on
mattresses on the floor of the second hut. The
kerosene in the lamps was carefully rationed to
prevent us sitting up all night!
16
It may be unwise of me to attempt to suggest
equivalents in training course titles. Scouts Australia
Institute of Training has varied them to some extent
25
The Maclaren tartan worn on the peak of the Gilwell
Scarf. It commemorates the gift of the original Gilwell
Park (England) to the Boy Scouts Association by W. de
Bois Maclaren in 1919
And whether we believe that we are changed
persons as a result of being awarded the badge,
the wearing of the thong and beads sets much
the same pattern as does a degree or diploma.
26
Chapter 417
The pack and troop met in the Anglican Church
hall. On the first Tuesday night available I had
noticed boys going along the main street to the
Scout meeting but in disguise. They wore other
clothes over their uniforms. Yet the nights were
not that cold. Were they wary of being teased
for their membership? I have never had such
hesitation and strode along to the church hall
setting an example.
A City Boy Goes Country
Mirboo North
At the conclusion of my Diploma of Education
year I was appointed to Mirboo North High
School to commence in February, 1956. I was
to have three very happy learning years at this
proud dairy cattle and potato growing
community on the Grand Ridge Road in
Gippsland.
At the first meetings that I attended, I found that
half of the members of the troop had no uniform
at all. It was a troop that was trying to live
Scouting, but suffered, like most semi-isolated
country units, from lack of expertise and nearby
exemplars. Another high school teacher, Peter
Rich, was a leader, together with a youthful
farmer, Stan Bruhn. But appreciation for the
contribution of these adults was not fully
understood by the Scouts. This would have to
change.
But at the high school I should have listened to
my “head” for, before the year was out, my
classroom control was not good. Fortunately
the principal, Rex Cording, and the senior
master, Gordon Keith, assisted me in developing
techniques to improve the situation, after all I
had a lifetime in the classroom ahead of me.
The difference of course was that the Scouts
were volunteers – the school students were there
at the direction of the law!
A view of the main campfire arena at the Clifford Park
Jamboree, 1955/56. Styled the “mudboree,” the event
was noted for its daily tropical downpour and the
wonderful spirit of the Scouts who attended
My first contact with 1st Mirboo North Scouts
was not an auspicious one. One morning while
at the “mud”boree (the Clifford Park Jamboree
1955/6) I walked through the muddy slush to
Sub-camp 5 and sought out the tent that was
housing the Mirboo North patrol. I think they
were browned off and bored in the conditions
and not over impressed to hear that I would
descend upon them the following year!
Some weeks later, I moved to Mirboo North and
took up residence with the boot maker, his wife
and grandson, in the main street of the township.
My “head” told me to keep well away from
Scouting until my classroom discipline was
under control. My “heart” directed me
otherwise, unfortunately for the former.
The Trease brothers from Mardan: Neil, Len, Harold, Ron
(cousin), and Graham. Photograph taken by “The Age”
1st Dumbalk-Mardan
On one of the first Friday nights that I was in the
town, I donned my uniform and started to walk
17
Published, Ibid, October, 2005
27
along the road to Mardan, some six miles to the
south. (My car must have been unavailable.) I
had not got far when I was offered a lift by a
chap who lived on his own and who insisted on
taking me the whole way. Here I met the Trease
and Campbell families, amongst others. I
became very welcome in their homes. Several
members of these families are still very much
involved in active Scouting today. Mardan was
“twinned” with the neighbouring community of
Dumbalk.
order in large cardboard boxes, all wrapped in
brown paper and tied up with excellent quality
string. All three items were recycled, to use the
contemporary terminology.
But the measurements were nearly always
understated. A lot of the items had to go back
as being too small. From then on, I measured
the Scouts myself. The next problem was
shortages for some parts of the uniform,
particularly hats. But by Easter supplies of
rabbit fur had increased and the troop started to
look like one.
Country boys
The Australian digger of the First World War
was in many cases a chap reared in the outback,
generally on a farm. I was dealing with boys
from the same stock. They played everything
that much harder. The boys displayed great
confidence. Most would have been up early
each day to do the milking and have it to look
forward to when they got home from school.
They would have learned to shoot, and to drive
tractors from an early age.
Similarly, the cub section had to be outfitted.
(In both cases the backlog in test passing for
Tenderpad and Tenderfoot work had to be
overcome.) But parents in the community still
referred to the cub uniform as the cub suit! I
would visit the family at home and provide the
uniform to the satisfaction of the mother. I have
seen tears well up in the eyes of new Cubs; such
was the excitement of getting their cap and
jumper. It was even likely to be worn to bed
that night.
So when it came to camping, these country boys
needed no program devised by the Scoutmaster
– they improvised their own on the spot. The
leader’s rôle became one of supervision and
“life preserving,” while at the same time
coordinating tentage, food and transport. Interpersonal scores were often settled physically.
The boys were always ready for a friendly
wrestle. It was useful if the adult team included
one who could “out-wrestle” any member of the
troop. Physical strength was respected!
An “open” group
This was my first experience of an “open”
group. Although the troop met in the church
hall, my relationship to the rector was one of
being a tenant, a parishioner, and hopefully a
friend. The GSM was Alan Burdekin, the
newsagent, who was also the cub leader. The
DC was Bill Bland. There was a small group
committee.
But as with all other activity groups in the
township, the Scouts had the community’s full
support. This was based on the presumption
that successful activities would bring great
benefit to the township’s youth. There was
probably an element of the “city boy” bringing
his copy of Policy, Organisation and Rules and
expecting everyone to conform to it. Country
people do not tinker with something that works!
Those first few weeks
The first task was to get the Mirboo North boys
into uniform. For my first few orders of
uniform I would accept the boy’s idea of his
clothing measurements. Back at the Scout Shop
in Melbourne, Lillian Beard18, packed up the
18
In those days the Scout Shop traded from the ground
floor of the 516 Collins Street headquarters. Nowadays
scout supplies are distributed through the Snowgum
chain. Lillian Beard was awarded the OAM in the
Queen’s Birthday Honours, 2004
As I have already suggested, the country boy
played it hard. I would stand agape at the
28
velocity with which medicine balls were thrown
about the church hall and the near “murder” that
took place with that now-outlawed game, British
Bulldogs. Uniforms took a pounding, even for
the “skins” side. I very soon organized a
working bee to fabricate sturdy wooden shutters
for the large plate glass windows of the church
hall.
It seemed that all one had to do was to
demonstrate the need for something and it
would be forthcoming. The town’s temporary
“immigrants,” namely the professional classes,
such as teachers, clergy and bank managers,
made their contribution in the form of leadership
and ideas. The farming families readily
responded in kind. It was a happy and workable
partnership.
The Melbourne Gang Show
My continuing links with 6th St. Kilda resulted
in the idea that a bus load of Mirboo North cubs
and Scouts would be billeted in Elwood for a
weekend during the annual production of the
Melbourne Gang Show. It those days, the show
was staged at the Cathedral Hall, Brunswick.
The London Gang Show songs were readily
available through the Scout Shop. There was a
two-year delay before the same songs were part
of the Melbourne Gang Show’s presentation.
I was able to obtain the services of a local music
teacher, Mrs. Cashin, to teach the boys the
Equipping the troop
Perhaps paper drives were already the norm, but
the Mirboo North lads and parents streamlined it
further. The Australian Paper Manufacturers,
whose plant was nearby at Morwell, accepted
the paper in “wool bales.” A parent, Mr. Fary,
was happy for the packing to take place to the
rear of his house. The Bruhn family was very
generous in this and other regards. They
provided transport for the bales and the cheques
came back steadily, generally permitting the
purchase of a tent and fly on the proceeds from
each paper collection day, as it had done the
year before at 6th St. Kilda.
Host and visiting Scouts assemble for the group
photograph on the occasion of the Melbourne Gang Show
weekend trip to stay with 6th and 9th St. Kilda Scouts
Mr. Trembath, was one of the two bus providers
in Mirboo North. He was very prepared on the
completion of his Friday afternoon’s school run,
to take the party of some forty of us to
Melbourne staying down until the Sunday
return. It was a hundred miles19 or so to
Melbourne via Trafalgar (“Traf” as it was
universally known), so it was going on ten
o’clock before the bus drew up at the Elwood
church. In no time, visiting scouts were linked
The High School was still in the course of
construction when I arrived. The group was
able to secure a large packing, the size of a
shipping container, as a result. I cannot recall
the foundations, but the practical country men
soon separated the sides of the case. When reassembled, this provided a lockup equipment
store behind the church hall.
19
29
One hundred and sixty kilometres
up with their hosts and they headed to their
homes for the weekend.
Flag break at the combined Mirboo North and St. Kilda
September camp on the property of Mr. Trembath
I have always been an inclusive person and,
since Ss from other groups attended the high
school, they were equally welcome to join these
trips. Hence lads from 1st Mirboo East and 1st
Dumbalk-Mardan were on this first gang show
trip, as would others be in later years.
Being dairy country, farmers milked morning
and night. When it came to staff for the camp, I
had plenty of offers for those times “after
milking.” Hence, I accepted the responsibility
for the program during the day, with Scouters
from the farming families making themselves
available as soon as their milking duties had
been completed.
In this and following years, there would be
activities arranged in addition to the visit to the
Cathedral Hall for the show. Sometimes we
went at night to the performance and at others to
the matinée. In each case, a “special” tram was
booked to take the party to and fro. At the end
of each show, the groups with block bookings
would be acknowledged. My party always
enjoyed hearing their group names read out. In
1956 there were Scoutcraft activities on the
Elwood beach front near the 9th St. Kilda (Sea
Scouts) hall.
The camp concluded with a parents’ day, when
the Elwood parents came up by bus. But the
weather, which had been fine during the week,
decided to catch up on rainfall. The canvas
dining shelter (about the size of a small Scout
hall) was most welcome, but the graded road
packed up resulting in cars and buses slithering
in and out of the site.
September camp
The invitation was then given to 6th St. Kilda to
join a combined camp with Mirboo district
Scouts in the September vacation. Mr.
Trembath willingly lent his property. Parents
enthusiastically erected a large canvas covered
dining area, using tarpaulins “lent” by the
Victorian Railways. This open cooperation was
very rewarding, as it was clearly a way of
saying “thank you” for providing Scouting for
their sons. Even the shire sent in its grader to
upgrade the roads into the property.
St. Kilda and Mirboo North Scouts take a rest on their
walk from the camp site to Mirboo North township
I found that first year in Mirboo North to be a
most exhilarating one. There was a degree of
energy in the country troop that I had not
experienced before in city troops. One was
accepted for what one would offer or do. A
person’s word was his bond. Locks were hardly
necessary.
I found life with my landlady and family to be a
very warm one. Yes, the toilet was down the
back path; being emptied weekly. Yes, the bath
was a chip heater. Yes, on one occasion there
was a beehive in the wood panelling in the room
I shared with the grandson. Yes, on Thursday
30
nights I was packed off up to the high school, as
the town’s football team was selected on the
premises of the boot-maker. It was all very
wholesome, open and honest.
It’s a Wonderful Life
BP Revue
Out in the rain, boys, or out in the snow,
Out in the sunshine, wherever you go,
There’s one thing all we fellows know Gee, it’s a wonderful life
As if I did not seem to have enough to do with
teaching, church, studying for bachelor of
education and theology, and a lieutenant in the
army reserve (CMF), I decided to conduct a
two-night concert based principally on Gang
Show material, both sketches and songs. Mrs.
Cashin offered to help with rehearsing the
songs. I think the guides and brownies were
also involved. The Scout items were probably
pretty woolly and under-rehearsed but no one
seemed to over mind. Parents seemed just as
happy to see their children on the stage, no
matter what their standard. A couple of parents
arranged for a program to be printed in which all
self-respecting town organisations advertised.
Whether in highlands or down in the dale,
Over the river and on to the vale,
We hike along the rainbow trail,
Gee, it’s a wonderful life
When you’re out about in Scouting,
You’re as happy as a king,
If you’re tracking in the meadow or a bird upon
the wing.
In the autumn or the winter,
Or the summer or the spring,
It’s a most remarkable thing
Out with the gang, boys, and journeying to
Lands of adventure awaiting for you.
You find your day dreams coming true,
Gee, it’s a wonderful life,
You bet! It’s a wonderful life
Ralph Reader
31
Chapter 520
Mirboo North Revisited
Orphanage camp
It was always going to be a busy month. Alan
Bucher, whom I knew through the BadenPowell Society at The University of Melbourne,
had become associated with a Melbourne
orphanage. He had offered to take a group of
boys camping in January. It was not
unreasonable that he recruited me.
A very happy group of boys at the orphanage camp
The lads took it in turns to wear Alan’s Scouter
hat for a day. The boys did not own their
clothing, so when there was a need for a change,
a large cleaned and pressed supply of shirts and
shorts would be got out and the boys outfitted
themselves.
I am sure every lad on that camp had his own
story to tell of his being there. I made no
attempt to trespass on their personal experiences
but accepted them as they came. There is a
temptation to criticize how orphanages operated
but the alternative arrangements at the time
would have been much worse.
Alan Bucher (back row centre) with his group of
orphanage boys at the Eumeralla camp January, 1957.
Note the boys wearing Alan’s Scouter hat for the day.
The equipment shed
I returned to Mirboo North early in January in
1957 for two reasons. The first was to assist
Mr. Bruhn and his son, Stan, in making a
workable equipment shed out of a large wooden
packing case. It was placed on concrete slabs
behind the church hall.
I am not sure from where we gathered tentage
and cooking equipment, but probably from
Alan’s own group, 1st Footscray. First
Footscray was a very proud group, having had
“Arch” Hoadley as one of its founders.
Eumeralla at Anglesea was chosen for the camp
site. Some eighteen boys grabbed the chance to
take part. This made three patrols.
January camp
The second reason was to conduct the January
camp. This was held at the Forestry
Commission camp at Olsen’s Bridge. Two
patrols attended. Once again I found that only
the briefest outline of a program was necessary.
The Scouts took part in a lot of swimming. I
had never been able to relax on a camp before to
the same extent. On what would now be termed
“total fire ban” days, we cooked in the forestry
camp’s kitchen with permission.
Rarely have I witnessed such enthusiasm as the
lads learnt to become “Scouts.” To some extent
the patrol cooking was somewhat similar to that
of 4th Caulfield’s, some three years earlier. The
boys could not have enough of the open air and
the beach at the foot of the cliffs.
20
Published, Ibid, November, 2005
32
There may have been an element of the different
culture between country and town boys, but that
had not been evident with our Gang Show visit
to 6th St. Kilda. It was to be a year or two
before the enmity of this weekend disappeared.
Gilwell Reunion
Having obtained my woodbadge I was keen to
take the next step and attend the reunion of the
1st Gilwell Park Group over the Australia Day
weekend early in 1957. On my course I had
been in the pigeon patrol.
Seniors and a possible campsite
Peter Rich, a fellow teacher, had been a Scouter
before I arrived the year before. After taking a
period of respite he returned to active Scouting
with a view to leading the Scouts who had
turned fifteen years of age. Peter outlined plans
for a campsite for the senior Scouts. The
campsite and the hut that was built were opened
late in 1958.
Badge and points boards
Scout books talked about the need for boys to
readily see their progress with their tests and
also how the patrol competition was going.
Prior to the days of barcodes but in the days of
plastic, many groceries used plastic strips to
show the price of the product. I managed to
obtain some supplies of this material.
The Pigeon Patrol at the 1959 Gilwell Reunion. Some of
those present are: Dudley Wilson (back row, 2nd from
left); Ken Bayly (back row, 3rd from right); Don Lithgow
(centre row, 2nd from left); Don Spring, and the author
Over the May school holidays in the week that I
had21, I was able to get the help of Mr.
McMaster in Elwood to fabricate the boards,
paint them and nail on the plastic strips. These
boards were an instant success. Perhaps I was
harnessing qualities in human beings that are
less than savoury, but from then on I had no
trouble in getting Scouts to pass their badges
and achieve higher standards. The downside
was that I had to provide facilities and
examiners to satisfy the demand, to say nothing
of writing out the order forms on the Scout Shop
to obtain the necessary badges. Scouts then, and
I assume today, would still have wanted to have
the badge issued and sewn on as soon as
possible.
I soon realised that few of one’s friends from the
course that one had attended were able to attend
reunions, but one gained a whole new set of
friends who took Scouting very seriously in one
sense and with great hilarity and fun at other
times. The annual meeting was held on the
Sunday at which there was the traditional roll
call of members. As the years were counted
back, Scouters would stand up proclaiming the
year that they did their course. The last person
to stand would name the year and it was one
well before I had been born.
A combined camp
Like the bottle drive in 1952 there are events
that in hindsight one wished I had never
conducted. It all seemed natural for my
previous school troop, 15th Malvern, and 1st
Mirboo North, to have a combined camp at the
Malvern site at Officer. Fortunately it was only
for a weekend, but it was not a happy one.
21
Up until the Eighties, there were three terms each year.
In the Fifties the term holiday was only of one week’s
duration. Taking into account only about five weeks in
January, school holidays were only about half the length
that they are today
33
was that a hut would be erected upon it. The
roads into the site were hairy to say the least but
could be negotiated with care. I recall painting
some signs to assist people to find the site.
Gang Show
Once again, a bus load of Cubs and Scouts
journeyed down to Melbourne to stay with
families of 6th St. Kilda to attend the show in the
Cathedral Hall in Brunswick. This time we
attended the Saturday matinée, using a special
tram to transport us there.
Jubilee year of Scouting
1957 had been declared the fiftieth anniversary
of Scouting. Besides the world jamboree at
Sutton Coldfield in the UK, there were events
throughout the world and also locally. The
Mirboo North group decided to have a shop
window display. I had little difficulty in finding
a shop with a vacant window. The display
included flags and various Scouting articles of
equipment to give the public some idea of what
we were about.
The hut that was erected during 1958 for the use of Scouts
on Forestry Commission of Victoria property at
Allambee, west of Mirboo North
Peter Rich, the Senior Scout Leader and also as
a manual arts teacher, accepted the rôle of
suggesting the size of the building and how it
should be constructed. I do not recall ever
seeing detailed plans. But working bees from
the various groups would take place. It became
an unwritten agreement that whoever did the
work could make any changes that they thought
fit.
By now I was fairly aware of the penetration of
Scouting and Guiding in the local community. I
had also built up quite good links with other
groups and also the guide companies. I thought
that we might try to encourage members to wear
uniform to school on a particular day. I
received the permission of the high school
principal, who had a son in the seniors, and
circularized the idea. I was delighted at the
response. There must have been some four or
five adult leaders in uniform and well over a
hundred youth members in uniform. No one
dared to tease us -- we were almost in the
majority. I think the weather was reasonably
warm for us that day as well.
I was to learn all the right names for the various
parts of a building, such as stumps, bearers,
studs, cladding and the like. The concrete
stumps were surveyed in, but when the timber
for the bearers arrived on site, and that was not
always easy to achieve given the state of the
roads, it was found that where they met there
were no stumps beneath them to support the
join! It was then a choice of either taking the
bearers back and replacing them with the right
lengths or putting in another four stumps. We
chose the latter course of action.23
The campsite
There was a Forests Commission22 office in
Mirboo North. The local managers cooperated
with us and made available, under an occupancy
title, some land in the Allambee area. A creek
ran through the area. As already stated, the idea
22
The FCV, to use its acronym, had two departments:
plantations and timber harvesting. Both have now been
absorbed into the Department of Sustainability and the
Environment
23
I gather that this hut no longer exists but it gave great
service and happiness over its life.
34
Queensland corroboree
The Queensland Scout Association staged a
mini-jamboree at the end of 1957. Knowing
that my rural Scouts had few opportunities for
travel, I called a meeting of parents and Scouts
to gauge interest. It was quickly forthcoming. I
found that all sorts of equipment could be made
available to help our comfort in camp, even a
refrigerator. These were all boxed or crated and
loaded into our own freight wagon at the
Mirboo North railway station with the help of
the stationmaster, who had a son in the troop.
Someone else would have the task of
transshipping them at Albury24 and unloading
them on the site. They were very heavy crates!
David Hegarty pauses to think about his next sentence to
his parents while at the Corroboree. Photo: Courier Mail
By now the Court of Honour was operating very
well and I was always impressed with the good
sense and the responsibility of decisions that the
PLs took. Patrol Leaders Robert Noack, Colin
Christie and Lyle McKinnon handed over to
Peter Jepson, Warren Guningham and Graham
Fary. Daryl Jones was appointed Troop Leader
for 1958, when I would still be a teacher in
Mirboo North.
Writing home at the Greenbank Corroboree: Colin
Cashin, Graham Fary, David Hegarty, Bill Fary and John
Crutchfield. Photograph: Courier Mail
I protested that the party had to travel north
starting on Christmas Day. The two-day
journey by steam train in carriages that were not
“the state of the art” was something to endure,
but we got there. There were our crates and
boxes on site and the rovers that had to move
them reminded us constantly of their weight.
Brisbane was some thirty kilometres away and
we found leave restricted at first. But it is
surprising how doors will open when you offer
to help with the dirty jobs around the camp sites.
I also took out a party on an overnight jaunt.
The return journey to Victoria was a little easier
for we knew what to expect.
24
There was still the break in gauge in 1957 between
Victoria’s five foot three inches and the NSW standard
gauge
35
Chapter 625
nearby groups, happy to cope with larger
numbers if the boys got some quality Scouting.
The “golden age” of Scouting
Hoadley Hide
In 1958 I was in my third year as the commerce
teacher and in charge of sport at Mirboo North
High School. As a CMF lieutenant I was
parading at the Warragul training depot with an
artillery battery. It was a full life. I had also put
my hand up for a part in the local dramatic
society’s production of The Happiest Days of
your Life. Yet, still there was time for Scouting.
Bill Bland, the local DC, had made me DSM for
Tarwin District, so I had wider responsibilities
than just 1st Mirboo North.
Peter Rich, the Senior Scout Leader, also
encouraged a patrol to take part in the Hoadley
Hide at the same time. The Hide had
commenced only a few years previously in
1952. By now it was starting to reflect a very
successful pattern. A piece of reasonably wellmapped terrain was aligned to a theme.
The metropolitan counties would establish
bases, which would become the VOCs of today.
Senior Scout patrols (now Venturers) would
hike from stunt area to stunt, tackling each to
the best of their ability. Some stunts gained
higher points than others. Apart from today’s
VOCs, the big difference was that each patrol
had to submit a written log of their weekend’s
exploits.
Our party to the Greenbank Corroboree in
Queensland had returned, as had much of our
equipment. It had set the foundations for future
interstate expeditions. In the ‘fifties,
comparatively few people, particularly youth
members, had experienced commercial flying or
had travelled much outside Victoria. Scouting
provided such opportunities, particularly
through jamborees.
Socials
Whereas I had been following precedent and
having “Scouty” type parent nights with the lads
building bridges and demonstrating other
Scouting skills, I tried a social on the lines of
those held by the high school. It was such a
success that the traditional “Scouty” nights had
to take a back seat for the other end-of-term
functions that year.
Founder’s Day
On Founder’s Day in February, I again obtained
agreement with the high and state school
principals and the various Scout and Guide
groups that members should wear uniform to
school on the 24th. Once again, there was an
excellent response. It was “cool” to witness in
their uniforms to B-P, but being February, it was
quite warm enough so to do.
Readers might recall the days of the church
dance, with a band of perhaps piano, drums and
sax. PA had not been invented! However, boys
would congregate and sit down one side of the
hall and girls the other, but a good MC could get
them together in dances, such as the barn dance,
lucky spot and Monte Carlo. The supper,
supplied by the district mothers, would always
be a lavish and memorable experience.
Gilwell at Easter
I felt confident enough to encourage the troop to
camp at Gilwell Park over Easter, and to take
part in the Stradbroke Cup and the Cohen
Shield. I do not think that we over impressed
the “assessors,” but the Scouts enjoyed
themselves and, as in the Olympic spirit, “took
part.” Once again I took Scouts from other
25
I had no difficulty in getting the guides and
Scouts to wear uniform to these socials. I think
I know how they would react today to such a
suggestion. I have always cast the invitation net
wide, and many companies and troops from far
Published, Ibid, February, 2006
36
Way. I promised never to shock them that way
again!
and wide sought to come to these socials. They
came by the bus load. The Mirboo North Shire
Hall was packed every time. Being country and
fifty years ago, there was no need for the
“security” of 2005 – everybody knew how to
cooperate and play fair.
The campsite
I mentioned in the previous article that the
Senior Scouts had started to develop a campsite
nearby with a view to erecting a hut on it. The
site was off the Allambee road and it required
good navigation to find it up back tracks. By
now the hut had started to take shape, but the
“shape” altered from working bee to working
bee.
Gang Shows
Once again, the families of 6th St. Kilda group
hosted our party to attend the annual Melbourne
Gang Show. The Mirboo North and district
party totalled 54, necessitating cars in addition
to the forty-seater bus. We attended the
Saturday evening performance and enjoyed it as
much as ever. Following a church parade in
Elwood on the Sunday morning, a football
match was arranged for the afternoon, with a
social that night. The party returned to Mirboo
North on the Monday taking advantage of the
Queen’s birthday holiday.
Those on the 1958 Gang Show trip were
Graham Farley, Ron Trease, Ian Campbell,
Peter Hatherley, Gary Grogan, Geoff
Boscombe, Lyle McKinnon, Ian Pakes, Ian
Capewell, Jim McLure, Peter Fairbrother, Garth
Lisle, Ray Littlejohn, Gregory Stoney, Graham
Abbott, Derek Blackshaw, Bruce Owen, Daryl
Jones, Robert Foster, Harold Trease, Neil
Trease, Len Trease, Dennis Blackshaw, Tim
Neville, Ken White, David Lane, Celwyn
Curtis, Bill Fary, Peter Ramsey, Graham Fary,
Robet Campbell, Alan Hotchin, Peter Jepson,
Ray Feeney, Ernest Fraser, Glendyn Bradley,
Allan Allen, John Milner, John McColl, Robert
Noack, Richard Christie, Colin Christie, Rodney
Robinson, Dallas McKinnon, John Kiss, Brian
Nottle, Kevin Milner, Paul Turner, Peter Jervis,
Ian Cashin.
It was understood that the particular party
working on the project on any weekend, and
these varied from Scout Group to group, could
vary the original plans or what had been
constructed the previous time.
But the hut did take shape and what is more it
was lined with materials that a parent auctioneer
encouraged bidders to allow the Scouts to get it
for a reasonable price for the hut’s lining. A
high quality tongue and groove flooring was
installed and, in due time, given a hard-wearing
lacquer surface. Plumbing was, to say the least,
interesting, with the water tank on the side of
the hut away from the lowest gutter. This
necessitated a down pipe diagonally across the
back wall – but it worked!
In October that year, the Mirboo North Guides
and Scouts staged their own “gang show” on
similar lines to the real one and in line with the
two-night Mirboo one of 1956. My parents
came up for the weekend and were “gob
smacked” (to use the contemporary word) when
I came out on stage in a grass skirt (made from
hay band) for the key rôle in The Bambazoolian
37
the first Queen Scout. Robert Hance was St.
Kilda’s first, but I still claim that the papers for
Peter Austin of Mirboo North went in with an
earlier date.
John Maughan
Mr. John Maughan had been 1st Mirboo North’s
first Scoutmaster about the time of the First
World War. It was unanimously agreed that the
campsite be named in his honour. In 1958 he
was still resident in Mirboo North. During the
three years that I was there I had the privilege of
sitting with him on several occasions as he told
me about his Scouting days.
Because one Scout had reached this ultimate
aim in Scouting, others wished to follow. This
meant a lot of work for the leaders, together
with the task of finding willing adults qualified
and ready to do the necessary testing.
After a frenetic period, the DC, Bill Bland,
approved nine other applications for Queen
Scout. The ten successful Scouts were: Graham
Abbott, Peter Austin, Glendyn Bradley, John
Crutchfield, Graham Fary, Alan Hotchkin,
Daryl Jones, Lyle McKinnon, Robert Noack, Ian
Pakes.
Harold Williams, the branch’s quartermaster
who ran the Scout Shop, was invited to open the
camp site. Never being one not to have dates
running together, the opening ceremony was to
be on the Saturday afternoon following the
second night of our local “gang show.” It was
Scouting three days running!
At Easter in 1972, Mirboo North held special
centenary celebrations. Their new Scout Hall
adjacent to the football field and show grounds
was opened on that occasion. A booklet
published at the time talked about the 1958 as
the “golden age” of Scouting. Be that as it may.
Field Commissioners
It is interesting to remember that in 1958, the
Victorian branch still had three full-time field
commissioners supporting the regions outside
the metropolitan area. They played a crucial
rôle in training leaders and in representing the
Melbourne headquarters to local government
and other community bodies in the country.
Named the John Maughan Camp Site to honour 1st
Mirboo North’s first Scout Master in his presence. The
picture shows the two fireplaces and the water tank at rear
Naturally it rained on the Saturday morning and
the cars slithered getting into and out of the
camp, but the weather stayed fine for the
ceremony. John Maughan was ferried in and
honoured in every way possible. Scouts lined
the entrance track. We even had a batterypowered sound system, but God Save the
Queen, had to be sung unaccompanied despite
the near successful efforts to make a
gramophone needle out of a piece of thin wire!
Uniform “add ons”
The Scout uniform, designed for the outdoors,
has never been warm enough (for me at any
rate) for cold days or evening meetings. It was
still shorts in 1958. Long trousers had not yet
been introduced and the cotton uniform, even
with a jumper, was hardly appropriate for
winter. I was therefore glad to find a disposals
store in Brunswick, which had a large range of
ex-army or cadet-sized battle jackets at a very
reasonable cost. These were very popular with
Queen Scouts
There had been a challenge by 6th St. Kilda as to
whether they or 1st Mirboo North would have
38
transport via St. Helens, Swansea, Sorrell to
Port Arthur. Accommodation was either at
camping areas in hike tents or with Scout halls.
the Mirboo North Scouts and they were soon
wearing them.
Similarly, I introduced “sock tops” in the
Mirboo North scarf colours. These were still
common in established groups in the movement
at that time. They consisted of a 60 mm width
of wool in the colours of the group’s scarf. By
the end of 1958 the members of the troop looked
quite smart in their jackets, shorts, scarves and
socks. This was still in the days when uniforms
were often of serge and included both green and
blue shirts and shorts. The search for a uniform
suitable for both activities and cold nights, while
at the same time appearing to be fashionable,
has been a “holy grail” for the powers that be
throughout Scouting’s history .
All went well until Sorrell, where the heavens
opened up. The local vicar opened up the parish
hall to enable us to dry out and have a good
night’s sleep. Later in his career the Reverend
Oliver Heyward would be the Bishop of
Bendigo and be the “President of the Fellows”26
at the school where I was later to be headmaster
for 21 years.
In Hobart, our base was the Claremont Scout
Hall. Earlier, we had forwarded our personal
gear (secure in wood boxes) by train, a facility
no longer available. Naturally, we visited the
nearby Cadbury’s chocolate factory. While in
Hobart, and having three licensed drivers, we
hired drive-yourself-cars and inspected
Richmond to the north.
More painting
Having painted the inside of the church hall and
reinforced the windows, it was now time to add
a coat to the exterior. I received a lot of help
from townspeople, but it was par for the course
that the roof, painted in a startling red colour,
should have been painted on the eve of rain.
Much of it washed off down the gutters before it
could dry – again, the days of acrylic paint were
yet to dawn.
Continuing our clockwise route, the party
travelled to Queenstown. Here we took a trip on
the original ABT narrow gauge rail line, since
restored as a tourist line. From Queenstown to
Burnie, the party travelled by the private Emu
Bay Railway in a special carriage attached at the
rear. The small township of Tullah was then
accessible only by its narrow-gauge train.
Tasmania
We were very well looked after by the many
Scout districts through which we passed. In
many instances it was the DC who gave the
assistance. The weather, with the exceptions
already mentioned, was fine throughout and we
had no further unexpected adventures. In the
Devonport area excursions were made to nearby
industries, such as Burnie Board, Titan Paints,
Ovaltine and Containers Ltd. Parents welcomed
home the party on Wednesday 21st January.
Tasmania will always be an inviting expedition
for people from the mainland. It can often mean
an overnight sea voyage and the island is small
enough for parties to move around the tourist
sites without having to travel very far in a day.
During 1958, in view of the success of the
Queensland trip, I held some meetings to gauge
support for such a trip. The Tasmanian Tourist
Bureau could not have been more helpful, and,
with their assistance, a three-week trip was
planned.
The party of twelve Scouts left Melbourne on
board the then Bass Strait steamer, SS Taroona,
on New Year’s Eve, but the motion of the vessel
discouraged too much celebration. From
Launceston, the group travelled by public
26
The rôle of president at Braemar College was more than
that of “Visitor,” which many private schools have. The
president was in effect the chairman of the
“shareholders,” namely the three main-line churches and
the three local shires.
39
Austin van
In November I acquired an Austin van, which
would seat eleven with the driver, or fewer with
camping gear. It was a UK equivalent of the
Volkswagen Kombi. Neither of these types of
vehicles was over-powered in those days.
I recall my Austin having only the A30 engine.
Hence my van became known as “FAT,” for
Fast Austin Transport. While other leaders
might hanker after a 4-wheel drive vehicle, the
Austin van was to give seven years service and
the East Tarago Senior Scouts quite a number
more.
East Tarago Senior Scouts acquired a similar
vehicle. Whereas “FAT” had the gear stick on
the steering wheel, the new one had “four on the
floor”!
Princes Hill HS
Hoping to further my university studies, I had
successfully applied for a school near the
university and was pleased to be placed at
Princes Hill High School. In addition, I
received permission from the Education
Department to be a resident master at Wesley
College. This would mean that, if I continued to
offer for Scouting, I would be available to 6th St.
Kilda, particularly now that most of the original
1955 Scouts were approaching Rover age.
Similarly, 1st Wesley College might also provide
some opportunities.
40
Chapter 727
Rovering to Success with 6th St. Kilda
Rovering
My school teaching days in Mirboo North were
over. In 1959 I was back in Melbourne teaching
at Princes Hill High School, but living at
Wesley College where I was a “resident
master,” ie, responsible to the House Master for
the behaviour of the boarders for certain times
during the week in return for bed and lodgings.
Until now, I had been involved mainly with the
Scout section. I knew of the other three and had
faithfully respected them when answering the
Part 1 woodbadge questions. But around
Rovering there appeared to hover a mystique.
This was due very much to their commissioner,
Bill Waters. He was already a legend. It was
his interpretation of Rovering that was adopted
throughout the branch and probably interstate.
As with the other sections, B-P had written a
special section handbook, Rovering to Success.
Having returned from three weeks in Tasmania
with the Mirboo North and District Scouts I was
settling back into suburbia. Over the Australia
Day weekend, I attended my second Gilwell
Reunion, where I was the campfire leader. I
used my eleven-seater Austin van to pick up a
number of Scouters on the way to Gilwell. I
have few other recollections, although “Narse”
Lesser was the key speaker and the Monday
working bee concentrated on the pipeline.
Rovers hiked and rendered service. I knew of
the special maps for the post 1934 Jamboree
hikes that were produced on a one-inch-to-themile scale28 in association with the Melbourne
Walking Club, copies of which are now
heirlooms. To become a Rover, a Scout
prepared himself by experiencing an all-night
vigil somewhere in the bush.
Ken Robinson took the 6th St. Kilda Scouts for
their January camp to Taggerty.
6th St. Kilda Scouts in camp at Taggerty, January, 1959
As the first school term commenced I found that
the Scouts that had commenced with 6th St.
Kilda in 1955 were now of Rover Scout age.
But why should they look to me to become their
rover leader?
27
One of the many books available to the Rover Squire to
understand his responsibilities if he proceeded with
membership as an invested Rover
28
Published, Ibid, April, 2006
41
1:63,360
He would then be invested, ideally on a cliff top
or somewhere similar with a memorable view.
Many section Scouters were also Rovers,
staying as rovers until they reached the upper
age limit, which I think was about 26 years.
Claude Breydon was the DC of St. Kilda. He
was also a keen Rover. So we had a lot of
support and encouragement from him. On
Sunday, 22nd February, he invested the
foundation members and me as Rovers at the St.
Kilda district campsite at Beaconsfield. I recall
that he took us for some special training
sessions in lieu of an overnight vigil. Bert
Leckie, the GSM, was also present. On 6th
March, Robert Hance, Graham McGuinness,
Graeme Thomson, John Butcher and Barry
Wilson were also invested as rovers.
Bill Waters
But overarching Rovering was its leader, Bill
Waters, after whom several rover lodges have
been named.29 He was a renowned figure.
Scouting had a number of such personalities in
those days. Perhaps they have them now, but
then I have grown older, if not old! It was as
though if Bill spoke or led, all Rovers followed.
Bill was a Boy Scout by 1908 and commenced
bushwalking in 1917. He was to be closely
associated with the Melbourne Walking Club
and eventually become its president.30
Another “Imperial” publication to explain Rovering
1st Wesley College
Dudley Wilson and David Hunt were the Scout
leaders of the Wesley troop. David was my
immediate “boss” in the boarding house. It was
inevitable that I would be drawn into their plans
if they needed transport, so it was not surprising
that after only a few weeks had passed I was
driving their Scouts in my Austin van to their
site, The Jungalow, near Healesville. At that
weekend camp, I was introduced to The
‘Bushnight Song’31 at their campfire and its tune
remains in my head to this day.
Bill Waters. (Reproduced from his biography)
In those early days, when the potential rovers of
6th St. Kilda met in the crèche and guild rooms
at the church, the ranks included Ron Preston as
assistant rover leader and as rovers, John Hance,
Robert Palmer, Bill Bowie, Ken Robinson and
Ian Taylor.
29
W. F. Waters Rover Ski Lodge, Mt. Baw Baw
W. F. “Bill” Waters A Biography by Harry Stephenson,
published by the Scout Association, 1982
30
31
Words by Richard Baylis, music by William G. James,
1922
42
Gang Show
Tasmanian reunion
Once again, the bus brought the Mirboo North
party of Scouts down to Elwood to be hosted by
6th St. Kilda families so that the Scouts could
attend the Melbourne Gang Show. A “special”
tram took the combined groups to the Cathedral
Hall for the Saturday matinée performance. A
social was held in the evening, with a church
parade on the Sunday. The party returned to
Mirboo North on the Monday afternoon.
th
On Friday, 20 March, I returned to Mirboo
North with a couple of the now-invested rovers
to take part in the reunion of those who had
travelled to Tasmania the previous January.
These were the days of coloured slides from 35
mm transparencies. We camped at the recently
opened Mirboo North campsite, having
scrounged some milk for breakfast before we set
out for the site.
St. Kilda campsite
Easter
At that time St. Kilda district was developing its
own Scout camp at Beaconsfield alongside
property that was owned by Brighton district.
Rovers do service, so it was not surprising that
Claude Breydon invited us to view the campsite
and to help with its development. I was part of
the team that was to organise the annual
pioneering course to enable senior Scouts to
qualify in that badge for their Queen’s Scout
one. It was to become an annual event and was
often held at Malvern’s camp at Officer.
In line with the need to carry out their rover
service, some of the crew offered to assist with
the Hoadley Hide, then still relatively in its
infancy as being the challenging Easter
competition for the Senior Scout section. I
dropped a group of them at Avonsleigh on the
way to Gilwell and then more at Tomahawk
Creek, picking them up again on the Monday.
For some years, the campfire team at the Gilwell
Easter campfires consisted of Dudley Wilson,
David Hunt and me. Sometimes we were able
to get better cooperation from the assembled
Scouts than on others. It was always hard work
and needed a lot of preparation. The campfire
was an essential part of B-P’s Scout program
and it was important that Scouts could enjoy a
well-run campfire, one that would remain as a
positive value in their memories.
Rover “Prelim” or Rover Mates’ Course
This was to be one of those “character forming”
courses that one would never forget. I felt that I
was being hijacked and taken on something over
which I had little or no control. For example, it
started with a requirement for us to meet at the
then Scout Headquarters32 and await the arrival
of a furniture van to take us to Clifford Park. It
would be the first of two weekends for the
course.
Such was the loyalty of the 6th St. Kilda, St.
Bede’s Church crew members to their church,
that I was able to pick them up on Easter Day in
the morning and go with them to Emerald for
their Easter communion. Links with 15th
Malvern had also been maintained. This was
where I camped over Easter and it was here that
the rovers spent a night before returning to the
city on the Tuesday.
The course was primarily for “Rover Mates,”
but it also met the requirements for the leaders’
Preliminary course, then the Basic Course of
today. I think that we had to cater for ourselves
and there was talk of a night triangulation
exercise. I was by then fairly confident of being
32
364 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, having previously
been a bank and later a motor bicycle shop
43
able to look after myself in the open and keep
both fed and dry in hiking conditions.
I see that I faithfully ruled “one-inch”35 red ink
margins and similarly underlined the various
sub-headings. As I have said, the notebook was
to act as a “text book” for rover leaders to use
with their crews.
By the time we reached the lodge at Clifford
Park, the rain had set in. It continued to rain
until the Sunday afternoon. This was a
challenge for all concerned, course leaders and
rovers alike. Wally Watts met us and explained
as to where we should stack our packs and
prepare ourselves for the sessions that would
now be taking place indoors. Perhaps we were
allowed to use our fuel stoves inside the shelter,
but we slept that night in our hike tents. The
legendary Bill Waters33 took the opening
session.
Bert Blair took the second session, which was
on the prismatic compass, something with which
I was already familiar with from my army
reserve service.36 The Sputnik had by then been
launched by the Soviets but the days of satellites
and “Ground Position Systems” had not yet
arrived. Wally Watts followed this up with a
session on map making.
My ballpoint pen failed me at that stage of the
morning and I was obliged to continue in pencil,
inking it all in when the course was over. As I
look through the pages of the course notebook, I
am impressed with the wealth of information
that we were given in a very useable form.
Course notebooks
Wally had already explained to us that our
notebooks were to be looked after and that we
were to take down the course notes as they were
dictated. The notebooks were almost like a
textbook for Rovering. Leaders and Rover
Mates would have in their hands all they needed
to know to effectively carry out their Scouting
appointments. I still have my course notebook
and often refer to it, particularly for its mapping
information.
While all courses had notebooks, and one was
encouraged to use them, even to doing the daily
sketch, this was the only Scout course that I
experienced when I was told the heading to
write down, the sub-heading and then the
content as the session leader waited for us to
write what he had dictated.
Bill explained that the aims of Scouting were to
develop good citizenship with a proper mental,
physical and spiritual balance. Rovering
“completed the training of the cub, scout and
senior scout sections towards the objectives of
the aims of scouting, to suit the age of young
men and to develop the ideal of service to the
community.”
On the second weekend, we were invited to take
part in a three-leg hike at night traversing by
compass with five hundred-yard or metre legs.
We camped halfway along the second leg. It
was on a slope which meant that one had to
wedge oneself in the sleeping bag on the ground
sheet (no air mattresses either in those days) to
prevent one rolling down the slope.
Further, Rovering was a training organization,
not a club; it was for “unmatured” young men
and it gave opportunities for the practice of
community service and the Scout Law in a
wider world. We were given page references to
the various manuals, such as “Policy,
Organisation and Rules,”34 and to other rover
books.
GSM
Bert Leckie, 6th St. Kilda’s foundation GSM,
wanted six months leave. Inevitably the group
committee looked towards me, but I wished to
maintain my Rover Leader (RL) task, having
33
35
I had met Bill Waters while a student at the university
when the Baden-Powell Society was established
34
Now Policy and Rules
25 mms
Then known as the CMF – Citizens Military Forces. I
was a lieutenant in artillery
36
44
seen the crew develop to this stage. Besides, two
of the parents, who had been some of the
group’s greatest supporters, were keen to
provide us with a rover den. But I had little
choice in accepting the appointment in addition
to the RL one. Bert never returned to the GSM
rôle.
NSW trip
Having led parties of Scouts on two interstate
expeditions and now having a more suitable
vehicle with which to do it, I sounded out the
crew as to the possibility of a fortnight’s trip to
Sydney in January, 1960. There was good
support for this, so planning got underway.
Ken Robinson, Peter Brooks, John Butcher, Graham
Farley, Graham McGuinness, Robert Palmer, and (front),
Alan Bucher and Geoff McMaster
Sixteen rovers made up the final party. Seven
would travel with me in the Austin van, and two
other cars would have four rovers a piece. My
friend, Alan Bucher, and his mate, Peter Brooks,
both of 1st Footscray, together with Alan
Ponsford of 4th Caulfield, were the other three
leaders.
I had great help from Mr. Ian Campbell, the
House Master of Wesley College, in planning
the itinerary. Having lived in New South
Wales, Ian was very familiar with the
Shoalhaven Gorge area. One of the trip’s
features would be to visit the Snowy Hydro
Scheme, then in course of completion. The
extent of this scheme, with its harnessing and
redirection of rivers in the course of producing
hydro electricity power, was a major
undertaking for the post Worldl War II nation of
Australia. Many displaced persons from Europe
were to be migrants to this nation and work on
the scheme, it becoming one of the big steps in
our multi cultural development.
Setting out on the trip outside St. Bede’s Church, Graham
McGuinness, Geoff McMaster, Graham Farley and
Robert Palmer. Why didn’t someone tell me I looked
“daggy” in the cut of those shorts! They probably did!
While the troop was well equipped, there was a
need for the crew and particularly the Austin
van to have a set of boxes that would easily fit
into it and thus accommodate spare clothing and
equipment. In those days firms specialised in
recycling packing cases in which industrial
equipment had been delivered. I was fortunate
to get the sizes that I needed. It remained to
members of the crew to prepare and paint them.
Itinerary
The general plan was to follow a circular path
through the Snowy Mountains, Canberra,
Sydney, Bathurst and back to Victoria via
Albury. The final mileage was about two
thousand four hundred miles (or just over three
thousand kilometres).
45
Chapter 837
organized “car tours,” in which the “tourists”
drove in their own cars. We joined in these
drives. This was when the Austin needed an
early start to get to the next RV within a
reasonable time. Sometimes we found ourselves
arriving almost as the rest of the party was about
to move on to the next dam site. By having to
drive from one vantage point to another the
scale of the undertaking became very clear to us
all.
Rovering to Senior Scouts
January trip
In 1960, the 6th St. Kilda Rover Crew set out on
a two-week tour to the north-east of Victoria
and then on into New South Wales. For the 16
members in the party, there were three vehicles
available to carry them. Mine, the Austin van,
with its eight passengers, was to chug away with
its A30 engine, endeavouring to be the first to
leave and always fatefully the last to arrive at
most places. Peter Thomson’s car, with its four
passengers cruised reliably along. But the third
vehicle was quite reflective of the sort of
conveyance that a rover would drive and how it
would fare!
Assistance
The Wesley College housemaster, Mr. Ian
Campbell, met us when we reached the
Shoalhaven River. He escorted us to Sydney
and then accompanied us to the Blue Mountains.
The Scout Master at Cooma overwhelmed us
with hospitality. In Bathurst we had the luxury
of the 1st Bathurst Scout Hall in the shadow of
the cathedral. New Year’s Eve was
“celebrated” in Canberra. The rovers went into
the centre of the city, only to find that, in their
words, it was “dead” by ten o’clock! This was
back in 1960!
The “suburban” tyres on the Austin were unable
to cope with the challenging gravel mountain
roads. At least two of them had to be replaced.
The third vehicle had to cope with a broken
spring, a broken back axle and its oil-burning
engine! However local car garages and service
stations were able to keep us all going. Peter
drove on unscathed.
Last night of the trip was spent on the river bank. It
rained quite heavily that night and all three vehicles
needed help to get up the bank and out, but the Austin van
had wheel chains, which made all the difference
John Hance (Robert’s elder brother and one of the drivers)
ascends the retaining wall of the Guthega Dam in the
Snowy Mountains Scheme.
The final night was spent at Myrtleford, but
gentle rain fell throughout the night. One rover,
who had got thoroughly wet, travelled in his
birthday suit to Warby Springs on the Hume
Highway before he could dry off and get
dressed. The van’s heater kept him warm. The
breakfast on that occasion in a roadside shelter
was heavenly.
The Snowy Mountains Scheme in 1959 was
comprehensive in scale but was still incomplete.
To see the extent of the project, the authority
37
Published, Ibid, June, 2006
46
items to Gilwell; on this occasion a badge board
for James Jacoby.39
Leadership
On Scout training courses, I had learnt by now
that the boss says, “You do it,” but the leader
says, “Let’s do it”! But as a school teacher,
there was always the risk of approaching one’s
Scouting rôle with the back up of classroom
authority. This had worked for me for more or
less eight years, but now I was dealing with a far
maturer age group, where they took their own
decisions with responsibility. I recall having to
learn this revised approach on this fortnight’s
trip.
Gilwell Reunion, January, 1960. Don Lithgow 2nd left
However, for my “sins,” I was elected troop
leader for the 1961 reunion. I had already noted
a number of aspects of the reunion that needed
attention. For a start, the staffing was top
heavy. All it really needed was a chairman, a
small committee and a troop leader. Some
would have said that I should have kept my
mouth shut and looked the other way!
Rover Den
Unlike the Mirboo North camp hut, the
proposed den behind the church in Elwood
promised to be a more professional undertaking.
There was even to be an architect. Dudley
Wilson practised in his father’s firm of
architects. It was logical that I would approach
Dudley38, my fellow Wesley Scoutmaster for
advice. I remember watching Dudley’s father
sketch out the plans with only a few deft
strokes.
6th Rover Woodbadge
Being a new rover leader, it followed that I
should undertake the rover wood badge. For the
course in question, the three weekends were to
be at Gilwell Park. But the manner in which the
course was held was quite different to the cout
one of 1955. The rover one was a
“gentleman’s” course, with visiting speakers.
Only on one weekend were we asked to
undertake a short hiking activity.
At that stage the size of the den had been
determined by the church vestry. It was only
when the foundations had been dug, that all
parties realised the inadequacy of the size of the
floor plan to utilise the site at the side of the
church hall. Very quickly the plans were
amended. Thus the church and other user
groups acquired a reasonably sized multi-use
room.
Bill Waters led the course. His regular rover
team assisted him. This group included Roy
Driver, Ivan Stevens, George Tanke, Wally
Watts and Bert Blair. The rover atmosphere
continued to be one of hikers using furniture
vans and to hike along the now disused forest
timber tram tracks. The alternative activity to
hiking was skiing.
Gilwell Reunion
I had now become a regular “attender” at the
annual reunion, making many new friends in the
“pigeon loft.” Very few of those with whom I
had done my original course ever came to such
functions. Having the relatively capacious
Austin van, I would often be asked to transport
38
Tragically, Dudley died some years later of brain
cancer. The Spring Lodge at Gilwell Park was one of his
many professional undertakings
39
47
James Jacoby was DC of Malvern at the time.
seeds. If another fire had come through in the
meantime, large areas of Mountain Ash
eucalypts might never have been re-propagated.
On the final weekend of the woodbadge course
we were invited to take part in a “thousand pace
square traverse” in rain and forest. It was one of
those “character building” experiences. One
might forget other things, but never these. You
get to know the metal of your self and your
mates on such occasions.
Meetings
Rebel in trousers
I have always resisted the number of
unnecessary meetings that Scouting seems to
require. In my view one should meet for a
purpose and not just to provide a night’s
entertainment for the lonely! As acting GSM I
duly convened group council and group
committee meetings to keep the group ticking
over. It was convenient that the Scouters of the
group met in my rooms at Wesley College as I
was on duty there three nights a week. One
could combine duty with pleasure in this way.
I do not think I was born a rebel, although my
mother was always quick to label me a
“Bolshie”40 whenever I deviated from the
family’s political line. However, I have never
thought of the Scout uniform as being adequate
for much of the weather for which we wear it,
considering it was designed for the open African
Veldt. I had noted that the then rule book, P.O.
& R.,41 had provision for adults to wear a jacket
and long trousers, very much based on the
service dress of an army officer. So why
couldn’t I?
Warburton Rover Chalet
Perhaps I was now devising trips to justify using
my Austin van. I arranged with rover
headquarters for the crew to use part of the
Rover Memorial Chalet at Warburton on the
Easter weekend, 1960. My party of rovers was
to share this with Wally Watts and his family. I
probably wore shorts just to be perverse!
The first weekend of the course was a cold one
in late March. I arrived in long trousers – I
think my army ones. Wally Watts,
endeavouring to be loyal to his leader, wanted
me to change into shorts. I decided to call his
bluff and suggest that if that was so, I would
take my leave of the course and return home,
my health being more important than
conformity. I stayed and was warm!
Speakers
One of the speakers was from the Forestry
Commission. He, with other rover leaders, was
very conscious that the seedlings from the
bushfires of 1939 had just reached the stage of
maturity where they themselves would provide
Rovers from 6th St. Kilda on the steps of the Rover Chalet
at Warburton
40
From the word, Bolshevik, the people of Russia who
sought to curb the Tsar’s powers in October, 1917
41
Policy, Organisation and Rules, now Policy and Rules
48
The trip included a walk up to the top of Mount
Donna Buang along and up the slithery and
muddy track to the cold mountain top. There
we were grateful to be able to purchase cups of
tea. We got a lift to get back down in the back
in the tray of a utility. What would be said
about that today!
Flying fox
At a pioneer badge course a month or two later,
Ken Robinson, later to become Scoutmaster of
6th St. Kilda, constructed a flying fox that really
flew! I had always enjoyed the pioneering
aspects of Scouting. I was always conscious of
safety and made sure that the respective groups
with which I worked acquired adequate hawsers,
ropes, tackle and expertise for building a flying
fox.
Gilwell Park
Saturday saw us transfer to Gilwell Park, where
I assisted in leading the campfire in the main
campfire circle for troops competing for the
Stradbroke and Cohen shields. On Sunday, we
attended a communion church service and then
went exploring (with the use of wheel chains)
into some of the legendary hiking country near
Powelltown. This was the famous “High Lead”
area. Timber tramways had once honey-combed
these forests. Viaducts had been built to cross
the deep valleys. These bridges, if they had not
already collapsed, were now treacherous with
their moss covered frameworks.
I do not recall any accidents with our flying fox
constructions, although there was always the
temptation to make them longer and more
challenging. In later chapters I may mention that
there had to be “an element of danger” in such
endeavours for the venturer-aged Scout. But I
was ever vigilant over the quality of the
hawsers, the safety aspects of the blocks and the
essential “brake” and soft landing at the end of
the aerial runway.
I am very grateful for the complete trust that the
Association and parents placed in its leaders.
Obviously safety standards have not always
been maintained and the current restrictions on
such pioneer projects are well understood to be
necessary, but where does one draw the line
between daring and doing.
I then lost my voice. Friday in the cold and
Saturday’s singing, to say nothing of having
come on the trip in poor condition, had resulted
in this situation. When do we ever learn? In
May, our crew had another weekend at the
chalet, this time coinciding with plenty of snow.
Being a sponsored church group, I was under
obligation to find a local church service on the
Sunday and “encourage” the rovers to attend it
despite the other attractions around them.
Technical school “scouts”
Alan Bucher42 of 1st Footscray and the Reverend
George Tooth, also a very keen advocate of
Scouting in the Anglican church, combined to
conduct a camp for boys from a Melbourne
technical school, where Alan was a teacher.
Alan would also work with boys from
orphanages and he would often invite me to
come along.
Venturer course
I was becoming quite “ambidextrous” in
Scouting either as rover leader, acting group
scoutmaster, campfire leader, attender at Gilwell
Reunions and now an assistant on the district
team in conducting venturer and pioneer badge
weekends. Some might have muttered, “Too
much scouting”! The 1960 Venturer Course
was at Beaconsfield. Harold Nathan of the
Jewish group, 3rd St. Kilda, and Ian Mackie (I
think of 5th St. Kilda) were co-leaders and
towers of strength.
On this occasion I recall driving down the Great
Ocean Road through wind and rain to join the
party at Cumberland River. I am prepared to
admit to liking a bit of comfort in camp,
something that B-P never discouraged, but was
42
Another sad case of a scouter, father and husband who
died early in his life
49
a bit aghast to find the party huddling in tents
and the leaders in an inadequate shelter shed
amidst the squalls and bracing winds. However
the Australian flag was flying bravely from its
pole defying the elements.
By the next day, the weather had improved to
permit wide games, lamp-raiding and stalking.
Boys unfamiliar with these experiences take to
them like water. Life was much less
sophisticated in those days and expectations
were not as high. It was clear to me that the
basic principles of scouting were easily
applicable and enjoyable to youth everywhere,
scouts or not.
1st Wesley scouts with their SM, Dudley Wilson, in front
of the John Maughan hut near Mirboo North
The “Gang” at the Palais
It would be a pity to travel all that distance and
have to sleep under the stars! The shelter and
the cooking facilities of the hut were always
very welcome.
This was the first year that the Melbourne Gang
Show hired the Palais theatre in St. Kilda. It
was a brave step, and one that would pay off in
later years. It didn’t in 1960. Lillian Beard has
told me of the efforts to give tickets away,
particularly to children’s homes and other
groups in part to get an audience that did not
rattle around in the 3000-seat theatre.
Jamboree staffing shock
I had applied to attend the NSW Lansdowne
jamboree as an assistant for 15th Malvern’s
“Under 15” troop. I then received an ominous
phone call from Ken Brewster, GSM of 10th
Malvern, who was very senior in the staffing of
the jamboree.
The “Pigeon” patrol of the Gilwell Reunion had
its mini-reunion at the Prince of Wales Hotel
and its members then went on to see the show.
Something stirred in my mind that I might one
day try my chances to be in its cast.
Ken, whom I was to get to know very well in
later years but in those days it was perhaps with
a tinge of uncertainty, offered me a position as
assistant to a “Senior Scout” troop. I might
have stared down Wally Watts over the shorts
issue, but Ken made it very clear that if I did not
go along with his plans I would not be going to
the jamboree at all!
Wesley Scouts
Dudley Wilson and I organised a weekend for
some of his scouts at the Mirboo North district
campsite. This hut was now getting quite a bit
of use, but one had to make sure that it was
never double booked.
This was not the first or the last time in my life
that an “external” activist has altered the destiny
of my life. But life needs direction at times and
“Kenya” Brewster was the medium on this
occasion. As I hope to recount in the next
chapter, I took to senior scouting (venturing as it
known today) at this jamboree like a duck to
water. I had found my scouting “milieu.”
50
Chapter 9a and 9b43
their carriage which was relatively vacant. Here
they settled down to try to get some sleep in
what was left of the night.
‘Jamboreeing’ with “Seniors,” and Gang
Show auditions
Meals
1961 lay ahead
There was no dining car on the train – as if we
could have expected one. Instead, we were
served from trestle tables on the platforms, the
evening meal possibly at Wangaratta in Victoria
and breakfast at Goulburn in NSW.
The year was to start with the Lansdowne
Jamboree in Sydney, where I would be brushing
shoulders with scouts “older” than 15 years-old.
Then came the Gilwell Reunion. While still
Rover Leader of 6th St. Kilda I decided to
audition for the Melbourne Gang Show. I was
also useful at scout camps.
Water on a train tends to get short on long
journeys, although station staff endeavoured to
keep the tanks topped up. Washing and things
like shaving became almost impossible with the
numbers and distances involved. However, we
eventually reached the Lansdowne rail-siding
outside of Sydney; staggering down onto the
track to sort ourselves out.
Lansdowne – getting there
While trains are a good method of moving large
numbers of people on land, the gauge break44 at
Albury in those days always meant a change of
trains, generally during the night. Scout leaders
would hope for an orderly change at Albury.
On this occasion there was chaos.
Tent poles
Trains generally have their carriages numbered
or lettered from the engine back to the guards
van. Theoretically, the trains would be in
parallel on either side of the platform. All the
scouts would have to do was to cross the
platform to the similar carriage on the other
side. But either the Victorian or the NSW train
had its carriages numbered in the reverse order!
One of our Scouters, Max Elliott, had traveled
ahead of us to prepare the way. He knew where
the patrol boxes were located as well as the
(ordered and paid for) tent ridge poles. But there
was no guarantee that supplies would
necessarily equal the number ordered by the
various troop contingents. Using quick
footwork, our troop got its legitimate number,
but late arrivals were perhaps not so fortunate.
Sky-hooks do not replace tent poles!
As a result under the electric lights at night there
were Scouts milling everywhere, lugging their
great packs of gear onto the platform. Some
Scouts did the right thing and headed for their
correct numbered carriage, even if it did mean
finding (or fighting) their way to the other end
of the platform, bumping into similar minded
Scouts coming the other way. Others were less
orderly (or more cunning or lazy) and headed
for any unoccupied compartment opposite from
Another of our Scouters, who was also an
officer in the regular army, borrowed (signed
for) some army engineer stores, such as stoves
and star pickets. As a result of planning and
getting in first, this jamboree had every chance
of being a more comfortable one than my
memories of Greystanes, four years earlier with
Under 15 Scouts.
The elder boy
43
Published over two issues; July 2006, Gang Show – an
experience of a lifetime p 30,and August, 2006, p 30,
Chapter 9: Jamboreeing with Seniors.
44
This problem ended when Victorian Railways
converted its 5’ 3” track to Albury to the standard one of
4’ 8 ½”
Let me quote from my diary, “I now began to
appreciate the value of seniors – strong men
who knew what to do and how to do it.” Take
getting a cup of tea for example. Senior
51
Scouts,45 on request for a cup of tea for the
troop, would fill two four-gallon drums of water
and boil it on a decent-sized fire, providing
ample cups for up to fifty thirsty throats. My
previous experience had not been like that. This
was when I had been with the 11-15 age group.
I had bad memories of smoky fires, insufficient
water, floating tea leaves and an inadequate
sized billy
Senior Scouts could demonstrate too much
ingenuity at times. All our tents had deep
trenches, again because of the physical abilities
of our lads. When we had some torrential rain,
the boys soon got out and made sure that the
water coming down the hill and entering our
water trenches would not flood us out, but flow
on down on its way to those tents further down
the slope!
Command structure
This jamboree was still held in the days when
there was an assumption that contingent
members would be able to travel as tourists in to
the nearby capital city. The Sydney suburban
service trains included Lansdowne and the fare
was reasonable.
Many of our Scouters had some military service
experience, albeit National Service, so it was not
surprising that Harry Allerdice handled the “A”
and “G” aspects. Max Elliott was in effect the
troop’s “sergeant-major.” The rest of the
Scouters were the “lieutenants.” “Above us”
was the “group” team of Keith Walter, George
Benporath and Harry Weller. The other three
troops in our group were led by Neil Westaway,
David Jefferson and Bruce Adams. We all
cooperated well with each other.
This older age group was much easier to handle.
They responded to the Scouting tenets of Trust
and Honour. Mind you, they understood and
practised the male virtues of “wheeling and
dealing.” Nor do I recall any disciplinary
matters. The lads had plenty of leave, but those
‘on duty’ were always present to service the
camp. There were also times when one should
not have asked too many questions!
This economically produced handbook was the basic
manual for understanding and leading Senior Scouts at the
time
Before finishing the discussion of the jamboree,
I again found that while “fifty” in a “troop” is a
neat figure for planning, it is not necessarily the
most successful one, particularly for the “11 to
15” troops, as the scale of effort required was
often beyond the Scouts’ collective physical
abilities. Scout troops, normally pegged at 24 to
32 members, are not used to catering for fifty at
a meal. Later jamborees would significantly
reduce this troop-size figure.
Post jamboree
Deryck Mornement had organized a bus tour to
follow the jamboree. He included me. Using
the 1st Lindfield scout hall one night, we were
invited to have dinner at the home of Paddy
Pallin, a name richly associated with the
development of outdoor camping and hiking
gear. It was an honour to meet this man who
had worked so closely with scouting and its
needs.
Senior Scouts
45
The Venturer Scouts of today
52
start” and I returned to Rubicon, not daring to
stall or stop on the way. Lesson: do not
exchange cars!
Camp and Gilwell Reunion
Ken Robinson was now 6th St. Kilda’s
Scoutmaster. He arranged a camp for the troop
at Rubicon. Again my van was requisitioned for
some of the gear and personnel. I was also
towing a trailer for the first time. As I was now
the Troop Leader for the Gilwell Reunion, I
needed to get across to Gilwell on the Friday
night. Ken suggested that we swapped vehicles.
I do not recommend this habit following the
experiences that I then had. I had driven off in
daylight. Then it grew dark. I then had to find
the tail light switch46.
Gang Show auditions
Was it just for the red scarf that I auditioned for
the Melbourne Gang Show? Or was it for more
altruistic reasons of wishing to be a member of
the “gang” for once in my scouting life, sharing
in each others’ talents and humbly offering
entertainment to scouts and members of the
public, when the show would open in June?
Suffice it to say I fronted up at 384 Elizabeth
Street on 19th February and, in front of the
auditioning panel, sang solo and recited words
from a sketch. From that moment, the words
and tune of The Morning of my Life stuck in my
memory. It was probably the tune to which we
had to demonstrate our voices.
Two of the key people in the reunion committee,
Esther Cox and Irene Robbins, liked to arrive on
the Friday afternoon of the Gilwell Reunion
Australia Day weekend to get things organised.
But they also looked forward to a good and
quiet night’s sleep. However, it was also the
habit of some other reunion members to arrive
the same night and celebrate their “coming
together.” This was not fair on Esther or Irene
and it became one of my tasks to quieten the
other early arrivals down, to the extent of asking
them not to arrive before Saturday in future.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals were arranged for Monday nights,
the venue being the then RAAMC military
training depôt in William Street. There would
also be some weekends closer to the show. I
made it clear that my CMF army commitments
would take precedence.
Car troubles
I got back to the camp at Rubicon in daylight
hours, but then borrowed Ken’s car again to go
to Melbourne and attend an army parade at
Dandenong47. After the parade I had to get a
push start from my fellow officers to get to my
parents’ home. In the morning in Elwood, the
battery was quite flat. The generator was not
working. I could not find a crank handle! There
wasn’t RACV membership either for the
vehicle! But Ken’s family lived only a few
doors away. Ken’s father gave me a “jump
I was made patrol leader of the Falstaff patrol.
This was hard work as thespians tend to be
individuals, who often know better or worship
their own egos, ability and independence. For
reasons of convenience, each member of the
cast was given a number. I was slightly amused
with this system. I got on well with another
leader, Graeme McCoubrie, and, from then on,
we only addressed each other this way. I have
no list to prove it, but I think I was “number 50”
and he was “number 80”!48 I could see the
reason for using numbers to simplify rehearsal
lists but they did tend to be de-humanising.
46
In those days it was law that the switch to operate the
tail-light (generally only one and in the centre of the tail
gate) of a car had to be on the outside at the back of the
vehicle. It was also a requirement that the light should be
on when a car was parked in the street!
47
The Army Reserve was then known as the Citizen
Military Forces, which had expanded to meet the numbers
fulfilling their 1951 circa National Service of 180 days
service
48
53
Graeme McCoubrie
approach made the task of providing the
traditional campfire that much easier.
The Rover Den takes shape
Meanwhile the construction of the rover den in
Elwood to its larger dimensions had gone ahead
by leaps and bounds. The foundations had been
laid. The concrete floor poured and a Mr. King
laid the double brick wall. The roof was soon
on. The opening was set for 16th April. A
clergyman, the Reverend W. R. Potter who was
a scout supporter, was asked to officiate.
Den is opened
Easter
The day arrived and all the excitement that one
associates with such openings was present. My
father had flown interstate on business, but he
had given me a letter. This was not to be
opened until after the den had been declared
open.
The League of Nations building in Geneva was
completed about the time that the League
become impotent with the various nationalistic
and political changes of the ‘thirties. I hoped
that history would not repeat itself with our new
rover den: a den but no Rovers!
I spent the Easter holidays at Gilwell, again with
15th Malvern. The Pearce brothers had
“dogged” my scout paths already too many
times, although in time we were to become great
friends. Ken Brewster decided a new team
should conduct the campfires in the main
hollow. He invited Garry Pearce to do it, but
Garry turned round and recruited Dudley
Wilson and me to assist him!
The plaque
Meanwhile I had experienced difficulty in
getting the person in charge of the plaque to
discuss the wording of it with me. I then, just
before the opening, discovered why. It was to
be named the “Graham Farley Rover Den”! I
have rarely been more embarrassed. It was too
late to reject the honour. If I had known I would
have refused point blank, but it was too late
now.
Campfires
By 1961, these campfires were becoming more
difficult to conduct while maintaining any
solemnity and occasion. If there were once days
when the boys knew their Hackney Scout Song
Book, they were not now. Campfire leaders had
to use short and very well known songs, often
with actions and voice opportunities to get
cooperation from the scouts.
The den did get a lot of use, and when Rovering
and the rest of the Scout group went out of
existence some years later, the church still had a
very good investment on its hands. In 2005 the
Diocese sold the church, its buildings and
grounds. The den was demolished in the
process. It had gone the “way of all flesh” or,
should I say, “in to the dust of history”!
To assist the keeping of order, teams of the
camp assessors would roam the slopes of the
campfire hollow49 to dissuade the bugle blowers
and other un-programmed items not to be held
in competition with us. It became more and
more a challenge to the wits and abilities of the
team leaders. There was little enjoyment in it
for us who led them. But we would get through
somehow and “lick our wounds” while we
prepared for next year. In later years public
address systems and a move to a “concert”
The Gang Show
I was not impressed with the arrangements for
the rehearsal at the Frankston Sea Scout hall a
weekend or two before the show opened. My
army training disagreed with there being only
two toilets and poor washing facilities. Over a
hundred personnel were to be housed overnight
in that scout hall. But my biggest annoyance
49
Now named after Norman Johnson, OBE, a famous
scout commissioner, whose most senior appointment was
with the World Scout Bureau
54
was with the “coming and going” of a number
of the cast; actors as distinct from the chorus
line. Some of these lads thought they were
prima donnas. This made it very difficult for
rehearsal schedules and much time seemed to be
wasted as we stood around.
As a member of the cast, it was a wonderful
experience to be on the stage. I was only able to
see the first two or three rows over the
floodlights because of the lighting, and yet to
feel the warmth and appreciation of the
thousands beyond them. It could have become
intoxicating as the waves of applause swept
forward toward the stage. I had chosen the right
year to be a part of it all.
But all this was to be forgotten when the dress
rehearsal was held at the Palais, only a night or
two before the opening night. As I lived only a
mile away at Elwood, the St. Kilda location for
the show was very convenient. One could even
park in nearby streets in those days. Following
the poor attendances of the previous year it was
very pleasant to be told that bookings were very
promising. We might even be looking at a
“House Full” sign being displayed one night.
On the other hand my mother had to cope with
the grease paint on clothes and sheets. As I had
various bit parts at the beginning with virtually
no time to change costumes, I had several layers
of costume on when I appeared on the stage for
the opening number.
I was in several of the chorus lines, but I also
had several key rôles. I was Mrs. Sunbeam in
Dress Rehearsal. I also had to appear before the
curtain on the tabs to ad lib until I got the “OK”
through the curtains that the stage set was ready
for the ‘The Colonel takes his bath.’ In a Boer
War period army sergeant’s uniform I had to
march across the stage giving commands as a
background to the songs for Hello Yesterday. I
also had to give a pontifical speech in Ship
Launching. Finally, I announced the Officers’
Mess sketch.
Publicity
The Melbourne Herald evening newspaper50 of
18th May gave a full page to the forthcoming
show. Peter Cook, Peter Hart, Ross Olney,
David Sherrard and Tommy Atkinson were in a
photograph in top hats and tails, while, in
another photograph, the three famous for their
parts were in The Return of the Terrors. At the
time I had no idea as to who was arranging this
excellent publicity, but in 2003, when I helped
to put together the history of the Gang Show, I
had the privilege to meet Ms. Betty Stewart.
Ken Bayly, the producer, was in the habit of
using “Hate Sheets” to stir up and stimulate the
cast. At interval and then after the show, the
gang could read these documents. They enabled
Ken to let off his spleen if one of us had missed
our lines, been late on stage or hammed up the
part. But there was also provision for the award
of praise, which helped morale enormously.
Back in 1961, the Gang Show committee had
retained Betty to promote the show. She did
this with incredible success. She had come to
one of the rehearsals and on the spot recognized
the possibilities of it and the need to get the
theatre-going public of Melbourne to be aware
of the talent that would be on the stage.
Consequently, the 1961 Gang Show played to
full houses at the majority of its performances.
When you remember that the theatre in those
days sat three thousand people, it was a great
achievement.
After the curtain came down on the final night I
realised that I could look back on having been
part of the “gang”; an experience of a lifetime.
Rover Moot
I had been told at the Rover wood-badge course
the previous year that the Rover hierarchy was
gearing up for the 7th World Rover Moot to be
held at Clifford Park at the end of 1961. Only
50
Melbourne was then served by two morning papers, The
Age, The Sun and The Argus, and in the afternoon and
evening by The Herald. On Saturdays, The Sporting
Globe complemented The Herald with sports results.
55
Robert Palmer of the 6th St. Kilda Crew elected
to attend with me.
A Prayer for Brotherhood
We pray for the peace and goodwill to unite,
We pray for the love of Thy guiding light;
We pray that our paths may lead us to
A way of joy and friendship true
We ask that our eyes may be open to see
The goodness of others, whoever they be,
This blessing we ask, that we may be
As one great family
“Bus” Derrick, MBE
Goodwill on earth so often has seemed
Far beyond our call;
So we ask that we may find
A way of peace for all.
At a preliminary meeting in the RAAMC depot,
I was invited by “Bus” Derrick to be part of his
sub-camp team. Robert and I accepted his
invitation, but we would also be able to take part
in the moot whenever we wished.
Though different in colour and races and creed
May we from all thought of intol’rance be freed
We ask that the world should pray with us
Our prayer for brotherhood
The year draws to an end
Before the Rover Moot took place, Ken
Robinson held a further scout camp at the
Warburton Rover Chalet. As the year was
rapidly closing, the crew held its breakup at the
London Hotel.
Ken Bayly
There was a Saturday working bee at the Rover
Moot site where we helped to erect marquees
and tents. The new Chief Commissioner,
Major-General Sir Robert Risson, set a great
example as he did in every other sphere of his
life by helping with the task of erecting the
tents. When, as tramways board chairman, he
had earlier heard of drivers who thought it was
too hard to get on to the roof of trams to fix the
catenary, he climbed one himself to show how a
man of his age could still do it.
56
Chapter 1051
support jobs properly, individual messes (dining
areas) were established where they could rely on
getting punctual and wholesome meals.
However, all too often, these messes became too
formal, tending to replicate some of the protocol
of their military forebears. But “Bus” would
have none of that. We were there to serve the
Rovers and help them to get the most
satisfaction out of the Moot.
1962 a year of diversity
Nineteen sixty-two was a seminal year for me in
that it would be my last in Melbourne before
spending many years in country and regional
Victoria. Rather than acting as a section
scouter, I was principally involved with
“adults.” After helping to staff a sub-camp at
the Rover Moot, I would become chairman of
the Gilwell Reunion and continue as GSM for
6th St. Kilda. That would all change in 1963,
but that is for a later story.
Good Turns
Quite apart from the brotherhood that such
events can generate, Rovers, both from
Australia and overseas, took part in “good
turns” in the community. One of these was to
assist the Puffing Billy Preservation Society,
which was endeavouring to get the trains of
Puffing Billy back on the tracks from Fern Tree
Gully to Emerald52.
7th World Rover Moot
Bill Waters and his team of Rover
Commissioners had spent some two years
planning for the Moot. They had taken every
opportunity to enthuse Rovers as to the
significance of Australia, (really Victoria)
hosting a “world bureau” event. Now it was
upon us.
The narrow-gauge Puffing Billy line had been
closed by the Victorian Railways since 1953
when a landslide blocked the track between
Selby and Menzies Creek. Large parties of
Rovers were dispatched throughout the Moot to
the line to assist in the realignment of the track
and much good work was achieved.
For well over a year, hike and expedition party
leaders had been trained in their rôles. In all
cases, the hike leaders, parties of three, had
hiked over their routes at least three times,
consequently they were very familiar with the
tracks and camping sites.
Another good turn was at the home of the
hearing-challenged at Blackburn.
Sub-Camp 3
Moot Expeditions
“Bus” Derrick invited me to assist on “Subcamp 3” of the 7th World Rover Moot at
Clifford Park. Prior to the Moot, I had assisted
“Bus” with the Austin van, transporting those
“work-horse” army tables, GS 6 x 3, to the site.
An important part of the Moot program was the
opportunity for those attending to take part in an
“expedition.” The list of possible expeditions
included hiking (inevitably), surfing (at
Eumeralla, Anglesea), bus tours (for the less
active), wool and wheat tour, an Eildon cruise,
mountain climbing (for the extremely active),
The sub-camp’s team included John Sedgeley,
Rev’d George tooth, Jack Maver, Athol Stone,
John Campbell and Dave Shaw amongst others.
52
Since then, the line has been electrified and broadgauged to Belgrave, with the Puffing Billy Society
regularly running steam or diesel hauled trains through to
the original terminus of Gembrook. In earlier days,
Scouts could travel by these trains to the Gilwell Park
camping ground, which was only another seven
kilometres to hike.
Each of the “sub-camps” handled administration
for groups of Rovers camping in their midst. To
make it easier for the team members to do their
51
Published, Ibid., September 2006, p 38
57
cave exploring (for those who did not suffer
claustrophobia), gliding, and visits to industry.
Post Moot Hikes
I thought that the bus trips or the lake cruise
would suit me very well. Despite my own love
of walking but equal antipathy to crossing mosscovered logs over streams, I found myself
allotted to take part in the hike from Hotham to
Shannon Vale.
Day Two
I was in a party that had excellent leadership.
These three Rovers, who had fulfilled all their
pre-hike training, were most helpful and
encouraging. The day commenced with a
descent to Dobbins Hut, an old cattle hut in the
valley.
I guess I could have pleaded “insanity,” but I
decided to accept the challenge. Prior to that
my overnight hikes had been limited to what I
called, “civilized” country.
But then, if one had descended, one would have
to ascend out of the valley. That brought us to
the High Plains area. Lunch was taken at a
small aqueduct. Our second night’s camp was
in the vicinity of the Bogong Rover Chalet.
Day One
It was New Year’s Day. It had been quite a task
to be packed and ready to go at day-break. This
was made more difficult through my having run
out of methylated spirits to prime the kerosene
powered pressure lamp – so I left it burning all
night so that at least I would have light in the
hour before the dawn!
Day Three
This day saw us hiking amongst the cattle that
were then allowed to munch the grass on the
high plains. The hike route was along the
Fitzgerald Track. I fell behind a little in the
afternoon, but the member of the hike leader
party, termed “the whip,” made sure that I made
the destination of the Shannon Vale property.
We camped here overnight prior to returning to
the moot site the next day.
I recall lining up in the cool morn and the dust
to catch a bus to Ringwood, from where we
boarded a train that took us to Wangaratta. This
was still in the days of flexible public transport.
At “Wang,” we were transferred to a Hoy’s bus.
This took us through Bright, Harrietville, finally
depositing us at the Blowhard Hut.
Day Four
Quoting from my diary, “Our packs were taken
on ahead, and we followed the snow poles while
all lay around us – valleys and hills to the
horizon as we surveyed the top of Victoria.
My diary says that it was painful shaving that
morning. I have no idea whether I had shaved
each day or had just let the bristle grow. Our
buses took us through Anglers’ Rest to Omeo
and then to Bairnsdale for lunch and the train.
The train took us right through to Ringwood.
Singing broke out on the bus from Ringwood to
the moot site. Here we were greeted by a hot
meal with steak. I noted, “A fantastic
experience and such (good) organization.”
“Sweating, even without a pack, I began to
grasp the significance of 32 miles of this hiking
(that) was ahead of me, but the grandeur (of the
scenery) took the dread away.” Camp was just
below the Hotham Heights Hotel.
I have often noted in my life that I often have to
be “pushed” into a situation, which I then find
that I enjoy and from which I have much
58
satisfaction. After all, I had been “pushed” into
helping with senior scouts at the Lansdowne
Jamboree, quite unaware of my future
association with that section from 1963 on.
Gilwell Reunion
In similar style to that of 1961, I attended the
Gilwell Reunion, but this time retained the use
of my own vehicle to get there. I was QM for
this reunion. Following the pattern of the
previous year, I started off from Melbourne,
picking up Irene Robbins on the way before
meeting at Mr. and Mrs. Cox’s home. If there
were any other “early” arrivals, they kept quiet
this year and Esther Cox and Irene got a good
night’s sleep.
Highlights
Other highlights of the Moot were the games of
Monopoly with Robert Palmer and Rovers of 4th
Caulfield, the Brighton Revue, the Thanksgiving
Service, the Gilwell Reunion and the last night
party at the sub-camp. Bill Waters was
“chaired” from the arena at the conclusion of the
final parade. It was probably the apex of his
Rovering career.
Having gone as QM, I found myself elected
chairman of the reunion at the annual meeting
on the Sunday, a position I was to hold for some
years.
Not so highlighted was the last day, when
cleaning up was the agenda and matters were
not all taking their proper course. It was not
many days later that a bushfire tragically swept
through Clifford Park, but the Rovers, their cars
and the infrastructure equipment had long gone.
But it had been a great experience and Rovering
in Victoria could look forward with confidence
on a basis of pride.
The reunion, when it was held over the long
weekend with Australia Day, followed a pattern.
Saturday was the day to arrive with much
socialising in the various patrol and sixer huts.
On the Sunday there would be a Scouts’ Own
and the annual meeting. On each of the two
nights there would be a singsong or campfire,
but the Saturday night dance of nowadays had
not yet evolved. Monday was “good turn” or
“working bee” morning.
Tommy’s Hut camp
Once again I assisted Ken Robinson with the
setting up of the 6th St. Kilda’s troop camp at
Tommy’s Hut, Kinglake West
In 1962, I was involved with a team that was
doing some painting. To make sure that it did
not smash or spill, I used the shelter of my
gumboots for storage. For some reason I forgot
it was in them, but that did not prevent me from
complaining that we were short of turpentine –
it was right alongside me!
I spent the next few days helping back at the
scout camp with campfires, cricket, monopoly,
swimming and camp dismantling.
Easter
Ken Robinson teaching scouts how to construct gadgets at
the January, 1962, camp at Tommy’s Hut
John Ireland, a Rover Leader who had also
attended the Moot and led a hike party, was a
teacher with me at Princes Hill High School.
The previous Easter we had taken a party of
59
school boys to Seven Creeks in the Strathbogies.
Five of the students clamored for the trip to be
repeated, but I would be the only adult
available.
GSM
Amidst my boarding house duties, CMF
parades, daily high school teaching obligations,
I was still able to fit in the monthly Group
Council meetings as GSM (GL) of 6th St. Kilda,
but these were held at Wesley College in my
rooms after “lights out” for my convenience.
As I would be moving across to Gilwell to assist
with the campfires, I obtained signed letters
from the parents, acknowledging that there
would be no adult supervision for the weekend.
I am not sure that I would be prepared to even
countenance doing that in 2006, but the mature
group of students responded very well and all
was well on my return. It was “scouting” but
not as uniformed members.
Gilwell campfires
Gary Pearce had asked me to assist him with the
Gilwell Easter campfires. Everything went
more smoothly this year, particularly with the
available teams of assessors ready to move in
and quell any “alternate leadership” from troops
of poorly trained scouts.
After the Saturday night fire, Gary and I were
invited to supper in the Lodge. One could
almost cut with a knife the tradition in the
building, particularly as to who sat where. I
clearly recall that “Kenno” Kennedy, then
Warden of Gilwell, was rather put out to find
that a very senior commissioner had not warmed
the teapot before the tea was made53. He made
his feelings known. Strange memories can
lodge in the brain at times.
I could continue to look forward to a busy year
in 1962 in a number of fields, but having been
appointed the battery commander of the CMF
unit at Warragul, it was likely to be my last year
in the city.
I returned to the school camp on the Monday to
find everything in order. My trust had been
returned. The “patrol” and I returned on the
Tuesday. The principles and practices of
Scouting were as valid as ever. I would ask
myself as to whether our “organisation” was
“over-organised” and should Scouting be more
accessible with less long-term commitment?
53
It reminded me of the individual who is the boss at
work, but may well find the tables turned on arriving
home!
60
Chapter 1154
The Campfire Club
In 1961 a number of those Scouters leading the
Gilwell and other campfires thought that it was
time that such leaders received some support
and camaraderie and that we should get together
to provide this. Hence the idea of a Campfire
Club, together with a periodical journal, came to
pass. A key person behind this idea was David
Hunt, a Scouter with 1st Wesley College (8th
Prahran).
But in 1962, David had left to teach in the
school at RAAF Butterworth in Penang. He had
previously recruited me as treasurer. When he
left, the onus fell on me to promote the club.
With the ensuing publicity that the proposed
club was given, subscriptions of ten shillings
(one dollar after decimal currency was adopted
in 1966) started to roll in.
“Kenno” was a school master at Wesley
College and was adept as a story teller. As he
talked we would have looked into the glowing
ashes and our minds would have projected the
scenes and atmosphere conjured up by this
remarkable man.
Back in 1952 I had joined Scouting in part
because of regular invitations to the annual endof-year campfire breakup of 15th Malvern.
Maybe the songs brought out the romance in me
as well. From my early days in the movement I
was prepared to lead songs at the troop’s
campfires at Gilwell Park. This was also true of
the same Scout woodbadge course, where
another leader and I led quite a few of the songs
when “Kenno” had finished his nightly yarn.
The Victorian Club proposed to affiliate with
the UK Campfire Club if possible. I think
initially, we would receive the UK magazine for
our subscription but it was soon obvious that we
would produce our own, but at the same time
remain affiliated.
B-P and campfires
Campfires had always been an integral part of
Scouting. Our Founder’s handbook, Scouting
for Boys, is divided into “campfire yarns.” In
this and other books by B-P there are many
drawings showing him using the campfire as a
means of enthusing future leaders. The
campfire “circle” was equally important as the
setting for the training courses that he and his
successors have conducted.
The “Mudboree”
As a result of this, I was invited by “Narse”
Lesser, also of the Wesley College teaching
staff, to be a member of the campfire team that
he was building up for the jamboree at Clifford
Park at the end of 1955. During that event
Victoria experienced day after day of tropical
rains, which gave the name “mudboree” to the
event. This meant that many of our fires were
conducted in the rain; yet our spirits were not
dampened. Here we were – leaders and Scouts
alike, arrayed in ground sheets -- singing our
lungs out, while desperate attempts were
continually being made to keep the campfire
burning in the damp conditions.
I recall very clearly on my woodbadge course in
1955 sitting enthralled before a fire in the Troop
Room while W. D. “Kenno” Kennedy yarned
about his meetings with our Founder and his
Scouting experiences.
54
Published, Ibid., October 2006, p 30
61
The first The Campfire
The first copy of The Campfire, the journal of
the club, came out in October, 1962. Chairman
of the club was Charles Cordell, a very familiar
figure from the Gang Shows. The Secretary
was Dr. Donald Spring, of the dental profession.
In his will Donald Spring gave substantial sums
from his estate both to St. Patrick’s College in
Ballarat and also to the Scout Movement. The
Spring Lodge at Gilwell, for which the architect
was Dudley Wilson, was thus made possible. It
has housed Scouters on training courses every
since.
John Thurman
The “guru” of campfire leading in the UK was
John Thurman, warden of Gilwell Park, UK,
who had, with Rex Hazlewood, written and
edited several books on the subject, such as The
Gilwell Campfire Book (1st and 2nd) and The
Campfire Leader’s Book.
Songs and song books
As with so much else in Scouting that we had
inherited through being predominantly of British
stock, so it was with the songs that were used at
campfires. Fortunately there was no shortage of
song books. The Australian Boy Scouts Song
Book, was readily available in scout shops and,
with its various editions, contained both
English, international and Australian songs.
The editor for the journal was Vic McGowan,
who was a very active training leader. “Bus”
Derrick offered to accept any matters that came
to Headquarters, where he was the training
commissioner.
So Vol. 1. No. 1. hit the news stands! In an
editorial Don Spring explained that there had
been one previous magazine, but little else had
taken place since subscriptions had first been
collected. He reported that on Thursday, 13th
September, some eight members met and
elected the officers as indicated above.
Charles Cordell in traditional camp fire blanket leading at
a camp fire course clearly using the Scout Song Book
The journal was to include articles on campfire
leading and also to have the words and music
(where possible) of songs that leaders might use.
By early 1963, the club had over sixty members.
But the hallmark song book was the Hackney
one, developed by the leaders and members of
the Hackney scout district in London. It was the
“acme” of books and was all but treated with
reverence.
62
Song books were prepared for each jamboree.
While these books led to most scouts having the
same copy at a jamboree, it also meant that there
was no one song book upon which leaders could
rely.
On the other hand, it is almost impossible to
read from a book at a campfire, even by
torchlight, and the songster should have been
taught to learn the words of songs to be sung in
troop meetings.
“Recce”
Deryck Mornement, SM of 15th Malvern, had
not forgotten that I owned an Austin van. He
soon recruited me to provide transport for his
patrol leaders to find campsites in the north-east
of Victoria. Having loaded up one Friday night,
we set off.
This is easier said than done. The result has
been that leaders have had to rely on action
songs and songs with only a verse or two.
Much of the rich heritage of a bygone era has
“gone the way of all flesh”!
AGM
On the Friday night we camped in the
Strathbogie Ranges, presumably at the Seven
Creeks site. On the Saturday, our route was via
Wangaratta to Bright and on to the Kiewa
Valley, returning that night to Bright.
On the Sunday, we drove through the King
River Valley to Whitfield and on to Myrtleford.
The Monday route included Alexandra and
Eildon before returning to Melbourne on the eve
of the next term of schooling for all concerned.
Shortly after this, Deryck left for England.
The Pack and the Troop in 1962. The lady cub leader on
the right is Barbara McGuinness, Graham’s elder sister
Pioneer Course
Somehow I managed to fit in half a weekend to
help Harold Nathan of 3rd St. Kilda, with the St.
Kilda District annual Pioneer Badge course, but
I excused myself to attend a CMF army parade
on the Sunday. I always seemed to have too
many irons in the fire, as it were.
On 11th May, 6th St. Kilda Group had a
successful AGM. There are always great
benefits from a well prepared and conducted
meeting of parents with displays of scout work.
Such meetings often lead to the most unlikely
adult volunteers, who become great committee
members or section leaders.
Investitures and hand over
I invested Barry Wilson and Warwick Lindsay
into the 6th St. Kilda Rover Crew, wearing my
Rover Leader hat so to do. Early in December, I
was able to hand the leadership of the group to
Mr. Collis, with two of the Rovers, Alan
63
Butcher and Tom Kenney, offering to be
leaders.
Rover Dinner and games cup
On 10th December, the Crew attended the Rover
Dinner in Union House at The University of
Melbourne to receive the games cup that the
Crew had won that year. Our booking was
made very late in the peace, almost too late, and
we were the butt of many jokes or comments as
a result.
However, “Narse” Lesser gave me the
opportunity to speak in reply and I think I
evened up the scores! Dr. Philip Law spoke on
survival and there was a film on the X15 fighter
plane.
“SM” “Tops” Oldham farewells the “scout” adult leaders
on their overnight journey from the Hoadley Hall training
ground at the 75th Scout Wood Badge, January, 1963.
L to R: Jack Maver, Ernie Hall, Dick Milne, “Tops,” and
“Bus” Derrick
I would make the daily QM trip into Gembrook
with Tom Murfett. I was not over-worked, but
of course was involved with the campfires.
Other campfire leaders were Ian Adams,
Graham Pope, Kees Klep and Heather de
Longville.
With my impending teaching move to Warragul
in 1963, it was unlikely that I would continue as
an active Rover Leader. It had been a very
interesting four years to have worked with this
mature section of the movement.
QM on Woodbadge course
Just after Boxing Day, 1962, I set off for Gilwell
Park, where I was to be the QM on the 75th
Woodbadge course. Ernie Hall was the TL.
“Tops” Oldham was “scoutmaster” for the
course, and he had “Bus” Derrick as one of his
assistants. Mrs. Murfett prepared our meals in
the Lodge, but the leaders handled the washing
up. There was a Cub course running parallel
with the Scout one.
Pioneering day at the wood badge course or “Mucking
about on rafts”!
As a “Pom” I was delighted that Keith Miller’s
prediction in the Sun newspaper came to pass.
This was that England would win the second
cricket test that was about to be played at the
MCG. His crystal ball held true.
64
A typical time-honoured stunt on a wood badge course
was to blindfold the patrol and ask them to erect a hike
tent. The background story assumed that it was a pitchblack night and they needed to get some sleep!
The annual Gilwell Reunion took place as usual,
but heavy rain dampened Monday’s working
bee.
What of the future?
It was a good note on which to conclude this
part of my scouting life. I was to join the
teaching staff of Warragul High School and be
the battery commander of the local CMF
artillery battery. But of my future scouting
activities I had no idea as to what lay in store. I
was to be pleasantly surprised.
65
Chapter 1255
Will you be our Scout leader?
Will you be our Senior Scout Leader?
I was made the form teacher for what would be
now a Year 10 class. Having instilled a degree
of classroom discipline into this group, I was
then surprised, and perhaps pleased, to be
approached at the end of a lesson by two
members of the class and asked as to whether I
would lead the senior scouts in Warragul!
These two enterprising lads were Ian Hastings
and Ian Thomson.
At the start of the school year in 1963 I moved
to Warragul in Gippsland to teach at the
Warragul High School. For much of the
previous year I had been travelling to Warragul
as I was already the battery commander of its
Citizen Military Force (CMF) artillery battery. I
had been fortunate to get a transfer from Princes
Hill High School. It would save a lot of time
and energy traveling.
This of course was how B-P considered that
scout troops should operate, ie., the adult asked
by the boys themselves56. I do not recall my
answer, but at that stage of the year I had other
pressing priorities. Besides I was at last
experiencing a serious romantic friendship, one
that had commenced at the recent Gilwell
Reunion!
In 1963 Warragul was an important centre in
Gippsland. It is even more so now. Once it had
been the junction for the Noojee branch line.
But the through train line had been upgraded
with a second track and electrification to carry
the briquettes from the open mine at Yallourn
and to service the nearby power stations.
The situation
The highway had not yet been duplicated to its
present (almost) freeway status. The technical
and high schools were located back-to-back.
The town boasted two local papers. There were
two scout groups, 1st and 2nd Warragul, with a
couple in outlying districts, such as 1st Nilma
North – Lillico.
Warragul, as with nearby Drouin, was in the
Tarago Scout District. The scout district
stretched back some distance down the highway
towards Melbourne. The DC, Mr. Bill Parish,
was an orchardist. He lived in Garfield and was
famous for his apples.
A District Senior Scout Leader, Kent Wilson,
supported Bill Parish. But there were no senior
scout leaders with the groups, with the result
that Scouts turning 15 had very few options if
they wanted to continue with Scouting. But
they could become Cub Instructors and serve
that way.
I arrive
The Anglican vicar of St. Paul’s Warragul
arranged accommodation for me with Mrs.
Walker in Sutton Street. Further, this good man
placed an article in the local papers welcoming
me to the town. But he also added that I would
have no time for Scouting! Little did he know
me!
The problem
If I was to offer some of my time, and
commonsense was telling me not to, I realised
that I could not accept a warrant with 1st
Warragul without upsetting 2nd Warragul or vice
versa. Besides, 1st Nilma North-Lillico had no
wish to be excluded. Small townships had
The two government secondary schools had a
joint cadet unit and I joined that. But I did not
want to make the mistake of my first school in
1956 when I failed to first establish classroom
discipline
56
55
This was the second occasion that this had occurred for
I had been similarly approached when I arrived in
England in 1966 by 8th Cheam Senior Scouts
Published, Ibid., November 2006, p 30
66
retain their group scarves and their groups
would have their first allegiance.
enough battles to face without all the resources
going to the bigger centres.
Meetings
I also knew that I did not have the time to
commit myself to a regular weekly night
meeting. Was it feasible to imagine that the
boys need only meet when there was a specific
reason so to do? I was the bookstall teacher at
the high school. As such I had an office in the
boys’ corridor, from which I sold books, pens
&c each morning. With the technical school
within a stone’s throw, I could thus contact the
entire troop without any trouble or delay.
The UK handbook for Senior Scout Leaders
Testing the water
A solution
Having discussed the situation with the DC, the
DSSL and the two GSMs, I decided that I was
in a position to provide some leadership on the
basis that any Scout over fifteen could join,
irrespective of his home group.
Groups have always been jealous of their own
identity. Training course leaders continually
preached “the whole group” on courses. Was
there room for training of senior scouts on a
district basis? There was the well-held fear that
if their Scouts trained with “someone else,” they
might be lost to that group.
I had no intention of imposing my authoritarian
style on potential senior scouts. Instead I put
out a circular inviting them to find their way to
Crossover, on Saturday, 16th March, a piece of
open ground on the former Noojee railway line.
With my Austin van, I could transport up to ten
boys and I stated the time that I would leave 1st
Warragul’s scout hall on the day in question.
The then General Secretary, Colonel E. R. E.
Black, pointed out that in Policy, Organization
and Rules, the then rule book, there was
provision for what was being suggested.
Rule 7/98 in those days read, “(1) Senior Scouts
in a D.A. [District Association] may meet
together as desired for training or other
activities, but such a combination may not be
registered as a D.A. Senior Troop. (2) Such
activities will be stimulated and co-ordinated by
the D.C., D.S.S.L., or such other experienced
Scouter as the D.C. may appoint for the
purpose.”
Thus, without making any commitment, I
started to explore the concept of district
“training” for the Warragul district senior
scouts. The boys would remain and be
registered by their own groups. They would
The open ground underneath the road bridge which was
known geographically as “Crossover.”
67
By now I was receiving every help and
encouragement from Mr. and Mrs. “Bon”
Hardie. “Bon” conducted a paint store. A
supermarket now stands where the Hardie house
was. “Bon” showed me with great pride the
group’s log book. But that leads to a later story.
The list was endless and most of these tasks
took the minimum preparation on my part. I
was also sufficiently self-confident to do this
without any other adult help, something that I
would never recommend when later in my
career I would be leading training courses!
The road that “crossed over” the now disused railway
line. Both these pictures were taken in the middle ‘80’s
Hinkler patrol: Ron Brooks, Alan Hoskins, George
Hendrikse and Gordon Letts
The first day’s program
How it turned out
Whether such a program would work in 2010 I
do not know, but I had experienced some
success with the setting up of a number of scout
challenges which would be undertaken by
patrols in competition.
At Crossover57, I explained what might be
possible and the conditions under which I would
provide some leadership. Patrol leaders were
elected and temporary patrols sorted out.
Leichardt patrol at the Crossover “try-out” day. L to R:
Wayne Hardie, Ian Hastings, Rodney Saunders, Ian
Jackson and Ian Thomson
Sturt patrol: Colin Walker, Steven Milsted, Geoff
Marriott, Graeme Haycroft, Ian Snape and Alan Penfold
Several other scouts came out by bike. Both
lunch and tea were eaten at the site, to be
followed by a campfire, before returning to
Warragul. The East Tarago Senior Scout Troop
was on its way to being born. The word, “East,”
was necessary as Drouin and Garfield were
These could consist of the hardy annuals, such
as lighting a fire to burn through a piece of
string tied between two trees at a height of say, a
metre. There was always the one where the
patrol was required to get all its members above
the ground to a height of at least three metres as
a flood was pending. While in the tree, they
would have to boil a billy.
57
The twenty-first reunion in 1993 was held in part at the
Crossover site
68
ETSST, and later the ETVU, would become
quite famous through their achievements over
the years, and not just in winning “A” grade
pennants in the Hoadley Hide.
groups to the “west,” which already had active
senior scout sections. With the revisions to
scouting in later years, the title “Senior Scout”
gave way to “Venturer.” The East Tarago
troop/unit was to have an incredible history
before it finally went out of existence some
forty years later.
Membership
The interim patrols were: Sturt Patrol -- Ian
Snape, Graeme Haycroft, Colin Walker, Geoff
Mariott, Alan Penfold and Stephen Milsted;
Hinkler Patrol – Ron Brooks, Alan Hoskins,
George Hendrikse, Gordon Letts and Ian
McCann; Leichardt Patrol – Ian Hastings, Ian
Thomson, Rodney Saunders, Wayne Hardie and
Ian Jackson.
Office bearers as elected were: Secretary,
Wayne Hardie; Treasurer, Graeme Haycroft;
and QM, Rodney Saunders. The local papers
were glad to print the story of the first activity,
which gave the troop further publicity and
legitimacy within the community.
Future activities
Up until this time, my association with senior
scouts had been mainly through the Lansdowne
Jamboree, but I did understand the importance
of the Queen’s Scout badge. The Hoadley Hide
seemed to be very important in this section, as
well as the supporting ventures such as the
Armstrong 500 and The Melbourne Gathering.
Later senior troops with which I was associated
concentrated on hiking and canoeing, but it was
likely with the existence of the Austin van, that
the ETSST would take part in “wheeled”
expeditions, possible inter-state in some cases.
But I also realised that this group of young men,
that sought to continue with their scouting, were
coming from a fairly inexperienced background
when it came to competing with some of the city
groups. This was not through any fault of their
own, but because of “the tyranny of distance”
and the lack of experienced leadership. The
69
Chapter 1358
The 1963 Monte Carlo Hoadley Hide
But first…
While the local Warragul papers had willingly
printed my reports of the successful formation
of the East Tarago Senior Scout Troop
(ETSST), I was only too well aware that
amongst the potential members there would be a
wide range in their scout training, and ethical
matters such as language and loyalty.
My fears were confirmed when we had our first
hike a fortnight later in the Tanjil Bren area
following the day at Crossover. It did not help
that it rained most of Saturday. We were glad to
find some Forestry Commission huts that night
in which to sleep. But there was little hike
discipline, and one lad handled the (English)
language very carelessly! On the other hand I
found that I had some excellent leaders among
the troop and I felt confident that their example
would in due course win the day.
The Hinkler patrol at the start of the 1963 Hoadley Hide:
L to R: Colin Walker, Graeme Haycroft, Steven Milsted
and Ian Snape. The backs of the assessors are in the
foreground. Now at least they are in uniform!
The Headquarters’ Commissioner for Senior
Scouts in 1963 was the enthusiastic, capable and
personable Bob Swinton. No one could help but
cheerfully follow in his wake. Few senior
scouts of the time could have been other than
thoroughly impressed by Bob’s attitude and life
style.
Hoadley Hide
I knew enough about “senior scouting” to know
that the annual Hoadley Hide competition at
Easter was specifically conducted for this
section. In those days, the metropolitan areas59
established base camps. They would then be
responsible for setting up a number of
challenging stunts in their area. But the
participating patrols did not camp overnight in
these base camps, but away in the bush and
forest where they could select their own sites.
A check of gear is carried out on another Warragul patrol.
The site is the Yarra Junction railway station. Bob
Barrow (in bearskin hat) is on the right
It was when some of these selected sites were so
poorly respected – whether the bush or huts –
that the leaders in charge of the Hide
commenced the policy of requiring the
participants to camp overnight in central areas –
the “VOCs” as they became known.
As signalling had been a stumbling block to the
passing of the First Class badge, so was the log
book that each Hide patrol had to submit at the
end of the weekend’s challenges. Often the
award of the Hide depended on the quality of
the patrol’s log book. That requirement has
gone the way of all flesh!
58
Published, Ibid., February 2007, p 26
In 1952, the current regions were known as “counties.”
They then became areas before a further change to the
contemporary “regions”
59
70
Six hundred and fifty senior scouts took part in
1963. As they came off the train, the patrols
had to pass through a “Customs Point,” and a
check of passports and equipment; a feature that
is time-honoured in the Hide. “Contraband,” in
the form of tinned food, was identified.
Gilwell Park
Another patrol is checked: Ian Hastings, Gordon Letts,
Ian Thomson and Wayne Hardie. Hats take some
punishment
Once I had seen my lads safely on their way, I
drove back to Gilwell Park, where I camped
with 15th Malvern, a troop of which I had a year
or so back been their Scoutmaster. I again
assisted at the main campfires.
Monte Carlo theme
In less than a month after the troop’s formation,
two patrols were entered for the 1963 Hoadley
Hide, the theme for which was the Monte Carlo
car race. The “crews” (patrols) of the rally cars
would have to cover up to sixty-five kilometres
during the Easter weekend if they were to
attempt all the challenges. But first they had to
submit a passport photograph. I took this one
morning at recess at the high school.
Returning to the Hide area on Easter Sunday, I
noted that Scouters on the Hide staff were very
overworked. They badly needed a support team
to handle matters such as their meals and
accommodation. These “assessors” would be
out all day and then have to come home at night
and on the last night mark log books. It was
hardly a relaxing Easter for them.
To indicate my respect for Easter and spiritual
observances, I had arranged with the Warragul
Anglican vicar that the scouts would attend an
early morning Good Friday service before being
driven in my van to Yarra Junction. At Yarra
Junction we awaited the diesel-hauled train to
come from Melbourne with the metropolitan
and other senior scouts. The line to Warburton
was open in those days. It is now a rail trail.
The weather was fine for the weekend, but very
frosty at night, resulting in the hike tents
appearing to be able to stand by themselves
even when the poles and pegs had been removed
at daybreak
The ETSST patrols did not win top pennants,
but they had “taken part,” and learnt at first
hand what would be involved in obtaining an
“A” grade pennant. This expertise was slowly
built up. In the years to come the ETSST (or the
ETVU) would be known throughout the senior
scout section for its regular success with “A”
grade pennants in the Hoadley Hide.
The “Country boy”
In preparing these articles, I have shared them
with some of the former members of the senior
scout troop. One of them, now a forestry
officer, commented, “In hindsight, some of us
were probably quite inexperienced in some
aspects of life.
Branch Commissioner for Senior Scouts, Bob Swinton,
addresses the final parade where the gradings for the
Hoadley Hide are announced and A-grade pennants
presented. In those days the Easter event attracted 800 +.
71
activity, it did not matter if two-thirds of the
troop members were absent. And at times,
small numbers were better, particularly if
transport and equipment were limited.
“But on the other hand, some of us were
‘country boys,’ with fathers and families from
farms or the bush and we had been exposed to a
good balance of independence and adventure
with parents and a wide circle of family and
friends who kept a watchful eye over us. So, I
think this was the other “experience” which
helped bind us together.”
Basketball
This was a very popular sport. As it happened
the army training depôt, at which I was the
officer commanding the CMF unit concerned,
was used several nights each week by citizen
Warragul teams. It was not a problem then to
permit the senior scouts to use it occasionally
for the same purpose. The steel trusses of the
roof were also to prove very useful for hanging
out tentage to dry.
The Secret of Seniors
I applied the same principle to meetings that I
had with the 6th St. Kilda Rover Crew. That is,
the crew only met when there was a reason for
meeting. As the Warragul senior scouts were
mostly in the senior forms at their schools they
also had to budget their time wisely.
Equipment support
Besides, with the high and technical schools
situated “back-to-back,” communication with
them all on any day of the week was relatively
easy. In a similar way, the scouts saw each
other out of hours in the township. Perhaps it is
the same today, but country town children have
a greater range of activities from which to
choose.
All troops face the problem of having sufficient
and appropriate equipment for activities and at
the same time having somewhere secure to store
it. The 1st Warragul scout hall had been
“romantically” built from Mt. Gambier
limestone, but its storage space was damp and
the doors hardly secure.
To run the troop successfully, so that the
members could readily achieve a wide range of
goals, meant that the program had to be
orientated to the themes of the Queen Scout
badge preparation on one hand and to adventure
and fun on the other. That is not to say that
social and spiritual pursuits were excluded
under either heading.
Fortunately Mr. and Mrs. Hardie were very
supportive. Granted that they had several sons
who were benefiting from scout membership,
they provided space in the lofts of the stables at
the rear of their homestead home and took a
close interest in the development of 1st
Warragul.60
A hawser, suitable for the “foot” section of a
rope bridge, was part of the inheritance.
However, it was some one hundred and fifty
metres long. I clearly recall laying it out on the
floor of the army depôt and cutting it into three
fifty-metre lengths with the nagging fear that
these lengths might prove to be too short.
I had made it clear that I could not offer, say,
every Friday night. But then that was what the
lads wanted – they did not have a night a week
to spend at a troop meeting if they were not
achieving something out of it. They would meet
when there was a reason so to do.
In similar fashion, it was necessary to
supplement the equipment with such items as a
Numbers
I also realised that the size of the troop was
important, in that rarely could every member
take part in the scheduled activity. Providing
that there were sufficient takers for the specific
60
As Warragul’s population grew, the Hardie home site
became very valuable. Within a year or two a
supermarket would be built in its place. It is hard to
imagine that there was once a house with stables at its rear
72
“block and tackle.” But there were farm supply
stores in the town and I acquired the necessary
three and two-sheave blocks.
In the three years that I was in Warragul, this
log book was soon filled up and its successor
had to be purchased. I understand that
subsequent log books62 for the East Tarago
Venture Unit have all been faithfully entered up
with print, names and photographs and that they
have been preserved.
It was also necessary to purchase sisal rope in
some quantity and then encourage the unit
members to help in cutting it to length and
“sailor-maker” whip their ends61. I have always
loathed lashings with either a back or eye splice
at their ends. They were often very difficult to
undo if they became wet.
Ethical and other issues
As the group of senior scouts came to develop
their own ethos and camaraderie, I knew it was
only a matter of time before some issues would
have to be faced. One of these was that several
members openly smoked on activities. How
that was resolved at their own decision will be a
matter for a future chapter.
Robin Hood
This park is now all but by-passed by the new
freeway, but late in June, 1963, it was a good
location for a day of challenges. The section
members were required to erect a commando
bridge, following which the party moved to a
quarry in the Labertouche area for further stunts.
Log books
I had hardly mentioned my scouting background
before Mr. “Bon” Hardie proudly showed me
the 1st Warragul log book. This was a
“Kalamazoo” heavy-duty-cover “book,” with a
spanner to unwind the spine in order to insert or
remove sheets. It would not have been easy to
lose it!
“Bon” lovingly turned page after page, showing
me photographs of former scouts and other
articles of historical value. But I immediately
noticed that while “Bon” seemed to know the
names by heart, very few were recorded under
the photographs, nor were dates or locations
consistently given.
It was obvious to me that the task of being the
Senior Scout Leader would also include keeping
the log book up to date. In addition, I would be
sitting down with “Bon” and carefully recording
all that his memory could provide and make
sure that this information was clearly recorded.
61
Ropes now tend to be of a synthetic nature.
Measurements have changed since 1963. Lashings were
best if they were of one-inch circumference and some
twelve feet (four metres) in length
62
73
Three in number for its forty years existence
Chapter 1463
enjoy your scouting. In return you will need to
cooperate in matters such as attendance,
morality, uniform and loyalty, if you want me to
offer that spare time and interest."
Relationships and Expeditions
The older boy
But except in cases of potentially life
threatening situations, this age group did not
wish to be told what to do or who they would
have as their peer leaders. No wonder the
movement has great difficulty getting enough
leaders at the Venturer Scout level.
Over the years I have slowly developed patterns
of effective leadership. Much of this was trial
and error, but hopefully my teacher training
helped. As a school boy I was not “sporty,” and
would have been termed “a swot.” Nowadays,
the term would have been “a nerd.” Then in the
senior forms of the school, where the rôle of the
prefect was developed, I found that I could lead.
Smoking
The first “clash” was to be concerned with the
right of some of the senior scouts to smoke. I
have never smoked and had previously enforced
a no-smoking policy. This was in the days of “It
will stunt your growth” rather than in the
scientific proof of lung cancer and damage to
arteries65.
Of course, a prefect is backed up with the
headmaster’s authority, which is not strictly
“leadership.” I was also a senior NCO in the
Air Training Corps, and that authority carried
even greater meaning. Hence when I became a
scout master, I had to develop a completely new
approach. As I have already mentioned in
previous articles, one balanced up the voluntary
enthusiasm of the scouts to take part in the
program with the need to be directive, caring
and, in the last instance, to act in loco parentis.
At least three members of this Warragul senior
scout troops had their parents’ permission to
smoke!
So I entered into an agreement with them. They
could continue to smoke on scout activities
providing that they stopped anyone else from
taking up the habit. I do not know what led me
to make this deal, but it worked! When these
three had left the troop at their age of 18, I was
able to lead a “smoke-free” unit without further
incident.
Successive teaching experiences ranging from
having virtually no class discipline at one stage
in my first year of teaching, to being the main
disciplinarian at my second, as well as being a
boarding master at a private school, to say
nothing of rising in the commissioned ranks of
the CMF64, led to me evolving a pattern of
command and leadership that was effective for
each situation.
Uniform
I had already worked with the 15 to 18 age
group at a jamboree, but I had little preparation
for my task now as the leader at this age level of
healthy rural teenagers!
I could write pages about this topic. As uniform
is so visible it also becomes emotional. The
scout uniform, with its origins dating back to
our Founder and the South African
Constabulary, had by 1963, become less
appropriate in the eyes of those who had to wear
it. The material was now too thin to be warm
enough other than in summer. The shirt had
Initially it was a “wheel and deal” relationship.
It would go as: “I have considerable scouting
knowledge and experience. I may have some
spare time to assist you older boys to continue to
65
I have recently had a pacemaker fitted. The
cardiologist following my angiogram remarked on how
good my arteries were and he linked this directly to the
fact that I had never smoked
63
Published, Ibid., March 2007, p 28
64
Citizen Military Forces, now known as the Army
Reserve
74
become festooned in badges and was no longer
robust enough for some scouting activities.
members waded out, but found the depth too
much.
I found that the most workable solution was to
regard the “shorts, short-sleeved shirt and fourdented hat” as the “dress” uniform and that for
other activities they could bring along
appropriate clothes. The dress uniform would
often be carried to meetings on a clothes hanger
draped in plastic just as though it had come from
the dry cleaners.
Then I spotted the lad who was regarded as the
leader of the troop strip right off and enter into
the task without any inhibitions! His example
was soon followed by others! I placed a
“sentry” at the entrance to the park to warn any
inquisitive members of the public, and in the
meantime the drum was successfully recovered.
My diary records the words: “The troop finds
itself!”
Before any activity, a circular needed to specify
the preferred garb. And when shorts were worn,
this was in the days when they had to be turned
up about two centimeters at the hem – very short
shorts!
Hair length
I might leave this topic to a later chapter and a
particular incident that brought home to me how
important this aspect was to some of the senior
scouts in our combined troop.
Scarves
I stuck to the spirit of PO&R Rule 7/98 and
never sought to introduce a common scarf for
the district senior scout troop. Members were
expected to wear their group scarves. They were
thus quite colourful when “on parade.” The
members always wanted a scarf just for the
troop, but they had to wait until I left the district
at the end of 1965.
Investitures
By early August, the troop was sufficiently in
being for those members, not already invested
as senior scouts in their groups, to be so
invested. This event took place at the end of the
normal 1st Warragul troop meeting.
“Bonding”
Ian Snape, Ron Brooks, Gordon Letts, Bruce
and Gary Greening were already senior scouts.
Until July, the troop members had not
necessarily demonstrated much unity. But on
Saturday, 20th of that month, I programmed a
day that included activities at both Crossover
and at the Glen Cromie Park north of Warragul.
Ian Hastings, Rodney Saunders, Ian Thomson,
Wayne Hardie, Jack Soutar, George Hendrikse,
Graeme Haycroft, Steven Milsted and Colin
Walker were thus invested.
When we arrived at the park there was a wooden
drum (upon which electric cable had once been
wound) in the lake. I may have suggested that
we might do a good turn and remove it. This
proved to be a challenge and one by one the
As I was dealing with three (and later four)
home groups, I had to be careful to make sure
that all appropriate group personnel were
75
It then, providentially, came on to rain! I had
been vindicated and was regarded as being
clairvoyant.
invited. Sometimes, I failed in this regard. This
was part of the penalty of us being a “troop” that
was only permitted on the grounds of
“centralised district training.”
Route
Further, our numbers meant that when the troop
did attend a group function, then we were a
sizeable lot, both numerically and across the
shoulders! I suppose the presence of a dozen or
more mature and physically large scouts could
be intimidating, but at least we demonstrated
that there was “life in Scouting after the age of
fifteen.”
Our tour took us via Lakes Entrance, Orbost and
then Cann River before we camped the first
night at Mallacoota. The next day we crossed
into New South Wales and headed up the coast
via Eden to Bega. Our camp site that night was
Cooma.
On the third day, a party stayed to fish and
others went on a day trip to Canberra to see the
War Memorial and Royal Military College,
Duntroon. Sunday, as would be my general
approach on trips, was the opportunity for the
scouts to attend their appropriate church service.
Before the day was out, we experienced a cloud
burst and thunderstorm.
September Expedition
The existence of the Austin van encouraged
“expeditions” or “car tours” as the basis of the
troop’s vacation activities. The plan was to
head for New South Wales via Orbost and Cann
River, with a view to visiting Cooma and
Canberra.
It was home to Warragul the next day. The lads
worked as a team to clean out the van, return the
stores and all be home for their evening meals.
It had been another case of the troop “finding
itself.”
The Austin would take eight “adults”
comfortably, with their gear in specially
designed boxes. A friend, Don Butler, would
have four senior scouts also in an accompanying
car.
In reviewing the logistics of the trip, we learned
that cut lunches were ideal but should be
prepared by the duty patrol at the same time as
breakfast, minimizing the time taken up for
lunch.
“Pigs would have been offended”
Leaving on the 4th September, our first stop was
for lunch at Stratford. Somehow I had found
space in the van for a trestle table. The
foodstuffs were laid out – loaves, butter, jam &c
– and then lunch commenced. I was shocked at
the table manners and standards that the seniors
showed. I know I “did my block.”
Hiking
There would still be plenty of opportunities to
hike, especially in preparation for both the
Hoadley Hide each year and for Queen’s Scout
badges.
Perhaps on the same day I had asked that the
auto or square tent be erected to make sure that
we all knew how to do it. I nearly had a riot on
my hands, but faced with the threat that I would
turn round and drive back to Warragul, the
members reluctantly and sullenly put up the
tent.
76
Chapter 1566
I invited Ken Robinson of 6th St. Kilda to assist
me and the scouts of 1st Warragul to handle the
cooking. It would count towards their Cook’s
badge, which would eventually be awarded the
following year.
“An Element of Danger”
The Queen’s Scout badge
While this badge held much the same place in
the movement as it does today, the requirements
were somewhat differently expressed.
The requirement in badge terms was for the
applicant to hold the Bushman’s Thong,
together with four senior scout public service
badges (of which the Ambulance badge was
obligatory) and two other badges. The ‘thong’
was a leather lanyard worn on the right
shoulder. To hold it, the Senior Scout must
have completed the First Class badge, the
Venturer badge and two other senior scout
badges.
Senior Scouts in the making. Warragul scouts act as
cooks on the pioneering course with a view to them
receiving their Cook’s badge: Don Hastings, Barry Poole,
Peter Nobelius and Randall Cadby. Note the sensible
camp shirts that the boys were encouraged to wear
It was still a very substantial challenge, although
the content of some badges ran parallel to Year
11 school curricula. But it did mean that the
Ambulance and the Pioneer badges needed to
taken very seriously and conducted on a district
basis perhaps once a year.
Despite the stock of pulleys and ropes that the
ETTST began to own, there was still a need to
borrow additional items from the contributing
scout groups in Warragul. But they were good
weekends with plenty of challenges. The older
boys could look after themselves quite
adequately.
Pioneering course
In late September and early October, a twoweekend pioneering course was held at the John
Maughan campsite at Mirboo North. This was
the campsite that I had helped five years earlier
to help construct. It was getting good use, but it
could use more.
‘An element of danger’
The ETSST members developed expertise in
two constructions, namely the commando bridge
and the flying fox. While the latter was
relatively short in its downward slope, it
gathered its own myth with having ever-greater
lengths and steepness. Naturally, the last few
metres had to cross a river seething with sharptoothed piranha fish.
On the weekend concerned (20/22 September
1963) the commando bridge was soon
constructed to a good and useable standard. But
then when some seniors were in the centre of the
bridge, certain members loosened the tension
and this left them swinging somewhat out of
control in the “gorge” of blackened stumps
below.
Flag break on the pioneering course at Mirboo North
66
Published Ibid., April 2007, p 28
77
Similarly I found increasing support from the
lads’ fathers, who clearly wished to be involved
in their upbringing in these more masculine
activities. This would lead to “father and son”
camps.
District rally
Readers of this column will have noted that I am
not overenthusiastic about district events, but
not to appear at them would appear to be
truculent. On this day (1st November) I
managed to rustle up two patrols from the
seniors to take part. In the results them came
first and last respectively. Once again, the local
papers were very happy to print my reports on
these functions, together with some of my
amateur photographs.
Steven Milsted descends the “flying fox” over the maneating fish-filled gorge at the John Maughan camp site.
The motto was the longer and the steeper the better!
Otherwise there would be no “element of danger”!
From that time on, no ETSST pioneering
construction could be built without it including
“an element of danger,” even though such
elements were never life or limb threatening.
Rather it reflected the exuberance and derringdo of adolescence.
Groups
At this stage the membership of ETSST was
restricted to 1st and 2nd Warragul and 1st Nilma
North – Lillico. 2nd Warragul was a very active
group and had been formed out of waiting lists
from 1st Warragul. Its GSM, Tony Holland, had
enthused his parent committee to build a modern
functional scout hall. Tony would be very
active with ETSST over the next year or two.
The scouts from 1st Warragul who handled the
cooking included: Barry Poole, Don Hastings,
Peter Nobelius, Randell Cadby, Cliff Dent67,
Tony Macafee and Neil Hardie.
Leadership
Adelaide
On training courses that I would later be
conducting, I would always emphasize the need
for adequate adult leadership. A troop needs
four certificated (warranted) adults, a senior
troop at the minimum two, ideally four but you
could get away with three. Running any of the
sections could and can be very demanding and
there needs to be a system of support and
reserves.
The end-of-year expedition was to Adelaide.
Seven of the ETSST members elected to go,
including, Ian Hastings, Graeme Haycroft, Ian
Jackson, Jon Soutar, Ron Brooks, Wayne Hardie
and Colin Walker.
Applying through the correct scouting channels,
the 1st Locksley Scout Group in Adelaide made
us very welcome in the use of their scout hall.
But no one had come forward to help me at this
stage but I appeared to have the health and
stamina to handle my various professional and
part-time rôles. On the other hand, I had some
very capable adults upon whom I could call.
Many of September’s lessons had been well
learnt and the party “gelled” from the start. Ian
was troop leader. The remainder of the party
easily split two-ways.
To collect rubbish in the van, I had installed a
tray, marked “Smokers Please.” I had to
67
Cliff is currently Branch Commissioner for Venturer
Scouts and a Leader Trainer
78
intended for another customer. But the chap
assured me he could get another one in time to
satisfy his other client. We drove on to
Adelaide with bits of glass still in every nook
and cranny in the front driving seat of the
vehicle.
convince a couple that it was not necessarily for
its stated purpose !
But these interstate trips were starting to take
their toll on the six-year-old van and the
generator light went on as we neared Adelaide.
This necessitated a re-wiring of the coil, but
again we were soon mobile again.
The ubiquitous Austin van and its precious load on the
way to Adelaide: Colin Walker, Ron Brooks, Ian Jackson,
Graeme Haycroft, Ian Hastings, Wayne Hardie and Jon
Soutar. The “Adelaide or bus” banner was removed after
the front windscreen was broken by a stone!
When these mechanical or other breakdowns
occurred, I would be reminded of the rules in
board games, such as “Lose a day or throw a
six”! I note that I covered 286 miles (457
kilometres) in what my diary describes as an
“afternoon’s drive” between Mt. Gambier and
Adelaide. I would never have the energy or
youthfulness to do it today.
The coast
The sixteen-day trip followed the coastal route
with two nights at Eumeralla Scout Camp,
Anglesea, and then two days along the Lorne –
Cape Otway – Port Campbell – Warrnambool
coast.
South Australia
From the scout hall in Adelaide, the party made
visits to Port Adelaide, the Woodside scout
camp, Goolwa and Victor Harbour as well as to
Port Wakefield. The return trip to Warragul was
via Renmark – Mildura – Wood Wood –
Bendigo – Gisborne and home to Warragul;
some two thousand miles (3,200 kilometres) in
all.
As we gathered at the Hardie home to
commence the trip I spotted that someone had
prepared a large calico sign on the back door of
the van, saying something like, “Adelaide or
bust”! I was not happy with it but sometimes
we cannot be choosers.
But when a stone from a passing vehicle near
Portland hit the front window and it shattered
into a frosty mess the calico sheet came off and
stayed off. There is no need to tempt fate! Yet I
have a photograph of the van with the sign on
the front of it, but perhaps that might have only
been for the record.
Swimming
The weather around the Victorian coast was
cooler than expected as the photograph attests.
This was in the days when the windscreen
would turn to “snow” as it cracked and would
continue to do so until visibility was impossible.
There was nothing for it but to hammer out all
the glass, put on goggles or glasses and some
warm clothing and then motor on.
Brrr! But it must have been cold in the briny: Colin
Walker, Graeme Haycroft, Jon Soutar, Wayne Hardie,
Ron Brooks and Ian Jackson
Fortunately, the Austin service station in Mt.
Gambier had a replacement glass front window
79
But when the party was coming back through
Mildura along the River Murray and then
through Horsham, the public swimming pools
and the river helped everyone to keep as cool as
possible. Cars were not air-conditioned in those
days, except with all the windows open!
Keep Looking for a Bluebird
1. Once I went a-searching for a rainbow,
But it vanished from my sight.
I looked all over for a four-leafed clover,
But I just did not find it right.
Far, far away is my lucky load of hay,
And so is my old horseshoe,
But I’m not giving up, because I know
There’s one thing left to do.
Costs
It is hard to convert the currency of 1963 pounds
to 2006 dollars. The charge per head was £12,
which, with a donation came to a total of £98,
all of which was spent: Transport £30; Food
£50; and Other £18 (or about 3:5:2 in very
rough terms).
Ch. Keep looking for a Bluebird,
Though he’s ever sp far away;
One of these days I bet a dime
You’ll see him in the Springtime.
Keep calling to the Bluebird,
When he hears you, by and by,
You’ll find your Bluebird,
Perky as can be,
Sitting there shoulder high.
The First Year
So 1963 had drawn to a close and 1964 had
commenced. Some of the earlier invested
members had withdrawn from the troop. On the
other hand I was well aware that there were
quite a few scouts in the various scout troops in
the district looking forward to joining us in
1964.
Ralph Reader
Slowly the ETSST was developing its own
character and mode of operation. I still had a lot
to learn in how to handle them and, perhaps,
they me!
There was a jamboree to be held at Dandenong
at the end of 1964. My life pattern of education,
army reserve, church and scouts was in balance
with great experiences in all of them. Life was
full and rewarding.
80
Chapter 1668
accommodation with Don Lithgow’s assessor
group. My reason for being at Gilwell was to
help lead the campfires, which would be held in
the campfire hollow69, The Lones’ (Scouts)
camp site70, 2nd Hampton site and one in the
Malvern District area.
The Next Crop – “The Lower Eight”
Mt. Baw Baw
At the end of February, in fact on Leap Day, I
took a group of seniors for a weekend hike to
Mt. Baw Baw.
I took the opportunity to have meals with the 1st
Warragul Troop. This gave me a good
opportunity to develop strong links with
possible future members for the senior troop.
On the Monday of the Easter weekend I drove to
Heathcote to recover my senior scouts, to learn
that they had upgraded their 1963 pennant from
“D” to “C.”
Sometimes one undertakes something with a
child-like faith that all will be well. Years later,
I can still feel my flesh creep as I think of the
small margin of safety that I left, in view of the
weather, terrain and time. I did have a map but
little else as I ground our way up to the Mt. Baw
Baw car park in the Austin van. In fair weather,
we hiked up toward the summit. This was
challenging enough but the map scale was such
that we were all but walking blind.
Something that I would keep in the back of my
mind was that the Hoadley Hide headquarters
assessor team appeared to be “whacked” in
terms of sleep by the time the hide wound up on
the Monday. Feeding and sleeping
arrangements seemed to be very much a hit and
miss. I would recall this in 1965 when the Hide
was staged not far from Warragul with my troop
providing the back-up.
The weather deteriorated as the day wore on.
Rain fell heavily that night. What else would
one expect on a hike? On the Sunday we turned
tail and sloshed our way down the mountain on
a compass bearing over water-sodden grasses to
the car park, a warm vehicle and dry clothes.
Our guardian angels must have been working
overtime! We could have been hopelessly lost
in freezing wet conditions.
Ambulance Badge
Meanwhile “Blue” Wilson of the Warragul
District Ambulance Service had agreed to
conduct the classes for the Ambulance Badge,
the essential one in those days for Queen’s
Scout. One of the local lecturers was Dr. Alan
McPhate who dealt with the subject of the
“birds and the bees.”
Cleopatra on the Nile -- 1964
The next event was the Hoadley Hide at Easter,
for which the theme was “Cleo” and Antony in
Egypt. To put the senior scout patrols on the
train at Spencer Street for the Wandong Special
required a very early reveille in Warragul.
In those days, an organisation offered to schools
advice on sexual matters and relationships to the
students in the presence of their parents.
Separate nights were held – Fathers and Sons,
and Mothers and Daughters. These meetings
took place in the evenings.
I think this was the Hide during which the
memorable feature was the Battle of Actium –
for which the organisers had been able to obtain
crates of rotten tomatoes and bags of flour.
Enough said!
“Going-up” ceremonies
Having safely deposited my charges, I set off for
Gilwell Park where I would share
69
Now named after Norman S. Johnson
This site catered for “lone” scouts, those lads in rural
areas too far to attend scout meetings. The site became
the Pack Holiday centre
70
68
Published, Ibid., June 2007, p 30
81
This was the terminology in those days71. 2nd
Warragul approached me in regard to their
scouts proceeding to the senior section. On May
5th I met Ken Carland, Stuart Burns, Paul Pianta,
and Clem Jarvis. I always followed up, or even
preceded any such meetings, by visiting the
homes of these aspiring seniors and at the same
time meet the parents.
Naturally the strip of water, which formed quite
a lake at that point, lent itself to being crossed
by a “flying fox.” The farmer, who had access
to the land adjacent to the creeks, was always
generous with his permission.
On Monday, May 25th, the troop undertook its
ambulance badge examinations and attended the
Melbourne Gang Show that night.
On the 15th May it was 1st Warragul’s turn to
offer some recruits. In the presence of the DC
(Bill Parish) and the DSSL (Kent Wilson,)
Geoff Spencer and Alex Kara were invested
along with the 2nd Warragul members. Cliff
Dent could not attend that night and an eighth
scout, Barry Poole, was also absent. He had
recently tried to chop off part of one of his
thumbs! In due course both were invested as
senior scouts.
The lower eight!
The eight newly invested senior scouts were
encouraged to attend an “orientation” weekend
camp at the Malvern District campsite at
Officer. All were able to attend and Wayne
Hardie came along to assist me.
On the same weekend, Ian Hastings and Steven
Milsted undertook their thirty-mile72 hike from
Robin Hood to the Officer camp. On the
Sunday, the seniors packed up and were waiting
to get away but the hikers had not shown up.
Dusk fell. Finally, torch flashes were spotted
and the two arrived to be taken home with us to
Warragul.
Euroa
Not long after that, I took a group of the seniors
to a camp site on the banks of the Seven Creeks
near Euroa. Another scouting friend, John
Ireland, had discovered this spot some years
earlier and we had previously taken parties of
students from Princes Hill High School to it. It
was an idyllic spot with rock pools and patches
of water just asking to be utilised.
The “lower eight” at their first camp as senior scouts, with
Wayne Hardie (top left) as an experienced leader to assist
them. L to R Barry Poole, Geoff Spencer, Stuart Burns,
Cliff Dent, Clem Jervis, Paul Pianta, with Alex Kara and
Ken Carland in foreground.
Geoff Spencer, Ken Carland and Ian Jackson hanging
from the hawser that formed part of the flying fox over
the Seven Creeks camp site near Euroa
This weekend gave the eight new senior scouts
the opportunity to brush up on their knots,
lashings and camping skills, to get confidence in
71
72
As far as I can, I try to use both the terminology used at
the time and also the contemporary ones
Metrics did not become legal until 1966. Thirty miles
would be about forty-eight kilometres
82
themselves and to feel strength in each other’s
friendship. They were “equal” but probably felt
a little unsure in the presence of their elder
senior scouts.
In the middle of June there was a hike in the
Strzelecki Ranges. I had felt slightly off colour
before we set out. I should not have gone. I
missed three days of school teaching as a result.
This is the drawback of a one-man show!
Parents bearing gifts
On his retirement in 1963, my father’s office
rewarded him and my mother with a nine-month
trip back to the UK from which they had come
in 1937 for a five-year stint! (Hitler has to take
the blame for a lot of things.) This time on the
way back to Australia at Aden my father had
bought me a 35-mm Voigtlander camera. I
could now put away my Box Brownie.
In addition, colour film was now becoming
relatively cheap. If you are single you do not
have much upon which to spend money. I
seemed to be either going to or coming from the
camera shop. I also received a portable radio,
which was soon fitted into the van – but for
which I had the controls for the volume in the
front seat with me!
The tying of a sheer lashing by Paul Pianta, Ken Carland
and Geoff Spencer
September tour to Halls Gap
For some reason I got into the habit of referring
to them as the “lower eight,” as against the
foundation members from 1963, who were also
only about eight in number by now. This
appellation was accepted by the troop and
expanded in 1965 with the third intake – the
“lower” eight becoming the “middle” group.
I admit that the existence of the Austin van did
encourage “tours” rather than camps or hikes.
Eight senior scouts joined me as we headed to
Gilwell Park to undertake a working bee at the
start of the trip.
Jamboree campfires
Meanwhile I had been asked to take a leading
role in the organisation of the campfires that
were planned to take place at the Dandenong
Jamboree at the end of 1964. Alec Mitchell was
in overall charge, but I drew up the plan for
staffing and the places and times of the campfire
program. After the rain and mud of the Clifford
Park jamboree, I looked forward with some
optimism to well conducted campfires and
concerts in ideal conditions.
A brief pause during the “good turn” at Gilwell Park as
the senior scouts help to clear trees on Somers Walk.
After all, what are shovels for but to lean upon!
83
The request from the camp warden was for us to
fell certain trees along the path from the Somers
Gate to the Council Rock near the Lochan. This
was like manna from heaven for lusty fifteenplus year-olds. I think we earned our keep.
It was then to Halls Gap from which three
seniors would undertake their 30-mile hike, but
very heavy rain caused me to have to rescue
them, although our own conditions back at the
camp were far from dry.
The Spirit of Senior Scouting: a hat that has seen much
service, the group scarf and a Turk’s Head woggle!
These trips were in my view “character
building” experiences. How many times was I
to hear the words, “You can’t make me,” only to
find that life is one of wheeling and dealing and
the result a compromise? The ‘Leader’ says,
“Let’s,” the ‘Boss’ says, “Do it!”
Wayne Hardie shares a photograph with Mrs. Wilson,
while her husband, George (a senior constable) looks on.
Wayne is assisted by Graeme Haycroft, Ian Jackson, Cliff
Dent and Ian Hastings
Our first Queen’s Scouts
The weather improved by the time we got to
Daylesford. Here a former scout leader who had
been very successful and popular with the 1st
Warragul troop, Senior Constable George
Wilson, and his wife, extended great hospitality
to us. While in the district, the troop also visited
the Forestry School at Creswick. Was it this
that resulted in the troop leader, Ian Hastings,
later entering that college and pursuing a career
as a forester?
The paper work for our first three Queen Scouts
was completed with the cooperation of the
District Commissioner, Mr. Parish, who was an
orchardist. It was still quite a challenging badge
and required a final interview with the DC
before the final papers were signed.
The badges were presented at a special parent
night on September 18th by the DC. The
Government House function when the
certificates were presented was held on October
10th when ninety guides and four hundred scouts
were so honoured.
The Warragul Queen’s Scouts were Ron
Brooks, Wayne Hardie and Ian Hastings.
84
Ron Brooks
Wayne Hardie
A tradition then commenced in which the
Queen’s Scouts could nominate a film or play
that they would wish to see following a light
lunch. On this occasion they chose West Side
Story, which at the time was all a little too
contemporary for my conservative tastes but
over the years I have come to enjoy this
musical; Romeo and Juliet in a modern setting.
The film was followed by 10-pin bowling.
Jamboree preparation
Meanwhile Victorian Scouting was getting
ready for what would prove to be a very
successful jamboree. My memories are of green
grass, colour and great activities. But that will
be for the next chapter. But first the troop
experienced a memorable “fathers and sons”
weekend camp.
Ian Hastings
85
Chapter 1773
alight. But both teams decided they could just
as easily win by sabotaging the others’ efforts!
Hardly good scouting!
Fathers and Sons’ Camp and a forthcoming
Jamboree
The highlight for the afternoon was the flying
fox. I made it clear to the fathers that they were
under no obligation to even think of trying to
ride down it. Having constructed it and made it
safe, the sons demonstrated its use. Then Mr.
Vern Haycroft, with the words, “No dad is a
piker,” climbed into the flying fox seat and
winged his way down the taut rope to come
safely to rest when the pulley reach the safety
brake at the bottom. The other dads more or
less had to follow.
Not a challenge
I had circularised the “dads” as to whether they
would join with their sons for a very voluntary
weekend at the Officer Scout Camp. Five “sets”
responded positively.
Following another jamboree campfire meeting
in Melbourne, I proceeded on the Friday night to
the camp site. The “volunteers” arrived safely
by eleven on the Saturday morning. The current
term for such a weekend would be “bonding.”
But the fathers seemed to feel that they could
hold their own, despite the “sons” boasting
about their scouting prowess.
Activities
Quoting from the joining circular, the activities
would include: “cooking of meals, minor
scoutcraft competitions (solving codes,
following compass routes, problems requiring
ingenuity), an evening’s concert/campfire,
walks to nearby points and minor pioneering
projects (ropes and pulleys).”
Fathers and sons compete with each other to build a
platform upon which a small fire could be floated across
the creek, notwithstanding sabotage by one party or the
other. The fathers held their own in most challenges
During the weekend Mr. Haycroft and Mr.
“Bon” Hardie handled most of the cooking. Mr.
Norm Poole was happy to try his hand at
anything. Mr. Clem Jarvis (later DC for the
district) provided “technical know how.” Mr.
Bill Brooks showed that he had learnt to more
than adequately swing an axe. I gathered that a
good time was had by all.
Bill Brooks (Ron), Norm Poole (Barry) and “Bon” Hardie
(Wayne) prepare to light a fire to boil a billy of tea
After lunch, one of the activities required the
two teams to construct a buoyant platform upon
which a fire would be lit. It then had to be
floated across the stream with the fire still
73
Published, Ibid., July 2007, p 28
86
Social
With the memory of the successful scout/guide
socials that ran very well in Mirboo North, I
endeavoured to repeat one for the guides and
scouts of Warragul. But society had moved on.
The youth members assured me that they would
not attend if they had to wear uniform. So
compromises had to be made.
Bill Brooks prepares to land on terra ferma after his
“element of danger” on the flying fox
At the social. Girls lined up down one wall, while the
boys play at being “silly devils.”
The “Master of Ceremonies” (Tony Holland and
Clive Fisher) had their challenges entertaining
and directing the young people. In the end it
was a success, but I wondered whether it had
been worth all the time and energy put into
arranging it. It was about this time that dancing,
well, dancing as I understood it, became “Non
U,” -- a phrase of the day.
But Norm Poole nearly comes to a sticky end, watched by
other fathers and Cliff Dent
Rokeby
A number of my seniors accompanied me to this
Scout Rally, where we provided staff for the
events. District activities, such as these, seem to
get mixed support from the groups that could
take part. Yet they fulfil a need and people meet
up with each other.
Public service
“Marwarra” was a sheltered home for children
in the Warragul district where the senior scouts
provided much needed public service. One is
reminded of the adage that scouts will do nearly
anything for a badge, but I felt that the
opportunity to work for those more
disadvantaged than themselves was and is
always a positive experience.
And the boys sit down along the other wall, which
suggests that the girls now had their “fling”
Tony Holland
Tony was the GSM of 2nd Warragul. I had got
to know him in that role, but now he came
87
forward to assist me with the running of the
seniors in an “advisory” role. He was the
accountant for the local bakery, and very
capable in all that he undertook. 2nd Warragul,
together with its modern scout hall, was an
example of this. Tony was a driving force in its
construction and was well supported by his
wife, Jeanette.
more occasions than I might wish to recall, I
reverted to being “Ernest Farley’s son”! I am
not sure when Dad finished at headquarters but
he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In his
youth he had been a member of the Boys’
Brigade rather than a Boy Scout.
There were advantages in having someone at the
centre of things, but no case of nepotism,
corruption or insider advantage could be laid at
the feet of either of us!
Ernest Farley
Much to my surprise and pleasure, my father,
Ernest, told me that he had accepted the Chief
Commissioner’s (“Bosun” McKellar) invitation
to assist at scout branch headquarters. Dad had
just returned from his retirement trip to Britain
and was apparently at a loose end in terms of
employment.
Jamboree preparations
The Seventh Australian Jamboree was to be held
at Dandenong at the end of 1964. All involved
hoped that the weather would not bear any
similarity to that of the “Mud”boree at Clifford
Park, nine years earlier.
I was formally advised that I had been selected
to lead a senior scout troop at the jamboree.
This would comprise members of the Warragul
groups, 1st Garfield, 1st and 2nd Hampton. The
other scouters would be Tony Holland, Michael
Job, Don Casbolt and Geoff Hughes.
Senior Scouts (or today’s Venturers) were still
eligible then to attend jamborees. Some years
later, they were to have their own events, such
as the Second Australian Scout Venture at
Nunawading in 1969/70.
Tony Holland, Fred Cox, Ken Abrecht, Ernest Farley74
Following a meeting of the adult leader team,
decisions were taken on a name for the
jamboree troop, that a tower would be a feature
of the site; and to accept the offer of an enclosed
cooking facility.
“Bosun’s” original idea was that Ernest would
be secretary for the forthcoming jamboree but
he suggested in turn that he should replace Mr.
Marc Blount, a field commissioner, who would
be better at that task. So another “Mr. Farley”
joined scouting. He would draft and sign letters
as “The Assistant Secretary” to Colonel Eric
Black. Of course, he made many other
contributions during his period at BHQ.
Hamarago-on-the-Hill
I had my first sight of our jamboree site on 12th
December. It was a well grassed area on a slight
slope. It would be ideal for a tower constructed
at its highest point. Planning commenced under
Tony Holland’s direction.
By then father had got used to being known in
Scouting as “Graham Farley’s father.” Now on
74
Colour film was now becoming economical and made
all the difference, as did “technicolour” to movie films.
However, black and white lent itself to shading effects
that colour could never match in some cases
To give our various home troops a feeling of
oneness, a name was needed. This would be
88
were thirty feet long (9 metres). Naturally they
were at the bottom of a slope. We sweated as
we lugged them uphill and placed them on the
tray of the truck. The task was achieved and I
reported this back to Tony.
used wherever possible. A name tape, suitable
for swapping, would also be produced
Taking the words “Hampton” and “Tarago” (the
scout districts for the participating senior scout
troops), someone came up with: “1st Hamaragoon-the-Hill.”
Construction
With the end of the school year, life was very
busy. On a spare Saturday I drove to the
jamboree site to find that two of the poles were
already in position. Mr. Kent Wilson, a district
scouter, was an SEC linesman. He was quite
used to being aloft with brace and bit!
Mr. and Mrs. “Bon” Hardie had offered their
portable enclosed kitchen and shelter to us. This
meant that we could cook “inside” and ignore
any day of “total fire ban.”
The tower
I suppose the art of leadership is to stimulate
others to run with an idea. This occurred with
the tower construction. The idea was to have
four poles embedded in the ground upon which
would be constructed a platform with five
flagpoles. Dimensions would perhaps be
determined by the poles available. There was
great enthusiasm for the project.
Enter Tony Holland. Tony contacted me to say
that he had arranged for a number of suitable
trees to be felled on the property of Mr, and
Mrs. Allard, also members of the district staff.
He had also arranged for Mr. Keith Hillsberg to
have his semi-trailer at Allards’ at an agreed
date and time for transport to the jamboree site.
The tower for the “Hamarago” troop under construction
The holes had been dug square on three sides,
but sloped on the other. With guidance the boys
constructed ‘A’ frames and winched the poles
into position. Mr. Tony Holland was greatly
concerned that when the ropes were removed
and before the earth was filled in around them
that they might fall over. He remembered very
clearly Mr. Kent Wilson saying, “They can’t fall
over – there’s nothing holding them” (and he
was the expert)!
I was to get a team of my senior scouts to move
the poles from their felled position to the
loading point. I am not used to being organised
by other people, but this time I had no option. I
persuaded several strong scouts to accompany
me out to the property after school. The poles
89
He was right; this tower was not going to fall
over. Heavy duty bolts with cross beams were
going to make it very secure and there were rope
lashings, added mainly for effect.
To get up to the platform a ladder was needed.
Someone offered a long wooden one and this
was readily accepted. (The ladder was taken
down and hidden each night during the
jamboree.)
Meanwhile Wayne Hardie had assisted his
father in erecting their portable wood-lined and
fly-screened kitchen. To this Tony added a
home-built wood-fired hot water system (such
luxury!). I found myself ferrying scouts back to
Garfield and Warragul but spent the rest of the
weekend at the jamboree site. Everything was
falling into place. Now for the jamboree, but
first there was the joy of Christmas.
It’s a Great Game
The finished tower, bedecked with flags and hat-waving
“Hamarargians.” Photo: Herald and Weekly times
Get out and come in, boys, we’re waiting for
you,
And you’ll be delighted you came,
To enjoy the joys of the Scouting boys
It’s a Great, Great Game
After all, it was a Scout camp. Then the high
platform was added, and topped off with tenfoot (3 metre) flag poles. The Australian flag,
1st Hamarago-on-the-Hill flag and three troop
flags would complete the scene.
The thrill of a lifetime is waiting for you,
It’s time you were staking a claim,
Let the rafters ring and your heart will sing
It’s a Great, Great Game
You play on a wonderful journey,
Beyond the realm of Mars.
Ev’ry night on your ways alight
With a million lucky stars
You’ve got to get in, boys, and take it from me,
In putting your worry to shame,
You will learn the break of the Left Handshake
It’s a Great, Great Game
Ralph Reader
90
Chapter 1875
by lunch it had eased off. The Jamboree then
experienced a string of blissful summer days
combined with the late spring growth of grass
throughout the site.
Seventh Australian Jamboree, Dandenong,
Victoria
Moving in
By now all arrangements were mostly in place.
The tower frame was up and the kitchen had
been erected. Tents had been sourced. Scouts
and Senior Scouts knew when they should arrive
at the Jamboree site. I came into camp a little
early on the afternoon of Sunday, 27th
December.
The Austin van was a “carry-all” for all sorts of
gear. I was allowed to bring it on site on the
Sunday but had been assured that it would have
to be parked in the allotted compound for the
rest of the jamboree. I could use it off-site but
not on-site. Was that a challenge?
Troop 131 in “drag,” with “Swimming Cow” signboard
Scouts arrive
Our Senior Scouts came in two days later on the
29th. They were welcomed and then directed to
their various tasks, such as putting up their tents,
building the gateway and erecting the dining
shelter. All of these tasks were for their own
benefit. There were no objections.
By the next day, the first flag break parade was
held and the special “1st Hamarago-on-the-Hill”
flag was flying proudly, along with three troop
flags and the Australian flag, from the tower
many metres above our heads. There was a
commanding view of the jamboree site from the
top of the tower.
The massed flags of the senior scout troops of Group 13
I found that Tony Holland had already arrived
and had erected the leaders’ tent. With him was
a Mr. Ken Abrecht. Ken was a 2nd Warragul
parent. He had been cajoled into helping out for
a few days. He was wearing bits of pieces of his
son’s scout uniform. I mentally decided that we
would improve on that.
In no time, scouts from other troops asked to
ascend to the platform for this view of the
jamboree area. The number of scouts on the
platform at any one time was strictly limited.
The “price” for going up the ladder was one
badge or name tape!
Our camp policy was laid down in no uncertain
terms. For leaders and scouts to get the greatest
benefit from the event, there was no room for
awkward disciplinary matters or failures to
undertake tasks. As I have indicated before, I
continued to find that the senior scout age group
was a very easy one with which to deal
Rain and sun
We woke up to a steady fall of rain. Out came
the gumboots. Was this going to be a repeat of
the “mud”boree at Clifford Park in 1955/6? But
75
Published, Ibid., September 2007, p 30
91
providing the guidelines were set out clearly and
the lads had a chance to negotiate them.
Badge swapping
Armed with the special “1st Hamarago on the
Hill Troop” nametape, the lads soon got
involved in the time-honoured aspect at
jamborees of badge and name tape exchanging.
The arena
Flags of all the scout member nations ringed the
arena. On one side was a large stage, which lent
itself to displays, formal functions, Scouts
Owns, the campfires and the Gang Show night.
New Year’s Eve was also suitably observed on
the main arena.
Capricorn Award
Both at Dandenong and Jindalee jamborees, a
challenge award was available to senior scouts.
The Dandenong one was dubbed the Capricorn
Award.
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra came
along one night and, “under the stars,”
performed magnificently.
These were still the days when headquarters
believed that scouts could and should “march.”
Despite the best efforts of the marshals, the
numbers involved made such manoeuvres quite
challenging. Scouts, like Olympians, are now
allowed to walk on and off at such large
functions, but it had been a good try.
With the passage of days and many feet, the
grassed paths became dusty and dust clouds
rose. However, it was an impressive sight to see
ten or more thousand uniformed scouts en masse
on the arena.
Ian Hastings receives his Capricorn Award from Ken
Brewster, having been in the first ten to do so
As soon as he could, the Warragul troop leader,
Ian Hastings, went hard to not only complete the
requirements but to be in the first group to do
so. He received his award from one of the
jamboree chiefs, Ken Brewster.
Punctuality
With one famous exception, I was prepared to
guarantee punctuality of parades and meals.
Prior to a meal, the “five minutes” warning
would be announced and then counted down for
the last ten seconds.
Sir Charles Maclean, Commonwealth Chief Scout
Anyone late or not in the required uniform
automatically volunteered to be “slushies.” No
questions were asked. No quarter was given.
92
On my departure for England at the end of 1965,
Ken took over leadership of the ETSST,
together with Graham Dorling. Ken and
Graham led them successfully through many an
exploit, starting with the achievement of three
‘A’ grade pennants at the 1967 Hoadley Hide, a
tradition carried on until the unit ceased to exist
nearly forty years later. In turn Cliff Dent
became the DSSL and maintained this standard
for many years.
Some may have thought it a bit tough, but it led
to a very happy and efficient troop site. As a
result, the seniors could maximise their time
around the jamboree activities and could rely on
timings.
The exception was when I asked my “cousin
once-removed” to lunch. It would be that
morning that the menu for lunch was rabbit.
But when the stores were issued from the subcamp Q-store the rabbits were still hard frozen!
No matter what the cooks tried to do about it,
that luncheon was not served on time and my
cousin has not allowed me to forget it!
Campfires
Unlike the campfires of the ‘mud’boree of
Clifford Park in 1955/56, this jamboree’s
campfires were held in ideal conditions both in
the main arena and in sub-camps under the
various teams that had been formed and trained
during the year.
Ken Abrecht
Back to Ken. Each morning I would endeavour
to find another item of uniform to make him
look more like a scouter. I recall being half
asleep one morning as I attached garter tabs to
his socks! Meanwhile, Bob Swinton, his
supervisor, was edging him closer to becoming
more involved.
Alec Mitchell was the Scouter in charge of
campfires. He brought together quite a team of
experienced leaders who in turn drew up
programs. It was said by one Sub-camp leader
that he knew more about what was to happen at
the jamboree by reading the campfire bulletins
than he did with those from the HQ.
Ken Abrecht, who came to the jamboree as a parenthelper takes his Scout Promise before Tony Holland and
Bob Swinton. Ken was to lead ETSST for many years.
Note the left-hand salutes, but Bob was more correct.
Bob’s group, of which Ken was a member, was
called a “Poop.” Bob said it was too large for a
‘patrol’ and not big enough to be called a
‘troop,’ hence the abbreviation. Half-way
through the jamboree, Ken could stand the
pressure no longer and Bob invested him into
the movement.
Alec Mitchell – supervisor of campfires and concerts
I felt that my shining moment was when, before
some ten thousand scouts, including the ‘big
93
wigs,’ I led the action and miming song, Little
Cottage in the Wood. As they say, you do not
have to be crazy to be in scouting but it helps at
times!
The Austin van
I had been assured that permission would never
be given for my van to get a licence to be used
within the confines of the jamboree area.
Displays
But hardly 48-hours passed before I spotted my
van, now allocated to the “activities” section of
the jamboree, proudly bearing its official
sticker. I still have James Jacoby’s letter of
appreciation for the use of the vehicle. I always
like a nice challenge. Nothing is impossible;
sometimes it just takes a little time to organise,
but in this case I was just a silent witness to
other people’s perfidy!
Contingents staged displays in the main arena.
One very colourful one was the Battle of
Agincourt with the French and English forces
arrayed in medieval apparel, but fortunately
Everything comes to an end
The last arena and other functions took place
and it was time to pack up the site and depart.
When it came to dismantling the tower, it was
found that the four main poles, even without
their braces and bolts, stood perfectly firm in
their holes. It probably took more effort to get
them out of the ground than to erect them in the
first place. Were they left on the ground there to
rot? I do not know.
Mafeking was re-enacted on the arena. Colonel BadenPowell is on the roof of the building to the right
armed only with blunt swords and equipped
with very few horses. History says that the
English won easily, but the contingent providing
the French forces continued throughout the
jamboree to argue the toss on this matter.
Devoid of its tents, tower and cooking shelter,
the troop site looked oddly bare. Now the grass
could try to grow once again free of the many
feet and other disturbances. As BP once said, at
the end of a camp you should only leave behind
your thanks.
The jamboree had been a magnificent
experience for all who could attend, as I am sure
the recent one at Elmore was to those fortunate
to be at that one.
The French knights arrive, but with few on horseback, to
do battle with the English at Agincourt
94
Chapter 1976
“Unlocking the Land,” Hoadley Hide, 1965
Wood Badge course
Following the 7th Australian Jamboree, I was TL
at the January continuous scout woodbadge
course at Gilwell Park. “Bus” Derrick ran the
course, assisted by two field commissioners,
Allan Thomson and Norm Davis.
Geoff Switzer and the author display the Afghanistan flag
presented by Mohammed Nasim. Photo A van Houts
Woodbadge courses were run by training
personnel mainly on Branch Headquarters, with
Explanatory and Preliminary conducted by
“country” staff. However to provide “gofers,”
and to look for future talent, there was a
precedent for inviting “keen young section
leaders” to assume the roles of both Troop
Leader and Quarter Master.
Hoadley Hide requirements
Tarago District’s wild offer to host the Hoadley
Hide for 1965 was accepted before I could
withdraw it. The Hide would still be conducted
by headquarters Senior Scout Scouters under
their commissioner, Bob Swinton. But we
locals would do the necessary reconnaissance
for the location and provide the base camp
facilities. This team included Alan Canty, Tony
Holland and Ken Abrecht.
If we were lucky, we might be invited to take a
session or two. I was never entrusted with the
entire English training handbook, but the two or
three pages for the particular session. There was
a degree of secrecy that was probably out of
kilter with the open nature of Scouting.
Having been a visitor to several previous Hides,
I had realised that the Hide leadership team
needed hutted accommodation to which they
could “escape and rest” at any hour of the day or
night. Such a place would provide blacked out
areas for sleep whether by day or night.
There were several international scouters on the
course. They came from Afghanistan, Papua
New-Guinea, (South) Korea, and the
Philippines. Mohammed Nasim, Chief
Commissioner of Afghanistan, presented his
country’s national flag to Geoff Switzer, the
Gilwell camp warden.
Further, meals and refreshments would be
provided “on tap” even if from tins. Finally,
appropriate shower and toilet facilities needed to
be nearby.
The course proved to be an ideal way of
“winding down” from the jamboree. I had to
make trips home and to Warragul for some
clean clothing during the course.
The Hide location
The Hides have traditionally been set in forested
areas. Ideally, the chosen area would have a
clear boundary such as a road, with minor roads
and tracks bisecting the area. Five suitable spots
for the five metropolitan areas (now regions) to
set up their sub-camps would need to be
identified..
76
Published, Ibid., October 2007, p 26
95
In 1965 the concept of overnight areas for the
participants, the Venturer Overnight Camps
(VOCs), had not yet been adopted. The patrols
of senior scouts, as they were then known,
would camp in the forest well away from other
patrols and the sub-camps.
ETSST rehearsals
I suppose I would have to acknowledge that the
ETSST had the advantage of being able to
rehearse over two weekends in the exercise area.
The “hills” of “Gentle Annie” and “North Hell’s
Gate” were to live on ever more in the memories
of those who hiked on these rehearsal weekends.
In one case, they had to camp out overnight,
finding that North Hell’s Gate was what it was!
Reconnaissance
The Forestry Commission of Victoria was again
most cooperative. I travelled out one afternoon
with their district officer, Les Simpendorfer, to
survey the possibilities of an area north of
Labertouche.
A horse and buggy
Knowing that Bob Swinton as the Governor
would need a suitable method of conveyance in
which to arrive, I had to find one. I was given
The area was north of Longwarry on the
Gippsland Highway. The area fitted the bill
nicely. At Labertouche there was a public hall
that would provide the rest area for the
leadership staff. Further to the north was the
Brighton Grammar School camp, which became
“forward headquarters.”
Geoff Durham played a leading rôle in the
organisation. He and the many leaders, who
needed to know the area in some detail, joined
me on day trips to reconnoitre the area’s
possibilities. A contoured 1:50,000 map was
produced with the help of the State’s mapping
division.
“Unlocking the Land”
The Hides have always had a theme, generally
historical. One hundred years earlier, the
Victorian Government and its Governor, Sir
Charles Darling, had passed legislation to try to
break the grip that the squatters had on crown
land and thus make it available to farmer
settlers. It was known as “unlocking the land.”
Barry Poole, Jon Soutar, Ron Brooks, Colin Walker,
Geoff Spencer and Stuart Burns rest, while in the distance
another patrol plods on the Gentle Annie track
Mr. L. Marriott’s name. He still had a working
trap, buggy or jinker – select your pick for the
right word! I was very pleased when he agreed
to make it available to us at Easter, complete
with driver.
The five metropolitan areas would be “stations”
operated by the squatters. The scout patrols
would be able to earn “money” by “working” on
the stations. Later in the weekend, this money
would be used to buy crown land at auctions.
The local Latrobe Valley Bus Company,
restyled Cobb and Co for the weekend,
contracted to supply ten buses to transport the
seniors from the Longwarry station to
96
Labertouche on Good Friday and then take them
back to the station on Easter Monday.
Melbourne Grammar School cadets offered to
provide radio communications. With a week or
so to go to Easter, everything started to fall into
place.
Easter Day
The weather was clear at Sunset Valley for the
Easter Day Scouts’ Own and Anglican and
Roman Catholic communion services. It was a
quite a challenge to bring the clergy, who would
lead the services, to the site; the roads now
being suitable only for four-wheel drives and/or
tyre chains.
The day before
On the day before Good Friday, the weather was
ominously warm. It had hardly rained in three
months. Ken Abrecht, who was now very much
a Scouter in the team, had a trailer attached to
my van and obtained the various supplies, which
we would need to fit out the Labertouche Hall.
That afternoon, various groups of leaders and
cadets travelled from Melbourne and Warragul
to the Hide area. The cadets set up their radios.
Later in the morning the ceremony at which the
Governor unlocked the land took place. To lead
the buggy to the right spot, I met up with Les
Marriott and he unloaded the conveyance and
backed in the horse. In due course and with
only minutes to spare, Sir Charles Darling (Bob
Swinton) arrived in state at Sunset Valley to
make his pronouncements. Swinton was
resplendent in cockade and gold be-decked
uniform. He was supported in costume by Neil
Westaway and Geoff Durham and others.
The weather breaks
In 2007 the community would have been very
glad of consistent rain over Easter, but it came
with a vengeance in 1965. It rained Thursday
night, but held off for the seven hundred and
fifty participants to board their buses from the
station and reach their starting points. Later that
day the heavens opened up again, continuing
into early Saturday morning. There were not
many dry scouts as a result.
But the weather did improve by daylight on the
Saturday. .This enabled the senior scouts to
work at the “stations” on tasks reminiscent of
the 1865 era, as well as “scouty” ones.
The Governor (Bob Swinton) arrives to make the
proclamation with at least the passenger in period
costume. It had been touch and go whether the buggy
would arrive on time and unloaded
At midday, everyone congregated in Sunset
Valley, which at that stage lived up to its name.
Here further copies of the Agitator paper were
distributed and petitions for the land to be
opened up were presented to the Governor
The Governor’s announcement that he had
acceded to the petitions was greeted with cheers.
Auction sales for the “unlocked” land were then
held. Having bought their blocks of land, the
patrols then had to find and fence them.
Needless to say, they had to make a plough to
sow their crops. That completed Sunday’s
activities and to all intents and purposes the
period during which the patrols were being
assessed.
True to the theme there was a “General Store,”
which was staffed by Warragul parents. It soon
sold out its stock. In the evening, there were
“music hall” items for which the patrols were
required to write a bush song. Needless to say it
rained again overnight.
97
Marking the log books. Leon Costermans ponders the
mark he will award. This privilege – to assess the log
books – no longer exists -- for better or worse!
Geoff Durham, Tony Holland, Bob Swinton, Bob Allan
and Neil Westaway in period costume at the “unlocking
the land” ceremony, fortunately in the sunshine
In view of the rain that had fallen for the three
nights, the maintenance of clean, dry and neat
log books was a big challenge. The log book
would contain sketches, diagrams, the route
taken and a list of the stunts undertaken by the
patrol at the sub-camps.
Meanwhile, the supervising team of scouters
congregated at the Labertouche Hall to
commence their task of marking the log books.
After that the grading of the pennants for the
Hide could take place. This team had spent a lot
of time “in the field (forest)” in rain and mud
over the holiday weekend. The “R and R”
facilities had proved their worth as the team was
relatively rested and fed.
Monday – Guess what? It rained again
Since the assessment would now have been
completed, it was necessary to have an energy
absorbing program for the Monday morning. A
comprehensive series of “Olympic” or “bush
games” had been devised. But as dawn broke,
so did the heavens. The organisers were now
faced with a lot of tired and bedraggled wet
adolescents – a recipe for trouble. A “wet
weather” plan had to be quickly devised.
Senior Scouts await the arrival of the Governor
Log books
The requirement for the patrol to maintain and
hand in a log book of their activities over the
Hide weekend has now been (sadly?) dropped.
But in 1965 it was still a key part of the
assessment. One member of the patrol would be
tasked to do the log. Naturally it fell to the most
literate and/or perhaps the neatest writer in the
group.
The “Cobb and Coach” buses arrive to take the now dry
scouts to the Longwarry railway station, from the sand
pits where they have spent a cold damp morning
The message went out to the patrols that they
should take their time to reach the arena -98
anything to use up time until the buses arrived.
Eleven-thirty was suggested!
Then out of the wet mist came a male angel –
Len Beachey. He arrived with his axe over his
shoulder. He offered to get some fires going.
We looked at him in disbelief, but it was not
long before he had cut up some of the available
timber and had blazing fires around which the
seniors could gather, dry out and get themselves
warm.
Ron Hamilton announces the winners
But a group of scouts had taken Ron Hamilton
and me very seriously. They knew that we
wanted to get past them in the Austin van to
help at the bus area, but this group moved with
“care and decorum” and despite our pleadings,
continued to walk seven abreast across the track
without turning round. It was a highlight in its
own right.
Graham Farley supervises a tug-of-war competition on the
Monday morning in the sand pits to keep the scouts
occupied and active until it was time for the closing
ceremony and the departure for home by bus and train
Meanwhile it fell to me to organise a tug-of-war
competition in one of the sand pits that lent
itself as an arena, with vantage points on its
banks. I could have hugged with gratitude the
seniors from Scotch College who responded to
my appeal for some teams. It was also fortunate
that we had a workable public address system.
The buses then arrived and Ron Hamilton
announced the “A Grade” and other pennant
winners. Even at this stage there could have
been a rush for the buses. I was given the credit
for using the PA with understanding to quietly
talk the patrols into moving with care and
decorum from the assembly area to the buses.
Being scouts, they all responded and the Hide
came to its close. With the senior scouts now
safely on the train, we could all breathe again.
Delighted Warragul senior scouts share in a “B” grade
pennant: Russell Marriott, Stuart Burns, Colin Walker,
Graeme Haycroft and Paul Pianta
Having Tuesday as a school holiday, our local
team of scouters had the opportunity to clean up
at the Labertouche Hall and return the various
items of equipment and the unused tins of food.
It had been a memorable Hoadley Hide.
99
Chapter 2077
I realise that in 2010 these grouping tags might
appear to be odd but they were happily accepted
and became part of the ETSST’s “raison d’etre”
well after the present writer left Warragul.
B-P Revue – “Gangster” inspired
“Coming Up”
Secrets of success
On Friday, 30th April, the 1963/4 senior scouts,
received the 1965 “batch” of scouts in the 1st
Warragul scout hall, in a “coming up” from the
seniors point of view and “going up” from the
scouts!
It does no harm to remind readers that as I was a
member of the high school teaching staff and
with the technical school back-to-back in
location, lines of communication were easy and
always open, particularly as being in charge of
the bookstall, I had my own room down the
locker corridor amongst the lockers to issue
newsletters and check for attendances.
The host group “offered” Don Hastings, Neil
Hardie, Peter Nobelius, Randall Cadby, Tom
Elton, Eddy Valena and Tony Macafee.
Michael Sheppard and Ray Gardner came from
2nd Warragul. Neil Hughes came from 1st Nilma
North-Lillico and John Lynas was a member of
1st Neerim South. Also we had one genuine
recruit – Chris Woodhouse.
With twelve new members, the troop would
have to be restructured. I had a few ideas to
offer but the lads soon proved that this age
group demands their own degree of selfdetermination. As a result Graeme Haycroft
was elected troop leader “unopposed.” Graeme
also elected to be a “seconder” in his patrol. I
think the army term would be “double-hatted”!
“The lowest twelve”: (Back) Ray Gardner, Eddy Valena,
Tony MacAfee, Donald Hastings, Neil Hughes, Neil
Hardie; (Middle) Randall Cadby and Chris Woodhouse;
(Front) John Lynas, Tom Elton, Peter Nobelius and
Michael Sheppard after their investiture as “senior scouts”
“Royal Purples”
An older group, all with their Queen Scout
badge, which I dubbed the “Royal Purples,”
unofficially termed themselves the “Kelly
patrol,” a wish that had been first aired when the
troop commenced in 196378.
Clearly the program and methods of
administering the troop were successful. The
troop was seen as an organisation of which
membership should be sought. It demonstrated
the natural progression up the scouting ladder.
The troop’s members continued to be registered
by their own groups. But I was stretching the
rule governing “district training” to its limit.
The vertical groupings were for the three patrols
(Forrest, Hinkler and Sturt), while the horizontal
groupings were further divided into the “highest
three,” “the middle nine,” and the “lowest
twelve.” With the four members of “Kelly
Patrol,” this resulted in a troop of 28 members.
I continued not to countenance a special scarf
for the “district” troop, but eventually I could
not hold back the constant demand for one
indefinitely.
77
Published, Ibid., November, 2007, p 30
In the ‘sixties patrol names were restricted to famous
Australians. Ned Kelly’s name was not in the official list!
78
100
nightly ritual of the shower parade. Raised by a
mini-block-and-tackle, the canvas shower would
be filled with temperature-tested hot water.
Sometimes the rose was incorrectly screwed and
instead of a spray the water came down in a
torrent. At least the wombats enjoyed the
spectacle.
Euroa camp
This camp followed the successful one at this
site the year before. The main party members
travelled by train. They were met at Euroa
railway station. This group comprised mainly
the “new chums,” the more experienced
members being in the advance party and
travelled to Euroa in the van. Sixteen members
attended the camp.
Hampton hospitality
The plan was for the senior scouts in camp to
attend the Melbourne Gang Show on the way
home to Warragul. To make it easier to attend
the production at the Palais Theatre, St. Kilda,
families of 1st Hampton scout group offered
hospitality so that the boys could change, have a
home meal and then proceed to see the show.
While the main party went back to Warragul
early the next day, some stayed to watch the
film, Lawrence of Arabia, in the city.
“Let me carry your pack” – Paul Pianta and a smile
The B-P Revue
The site lent itself to pioneering and hiking.
Technically, there should have been cooking by
patrols, but some items, such as the morning
porridge, were cooked centrally. Some of the
new members demonstrated their cooking skills.
The weather tended to be overcast, unlike the
frosty nights and sunny days of previous visits
to this site.
It seemed inevitable that I would want to test the
water to see if there was sufficient interest in the
Warragul guide and scout groups to stage a
revue, basing much of its content on the
“scouty” songs and sketches that had emanated
from Ralph Reader’s London Gang Show.
Good seed had already been sown as some years
earlier, “The Gangsters” had visited Warragul
and staged a “gang show.” This group of
talented and key members of the Melbourne
Gang Show would visit a regional centre and
stage a show, having spent the Saturday
inspiring the local guides and scouts to take part
in the items and songs. Hence there was fertile
ground for what I was proposing.
I had had the idea for some time and had tossed
around in my mind key matters such as theatres
and dates. As most of the actors would be
school students, it was important to avoid
examinations and have the heads of the two
government secondary schools, in particular, on
side.
Stuart Burns, Neil Hardie, Ray Gardner, Russell Marriott,
and the head of Randall Cadby while “pioneering”
Relevant to the social attitudes of the ‘sixties
and having only the one sex, there was the
101
held the year before and perhaps there were
some fathers looking forward to besting their
sons.
First steps
The first step was to have a preliminary meeting
between the group scout masters and the guide
district commissioner. The latter was Mrs.
Poole, the mother of Barry, one of the “Middle
9.” That involvement did not mean it was a
foregone conclusion that the guides would be in
it.
Mr. Vern Haycroft and Mr. Bill Brooks took on
the task of encouraging fellow “dads” to attend.
Mr. Haycroft was a leading announcer with the
local radio station, 3GL. As his son, Graeme,
was the troop leader, it was inevitable that Vern
became the “TL” of the fathers.
At the meeting at the home of 2nd Warragul’s
GSM, Tony Holland, it was agreed that the
rationale for the revue would primarily be
enjoyment for those taking part. If the revue
played to good houses and some money came
in, that was all well to the good.
While the patrols in the ETSST would each put
on an item, I would look to the various packs,
troops and companies in the scout and guide
groupings to present one as well. Finally, the
participants as a whole would learn and sing the
traditional songs associated in particular with
the closing of each Gang Show since 1932.
Basics
Seeking a time between mid-year examinations
and education week, the dates of Friday 5th and
Saturday 6th August were selected. The
Presbyterian Church hall booked. This would
give the cast eight weeks in which to learn their
parts, practise and stage the show
Wayne and his father, “Bon” Hardie
Once again, much of the first day of the camp
consisted of the challenge events, such as
burning through a piece of string and floating a
flaming pyre across a stream. I could not
suggest that any “cheating” took place. Shall we
say, that some rules of guidance were stretched!
Rehearsals would be held weekly on
Wednesdays after school in the Methodist
Church hall for all those who could attend. It
soon became clear that there was considerable
support for the venture. Items and songs were
soon selected. Words were produced and
distributed. A weekly planning meeting took
place with a wide distribution of decisions via
the minutes.
Father and Sons’ camp
On the weekend of 17/18th July I programmed
another opportunity for fathers to show up their
sons at various activities. After all, it had been
The Carland family: Bill (Dad), Ken (Senior Scout) and
Greg (Cub). “This is the way you cook it, son.”
102
In the evening in the Officer chalet, a mock
court case took place. The charge against Mr.
“Bon” Hardie was that he had been driving a
tent peg while under the influence of coffee.
Apart from the judge, all participants seemed to
be biased in supporting their own age group,
whether a father or a son. Fortunately lynch law
was averted! Sunday’s activities were just as
pleasant and entered into with a great spirit.
Yes, some of the sons found out that their
fathers did know a trick or two.
The Guide companies were equally cooperative inviting
me to their weekly meetings for rehearsing them
Bruce Armstrong (brass), Wally McKenzie
(drums) and Alison Bartrip (piano) put together
a orchestra to support the organist, played by a
student, Howard Jenson. His organ just fitted
into the rear of my van. It was freighted in to
the hall with great care.
Concert ups and downs
Some units took to the learning of their items
with gusto. Others, particularly the senior
scouts, lagged behind.
There was only one slip up in communication
but this was straightened out in time for the
section concerned to take part. With programs
printed and tickets being sold, the community
awaited the first night’s production. Plenty of
fingers were crossed. A proper dress rehearsal
was almost impossible to stage. There would be
a lot of learning on the first night.
Concert rehearsals were held both after school and on
Sunday afternoons in the available church and scout halls
First night – first half
A lot of assistance was offered by members of
the community. A former scouter who worked
for the then State Electricity Commission was
able to guarantee power for the two nights. The
fuse board had never been installed with
concerts in view.
My parents came from Melbourne. They had
already “suffered” the revues in Mirboo North.
I got marks from my father when the overture
Bram Dawson came forward to work the public
address aspects. These were the days of “reelto-reel” tape recorders. They were the size of a
smallish suitcase and needed external power to
operate. Don Leeson came forward to assist
with the production side.
The cast in all its splendour of ironed uniforms, washed
faces and combed hair. But it was another thing to get
them to open their mouths and sing out the words!
103
Brooks was unable to untie himself in the
Houdini act, requiring several rolls of the drum
until he finally succeeding in extricating
himself.
started at seven fifty-five. Right on time the
curtain opened to reveal the uniform-clad cast
ready to sing their opening numbers, Gee, It’s a
Wonderful Life and You’re the Fellow for Me.
I was conducting the show and of course wore
whites (shades of Ken Bayly and others). I
willed the cast to sing up but it needs experience
for them to avoid being stage struck and
embarrassed in front of all those people
including parents.
Many of the laughs came from the unrehearsed
aspects of an item. The 1st Warragul cubs
responded to “cue” cards, providing they were
in the right order. The skit, The Scoutmaster’s
Nightmare was one in more ways than one
during the rehearsals.
A “young” Don Leeson helped with the production
Second half
Bambazoolian Way complete with grass skirts,
never fails to get applause. Operation
Successful (1st Warragul scouts) was as gory as
ever with the shadow on the sheet routine. The
lead boy singer (Peter Martin) in Thanksgiving
Day so impressed his parents that the extended
family were marshalled for the second night to
hear Peter use a voice that even his parents had
not previously heard.
“The Little White Bull” – a popular song at the time
2nd Warragul cubs enacted the then popular
song, The Little White Bull, and received several
encores. On the second night they nearly took
the curtain with them.
Ralph Reader and Ken Bayly music was
strongly featured. I finally got the cast to sing
I’ve got the Call in a “slow and sexy” manner,
for which they did not need all that much
encouragement. Ken’s To Australia marked the
conclusion of the first half, with everyone being
“proud of Australia.”
And so on through the program, finishing off
with a campfire scene with the cast singing
Prayer for Brotherhood (Peter again, assisted by
Denise Ray) and including the songs, These are
the Times, In my dreams I’m going back to
Gilwell, Taps, Who Wants to say Goodnight and
(to conclude Gang Show-style, It’s a Great,
Great Game. Then the audience would not go
home – they wanted encores even with the stage
cleared of persons and even many of the props.
In the interval an angel (Mrs. Horton) produced
tea and coffee for the backstage people. During
the interval, several of the “royal purples” put
on some acts which inevitably left shaving
cream on the curtains (a “pie” act) and then Ron
104
7th Australian Jamboree Song
1. Come, my brothers, sing with us
Of fun and friends we’ve found,
Since we have gathered here at Dandenong
In brotherhood and friendship strong.
Ch. At the Jamboree, at the Jamboree,
Camp of happy days for you and me.
Join us, brothers, as we sing our song
At the Seventh Australian Jamboree
Howard Jensen, a Warragul High School student, came
forward and offered to play on his own electronic organ
The B-P Revue was to become a feature in the
Warragul entertainment for many years. Don
Leeson took over the production and when the
two government secondary schools built their
assembly hall, the new location gave added
scope both in terms of numbers that could be
accommodated and such matters as stage size
and lighting.
2. Round our campfires glowing bright
We’ll sing our songs once more,
And in the songs we sing our voices rise
In comradeship towards the skies.
3. Until we meet our friends once more,
Perhaps on distant shore,
Mem’ries we’ll carry on forever strong
Of our Jamboree at Dandenong.
If readers feel that a concert in August should be
enough to account for the rest of the year, they
would be mistaken. There was a trip to
Tasmania in the September holidays, Queen
Scout presentations, a paper drive and some
hikes. Finally, I was farewelled as I would be in
the UK on holiday in 1966.
--Dandenong, Victoria, 1964-1965
105
Chapter 2179
scouts received them! Later, the airline
apologised for this error of judgement
A most rewarding times ends
As Tony and I waited for the delayed aircraft to
land, fog rolled in from the ocean. It was then
announced that the flight would return to
Wynyard, an airport further west along the
northern Tasmanian coast. We could have
driven to Wynyard in the first place as that was
its first port of call. Consequently we lost at
least half-a-day. It was some time before we
caught up with the planned program.
“Princess” to Tasmania
I found there was sufficient interest in a trip to
Tasmania in the September vacation to warrant
planning going ahead. The Austin van would
travel on the “Princess of Tasmania,” the then
‘roll-on roll-off vessel,’ and the scouts would go
by air. Everything was booked and the
departure date was awaited with enthusiasm.
That night, while putting tents up in the dark,
the troop was visited by a group of females who
needed quite a degree of persuasion to leave the
area and let us get on with the task of getting a
good night’s rest..
Ken Carland’s father would drive the second
vehicle, a Holden wagon but at the last minute
he was unable to go. Tony Holland, GSM of 2nd
Warragul, who would have flown with the
scouts, stepped into his place. Mr. Carland was
able to arrange for us to pick up a similar
vehicle in Tasmania as a replacement, but this
time a Falcon. As already set out in these pages,
Tony could read a situation, act very promptly
and come up with the right solution.
The Nut
When the stevedores came to finding a spot for
the Austin van on the vessel, they were
stumped. Finally an elevated spot on the
mezzanine deck was found for it and Tony and
I, after an excellent meal, settled down in our
cabin for the night’s voyage
Fogged in
Randall Cadby, Ken Carland and Neil Hughes
It should have been straight forward for us to
meet the aircraft at Devonport but the farce
started with me mis-reading the airline’s route.
Meanwhile, we were notified of a two-hour
delay at Essendon80. Finally, the passengers
involved were switched to a DC-4 instead.
At Rocky Cape there was a general store of the
old type – the carrots were in amongst the shoes
and everything seemed much cheaper;
reminiscent of pre-inflation years. Unlike
Victoria at that time, “salacious literature” was
freely available to all ages over the counter –
well, that is what my scouts claimed!
To win favour with the passengers, Ansett ANA81 provided a special meal, which included
a complimentary packet of cigarettes. Even the
Driving down the Murchison Highway, the
party camped at Hellyer Gorge. The next day
the party proceeded to some old settlements,
such as Tullah. That day we drove to
Queenstown, where the scout hall was part of 1st
Queenstown’s hospitality.
79
Published, Ibid., December, 2007, p 29
Tullamarine airport had not yet been built and aircraft
operated out of the Essendon airport
81
The non-government airline of the day.
80
106
On another day at one “pit stop” the scouts had
found a number of (44-gallon) oil drums which
just asked to be rolled down the hill. What
comes down has to go up, so they were “rolled”
back up again, with some adult encouragement.
they did enjoy several days in Tasmania’s
capital city. Again, we were grateful for scout
hall hospitality. At church on the Sunday,
Major Butcher, a former Australian Chief
Commissioner, together with his wife, invited us
to their home for afternoon tea.
Inevitably up came the question, “Do we have to
wear uniform?” I was surprised they even
thought of asking it! It was a very pleasant visit
to the Butchers’ delightful home on the banks of
the River Derwent.
I am sure that the proprietor of the general store knew
exactly what was in stock and where it was shelved
That night we found some welcome huts at the
Lake St. Clair camping area. We were all glad
of a good night’s sleep, especially me. I was to
learn the next morning that when ever I snored,
air was released from my mattress until I
stopped snoring – at least for the time being.
More or less immaculate in their uniforms the party
arrives at the Cadbury chocolate factory at Claremont.
At the back: Tony Holland and Cliff Dent. L to R: Clem
Jervis, Tom Elton, Randall Cadby, Michael Sheppard,
Ron Brooks, Neil Hughes, Neil Hardie, Ian Jackson, Ken
Carland and Graeme Haycroft. At the left is Bill
Carland’s Holden station wagon that he arranged for us
The following morning was spent visiting the
Cadbury factory. Despite the liberal offering of
chocolates, Tony Holland had his hand
figuratively smacked by the guide for reaching
before being offered!
In the afternoon the party travelled to Port
Arthur, but no member was locked up, despite a
few of them giving every indication that they so
deserved to be. I had to assume that their
parents still loved them and would wish them to
return home as planned.
Rolling the barrels back up the hill again
Our route then took us north through Richmond
to Launceston with the opportunity to inspect
Cataract Gorge and industry at Bell Bay.
Hobart
I am never sure why scouts consider that they
are the best people to “paint a town red,” but
107
and a very successful tour of Tasmania came to
an end.
Not every incident on such a trip can be
recorded – most members are still alive to deny
their involvement! But with each member of
the party accepting a task, such as being
treasurer and distributing the pocket money, it
was a happy learning experience for all.
I should have realised that the special scarves
produced for the trip would lead to the desire for
a troop scarf, something that I had hitherto
Tony Holland at Port Arthur tolls the bell
Cards
To enable the party to travel as one unit, Tony
and I arranged one day for all eleven of us to
travel in the Austin van for the drive up to
Poatina. By then the lads were getting rather
bored by the travelling and had switched to
playing cards. When Tony and I tired of trying
to point out interesting features, we decided to
park and turn off the engine.
Climbing the gangway to fly home. But the engines of
the aircraft needed a lot of encouragement to start.
Eventually they did so and the party flew out safely
resisted. For three years I had insisted that as
we were only grouped “for training,” we should
wear our own group scarves.
It was some time before one of the older lads
finally asked as to why we had stopped. We
thought the answer was fairly obvious – you do
not need to be moving if you would prefer to
play cards! The point was taken and we set off
again. All around us was the outstanding
Tasmanian scenery with the Western Tiers as a
backdrop in the hydro-electricity country.
Queen’s Scouts’ certificates
Badges were presented on the 25th September
and the certificates on 9th October at
Government House to Ken Carland, Cliff Dent,
Graeme Haycroft, Ian Jackson, Alex Kara, and
Geoff Spencer.
Return flight
One could hardly expect that there would be
trouble as well on the return flight, but the
aircraft’s engines were reluctant to start. The
more that attempts were made to start them, the
closer did the fire wagons and other emergency
vehicles seem to creep towards the aircraft.
Finally the engines roared into life and the
aircraft took off. Tony and I returned by ship
Following on from Government House in the
morning, the normal procedure to have lunch at
the Victoria Palace. Then it was to the film, The
Pink Panther. I thought it was funny, although I
seem to have embarrassed the others in the
process.
108
Time to say goodbye
Returning to Warragul that night, I attended a
function at which Ken Abrecht received his
SSL’s warrant. I was taking a year’s leave from
teaching to travel to the country of my birth
(England) and it was a good feeling to know that
such a competent leader would be leading the
senior scout troop in my place Ken would take
the troop to great heights.
There was still time for a number of scout
activities. One of these was to “Glen Nayook”
Park where the seniors undertook a day of
public service in the park.
The badge that was worn on the back of the maroon scarf
that was adopted for the district troop. On the 1965/6
badge, the words were more correctly “East Tarago
Senior Scout Troop.” The Austin van was in silhouette.
HH stood for the Hoadley Hide. The fleur-de-lys
superimposed on to the guide trefoil was the badge for the
B-P revue. Finally in the lower right segment there is the
Dandenong Jamboree badge and the Hamarago flag tower
The troop’s January expedition would be to
Lindenow South. Ken Abrecht took me with
him on a reconnaissance of the site. It was on
the bank of the River Mitchell and it had great
possibilities with a log cabin nearby in case the
weather was uncooperative.
Final function
There was a final “hike,” in which I took part.
This consisted of some genuine walking, but the
van was used to get from one point to another.
A highlight of this trip was to walk across the
heritage timber trestle bridge at Noojee – now
part of a timber trail. It has since been restored
to the condition it was at the time of the 1939
bushfires when the train ran north from
Warragul.
The members of the senior troop, now all
wearing their new maroon scarves, invited me to
a special night at the end of the year. Ron
Brooks dressed up as me as a teacher and
Mesdames Dovey and Lynas as school students.
The “Mickey” was fairly taken out of me. I
responded by leading my special campfire item,
Little Cottage in the Wood, which rarely fails to
please. You do not have to be mad to be in
Scouting, but all of us know that it does help!
A “troop” scarf
At a private farewell to me, I was presented with
a maroon scarf complete with the infamous
badge which in its several quarters had symbols
of the activities that had been enjoyed over the
previous three years, namely the jamboree
tower, the Austin van, and the combined scoutguide badge of the B-P Revue. There was
nothing I could do but accept it graciously. I
had been outflanked.
Ron Brooks, impersonating me, shares photographs with
“pupils” Mrs. Dovey and Mrs. Lynas at my farewell
109
On Sunday, 2nd January, 1966, I sailed from
Melbourne for Southampton (England) on board
the P&O liner, the SS Oriana. About fifteen
members of the troop came (in uniform) to see
me off, or, as some suggested, to make sure that
I went!
The senior scouts were glad of adult support that
understood and worked with them. Respect was
still needed but there has to be a degree of give
and take with this age group. The example set
by the leaders was still all important as far as the
moral standards of the boys were concerned,
whether it was smoking, alcohol, swearing, sex
etc.
My years in Warragul – teacher, army reserve
officer, scout leader and churchman – were very
rewarding ones.
Members of the troop prove that they can wear their
uniforms correctly when the occasion arises. Here they
are to farewell me on the P & O liner, SS Oriana, and
make sure that I leave when the ship sails.
One parent, who conducted a tourist office in
Warragul, had no trouble in getting sufficient
shipboard passes. Sailing time came. The boys
went ashore. I stayed on board. The ship left
the quay. A year’s adventure lay ahead of me –
a year that would involve scouting in its many
facets.
In retrospect
The senior (venturer) scouts of Warragul had
clearly demonstrated that they were glad to be in
a show that had clear objects, eg., Queen’s
Scout badge, expeditions, social, etc. They
clearly showed that they could conduct their
activities in a democratic manner.
The troop had sufficient numbers so that
particular projects could take place, yet not
every member of the troop had to take part to
make them viable.
Further, that providing there was good
communication in all directions, they did not
have to meet regularly, say every Friday night,
but would come together when there was a
program item in which they wished to
participate.
110
Chapter 2282
and Alan Richardson, the two who had sought
me out.
Senior Scouting in England with 8th Cheam
Landfall
I migrated from England in 1937 with my
parents when I was four. Now in 1966 I had the
chance to really get to know the land of my
birth. The last time I had been “home” was in
1951 for three months, when my father’s office
gave us a three month trip. This was also the
occasion of the Festival of Britain, held 100
years after the Great Exhibition of 1851.
The Senior Scouts of 8th Cheam take me on a hike in
Surrey. Here the troop leader, David Williams, checks
the map at Shere assisted by Alan Richardson, with John
Taylor, David Clarke and Rod Taylor to the left
I was born in Cheam, Surrey. My Aunty Mary
and Uncle Stephen (Nash) joined my mother
moving to Cheam. I was now to be welcome in
their home for all of 1966. They graciously
tolerated my comings and goings.
David, the TL, assured me that the troop was
run by its Court of Honour. Similar to ETSST,
the lads did not necessarily meet on a specific
night but as and when their program indicated
they should. 8th Cheam wore a green scarf!
This was not a problem, as I could wear my
green Australian scarf with the kangaroo
emblem.
The Victorian Education Department required
me to teach for 80 days. 1966 provided a
glorious year enabling me to teach, to meet my
relations, take part in as much scouting as I
could fit in, to be a member of a Territorial
Army unit and, at the same time, see the
country.
Church and Scouts’ Owns
th
8 Cheam
In a very short time I made contact with several
group leaders in Cheam to see who wanted me,
if any! My first scout visit was to a 1st Cheam
seniors’ meeting. 1st Cheam had some twenty
senior scouts. I was pleased to find that they
wore a maroon scarf. My new ETSST one
would not be out of place, other than for its
badge.
The flags of 1st and 8th Cheam in their racks in St.
Dunstan’s Church, Cheam
But a day or two later, two senior scouts of 8th
Cheam came to see me with an invitation to be
their leader, as their own had just advised that
he would now be unavailable. This was the way
that B-P said it should happen. I was most
impressed with the maturity of David Williams
82
On Sunday, 6th February, I attended morning
service at St. Dunstan’s church, Cheam, where I
had been baptised in 1933. On this Sunday, 1st
Cheam held its monthly church parade behind a
full display of their flags, which were processed
up the aisle. Following the service these were
Published, Ibid., February, 2008, p 28
111
“laid up” in varnished wood racks at the rear of
the church.
High School. David and Alan demonstrated
fine qualities of leadership.
SAGGA
This acronym stood for the ‘Scout and Guide
Graduate Association.’ This organisation
encouraged students and graduates at university
level to pursue their B-P interests, in much the
same way as had the B-P Society at the
University of Melbourne when I was a student.
But it was taken to a further degree with a
quarterly or regular magazine that contained
academic articles about youth work: practical,
philosophic and psychological.
8th Cheam conducted their Scouts Owns in the church
hall, with the seniors able to provide the music and the
order of service. Here David Williams, John and Rod
Taylor, and Chris Hudson “beat” out a lively hymn tune
My cousin, Elizabeth, and her husband, John,
were both members, and they encouraged me to
join. In a later trip to the UK, when I was now a
Leader Trainer, I was pleased to obtain and use
SAGGA material on training courses on my
return and, in particular, the rôle-play and
gaming ones.
The 8th Cheam seniors, on the other hand,
fulfilled their “Duty to God” by conducting their
own Scouts’ Owns. These were held monthly in
the nearby parish hall. The service was devised
by the boys. Several of them were proficient
enough with the guitar to provide music for their
more contemporary songs. I attended either of
these observances whenever I could fit them
into my diary.
Senior Scout conference
I was taking every opportunity to attend relevant
functions. I found out that the Greater London
South West region was having a senior scouts’
conference. This was to be held at Wimbledon.
A “wide game” meeting
For my introduction to 8th Cheam’s mode of
operation, I was given a grid reference with the
first clues for a “wide game.” This activity
would take its members around Cheam at night.
My rôle was purely to be the “adult,” as the
game was completely set up and administered
by the boys themselves.
On the morning two rovers described their
“round the world” trip. In the afternoon the HQ
commissioner, Lawrence Stringer addressed the
gathering. The program also included some first
rate moral “situations,” based on the “what
would you do if” approach. Having been a
subscriber to the UK Scouter journal, people
like Stringer had been idols from afar. Here he
was “in the flesh,” so to speak.
Throughout the year I was to notice the
differences in values and abilities between
English and Australian youths. I thought my
ETSST lads had been “self-starters,” but 8th
Cheam seemed to be just as competent but in
many different ways.
I had much the same feelings when actually
entering Imperial Headquarters (IHQ) in
Buckingham Palace Road and standing where it
had all been happening since this HQ was
acquired by B-P all those years ago. For many
years, Australian scouting had been the English
brand re-labelled – uniforms, handbooks,
Many of the 8th Cheam members attended what
were known as “grammar schools,” the
Victorian equivalent (for boys) being Melbourne
112
badges, ideas and structure. The differences are
greater now.
the 0820 Green Line coach to Reigate Hill.
There were seven of us in the party, all wearing
the scout anorak which gave unity to the
uniform when in the countryside.
Westminster Abbey service
The plan was to follow part of the ancient
Pilgrims’ Way to Guildford. There are plenty of
open areas in Britain, but there always seems to
be a village in view wherever one walks. The
towers and spires of village churches ease the
challenge of map reading.
I was able to obtain a ticket to attend the annual
service on the occasion of B-P’s birthday. It
was entitled, ‘Service of Thanksgiving and
Dedication for the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides
Associations.’ It was held in Westminster
Abbey. I was early enough with my request to
rate a seat in the choir stalls. Princes Margaret
was in attendance. The Dean of Westminster
took the service.
Mapping in the UK is so well developed that the
maps that I was using showed all sorts of detail
which our Victorian 1:25,000 maps rarely
include. I had purchased some 1:25,000
ordnance maps but the lads only had the one
inch to the mile series (1:63,360). I could have
got maps on a greater scale which even showed
individual house blocks!
I sat alongside Scouters and Guiders from many
countries, including the USA, Canada, the
Pacific Islands and from Asia. It was a great
experience, which was added to when, on
emerging from the Minster, the Abbey’s bells
peeled out. And without dropping names again,
Mr. Neate of IHQ, was in my carriage on the
train back to Cheam. The “gods” of whom I had
read were human and real after all!
Throughout England there are public footpaths.
The right to use these and walk across private
land is jealously guarded by many communities.
But where were the towering gum trees and the
impenetrable scrub and blackberry bushes at
ground level of my native Australia? Where
were the “bush” tracks?
Woodbadge
As I wished to undertake the senior scout
woodbadge course at “the” Gilwell Park at
Chingford in Essex while in England, I
commenced the written part of the course. In
those days, the woodbadge course was in three
parts. The first was the requirement to respond
in writing to some fifteen questions about
scouting and one’s section in particular.
Our route
Leaving the bus at Wray Lane we walked in a
westerly direction along the grain of the
countryside. In crossing a stream we could have
used a nearby bridge, but there were stepping
stones, just covered by water. “Men” could
handle these! Despite the well formed and
signposted paths and grassy hillsides, a walker
still needs sturdy boots when hiking.
The second part was the practical side,
conducted over three weekends or continuously,
generally for a week. Finally, the Part 3 was the
period when the trainee was under surveillance
while she or he applied what had been learnt to
their relevant section unit.
Drinking water was carried in collapsible plastic
water “jars.” Hot water for morning tea was
heated over paraffin stoves. I had taken my
petrol stove to England with me but it was not
legal in the UK to sell petrol (even Shellite)
except for cars in service stations.
An 8th Cheam hike
On the weekend of the 5/6th March, 8th Cheam
members scheduled a hike and invited me to
accompany them. I was advised to catch the
No. 470 bus at 0810 hours to Sutton and then
113
Easter at Edale
My cousin, Humphrey Nye, and I had met up on
the Isle of Skye, where he had been an officer
with cadets in camp. On our way back to
London, we were able to visit the 8th Cheam
seniors at their Easter camp in Edale in the
Yorkshire Dales. The weather was typically
English and we found some rather damp and
perhaps dispirited scouts.
Ablutions had to be carried out in the nearby
council toilet block at a road junction. This
facility clearly showed signs that there were too
many campers in the area and it had not been
regularly maintained. Since so much of the land
is privately owned, local farmers do not take
happily to these camping invasions, unless the
group has leased their land in return say, for
rent.
When it came time to find a campsite for the
night, David Williams approached a farmer who
allocated a section of one of his cow paddocks
to us. Now the culture shock really set in.
Where was the flattish spot near the creek
amongst the eucalypt trees! Or the bush in
which to meet personal needs? Barbed wire
fences surrounded us.
England is still a big country and one can get
right away from civilisation but there areas are
rare. There are camping clubs and sites across
the nation. The Scout Association has always
owned well maintained camp sites. But the
Australian notion of just driving out into the
bush until a suitable site on the side of a creek is
found is just not possible in many parts of
Europe.
We erected our tents on cow pasture, where
their hooves had made indents in the ground.
Well, B-P always talked about the virtues of
hip-holes!
It was clear that the lads were all very
experienced and self-sufficient although my
diary suggests that it was central cooking rather
than pairs or individually. Our site was within
easy walking distance of the local village, where
the boys drank some non-alcoholic cyder83 as
the chimes of Abinger Hammer rang in our ears.
On the Sunday morning, the scouts went to the
local Anglican84 church for the morning service
before continuing on our way. Finally a bus
took us home to Cheam. I doubt whether at any
stage we were out of sight of civilisation. At
night there were the lights of villages in the
distance.
Not that van again! 8th Cheam senior scouts hired almost
an identical van to my Warragul Austin. This time it was
a Morris, similar to the one that ETSST would later buy
83
‘cyder’ before fermentation; ‘cider’ afterwards
Then of course still known universally as the Church of
England
84
114
But I was surprised to see the troop’s method of
transport. There before me was an identical van
to the one I had been driving in Victoria, except
it was the Morris equivalent. There were other
slight variations in that this hire vehicle had not
had the same maintenance as mine and there had
been trouble with its engine.
I think I brought the makings of a severe cold
with me to Edale as I recall a sleepless night.
Twenty-four hours later I enjoyed a very warm
hotel bed. Humphrey and I proceeded back to
London, the scouts travelling back to school
after the Easter break under another adult leader.
In my dreams I’m going back to Gilwell
When in the glow of a fire burning low,
There are moments I recall,
Back to my mind come the days far behind
And the times that held me over all.
Then the years fade a-way
And again I scan stray
To paths of a brighter hue,
Where boys’ voices ring,
Where youth is king,
And the skies again are blue.
The picture tells all! At Edale it was cold and damp. I am
wearing my senior scout maroon beret legally! In
foreground my cousin, Humphrey Nye, wonders why
scoots subject themselves to such conditions in the name
of “happy camping”! Note my green box in the tent.
In my dreams I’m going back to Gilwell,
To the joys and the happiness I found
On those grand weekends
With my scouting friends
And see the Training Ground.
Oh the grass is greener back in Gilwell
And I breathe again that scouting air
While in memory, I see B-P,
Who never will be far from there.
In conclusion
There were other activities to which 8th Cheam
would invite me, but the principal one was the
annual expedition, this year being to the Black
Forest in Germany, which rates a chapter in
itself. Meanwhile I prepared to attend the
continuous Senior Scout Woodbadge course at
Gilwell Park, which is the next article.
Ralph Reader
115
Chapter 2385
occasion! This was typical of his generosity to
his “colonial” cousin.
A Senior Scout Woodbadge Course at the
English Gilwell
From London Bridge station, I navigated across
London to catch the next train to Chingford. At
the Chingford railway station, Eric Colley (the
equivalent of our camp warden) met me in the
Gilwell “run-about” vehicle to take me to the
camp.
While in England in 1966 I applied to attend a
continuous Senior Scout Woodbadge course at
“the” Gilwell. I would like to think that most
leaders dream of attending an overseas
Jamboree and visiting some of the famous
places associated with our Founder. I do not
think I was any different.
Arriving at Gilwell, I joined up with some
eighty other leaders, a scout course also being
run in parallel with ours.
I was certainly excited about qualifying at such
a course and having the UK Gilwell Park
imprint on the certificate.
Gilwell Park
On later trips I would have the privilege of
walking around Brownsea Island, visiting World
Bureau HQ in Geneva and seeing the
international camp at Kandersteg, Switzerland.
But one has to start somewhere.
In 1918 Mr. W. de Bois Maclaren offered to
purchase the Gilwell property that would
become Gilwell for both Scout camping and
leader training. It was then some miles north of
London. With the growth of London’ suburbs,
it is now on the edge of the metropolis or even
part of it!
There was no M25 motorway in those days and
in most cases, if public transport was available,
you used it. But it meant that I would be taking
the train to London Bridge station from Cheam,
the underground to Liverpool Street station and
then the surface train to Chingford.
A “fang”
The course was to start on a Saturday. My
uncle, Stephen Nash, had been very kind to me
already during my stay but I was unprepared for
his enthusiastic support when I got back from
shopping in Cheam that day.
The Main Hall at Gilwell Park, Chingford, England
On the site was a building, now known as the
Main Hall. A number of sources refer to it also
as the White House. It was once a hunting
lodge. On one side of it is the training ground.
On the other side, as at our Gilwell, is the
“Boys’ Field.”
I knew Stephen had been a Cub Master of a
Camberwell (London) pack. But that Saturday
morning he had ferreted through his trunks
upstairs and unearthed the “fang” that Cub
Masters in training’s early days received instead
of the woodbadge beads.
The English “field” is just that -- fairly flat,
grassed, with very few trees, but with a superb
view of London’s lights at night, whereas our
Victorian one is eucalypt forest, hilly and very
dark at night.
Stephen then insisted on driving me to the
Cheam station. It was thus a significant
85
Published, Ibid., March, 2008, p 24
116
at the start of each camping season. These are
then auctioned at the end of summer, a new set
being purchased for the following year.
Other members of the Churchill patrol: John Aldhous,
Neil Robertson, Brian Gillman, Derek Robinson, Alan
Bradstock, Joe Vivian, with London beyond the “boys
field.” It was not easy to get away from signs of cities
Horace Taylor leads a discussion on the merits of hike
tents. Mine is in middle of the picture. In the distance are
the tents that are “permanent” throughout the summer
A feature of the English Gilwell is the “bomb
hole,” which Hitler’s Luftwaffe left behind after
the World War II. It was later extended and
filled with water. This small lake is the site for
water-crossing pioneering activities in the same
way we use our much larger Lochan.
Similarly the fire places were semi-permanent.
The wood supply consisted of “off cuts” from a
local saw mill, but they still burnt well. English
trees are relatively free of the debris that falls
from ours. So, within the confines of the camp,
foraging, to which are accustomed, was not
practical.
The training ground
At first I was surprised to see the park-like
nature of the UK training ground. It was a
grassy field separated from the other buildings
by deciduous trees and surrounded by lime
trees. This rather lovely Lime Walk was its
boundary.
In the centre of the training ground was the
campfire circle where most of the outdoor
sessions took place. As at our Gilwell it was a
circle of logs where the leaders sat to take notes
during the training sessions or joined for
campfires.
Welcome and settle in
Tony Allan, an assistant Camp Chief to John
Thurman, welcomed us and showed us around
the training ground and its features. Even by
1966 the post-war migration from the colonies
to the UK had led to places of worship being
developed for non-Christian religions, such as
the Buddhists and Moslems.
Director of Leader Training, John Thurman, conducts a
session at the campfire circle at Gilwell using
contemporary training aids. Note open fields beyond
I was allotted to the Churchill patrol along with
six others. John Aldhous from Farnborough
was elected our PL. I was soon trying to
understand the various dialects surrounding me.
Once again I was to find that although I kidded
Around the perimeter, but in the open,
“permanent” canvas tents and dining shelters
had been erected. I gather they were put up new
117
myself that I was still English in character86; I
was now Australian in my values. My Scouting
was Australian and to my surprise it was
somewhat different.
it – experienced Scouters devoting their spare
time to Scouting and as required.
A field commissioner, Harry Taylor, had been a
naval Lieutenant Commander. He had been
awarded the George Cross for valour during the
World War II as a member of the bomb disposal
squad.
The saw mill off-cuts needed to be cut up into
short lengths. A bow saw had been provided.
The other leaders were cutting them up in an ad
hoc fashion with the pieces of wood slipping
this way and that. So I selected four or five
sturdy lengths and, with some cord, constructed
a “saw horse.” This made it so much easier to
cut up the wood after that.
Bill Charlton was a tall Scot from Lanarkshire.
David Garnett was a Group Scout Master (GL).
The QM was a Dr. John Andrews. Eric Colley
assisted with matters such as knotting and
pioneering – a bit like the Troop Leader or QM
of our courses in the early ‘sixties.
I cannot recall our sleeping arrangements but I
think we had collapsible camp beds. The tent
The course
How was I to judge this? I had studiously
avoided attending one of Ron Hamilton’s
Victorian courses. Ron was said to conduct
“physical” commando courses for his trainees –
that was not my scene! But in comparison, the
English course was almost gentlemanly – not all
that unlike the Rover Part 2 that I later
completed in Australia. I suppose it is hard to
get “rugged” when manicured grass and
delightful deciduous trees surround the site.
Here Graham Farley saws up wood for the fire from
building off-cuts. He is using the “gadget” that he made
so that the wood lengths could be more easily handled
It was fairly clear that there were aspects of the
course that were experimental. Hence, there
was considerable deviation from the Gilwell
handbook, which seemed sacrilege to me!
floor was grass. Oh, for the training huts and
permanent facilities of Gilwell, Victoria!
The team
On the first day, the Sunday, the weather was
quite hot. Dr. Andrews provided us each day
with a weather forecast – it was his civilian
occupation.
The then well-known camp chief, John
Thurman87, was in overall charge of the two
courses. Tony Allan was responsible for the
conduct of ours. His supporting team was quite
a distinguished one, but rather similar to the
Victorian Training Team as I would get to know
In the evening we were encouraged to attend
local church services, although we had gathered
for “Duty to God” in the camp chapel that
morning. We were to report back and comment
about how each denomination went about
practising its worship.
86
Having been born in Cheam, Surrey, England in 1933
and accompanying the family to Australia in 1937
87
John Thurman was a prolific writer of Scouting books.
There are two on campfires and at least four on
pioneering projects. He visited Australia in the early
‘fifties and conducted courses at the main state training
grounds
118
One only had to walk a few hundred yards
before crossing a sealed road along which
flowed quite a bit of traffic. As with the 8th
Cheam hike, we never seemed to be very far
away from human settlement. Map scales were
generally down to 1:25,000, with the trees
almost marked on them!
During the expedition we did our second “good
turn.” Towards the end of the day’s hike we
solved a code and found ourselves at a Dr.
Barnardo Boys’ Home. Here a Scout meeting
was in progress. We joined the meeting and
afterwards camped nearby. In the morning we
carried out a “Herculean task” in the stables.
Do I need to explain further?
The camp Anglican and Protestant chapel at Gilwell
The course proceeded into the week. The
syllabus included the usual topics, such as
pioneering, “Knowing the boy,” and the good
turn for the course. The latter consisted of
cutting away at what I termed “scrub,” but the
English knew it as brambles, ferns and the like.
This vegetation then had to be burnt off. I was
able to demonstrate the virtues of kerosene!
But when it rained, outdoor activities continued,
but not the note-taking! To offset the dampish
climate there were warm showers and drying
rooms for clothes. I should have mentioned that
“plimsolls”88 were the de rigueur footwear in
English scout camps
The colonial
Both in scouting and in my service with the
Territorial Army I found that I had to play the
part of the colonial. I suppose my size attracted
attention, but there seemed to be an expectation
as to my performance and involvement. I coped
with this and trust that I upheld “Aussie”
traditions and expectations.
Back at Gilwell Park we witnessed the
presentation by the Chief Scout of the
Commonwealth, Sir Charles Maclean Bt., and
his commissioners of Queen Scout certificates
to the many Senior Scout recipients present.
The Expedition
Scout courses have always had an overnight
expedition89. But whereas around Gembrook
scouters find themselves very soon in dense
bush, here at the UK Gilwell, Epping Forest was
a far less challenging equivalent.
Sir Charles Maclean, Chief Scout of the Commonwealth,
addresses the senior scouts who have earned their Queen
Scout certificate – the equivalent of our Government
House investiture ceremony
88
The tennis shoes were “runners” in my parlance. This
was before the coloured and built-up sports shoes of
today.
89
A cut-down version of the First Class overnight hike
119
These Senior Scouts would in due course parade
before royalty at Windsor Castle. A campfire
before hundreds took place in the evening. It
was a quality program – no bugle calls or
whistles.
The following day the course concluded. I
joined the 8th Cheam Seniors who were camping
at Gilwell and returned home to Cheam with
them by train and underground.
Members of the 17th Senior Scout Wood Badge Course
with their trainers, notably John Thurman in the centre
seated. I am behind him. Please note the Scouter at the
right end of the second row from the rear
Wally Eacott. Wally was to migrate to Australia. He
became a commissioner in Hoadley Area/Region. Neither
of us had come across each other’s tracks until his granddaughter, who was a student at Braemar College, where I
was headmaster, spotted me in the course photograph in
Wally’s home! It can be both a large and small world!
But I would be returning on several more
occasions to the English Gilwell, with
unexpected invitations to some very outstanding
events.
120
Chapter 2490
asked for directions to the farm of Frau and Herr
Hugg, whom I think was the Burgomeister.
With 8th Cheam to the Black Forest in
Germany
I was fortunate that the dates at the end of July
of the troop’s annual expedition fitted in nicely
with my own plans. It was to be a 12-day trip,
with four of those days taken up with just
getting there and back.
The decision had been made by the Court of
Honour to go to the Black Forest (Schwarzwald)
area of West Germany. I am not sure how the
farm where we would camp was chosen or
arranged. This was owned by Frau and Herr
Hugg. It was harvest time. We would help with
that. Our visit also coincided with the World
Soccer Cup final.
8th Cheam Senior Scouts walk to their campsite
The site
It was a stiffish climb up the hill from the farm
to the allocated site; a hillock amongst
meadows. I should have immediately thought
of cows and their liking for any form of salt,
whether on persons, tents or eating utensils. We
were to find out and soon.
I was not to be in charge, which was a blessing
in disguise; although I think I earned my keep. I
was made very welcome. Peter Hudson, the
leader, another of 8th Cheam’s scouter team,
could speak German. Several members of the
troop wore “interpreter” badges for French and
German.
Getting there
There was no Eurostar rail service under the
English Channel in those days. Our party would
travel suburban into London Victoria and then
take the “boat train,” as they were generally
called, to Folkestone on the Kentish coast.
The author proudly shows the Australian pennant flying
from the ropes of his hike tent with the glorious
countryside of the Black Forest clearly visible beyond
Here we were to board a ferry, which in due
course would set us down on the shores of
France at Boulogne. The journey was then by
rail across France. It was apparently quite easy
for parties to like ours to reserve compartments
in a carriage both ways. Customs and passport
check too place at Mulhouse.
There were two villages visible from the site.
Kirchzarten was in one direction, while the twin
towers of the Church of St. Peter were in the
other.
In addition to the twittering of birds and the
peace of the meadows, we enjoyed the sound of
church bells in the distance and the tinkling
bells of the cows.
Frieburg was the nearest large town to the camp
site. Here we alighted and went by tram part of
the way to the village of Wittental. Here we
90
Published, Ibid., May, 2008, p 30
121
We were nowhere near Austria, but the
countryside reminded me of the musical, Sound
of Music. We had soon erected our hike tents
and we looked forward to a restful camp
surrounded by magnificent views.
The stockade
Cows
I spotted some discarded posts and coils of wire.
I thought it might be possible to find enough
posts to make tripods and then to place them in
a circle with our tents in the centre.
As with the “saw-horse” at the woodbadge
course, I could see that something needed to be
done to keep the cows away from the tents.
During the first night, I could hear the cows,
with their bells, wandering amongst our tents.
They would stop to lick our food plates even
cleaner. Would they also damage the tents as
they wandered unrestrained?
Wire could then be strung between the tripods,
which in turn would need to be guyed. Peter
Hudsonhelped me in this enterprise. Having
built the barrier, we walked down to the village
of St. Peter. The hikers returned shortly after
we got back to the site. They were to show
appreciation for the security of “the stockade,”
as it became to be known.
Activities
Apart from housekeeping, obtaining supplies
and cooking their meals, the Senior Scouts had a
range of planned activities. On their first day
they headed off for a two-night hike through the
countryside.
Peter and I went into Freiburg, where he showed
me the sights and introduced me to all sorts of
experiences, such as the open air cafés, the beer
garden for lunch, and the opportunity to see over
the Minster.
We returned to camp by bus via Kirchzarten
only to find that Peter’s tent had a large hole in
the fly, presumably from an inquisitive cow.
But the problem of their “invasion” was still
offset by the solitude and the sight of the floodlit
twin towers of the baroque church at St. Peter.
8th Cheam senior scouts have lunch. Calor gas bottles
upon which the pannikins were balanced was the standard
eating system amongst the lads with which I lived
Sunburn
I am sure it is possible to get sun burnt in
England but the Senior Scouts were not
experienced with a summer continental climate.
With mild fine weather, they stripped off to the
waist and then were surprised to find that their
bodies were quite red and sore.
World Cup
It would have to be that England would be
playing Germany for the 1966 World Cup in
soccer. It was arranged with our hosts for us to
Ray Gill has his hand on one of the bipods that
surrounded the campsite with its wire rope to keep out the
cows from licking clean the eating utensils &c
122
view the match on TV that afternoon, but before
that the troop members gave a hand with the
harvest.
The 8th Cheam party having arrived at Schaunsland
gather around the telescope/binoculars: David Clarke,
Martin Burgess, Chris Hudson, Mike Hudson, Peter
Hudson (trip leader), Alan Richardson and Ray Gill. The
lads were arrayed in typical 1966 scout rig
The good turn for Herr Hugg on the day of the World Cup
The soccer match see-sawed, with neither side
dominating. An equalising goal to Germany on
the bell (or was it a siren) meant a further period
of play. During this extended time, England
scored a goal that was considered controversial,
but it gave England the cup. Of course I was
neutral!
On returning to camp, we found that a party of
German scouts (pathfinders) had joined us and
we all studied their camping equipment and
methods.
Then a soccer match was held with “pick up”
sides, which included the sons of the Huggs.
Basel
On the Monday, Peter and I took the train to
Basel, on the borders of France, Switzerland and
Germany. Meanwhile the Senior Scouts headed
off by themselves for the day.
Church and cable car
In addition to morning prayers, we all went
down and attended the service at the evangelical
church in the township below, finding that we
could follow the service quite easily. After that
the troop had lunch at the “gast” house, where
Peter kept an eye on their drinking desires,
although UK lads in 1966 were allowed
considerable leeway.
I have a lasting impression of the Basel railway
station. There must have been at least three
trains ready to leave at the same time. Overhead
clocks ticked away the seconds with their
second hands literally clicking. As the various
clocks showed the same time and the second
hands clicked through the “12” at the top of the
clock, three trains pulled out of the station.
We were all a little tired. A couple went off on
their own undertakings, others went back to
camp, but I tagged along with the party that was
heading for the “Rigi” or cable car,
Schaunslandbahn. I am not good at heights and
I have seen enough James Bond films to
imagine what happens when the cable breaks!
However, I did survive, as did the others and
was delighted with the experience of being able
to see the countryside and the tops of fir trees
from aloft.
Using bus and train transport, as well as our legs
we saw a lot of the local country and visited all
three nations.
123
By now most of the scouts had run out of pocket
money and a special dividend had to be
declared.
On my own
Despite the light rain that was falling I was
determined to walk in the Black Forest. I set out
with food, map and compass for a very
exhilarating experience. The maps showed all
the tracks and they in themselves were very well
signposted.
When the Boulogne train came in, there was the
reserved compartment for 8th Cheam. I was
relieved both for the partial comfort and privacy
that it would give us and also to confirm my
reading of the ticket date.
A day too early
In review
Being a guest in the party, I had to hold my
tongue at times, but experience is a good
teacher. The lads started to pack up believing
that they commenced their return trip that day.
Something made me ask to see the tickets and
there, quite clearly, was the date of the
following day! We would have looked a bit
silly trying to find a reserved compartment 24hours too early.
It has always been my habit after trips such as
this to list their good and bad features. The
Senior Scouts certainly showed that they were
independent and “self-starters,” but at times this
verged on selfishness. A reconnaissance would
have greatly helped.
Forty-two years later, the more modern trains
and the channel tunnel would have made getting
there and back so much easier, quicker and more
comfortable. But we all appreciated the
scenery, our experiences and the assistance of
some very generous people.
Having proved to myself that I could explore on
my own, I headed off on this bonus day to
Freiburg. Here I found a jeweller’s shop with
the comforting sign in the window that the
salespersons spoke English. I bought a watch. I
also purchased a number of gifts that I would
present both in England and when I got back to
Australia.
Having lost a day, my pre-arranged eight-day
rover ticket now commenced the following day.
On arriving back in Cheam I got on with
preparations for it, but as it was not a scout trip
so it has no further mention in this continuing
story.
In taking the bus back to the camp, I received
every help from the other passengers on it as
they spotted the Australian badge on my scout
shirt. They made sure that I got off at the
nearest stop to Herr Hugg’s farm.
Oasis
My diary refers to this place and it must have
been a source of both food and drink. When the
Senior Scouts tired of their own menus, they
tended to head for this café come restaurant.
Returning home
Having cleaned up the campsite and made both
our farewells and expressions of thanks, we
headed by train for Freiburg. At Mulhouse we
had a four-hour wait for our connecting train.
124
125
Chapter 2591
Scarf
I had already been issued with the standard
Australian green scarf with the kangaroo on its
apex before I set out for the UK, but I suggested
to “Bus” that I would now be eligible for the
official one with the coat of arms. He agreed,
but would not be able to get it to me in time.
Fourteen unforgettable days at Gilwell, UK
A surprise phone call
Society seems to have to suffer the jargon. For
me in 1966 it could have been: “Things do not
get better than this.” One Saturday morning
while in England I received a phone call from
“Bus” Derrick, then state training commissioner
in Victoria, but who had many other portfolios.
To use another piece of jargon, it was like
“landing on one’s feet.” The Training the Team
(TT) course would commence on Monday, 29th
August. But only the day before I would have
returned from a two-week tour of Scandinavia,
that was nothing to do with Scouting. My
Aunty Mary helped me with the clothes washing
so that I could set off looking spick and span.
“Graham, Australia has been invited to send
delegates to the 4th World Training Conference
to be held at Gilwell Park, Chingford. Would
you be interested?” I accepted on the spot and
then checked dates to make sure that I could
attend.
Gilwell again
Perhaps I had not received a confirmation of my
attendance, for early on the Monday I rang
Gilwell and was put through to John Thurman.
He assured me that I was expected. The rest of
the day was spent in travelling to Gilwell and
meeting up with the other members of the patrol
on the TT course.
My “Training the Team” course patrol: Irwin Jones
(Jamaica), Joe Wehbey (Syria), Graham (Australia).
David McCallum (Scotland), Vera Farrell (England), H.
Belabdelouahab (Algeria), J Verschure (Netherlands),
Tony Hung (Hong Kong), Gamill Fatana (Saudi Arabia)
“Further, you might like to be nominated to
attend a Training the Team course in the week
before. If you can make it, then there is also the
Gilwell Reunion in the middle weekend.”
The grassy lawns of the English Gilwell at their best
The White Wolves patrol, of which I was a
member, included international representatives
from Jamaica, Syria, Scotland, England,
Algeria, The Netherlands, Hong Kong and
Saudi Arabia. The other patrols seemed to have
a similar makeup – this would be a fortnight of
the “united nations” in Scouting.
“Bus” added that he had been approached by
John Thurman to include Alex Shaw in the
training conference. Alex was an assistant leader
trainer from Western Australia. He had been
working in Scotland for three years.
91
Published Ibid, July, 2008
126
“Smartness and Good Order”
I think we expected “central cooking,” as is the
case with Victorian courses, although I would
be the first to agree that in 1955, when I did my
Scout course, the interaction around the cooking
fire for all three meals a day was probably the
most memorable part of the course.
In the ‘sixties one could expect every course to
start with this session. I was not disappointed.
Gerald Baerlein, a deputy to John Thurman,
took this session. Yet I doubt if there were two
of us on the course wearing anything like the
same uniform since we came from so many
different countries.
I think on the TT course we did have one meal
cooked for us each day, but that first breakfast
was eye-opener as each one looked at the other
for someone to do it. I was not free of this
“sin”!
Sessions
Perhaps I expected something on a far more
advanced basis than some of the sessions that
followed.
There was even a publication on the subject. The photo
on the cover shows Queen Scouts marching out of
Government House, Hobart, following a ceremony
After that session came the course photograph
(shades of Kingsley Davis). When the
photograph was made available, it came with
the trainees’ names already printed below it –
something that seems hard to achieve with our
Victorian courses.
Participants in the TT course during a session around the
campfire circle. The course experienced good weather
The title of the course conjured up in my mind
all sorts of stimulating sessions. Having done
some university study, I had probably hoped for
something more theoretical than the practical
sessions we still enjoyed.
Cooking
When it came to breakfast the next morning, I
was reminded of the cartoon of the captain of
the crashed aircraft talking to the survivors on
the nearby desert island: “Twenty-five
scientists, ten teachers, fourteen managers, but
can anyone cook?”
I have already mentioned The Scout and Guide
Graduate Association with its quarterly
magazine consisting of intellectual articles on
Scouting and Guiding.
The cooking task initially fell to Vera, the
English Scouter. There were those amongst us
who were prepared to stand on their dignity and
others who had no domestic experience! The
steady rain did not help.
I felt that the TT course was still following the
same structure of section Wood Badge ones,
where the trainees act the parts of Scouts and the
trainers, the Scout Masters. If “recognition of
127
prior learning” had been applied, I think quite a
few of us might have had little to do.
the many nationalities involved. As well, the
Gilwell site has many structures which have
been the gifts of various nations, including our
Australian gateway.
Nor did it help to have such a range of
nationalities with varying degrees of ability with
English. The international mixture of the group
demonstrated the world-wide nature of BP’s
Scouting, but there were downsides to this.
But these comments do not suggest that the
course was not worthwhile. We had the
privilege of listening and working with many
very experienced members of the British Boy
Scouts Association and getting to know many
leaders from other countries.
That there were questions in the minds of some
of them as to how to go about Scouting in 1966
would become apparent when the Advance
Party Report92 came out later that year.
Course concludes
John Thurman spoke at the final flag circle.
Here the certificates were handed out. That was
followed by a hand-shaking ceremony, where
we moved round the circle farewelling every
member of the course. Most of us now left for
their homes, but I was not the only person
attending both main functions. One of these
was Ian Hutton from New Zealand, with whom I
maintained a correspondence for many years.
Many sessions consisted of the members of the
course giving impromptu responses, having
been given a card naming the topic. But I was
still expecting sessions on how to staff, promote
and administer a course and, in particular, to get
assistance with the challenge of the personalities
on a course. I would be learning this by bitter
experience in later years.
Training handbooks
Psychometric approach
As a result of the contacts made over the
fortnight, there was quite a bit of sharing of
training handbooks. These were mainly at the
Preliminary course level (now named “Basic”)
but it gave me the opportunity to develop a
library to some extent of what other nations
were doing, particularly the Commonwealth
ones.
My diary uses this phrase twice. I think I meant
by it that contemporary methods of instruction
might have been used much more. Only one
session went along these lines. I did not get the
feeling that the course wished to explore in any
depth a lot of the underlying psychological
aspects of the movement. It had been a very
practical week.
Gilwell Reunion
Ambience
This commenced with afternoon tea on the
Buffalo Lawn. As might be expected there were
far larger numbers in attendance than in Victoria
and most came equipped to camp in hike tents
on the training field, catering for themselves or
in groups.
On the other hand, to attend any course at
Gilwell in the UK was a privilege and I
thoroughly enjoyed moving around the site
whenever the opportunity arose and mixing with
92
Discussed in a later chapter
128
After that we all gathered to hear three speakers.
The first was Lady Olave Baden-Powell. She
was followed by the Chief Scout, Sir Charles
Maclean, and then John Thurman. I was able to
photograph Lady Olave with her family in front
of the famous caravan, “Eccles.”
By now the rain had become steady and all other
activities were cancelled. I and others were glad
to have the use of a hut in which to cook our
lunch. The reunion now ended, but I was
staying at Gilwell until the World Training
Conference commenced on the Tuesday.
Afternoon tea at the Gilwell Reunion
Campfire
This was held on the Saturday evening.
Memory does not tell me as to whether the timehonoured “Back to Gilwell” song was rendered
for each patrol name that might have been
present, but I guess it was on the list.
St. Albans
I am not sure how the offer arose on the
Monday, but Arthur Newcombe offered to take
me, together with Ian Hutton (NZ), S. Masizana
(Bechuanaland) and a leader from Tanzania, for
a drive to Waltham Abbey and the cathedral city
of St. Albans. We returned in time for the start
of the conference that evening.
Certainly John Thurman, with all his experience
both practical and written, ran a very good
campfire. At some stage the nations were called
and I stood proudly for Australia.
I met up with Alex Shaw and we soon formed
an “Aussie” team, making sure that as many
delegates as possible would hear about Australia
down under.”
Sunday
I attended the Church of England (now
“Anglican”) Holy Communion service on the
Sunday morning and later took part in the
Scouts’ Own. This was conducted by the
National Roman Catholic Chaplain for Scouts,
with Canon Lovelace reading the lessons.
The well-attended Gilwell Reunion on the middle
weekend. Would the conversation every run dry?
At the final dinner we presented a couple of
large varnished plywood kangaroos to a couple
of the leaders.
Lady Olave Baden-Powell and family in front of the
caravan, “Eccles,” presented to them some years ago.
The Melbourne based, Hon. Michael Baden-Powell is on
the left. The present Lord Baden-Powell is on the right
129
The conference
I soon realised that I was in the presence of
some of the key leaders of the Scout movement
from the countries that made up the World
Bureau. In pleasant outdoor surroundings, we
listened to papers and then discussed them about
the state and future of the Association. Perhaps
this was more along the lines that I expected the
previous week.
Alex Shaw and I presented “cardboard kangaroos” to
Tony Allan and another training leader, Tony Kemp.
I found myself taking copious notes. I noticed
that there was a conservative group that was
happy to continue to follow the Founder’s basic
principles without seeking any great change.
On the other hand, there was a group that
wished to make the movement more “relevant”
and to “bring it up to date.”
There were few nations by 1966 that had started
to include female members other than as cub
masters. I recall chatting one night to a Swedish
Scouter about their experiences, all of which
seemed to be positive.
On the second day, a paper was read on behalf
of Bruce Garnsey, then Australian National
Chief Commissioner. Australia was prepared to
step the middle way between the conservatives
and the progressives.
Challenging
I found that my approach to scouting was being
directly challenged and I had to think about
what I thought I was doing in offering my time
as a leader. If I had to list any other activity in
Scouting that has obliged me to think it through
then I cannot name it.
John Thurman presides at the dinner at the end of the
World Training Conference at Gilwell Park, UK.
Fairly weary, we packed up and departed. I was
to show my thanks to “Bus” in a minor way a
few weeks later by obtaining copies of the
Advance Party Report.
Final dinner and campfire
At the final dinner Alex and I presented the
“kangaroos.” At the campfire the pair of us
stood and sang Waltzing Matilda and the
Kookaburra song. The various patrols and
groups of leaders put together some excellent
sketches. One of these lampooned in a happy
manner the training team – generally an
indication of a successful experience for all.
130
The cover of the condensed version of the APR
131
Chapter 2693
Senior Scout and Rover sections were to
become one section – Venturers.
Farewell to Old England
Rarely does Scouting review itself without
varying the uniform in some way. This
occurred in the APR with a view to”
modernising” it. Berets were already “in.” but
long trousers, dress shirts and ties would soon
be the dress of the day.
After an extraordinary year of rewarding
activities in all of the interest spheres of my life,
my Scouting experiences in the last few months
before I sailed back to Australia were still
varied.
There was to be less emphasis on The Jungle
Book and the Wolf Cubs would be re-titled Cub
Scouts. The Scout Laws were revised in
terminology and reduced to eight.
The year 1966 was a year of change for British
Scouting. Already the beret had replaced the
scout hat. When on the two wood badge
courses and the World Training Conference, I
had sensed that change was in the air and not
just in Britain.
Australia’s own review of Scouting appeared in
1970, titled, Design for Tomorrow.
The APR
International weekend
The Advance Party Report was to have a
significant effect on Scouting in the UK. When
it was released in September, 1966, it received
considerable press publicity and was widely
discussed in Scout and community circles.
An International Weekend was held at Gilwell
Park on the weekend of 25/26th June. I could
not miss this. I had been allotted the nation of
Liberia to represent. On arrival at Gilwell Park
I was unable to find anyone else witnessing for
Liberia so I gathered some Queensland Rovers
to make sure that Australia was well to the fore.
I was able to obtain copies of both the full and
the abridged report. I mailed them to “Bus”
Derrick in Australia, as I was sure that they
would be of interest in Australia
On a wood badge course that I attended I had
already met Don Alverez, a London Scouter.
Don invited me to supper with his team of
Scouters. Half way through the campfire rain
fell and I was glad to have Don’s invitation.
Sir Charles Maclean, Chief Scout of the
Commonwealth, had in 1964 commissioned a
group of 24 experienced Scout Leaders, all
under the age of 45, to examine the movement
and make recommendations. He gave this
important committee his assurance that its
findings would most likely be adopted.
On the Sunday after church, I returned to my
tent for breakfast. I lit my portable stove.
Unfortunately I suddenly realised that the
entrance flap of my hike tent was smouldering.
It was too close to my primus stove!
Recommendations
At the time the recommendations were
“revolutionary,” but looking back with the
hindsight of what the movement is now, it is
interesting to read that the age of eight was to
continue to be the youngest that a boy could
join. No one talked about girls in the APR. The
93
I managed to extinguish both the stove and the
smouldering flap but it gave me a bit of a fright.
It could have been very serious. My Aunty
Mary ironed on a replacement patch a few days
later, but it was a lesson to me on where to set
up stoves with naked flames in tents. You
don’t!
Published, Ibid, September, 2008
132
The resulting canvas would appear to have been
lost but I have a photo of it. When, in my
professional life, the school board decided to
have a portrait of me in academic dress, I put
forward Don’s name and he was commissioned
Gang Show
I bought tickets and attended the Gang Show at
the Golders Green Hippodrome, taking with me
some relations and friends. While the
Melbourne Gang Show was of an equally high
standard it was very satisfying to have the
chance to see the celebrated show produced in
its home theatre.
Until the changed format of the Melbourne
Gang Show, there was generally a two-year gap
between the UK show and the use of some of its
material in the Melbourne one.
I can hardly claim to have met Ralph Reader,
the Gang Show producer, but I had brushed past
him on entering a lift in B-P house in 1974. He
was out of sight before I realised fully as to
whom I had seen.
Camp sites
British Scouting had a network of camp sites
across the nation which could be used by its
members and visitors. On several of my trips I
was able to erect my hike tent in these secure
and sylvan surroundings, namely at Folkestone
and Arundel
to paint it.
ETSST
Meanwhile in Australia the East Tarago Seniors,
under the leadership of Ken Abrecht and
Graham Dorling, were more than just surviving
in my absence. In January, 1966, they had a
very successful expedition, which included the
opportunity to sail on a boat while off the
Ninety Mile Beach in Gippsland.
Portrait
On the ship going to England I had shared a
table with the Cameron family of Kew, Victoria.
Don Cameron was an art teacher, but who had
also designed coins for the Australian Royal
Mint. I maintained this friendship with the
family in England since they lived nearby at
Morden while I was in Cheam.
Probably encouraged by their leaders, the
Tarago boys kept in touch with me by letter,
telling me how they were faring. Under their
new adult leadership they were clearly going
from strength to strength.
As Don was also a portrait artist, he asked
whether he could paint my portrait in scout
uniform. On a number of occasions I walked
across Nonsuch Park94 to sit for him.
The troop members had also improved their
skills at the Hoadley Hide at Easter, when it was
held in the Angahook Park – Lorne area, with a
South American theme.
94
Henry VIII had a palace in this park, but only some
foundations remain. It would not then have been
“public.”
133
was considerable excitement in the group as the
framework of the new 8th Cheam Scout hall was
taking shape.
th
Adieu 8 Cheam
In the latter part of 1966, I returned to the
Therfield School at Leatherhead to complete my
teaching obligations to the Victorian Education
Department. I was required to teach a total of
80 days while on leave.
On the following night the Senior Scouts and
their parents staged a special night to farewell
me. I received a carved wooden fruit bowl as a
parting gift.
On the following Sunday, I attended my last
Scouts’ Own with 8th Cheam. My Senior Scout
Woodbadge certificate and beads were
presented to me following this service. As with
the flags of 1st Cheam, 8th Cheam’s were also
kept in the nearby parish church of St. Dunstan.
The year was all but over. I now had to pack
and look forward to sailing back to Australia,
but this time via the Panama Canal. I had come
to the UK through the Suez Canal.
8th Cheam’s Scout Hall begins to take shape
Autumn and winter meant that the opportunity
for outdoor Scouting activities was fewer. By
now, Wally Wood had become the warranted
SSL for 8th Cheam, so any responsibilities that I
had for its supervision were at an end.
Panama Canal
It was not long before I set sail for Australia on
the S. S. Oronsay. On board I met Fred Hill,
MBE, who was on the Kent County team lay
team. We took part in the ship’s play and other
activities before he left the ship in America.
On the 22nd October I went with the Senior
Scouts for a day when they went on an
overnight hike to the Bentley Copse, Leith Hill
and the Holmwood area.
Before passing through the Panama Canal, the
ship called at Trinidad. On a local tour I passed
Scouts of the 5th Port of Spain Troop practising
pioneering, using sugar cane trunks and local
cordage.
A week later, I accompanied a party of the
Seniors to the play, Forever April, which was
definitely only for “over fifteen’s”!
A farewell function by 8th Cheam in my honour
On 17th November the Group Council thanked
me for my involvement during the year. There
134
Revue of 1966
At the end of 1965 I had obtained a letter of
introduction as a Scouter and also purchased the
Australian scarf. I hoped to make some
Scouting contacts during 1966 while on leave in
Britain. At the start of my trip I obtained an
invitation for the B-P anniversary service in
Westminster Abbey.
That had been a most stimulating experience. I
was then thrilled to be asked to be 8th Cheam’s
Senior Scout Leader – and by the boys
themselves.
I went on several hikes with the Senior Scouts
of 8th Cheam, taking part in a range of activities
whenever the dates fitted in with my diary.
These included an expedition to the Black
Forest in Germany. It was stimulating to be
present for their Scouts’ Owns, for which they
wrote the service and provided the music with
guitars.
Scouts of 5th Port of Spain (Trinidad) practise pioneering
At Los Angeles I was hosted by Vern Dunn of
the Boy Scouts of America. Unfortunately,
Disney World was shut that day, but Vern took
me to Knott’s Berry Farm, which was not
dissimilar in its concept. The theme was more
the “Wild West” and, apart from guns, horses
and the train being held up, the layout was not
all that different to one of Australia’s pioneer
settlements.
At the adult level, I completed a Senior Scout
Woodbadge and then unexpectedly was asked to
attend a Training the Team course, the Gilwell
Reunion and the 4th World Training Conference
-- all in one fortnight! I was able to get to one
or two conferences on scouting.
Welcomed home
On arrival back in Elwood to my parents’ home,
I was delighted to find that a large group of the
Warragul Senior Scouts and Rovers had come
down for afternoon tea to welcome me back to
Australia.
It was a seminal year in that the Chief Scout’s
Advance Party Report was released. The Girl
Guide Association also released their survey,
Tomorrow’s Guide. I look back on 1966 with
great satisfaction and have many happy
memories, particularly of Scouting.
A welcome home by ETSST members. Not quite the
“uniform” of the ship farewell a yea earlier
135
Chapter 2795
Back in the land of Oz
Geelong
Prior to leaving for the UK I had successfully
applied for a position at Bell Park High School
in Geelong. With the trip behind me, I would
need accommodation nearby. I found a unit in
Belmont. I lived there for five years before
marriage came along and a new life began.
Flanked at my “welcome home” Warragul night by
Randall Cadby and Russell Marriott
I had not given it much thought but presumed
that I would still do Scouting in Geelong,
preferably with the Senior Scout section.
These were the days before mobile phones. Yet
telegrams could still miss the person for whom
they were intended. It is hard to recall the world
before the ubiquitous “mobile.”
Nor was I sure how much spare time I would
have for Scouts, seeing that I would also be
continuing my military interests with the
artillery regiment in Geelong.
Ken’s party left Sydney a day early, but a slight
“bingle” in Canberra with one of the vehicles
had led Ken to be a day late in coming to
Cooma. Ken sent a telegram to my home
address about the alteration in dates but I had
already left. Short of involving the police my
parents would not be able to contact me.
In the month before school resumed I somehow
fitted in a trip to Warragul, the Gilwell Reunion
and an attempt to meet up with the ETSST’s
expedition as it came back into Victoria from
NSW. I would attend my first training
conference weekend a week or so after I started
at my new school.
In case the Scout party had overtaken us,
Randall and I fell back towards Bairnsdale,
making inquiries on the way as to whether the
other party had been seen. This was all rather
disappointing, but the pair of us found plenty of
interest in the meantime.
East Tarago’s trip
I had borrowed the Austin van that I had
presented to Warragul at the end of 1965 but
having purchased a Valiant station wagon I
returned the van to Ken Abrecht. Back in
Warragul I was given a “welcome home” by my
former East Tarago Seniors.
Caught up at last
Two nights later we were having an evening
meal in a café in Bairnsdale. What made me
look along the length of the shop to the road? I
then spotted the green Austin van driving
happily past.
Ken Abrecht and Graham Dorling were to take
the East Tarago Senior Scouts to Sydney and
Canberra later in January. I planned to meet
them on their way back, possibly at Cooma.
One of the lads, Randall Cadby, who had been
sick when the main party set off, came with me
with his parents’ permission.
95
Telling Randall to stay where he was, I made
haste to get to the car and chase after them –
observing all road rules and due diligence in the
process.
Some distance towards Sale, the Scouts in the
back of the van finally noticed my flashing
Published Ibid, November, 2008
136
I was also aware that a “Boss” Hurst97 had been
very active in developing Scouting in the area.
Further, that he had assisted scouts from Nauru
to the extent that the Scout Area was known as
the Geelong – Nauru Area. Mr. Harold Hurst in
his career had invented and patented the doublepointed wool-bale clip.
lights and we both pulled over to the side of the
road to meet up.
My limited knowledge of Geelong was based
since 1937 on many family trips to Geelong
since we had cousins there. I had also camped
at the Eumeralla Scout Camp near Anglesea in
1954.
Neil Hardie and John McLennan wash the Austin van,
now complete with its banner of ownership for ETSST
Nauru
In the days when the British Phosphate
Commission (BPC) was mining that commodity
in Nauru, Nauruan Scouts, in making their way
to Australian jamborees, could only reach it by a
BPC boat to Geelong.
I returned to collect Randall. The vehicles
drove home to Warragul in convoy. I slept that
night in Warragul joining the Senior Scouts next
day for the clean up.
A training warrant
At the Frankston Jamboree in 1934/5, when rain
washed out some of the camp including the
Nauruan party, “Boss” Hurst took them back to
Geelong to “dry out.” Mr. Hurst was to play a
leading rôle in the development of the Nauruan
nation and its obtaining of independence.
96
About this time Norman Johnson , Branch
Commissioner for Training, approached me
about being the training commissioner for
Geelong; the warrant in those days being
‘Assistant Area Commissioner for Training.’
My attendance at the Training the Team course
in the UK was already influencing my life.
Training conference
I was invited to attend the annual training team
conference at Gilwell Park. I drove my
neighbour, Jo Allen, to it.
Did one ever have an option with Norman?
This was a challenge that I had not expected to
come my way, although I did not shrink from
accepting it.
I met many old friends and started to grasp as to
what would be expected of me in terms of
conducting courses, supervising Geelong’s
Eumeralla Camp training ground, and in
encouraging leaders to undertake training.
I knew very little about Scouting in Geelong,
but was aware that there was a link with the
nation of Nauru. Geelong was very proud of its
history and its achievements.
I was told that Mrs. Joan (Jo) Allen held an
honourable charge and ran many of the training
courses. Then I discovered that she and her
husband, who also assisted with training, lived
next door to where I had obtained the flat!
97
For further information on “Boss,” see: Chambers,
David, ‘Boss’ Hurst of Geelong and Nauru, Hyland
House, 1949
96
Norm was the author of Camping for Scouts and
Others, a textbook for that part of the Scout program
137
reminiscent of that encountered in Warragul
four years earlier.
In turn I explained how the East Tarago Troop
had come into being and its operation. He was
very interested in this approach being explored
in his district.
Barwon Seniors
Des Bath, GSM of 1st Belmont, supported the
proposed formation. Peter MacAuslan, GSM of
1st Highton, was not so sure. He could see the
benefits, but he had just completed a practical
Wood Badge course. At this course, “Narse”
Lesser had impressed on the trainees the goal of
having a complete group, that is, one with (in
those days) all four sections.
My Honourable Charge as an Assistant Deputy Camp
Chief (ADCC) . Later the general title of “leader trainer”
was adopted (ALT or LT)
Area meeting
Jim Money, a holder of the Cornwell Scout
badge for rescuing someone at sea, was Area
Commissioner. I was not too sure of the area
structure but accepted the invitation to attend the
monthly area meeting,
However Peter knew that I was coming to
Geelong as a cousin of mine was on the group
committee of 1st Highton and, at a meeting,
casually mentioned that I was coming to
Geelong and that I “knew something about
Scouting.”
I think the meeting included all area committees
as well as the Ladies Committee. It was held in
the Guild Hall. The various commissioners,
both area and district, gave their reports, but I
felt that training did not have a high priority.
Given the history of training in Scouting, this
was not all that unusual.
But Barwon District already had a district Rover
Crew that worked well. Somehow I had to
convince Peter that under my scheme he would
have his “own” senior scout section, but not
have the load of providing its program of
activities. It remained to see whether he was
convinced.
Hence, if there was little for me to do as yet in
training, I might as well see what I could do at
the Senior Scout level.
Ture Hergstrom GSM of 2nd Belmont98 could
see the benefits. Rod Bryant, already a
warranted ASSL with 1st Highton felt that we
could work well together.
Ossie Lawson
Ossie was at the area meeting. He was the DC
for Barwon District. After the meeting I
approached him and expected to be kept at
arm’s length considering that he knew nothing
about me, but he was eager to harness me and I
had a meeting with him the following Monday
night.
In the course of the next week, I met the Senior
Scouts from the three groups. I have no idea
what they thought of me at the time, but it might
have been a case of “any port in a storm,” and
“we might as well let this unknown tall
character from Melbourne have his head.”
At this meeting Ossie explained that the Senior
Scouts in his district groups were fragmented
with little trained leadership, a situation very
98
138
Also AAC Scouts and acting AAC Training
If the East Tarago Seniors could have the
acronym of ETSST, then the Barwon District
equivalent would be “BDSST.”
However, the nature of the soil quickly led to
bare patches if disturbed, and campers had to
show care in how they moved off tracks.
Groups were permitted to build shelters so that
their roofs would catch the scarce rain water in
tanks.
First “Prelim” course
These were the days when there were three fulltime Field Commissioners on Branch
Headquarters. Amongst their duties was that of
conducting Explanatory and Preliminary
training courses, particularly in country areas.99
Yankee Gully
It now remained for me to find a place that
would be similar to Crossover near Warragul,
where the ETSST had their first outdoor
meeting in 1963. Once again the program
would consist of a series of Scouting challenges.
I had been recommended to look in the Steiglitz
area, but on a reconnaissance after school one
day with Michael Killingsworth, a 1st Belmont
Senior Scout, I found that it was too dusty and
that an area known as Yankee Gully would be
eminently suitable instead.
Stretcher cases on the Scout Prelim. At right is Max
Grinter who was manager of Griffiths Bookstore
As Geelong did not have a warranted scout
section trainer, Allan Thomson ran a Scout
Preliminary course over two weekends, the first
at the end of February. I was on his team. I was
being blooded!
Eumeralla
The Geelong Area had a fine camp site near
Anglesea. This had been developed by “Boss
Hurst.” Its southern boundary was the cliff top
with magnificent views over the ocean. A “goat
track” path led down the face of the cliff to the
sandy beach below.
“Boss” Hurst had his holiday home there and
would drive down most weekends. He was very
generous in providing camp improvements. For
training, there was a large troop hall and some
well-sited patrol huts.
99
Introduction to Scouting and Basic Sectional
Techniques courses
139
Chapter 28100
hall. My cousin Catherine was out from
England and as she was an experienced Guider
and camper, it seemed natural to include her.
I suggested that she might like to be on the subcamp team for the Hide. She gladly accepted.
We both went to the briefing. Nothing had
changed. There were a number of last minute
decisions in response to queries from the floor.
A full Scouting life
Overview
As 1967 developed, I found myself involved in
three areas of Scouting. In Geelong I was
forming the Barwon District Senior Scout Troop
as well as “treading water” with the Area
training portfolio. The third scouting interest
was still in the fortunes of the Warragul ETSST
lads.
A small party of Guide Rangers would also be
helping at the Hide. I was asked transport them
to it. They would go on to camp at their own
guide camp site at Warburton (Britannia Creek).
In addition, I had been re-elected chairman of
the Gilwell Reunion and was still involved with
the Campfire Club. I also seemed to pick up
tasks, such as helping at field days. It was a full
Scouting life!
Hot weather
Little or no rain had fallen in Victoria since the
previous Christmas and drought conditions
existed. There was a high bushfire risk. There
was every possibility that the Hoadley Hide
would have to be cancelled. However just in
time, the temperature dropped and rain fell on
the eve of Easter in the Warburton area where
the Hide would take place. But it had been a
near run thing.
Being still single, it was possible with careful
planning to fulfil my professional role as a
secondary school teacher at Bell Park High
School, my Army Reserve membership and the
three spheres of Scouting listed above. This
chapter tells of the success by Warragul Senior
Scouts in the 1967 Hide.
Getting there
At the end of the school day on the Thursday on
the eve of Good Friday I packed everything I
needed into the Valiant station wagon and drove
up to Melbourne. In a mutual “tit for tat,” John
Glover accepted a lift from Ringwood to
Warburton in return for helping with the Gilwell
campfires – just another little side commitment
that I accepted.
The Hoadley Hide
On the Tuesday before the annual Easter
competition, a briefing was held at a Kew scout
Maximum seating for the Valiant was six
persons101. Somehow we all found room as
well as the camping gear in the station wagon’s
luggage area. The party of two males and four
females drove to Warburton on Good Friday
morning through more very welcome rain.
Catherine Carle (far right), my cousin from Sutton,
Surrey,, England, with other lady (“slushy”) helpers
100
101
Published Ibid, December, 2008
140
Three across the front seat – no console in those days
Airline booths
A bonus night’s rest
The Hide organisers would always find an
excuse for checking the contents and weight of
packs. On this occasion as the teams were
“flying” in they could not have “excess
luggage.” My party staffed two of the check
points.
Ken Carland was a member of one of the three
ETSST patrols. Within an hour or two of
commencing, Ken suffered a migraine headache
and needed medical attention. As part of the
Hide’s medical plans at sub-camps, Pat Kelly
had turned his station wagon into an ambulance
but at that stage there were no other facilities. It
was decided initially to keep Ken on site under
observation as he mainly needed rest.
Ken was not much better an hour or so later. It
seemed to me to be wise to drive Ken home to
Warragul as he really needed home care. John
Glover said he would come with me.
It was not all that difficult to cut across the
ranges and hills from Warburton to Warragul.
We were soon at Ken’s home where two
grateful parents in turn offered us a bed for the
night. How could one refuse? John and I both
had a good night’s sleep, a warm shower and a
hearty breakfast before setting out to return to
Warburton on the Saturday, but without Ken,
who was still not fit.
Gilwell campfire
Ken Abrecht weighs in a scout’s rucksack
After lunch, I drove Catherine and John across
to Gilwell Park, meeting up with Dudley Wilson
at the Wesley College campsite. Dudley was in
overall in charge of the campfire. We
“scrounged” meals with David Stidston at his 8th
Prahran troop site.
Trains brought the Senior Scouts to Lilydale.
Buses, masquerading as aircraft, took them via
Yarra Junction to the area in which the Hide
would take place.
“Ark” Sims was in charge of our sub-camp.
The site was in dense bush. The only space in
which to erect the square tents was on a track.
We helped to make the camp ship-shape.
Catherine’s guide companions included two
Lyn’s and a Betty.
In the meantime the Senior Scout patrols were
getting on with the task of competing in the
stunts which have always been a regular part of
the Hoadley Hide. They looked a little
bedraggled after their early start, particularly
with the sudden change in the weather and the
humid conditions in the buses.
David Stidston plays host with 2nd Prahran at Gilwell
141
The campfire went well. We returned to the
Hoadley that night.
naming the time of any cup of tea or coffee,
such as “a quarter to four-sies”!
Easter Day
Olympic games
The three mainline churches had responded to
requests to arrange clergy to conduct their
denominational services. Father Geoff Stevens
came on behalf of the Anglican Church. By
now brilliant sun and warmth came to the area.
Geoff wore his full robes including a cope, but,
risking a double pun, he “coped.” All services
were well attended.
The Monday dawned and the washed-out games
of 1965 now took place in the only area that was
relatively flat and free of trees. However, many
Senior Scouts just lay down and recovered from
the exertions of the past four days and probably
the lack of sleep.
Graham Dorling, Ken’s assistant, and I
supervised basket ball (Well may you ask as to
what I knew about the game!)
Ken ran an assault course. Every time that
another patrol recorded a faster time, one of the
ETSST patrols came back and bettered it. From
where did they get the energy?
Clean up
It always seems to be easier to establish a camp
than to clean it up. As usual, there were food
supplies over. Without the Rangers to take
home, much of them came my way. But I trust
that when we eventually cleared the site we left
it as B-P had said we should – the only thing we
had left behind was our thanks!
Reverend Fr. Geoff Stevens, Anglican priest, awaits his
congregation at the Hoadley Hide, assisted by a Rover
Three A-Grades
After lunch I helped on a check point,
Chunking. Here there was a customs post and
the lads had to be positive if asked whether
“they had anything to declare.” I was impressed
with one of the Warragul patrols that came
through, but of course, I was not biased. I had
not been involved with their training for fifteen
months!
The final ceremony was held at Lilydale. Here
the many tired patrols lined up with great
expectations. Bob Swinton was the
Commissioner for Senior Scouts.
The lower grade winners were read out first.
Even when it came to the “B” grade level, up
from “C,” none of the ETSST patrols had been
read out.
“Elevenses”
Then, almost in succession, the home troop
names of the three Warragul patrols were
announced. The three East Tarago Senior Scout
Troop patrols had each been awarded an Agrade pennant.
Catherine, being from England, was used to the
idea that morning tea was known as
“elevenses,” it generally being served at that
time of the day. This was too much for the
Australians and, led by Ken Abrecht, continued
over the weekend to pull Catherine’s leg by
142
There was an outburst of joy at this
achievement. Ken Abrecht fell to his knees in
joy and prayerful thanks. I shared in his
pleasure.
They had been hoping for some boys from the
home troops to be present but were not ready for
the invasion of the victorious ETSST party,
together with former members of the troop who
wished to share in the victory celebrations.
It was quite a night of dancing, charades and
campfire stunts. Ken Carland was back on deck
– you could not keep a good man down!
A visiting Ranger was Barbara Robinson. A
hesitant invitee was Ian Hastings, the first Troop
Leader of the ETSST in 1963 and a born leader.
They introduced themselves. A year or two
later they were married. They now live in
Ballarat, where Ian works in forestry with the
DSE.
Bob Swinton, HQ Commissioner for Senior Scouts,
presents the first of three ETSST patrols with their ‘A”
grade pennant. L to R: Geoff Spencer, Don Hastings and
Paul Pianta
Out marched the three PLs – Paul Pianta,
Donald Hastings and Geoff Spencer -- to receive
their pennants. Geoff had won with only three
members in his patrol, Ken Carland being still
home in Warragul. (On a happy note the
powers that be declared Ken to be a member of
the patrol and he received the appropriate badge
for his very short-lived contribution.)
A group of triumphant winners stop on their way home
for a steak meal at the Golden Fleece service station on
the Warburton Road. The pennants were the first of many
Telling the world
Before I left Warragul to return home to
Geelong I was given the task of writing the
press reports for the two local Warragul
newspapers. Gratified all round, Catherine and I
returned to Melbourne after lunch on Easter
Tuesday.
Rangers’ social
Ken Abrecht stopped the vehicles on the way
back to Warragul at a café where there was a
celebratory meal. While they had steak,
Catherine and I remained very British, enjoying
our “scones and cream.”
Senior Scouts from 1st Highton, soon to be part
of the new “BDSST”102, had secured a “D”
pennant. It takes a year or two to develop the
That evening, another party of Rangers on a
train trip, had arranged to have an overnight stop
at Warragul where there would be a social.
102
BDSST – Barwon District Senior Scout Troop as
distinct from ETSST – East Tarago Senior Scout Troop.
Tarago District included Garfield, Drouin and Warragul
amongst other townships
143
skills and techniques to attain the “A” grade
standard. Now the potential members of the
acronym, BDSST, had a clear aim. They would
not disappoint themselves a year or two later.
On the Crest of a Wave
We’re riding along on the Crest of a Wave
And the sun is in the sky.
All our eyes on the distant horizon
Look out for passers by.
We’ll do the hailing
When other ships are around us sailing
We’re riding along on the Crest of a Wave
And the world is ours.
Ralph Reader
144
Chapter 29103
Venturing into a new Area
First meeting
Unlike the Warragul experience, which had
commenced with a get together “in the field” at
Crossover, the potential Barwon Senior Scout
members were invited to a meeting at the 1st
Highton Scout Hall.
The first members of what would be the Barwon District
Senior Scout Troop (BDSST) at a challenge day at
Yankee Gully north of Geelong. We start again
This hall stands impressively on a road frontage
with a sizeable piece of land around it. It
includes a “gully,” useful for pioneering – even
if there was no water and hence neither
crocodiles nor man-eating piranha fish in it!
Other factors restricted the day to an afternoon,
but the photographs and later attendances
indicated that it had been a successful
introduction to what could lie ahead.
On arrival that night, I was glad to see a number
waiting at the door and also that they were
carrying or wearing sand-shoes to protect 1st
Highton’s high quality flooring.
With the twelve lads present I conducted a
program of games, which included basket ball
with balloons and the challenge to construct a
Scout Transporter104 across the aforesaid
“gully.” To work out patrols, I distributed a
sociogram105.
I suppose there was some point to this stunt! Charioteers:
Peter Houston, Ross Howard, Barry Rowlands and Peter
Howard; Duncan MacAuslan, Paul Thetford, Paul
Hergstrom; and Graeme Little, Michael Killingsworth
(the horse), Peter Rogers and Keith Lowe
Yankee Gully
The first field day went very well. Thirteen
potential members of the new district troop
turned up to take part in the series of scout skill
challenges. These included decoding, map
references; crocodile- filled rivers; and
electrified fences that had to be crossed. Snow
shoes had to be fabricated. A stretcher, able to
comfortably carry an adult, was required to be
constructed.
As I had learnt at Warragul, a workable Senior
Scout team had to have enough numbers to
make it possible to hold a wide range of
activities without any member feeling that they
must attend every one for it to take place.
Would thirteen be enough in Barwon District?
Lady B-P
Olave, Lady Baden-Powell, was visiting
Australia in 1967. This was the sixtieth
anniversary of Scouting. I took my Girl Guide
English cousin Catherine (a Guider) to the
gathering for Olave’s welcome at the Festival
Hall. Dudley Wilson was MC for the function.
103
Published Ibid, May 2009
A pioneering construction of spars and ropes which
pivots vertically for each scout to cross the gully
105
Invites the individual to indicate with whom they
would like to be associated and with whom they would
not
104
145
mothers, can be quite certain of what is planned,
how and when.
Ture Hergstrom, Area Commissioner for Scouts and GL
2nd Belmont, takes it easy on the stretcher stunt. He was
one of several GLs to give BDSST every support
Communication
The big difference between the Warragul group
and the Barwon would be that communication
had to be handled differently. I was not a
teacher at the school where most members
attended; which was Belmont High School.
“Word of mouth” could lead to confusion. In
the end the only effective communication was
by circular.
Peter MacAuslan, GL of 1st Highton
Activities
Unable to find a find an unused scout hall, I had
the Court of Honour106 of elected patrol leaders
for a meal at my flat with the other members
coming later in the evening.
Des Barth, GL of 1st Belmont
Rod Bryant, Assistant Senior Scout Leader
Fortunately as a touch-typist and having access
to school duplicators, I was able to put out a
regular news sheet with complete details of
activities, including uniform needs. When this
method is used, then parents, particularly the
In May, a group of the new troop camped over
the weekend at the 2nd Belmont site at
106
146
Now known as the Troop in Council
Eumeralla, where a lot of pioneering was
practised. I had always been interested in
projects that could be achieved with ropes and
spars. A similar weekend was held later in the
year. A “father and son’s day” was held with
five sets attending.
when the Barwon lads, led by their Scottish
member Duncan MacAuslan, wore them as if
they were Tam O’Shanters!
David Ruppin, Ray O’Brien, Duncan MacAuslan and
Paul Hergstrom on a commando bridge at Eumeralla
Philip Law
Barry Rowlands at Eumeralla weekend camp
Geelong scouts annually staged Showtime,
which was probably inspired in part by the
Melbourne Gang Show. A bus was generally
chartered to take scouts and parents up to see the
Melbourne Gang Show each year.
Philip Law107, AC, CBE, the famous Antarctic
scientist and explorer, was the President for the
Geelong Area. He made his time readily
available, especially attending AGMs. He
generally gave talks about his experiences in the
Antarctic. At the AGM for 1967 he listed the
changes and inventions in society since 1945. If
he was to repeat this address today, the list
would be much longer and more startling. After
all computers were the size of a building in 1967
and as for mobile phones!
Scarves and berets
Having experienced the pressure in Warragul
for a district scarf, even though it was against
the spirit of Scouting’s rule book, I knew that
there would have to be one for the Barwon
District troop.
Warrnambool “Prelim”
The chosen pattern was maroon with gold
piping. I had to find a mother who would make
these scarves in a quantity so that I would never
be caught napping at an investiture.
My first training course as an Assistant Deputy
Camp Chief108 was at Warrnambool, where I
was assisted by John Dallimore, DC for Corio.
At the time, English Senior Scouts wore maroon
berets. I had either brought back some on the
ship or had arranged with a supplier, probably a
UK Scout Shop, to provide me with sufficient
numbers and sizes. Once again I was upstaged
107
These were Mr. Law’s honours at the time referred to.
He was later appointed Companion of the Order of
Australia, (AC), in precedence senior to an Imperial
Knight
108
In those days a Leader Trainer was known as a Deputy
Camp Chiefs (DCC) and his assistant as an ADCC.
147
The course was listed for GSM’s (Group
leaders). Country courses, although
Warrnambool was hardly country, were always
more demanding in organisation than those in
the metropolitan area.
I was issued with a third bead in time for the
weekend. The course meant a car trip with
home stay hospitality.
The course was titled a “Preliminary Course,”
the name traditionally used in the UK when, in
the early days of training, it was found that
scouters coming on a wood badge course did not
know enough about Scouting; so they did a
preliminary course to prepare themselves for it.
Ian Hastings with his father at Brighton Grammar School
camp at Labertouche, West Gippsland
Explanatory course
I was pleased that twelve members of the new
troop were able to take part. Two other cars
assisted with the transport. I met Barry
Marshall at this weekend, which was also held
in the Labertouche area.
This was held a week or two later at the nearby
1st Highton hall. It was conducted by Mrs. Joan
Allen and her husband with me assisting. The
Explanatory course title (or nowadays
“Introduction to Scouting”) prepared Scouters
for the “preliminary” one!
In 1967 it was an Saturday afternoon and
evening course, with the evening meal supplied
Labertouche
The Warragul Senior Scouts were holding their
father and son’s day at the Brighton Grammar
School camp, Labertouche, which had been the
forward HQ for the 1965 Hoadley Hide. I was
able to fit this event in, using the excuse that I
was taking Ian Hastings, now a student at the
Creswick Forestry Commission school, to it.
Somerama patrol: Paul Thetford, Duncan MacAusland,
Michael Killingsworth and in front Ray O’Brien and Peter
Howard at the hermit’s camp
Somerama
Euroa camp
In addition to the annual Hoadley Hide, there
were other metropolitan initiative weekends,
such as Somerama and the Melbourne
Gathering. Somerama was held in August in
1967.
I still had the cooperation of the farmer, who
had rights over the Seven Creeks area, to hold
hikes or camps on his land. It again seemed to
be the logical place for the first camp with the
new district Senior Scout members.
148
Euroa camp on banks of Seven Creeks: Ross Howard,
Duncan MacAuslan, David Ruppin, Adrian Lawson and
Peter Houston
In getting to the camp I had to come to terms
with the smaller carrying capacity of my Valiant
station wagon as against the previous 11-seater
Austin van – now owned as a gift from me to
the Warragul senior troop.
David Ruppin washes his hair in the river
Field Day
Barwon District held a successful field day for
the Scout Section in an area of Anglesea not far
from the Eumeralla camp. Members of the new
Senior Scout Troop were invited to assist with
the projects and stunts. Ken Carland, a former
member of the ETSST unit, came and lent a
hand.
The Seven Creeks was an idyllic site, with the sounds of
the river rushing over rocks and encouraging peace and
harmony. Unfortunately, both flood and bushfire have
had their sad influences but time should erase them
On the second day of the camp, the party set off
for a three-day hike in the Strathbogie Ranges
with the cooperation of the Forestry
Commission of Victoria and a local landowner,
Ken Dunnachie, of Forest Hills. On return,
there was a visitors’ day before returning home
to Geelong.
In the evening a successful camp fire was held
to complete the day’s program.
149
Unfortunately on the third weekend of the
course it was found that a St. John’s Ambulance
exercise was also taking place at the Eumeralla
camp. This stretched accommodation to the
limit. However the St. John’s personnel were
able to demonstrate their skills in retrieving
injured persons up the cliffs, using similar
abilities to those taught in scouting.
Ossie Lawson, DC of Barwon District
Hiking
Hiking would be a major activity in the BDSST.
On one of the first hikes, Duncan MacAuslan
and Paul Thetford joined me for an overnight
hike in the Brisbane Ranges.
Marc Blount, a HQ Field Commissioner, checks knotting
skills of Ted Lowe, Max Grinter and Derek Colvin
100th Scout Woodbadge
This course was conducted by Field
Commissioners, Allan Thomson and Marc
Blount. Gerald McNamara, who had been GSM
of my first group, 15th Malvern, and now a
widower, was glad of the opportunity to assist
the course, mainly “back stage.”
It had been a very dry spring and bushfires had
occurred as early as September. Consequently,
camping and hiking by Scouts were greatly
restricted. For the “overnight” hike of the
woodbadge course, the food was cooked at the
camp and taken out to the hiking groups who
were never far from urban settlement.
Max Grinter, Allan Thomson, Jim Money (Area
Commissioner), Mrs. Money at wood badge luncheon
Gerald McNamara, GSM of 15th Malvern in 1952 when I
became a Scouter. He helped on the staff of the course
150
2. You have been a lovely audience
And your laughter came just right,
No wonder we feel sad,
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
When we heard you all applauding
We were keyed up with delight,
O blow the passing hours
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
If you’ll all forget your buses
And agree to lose your train,
If you don’t go then we’ll do the Show
Right through again.
And you won’t get home ‘till morning
With the milkman and the light,
But when you’re here, the Gang is here
And life is bright.
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
Rodney Drew, first BDSST Queen’s Scout
Jindalee Jamboree, Queensland
3. When you realise we won’t meet
For another twelve months quite,
With such a dreadful thought,
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
You will all have lots more wrinkles,
Double chins will loom in sight,
so while you’re not too bad,
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
How about this for a notion,
And we think it’s worth a cheer,
It’s an idea this, we can all spend
Christmas right in here.
When you’ve really had a party
Like the one we’ve had tonight,
Let’s all stay glad and all go mad
In sheer delight,
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
Preparations were well in hand for this event at
the end of the year. The theme was “pirates,” as
if senior scouts needed any such
encouragement! Barwon and Warragul senior
scouts would combine with others under my
leadership.
Who Wants to Say ‘Goodnight’?
1. When you’ve had a lovely ev’ning,
Ev’ry thing’s been going right,
No matter if it’s late
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
When you’re with a certain someone
Who can set your heart alight,
And you are in the mood
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
For the time and place don’t matter
Even though the day is done
You’d rather stay when you feel OK
And have some fun,
But the ev’nings nearly over
For the hours are taking flight,
And though it ends among such friends
So warm and bright.
Who wants to say ‘Goodnight’?
Ralph Reader
151
Chapter 30109
the group site. I think our troop did well in the
site selection.
Jindalee Jamboree Queensland with its
theme of Pirates
The lead up
In the months leading up to the Jamboree, I used
what influence I could to successfully combine
the Barwon with Warragul Senior Scouts in the
same jamboree troop. Other troop members
were from 1st Leongatha, 1st Koonwarra, 1st
Dumbalk-Mardan, 1st Longwarry, 1st Garfield
and 1st Meeniyan.
Having had the experience of the Dandenong
Jamboree, Ken Abrecht and I worked closely
together with the Scouters from the other
groups. We built on its lessons. Ken had a
fabricated kitchen constructed and this was to be
sent up to Brisbane with the other camping gear.
Ken Picot, Jamboree group leader
At the jamboree, Ken was assisted by Jim
Rapkins. They worked well together and
greatly added to the event’s enjoyment by all us
in their group.
Back at the Dandenong Jamboree our troop had
erected a flag tower. It was thus inevitable that
the Jindalee site had to have something similar.
A ship’s mast would be in line with the nautical
and pirate theme. It had to be taller than any
rival construction. Obviously one of its flags
would be the “skull and cross bones.”
Picking up sticks
Ken Abrecht must have had some bad
experiences of travelling to Brisbane by road or
rail. I could well recall the Greenbank
Corroboree in 1957, which involved two to
three days on vintage trains, with all the ensuing
problems of sleeping, feeding and keeping
clean.
Ken Picot
There were to be four troops in a jamboree
group. One night I got a phone call from Ken
Picot, an ADC from Ballarat. He was a
department store manager. He said he would be
the group leader for the jamboree and he asked
me to come up to Bacchus Marsh for a meal at a
local hotel to meet him and the Scouters leading
the other three troops.
I would escape this by driving up to Brisbane
with my parents to stay with my sister and her
family. Ken decided to encourage the ETSST
and other Gippsland members to raise funds so
that they could fly instead.
I duly travelled to Bacchus Marsh and was
impressed by Ken’s dynamic leadership and
management abilities. A few nights later he
arranged a telephone link up so that we could
“toss” to see which troop had which quarter of
109
To earn enough money the Senior Scouts found
that landowners in Gippsland were in the
practice of burning off unwanted scrub and bush
on their properties and would then hire people to
pick up these burnt sticks and stack them for
removal.
Published Ibid, April 2009
152
It was dirty and exhausting work, but it brought
in sufficient cash for the party to arrive fresh at
the jamboree. They raised (in 1967 money
values) $2,000, which covered air fares and
jamboree fees.
First “Scouts”
Bill Dawson asked me to enter the camp a day
early. This fitted in with my plans. I was to
help Victorian Senior Scouts find their sites,
when they arrived by train, for them to set up
their camps, having located their equipment
boxes.
“Warratarbargo”
Large swappable name tapes were ordered in
similar vein to the “Hamarago on the Hill” one
of the 1964 jamboree. The coined name of
“Warratarbargo” combined the names of the
Warragul, Tarago and Barwon districts.
With a suitable degree of wheeling and dealing I
was able to get some of the early arrivals to
locate and transport the ETSST equipment
boxes on to our site. Scouts will do anything for
a badge or nametape! A local resident provided
a Kombi van by chance and this made the task
all that much easier.
A hiccup
Who knows what warning country troops got,
but Ken Abrecht was suddenly faced with a
“this day” requirement of packing up the gear
for the jamboree and making it available for
onward transport.
As for 1965, we had amongst our gear a
marquee, tables and forms so that in the hot and
humid summer Queensland climate we could be
as comfortable as possible.
In the rush to achieve this, the various boxes
that were available to Ken were quickly filled
with cooking equipment and the like and the lids
nailed down. But they were not roped.
Warragul arrive
At Jamboree HQ, I found an efficient person
handling transport. A bus had already been
allocated to go to Eagle Farm Airport to pick up
the “flying Tarago boys.” I accompanied it to
the airport. The flight, a DC9, was just about to
land as we drove in. Out of the aircraft poured
the clean, fed and fresh Warragul Senior Scouts!
Arrival
I arrived in Brisbane on the 23rd December, four
days before the Warragul boys flew in. I could
not resist the chance to drive out to the Jindalee
site on this and the next day. I located the troop
site and also looked for the boxes that Ken
Abrecht had packed and sent up.
Back at the site, everyone got stuck into the task
of making the site “ship shape.” By now the
boxes or rather their missing contents in some
cases were affecting our site establishment but
necessity is the mother of invention and we
coped. The biggest losses had been some of the
dixie lids and some personal gear.
The site was a good one, but the boxes had been
unloaded in several dumps. Some had remained
intact with their lids. Other boxes had not been
so fortunate – their lids were missing and their
contents astray.
The mast
A day or two later, the Warragul lads, under the
leadership of Paul Pianta, tackled the erection of
the ship’s mast. This reached some fifty feet
(17 metres) in height. It was safely guyed. A
rope ladder led to the “crow’s nest” constructed
at the top. This “look out,” complete with flags,
had a dominating view of the surrounding sites.
I celebrated Christmas Day with my parents and
sister’s family. The Jamboree and its problems
could have a breather.
153
of water. Several times a day the site was hosed
down to control the dust. I think it saved our
sanity.
One needed a head for heights and faith in the
knots and lashings, but many “pirates” ascended
the structure. They also descended safely.
Would such a mast be permitted nowadays with
all the requirements for safe working?
The view of the jamboree from the top of the mast
The crew of the pirate ship assembled to meet the
Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe
The “ship’s mast” on our site
Routine
Patrol Leaders
The weather was very hot and steamy. One day
it reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 C). To
use my phrase at the time; “it was debilitating.”
I decided that the same principles used at
Dandenong in 1965 would be appropriate.
Meals and parades would take place to the
second. Uniform would be worn to meals. This
regimented approach helped the lads to cope
with the conditions.
One or two of the ETSST Patrol Leaders would
have been over 18 by the time of the jamboree.
Neither Ken nor I saw any problem with this but
the jamboree administration did! Ken wired me
when I got to Brisbane warning me about this
late advice by circular.
The over-18 Senior Scouts were to report to the
Works and Services Camp. I decided to
support, if possible, the wishes of those affected
to still enjoy the jamboree as PLs. My
experience of bureaucracy in a volunteer
organisation was that sooner or later the
“chiefs,” who had made the decision at such a
late stage, would have other challenges with
which to cope, so I admit to being “lethargic” in
complying with the ruling.
The troop invited guests to meals whenever they
could. In keeping with the theme a “long boat”
with a crew would be sent to bring them to our
“island” site.
Very early in the jamboree Ken had bought a
garden hose. In 1967 Brisbane had no shortage
154
them. I often thought that the theme of the
jamboree lent itself well to the Senior Scout
section. We became past masters at borrowing
useful equipment and hanging on to what we
considered was our own.
I found after a day or two that Victorian
contingent HQ had only listed the names of two
of our “over- 18’s.” We kept the existence of
the other four under cover until I was eventually
called to front the Victorian Chief
Commissioner.
Interstate rivalry
But after “free and frank discussions” a
compromise was agreed, with the “over-18’s”
being allowed to sleep with the other adults on
our site and only one of them required for
“works and services.”
Instead of having a Jamboree scarf, there were
State scarves. Perhaps the troubles would have
occurred anyway but this easy State
identification encouraged the groups of New
South Wales and Victorian Senior Scouts to
heckle each other. Victorians made up a third of
the scouts in camp.
Whenever the troop could, it volunteered to do
service in the Jamboree area, in part to be
Scouts but also to show that Troop V4P3 was
very willing to build up credit and offset any
negative feelings towards me and the troop
because of the “over-18” sequence.
Chief Scout
The Chief Scout of Victoria, Major-General Sir
Rohan Delacombe, visited our site. We were
probably as good a band of cut-throats as he
could have found. He did not attempt to climb
the mast. In this he was only following my lack
of example!
BDSST lads entertain Sue Falconer of 2nd Belmont
My memory is that when the “Vics” said, “Up
the Vics,” the New South Welshmen would
reply, “By the neck”! Feelings got quite heated
and I advised my members never to go walking
at night singly or to seek trouble.
Program
The Jamboree program was as usual a very full
one. The arena always had displays or concerts
day and night. The Victorian display of pirate
treasure and the crews of four “ships” fighting
each other was spectacular, but all makeshift
swords had been confiscated before the event. I
wonder why?
The Governor of Victoria, Sir Rohan Delacombe, visits
our site: Paul Thetford, Duncan MacAuslan and Ken
Abrecht
Seafaring terms
A Discover Brisbane challenge encouraged the
interstate visitors to get out and about.
Prior to the jamboree I had bought a book about
pirates. I also tried to master ship’s time with its
various bells and watches. A hand bell sounded
155
The ETSST lads scampered across the short
distance to the aircraft in the rain and flew back
in comfort to Melbourne.
Rain
On the final Friday night rain fell. Saturday was
the day when the tents would be struck. With
fears of canvas being mildewed if packed wet,
there were frantic efforts by many leaders to
consider whether flying the canvas or using a
fast truck to get them back to Victoria would be
better than the planned arrangements.
The Jindalee Jamboree was over just in time.
Over 300 mm of rain fell in Brisbane over the
next few days! It would be the last jamboree to
which Senior Scouts would be invited. From
then on they would attend “Ventures.” My
involvement in the second of these at
Nunawading in 1969-70 will be shared in a later
chapter.
The rain did ease to permit drying out to take
place, but not all tents or marquees could be
packed dry. The last forty-eight hours of the
jamboree were a little “harum-scarum” as a
result. This time the Warragul boxes were
thoroughly roped for their safe homeward
journey.
Training Team meetings
Without putting an exact date on them, Norm
Johnson, the training commissioner, regularly
called meetings of the various Assistant Area
Commissioners for Training at the then branch
headquarters, namely in Elizabeth Street.
Jamborees have some wonderful benefits in
terms of meeting scouts from other nations and
taking part in some memorable activities. I can
still vividly remember sitting on the ground one
night and listening to the Sydney Symphony
Orchestra at the 1952 Greystanes Jamboree.
He got into the habit of booking in my name a
table at the Naval and Military Club110. I would
drive up from Geelong and join Norm, together
with others, such as Ken Bayly and other
“single” leaders. Norman was glad to relax at
the end of a day of dental surgery. Meal and
wine costs seemed ridiculously low in
comparison to 2010 values, but then most of us
had ready income.
Warragul fly out
There was a slight muddle with the return bus to
the airport but the chap in charge switched an
available bus for our needs.
In those days, passengers normally walked
across the tarmac to join their planes. This was
how it was that day but just as the Boeing 727
was about to load, there was a rain squall.
Without too much regard for punctuality, we
would then move to the meeting in the
headquarters building where on more than one
occasion we found a group of stone-cold sober
AACs awaiting us with barely disguised
irritation. But the meetings were always fruitful
and ended in a high morale and expectation,
such was Johnson’s personality111
110
Unfortunately, this club folded in 2009 through a
number of factors. These included a change in attitude to
club life; the decline in the army reserve; the move of
regular army personnel to Canberra and beyond and the
like. It will be sadly remembered.
111
Norm was the author of the booklet, Camping for
Scouts and Others, and was renowned for his success as a
scout leader. His personality attracted many outstanding
leaders to staff his group’s sections, including Bob
Stinton.
Warragul boys run to catch their flight home to Victoria
156
between 14 and 17113 require quite a degree of
sophisticated understanding and they more than
test the fortitude and experience of their unit
leaders.
Chapter 31112
Multiple warrants and the Axedale Hoadley
Hide
I was also chairman of the Gilwell Reunion
again and still very much involved with the
Scout Campfire Club.
You don’t have to be mad
I would not recommend the pace of life that I set
myself as 1967 became 1968. Back from the
Jindalee Jamboree and ready for another year at
Bell Park High School as a commerce teacher, I
had other responsibilities than just Scouts.
Australia Day
At a reception at Eumeralla Scout Camp, the
Chief Scout of the Commonwealth, Sir Charles
Maclean, Bt., and his daughter, Jeannette, were
guests. The Area Commissioner, Jim Money,
presided at the luncheon. BDSST members
took a leading roll in the function
But I still fitted in a week as a QM at a Gilwell
woodbadge course. The experience was similar
to the 1965 course when I was TL, but I was
now administering training in the Geelong Area.
I think I had “won my spurs” to be on the
training team.
Raft race
I held major’s rank in Geelong’s CMF artillery
regiment, and shortly was to be seconded to
prepare for the tactics course for the next level
in rank, that of lieutenant-colonel and unit
commander.
I was also a lay reader in the Anglican Church
and often took the service at St. James’, one of
the “daughter” churches of St. Stephen’s
Belmont.
Multiple warrants
The Geelong Rovers annually conducted a raft
race on the River Barwon. Rafts of wood and
large metal drums were constructed and then
floated on the River Barwon. The crews
“rowed” them to the finishing line with every
chance that other crews would ‘bombard’ them
on the way past. It was the BDSST’s first time
to enter and they won the Senior Scout event.
In hindsight I agree that one warrant (or
certificate as it is nowadays) should be sufficient
for anyone to conscientiously discharge, but try
telling that to the likes of a Graham Farley in
1968.
Thre Area (now Region) warrant as AAC
Training was quite sufficient. I was also the
DSSL with Barwon District.
Gilwell Reunion
Probably all Scouters consider that they are
leading the most challenging section, but I
would suggest that youth members aged
If I was to ever write the history of the Gilwell
Reunion, I would have to admit my endeavours,
together with those of Norm Johnson, to
significantly separate the dates of the reunion
112
Following a change of editorial policy, no more of
these chapters have been published, but have been placed
on CD
113
157
Fifteen to eighteen in 1968
It was at the 1968 reunion that Bill Agar and his
friends began the Saturday night social program
with dressing up, dancing and frivolity on every
side. For once Scouters could legally kick up
their heels!
Sir Charles Maclean
As the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth had
visited Australia for the Jindalee Jamboree, he
stayed on for a while visiting scouts across the
nation.
Having won the raft race, the intrepid crew turn to give 1st
West Geelong a welcome with suitable soft missiles
Geelong-Nauru Area was privileged to host him
and his daughter, Jeanette, on Australia Day at
the Eumeralla Camp.
from those of the Training Team weekend.
Traditionally the reunion had been on the
Australia Day holiday weekend with the training
team’s conference a fortnight later.
The reunion organisers always hoped that
members of the training team would appear at
the reunion to share with the leaders that they
had trained. But the two weekends so close to
each other at that time of the year often proved
to be too much.
To break this nexus, Norm and I changed the
date of the reunion to a weekend in the middle
of March. We got away with this for two years
before Gilwellians requested that it be returned
it to its traditional Australia Day weekend. I
have no memory as to whether more training
team members ever attended the reunion in the
two years when the dates were changed.
Duncan MacAuslan presents an area badge to Jeanette
Maclean, daughter of the Chief Scout of the
Commonwealth, Sir Charles Maclean at Eumeralla
The day included a luncheon to which area and
district leaders were invited.
Elisaid MacAuslan, Duncan, Ossie and Mrs. Lawson, and
Peter MacAuslan at Australia Day function.
A cheerful lot wash and dry up in their service role: Peter
Houston, Adrian Lawson, Greg Parker, Keith Lowe, Peter
Rogers and Peter Howard at Eumeralla scout camp
158
Camping Course
The water truck
Barwon senior scouts provided a “service
patrol” to support the adult leaders on a camping
course conducted by area training staff.
The Axedale bush was quite dry and water was
at a premium. On the first night many patrols
came into our sub-camp to camp over night.
Most were out of water. Hide headquarters
seemed reluctant to send out the water truck at
that hour.
“Beaver” Smith was a retired lieutenant-colonel.
I was a major in the army reserve. “Farley, go
and get that truck and do not come back without
it!” I went with Barry Marshall in his car to
carry out the order.
We set out for Hide headquarters and presented
ourselves with “Beaver’s” demand. There was
an attempt to mollify us with hospitality, but we
said that we would remain outside until we saw
the water truck on its way to our sub-camp.
Either “boasting” or responding to the phrase at the time,
“Do you want a medal?” with “I have a chest to pin it
on!”
There were all sorts of rash promises in this
regard but eventually it was realised that we
were serious and the truck finally started up and
moved off. I am not sure what would have
happened amongst the thirsty gold miners if
commonsense had not prevailed.
Hoadley Hide at Axedale
Cliff Dent and I found ourselves on the subcamp staff of “Beaver” Smith. The theme for
the Hide was deep-lead gold mining.
Movement to the site for Senior Scouts was by
train, using the residual section of the former
branch line to Kilmore East via Heathcote from
Bendigo. This segmented branch line served a
defence establishment; since abandoned and
now part of a “rail trail.”
I have a clear memory of another night when
Robert Fallshaw, in his part as a hide leader,
told (or rather “stirred up”) the scout “gold
diggers” with news of a wonderful new strike
some distance away. Entering into the spirit of
it all the gold miners enthusiastically set off in
pursuit of their Eldorado.
There was no longer a platform at the line’s then
terminus, but that did not inconvenience the
scouts either detraining or getting back on the
train at the end of the competition. Rucksacks
were hurled on and off with the bodies
following them, notwithstanding the gap
between ground and carriage floor.
On that Hide, Leon Costermans, then a high
school science teacher, trained the Senior Scouts
of 1st Alexandra so well that they won an Agrade pennant. They would certainly have
known their trees; one of Leon’s specialities.
The Axedale forest, unlike most, was relatively
free of scrub. A hiker could move freely
through it on a compass bearing. In view of that
year’s drought, scouts could have also been
evacuated very quickly.
Commissioner Wood Badge Course
Norm Johnson, then branch training
commissioner, teamed up with Bill Dawson to
run a combined Group Leader/Commissioner
wood badge course at Eumeralla.
159
Anyone who worked with Norm, will know that
the program and timings could vary with
Norm’s whims. One learnt to cope and be
flexible. But there was a good spirit on the
course. “Boss” Hurst had recently upgraded the
Bill Dawson, who worked closely with Norm Johnson on
many scout ventures, demonstrates his chef skills
A month or two later I led a group of hikers in
the Kinglake area. By now it was taken for
granted that maps would be colour layered to
show elevation. In 1968 photocopying was
sufficiently advanced for clear black and white
copies of ordnance maps to be made. In turn,
after colouring for heights, these maps were
covered with plastic to cope with wet and
muddy conditions.
Norm Johnson, HQ Commissioner for Training discusses
the virtues of the “square tent” at the WB course
training facilities. In addition, their location at
the top of the cliff above the Anglesea beach,
was enervating.
Despite this, I again demonstrated my ability not
to read a map, although I rarely got lost!
The staff hut, built by “Boss,” later to be named
“The Lodge,” had enough space for a session
room, a kitchen and sleeping for a dozen or so.
Just outside was an open air training session
circle.
It was also the occasion that on the day of
departure, and finding several members had not
had their breakfast when they came to my home,
I fed them with “peas and toast,” which was
about all the food I still had on hand! I was
never allowed to forget that menu.
Hikes
Later in the year there was a hike to the former
Wensleydale coal mine.
The Barwon Senior Scouts continued to enjoy
their hikes. One took place in the Strathbogie
Ranges area, building on the lessons of the one
the year before.
Area Training Panel
In the course of the year the framework for the
area training panel started to fall into place. The
first stage was to identify and appoint ADCs for
160
together with a neat cardboard pocket sized area
directory, which listed the key names of area
personnel, the key dates for 1969 and the area
training program.
Training and to bring together training records
for the Geelong Area Scouters.
I convened the first meeting in August. It was
held at my flat. I was and still am a great
believer that a meeting should start on time at
the appointed time, ie., eight o’clock. Equally,
sixty minutes is quite long enough for business.
At nine we would rise for supper. The meetings
were held on the fourth Monday of each month
with Part 1 Woodbadge studies on the 1st
Monday.
I later got permission from the owner of my flat
to paint a wall in my spare bedroom with
blackboard paint. On this wall I entered all the
groups and names of their leaders, using a
different coloured chalk to indicate progress to
their wood badge. I obtained details from
branch headquarters, which was then still at 384
Elizabeth Street.
To add a bit of status, I obtained quantities of
Maclaren tartan ties (men) and scarves (ladies)
from overseas to present to the members of the
training panel to be worn in civilian dress if they
so wished.
Area/district/group events
Since they tended to be held each year, a
summary might be useful. The Area held an
annual ball. A scout-warranted policeman, John
Grover, was very active in both Area and Senior
Scouts until he was posted to Swan Hill at the
end of 1968. The area was exploring the
establishment of a branch of the Scout Shop114.
October was a busy month with the area’s
annual Eumeralla Day.
Lyn Smith, secretary at the Bell Park High
School and a warranted cub leader, undertook to
be secretary and maintain the records.
Explanatory courses were held at the 1st Highton
scout hall before they were transferred to
Eumeralla.
The district ran a patrol leaders’ training course
for the Scout section, together with a field day
in October. The district Senior Scouts attended
an Ambulance course, as well as the annual
Father and Sons’ day. A party took part in the
Melbourne Gathering, an annual challenge
weekend like a mini Hoadley Hide.
Lyn Smith, training panel secretary
At the end of the year an overnight conference
of the training panel was held at the renamed
“The Lodge” at Eumeralla to plan the 1969
calendar. Edna and Ted Parker played a leading
role, with Heather Grinter assisting with
catering.
“Flag Break”
This was the name given to the training panel’s
newsletter. Lyn prepared this as well. It was
mailed to all warranted scouters in Geelong
using the cheap postage rates prevailing at the
time. The first copy came out at the end of 198
114
161
Now handled through the Snowgum chain of stores
I even fitted in a Gilwell Reunion committee
meeting on the way in Melbourne. We slept
overnight in 2nd Warragul’s scout hall. The
particular model Valiant that I owned at the time
could ‘eat up’ the miles or kilometres and we
found ourselves in East Gippsland in no time.
“Blind folded” fathers are led away guided only by a rope
at the annual “fathers and sons’” day
Queen Scouts
Duncan MacAuslan, Paul Thetford and Adrian
Lawson qualified for their Queen Scout badges
which were presented at a suitable group
function. Later in the year they attended the
Government House function.
Adrian Lawson, Paul Thetford, Gary Roberts and Cliff
Dent on reconnaissance for the January expedition to the
Gippsland Lakes – the theme being canoes
Having completed the reconnaissance of the
Gippsland lakes area, I turned the car for home.
It was a late arrival back in Geelong. The next
day I had to front up for Eumeralla Day. I was
glad that I was then young and fit. Nowadays I
would be concerned to hear of any one trying to
fit all that into one weekend.
Bairnsdale reconnaissance
A small group of the patrol leaders set out with
me on a Friday night from Geelong for
Gippsland to check out the possibilities for the
January expedition, which would have a
canoeing theme.
Eumeralla Day and a photographed tower to prove it!
Ted Parker and his wife established 4th Belmont
162
Berets
In November I was invited to represent the area
at the monthly headquarters commissioners’
meeting in Melbourne. I am sure there were
many other more important matters, but some
time was spent in discussing the pros and cons
of whether the Senior Scout section should be
allowed to wear berets. (I must admit that the
BDSST were already wearing them. Could I
justify them as “camp dress”?)
But it is interesting to read the minutes of that
commissioners’ meeting. There were those
present who thought the current hat was still
quite suitable, even though seniors would be
wearing a hat that already had experienced three
years use in the scout section.
Similarly some commissioners present felt that
the movement should set the example of having
headgear that had maximum sun protection,
although this was countered with the thought
that most troops met at night.
Berets were already worn in Western Australia.
There were those that considered that Senior
Scouts wished to wear something different.
Finally, two or three wished to wait for the
decisions that would be based on the Design for
Tomorrow report in 1969. I doubt whether the
discussion affected even one youth member’s
attitude to the matter.
I find it interesting to read that “Mr. Farley115
stated that he was a strong advocate of Scouters
setting an example.” This must have been said
“tongue in cheek” with my fingers crossed
behind my back!
The year ended with the troop preparing canoes
and getting them and themselves ready for the
canoeing expedition on the Gippsland lakes.
115
The minutes were very formal. The ”Mister” title was
used throughout
163
The destination chosen was the series of lakes in
East Gippsland. The itinerary over ten days
would include canoeing down the River
Mitchell from Lindenow to Eagle Point. Then
after an overnight hike on the ocean beach, they
would spend a night or two in Lakes Entrance.
The third phase would be exploring the North
Arm before returning to Metung and then home.
Chapter 32
Canoeing expedition to Gippsland Lakes
BDSST
In the course of the year some “Under 15” troop
members came up to the senior troop. One of
these was Gary Roberts who was to demonstrate
great qualities of leadership. The overall
numbers increased, but at the same time some
members elected to find other things to do other
than Scouting.
It was agreed that the seniors would cater and
cook in pairs. For ease of storage, the boys
were encouraged to have a box for their food,
clothes and other items. The main body would
travel by train to Lindenow116 and return from
Bairnsdale. Well, half of that plan worked!
Once again it was clear that the ones that would
remain active in the troop were those that came
up knowing who was in the adult leader team
and that they approved the nature of the
program. Whereas Warragul had tended to have
expeditions based on vehicles, the Barwon
members knew that canoeing would be the main
feature.
Trailer
“They” decided that I would tow the trailer
carrying the canoes. I was “instructed” to pick
up the four-wheeler trailer the day before we
left. The senior scouts would construct a timber
framework for the carriage of the canoes.
Maroon T-shirts
There are times when we should appear in
“uniform,” but all too often the members will
take diversity to extreme lengths when uniform
is not required.
I decided to have a “uniform” camp dress and
got a Geelong sports supplier to appliqué the
letters ‘BDSST” in yellow on the back of
maroon T-shirts.
Loading the four canoes on the hired trailer
These were initially worn under sufferance. All
too often the “D” looked at a distance like an
“O,” and the shirts became known as the
“BOSST” shirts.
I had never towed a trailer and this was a 16foot117 one. The chap at the garage showed me
how to hook it on to the car’s tow-bar and make
it secure, while at the same time giving me a
spare tyre for it. I swayed from the garage to
the scout hall as I started to learn how a trailer
affected the driving of the Valiant.
The expedition plan
I found that the Barwon boys wished to take a
main role in organising their expedition. They
decided to make canoeing their theme. The
troop had access to four canoes – two Canadian
ones and we borrowed two others.
Cliff Dent was the other leader. He drove the
Austin van from Warragul, which was on loan
116
The Bairnsdale train stopped in those days at
Lindenow
117
Approximately five metres
164
It was interesting to watch the cooking
arrangements. One pair dined in comfort each
time, with table cloth and seats. Others took
short cuts and, if the food did not have to be
cooked, they would eat it cold.
to us for the expedition. It became the main
personnel carrier. The two vehicles set off after
church on Sunday, 19th January, as an advance
party to a scout camp at Lindenow. This site
had been used by Warragul two years earlier.
Washing up was monitored. The good dining
pair resorted to offering to wash up the
Scouters’ plates and so save themselves the
trouble of boiling their own water for the
purpose. It was a useful arrangement.
On the Tuesday the lads tried out the canoes,
demonstrating that they could “bottle” the craft
but not get into further difficulties. They also
placed buoyancy items in the canoes. All was
ready for the official launching the following
day.
Paul Belin shows off his food “munga” box to his mates
Launching
Situated on the River Mitchell, the site had a
large log cabin in which meals could be cooked
if necessary on fire ban days. The main party
then arrived by train and hiked to the camp site.
Several would complain of having blisters, and
bandaids were used in plenty.
On the Wednesday the four canoes, with up to
three crew each, were launched. They were to
canoe down river. The balance hiked to the next
camp site. The adults drove the vehicles to a
point further down stream where they set up
camp.
Settling in
The Senior Scouts erected their hike tents with
most of them wearing their new maroon T-shirt,
though I easily detected some resistance,
principally on the grounds that it was my idea
and not theirs. The evening meals were cooked
in the log cabin.
Launched, the two Canadian canoes and their crews, with
still one of them protesting about the need to wear a vest
One canoe got into difficulties. The local post
master advised us of the fact and their location.
This one and the other canoe were rescued.
Meanwhile the hiking party came in.
Settling in, both to wearing their “BDSST” T-shirts and to
their hike tent sleeping arrangements
The camp site was near to a road bridge. Along
the river a water pump hammered away all
165
night. Local cattle were moved from one
paddock to another over the bridge. Their
hooves made a strange rumbling noise as they
clop-clopped overhead.
Life jackets
It was a constant struggle to enforce the wearing
of life-saving devices. The argument used
against me was that life jackets as such were so
bulky that they made canoeing difficult. The
preference was for buoyancy vests, but even
these would just be left in the bottoms of the
canoes rather than being worn when they were
out of my sight.
Gary Roberts, TL, worked out an ingenious plan
for the following day, whereby the canoes were
in the water all day but with a change of crews.
I was deputised to make the RVs and recover
the canoes at the end of the day.
Granted the rivers were tame in comparison to
the River Goulburn, that would be the scene for
the 1970 expedition, but it was still of
considerable concern to me. It was found that
the lakes themselves were too rough to cross,
irrespective of the life jacket issue. Instead, the
boys preferred to hug the banks, believing that
they could walk to them if the canoes were
swamped.
The party would proceed downstream through
Bairnsdale to Eagle Point.
Mosquitoes
These insects gave us all a hard time throughout
the trip. I had brought an atomiser with me but
had lost part of it. Repellent cream was used in
great quantities. The “mossies” thrived in the
wetlands of the lakes.
Ocean Beach hike
Eagle Point and Guides
I am not sure how the boys were transported
over to the ocean beach, but I was aware from
Ken Abrecht’s previous spell in this area that it
was not hard to hire a launch for the purpose.
The lads were to spend one night out before
joining us at Lakes Entrance.
The day’s canoeing was uneventful. Cliff and I
were able to make the drops and pick ups
according to the plan. At the end of the day we
arrived at the Eagle Point campsite. The camp
warden warned us about the insects, but we
needed no telling. We got some temporary
relief by camping where the off-the-ocean
breeze was the strongest.
At this camp site a company of Girl Guides was
camping further up the hill. It is surprising how
chivalrous Senior Scouts can be in these
circumstances. I made an official visit to their
camp.
When I returned I found members of the troop
surrounding a young guider who had a pressure
lantern that she claimed she and the other
leaders could not light. What an excuse! I
spoilt it all by showing how easy it was to light
it and she left with an escort and her lantern to
her camp.
Peter Agg and Peter Roberts share cooking and catering
However, I did notice that not much in the way
of tentage or supplies was taken. Cliff and I
were surprised that evening to find the HQ tent
full of beaming hikers who had put on the pace
along the coast and then found a cooperative
166
service station café118 nearby to provide a last
night meal. My diary indicates that this twocourse meal cost only a dollar a head. That
should give some idea of inflation since 1970!
boat owner to bring them back to our site across
the water.
Rest day and storm
On the Saturday it was planned to have a day of
rest. This included shopping for supplies. In
the evening there was every sign of a storm
coming. It was unlikely that the hike tents could
withstand the onslaught and I directed them to
bring their sleeping bags and gear into the main
square tent where they were stacked safely.
Rail strike
Once again I was able to point out the value of
spade deep trenches around the tent. With the
storm over, the senior scouts re-established their
separate camps.
The word got around Bairnsdale pretty quickly
that some fifteen fine strapping neatly dressed
and well-spoken lads wished to get to
Melbourne. In the end I had to turn a blind eye
and set out with Cliff and the van for Melbourne
via Warragul with only a couple of the more
timid seniors.
The best laid plans… We received news that
trains would not be running on the day of our
return! The lads immediately started making
plans to hitch-hike, which did not fit with my
ideas at all.
Church and North Arm
Scouts under my supervision knew it to be
inevitable that I would arrange the itinerary so
that there were churches nearby of all their
denominations. They generally accepted the
inevitable with good grace and their stomachs
often benefited through unexpected hospitality
after the services.
The scouts ended up in Linlithgow Avenue but
the cavalcade of parent cars was at the then
Spencer Street railway station. They were soon
‘married up’ and the 1970 expedition came to a
somewhat inglorious but successful end.
The party then canoed or went by vehicle to a
sand pit site on the North Arm.
Pioneering
I had suggested a hike along an old quarry
railway line. Granted it was a hot day. I then
found myself faced with mutiny! They
preferred to do some pioneering.
I “sulked off” and let them get on with it having
some confidence that their skills were not up to
their plans. Eventually a truce was declared and
I was permitted to make some suggestions with
the available ropes and spars. The day ended
peacefully. I forgave them for their treason!
The expedition group and the canoe-laden trailer
Colourful
Some of my memories will always be of the
colours of the green-hulled canoes in blue
reflecting off the water, with the yellow cliffs in
the distance. Another memory was of the
Metung
The final two days were spent at a public
campsite at Metung. I had arranged with a
118
I may have already mentioned that the Golden Fleece
chain of service stations conducted café/restaurants
167
maroon T-shirts, now worn quite happily, offset
by the gold of the buoyancy vests and life
jackets as the lads drove their canoes through
the waters.
Wash up
The troop was sold on canoeing. Four more
annual expeditions would take place during the
period of my leadership. Initially I had some
trouble convincing the boys that the budget
should never be so penny-pinching119 that a
surplus could not be made. There would always
be considerable wear and tear on the canoes and
new ones would be needed. We could not
borrow them for ever.
That Song in My Heart
There’s a song in my heart,
Listen to the beat of it,
Right from the start
You can’t believe the treat of it.
I’ve got a rainbow shining on my way
There’s a song in my heart,
a chorus and ‘tuney’ verse
I’ll learn my part
And sing it to the universe.
I’ll make each day a wonderful day.
Once again I had been impressed with the
leadership that this age group could
demonstrate. Most of the thinking and “playing
out” was done by the senior scouts, but my
restraining hand was never far away – which is,
of course, why the movement has adult leaders,
even if we do appear to the members to being
too interfering and too dictatorial.
For the love and the joy of living,
For everything that’s underneath the sun,
For the stars and the April showers,
And for a life that’s just begun.
I was right in the cart,
It happened like a miracle,
Woke with a start,
And found that I was lyrical.
Oh, Let me sing that song in my heart.
Ralph Reader
119
I guess it should now be “cent-pinching”!
168
township, part of which had been devastated by
a bushfire that had commenced some days
earlier in the You Yangs area. The fire trapped
a number of cars on the ‘Melbourne – Geelong’
freeway with some loss of life. The senior
scouts involved were able to appreciate the
destruction that a bush or grass fire can cause
even when the buildings are in a “suburban”
location.
Chapter 33
A year of this and that – section, area and
branch
BHQ meet in Geelong
Very early in the year the monthly
commissioners’ meeting was held in Geelong as
part of a policy to visit the areas and regions.
These meetings were held on a Sunday. Lunch
on this occasion was arranged at the Geelong
Golf Club. Mr. J. D. Butchart was still Chief
Commissioner. The guest list reads as a Who’s
Who of Scouting at the time. The gesture of
having the meeting in Geelong was much
appreciated by the locals.
As a “thank you,” I offered the scouts a day
down the coast at the beach. I had roof racks on
the station wagon. I watched with amusement
as the scouts jockeyed for the order in which
they would be picked up so that their surf boards
would be the last ones to be secured and thus be
on top!
Tom and “Murf” Murphett
At the Gilwell Reunion, the opportunity was
taken by Gilwellians to thank these two
wonderful people for their service to scouting.
Tom was the camp warden.
The monthly commissioners’ meeting in Geelong. Jim
Butchart, Chief Commissioner, is in the chair, with Eric
Black on his right. On his left is a visitor, Abdul Kadfr.
Those attending included: A. O. Lawrence, A.
S. Humphries, Ian Hodges, Bob Swinton, Jack
Maver, John Campbell, J. Rossiter, Don
Lithgow, Norm Johnson, Jim Money, J. H.
Whitten, G. J. Clarke, Bill Dawson, Ken
Brewster, Eric Black, W. G. Phillips, Marc
Blount120, Allen Thomson, A. Gedye, Vic
McGowan, Abdul Kadfr, Rolf Mackellar and
me.
“Murf” and Tom Murfett farewelled at Gilwell
Clean up in Lara
4th Belmont
Prior to the expedition to Bairnsdale, a small
party of the unit put in a day at the Lara
This group commenced in 1969 with the
formation of a cub pack. Mr. and Mrs. Parker
were GL and CL respectively. The DC, Ossie
120
Marc, Allen and Rex were the three full-time field
commissioners
169
afternoon, continuing until about nine at night.
A warm meal was served rather than asking
potential leaders to bring a cut tea.
Lawson, invested a number of the foundation
cubs.
Hoadley Hide
The training room at Eumeralla included a fire
place which kept us all warm. As I have
mentioned the windows looked out over the cliff
top to the ocean below.
In 1969 this took place in the Mount Juliet area.
I could not get the BDSST lads to have the same
winning instinct of the Warragul ETSST boys,
and the three patrols seemed content to come
home with “C-grade” pennants, or, as I would
put it, to “have taken part.”
Leader training had conventionally centred on
“yarns” given by experienced leaders. Games
interspersed these sessions to provide variety.
But slowly Scouting began to adopt “audiovisuals,” such as the overhead projector, flip
charts and film strips. Occasionally 16-mm
films were appropriate.
Graeme Taylor
Graeme and his family had come to live in
Geelong. He was a senior sales manager at the
famous Solomons’ store. Following a picture of
him in the Geelong Advertiser displaying china
and porcelain ware for sale, contact was made
with him as the story was out that he had been
active in Scouting in Melbourne.
There was a film on the life of Baden-Powell
but parts of it were very hackneyed, particularly
when B-P, like all of us, when we reached our
‘twilight years.’ As an alternative I discovered
amongst my store of film strips one on The
Chief.
I met Graeme for afternoon tea at a suitable
Geelong hotel. This location became the
preferred one when Graeme would meet likely
leaders and many Geelong citizens came into
the movement by this means.
Forty years later there are few of us who
remember these film strips. On 35-mm film the
manufacturers would record a “positive” image
for each exposure and offered typed sheets with
information about each “slide.”
Graeme became a great asset to the Geelong
Area and later served as Area Commissioner
when Jim Money retired to become the Scout
Shop manager in Geelong. Graeme and I
worked closely together on various scouting
projects. He had a good administrative and
management mind. He brought these skills into
scouting and many areas of contention were
sorted out.
I had brought a tape recorder back from Fiji a
year or two earlier. This was a reel-to-reel
model and about the size of a brief case. It
worked off mains power. So, one night I
recorded my voice reading the provided sound
track for the B-P film strip. I added suitable
music. Before I ceased as training
commissioner I was to hear the tape so many
times I could have probably repeated it off by
heart. But the film strip did give a good
illustrated life story of the life of our founder.
Graeme and his wife were kind enough to take
pity on “bachelor” Farley and I was a weekly
visitor to their home for a meal and hospitality.
The other basic “visual aid” at the time was the
“overhead projector.” No self-respecting
member of the training team could give a
session without accompanying it with this
device. Nowadays it has to be “power point” –
something which, until recently, I thought I
would never have any expertise!
Leader training – the Explanatory
Now that “Boss” Hurst had provided such
excellent facilities at Eumeralla, it was natural
that the Explanatory courses should be held in
The Lodge at Eumeralla. Courses were held on
Saturdays and started at about three in the
170
and savoured the delights of the Australian
bush.
Senior Scout Preliminary
It was not unreasonable, that, given the
recommendations in the Design for Tomorrow
report and the apparent success of the operations
of the East Tarago seniors in Warragul, now led
by Ken Abrecht, that I should draw up the
program and invite Tarago leaders to take the
sessions.
It was then a matter of finding our way into
Lorne and recovering the car. Fortunately it was
not far to hike. As the space in front of the
house was very limited, I had to drive forward
and back with great care several times before I
was facing down the driveway. It was soon
home to Geelong and to get some care for my
blistered toes. It would be back to boots in
future!
Consequently, Ken, accompanied by two former
patrol leaders, Ken Carland and Paul Pianta,
drove to Eumeralla from Warragul for the
weekend. The course was visited by Cliff Dent,
together with his wife, Pat, and their first son,
Nigel.
The Trentham hike was in the September
vacation. Having left the car at a Forestry
Commission camp in Trentham, the party had
plenty of scope of tracks in the direction of
Barry’s Reef and Blackwood. On the last day
we had to walk through drenching rain until a
flat-tray vehicle stopped and the driver ‘insisted’
on giving us a lift. Back at the FCV camp
before a very hot stove, we dried out and
prepared to return to Geelong. Rain seems to be
a necessary element to a two or three day
scouting hike.
Hikes, Lorne and Trentham
It was perhaps my selfish habit to plan a three or
four day hike during the school vacations for my
own benefit and to invite any of the senior
scouts who so wished to join me. For the May
vacation I planned a hike in the Lorne area.
I drove the party to Lorne and parked in the
front garden of one of the party. An ETSST
member, Ken Carland, drove us to Cumberland
River, where the hike on foot began. Taking the
track up the river, we found a suitable site to
camp for the night. As with most of these
ventures I found myself not to be as fit as I
would have liked to have been.
Uniform changes
Scouters had always had the option to wear the
equivalent of a military officer pattern coat, tie
and shirt but with shorts! Now the option was
extended to long trousers but in the khaki
polyester material. A long-sleeved shirt with a
green tie completed the new ensemble. It was
deemed to be more suitable for night time wear
both on grounds of warmth and compatibility
with the civilian wear that citizens wore, eg., at
group committee meetings.
The next day saw us reach Forrest, where we
obtained permission to camp on private
property; in the process entertaining the owner’s
three sons. Whereas I normally wore heavy
boots, I had read that there was benefit in
finding something lighter, such as a basket ball
boot. Yes it was more comfortable, but that did
not stop me from starting to get blisters.
A Belmont-Highton B-P Revue
I guess it was inevitable that I would attempt
another concert based on material from the
London Gang Show while I still had the energy
and the resources to do so. The youth talent
would come from the scout Barwon District and
the equivalent Guide level of organisation.
The next day was a very unpleasant one in the
rain to say nothing of having taken a wrong
track. Despite me hobbling along, I led the
party eventually to a perfect camp site on the
Sheoak River where, before a fire, we dried out
171
Accordingly I arranged to meet with the Guide
Region Commissioner, Miss Doreen Bunny121,
and put my case for the concert before her. I
had forgotten that a few doors up the street lived
a massive sized but quite friendly dog, although
one did not think that when it nuzzled one’s
back as one walked home. Doreen was glad to
get inside my flat. I assured her of the harmless
nature of the canine.
Doreen gave her support to the venture. It
would be a two-night affair later in 1969, with
rehearsals in the 1st Highton Scout Hall and its
staging in the St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic
Church hall122.
In a scene from “Peter Pan,” Captain Hook (Paul
Thetford) tells Smee (Paul Belin) that he would like “to
shake the hand of Peter Pan with this,” his hook
their meetings during the week. Meilma
recorded the tunes on to my tape recorder. Tape
recorders in those days were quite bulky in
comparison to today’s units.
But at that stage I did not have a pianist. I
mentioned this to my seniors and one of them,
Ross Hutton, immediately “volunteered” the
piano skills of his mother. That was the start of
a very strong friendship with Meilma and Peter,
Ross’s parents and their extended family of
today.
Graeme Taylor offered his services as the
business manager and he soon had dates and the
advertising side of the show planned out and put
into operation. Slowly the program took shape
and items and sketches were agreed upon.
Mrs. Meilma Hutton, pianist for the revue
Rehearsals
Peter Hutton, GSM of 1st Barwon Heads, was an
accomplished sign writer in his career in grocery. His
sons, Ross and Bryce and daughter, Jill, would carry on
with Scouting as did Ross’s children, Joshua and Kate
This would be the fourth production of this
nature by me. Rehearsals were held on Sunday
afternoons for both the boys and the girls. I
would visit the sections as much as I could at
Peter Hutton, being a sign writer as a grocery
manager, prepared the necessary signs for the
dressing rooms. There was a good team of
121
Now Doreen Bell
Since demolished to make way for a supermarket, the
Roman Catholic church being rebuilt elsewhere
122
172
experienced leaders to channel the actors on and
off the stage.
Peter Agg as “Peter Pan” goes flying on a pulley with no
further control on his movements to excellent applause.
Behind him is the badge designed for the revue
One cannot say that the second night is “always
better,” but it was in this case. I suppose there is
always a high degree of amateurism with these
shows. The audience always enjoys it when
something goes horribly wrong or lacks finesse.
The cast of the revue from Barwon Guide and Scout units
But a lot of guide and scout youth members had
the opportunity to sing and act before their
families and I am sure they enjoyed it very
much. Some might say that it was fortunate that
it was my last foray into arranging such
productions, but some years later I would
encourage school students to also enjoy Ralph
Reader’s and Ken Bayly’s songs.
173
than the “unitary” nature of the UK
organisation.
Chapter 34
The UK Advance Party Report and
“Change” in Scouting
But the introduction to the subsequently
published volume of Australian Scouting’s The
Design for Tomorrow123 report clearly indicates
that its reason for being was that the UK had
carried one out. Was there anything about
Australian Scouting that needed to be reviewed?
If it ‘ain’t broke
In one sense, Scouting has never been static.
Typically English, it was pragmatic from its
inception as Lord Baden-Powell reacted to the
expanding needs of the organisation he had
unwittingly started, by writing his fortnightly
parts, which we know as Scouting for Boys. Nor
should one forget his experimental camp on
Brownsea Island with lads from all levels of
society.
Change
I could have added here, “Change for changes
sake,” but I don’t. Ideally change should be in
the “win-win” situation, ie., everyone benefits
and is in agreement with it.
It is often the case that the organising body
becomes conscious that its members have
already made the change and all that it can do is
to catch up and “legalise” the practice.
However from the time I joined in 1952 until the
late ‘sixties, the movement maintained itself
without changing or have an apparent need for
change, whether with its uniform, badges,
program or fundamentals.
Much research has been carried out on how to
implement change to the satisfaction of all those
involved, but it is not my task to comment on
the process that the movement has followed.
This coincided with a period of expansion in
Scouting in the aftermath of the World War II
with an increase in population through
migration and greater wealth throughout the
community. It was aided by the encouragement
of the Roman Catholic Church as it endeavoured
to provide bulwarks against Communism.
Suffice it to say that from the time that the APR
came out, change was inevitable across the face
of World Scouting and, in particular, in
Australia. As they say, once you “release the
hounds” or alternatively “let the genie out of the
bottle” change can also be an aim in itself.
The APR
In 1966 Scouting in the United Kingdom
released its Advanced Party Report. This was a
general review by a group of experienced
commissioners appointed by the Chief Scout.
When I had the opportunity to spend a year in
the UK in 1966 and attend a range of UK and
international functions, it was clear that each
country had its Scouting differences. Sweden
already had girls in its ranks.
A major factor, should Australia follow suit,
was that Scouting in Australia, like much of its
society, was organised on a federal basis where
branches had considerable autonomy although
mostly connected to Imperial Headquarters in
Buckingham Palace Road in London.
Senior Scouts
To develop my approach for change, we might
consider the development of Senior Scouts. For
many years the movement consisted of Cubs,
Scouts and Rovers. B-P’s patrols varied in size
Any report that the “Australian Boy Scouts
Association” would commission would be
subject to far more committees and variations
123
Australian Boy Scouts Association, Report of the
Design for Tomorrow Committee, 1970, 621 pp
174
and the age range could have included boys
aged between 11 and 17, or even more.
The District Troop
I had previously generously interpreted the 1963
Policy, Organisation and Rules book to bring
the Warragul and district senior scouts into a
training group. Four years later I approached
the leadership of seniors in the Barwon District
the same way. All I can say is that from 1963 to
1973 when I was a senior scout leader, this
system worked.
There is some evidence that B-P did not
necessarily mean that a patrol should have a
range of age groups but patrols could have half a
dozen scouts of approximately the same age.
But there were great physical differences
between young and older boys, as well as
mental and social ones. In the post World War
II period, the UK Scouts introduced ‘Senior
Scouts’ to meet this situation. This new section
would commence membership from the age of
fifteen.
Venturer Scouts
The next step was to change the title of the
senior section and the ‘Brits’ adopted the word,
Venturers. Those who decry the Australian
tendency to adopt overseas practices might ask
themselves as to the alternatives, but the
Venturer title passed naturally to Australian
Scouting124. In this case the statutory change
came somewhat after the events themselves.
This “lopping off the top” had an immediate
effect on those boys who remained in the
“Scout” section. In particular fourteen year-olds
had to get accustomed to being patrol leaders,
but they could not necessarily meet the
expectations that had previously been met by
those two to three years their elder.
I have used the “Over 15” section as a
reasonable example of the development of
change in an institution as I was directly
involved in the troops referred to above in the
DFT.
Numbers
With the older boy now freer to develop a
program more appropriate to his social
development, it did not necessarily follow that
the average scout group would have sufficient
numbers to provide for such programs.
Does it work?
I regard this as the real test of any change that is
proposed or adopted. Rotary has its four-point
test in which the community should be better off
at the end of the day as a result of the
innovation.
Clearly some well organised groups did have the
numbers. This sort of group would probably
have had two Cub Packs, two Scout Troops and
a strong Rover Crew as well, the members of
which would be expected to contribute as
section scouters over time. These groups were
“families” in their own right.
One would like to think that the test of whether
something works is whether it is to the benefit
of the members of the movement, but all too
often “numbers” become the yard stick for
likely change.
But particularly in rural areas, the number of
“Over 15’s” in a group might number at the best
four or five. This number was rarely viable in
terms of activities and numbers. While this age
group is self determining, there was still the
need to find a leader who could more than cope
with the needs of this age group.
DFT in the background
Chronologically, my Scouting story continues
with no evidence of change in the movement,
124
While Australia has many distinctive “icons” in its
society, it has often adopted overseas terms in the absence
of their own, such as “the dollar” for its currency
175
to five sections: Joeys, Cubs, Scouts, Venturers
and Rovers.125
but the various committees established by the
DFT group were meeting on and off across
Australia from 1967 until its report in 1970.
Will it be adopted?
As it is said, ‘change was in the air!’
‘Chair persons’ of reviews throughout the
world’s history have generally lived to tell the
tale that the organisation that commissioned
them thanked them very much for all the time
and research that they had put into the report but
often left the report to mildew in the draw.
I was asked to attend a number of research
groups which “looked at the older boy.” The
movement was able to draw upon university and
other professional figures to outline the needs
and abilities of this and the other age groups.
With the UK Advance Party Report, the British
Chief Scout assured the committee that their
recommendations would be adopted all and in
full.
Uniform and gender were still sacrosanct
While possible change to the uniform has
always provoked the most emotion of any
change, there was not a hint in the Scouting
community that the combination of shorts, shirt
and the four-dented felt hat would ever be
changed, despite my own desire to wear long
trousers and jacket for warmth!
Let us wait then until my story reaches 1970
when the Design for Tomorrow report comes
out to ascertain the degree of its adoption.
All too often, the report committee gets carried
away with the number of changes that it likes to
incorporate in the report, many of which will
never be adopted but which might form the
basis for further discussion.
Although the British had introduced long
trousers and a long-sleeved shirt for Scout
members and in the process had done away with
shorts, Australia offered the option of long
trousers, long-sleeved shirt and tie. The beret
was only worn as camp dress or by “rebels.”
One change I can report from the review was the
adoption of the International Scout purple badge
in lieu of the former UK tenderfoot arrowhead
one.
Similarly, neither was the word, “girls,” mooted
by anyone. That would have to wait a few more
years.
Does one dare to suggest that it would be all but
painless and carries with it greater likelihood of
adoption!
An accepted framework
Most of us feel comfortable when we
understand the process and framework in which
we operate. Our nation has a recognised system
based on its constitution, of monarchy,
government, the exective and its courts.
Similarly Scouting has its Chief Commissioner,
his or her Branch Commissioners, the Branch
Executive and a full-time staff to administer the
movement.
Change elsewhere
Another area in society which was in ferment
was that of the Christian faith. I cite Vatican II
in the Roman Catholic Church in this regard.
The Anglican Church moved from the 1662
Prayer Book and Hymns Ancient and Modern. I
also quote the conversations between the
“protestant” churches which resulted in The
Uniting Church. Granted some of these changes
In turn Victoria is divided into Regions, each
with its Region Commissioner and staff, and so
on down through the districts to the Group of up
125
There are of course those who would wish to view the
tree from the youth member’s point of view “down” to the
CC!
176
did not reveal themselves until the midseventies but you probably cannot get a more
conservative institution than a church!
We hold these truths …
One of the greatest stumbling blocks to
introducing change is that those who will have
to implement it have already become very
“comfortable” with the preservation of the status
quo.
Then there comes into the equation the shouted
words of “Over my dead body”! This is the
equivalent of “Not in my back yard” or
NIMBY!
There has hardly been a single area of
Australian life that has not witnessed change
and innovation between 1950 and the present
day. A perfect example is that of Australian
Rules football. New teams, mainly interstate,
have been added. Rules of play have changed.
Three field umpires now control the game, and
so on.
It is the art of divining which aspects should be
preserved as eternal and those that clearly need
to find the waste paper basket.
The DFT committee would have to make this
distinction if Scouting was to become an even
more relevant organisation than it already was.
177
boys and in cooperation with the venture
leadership team.
Chapter 35
Second Australian Senior Scout Venture,
Nunawading
RAAF Activity Camp
I was also asked to lead the RAAF activity camp
that would be held at RAAF Point Cook. This
was reasonable on two grounds. I had been a
member of the Air Training Corps for four years
in my teens; the first weekend camp being at
Point Cook. The other was that I was then a
major in the CMF (Army Reserve) and
understood service institutions.
Background
Following the Jindalee Jamboree the “chiefs”
decided that the Senior Scout section (read
Venturers) required their own national event. I
was not to attend another jamboree other than
one-day visits, so I am not sure what effect this
decision has had on the four-yearly experiences.
Obviously if the second Venture was to be held
in Melbourne, there had been a first one
somewhere else, but where?
Late in September I visited Point Cook, meeting
the Officer Commanding, Group Captain Jim
Sutherland. The dates would be from 2nd to the
4th January, 1970. The activity program would
include at least one flight in a training aircraft,
together with a range of “ground” experiences.
A week or two later Graeme and I went back
and met Squadron Leader Dart and the detailed
program was discussed with us.
Planning had commenced some time earlier but
there appeared to be three threads to the
Venture. Besides the activities within the camp,
there would be “actiomatics.” These were daily
challenge events to which buses would take the
venturers. The third thread was for a two to
three day activity off-site half-way through the
Venture.
One difficulty presented itself as a result of the
selection of dates. Not all the flying could be
completed by the end of a week. Flying would
have to continue to the Saturday morning.
Many of the station personnel would have to
forgo a day of their weekend, namely the pilots,
the air traffic controllers and the team that
operated the rescue boat, since a lot of the flying
was over the bay off Point Cook.
Sub-camp
Moving in
The GSMs moved in a day early and had a
“morning tea” where we formed a cohesive
team with agreed approaches to administering
the “groups” of senior scout patrols. Our main
task was to supervise tentage, neatness and
punctuality. A morning parade would be held in
order to achieve this. We were like “house
masters” in boarding schools. Someone else
provided meals, activities and transport.
Sub-camp Three meeting: Robert Hamilton, Gary Dover,
Graeme Taylor, with two visitors. I took the photo!
I was asked to be the sub-camp leader for No. 3
group. I enlisted the help of Graeme Taylor and
also knew that there would be a number of
scouters with their troops and patrols to form
my headquarters team. I would like to feel that I
was reasonably prepared for this role and looked
forward to carrying it out to the benefit of the
178
continually being caught between “rocks and
hard places.” Most senior scouts understood our
position. Others took advantage of it and lived
in a pig-sty for the rest of the venture.
Problems from the start
Many of the headquarters team concerned are
now dead and little would be achieved in
identifying them. I do not think there were any
direct planning faults but between us “Group
Scout Masters” and the team was one
commissioner126 who never really grasped his
job. Rarely did the
If there was any improvement in punctuality,
one meal had to be abandoned when it was
obvious that the meat was “off.” I cannot recall
what was brought out as a substitute!
There was a separate mess for the camp
administration team. This can have its
advantages127 but it meant that “they” ate on
time and could not fully appreciate the situation
with the senior scouts – the persons for whom
the Venture was being conducted. It would
have been morale boosting to witness the “poobahs” suffering with us. I am sure we would
have had action taken much earlier to sort it all
out.
The brothers Clarke! Left and centre are twins.
Now choose them apart!
The military would have had an “Orderly
Officer” for each day, whose task was to
monitor these matters and take action to resolve
them. This did not happen early enough.
GSMs get the information in time to
communicate with their senior scouts, nor were
railway tickets ever sufficient in number for the
parties on the actiomatics which required them.
It had also been decided that the senior scout
patrols would be housed in “square” or “auto”
tents. These would be purchased for all
attending the Venture and sold off at the end of
event. This approach worked, but there was no
surplus of tents and some problems arose which
could have been otherwise averted.
Cooking was centralised and a civilian firm was
contracted to do it. The idea was to save the
boys from having to cater, cook and clean up. It
should have worked both punctually,
hygienically and adequately. It didn’t. For
reasons best known to them the caterers could
not get themselves ready in time to serve meals
so that the lads could get away to the
actiomatics having had their breakfast. I can
still see the hungry and frustrated scouts in their
long queues hoping against hope that they could
get a meal and still catch their buses – to say
nothing of washing hands and teeth!
Nippon scouts
My sub-camp was host to the party of Nippon
scouts. Unfortunately, the programs described
them as being from “Japan.” This was not how
they wished to be known! In the absence of an
interpreter this misunderstanding had to be
sorted out to everyone’s satisfaction. The
Nippon scouts performed very well and were
very cooperative.
As the actiomatics could not wait because of
their transport and booking schedules it often
meant that the scouts set out on empty stomachs.
And from the point of view of the GSMs, there
was no time for a morning parade or tent
inspection. Scouts and Scouters were
126
127
This chap was in effect the supervisor of the GSMs. It
was not ethical to regularly by-pass him
They can be on time and can have decision-making
discussions
179
especially where time had never permitted
checking or inspections. Human odours started
to build up in the absence of tent brailing and
the airing of bedding.
RAAF camp
I confess that I was glad to be in my own car
and I thawed out as I drove down to Point Cook.
The boys that had selected the RAAF camp
came by bus. On arrival they were not a happy
bunch. They were cold, hungry and there was a
smell of vomit. The boys were sent off for
showers and food and the bus was cleaned up.
The party of Nippon scouts in traditional garb
I also had parties from Queensland and New
South Wales in my group.
Weather and New Year’s Eve
The first few days were very hot. New Year’s
Eve was imminent. The HQ team thought that
the senior scouts would not want a traditional
scout campfire but rock and roll music
instead128. New Year’s Eve would be seen in at
the nearby public swimming pool. There was
no opportunity to present an alternative venue or
program.
Our host at RAAF Point Cook, Squadron Leader Dart,
meets David Landry
Buses took the boys accompanied by their group
leaders to the pool. The temperature chose that
day to drop. It was cold. There was nothing to
do. Many of us were concerned that the lads
would suddenly decide to liven things up by
chucking some of their number, (and perhaps
some of us) into the pool.
From then on, everything went well. The skies
cleared, the sun shone. Flying would take place
after all and the boys were briefed on safety and
other matters. The thirty-eight scouts were
We had enough authority amongst us to order
the buses back and take the lads back to camp.
New Year’s Eve midnight was brought back to
ten o’clock. I can still feel the cold and the
hopelessness of the situation as I type up this
account.
Heavy rain fell the next day to underline the
variability in Melbourne weather and to make
conditions inside the tents more difficult,
128
This was not the last “jamboree-type” function that this
assumption would be made and with some very sad
results. My own view was that the lad who joined
Scouting expected the “camp-fire” as part of the Scouting
deal. He could get his “rock and roll” elsewhere
Phillip Wake after his flight in the trainer aircraft
180
In some ways, a lot of the experienced senior
scout leaders were allocated to conduct the
actiomatics, leaving few for the headquarters
Venture team. These were all experienced
leaders, but most with their main experience in
sections other than the older boy.
divided into patrols and some four activities
took place simultaneously. Clay shooting was
very popular.
When the RAAF pilots got airborne they
generally asked their guests as to whether they
wanted aerobatics or a smooth flight. I certainly
opted for the latter. The flying helmets, known
to the RAAF as “bone buckets,” were for heads
smaller in size than mine, but a sufficiently large
one was eventually found!
Camp closure
On the last night the delays continued with the
boys being asked to wait an hour before the
roasted ox was cooked and served. There were
other muddles but finally the closing ceremony
took place and the camp settled down.
At midday on the Saturday, flying was complete
and the base just closed down as the full-time
personnel headed for their homes or their
holiday spots. The headquarters team visited us
in the afternoon and I became aware that the
situation that we had endured at Nunawading up
to that point had finally hit home. Some of
these commissioners were now on the lookout
for scapegoats particularly if they were wearing
maroon epaulettes! Unfortunately the HQ team
did not contain enough senior scout leaders who
had a better idea of what the senior scout age
group wanted.
The morning went mostly to plan, but the tent
poles had with the rain swelled in their sockets
and the lowered tents were not in a good
condition for resale. We GSMs were invited to
a special dinner both to thank and mollify us.
As I have not attended a venture since, I cannot
say whether the lessons from the Nunawading
one were learnt. But it was clear that the lads
might have enjoyed a traditional campfire rather
more than what “they” thought they would like.
The senior scout section has a considerable
degree of self-determination. Little to no
allowance was made for this democratic
approach in the overall organisation of that
venture. The leadership assets were there, but
they were not used to their full benefit. If
Hoadley Hides can operate successfully with
leaders wearing (as we did in those days)
maroon epaulettes, why couldn’t the same
principle be applied to ventures?
The party of Venturer scouts outside the RAAF Museum
However I look back on the event with warm
and satisfied feelings. Teenagers are very
resilient and they too probably went home
having had “the time of their lives.” There was
nothing wrong with the overall concept – the
fault was that it was not efficiently carried out.
Back to Nunawading
The RAAF party had had good weather; not so,
many of the other activity groups. A very good
hot meal was awaiting those returning. The
lessons had finally been learnt, but far too late.
Leaders in the senior scout section have to have
qualities and a degree of understanding of their
charges that the cub or scout leader rarely has.
Queen’s Scouts
At the previous October presentation ceremony
at Government House, Gary Roberts, Keith
181
Lowe, Peter Agg, Peter Roberts, Peter Rogers
and Peter Ingwersen received their certificates..
Afterwards they lunched at the Victoria Palace
as was my habit with these achievements.
ETSST on their way through Geelong-Nauru Area
Several of the six BDSST lads to receive their Queen
Scout certificates from the Governor in Melbourne.
Glenelg expedition reconnaissance
About the same time I had taken part in a
weekend trip under the leadership of the troop
leader, Gary Roberts, to the River Glenelg and
the general area of Port Fairy and Nelson. Once
again, my car covered considerable ground in a
short time. Sufficient campsites were found and
the launching and recovery spots on the river
were nominated.
ETSST group
In between the Venture and the Glenelg
expedition, the senior scouts from Warragul
spent a night in the Geelong area at the
Eumeralla Scout Camp. In addition to the 11seater Austin van that I had bequeathed them at
the end of 1965, they now had a second but
similar vehicle, except that the new one had its
gears “four on the floor.” The original Austin
had the gears on the steering wheel – a less
efficient form as they frequently jammed and
had to be felt through their slots
182
essential to nominate the stopping spots. The
route was via Colac and then to the coast and
the area of the Twelve Apostles. Camping spot
that night was the guide camp near Port
Campbell where a guide company was in camp.
It was inevitable that the girls would want to see
the canoes and arrangements were made for the
next day.
Chapter 36
The River Glenelg Expedition
Overall concept
Whereas the Warragul seniors tended to base
their expeditions on the Austin/Morris vans and
then perhaps “sight-see,” the Barwon boys built
theirs around canoes. Hence I would tow the
trailer with its metal framework carrying the
Canadian canoes. There would be sufficient car
transport for the boys.
Day Two – Mt. Eccles
The morning was spent with the scouts being
chivalrous to the guides. Initially the boys
rowed but before long the girls had taken over
the paddles. Meanwhile a flying fox had been
rigged up and slowly the girls built up their
confidence to climb the rope ladder and wheel
away over the creek.
Further they would sleep in hike tents and form
pairs for catering purposes. They would also
canoe in these pairs. As there were insufficient
canoes for all to be afloat at once, hiking formed
the alternative activity. On this trip, fishing
could be added to the list.
Stephen McLachlan, David Kelly and Neil MacAuslan
BDSST lads now proudly wearing their T-shirts at
Nelson, having arrived safe and sound in their canoes
The River Glenelg provides a navigable stream
for canoes for some distance. However the
banks are relatively steep and berthing places
are limited. As with most trips as much as
possible was loaded the day before we set out.
The canoe trailer was corralled overnight in a
warehouse. Cliff Dent had arrived to be the
second scouter and brought the Austin van.
Two parents, Herb Roberts and Tom King came
with their cars. This made a motorcade of four.
This trip took place in January, 1971.
The driving continued with a visit to London
Bridge – still in existence in those days. Then
we drove through Warrnambool and on to the
Mt Eccles camping area. Cliff pointed out that
Hamilton was not all that far away and, being
Sunday, the opportunity was taken, having
established camp, to attend church in that centre.
I was always surprised how there always
seemed to be one member of the troop who had
friends or relations nearby. As a result we often
scored morning or afternoon tea. In this case it
was supper!
Day One – Port Campbell
Day Three
The motorcade was on the road by ten o’clock.
In the days before mobile phones it was
I have to confess that reveille was never early.
The opportunity was taken to sort things out and
183
do some washing. One intrepid group lugged a
canoe right down to the lake. Others
investigated the upper and lower tracks in this
state park. I was given a trip in the canoe.
Others made a shopping run to Macarthur. In
the evening, there were challenge runs along the
tracks. Mosquitoes were irritating in some areas
but not where we had camped.
Day Four – River Glenelg
The first stop was at Macarthur where a bank
manager was generous to us. Heywood was the
next centre. Here we met up with the District
Association chairman who had spotted us at Mt.
Eccles and knew we would be coming through.
He had some information on the River Glenelg
to give us. I suppose one can hardly travel
unnoticed with a long trailer of canoes and a
dozen or so uniformed scouts.
This is the other way to safely launch a canoe into the
otherwise docile River Glenelg. It also demonstrates that
all that pioneering learnt in scouts is not ever wasted!
knocked me out of the game and proceeded to
ruthlessly bankrupt all the other players.
Monopoly is a game that brings out the best in
people – sometimes!
Third (3rd) Portland’s campsite was on the river
bank and here we set up camp for the night.
The TL soon had the tentage erected and then he
went off with Cliff on a reconnaissance of the
area. Most of the boys went off to try out the
canoes. Trevor Salt helped to construct a “jib”
to overcome the problem of the steep banks. He
was able to demonstrate how the canoes could
be swung out and gently lowered to the water’s
edge. Another member of the party
demonstrated that you could easily hole a canoe
trying to launch it the hard way!
Meanwhile Mr. Cyril Spence arrived with a
pump to provide us with electricity and a
Forest’s Commission man arrived with maps of
the river. These were all examples of the way
the community will help the scout movement,
even though they may not have been asked to do
so.
Playing Monopoly with a set that dates back to circa 1939
are David Kelly, Robert Shepherd and Russell King. It is
a game (more like a war) that brings the best out in all the
players, particular the winner!
Day Five
The “holers” of the canoe had to stay in camp
repairing it. The others took it in turns to canoe
downstream with a plan to change crews at
certain spots. I suggested a walk to the “Ink
spot,” and to their surprise found it.
I produced my 1939 set of the game of
Monopoly – standard evening entertainment – a
game in which I think I have some ability. (Go
for the brown properties every time, Vine Street
&c). However the quiet Peter Ingwersen
The TL had brought a school book, The Caine
Mutiny, which I read. I felt prepared for any
184
problem that might arise during the remainder of
the trip. But the scouts entered into the yarn by
often asking whether we would be having
strawberries? But I could not find two ballbearings anywhere! I demonstrated my prowess
at Monopoly that night.
crews filming everything and taking statements,
worried parents – in fact everything that could
spoil my life!
But after a mile or two we came upon the Austin
van, now parked neatly and with the petrol
blockage cleared. The change-over crew had
found it and partaken of the supplies on board.
That one of the two senior scouts, Ross Hutton,
was a car mechanic, already of some skill, made
all this possible. The two members had found
the abandoned van and then used their
commonsense and expertise to sort it out.
The energy to spare that this age group has. It is David
Kelly’s fair head of hair and Robert Shepherd’s legs!
Day Six – Calamity! But all turned out well
“The plans of mice and men”! All the driver of
the Austin van had to do was to take out the
relief party, change crews and be back by
breakfast. He did not return. Morning tea
came. Still no driver or vehicle. Finally about
lunchtime, the driver lopes in on foot and throws
himself down with the statement, “The vehicle
is broken down two miles129 away and I have
not been able to pick up the overnight crew.”
He said all this and then discovered that he had
selected my air mattress. The sound of
escaping air was obvious with a stick puncturing
it from his weight!
Trevor Salt demonstrates his double-open-ended sleeping
bag. I never did grasp the advantages of this design.
All met up at Nelson and we returned to camp
where “all was forgiven.” Fed and relaxed, I
was happy just to act as banker at Monopoly
that night!
My diary records how a hero with quick clear
thinking would issue simple orders and the
rescue party would be away. I nearly trod on a
snake, but it was glad to get away from me.
Finally, a plan emerged. The driver was fed,
sandwiches were cut, the canoe trailer hooked
in. Two Third Portland seniors canoeing nearby
offered to help. We set out.
As we did so, I had fearful pictures in my mind
of helicopters searching along the river, TV
129
A pyramid of soft drink cans is in the foreground of a set
of hike tents that all depend for rigidity on one pole or so
it seems.
Approximately three kilometres
185
Day Seven – Port Fairy
It was one of our best camp “pack ups,” having
the generator to return and then move towards
Bridgewater. Here I thought the scouts would
want to swim but as there were no waves and no
surf boards they declined! I should have also
spent enough time here to permit Robert
Shepherd to see his parents.
As it was we arrived too early in Port Fairy.
The keys to the camp were not available for
some time. But the troop leader, Gary Roberts
demonstrated how not to complain, how to
prevent anyone else from complaining and,
above all, keeping me from getting agitated.
What a person!
The expedition party at Port Fairy
During the day a regatta was held. Again the 1st
Port Fairy yacht did good business. The
MacAuslan family visited the camp. It had been
agreed that the “duty canoe,” which was used to
cross the river to the shops would never be left
unattended.
In due course we had settled in. The canoes
moved up and down the river. The white
bollards, the staithes and the green banks added
glorious colour and ambience to this idyllic
scene.
But this time it was. Duncan MacAuslan
organised a rescue of this canoe, leaving the
“shoppers” stranded. But this group was not
without initiative and purloined a small boy and
his boat. Somehow the boy was conned into
rowing the three back across the river and of
course he had to return the same way.
Day Eight
Showers had to be at the public camping
ground, but they were hot. The canoes
continued to make their way up and across the
river. A group went spear fishing. Neil
MacAusland nearly stood on a stingray. The
local scoutmaster took boys out on his yacht.
The Williams family arrived. In the evening the
street lights reflected off the surface of the river.
Another rewarding day.
Day Ten
This was almost a repeat of the previous day but
without church. The trip was all but over. The
boys had experienced canoeing, yachting,
fishing and hiking. They had also been able to
see some of the loveliest parts of Victoria. We
prepared to break camp.
Day Nine
Day Eleven – the move back
This was a Sunday. The lads knew that church
services would be on the agenda. These would
be in the evening. There was the inevitable cry
of, “Do we have to wear uniform?” followed by,
“I have nothing clean to wear”! If this scout
thought that with all my experience I could not
overcome that problem he had to think again.
Finally the troop “mooched” off to their
particular denominations. The Anglicans did
best again with a lot of attention and supper to
follow the service.
The troop was set a coastal walk as the vehicles
moved towards Tower Hill. Here lunch was
taken. Emus were in abundance. While a
campsite at Woodford had been planned,
everyone west of Colac proclaimed the site at
Brucknell as to be the most desirable. It was
further than I thought, but eventually we came
to crossroads and the sign to the camp. The
tents were soon put up, as was the camp shower,
186
menu and price range. I had ordered ahead a
chicken meal for all and this was eagerly
devoured. At the troop hall, the canoes were put
away in their shed and the trailer returned to the
garage. Cliff Dent set off for home in the
Austin van and I prepared for my first year on
promotion to North Geelong High School.
and the boys were washed all over in readiness
for their next night at home.
The Royal Mail must get through. Drik Drik post office
with troop leader Gary Roberts and Chris Williams not
necessarily waiting to post a letter
The expedition party: Front: - Cliff Dent, Gary Roberts,
Neil MacAuslan, Trevor Salt, David Kelly, Neil
MacLachlan, Russell King, Peter Ingwersen, Robert
Shepherd; Rear - Ross Hutton, Chris Williams, Paul
Lange. As immaculate as the day they set out!
I suggested a sing-song, only to be met with
derision but it soon became quite successful, the
boys remembering the words of the songs that
they had learnt for the Baden-Powell concert
revue held a month or two earlier.
Ross Hutton, who went on to be an A-grade mechanic and
own his own car service business, was already proving to
be an even more profitable asset as he checked brakes and
kept the tree vehicles in tip-top order
Day Twelve – home
It was an easy run to Geelong. It has been my
habit to find a suitable place for a wind-up
lunch. In those days the Golden Fleece petrol
company equipped many of their service
stations with restaurants with a predictable
187
stout stick is used to tighten a strop of rope. It
was far more efficient than the square or
diagonal lashing and used far less rope.
Chapter 37
A very active troop and success in the
Hoadley Hide
The lads constructed their raft and for the third
year won the event. A fellow senior scout
leader jokingly appealed against our use of
tourniquet lashings. We found ourselves
disqualified! My friend tried to withdraw his
objection but it was ruled that the metal pegs
were not from natural materials. We should
have used “stout sticks.”
I was still fitting in the several interests of my
life in addition to my full-time career as a
teacher. In the latter role, I had been promoted
to be a “Senior Teacher” to North Geelong High
School. This was a relatively new school and its
staffing career positions were expanding with its
increased student numbers. I found myself
superseding a teacher who had been used to
being the principal’s assistant. I would
experience the same situation two years later
when a Deputy Principal was appointed. But
the extra duties and responsibility meant that I
had less time for other pursuits.
But we rationalised our withdrawal for later
years on the grounds that other troops should
have a chance to win the event!
Easter
I opted out of the chance to be an “old-timer” on
the Hoadley Hide but saw two BDSST patrols
entering for it. Good Friday was sunny, but by
Saturday the weather was threatening. Then
heavy and steady rain fell which continued all
day Sunday. By late Sunday the Hide had been
called off. The scouts home came a day early.
But they came with the news that one patrol had
won an “A-grade” pennant and the other a “B.”
Yet I somehow managed to keep church, army
reserve and scouts in balance, concentrating
only on the “must do’s” rather than the “I would
like to do’s”! As I may have said several times,
my diary had to be a planned one with
engagements written in months ahead.
Within my scouting role, I was administering
and running the area training courses, chairing
the Gilwell Reunion, active in other area
activities and still the DSSL for Barwon.
Unfortunately through moving schools, our
training monthly magazine, Flag-break, had to
be suspended, pending some area funds to cover
its production and mailing costs.
However the area training panel meetings
continued with Mrs. Meilma Hutton as its new
secretary. Each district now had its training
representative, generally the ADC for Training
(now of course the ADLT). The Victorian
Training Team weekend for a few years was
restricted to a day conference held at Scotch
College.
A good old stand-by piece of pioneering – a bridge of
‘poles without ropes.’ Friction is the reason for success
The “A” Grade meant that BDSST should have
the ‘honour and glory’ of seeing the actual Hide
and having a presentation night. Both the
Branch Commissioner for Senior Scouts, Bob
Swinton, and his assistant, Stewart Pike, came
down to Geelong to re-present the pennants and
to display the “Hide,” --triptych boards with
Raft race
Once again the BDSST entered a team in the
area raft race. By now I had learned about
tourniquet lashings, where either a metal peg or
188
Eumeralla, Ken Abrecht and John Kent coming
from Warragul to help conduct it on the first
weekend.
named leather facing. It was quite a night.
Once again, the “bridge without ropes” was
demonstrated before the assembled parents and
guests. Some of Bob Barrow’s 8-mm films of
previous hides were shown.
Tests of troop success
Following the success of both ETSST and the
BDSST it was reasonable that the experiences of
Ken and I should at least be listened to, if not
followed. It is difficult to really measure
“success,” but if retention of numbers,
participation in activities, the achievement of
high standards (such as the Hoadley Hide and
the number of Queen Scouts) was anything to
go by, then these two troops demonstrated them.
Ken and I emphasised a number of elements in
our approach to this older age group (then 15 to
18 years). These were: the boys meet when they
decide and when there is a need (eg.,
Ambulance badge, hike weekend, raft race &c);
programs with challenge (eg., Hoadley Hide);
standards of attainment (eg., the Queen Scout
badge); considerable democracy in troop
management (member elections, own bank
account and treasury); and the recognition that
one is dealing with young men, not boys. I
might also add that some activates should
always include an “element of danger.”
HQ Commissioner for Senior Scouts, Bob Swinton, and
his assistant, Stewart Pike, present the Hoadley Hide to
the BDSST patrol that secured an “A” Grade pennant.
Peter Ingwersen, Russell King, Ian Jones and Ross
Hutton, with Lindsay Patterson and Ian Meyer in front
Training courses
The training facilities at Eumeralla were now in
frequent use. In the course of the year there
were several explanatory courses (Stage I) and
respective preliminary courses (Stage II) were
staged. At the end of the year, a Cub
woodbadge course was held.
Using a district basis, but retaining group
affiliations and scarves, the troops were able to
attract sufficient numbers to avoid the problem
of having to have nearly every member attend
an activity to make it viable. Fifteen was said to
be the minimum number. When I left Barwon,
there were 45 members on the circular
distribution list across half a dozen home
groups.
A blind eye often has to be turned at times to
some habits although I never experienced any
alcohol problems and smoking did not take
place until those first ETSST lads who had their
parents permission left the troop on turning 18.
Drugs and sexual activity was in the future.
Gary Roberts, Troop Leader, hosts Mr. and Mrs. Albert
Bell. Doreen Bell was Region Commissioner and had
given her whole-hearted to support to the B-P Revue
The Senior Scout “prelim” was shared with East
Suburban area and held at Gilwell Park and
189
Snow weekend
Grampians hike
I think I did my best to discourage the seniors
from having a snow weekend, but the troop
leader had shown the initiative in getting
sufficient takers, ordering the bus and working
out the costs involved. He even got Dr. Charles
Parker130 to offer to be the adult in charge.
Charles accepted the responsibility for it all. It
was a successful weekend and was repeated the
following year. It was a good example of the
adult leader “butting out,” when the wishes of
the boys themselves should be paramount –
particularly when they show such responsibility
in its organisation.
As I have mentioned, in each vacation I
endeavoured to enjoy a three or four night hike.
I would advertise the dates and location and see
if any of the BDSST members wished to join
me. On this hike, Len Adams an assistant
leader, and two of the seniors came with me.
The weather was its usual mixed variety. But
we did not fall down any crevasses, and returned
safely. We found it to be a good area for
challenges and views.
The Armstrong 500
Like the “Melbourne Gathering,” some leaders
had organised challenging weekends for their
own members but they then opened up
participation to other senior troops. This
particular weekend was organised by Tom
Armstrong. Tom and like organisers presumed
that leaders would accompany their lads and
thus the responsibility was spread.
I was attached to Graham Dorling’s sub-camp.
Graeme was Ken Abrecht’s assistant with the
ETSST. It was a fine weekend. I got in a lot of
walking, although I got left for an hour or two at
a check point before I was picked up. I had a
new car and treated it with great reverence in
protecting it from rough tracks and the like.
Trevor Salt receives his Queen Scout’s badge from Area
Commissioner, Graeme Taylor
Senior Scout courses
Queen’s Scouts
Aspiring Queen’s Scouts have always known
that they need to achieve high standards in what
are now the various “pursuits.” The easiest way
to meet some of these was to run weekend
courses. So both a pioneering and a venturer
course were scheduled. Both were well
attended. The lads used the training hut
facilities and Heather Grinter131 again headed up
the catering team.
Three members of the BDSST attended
Government House to receive their certificates;
Trevor Salt, Lindsay Patterson and Ross Hutton.
I did not record whether we went to a
celebratory lunch afterwards but most likely did.
Ealisaid MacAuslan
Ealisaid (El-i-sayed) and Peter MacAuslan had
for some years been very kind to me. Peter was
GSM of 1st Highton, the group that had been the
principal supporter of the district senior troop.
Their three children, Duncan, Neil and Catriona
(Ka-trine- a) were all active in Scouting and
Guiding. I could always bank on getting an
130
It was particularly useful that Charles was a medical
doctor should there be any accident in the snow
131
Heather was husband of Max Grinter, scout master of
17th Geelong until his untimely death from lung cancer
190
evening meal on a Sunday if I rang at a
judicious time!
The family was from Scotland and their brogue
proclaimed that. I received 100% support, even
though Peter had, prior to my arrival in
Geelong, attended a GSM woodbadge course
and been told that each group should have its
own four sections (as they were then). He
allowed me to trial the “district” idea and was
won over.
Ealasaid succumbed to cancer. I think it was a
melanoma on her leg. During 1970 her
condition became progressively worse. She
died in the middle of November. Peter and I
became even more close in our friendship.
Later on Peter remarried. He died in 2008.
Dr. Charles Parker surveying the flow of the River
Goulburn on the reconnaissance for the 1971 trip
Saturday morning found us at the Eildon Weir.
It was full in those days. In fact when we were
later to camp in Fraser National Park on the
weir’s banks, the water was at its maximum
height and the canoes could come right into the
inlets for berthing.
It thus became very important that the 1st
Highton 1970 AGM night was well organised
and in the form of a tribute to Ealisaid’s support
of Peter and her work for the group.
River Goulburn reconnaissance
In the course of that day we passed through Yea,
where we made the acquaintance of the DC.
His spies had already told him that we were in
the area. Stops were made at Ghin Ghin and
Terangaville, before we proceeded to Nagambie.
I do not recall why this river was selected for
the January 1971 expedition. It would be a far
greater challenge owing to its flow and low
temperature, since its water came from the
Eildon Weir132. I had obtained 1:50,000 maps
and photocopied, covered and joined them in
order to have the entire section of the river on
which they would canoe in one compact form.
As we followed by road the course of the river I
marked on the map the access points where the
canoes could stop and the parties be changed
over. The expedition looked workable. There
would be a further “recce” early in January with
a canoe and crew to check times between access
points.
But it was necessary to check that the various
possible places for access to the river were
useable. Hence there was the need for a
reconnaissance. Charles Parker was available
and we set off after school on a Friday.
Alexandra was the stop that night. We must
have taken hike tents but expected to eat all our
meals at cafes.
On the Sunday we breakfasted at Seymour and
attended church there before returning via
Bacchus Marsh to Geelong.
1971 Stradbroke Cup
Before the year was out there was a meeting of
some of us to prepare for Eumeralla at Easter,
1971, to be one of the sites across Victoria for
the Stradbroke Cup, a competition for scout
troops in camp. This competition had been
132
While the winter of 2010 has been more of a
traditional winter, readers have been more accustomed to
years of drought resulting in empty reservoirs and poor
river flows. 1971 pre-dated this period
191
traditionally held only at Gilwell Park but it was
now, with the Cohen Shield, diversified at a
number of camping areas across the state.
The year closes
1970 drew to a close with much anticipated
excitement for the expedition down the River
Goulburn. The canoe “fleet” was growing and
the routine for the trailer and carrying of gear
better understood. I was also to be promoted in
the CMF (now the Army Reserve) which would
have a bearing on how much spare time I would
have for scouts in 1971.
Brothers of the Sky
Sing of the sailor who covers the sea,
Sing of the ladies who love ‘em,
Praise for the sailors, wherever they be,
Hail to the soldiers, the pride of the Queen,
Ready to answer her call;
But don’t forget – not mentioned yet,
The pick of all the set,
And the finest of them all!
Ch. We are the Sky-high Boys,
We are a band of brothers,
What do we care
When we’re up in the air,
And we’re piloting into the blue?
Fly with the Sky-high Boys,
Fly with a band of brothers,
These are the rights,
We can share the delights,
In the dizziest heights of the blue.
Building a new tomorrow,
Leaving the world down below,
Through the far a-way
Of the star-a-way
And we don’t give up for any foe.
Proud are the Sky-high Boys,
Envy of all the others,
We are the kings
With the magic wings,
We’re brothers of the sky.
Ralph Reader
192
no time in having booster brakes fitted on my
return.
Chapter 38
The River Goulburn expedition
Sunday – Day Two
A second “recce”
The lads always knew that I would have the
local church times and we drove into Alexandra
for these observances. After church the scouts
assisted with traffic control following a minor
accident. One enterprising scout found a “Stop
– Slow” road sign in the long grass and brought
it into play with great effect.
Peter MacAuslan and I thought it wise that there
was a test of the times that it would take a canoe
party in the swiftly flowing Goulburn from one
check point to another. So volunteers were
sought and a canoe strapped to the roof rack of
my Valiant station wagon. I should have known
that it would be a cumbersome load and
probably the canoe was as long as the car fore
and aft. But we secured it well with ropes and
set off.
The test team came in with time results that I
could extrapolate for the various parties on the
coming trip. Regrettably a stone broke the
windscreen of my car, necessitating a
replacement in Seymour. The radio reported
that some uninvited visitors had worried a
company of guides camping at Tullawalla near
Airey’s Inlet. Their guide captain, Shirley
Monkivitch133, assured listeners that she had had
the situation well in hand and her guides were
not affected.
Very gingerly I paddled a few yards from the bank!
Photo: Bob Barrow
Back at the camp site, the lads found the
kangaroos to be very tame.
We set out
Adult assistance came from Dr. Charles Parker,
3rd Highton, and Mr. Tom King, a parent. They
were both obliged to produce and drive vehicles.
This made three with me towing the long trailer
with the canoes. The canoes were still being
secured to a makeshift wooden cradle on the
trailer. A metal one would soon be fabricated.
Charles had a Kombi van and towed his own
yacht.
The party had lunch at Yea and made camp at
Fraser National Park on the banks of a full
Eildon Reservoir. The Valiant wagon was fairly
new and it was the first time it had towed a
loaded trailer. I discovered that the brakes were
not as powerful as on the previous model. I lost
This was what Bob caught on his camera as two canoes
set out down the River Goulburn
Bob Barrow visited us for a day or two. Bob
had been in 15th Malvern with me back in the
133
Shirley and I married each other later that year, but that
is another story!
193
fifties. He was superb with both a still and
movie camera and some of his shots illustrate
this chapter. The scouts were able to canoe in
complete safety and also experience Dr.
Parker’s yacht.
coming round the corner. As I read a book, I
was surprised and shocked to spot a canoe
paddle come floating round the bend! What had
happened upstream?
I think a member of one of the other canoes
arrived to say that in the course of “walking” the
canoe over some rapids or through shallow
water, the towing rope of one had snapped. In
the process the canoe had been forced beneath a
log in mid stream by the pressure of the water
flow. I was glad to see the two crew members
perched on the log and completely safe. I might
add “for the time being”!
Bob Barrow. Bob had exceptional ability with both still
and 8 mm cameras. Scouts Australia has many valuable
photographic records as a result of his visits
With the aluminium-powered boat about to take Neil
MacAuslan and Gerd Worpel to safety, I had time to take
this photo of the rescue. Meanwhile Milton Cations and
Chris Williams (at two o’clock to the boat, canoe and
tree) are making their way along the opposite bank
Day Three
There were more members on the trip than the
number of canoes, so the proposal was that
while one group canoed, the others would go on
an overnight hike. It was also felt easier to
recover the canoes and rowers each night. They
would be re-launched the next day where they
stopped the night before.
What to do? While I considered the possibility
of linking ropes to provide a handrail, I was
concerned with both the force of the flow of the
water and also its low temperature – after all, it
had come from the bowels of Lake Eildon not
many hours earlier.
The first canoeing group was launched. They
passed through the various check points
downstream from Terangaville. One canoe
experienced some trouble but corrected the
problem. The party was brought back to Eildon
that night.
My first task was to convince the two on the log
not to attempt to get to the bank under any
circumstances without my “say so,” but the
noise of the water drowned out my voice. By
signals and their acknowledging of them, I think
I had got my message across.
Day Four – near disaster!
There was only one thing to do and that was to
seek out the DC. He ran a general store in Yea.
This was a situation where I needed a second
adult, but I had left the other two up stream. I
Leaving the other two adults at Eildon, I took
the party back down stream to Molesworth
where the canoes were launched. I drove on
down to a spot north of Yea to await them
194
did not make that mistake again. I reported to
the DC, who responded by getting in touch with
a chap with an aluminium speed boat. It was
not long before the DC and I stood on the bank
watching the motor boat powering upstream to
moor alongside the log upon which the two
crew members stood. They did have branches
of the log to grasp for stability and comfort.
Day Six
I returned from Geelong the next day to find a
regatta in progress with scouts from other
groups taking part. A flying fox had been
erected. Canoe races were being held. The
weather was perfect. I was amused to see the
number who preferred to wrestle each other in
the mud only to get thoroughly daubed from
head to tow – and then wash it all off under the
showers.
The two boys transferred safely to the motor
boat and were soon back on the bank.
Meanwhile the floating oar had come to rest on
a bank not far downstream. But the lost canoe
remained sunk and subject to the river’s desires.
The boys lost any gear that they had stowed on
board134. The lesson of course was to have
strong towing lines on the canoes. There had
been poor maintenance. The expedition was
now down to one less canoe.
The “Acquacat” with Tom King in the stern
This is how I had hoped to see them coming around the
bend
Day Five – Return to Geelong
On the 1st January, I had been promoted
lieutenant-colonel as Commanding Officer of
the Geelong artillery regiment. I could hardly
miss the first parade, so I took leave of the
expedition party and drove back to Geelong, but
not before the party had taken delivery of an
“acquacat.” This was going to be the basis of
untold fun in the water. An “acquacat” was a
motorised platform – a bit like a mini houseboat.
Paul Lange and Russell King repair a canoe
134
I have no recall as to what we did about this loss of
gear
195
Day Nine
Church services were attended in Seymour.
Here some parents joined us – the Hutton and
Williams families. A recce took place at
Nagambie of the proposed site. It was not
acceptable and another was successfully
negotiated. Back to Terangaville. Being a train
enthusiast I remember a goods train coming
along the line from Cathkin in the direction of
Yea and Tallarook. Unfortunately this line has
been abandoned before its tourist value could be
appreciated135.
Day Ten
This was very much a rest day. Tom King lay
on an air mattress listening to the cricket test
that had been scheduled to replace the
Melbourne Boxing Day one that had been
washed out. It is hard to believe that rain would
have fallen for some four days in succession at
that time of the year, but it did and the match
was abandoned.
Andrew Binks and Milton Cations having both an excess
of energy and of basic elements of the earth – mud and
water!
Days Seven and Eight
The hikers and canoeists changed over, with the
three adults deployed along the river at the
various check points. This time there were no
incidents. We had packed up at Lake Eildon
and established camp at Terangaville, where the
bridge had now been repaired from its earlier
awkward lean, following flood damage. Peter
MacAusland, GSM of 1st Highton, joined us.
With my army connections, I made a “recce”
trip to the Puckapunyal army camp. When my
rank and status was proven, I received every
cooperation and was invited to bring the party
through the camp the next day. The tank
museum’s exhibits were mostly in the open in
those days, but a tank was a tank, and one did
not see them everyday of the week in town.
Day Eleven
The water and hiking activities had now been
concluded and the party was heading more or
less in the direction of home. Having set up the
visit to the army camp, it was also reasonable to
visit Chateau Tabilk nearby. Whether I was
irresponsible or not in 1971 community terms,
the boys enjoyed the visit to the wine cellars and
the talks they received about the wine growing
and fermentation process. It would have been
Not that Monopoly game again! Clockwise: Milton
Cations, Stephen McLachlan, Andrew Binks, Neil
MacAuslan, Ian Jones, Trevor Salt, Paul Lange
135
The line from Tallarook branched at Cathkin going to
Alexandra on one line and to Mansfield on the other. It is
now a rail trail.
196
heartless to deny them the opportunity offered at
the wine tasting desk!
Sipping their “lemonade” at Chateau Tabilk
The army camp visit was equally successful. I
cannot remember the exact order, but in addition
to the tank museum, we drove to the Royal
Australian and Electrical Mechanical Engineers
workshop where many vehicles both “softskinned” and armoured were being repaired.
At Puckapunyal senior scouts inspect a German 88-mm
Flak (Anti-aircraft) gun at the Armoured Museum
I must have been talking to one of the soldiers,
when around the corner came the noise of the
engine and tracks of an Armoured Personnel
Carrier (APC), festooned over which were the
members of BDSST!136 Later we drove to the
range camp, where I was fairly well known. If
we had been a little earlier we could have gone
on to the range and watched the Centurion tanks
firing their armour piercing shot.
Even I can’t eat more than half a chicken and I
felt a heel for doing so while the trailer and
vehicles provided a make shift hospital for
some. But they got home to recover there and to
learn that they should heed advice in future and
not try to know better.
Apart from the loss of the canoe and the last
day’s sickness it had been a successful
expedition and there was no reason on the
horizon why something similar would not be
repeated in twelve months time.
At camp that night I emphasised that the lads
should respect the sewerage outfall below the
camp and not wash in any way in that area. But
my advice fell on deaf ears and the inevitable
followed.
The canoe shed
Day Twelve
The only record I have of the construction of
this metal double-garage with a concrete floor
was of the photos showing the canoes on their
new metal trailer support being slid in to an
otherwise pristine building. No dents to the
building. Nothing hanging on the wall. A clean
floor.
I had ordered a cooked meal at the Bacchus
Marsh Golden Fleece restaurant of chicken. But
near the turn off from Tooboorac I had a lot of
very sick senior scouts in the party. I think
some just wanted to die!
Prior to this the 1st Highton group had been very
generous with overhead cover and security for
us to store our canoes between trips, but they
136
I can still shudder to think of the inquiry and
compensation that would have followed an accident to
one of the scouts, even in those pre-litigation days
197
did take up a lot of space and could be tempting
to “lesser mortals.” I decided to propose to 1st
Highton’s group committee whether they would
allow me to temporarily finance a garage, which
could be purchased “off the hook.” A concrete
floor would be added.
The committee knew that they would eventually
reimburse me, and they gave approval. There
was no difficulty in getting planning approval
from the engineer of The Shire of South
Barwon. Construction went ahead. It was
spacious and very adaptable to our needs. If it
had a weakness it was that the door height was
not high enough to permit trailer, canoe cage
and canoes to be backed in in one piece of kit.
But a higher roof line would have greatly
increased the expense. To my knowledge the
garage is still in existence but what is inside is
another matter. I think it has also been moved
to align it with other constructions.
Heather Grinter and Joan Diamond were two of the very
faithful and hard-working catering team for adult and
senior scout training courses. Thank you ladies.
Design for Tomorrow
You’re the Fellow for Me
This report, an Australian answer to the UK
Advance Party Report, had now been published
and was being discussed at various committee
levels throughout the movement. I propose to
look at its recommendations in more detail in
the next chapter, but it was good to read in the
chapters on the “older boy,” that the lessons of
the East Tarago Senior Scout Troop and now the
Barwon District Senior Scout Troop had been
incorporated. They were to be generally
adopted as the basis on which to cater for senior
scouts, soon to be re-titled as Venturer Scouts –
a name to avoid “scouts” feeling in any way
inferior.
If you believe in a life worth living
Where the people are good and free.
If you can share in the joys of giving, well
You’re the fellow for me.
If you can look for a silver lining
So that others around may see,
And if you show them the sun is shining, well
You’re the fellow for me.
Oh! I know that it’s true,
And along there with you,
We’ll climb the highest mountain, then
Down the other side into a land of better men.
We shall arise from the times of sorrow
To a world as it ought to be,
Lend me a hand for the New Tomorrow, and
You’re the fellow for me.
Ralph Reader
198
and also the Southern Cross for determining the
approximate South Pole as distinct from the
North Star.
Chapter 39
The Design for Tomorrow Report
The various books that were available to help a
Scouter run his section were nearly all from
England and could be applied without too much
thought. The Gilcraft series were excellent but
had all been written by Englishmen against the
English cultural and environmental background
Background
There had always been incremental changes in
Scouting from its early days. The movement
could not afford not to be affected by social
trends. World War I coming so soon after
Scouting’s inception probably resulted in a wide
community acceptance of Scouting, in that even
the short period since 1907 showed that boys
could be useful in many ways, whether
signalling, running messages or collecting scrap
as part of the war effort.
Leader Training
The handbooks used by leader trainers (then
known as “deputy camp chiefs”) were straight
from Gilwell Park, England. The names for the
patrols (pigeons, cuckoos, owls and peckers)
were English and were the names used at the
Brownsea experimental camp. Even the
nomenclature at our own Gilwell at Gembrook,
Victoria, was the same, with the use of the
words, “the boys’ field.” In the UK it was a
“field.” Here it was “bush”!
This response to change has been well described
by Mrs. E. K. Wade’s book, Twenty-One Years
of Scouting – The official history of the Boy
Scout movement from its inception137.
I would hazard that the war increased the
tendency for retired army officers to be
Scouters. Rovering, the section for those over
say seventeen, was probably developed to meet
the needs of the returned men who felt that they
had been cheated of being scouts through having
been called up for service in France and
elsewhere.
Senior Scouts
Post World War II saw the division of the scout
section with the older boys (over 15) being
given their own section, “Senior Scouts.” But
the change had been made first in the UK and
Australian branches adopted it probably without
too much comment.
But on the whole the Australian state scout
organisations had adopted the UK scout system
without much change. The uniform, the
handbooks, and the ethos – all were imported.
Scouting for Boys was the basic text. That the
pages dealt exclusively with Northern
Hemisphere trees and birds did not seem to be
seen as out of place. Even the North Polar star
got a mention, despite it not being visible in
Australia.
Change in the air
About 1964, Sir Charles Maclean, Chief Scout
of the Commonwealth, convened in Britain a
committee of very experienced scout leaders
requiring them to investigate scouting and report
on changes that they might recommend.
Further, he gave his word that the
recommendations would be adopted by the
Association without further investigation.
When I became an assistant scoutmaster in 1952
and encountered Scouting close up for the first
time in my life, I tested scouts for their second
and first class badges from handbooks that had
started to include Australiana, such as eucalypts
137
The resulting report was known as The Advance
Party Report. It is not the purpose of this
chapter to discuss further the almost
revolutionary changes that took part in the UK
as a result, but to recognise that the APR
C.. Arthur Pearson, Ltd., London, 1929
199
provided the impetus for the Australian branch
commissioners convening a group to examine
Australian Scouting. Their findings resulted in
The Design for Tomorrow report. But, unlike in
the UK, there was no undertaken given that its
recommendations would necessarily be adopted
without close examination.
The DFT report
In 1970 the committee provided its report in
book form138. It ran to over six hundred pages.
It could eventually be purchased at a nominal
cost. Beginning with a comprehensive review
of society and youth, it proceeded to make
recommendations about every aspect of the
movement in considerable detail. For those
wishing to understand the movement as it is
today, a study of the report is essential.
Parallel with the Scouts, the Guide Association
also undertook a review, Tomorrow’s Guide,
Report of the Working Party, Girl Guide
Association, 1966. (See page 135 above)
The committee
The report in its timeline context
Mr. R. A. Brown was the first chairman. He
was succeeded by C. C. Symon. Each state
appointed one or two representatives, many of
whom were also educators in their civilian
careers, such as H. K. Carey for New South
Wales. E. M. “Bus” Derrick, the movement’s
national secretary, was appointed secretary to
the committee.
While many of the DFT’s recommendations
were not adopted at the time, the constitutional
framework for change was created in the body
now known as Scouts Australia. From that time
on Scouts Australia created standing committees
to undertake regular reviews for each aspect and
section of the movement from whose reports
changes have been adopted.
Scouting in 2010 is vastly different from the
Scouting I first knew in 1952. Girls may now
be members. The promise and law have been
reworded. The achievement badges for all
sections bear little resemblance to their
forebears. The most well-known badge,
“Queen’s Scout,” has been retained but the
requirements to achieve the badge are much
more challenging and cover a wider area of
pursuits.
Probably in no other area have the changes been
more visible than in the uniform that is now
worn. The South African police style as
designed and favoured by our founder has gone.
Only the scarf and woggle remain. What is
worn from the belt down is optional in pattern
and colour. The “shirt” has coloured sleeves to
indicate the youth member’s section. Badges
are still worked for and worn on the upper
garment – it is hardly a shirt in the old sense of
the word. Leader “rank” symbols have been
discarded.
138
Report of the Design for Tomorrow Committee with
appendices, Australian Boy Scouts Association, 30 June
1970
200
musical group, The Beatles and all that
followed.
Change
The process of implementing change is a study
in its own right. We hear of the phrase, “A win,
win situation,” but this is nearly impossible to
achieve. There will always be someone
unhappy with the proposal, no matter how
obvious it might appear to his or her peers.
Implementation
Unfortunately when it comes or came to
implementation one could have predicted that
the changes made would have been to the less
important areas or where the need for a
complete variation was “crying out aloud.”
Organisations and their members are
conservative by nature. It is said that such
corporate bodies develop equilibrium or
momentum which it will endeavour to maintain
as it comes up against un-experienced
challenges.
David Hunt in reviewing the DFT lists these
areas as Fundamentals, Uniform, Terminology,
Leader Training, World Emblem, Name changes
and Program, and title changes in each of the
four (as they were then) sections.
Dictators can often carry all before them –
nothing like an execution or two to encourage
the others – but in a free society the members
themselves must be convinced of both the need
for change and the wisdom of the changes that
are adopted.
Fundamentals
The Cub section was to closely resemble that of
the Scouts. In fact the cubs would move away
from the Jungle Story approach and wear
uniform similar to the scout section to some
extent. The Scout Laws were re-worded with an
emphasis on the importance of the environment.
The religious policy of the movement was
perhaps brought in line with prevailing views as
to the belief of each member.
Why change?
David Hunt in a paper for the Committee for the
Far Futures has reviewed the DFT and its
cultural milieu of the sixties and seventies139
particularly as they might apply in the new
century.
Uniform
He gives the reason for the convening of the
DFT team as the fall in numbers in the
movement, the first such fall in its history,
particularly post World War II. I have already
suggested that another strong reason was that
UK Scouting had already set such a committee
of review in being and had adopted its report.
Because it so visible, uniform is often one of the
most contentious aspects of any uniformed
organisation. Between the many coloured
variations of the South African Constabulary
hat, shirt and shorts, (of 1952) and the current
one of multi-coloured shirt and group scarf, the
change has been gradual.
But across the broad spectrum of society nearly
every “voluntary” group, and many which were
professional, was reviewing its aims and modus
operandi against the changes that were taking
place all around them in society, often
characterised by the fact and acceptance of the
The four dented hat was replaced by an Akubra
but it never really took on, despite it being
dubbed the “Johnson Hat.” A collar was added
to the shirt but any other changes were minor. If
there was any comment as to these changes it
was about the quality of the new garments.
139
Hunt, David; Scouts Victoria, Committee for the Far
Future, Data Analysis Workstream Discussion Document,
14 Dec 09, Scouts Australia – Victorian Branch, P.O. Box
774, Mount Waverley, 3149
201
Terminology
Senior Scouts
The word, “leader,” came to replace “master.”
as in Group Leader. The Association changed
its name to Scouts Australia.
The recommendation was that this section now
has its distinctive name, that of “Venturers,” but
again it was a matter of following a similar
change already adopted in the United Kingdom.
Leader Training
I was rather pleased to read from the DFT at
page 214: “The concept of the District Troop
has already been put into practice in a number of
country towns, where community spirit possible
transcends Group loyalty, and where shortage of
competent leaders has made it necessary to
provide good quality Senior Scouting with the
minimum of man-power.
Rather than slavishly following the training
course handbooks from the English Gilwell,
committees from each section across Australia
began to draft training handbooks which would
reflect the thinking of those leaders and the
educational methods of the time together with
their presentation in A4 size. A
Commissioners’ woodbadge course was written
and trialled.
Those conducting training courses would no
longer be ‘Deputy Camp Chiefs” but Leader
Trainers and Assistant Leader Trainers. If there
was an image of Scouting being “quaint,” it was
being discarded.
“The Senior Troop[s] of East Tarago (Victoria)
and Mt. Gambier (South Australia) and the
Barwon District Troop (Victoria) are examples.
In these cases, the Senior Troop creates its own
separate identity, wears its own distinctive scarf,
and generates an esprit-de-corps based on
District rather than Group.”
World Emblem
One’s past can come back to haunt one!
The traditional tenderfoot badge gave way to the
white fleur de lis on a purple background. This
would be worn by all members. The fleur de lis
was also to go through many changes in style.
Australian Scouting adopted its own pattern.
Females
Girls would now be invited to join the Venturer
and Rover sections.
However
Cubs
Despite these so-called “revolutionary” changes,
the numbers continued to decrease.
As mentioned, the use of the Jungle Stories as
the basis of the section was watered down, but it
has come back to some extent since. The award
scheme of three boomerangs replaced the
previous two stars and Leaping Wolf badge.
Scouts
Again the award scheme was changed to have
three basic badges – Pioneer, Explorer and
Adventurer.
202
Graeme Taylor
Chapter 40
Jim Money relinquished his role as Area
Commissioner and this passed to Graeme
Taylor. Graeme was a manager of a store in
Geelong and had wide experience of Scouting in
Melbourne. His business-like methods would
be invaluable to the further development of
Geelong Scouting. Plans were in place for
Geelong to have its own scout shop in the Guild
Hall in Myers Street premises, which was
shared by the Guides and the Otway Foresters
group. Jim Money would manage it.
Another full year of Scouting activity
For a further year I would be combining leader
training with the leadership of an expanding
district senior scout troop. I would have added
the responsibilities being CO of the Geelong
CMF regiment, but somehow it was all fitted in.
At the end of the year, life for me would change
dramatically but there was little hint of that as
the troop “recovered” from the River Goulburn
trip and I resumed my teaching role at North
Geelong High School.
The “Croadley” at Easter
Kennedy Chapel
Whereas Easter camping had been principally
thought of in terms of the Stradbroke and Cohen
Shields which had been traditionally conducted
at Gilwell Park, Gembrook, headquarters now
endeavoured to take the pressure off Gilwell and
decentralise the competitions by staging them at
other leading scout camping grounds in the
state. One of these would be Eumeralla.
On the holiday weekend nearest to Australia
Day, Graeme Taylor and I attended the Gilwell
Reunion. I was not re-elected chairman,
perhaps at my own request or was there a coup?
Graeme and I were to work on the development
of the Kennedy Chapel.
The chapel in the training ground had been built
in the thirties. It reflected the ideas of what a
church layout should be – altar or table at one
end; seating in parallel rows at the other. The
chapel was built during the depression of the
thirties and it gave work to unemployed Rovers.
It could seat over a hundred persons. But often
a troop only needed a smaller area. With the
cooperation of the park management committee
a site near the main campfire circle was chosen.
Seating for some thirty was to be provided with
a simple reading desk. The “walls” and
“windows” of the chapel would be the bush.
Mike Downes was appointed to supervise the
shield activities. He and I worked closely
together in the planning phase prior to Easter. A
team of assessors was formed and there was
considerable interest in the proposals.
In addition to the two shields, the Geelong
Crichton Hide would also be competed for.
Eumeralla was not hosting the Hoadley Hide,
but something caused me to coin the word,
“Croadley” as a combination of the two.
Perhaps this had applied to an earlier year and I
just imported it into Easter 1971.
In addition to the Kennedy Memorial Gates, it
was another way in which to recognise the time
and energy that Mr. W. D. Kennedy had put into
Gilwell Park. “Kenno” had been a master at
Wesley College. He had met B-P and could
yarn away about him at a campfire and hold his
listeners spellbound. During his period as
warden, many buildings and facilities were
constructed to the benefit of all, whether
camping scouts or leaders undergoing training.
The staff used the training hut facilities. I have
always been a keen walker140 and I think I wore
out Mike’s shoes for him as I set an example in
walking around the camping sites at Eumeralla.
140
By 2009 the cartilage in my right hip had worn away,
necessitating a new hip. I found that my pleasure in
walking was greatly restricted. Had I walked too much in
my younger days? The operation was due to take place in
March 2010. (It was very successful.)
203
On a sad note, Max Grinter, a leader of 17th
Geelong and a leading citizen in his role as the
key man in the Griffiths Book Store,
experienced the first symptoms of an illness that
would eventually take his life. It was tragic to
witness his desire to see his boys while
restricted that Easter to a camp bed. Max was
also an ADC for training in City District.
With the help of Ross Hutton and a diagram on
graph paper, we had planned a large particle
board across the spare bed and placed chairs
around it. Desks, lights and filing cabinets
followed. It was carried out on the basis that I
was semi-permanent in Geelong and was likely
to remain single! Oh, the plans of mice and
men!
Training activities
I used coloured chalk to write up the names of
the groups and their leaders, using a different
colour for the stage of training reached by each
leader. Following a training course, I would
upgrade the “board” with the new colour. The
“board” provided a first class graphic picture of
training progress and scouter personnel across
the Geelong area.
Norman Johnson, who had become “Mr.
Scouting” by now, held the 1971 Training Team
day in February at Scotch College. Scotch
College had three scout groups. Scouting was
an alternative to cadets and community service,
although all three “meshed” in providing
worthwhile development activities for the
students.
The senior scouts met regularly around the new
table, often in Court of Honour style.
Meanwhile I was completing a diploma in
educational administration and the large table
space was ideal upon which to spread out books
and research papers.
Memory suggests that the Monash Freeway was
being constructed at the time with
“encroachment” on the school’s playing fields
from the overhead roadway. The grounds,
together with the River Yarra and the rowing
facilities provided a pleasant venue for the
training sessions.
I was always very grateful for the indulgence of
my landlord, Mr. Stan Colledge, who tolerated
the frequent comings and goings of scout
personnel who, to get to my flat, had to come up
the driveway past his house. Mrs. Colledge
acted as a ‘mother’ to me from time to time if I
was off colour.
Later in the year, Scotch hosted a Group
Leaders’ course at which Ken Abrecht, Paul
Pianta (Troop Leader) and I were guest trainers
for the older boys section. At it we were very
happy to quote the relevant page of the Design
for Tomorrow report (page 214 of the report)
where the “district” training (or “pooling”) for
senior scouts and its success was vindicated.
Dr. Charles Parker
Dr. Parker was a medical general practitioner. I
think his home group was 3rd Highton. He had
already helped me on the River Goulburn
expedition. He now became a great supporter.
Clearly he enjoyed the diversion of Scouting
from his daily practice. It was also very
beneficial to have a GP on site during activities.
He brought considerable maturity to the troop,
together with his two sons. I never lacked for
assistance. Peter MacAuslan, GSM of 1st
Highton, continued to help wherever possible.
Wall “blackboard”
Meanwhile the Geelong training panel
continued to meet monthly and conduct its range
of courses. At some stage in 1970 or 1971, I got
permission from my landlord to apply
“blackboard” paint to a wall in the flat where I
lived. This was to be in the room which I had
set up as a meeting place for a range of my
activities.
204
When I was appointed commanding officer of
the Geelong CMF regiment I decided to hold
dinners to which the managers of the firms that
employed the part-time soldiers would be
invited. Further, the mayors or councillors of
the many cities that comprised greater Geelong
would be included. Officers of the unit would
be invited to act as hosts.
Colac Colac reconnaissance
Colac Colac (pronounced, ‘klak, klak,”) was the
overnight camping spot for the reconnaissance
of the proposed canoeing trip in which sections
of the Upper Murray River would be used. The
weekend of 15th/16th October, 1971, proved to
be convenient to those involved. The party of
six141 included both adults and patrol leaders.
I invited Miss Monkivitch to be hostess at the
first of these functions. The third of these
dinners was held at Colac, where the regiment
had a battery. The Colac Herald was prophetic
but had jumped the gun when it referred to
Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Farley! My
proposal was made following the regimental
ball in October. The wedding was set for early
December.
The upper reaches of the River Murray were
proposed. The “recce” party was able to drive
around these areas, although at that stage of the
year, there was still a lot of snow on the ground.
It was on this weekend that the reconnaissance
party met up with famous state parliamentarian,
The Hon. Tom Mitchell, MLC, who was
“fanatical” about Scouting. One felt that this on
entering what might be thought of as his
“fiefdom.” His estate was called Towong Hall.
The walls of his office were covered in maps of
the highlands and he had his own radio
communication system. He was most helpful
with our planning. The party returned to
Geelong on the Sunday believing that a
worthwhile expedition could be planned.
It was a military wedding with a guard of
honour of officers with swords. The senior
scouts were not directly involved. However,
Shirley’s Guide Company sang the 23rd psalm.
Shirley and I enjoyed a week in Marysville142,
with a day walking on Lake Mountain..
But how would my change of life fit in with
Scouting?
In addition to canoeing, the highlands of Mount
Kosciusko would provide great areas for
walking. The return trip could be via the east
coast with its lakes and other attractions.
George Street
Unbeknown to me Shirley had inherited a house
relatively nearby in George Street. Between
returning from Marysville and Christmas, we
moved in to it. I had to pack up my flat, greatly
reducing my possessions and having to say
goodbye to the wall blackboard of scouter
training progress. The large table board went to
the home of Graeme Taylor. A new life for me
had begun. I felt that I had shed years and was
young again.
Marriage
At the start of 1971 I was half-way through my
39th year. I had looked after myself for four
years in my flat in Belmont. I already knew that
Miss Shirley Monkivitch was a Guide trainer.
She used to attend our area training meetings in
that role. She and I also worshipped at the same
church, St. Stephen’s Anglican Church,
Belmont.
141
Station wagons in 1971 still had space for three adults
across the wide front seat. As mentioned before I had six
seat belts installed, even though only the front set were
then compulsory.
142
The guest house was destroyed in the fires on Black
Saturday, 2009
205
delayed by an hour! Such is the influence of
those that meet our daily needs.
Chapter 41
Now for the Upper Murray and its head
waters
Shirley would accompany me on the trip, and
drive her Capri car, carrying three of the seniors.
Russell King (now troop leader) and his father,
Tom, decided that the canoes would travel better
on a metal frame and they fabricated one on the
basis of the size of the trailer that we would be
getting. In the event the first trailer to be
offered would not take the frame, but there was
a quick swap. The loaded trailer sat outside in
the street the night before we set off and I
trusted that no one would interfere with it. They
didn’t.
Launching the canoes at Coleman’s Bend. At this stage
the sun is out and everything right with the world.
The first group to launch in their canoes found
the going hard and soon foundered. In the
process Chris Williams lost his glasses, which
caused his mother on the spot to be very
concerned. There was a re-grouping at Colac
Colac that night.
Day One --- 1st January
On the first day there were three vehicles – the
Valiant towing the canoe trailer; a Viva (Charles
Parker) with his yacht/dingy; and the Capri
(Shirley). Shirley does not like being in a
convoy, but our two vehicles eventually caught
up with her at an RV!
Day Three – 3rd January
Shirley and I headed down stream to Talmalmo
to await the canoe party but no canoes came
around the bend and it was four o’clock before
Charles Parker came to say that the party had
got no further than Jinjelic, where they had
exited the river. Once again we moved to Colac
Colac Caravan Park. Here Jean Williams had
prepared and cooked the meals for the
headquarters team.
At Colac Colac we were joined by Brian and
Mrs. Jean Williams, with their Jaguar car and
caravan. This meant that at most stops Mrs.
Williams would soon have the kettle boiling and
we were sustained with tea or coffee.
Day Two – 2nd January
In retrospect the itinerary did not respond to
clear aims or were the aims muddled? The party
was to proceed to the Upper Murray River and
canoe there. Then, after a visit to Mount
Kosciusko, the party would move to the east
coast and come back via Mallacoota. The trip
was planned to last a fortnight.
Day Four -- 4th January
The plan was for canoeing to continue until
lunch time, but this idea was cancelled and the
parties proceeded to Tumut. Here we set up
camp in a lush setting. Shirley tried her skills at
canoeing. In the evening some of us played
monopoly. Milton Cations wanted to play it
hard but I demonstrated my skills and wore him
down. A bit of a holiday atmosphere started to
develop. Not a bad thing, but it was not that
which had been contemplated.
The second day was a Sunday. The senior
scouts went along to Presbyterian and Anglican
services. Shortly after the latter service
commenced, the other seniors trooped in, saying
that the “milkman” caused that service to be
206
Day Five – 5th January
Day Nine – 9th January
It was quite a steep climb for the Valiant as we
made our way to Kiandra for lunch. There was
a stop at the Yarrongobilly Caves before we
proceeded to the Mt. Kosciusko National Park.
In the rain everything seemed to go wrong: I
caught the bumper on a tree stump, our campsite
was already occupied. It was raining. Then the
ranger appeared, the site was sorted out, the
stump chopped away and we set up camp.
The only available church service at Cooma was
the Presbyterian one where again we were made
very welcome. Again Jean Williams had
matters ready for lunch and then we drove down
Brown Mountain into Eden to camp.
Would you believe the same group of people – now in
their Sunday best! The four canoes, named after Snow
White’s friends, are neatly secured on their metal rig
Day Ten – 19th January
The expedition party in working gear – where are the
maroon T-shirts? On the right are the three leaders,
Graham and Shirley Farley, and Charles Parker
Mallacoota.
Day Six – 6th January
Day Eleven – 20th January
This was an unforgettable day as we drove to a
convenient spot from which we hiked up to the
summit of Mt. Kosciusko. The weather was
perfect and the views magnificent. The road
back was not and then rain started but by then I
was back on a sealed road. We camped that
night at the same spot.
Minor expeditions were made in the area as we
waited for the weather to improve. It was very
humid and still.
Day Seven – 7th January
A day of rest.
Day Eight – 8th January
The day’s drive took us through Jindabyne and
the Barry Way. We stopped for a wonderful
walk through to the Snowy River.
Wherever adolescents find a river they will attempt to
dam it – or were they water babies?
207
Day Twelve – 21st January
Finally the canoes could be put once again into
the water, but it was paddling all the way in the
lake or up the arm of the river. Charles had his
dingy with its small motor operating as a
“mother” craft. Most had quite a day on the
lake.
Day Thirteen – 22nd January
Returning the canoes and the metal rig to the doublewidth garage. Unfortunately the canoes had to be first
taken off their rig before they could be restacked inside
Lakes Entrance was our next destination. We
then went on to Bairnsdale where Cliff and Pat
Dent, with their children, visited the campsite.
Kennedy Chapel
At the Gilwell Reunion in 1972, the Kennedy
Chapel was officially opened. This was located
near the large campfire circle in a secluded spot
as an alternative place to worship than the
traditional chapel in the training ground.
A pensive Russell King
Day Fourteen – 23rd January
A visit was made to RAAF East Sale in the
morning. This had been arranged but in the
event there was no aircraft activity, which was a
bit of a disappointment. That night the party
stopped in Warragul although there were those
in the party who would have liked to drive
through to Geelong.
The W. D. Kennedy Memorial Chapel, Gilwell Park
Whereas the latter had a rectangular layout, the
new chapel was more “in the round,” in keeping
with contemporary trends.
The reunion committee followed up the idea of
providing a number of activity sites, known as
“statics,” at which those attending the reunion
could test their skills and refresh their
knowledge of Scouting. Shirley was also
invited to the weekend and assisted with the
displays.
Day Fifteen – 15th January
In the morning we witnessed the departure of
the Warragul Senior Scouts on their expedition
and then our party drove home to Geelong after
a very different type of trip to some previously.
208
no rain fell. The pressure of other activities in
my life was such that I never had the occasion to
take part in such hikes again. Marriage changes
all perspectives, and even more so with
parenthood, which would be with us from May,
1973.
Training techniques
Norm Johnson, the training commissioner,
encouraged Leon Costermans and me to
demonstrate to the members of the training team
the various techniques that were available for
making their courses more interesting. The
overhead projector was now becoming a
standard visual aid at training courses.
Woodbadge course
I was asked to lead my first Group
Leader/Commissioner course which would be
held at Eumeralla Scout Camp. In preparing
these notes I had completely overlooked that I
had ever supervised such a course were it not for
my diary entries. So I will stick fairly closely to
what I wrote at the time.
Easter
Normally Shirley would have conducted a guide
camp at Tullawalla, a camp site further along
the coast from Anglesea, but she was not well. I
“offered” to erect one of the tents for the girls,
who I think were being trusted to camp on their
own. I have to admit that I left the tent poles
back at Eumeralla but still persevered by using
nearby trees to guy the tent. The tent was still a
sorry sight when I had finished. The girls made
it even more difficult for me by taking
photographs of it to later show “Cap.”
Ashley Batten, who had been a leader on the
scout woodbadge course that I did back in
January 1955, assisted on the first weekend. I
recalled that he had had a bad time as a prisoner
of war with the Japanese and living and health
were challenges. He accepted and conquered
these with great exemplary stoicism. Norm
Johnson arranged for training team members to
come and assist me.
Meanwhile at Eumeralla, Mike Downes was
there again to supervise the Stradbroke Cup and
Cohen Shield activities. Once again I walked
Mike off his feet. I enjoy walking and we did
not want cars on the dusty tracks.
The second “weekend” or rather “three days”
was held over the Queen’s Birthday holiday
weekend. Leon Costermans came on the
Saturday. Bob Swinton came for the Sunday
and the Monday. Norm Johnson and Eric
Newbigin visited on the Monday. Bill Dawson
also came down for some time.
Stage 1
The revamped system of training courses was
being tried out. This was part of an overall
“maturing” of Australian society as in many
walks of life, the young colony, only eight years
short of its two hundredth one, was breaking
away from its United Kingdom inheritance. The
Explanatory Course would now be known as
Stage 1. I am not sure that the content was
changed in any significant way.
A highlight, especially in view of his early
death, was a talk by “Boss’ Hurst on his links
with Nauru and its scouts. Using the various
techniques used on ‘new-type’ conferences and
the ideas from my educational administration
studies, I used “in baskets,” films, film strips,
and role plays. I led sessions on the study of
society and the nature “of the boy.” It was
difficult to stick to the laid down course with the
number of visiting leaders.
“Twilight” hike
I was not to know it at the time that it would be
my last “hike,” but I led a small party of senior
scouts on a three or four day hike in the country
at the back of Gilwell Park. Considering the
time of the year, May, it was relatively mild and
The third weekend was at the start of July. Bert
Blair was my main support. His speciality was
Rovering; so in the course of the three weekends
209
we had covered each of the sections, although
who spoke on Cubbing I cannot recall.
lease on land above the cliffs, which became the
Eumeralla site.
Scout Shop branch
Here Boss built a weekend home for himself
with magnificent views. He was able to act as
an unofficial camp warden and visits to his clifftop home were highlights for camping scouts.
He always took a great interest in what they
were doing and helping them out of trouble if
they were short of food or the weather turned
against them.
During the year, the scout shop branch opened
in the Guild Hall with the former Area
Commissioner, Jim Money, as its manager.
This was a great step forward as parents of
scouts had previously been obliged to travel to
Melbourne for uniforms, books and badges. In
addition, the shop provided a communication
opportunity where people met each other and
passed on information.
Brisbane Gang Show
While in Brisbane visiting my sister, Shirley and
I visited a performance of the Brisbane Gang
Show. Most states in Australia produced their
own gang shows, which were based on the
songs and skits of the English show written by
Ralph Reader.
“Boss” Hurst dies
There was a big funeral when “Boss” died in
August. He had been “Mr. Scouting” in
Geelong and it was very hard to think of
Scouting in that city without his personality
being present.
Queen’s Scouts
Several members of the BDSST qualified for
their Queen Scout badge. In addition to the
group ceremonies where the boys received the
badge, there was the presentation of the
certificate at Government House.
The dust cover of Don Chambers’ book on the life of
“Boss” Hurst who, amongst other achievements,
developed the Eumeralla camp site at Anglesea
He had helped to establish the first camp on the
banks of the Anglesea River and then, when that
area was no longer available, liaised with the
Forestry Commission of Victoria to obtain a
If you marry a Guide Captain, then you can expect to be
constructing commando bridges and enabling the fairer
sex to “enjoy the joys of the Scouting boys” …
210
Resign warrant
Bairnsdale reconnaissance
The new Area Commissioner, Graeme Taylor, a
close friend of mine, preferred that leaders did
not have dual warrants. He invited Scouters
such as me to surrender one. I think he was a
little surprised when I chose to remain as the
DSSL and surrendered the training warrant.
Bob George was the first to act as training
commissioner. Later, Doug Edmonds took over
the training role.
In a similar way to my “last” hike, this would be
my last expedition, but not that of BDSST. The
troop still had its focus on canoeing, but that
required a river as a base. It was decided to
return to the Mitchell River in Gippsland and so
a reconnaissance took place. In the event,
rainfall was very slight that year and the
expedition was dogged by poor river flows.
Peter Dawson, TL
Peter was elected Troop Leader in place of
Russell King. Increasingly the district troop
was self regulating and self determining. Dr.
Charles Parker was very active with the section.
It continued to be successful and its numbers
grew.
I have always felt that a key reason for the
success was the formal communications that we
enjoyed. I would prepare a circular at the high
school where I taught. I worked out a route
around Belmont and Highton and over several
afternoons after school I would walk the
distance and put the circulars into the various
letter boxes of the members. There could never
be any excuse that families did not know what
was going on, where, when, how &c. Memory
is that there were then some forty-five circulars
to distribute.
Canoeing on the Barwon River with a view to gaining
water certificates
Camp Eumeralla Day, Anglesea
211
to get back on board. It was no use. I was not
athletic enough. But I think I was given the
certificate on the condition that I did not ever
get into a canoe!
Chapter 42
Back to the Gippsland Lakes for the next
canoeing expedition
“Narse” Lesser
Bairnsdale expedition
One day when I was whipping ends of rope,
Shirley and I received a pleasant surprise in a
visit by “Narse” Lesser. “Narse” was one of
several scout leaders who were masters at
Wesley College in Melbourne. The other
members included W. D. Kennedy, Dick Milne
and Eddie Wells – each of them famous in their
own field.
In my diary I noted that most of the senior
scouts on this trip were on their first such
expedition. At that stage there was no regular
troop leader. A converted ambulance was hired
for transport. The Bairnsdale area was used
again as I had already had the experience of the
trip to the same spots some years earlier and
there was a limit to the navigable rivers in
Victoria.
“Narse,” at my Explanatory course back in May
1952, had led a session during which he shared
the contents of his scout library with us. He was
a member of the team that conducted the wood
badge course when I was a candidate.
Some time later “Narse” invited me to be a
member of the campfire team for the jamboree
at Clifford Park. That jamboree was memorable
for its daily tropical downpour. I well
remember conducting campfires in the rain.
Somehow we would encourage the lit fire to
defy the rain. Ground sheets were the “in thing”
to wear at these campfires!
The expedition team at Mallacoota
Guide State Camp
Loading of the trailer went to schedule. There
was a storm on the eve of the trip but the trailer,
parked outside our house, weathered the night
rather well. I was assisted by Elton Wescott, a
3rd Highton scouter and Mr. and Mrs. Tom
King. Both Elton and Tom brought their
families. Both contributed boats, which were
towed behind vehicles.
Being married to a Guide Captain meant visits
to and support of guide functions. One day we
went to Britannia Park where some of Shirley’s
Guider friends and Guides were in camp. The
park is near Warburton.
Water certificates
Day One – To the Mitchell River
I am not sure how I got caught on this one, but
there was a need for the senior scouts going on
the Bairnsdale trip to have the relevant water
certificate. This included getting back into a
canoe, having been “pitched” overboard. I
found myself challenged to be so certificated,
but in the middle of the Barwon River (suitably
buoyed up by a life jacket) I tried time and again
On Saturday, 13th January, the four vehicles got
away at nine and made good progress, although
I had trouble with the booster brakes on the
Valiant. Cliff Dent visited us at our campsite.
The ambulance was driven by Elton Wescott.
212
Day Two – Orbost, Mallacoota
Day Five – Still on the water
The troop attended churches where once again
we were made a fuss of. It had been a good start
to the day with a very brisk “break of camp.”
Lunch was at Orbost and the site at Mallacoota
occupied late in the afternoon.
Geoff Grant varied the day’s plans by fishing
off the point. The hoped for boat trip out to the
island did not eventuate. Two of the troop came
back past a notice discouraging passage beyond
that point. Elton and I took the canoe parties
further a field and waited for their return. By
now, members had made contact, or hoped they
had, with the district’s females!
Day Three – Water activities
Clark Swan writes home
Roger Grant fishing
The scouts canoed on the lake during the day.
The sail plane was also successfully launched.
A lady lent the lads a prawning net and that
occupied them if they were not playing
Monopoly with me. Towards midnight the
catch was cooked and served to those still
awake.
Day Six – Lind, Bairnsdale
It was a most lethargic “break of camp.” I had
been lulled into a false expectation by earlier
moves. Lunch was taken at the Lind National
Park. Afternoon tea was at Nowa Nowa. My
passion for trains had not started by then
apparently or I would have sought out the
magnificent rail trestle nearby. Later in the
afternoon camp was established at Bairnsdale.
We met up with a party of senior scouts from 1st
Upper Ferntree Gully who had been canoeing
“the hard way.”
Day Four – Genoa and canoeing
The party moved to Genoa. Here the canoeists
were launched upstream, but they encountered
reeds on the way down river. Tom King took
his motorised yacht, the Egret, upstream to meet
them and they were towed back in style. The
engine was not the ‘super-duper’ one that most
boat owners like to fit, but its motor and
propeller worked well and achieved their aim.
Meanwhile police were inspecting an overturned
power boat that had nothing to do with our
party. Prawning took place again that night.
Day Seven – Canoe parties in the heat
The weather turned very hot and the level of the
Mitchell River was very low. Was this the
result of a drought or the operation of the
213
Thomson Dam upstream? Geoff Grant’s party
was launched at Lindenow and Glen Soulsby’s
at another spot.
Day Eleven – Day of decision
Nature was still batting against us. The next
stage of the trip was to include a boat trip in the
vicinity of Wilson’s Promontory but this was
unlikely to take place. The lads were pretty well
tired out. A troop conference took place and the
decision was made to return to Geelong the next
day. That night, the party feasted at a Golden
Fleece restaurant getting nearly all they could
eat for $2. How money values have changed
since 1973!
Day Eight – Waiting for the canoe parties
Eventually that day, Elton and I recovered the
teams – now very tired out and scorched in the
sun. In the afternoon quite a few had an
excellent time on the yacht. We played
Monopoly again that night. It never seems to
pall. We were glad of the availability of some
soldering at the enterprise owned by Cliff
Dent’s father to make the canoe rack safer for
travelling.
Day Twelve – Home
Packing up the camp was very efficient and the
four-vehicle party proceeded back down the
Gippsland highway through Melbourne and
home to Geelong. This time we did not have to
rely on V Line.
An increasing feature of these expeditions was
that families were involved. As with Jean and
Brian Williams of the previous year, the King
and Westcott families fitted in and there was
great respect between all parties.
The smiles on their faces tell it all
Day Nine – Church and rest day
This time, the “non-Anglicans” went to the
Methodist Church. After that the party took
things easy with swimming and some canoeing.
The local Senior Scout Leader, Kevin Perry,
was most hospitable to us.
Day Ten – A repeat of Day Seven
A developing feature of the January canoeing expeditions
was that families accompanied the expedition. Here Tom
King (left) and Elton Wescott (right) are supported by
wives, daughters and their friends
Our planning was correct but the weather did
not play ball. The two parties struggled again
with warmth and water levels, but in due course
they were recovered. This recovery included
that of a canoe that had been abandoned
upstream. Geoff Grant and Dale Constable
swam after it and returned with it.
Probably the other main lesson was that a period
of ten days is probably quite sufficient both in
terms of the energy of the boys and the families
of the adults. I did not know it but it was to be
my last such trip as I would be packing up to go
214
years: of scouting” and listed the ten or so
Queen Scouts that received their badges and
certificates during that period. I had played a
small part in that process.
to Birchip twelve months later and handing the
leadership of the troop to others.
February functions
I only attended for one day of the Gilwell
Reunion, that of the business meeting. A
feature of the annual meeting is always a roll
call of when the attendees had completed their
wood badge. I had only had mine for eighteen
years. There were those present who went back
to the very first courses held in Victoria.
ETSST
I did not lose contact with my former Warragul
district senior troop. That troop held a reunion
of its members at the Brighton Grammar School
camp at Labertouche. It was now ten years
since the troop had formed. I was invited to
attend and pleased, not only to be with Shirley,
but to produce our brand new son, Roger, for
display. There seemed to be genuine pleasure in
Roger’s appearance and many wished to hold
him to be assured that he was not a figment of
their imagination!
The Training Team meeting was again held at
Scotch College. I cannot recall the reason for
this decision but apparently Norm Johnson only
saw the need for one day’s meeting. Scotch
College in the metropolitan area was a central
location for it.
Max Grinter
First Mirboo North
It was very sad when Max, a member of the
Geelong training team, succumbed to lung
cancer and died. He had undergone an
operation in which one of his lungs had been
removed but the outlook had always been bleak.
Max had been a keen scout leader and his wife,
Heather, headed up the catering branch for our
training courses. In his professional role, he had
been a key member of the management team of
the Griffiths Book Store in Geelong.
Shirley and I were invited to attend the opening
of the 1st Mirboo North’s scout hall in the
town’s recreation reserve. Prior to this, scout
meetings had been held in the Anglican Church
hall. Norm Johnson asked me to call in at the
training course at Gilwell Park on the way to
Mirboo North in Gippsland. Here he presented
me with my fourth bead and announced that I
was now a Leader Trainer, thus eligible to
conduct the wood badge courses.
The “Boss” Hurst light
The area panel had sought a means by which to
recognise Mr. Hurst’s contribution to Geelong
scouting. The decision was made to erect a
mast surmounted by an eternal light on the edge
of the parade ground at the Eumeralla scout
camp. It was lit in association with the Area
AGM.
Eumeralla service
The Leader Trainer’s certificate, previously the
Honourable Charge of Deputy Camp Chief
A group of Geelong scouters thought that a
scouts’ own service should be held in the new
chapel at the camp. Those seated in this chapel
had a wonderful view of the Southern Ocean.
The opening ceremony for the scout hall went to
plan. A booklet was produced for the event and
it had a history of the group. In the relevant
years of 1956 to 1958, it referred to the “golden
215
A proud father holds his new-born son, Roger, complete
with mini scarf. The coast and township of Anglesea are
clearly visible beyond the chapel altar.
The weather on the day was excellent. The
mother that made the scarves for the Barwon
senior scouts had run up a small one for our son.
I have a picture of us both on my bookcase as I
type this chapter. It brings back some very
happy memories.
Unlike so many of its predecessors, this
publication had plenty of colours in its diagrams
and page headings. It ranked in “authority” and
“presentation” with the quality school text
books that were then coming on the market and
could be proudly part of any school boy’s locker
or book shelf. Considerable resources and effort
had been put into this book. Above all it had
been specifically produced for Australia and its
conditions.
BDVU
About this time, Australian scouting made a
number of changes, most based on
recommendations from the Design for
Tomorrow report. One was to change the name
of senior scouts to that of Venturers and treat
them as “units.” Hence the district troop now
became the Barwon District Venturer Unit or
BDVU and the Warragul one, the ETVU.
Turning the pages of the Australian Scout
Handbook the reader could soon pick up the
changes that had already been made. The
uniform appeared unchanged except that
Scouters wore a normal shirt, tie and long
trousers. The four-dented hat was still in vogue.
A seminal publication
1n 1973 The Scout Association of Australia
prepared and put on sale the Australian Scout
Handbook. This handsomely presented “text
book” was published by the well-known firm of
McGraw Hill Book Company, Sydney143. It
was a comprehensive book for the boy entering
the Scout section and contained all that he
would need to know, whether about the
fundamentals or the award schemes. It ran to
some four hundred pages
The new Scout award scheme of Pioneer,
Explorer and Adventurer was in place. The
activities of the former Air Scout and Sea Scout
sections were now available to all scouts, which
presumes that those separate sections were
being phased out.
The final two pages concerned the Venturer
section. The coloured diagrams and drawings
contained a message that e Venturers hiked,
canoed, learned about car engines and abseiled.
Distinctively he wore a beret but was still in
shorts!
143
McGraw Hill was a well-known firm in educational
and knowledge-based circles for their up-to-date range of
well-presented text books, many of which were prescribed
by schools, universities and other educational institutions.
216
The book’s chapter headings were informative
in themselves: Scouting; Citizenship; Air
Activities; Campcraft; Water Activities; Art;
Bushcraft; Conservation; Construction;
Emergencies; Fitness; Science; Water Safety;
Awards and Venturing.
Geelong had played a big part in both of our
lives. Shirley had been born and grown up
there. My only Australian relations, the Faggs,
lived there. I had been CO of the Geelong
regiment. I had taught at both Bell Park and
North Geelong high schools. We had both
attended St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in
Belmont, where we were married and witnessed
our son’s baptism. I was also a lay reader and
had taken services at St. James’ and St.
Cuthbert’s, both part of the St. Stephen’s parish.
Presumably there was also a corresponding
handbook for the other sections. In removing
the majority of UK publications off the shelves
of the Scout Shops, there was a likelihood of a
vacuum being created in their place. Mike
Downes was directly involved in a series of later
publications to fill this void, but all too often the
“print run” was never big enough to justify the
quality of the booklets that was probably
necessary. Comparisons are always odious and
if a boy was to choose Scouting as his main “out
of school” hobby, then he must have in his
hands an attractive and informative book that his
non-scout friends could not fail but to admire
and covet.
Preparing for a continuous Stage 4
In the same way that the Explanatory Course
had been re-styled Stage 1, the Part Two of the
wood badge course was titled Stage 4. This was
the practical or camp part of the certificate. It
was conducted either over three weekends or by
a week’s continuous attendance, generally at
Gilwell Park.
I was invited to lead the one that would be held
over the January vacation. I am not sure how I
recruited my two assistants, but one of them was
George Todeschini from Bendigo. He would
later be awarded the medal of the Order of
Australia at the same time that I was so
honoured in June 1999. George was to be part
of the January continuous course on a number of
occasions. His contribution was terrific but the
account of those must wait for another chapter.
Final nights for the Farleys
I had successfully applied to be a principal and I
was appointed to Birchip High School from
1974, which meant that we would be
The other assistants would be Leon Costermans,
Dick Milne, John Kent and Barry Marshall.
Barwon District Venturer Unit (BDVU) in the care of
their new leader, Elton Wescott. LtoR: Elton, Clark
Swan, Bryce Hutton, Trevor Miller, Peter Dawson, and
David Lambourn. Venturer on right unidentified
leaving Geelong. In turn the BDVU, the Guides
and the training panel held farewell nights for
us. A chapter, that had spread over seven years,
was about to come to an end.
217
Nor was there an adequate toilet block. It was
also a feature that the trainees prepared and
cooked their own meals.
Chapter 43
From Barwon to the Kara Kara District to
the UK again
Now nearly twenty years later, the training
ground had been developed to the stage where
there was a second training area centred on the
De Molnar hall. The huts, originally
constructed by Tom Russell had been moved to
the upper area and brick huts put in their place.
Wood badge course
I had completed my wood badge course back in
1955 by attending a January continuous course.
That one was conducted by Mr. W. D. Kennedy.
In those days the training team lived up in the
lodge at the other end of The Chief’s Approach
The Fritz De Molnar Hall
This was to be the first of a number of January
continuous courses when I would have the
confidence of the branch training commissioner
to conduct the Group Leader/Commissioner
course. In later years the commissioners would
have their own course, their training needs being
quite different.
The Lodge*
*This and other photos of Gilwell Park, Gembrook, come
from The Story of Gilwell in Victoria, Revised Edition,
1980
and the trainee scouters slept in the original
Russell patrol huts on the lower training ground.
This was before the Hoadley Hall was built.
The beauty of the continuous course is that
leaders could get to know one another and the
course could have a unity not as easily achieved
with three separate weekends. Leon Costermans
and Dick Milne accepted my invitation to join
the team. In seeking “counsellors” or
“mentors,” George Todeschini (Bendigo). John
Kent (Warragul) and Barry Marshall joined me,
although we acted as a team taking various
sessions and changing roles.
There were two courses being run in parallel;
the scout one using the Hoadley Hall and ours
the De Molnar. The various scouters arrived on
the Saturday, enabling the team to get organised
the day before. Dick Milne was a great help.
Over many courses he played a support role and
in particular supervised the catering.
January 1974 Continuous GL wood badge course at
Gilwell Park. Training Team members: Rear row second
from left – Leon Costermans; same row last three – Dick
Milne, John Kent and George Todeschini.
218
choice to organise and chair144 this function.
Again, such a formal activity tended to show up
those members who had never experienced such
an occasion.
Having now retired from Wesley College,
Dick’s energy was directed into many tasks, but
one of great benefit to the movement was the
binding of magazines and other documents. As
such he became a fount of knowledge,
particularly about the founder. Dick took over
the role that “Kenno” played in telling people on
courses about the movement’s founder.
The following and last day of the course was
declared a day of total fire ban. But it rained for
much of the day! Compared with nowadays,
few preparations were taken or concerns were
held for the threat of bushfire. I often shudder
when I think back over my scouting career to
the hikes and expeditions that I took or led in
fairly dense bush on such days – I mean the hot
north wind ones.
I attempted to find out before the course as to
expectations of its members. Having been
through university and in the school situation, I
tended to be confident with the written word,
but I was to find that this was not a general
characteristic of the community.
The course concluded with perhaps the team
leader learning more about running a course
than the trainees did to take back to their groups
and districts. In the end people on such courses
judge the success or otherwise on how genuine
and memorable the leader team is and can be.
At this stage of my scouting career I was more
or less faithfully following the handbooks. With
the blessing and encouragement of John
Ravenhall that would change.
In fact, one person on the course was
functionally illiterate. I did not mean to, but I
embarrassed him when I queried his ability as a
group leader to cope with correspondence and
books. He assured me that his wife read the
documents for him and it left me to ponder as to
how a person could be best utilised in scouting.
I was fortunate on this course in dealing with
this leader that I had a number of mature people,
including a former sea captain (with two rows of
naval experience ribbons on his chest and a
proven record of handling men). He counselled
the leader in question developing a compromise
that was acceptable to all.
I found I had to cope with the full range of
problems that might include response to
accident, news of domestic stress or ability to
cope with the requirements of the course
amongst many other possibilities. These were
always less on a weekend course, where the
course member knew that they would soon be
home again.
I think this was when “Tim” entered the course.
It was a tape describing how a potential cub,
when it came to his investiture, wondered how
he could take the promise without having a
belief in God or feeling he had loyalty to the
Queen. This situation reflected changes in
society with more and more relaxations taking
place in regard to accepted forms of behaviour.
In earlier days, a person having either of these
difficulties would have kept quiet. Now these
situations were being brought more into the
open.
This was a large course and perhaps not the one
on which I should have cut my teeth. The old
Gilwell UK training was still being followed to
a considerable extent. It was increasingly less
relevant to the Australian situation of 1973. I
learnt a lot from it and it was probably only my
conceited belief in my own ability that got me
through. Future courses would have their
challenges but never to the same extent as this
one.
The ‘final dinner’ was now a feature of
woodbadge courses. With all his army and
cadet experience, Dick Milne was an obvious
144
Readers with any service experience would be well
acquainted with the role of Dining Mess President
(military messes)
219
I recognised her efforts. It was odd to be in a
town with the experience that I had and not find
a vibrant group with a strong group committee
and at least the cub and scout sections.
At that stage there seemed little that I could do
about it. I had long service leave coming up and
thus I would be away from the town for three to
four months. My first duty was to the school,
but I was on the watch for likely citizens to
become leaders and reinvigorate the local group.
Somers Memorial Gateway and Somers’ Walk
ADC Training
Meanwhile, Elton Wescott, who had taken over
as Barwon District Senior Scout Leader, led the
summer expedition for canoeing on the River
Goulburn. The notes from him on the
reconnaissance were very similar to those of the
previous trip to this area which I had led. The
BDVU was now someone else’s problem and
challenge.
I was appointed ADC Training for Kara Kara
district. The DC lived in a neighbouring
township. There was not too much district
activity and I cannot recall attending many
meetings.
Long Service Leave in the UK
Having been born in England, I took the
opportunity to “show off” my wife and son to
the various families and friends that both of us
had in the United Kingdom. Through the ease
of flying, we would be able to enjoy some three
months away – much the same time as in 1951,
when sea travel was the only way to get from
one side of the earth to the other. That took four
to five weeks both ways.
Birchip
I had taught in two country towns before
coming to Birchip, but this time the difference
would be that I was the school’s educational
leader as principal. Birchip was an important
centre for a region where the farmers ran sheep
and grew wheat. It was said that the township
had begun at the junction of several cart tracks
when a merchant’s cart overturned and he sold
his wares there and then.
Naturally I took my scout uniform and got a
letter of introduction before I went.
Donald was some distance to the south with Sea
Lake to the north. To the east was Wycheproof:
a similar sized township to Birchip. Both towns
were served with rail transport, Birchip being on
the line to Mildura. The larger centres of
Warracknabeal, Horsham and Bendigo were
thought of in distances of time to travel to them:
up to two hours.
Baden-Powell House
Shirley and I found it very convenient to make
our headquarters at B-P House in London. A
one-year-old son required an understanding
dining room and a suitable menu. I could also
park our camper van in the basement of the
building.
1st Birchip
In the foyer was a glass case containing the
complete works of our Founder. I also had the
chance to enter a lift just as Ralph Reader, the
producer of the London Gang Show, came out.
Later in the trip we were at Poole and could see
Birchip had little in the way of a scout group. A
lady looked after a group of boys of cub age but
from what I could observe, it could hardly be
called a cub pack. But the lady was willing and
220
Brownsea Island in the distance but it was not to
be on that occasion that we could visit it.
SAGGA
The Scout and Guide Graduate Association
was/is a group of scout and guide leaders who
were linked principally though having
undergone tertiary experiences, such as the
senior colleges and universities. My cousin,
Elizabeth, and her husband were members.
They showed me some of the magazines that
SAGGA published.
The main hall, Gilwell Park, Chingford, UK
It was a pleasant experience to be back in the
atmosphere of the “Mecca” of Commonwealth
scouting, if not of the world. I was also able to
find out the new training systems that UK
scouting was developing. It was certainly now
more “adult” in its approach.
The articles discussed the aims and
achievements of the movements from an
academic point of view. I suppose I had a
similar approach to most activities. I took out
membership and received their material for
some years.
The earlier Gilwell Park training courses
expected that on a Cub course, the adult trainees
would act and behave as cubs. There was
always a dressing-up day. On a scout course,
the adults became scouts with their elected
patrol leader, while the trainers became the
Scout and Assistant Scout Masters. On a Group
Scout Master (GL) course, a day of the course
would be allocated to each section, with the
adults being trained in the culture of that
section. This could be both satisfying but also
very irritating to some.
While near Coventry, I met up with a member
of their executive and he let me have a set of
“situational” or “gaming” scenarios. These
documents outlined a “typical” group and gave
details as to numbers, locations, personalities
and activities. The document would then ask
the candidate to accept a particular role and
respond to letters, phone calls, visits and
happenings in real time.
This was a technique in adult training that was
being used in many occupations. It was an
attempt to simulate a situation and help the
trainee to develop skills to react to the situation
as it evolved. Airline pilots, for instance,
undergo simulated cockpit training as a matter
of course.
Catering
I will come back to this matter in later chapters,
but the more adult approach in Australia was
accompanied by the move from “patrol” to
“central” catering. I think the original reason
for the change was that the former took up too
much time. But over the years that I was
involved in training adults, I came to the
conclusion that the “patrol” time spent in
preparing, enjoying and clearing up from a meal
was probably the most significant of the course.
Gilwell Park, Chingford
Norm Johnson had written to the Camp Chief at
Gilwell, who was now styled as the Director of
Leader Training, to see whether I could be used
on one of the regular training courses. Through
the limitations of time that I had for such an
opportunity, it was finally agreed that I would
visit Gilwell Park for a day and act as a tutor to
a patrol.
I could look back on the course that I did in
1955 and remark that I learnt and probably
contributed more in the group of us seven patrol
members in the vicinity of our feeding and
221
sleeping quarters than I did from the adult
training team members.
training facilities and camping fields on a fine
summer’s day.
The analogy is the family that “washes up” the
traditional way as distinct from the more
efficient and probably more hygienic dish
washing machine. The common activity,
whether digging a hole, building a fence or
washing up, provides a first class opportunity
for relaxed and meaningful communication.
It had intrigued me back in 1966 while at
Gilwell Park for the Training the Team course
that we had prepared our meals and cleaned up
after them instead of having central catering.
Now in retrospect I could see the advantages of
patrol interaction that rarely takes place in the
formal training situation.
The Girl Guide Association training and camp sites
“The Boy Scout” statue in USA
Ever since meeting the Mr. and Mrs. Carr on a
bus tour in 1966 in the Benelux countries, I had
been pressed to visit these hospitable people
who lived in Marseilles, Illinois, USA.
Brownsea Island
The closest I got on this occasion to the island
where B-P trialled his first “scout” camp, was
the pier at Poole. All I could do was look from
the coast to the island and dream. It was not
practicable to make the trip given time and the
age of Roger.
It suited our plans to return via the USA and the
Pacific and in due course landed at the very
busy O’Hara airport, Chicago.
One excursion was to Starved Rock. On the
way, Bob Carr drove us past the site of one of
the statues of “The Boy Scout,” which had a
story that I did not record at the time. Memory
is that it was connected with the spread of
Scouting in the states. A smaller version of this
statue exists at our Gilwell in Victoria.
But I did buy a postcard of the campsite on the
island. It would be 1983 before I was able to
cross over to the island and walk the ground.
Return
We returned to Australia and I concentrated at
the high school on preparing for a ministerial
deputation to the Minister of Education, The
Hon. Lindsay Thompson. Despite the good
intentions and achievements of the various
Public Works inspectors (whose responsibilities
were divided as to whether the matter was
plumbing, buildings &c), townships of the size
of Birchip could miss out on maintenance and
new construction. Consequently I had little time
for scouting.
Brownsea Island, near Poole, off the South Coast, UK
Foxlease
Foxlease is the Girl Guide Association’s
equivalent of Gilwell Park. We visited the
222
Wood badge
But I was asked to conduct the continuous group
leader course in January 1975. I was also sent a
copy of the new Australian training handbook.
This required quite a bit of study with a view to
its application. The members of the training
team were being encouraged to experiment.
Some of us will gladly seize such opportunities
but one can feel a little naked in the application
process.
The year in summary
My scouting was now limited to adult training
and the degree of activity was very limited. I
probably did more scouting in the UK while on
long service leave than in the whole first year in
Birchip.
When Tom Russell presented the Victorian Boy Scouts
Association with a parcel of his land near Gembrook and
then erected the four patrol huts, the “bush” and the site at
the time were fairly basic and much has been achieved
since those early days in terms of infrastructure and
foliage
223
respond to Mrs. Phelps’ complaints. Inevitably
these concerns would be a visit by Mrs. Phelps
to the pack leaders during a meeting. They in
turn would pass these on to the GL.
Chapter 44
The January continuous woodbadge courses
Wood badge course
This was the second continuous course that I
led. As a school teacher I had the holidays and
the time to allocate to it. I was to lead some
eight courses in all. The problem now is to
remember what was different about each one.
George Todeschini became a regular “fixture.”
The week suited him as well. This time Carl
Christenson, another school principal joined me,
as did Doug Edmunds. Doug had taken over
from me in Geelong as the training
commissioner. He was to hear the call to the
Anglican ministry. Peter Lyon, yet another
school teacher (as was Leon Costermans,
although he was tertiary) from Swifts Creek,
was also in the team. He introduced us to the
“Wallaby walloper.”
Members and team of the 13th Group Leader and
Commissioner Stage 4 course.
Sooner or later there would be a face-to-face
meeting with Mrs. Phelps, often in the presence
of the cub pack. Without me asking, George
Todeschini went to the “dress up” store in the
Russell Troop Room loft and reappeared as a
very presentable mature lady who was most
concerned about her cat.
I used the relatively new Australian Group
Leader training notes, but would radically move
from them in later years. I went to some trouble
to sit down with each trainee and share with
them a whole range of life’s characteristics.
“Gaming” was quite a feature of the course and
this of course leads us to Mrs. Phelps.
It is very easy in role playing to overdo it, but
George was able to adjust his response to the
manner in which the GL handled the situation.
Sometimes, the whole business would get
completely out of hand with threats to seek the
council’s intervention and to get press publicity.
The more experienced scouters would be able to
snuff out the problem very quickly getting Mrs.
Phelps on side.
Mrs. Phelps
Having been given considerable latitude in the
manner in which I conducted the continuous
Group Leader course, I was anxious to use some
of the material that I had obtained the previous
year while in the UK through the SAGGA
organization, namely the situational exercises.
But Mrs. Phelps became a highlight of every
course that I now conducted. She has earned
her place in scout leader training history!
1975 Gilwell Reunion
Just the one-day visit this year with Geelong’s
Area Commissioner, Graeme Taylor. It was the
usual good turn up of scout leaders. As usual,
the count down at the AGM, when leaders got
up to indicate their year of receiving the
woodbadge, was a highlight. But it was a bit
strange to be operating from Birchip where I
had no direct contact with an active scout group.
One of these or a similar one that I made up
concerned the complaints of a Mrs. Phelps that
the cubs at the end of their meeting, threw
stones on to her roof and distressed both her and
the cat.
The trainee scouters were deemed to be the GL
of the group concerned and were required to
224
Gold pass
Much had been said about the Scout Association
obtaining a gold pass for its leaders to use on
Victorian trains when attending training courses.
This valuable pass had been obtained through
the good services of a leading scouter, Ian
Hodges, who was then General Manager of the
Victorian Railways.
Training the Team course
Norm Johnson had asked me to be in the team
that would lead the Easter training team course.
Leon Costermans was another member. Shirley
was not well so I decided that I should stay
home, but John, the doctor, and Shirley “ganged
up” on me and I was sent off to Gilwell.
Shirley’s mother came up to Birchip to look
after our two year-old son, Roger. I drove to
Gilwell on the Thursday night through wet
blustery weather glad that I was not amongst the
many Easter holiday driving towards me from
Melbourne
I successfully asked for it so that I could travel
to Melbourne for the training team weekend.
Bill Dawson would meet me at Spencer Street
station on arrival and we would travel together
to Gilwell Park.
But on the Friday before the training weekend
bushfires took place further up the line to
Mildura. The track was burnt out and neither
division of the “Vinelander,” could proceed
further north than Donald. Shirley must have
driven me to Donald where I caught the one
there on the Saturday morning.
The course emphasized and practised the
trainees in the various “modern” methods of
presenting a session from the overhead projector
to discussion and “gaming” exercises.
“Gaming”
Once I had been allocated my compartment I
retired for the rest of the journey, getting some
sleep in the process. This was the modern
division of the train. Paul Thomas, instead of
Bill because of the late arrival, waited in
Melbourne and met me. The rest of the
weekend was not all that memorable. A training
team leader took me back to Spencer Street
station in time for the Sunday night return trip.
I had come back from the UK the year before
with a set of “situational” or “gaming”
exercises. Some of these did not have a time
limit on them. For instance, the GL would be
faced with a set of incoming letters, phone calls
or “person at the door” cases. He (no “she’s” at
this time in GL slots) would be required to set
them out first in priority and then deal with
them.
By now the track had been repaired and it was a
through train to Mildura. But it was the older
division with its traditional brass toilet facilities.
However, I was still able to get some sleep,
although as the train found its way via Ballarat,
Maryborough and Donald, I became anxious
that I might miss the Birchip stop.
The Mrs. Phelps “exercise” was a simple
example of the “game.”
The time was about four in the morning when
Birchip came in sight. I walked the short
distance to our home and got as much rest as I
could before reporting for school later that
morning.
Team & members, Training the Team Course, Easter ‘75
225
camping skills. Clearly this youth group was
enjoying the time of their lives at the same time.
“Razor blades”
Scouting has never quite known where to draw
the line as to alcohol. Despite the guidelines
that were laid down, scouters would still bring
their own supplies whether to their camps or to
training courses. At jamborees and ventures,
scouter clubs were set up to keep the matter
separate and more or less under control.
Closer up: Norman Johnson in centre. Dick Milne far left
In the more complex games letters and phone
calls would be introduced, which would test the
GL’s ability to respond without finding it all too
much. Also, having made a phone call, the
recipient might react in a certain manner to
further complicate the GL’s “day.” One had to
be careful as to the trainee selected. The aim
was not to put him off scouting but to help him
be able to deal with situations more
competently.
I could not put a date on it, but in turn the policy
was relaxed and then tightened again on training
courses. However, after a couple of scouters
went off to the nearby township of Gembrook to
purchase some razor blades, this excuse was
regularly put forward to cover visits to the
Gembrook hotel!
My own experience taught me that “between
monthly meetings” matters should be
minimised. A leader probably can’t say that he
will not take calls at his home at night, although
he should impose this restriction while he is at
work – otherwise it is stealing from the boss!
Hence again, Mrs. Phelps would make her
appearance in the game.
Region meeting
I drove to Ballarat in Shirley’s Capri for this
poorly-attended meeting. I learnt that a
woodbadge course would now take place,
heavily supported by the South Western district,
who’s DC was a very dominant personality.
I was impressed by Chick Carey, a fellow
“chalkie” (but higher up the scale) from the
New South Wales Education Department.
There was also a member of the
psychology/psychiatry profession on the team,
who tended to prove my feelings that these
people could always find special motives for
people’s actions, but the nickname of “shrink” is
hardly fair.
I drove home was one with very little petrol. I
never travel without half a tank full, but for
some reason I did not fill up in Ararat and then
found nothing open on a Sunday afternoon on
the road back to Birchip. In Donald I rang
ahead, asking Shirley to meet me in the other
car with the emergency can of fuel and a funnel.
With the gauge on empty (or less) I drove into
the lights of Birchip just as Shirley and my
young son were preparing to set out.
I returned to Birchip on Easter Day. The
previous day I had taken a group of the
trainees145 for a walk through the “boys’ field”
to make sure that they knew what scouting was
all about. We were fortunate to come across a
patrol that exemplified the best things in the
movement from badge passing to quality
1st Birchip suspended
There was only a so-called cub pack in 1974 and
it was becoming an ever harder task for
Beverley, its lady leader. I was seen as the
“scout man” in the town and when Beverley
came to see me, I had no hesitation in
recommending that the group be suspended. I
made it very clear that when at least four leaders
145
In preparing these notes, I have not been comfortable
with the terms for the leaders attending courses.
“Trainee” is technically correct, but many scouters who
attended courses were anything but ignorant of the world.
226
offered to lead the scout troop then the group
would be started up again.
which made the room too hot at head height. I
was off-colour for part of the weekend and glad
that Peter MacAuslan, the GL of 1st Highton
with whom I had worked very closely when in
Geelong, came to assist in addition to the rest of
the team. I was in effect “replaced.”
GL/Commissioner woodbadge course
I drove to Ararat on the Friday night and booked
in at the motel where George Todeschini looked
after me as always. The team would consist of
Carl and Beryl Christensen with Dick Milne as
well. I have always found that courses away
from Gilwell Park never seem to acquire the
atmosphere of that place. Scout halls always
have to be adapted and there are no “scouty”
symbols, spots or memories around. Scout halls
are generally cold and cheerless.
I could not raise the same spirit as for a
continuous course or for one at Gilwell. When
it came to the Scouts’ Own I found I was still
wrestling with the matter. I have always felt
that in not wanting to offend anyone, such as
removing the words “Jesus Christ” from
prayers, there is no ”meat” left for anyone146.
1st Birchip meeting
I had felt honour bound to do something about
the local group, so called a meeting of parents. I
spelt it out that nothing would happen without
four potential or trained leaders coming forward
and a group committee composed of every
parent being established. Further that the troop,
if started, would commence with the training of
patrol leaders, before invitations for general
membership would be issued. This was
textbook scouting.
17th Group Leader/Commissioner woodbadge course at
Ararat and Grampians area. Rear: Ian Irwin, “Woody”
Woolcock, David Ayer, Bob Reid, Lloyd Lobbe, Graham
Farley, Bill Mostert, Doug Pittard, Trevor Parfett, Allen le
Courteur. Front: Norm Allen, George Todeschini, Ted
Allan, Carl Christenson, Beryl Christenson, Hank Howey
and Dick Milne. Absent: Peter MacAuslan
Woodbadge Course – 3rd weekend
The third and final weekend was also held at
Halls Gap with the formal lunch on Sunday. I
was able to complete the interviews. I have
always seemed to have several “irons in the
fire,” and this time I was trying to complete an
essay for a university course. I had even taken
my typewriter. (In 2011 I guess it would have
been a lap-top computer!)
The heating in the hall that we used was by
kerosene. This gave a pungent smell to the
atmosphere. One could not go outside as it was
raining heavily. The weather was better on the
Sunday and I returned to Birchip after what was
starting to develop into a useful course. Again,
it would turn on what the trainees could get
from the training team and from their fellow
trainees.
Local troop to reform
I was delighted when a number of local citizens
came forward with an interest in the proposed
re-formation of the 1st Birchip group. Two at
The second weekend was at Halls Gap. The
bunk rooms were only just bunk rooms. The
hall had no side rooms, which cramped what we
would have liked to do with discussion groups.
The overhead heating was from a gas system
146
It was not until the training team weekend in February,
2010, that I finally heard a senior member of the branch
team clarify the whole matter of faith and the
responsibilities of the leaders of the movement to
encourage it
227
least had scouting experience: the post master
and a direct recruit from the USA to the high
school staff, Greg Nelson. Tony French, a
young and enthusiastic science teacher, had
been a rover. The fourth person was the local
doctor. Information was given through the local
paper and the first boys came enrolled for
training.
So, for someone who had not touched youth
work since he came to Birchip at the start of
1974, he could now safely leave and take up his
new position as foundation headmaster of
Braemar College at Woodend with a clear
conscience. I will describe Braemar College in
the next chapter.
I do not know how long 1st Birchip was active
but it was for some years operating under very
effective leadership.
Thanksgiving Day
For the days and years that are to be,
For the land where everyone is free,
For our work and happy hours of play,
This is our Thanksgiving Day
For the roof that shelters overhead,
For the people and our daily bread,
For our homes and loved ones far away,
This is our Thanksgiving Day
For the gift of songs to sing,
For the right to everything,
Let us now before the day is done,
Count our blessings, every single one;
Here again on our Thanksgiving Day,
Let us thank You for today.
Ralph Reader
228
of low-fee schools to put together a Christian
ecumenical, co-educational day school.
Chapter 45
A significant career change in my life
Having won the appointment as its leader I
would be flat out mastering all the requirements
of an independent school together with all the
challenges of obtaining staff, establishing a
curriculum, obtaining basic school furniture and
convincing the community that we were here to
stay.
From being a high school principal in a small
Mallee township in the north-west of Victoria, I
found myself appointed as the foundation
headmaster of Braemar College, a brand new
school in Woodend. The new school would
occupy the premises of the former Clyde
School.
The hard work of those foundation families and
the wide ranging group of leadership skills that
they possessed resulted in the school going from
success to success to its present enrolment in
2010 of nearly eight hundred students from
Years 5 through to 12.
It was obvious that there was going to be little
time for Scouting.
Illness
I guess I was still in that age category of
believing that I was “immortal” and thought
nothing of leading a continuous wood badge
course at Gilwell Park in between clearing my
desk as Birchip’s principal, moving from our
leased house in Birchip and re-establishing
ourselves in accommodation at the new school
in Woodend. And just to add to the pressure,
Shirley and I took our caravan again to Torquay
for a summer holiday.
Braemar College,Woodend, formerly Braemar Coffee
Palace (1891) and then Clyde School (1919 – 1975)
Clyde was to some extent the “sister” school to
Geelong Grammar. During 1975, the councils
of these two schools, together with The
Hermitage in Geelong, agreed to amalgamate,
closing the two girls’ schools at the end of that
year. Geelong Grammar would enrol these girls
and would become co-educational “overnight.”
But fate stepped in. I came down with a urinary
disease that would not clear itself up quickly,
despite all the anti-biotics that were then
available. Instead of running the course, I had
to be very grateful to the other members of the
team and particularly to Bill Dawson who took
over its leadership.
This series of decisions did not please everyone
who lived in the Macedon Ranges area. One
person was Mr. Tony Tyler who, although he
had attended Geelong Grammar with some
distinction, sought to maintain independent
schooling in the area.
The illness drained me to some extent and its
affects varied. I was able to visit the course at
Gilwell on one day right at its end. I stayed
overnight after the formal final meal.
Commonsense said that I could not attend any
part of the Gilwell Reunion weekend. I needed
all my energy for my new role of educational
A group of parents and interested parties in the
Macedon Ranges area took advantage of
legislation which encouraged the establishment
229
could be argued that the average leader on the
Stage 3 course had not been long enough in the
movement to be able to clarify these questions
and it was perhaps better to “fill” him or her
with what they should know and do.
leadership where the demands of parents, staff,
students and the world of 1976 seemed
insatiable.
Training Team weekend
One of the members of this course was Jim
Lindsay, who was a key member of Braemar
College’s governing body. We were probably
both surprised to recognise each other. My
friendship with Jim and his wife, Wendy,
continue to this day.
I was not prepared to give in that easily and
drove up to Gilwell for the training weekend.
Here I found I had graduated to being one of the
senior group of trainers, whose opinion might be
respected. I had been asked to take a session on
“counselling,” and had expected to do it off the
cuff. But as I “lectured” on, I realised how
weak I was and how much I was skating on thin
ice. I was getting hot and cold as I spoke. The
malady just would not go away. But I coped
and returned to Woodend in due course.
Shepparton wood badge course
If necessary I should have taken leave from the
training team, but here I was accepting the
leadership role. I needed my weekends to rest,
not to trail up into central Victoria. There were
only eight candidates and I hoped that the
training commissioner would call off the course.
I found I had almost more adults on the team.
The first weekend was the 11/12th September.
Easter
Easter came and went and I did not go near the
Hoadley Hide in 1976. But on the Tuesday, I
was able to fit in a leader trainers’ meeting.
These meetings were much more correct in their
conduct than those I described in Chapter 30.
I had to be back in Woodend for a public
meeting on the Sunday, so we as a family
headed up on the Friday night and had a room in
a motel. I was joined by the other members of
the team, namely Carl and Beryl Christensen,
Dick Milne, George Todeschini, and Peter
MacAuslan.
Stage 3 course
I must have been tricked into supervising this
course. I had not run such a course since
leaving Geelong several years back.
As with all courses away from Gilwell, the
training leader and the attending scouters have
to accept the venue and make the most of it.
This course was in a scout hall in Seddon.
Whether this one was I cannot recall, but scout
halls are notorious for being ill-lit, noisy and
draughty. Seating is often chancy and catering
has to be done with whatever kitchen facilities
exist.
The venue was a scout hall and the fewer
numbers meant that the course could be run on a
discussion basis in the Scouters’ room. The
readiness of some of the candidates was
questionable, but training in the regional
districts of the state has always been plagued
with such characteristics. If a course is being
conducted and you are available, then get on it.
Jim Lindsay was one of the eight on the course.
He also had to return for the public meeting at
the school.
My diary notes suggest that I opened and closed
the course but absented myself for part of it. I
was never comfortable with courses other than
the wood badge. I found that the other leader
trainers had not graduated from the “I’m telling
you” approach as distinct from the “What skills
and knowledge do you wish to acquire?” But it
Second weekend
This time Jim accompanied us in our car. I
received a guard of honour on arrival, being
almost late. By this weekend, the course had all
230
got to know each other and worked in a team
fashion. One of my ploys on these courses was
to get the leaders to give a thumbnail sketch of
their lives. These are generally fascinating. All
too often, you do not hear them until in a eulogy
at a funeral. One of the group for instance had
been in the 39th Battalion, the militia unit that
had been rushed to stem the incoming tide of
Japanese over the Kokoda Track.
trainer should still have his or her “feet on the
ground” and know how the youth members tick,
particularly in a society with rapidly changing
values.
I kept my hand in, but only just. In
endeavouring to keep some sort of active role in
Scouting, the Army Reserve147, church, family
and profession I was putting myself and the
family under some pressure. Somehow we
coped and I trust that none of the activities
really suffered in any way. Braemar could have
absorbed well over a 100% of my time if I had
let it. There had to be time for relaxation or a
change of scenery and the other activities
provided it.
Visit jamboree
Victoria was hosting the jamboree that was to be
held again at the Dandenong site. I had enjoyed
the one at that location some years earlier while
in Warragul. This time I received an invitation
to one of the official luncheons.
22nd Group Leader/Commissioner wood badge course.
Rear: Carl Christensen, Frank Juffermans, Peter
MacAuslan, Graham Farley, Ian McKee, Jim Lindsay,
Ray Murphy. Front: Roy Eliason, Alan Hood, Beryl
Christensen, George Todeschini, Harold Sharp, Harry
Barkla. Absent John Hague. Pardon my identity marks
By chance the invitation and the car pass came
in the mail the morning of the official function.
This saved me having to “talk my way in.” We
parked near the eating mess tent and enjoyed
lunch. After that we moved around the
jamboree site catching up with Shirley’s
nephew, Anthony Scott, and other Geelong
friends. A few days later I would be at Gilwell
for the annual group leader/commissioner wood
badge course.
Third weekend
In early October, the third weekend was held.
This time Jim supplied transport. My diary
talks more about a bad night’s sleep than about
the course but I have to presume it finished on a
high note. Jim and I returned to Macedon.
Eumeralla Day
A furore broke out at that jamboree when one of
the visiting “artists” behaved in a manner that
drew protests from leaders. The jamboree
organisers were put under considerable pressure
to somehow wipe the slate clean and apologise
on the visitors’ behalf. Where once
entertainment had been through campfires and
Gang Show type concerts, now there was an
increasing tendency to bring in people to give
the scouts “what they thought they wanted.”
For nostalgic reasons, I attended the annual
Geelong Area Eumeralla Day later in the year at
the area’s scout camp on the cliff tops above
Anglesea. Shirley and I were made very
welcome and invited to the luncheon that was
held.
Review of year’s Scouting
For the third year running I had no contact with
youth training. On the other hand I was getting
further enmeshed in leader training. Ideally the
147
231
Then still known as the Citizen Military Force
following the practices and habits that had
begun all those years earlier at Brownsea Island
in 1907without much thought about them. I did
not question why I wore a purple patch to
indicate that I was a commissioner, whatever
that title meant. I will be returning to that
subject later.
Woodbadge course
As I had the school holidays, it was fairly
logical that the branch training commissioner
would use my services during that time of the
year and relax demands on me at other times.
Training team members were supposed to be
prepared to be involved with so many courses a
year.
Once again Beryl and Carl assisted me and I
was glad to have Doug Edmonds on the team.
Doug had followed me as area trainer in
Geelong but was now training to be an Anglican
priest. Doug with Lynton Wade148 was to
produce an audio cassette tape with a properly
played guitar background. I used this tape quite
a bit in my religious education classes later at
Braemar.
This was to be the 23rd Group
Leader/Commissioner wood badge course.
Once again, the course was at Gilwell, but my
team was different, as those who had attended
the jamboree did not feel they could spend
another week away from home. The numbers
on the course were less than normal, but there
were sufficient for it to go ahead.
Adult readiness
I do not think I have ever lost either a school
student or a scout over the many years that I
have been in leadership and loco parentis
positions. But this time I nearly lost an adult! I
became conscious that one of the trainees was
missing – or rather his mates reported this fact.
Fortunately he was not far away. He had
headed off to get away from the course for a few
moments and consider his situation. I do not
think that he would have walked off into the
bush or been suicidal. But it brought home to
me the pressures that a person can feel
themselves on a course.
The main gates to the Gilwell Park Training Ground, now
the Gilwell Campus of Scouts Australia Institute of
Training
On arrival at Gilwell I found that the scout
course was on the Hoadley training ground and
we had been allocated the De Molnar ground,
which was the newer of the two. I had
suggested that we older chaps needed the lower
site but without success!
The two elements in this case were that the
scouter had been asked to undertake an
appointment that was perhaps beyond his
capacity (the Peter Principle at work). The other
was the requirement on a woodbadge course for
the completion of a project.
If one is immersed in a week of leading a group
of mature men (we were still a male movement,
the ladies restricted to the Cub section) in the
skills and ethos of Scouting, then one had the
chance to philosophise and ask oneself as to
what we thought we were doing.
This chap might have been able to be an
effective DC as distinct from a Rover Leader,
but the system had required that he complete a
commissioner woodbadge course. So, here he
was with us.
I was probably at that stage still “playing the
game of Scouting,” and perhaps happily
148
232
Also to be an Anglican priest
times before he was ready to stand down! But
this is not a common experience and we often
long to play a role that is beyond us. We do not
need to be servile but we can be very happy
playing minor but important roles in life.
Someone has to sweep the streets!
As one of the pragmatic innovations in the
history of scouter training, the woodbadge
course in the UK had been divided into three
parts. The first was a series of questions, which
the leader could answer in his own time before
or after the second part of the woodbadge,
namely the practical course. The third part was
the application of what he or she had learnt on
the practical course in his own troop, group or
district or (for that time) her cub pack.
I did not believe that he would ever complete
the project, but he would have gained from the
practical week. His home area would never
enforce the matter. This chap incidentally could
play the bagpipes. We had rather tactlessly kept
his playing at “ear safe” distance. We now
encouraged him to entertain us – and by doing
so, he would have experienced personal
acceptance and a place. But I went home a
wiser man in the area of working with adults.
Because so many leaders had attended the
practical and then failed to tackle the answering
of the questions, the idea was trailed that the
questions could be incorporated into the
practical course under the title of a project.
Under this approach, the training team leaders
would sit regularly with each trainee and guide
them through the development of their chosen
topic.
The requirement for scouts to demonstrate
signalling and or to undertake the overnight
journey, had stopped many a scout from
achieving their First Class badge. The Part 1 or
assignment had the same effect in holding up
leaders from gaining their woodbadge. Yet, to
take these challenges away could lead to a
weakening of the whole structure. It all
depends where you set the high-jump bar!
But the fact was and is that such a written
project was beyond many people. We do not all
learn to play the piano. We do not all learn to
speak with confidence in public. So, what do
these people do? The short answer in this
particular case was that the chap should never
have been put in the position of being a DC if he
could not handle the written project
requirement. It was not an answer to say that he
could be excused from it, although this might
well have occurred.
The matter of assessment and the training that
should be undergone for “entry” to a profession,
trade or club is too wide a one to be given more
space here. The requirement for some form of
formal “written”149 work continues to form part
of woodbadge training today
The participants were: Kevin Hall, Les Harley,
Robert May, Ken McCowat, George Mouser,
Jim Petter, Ron Scarfe, Harry Simpson, Terry
Smith, Eric Stoneman.
The writer has been blessed with a range of
leadership positions which have apparently been
within his capacity to discharge both to his
satisfaction and to enough of the population
groups involved that he not be sacked too many
The formal lunch card also lists the following
trainers, who visited from time to time: Merv
Tebbutt, Bob Morris, Bob Gardner, George
Todeschini and Dick Milne.
149
Verbal projects (using tape recorders) have been
openly accepted as I am sure that power point
presentations would also fulfil the criteria
233
The path known as The Chief’s Approach, so named as
B-P stayed at the Warden’s Lodge and walked daily to
and fro the training ground. The maples struggle to cope
with Gembrook’s climate but are still a picture in autumn
Training the Team courses
Training the Team course, Gilwell Park, Easter 1977
Photo has been split into four to permit some recognition.
Rear: John Hardy, Ian Seeger, Cor DeVries, Jenny Lang.
Centre: Sue Johns, Eric Firth, Dick Milne, Joan Fox,
Brian Butler, Jim McGill. Front: Peter Marriott, Jess
Trew, Allan Newland, Jenny Staddon, Maureen Titcumb,
Bob Shaw
I attended the February 1977 training team
weekend but arrived tired out from the demands
of starting another school year – Braemar’s
second. I had the energy to conduct the Scouts
Own and then on the Sunday to lead a session
about “gaming.” But whether I used the Mrs.
Phelps routine again I do not know.
At Easter I was asked to join the team for the
training the team course that was to be held. I
was also involved in its planning, along with
John Ravenhall, Ken Bayly and Leon
Costermans. I was asked to lead a session on
“gaming.”
Scouting never accepts that its leaders generally
have to earn an income and it might be more
fruitful to let them have a good night’s sleep at
home before hustling them up on the Thursday
night to arrive, often after a flight, in what was
relatively speaking still only a scout camp with
fairly primitive sleeping facilities. The Don
Spring Lodge was yet to be built.
Accommodation was limited to the patrol huts
and the rooms off the Russell Troop Room – all
a little on the bare side.
Rear: Bill Pearce, Wanda Osborn, John Phipps, Warwick
Bateman, Doug Broad, Lindsay Hamill. Centre: Philip
Matthews, Hugh Grayson, Brian Eade, John Ravenhall,
Gwynne Kett. Front: Don Stone, Arthur Newnham, Vern
Cracknell, Graham Farley
(Note: Only the names of identified Victorian members
of the Training Team in the following photographs have
been included in the index)
But the situation was made much worse that
time through a storm coming down the east
coast of Australia and which left areas of
Melbourne and nearby inundated. I drove
through this downpour and collected a leader at
234
from South Australia, that he might like to help
me on the next continuous course. Norm
Johnson hosted a final meal for the participants
at The Baron and Beef restaurant in the
Dandenong Ranges. Leon Costermans played
Gang Show tunes before the meal. I led the
singing.
the airport, he having had a trouble free flight
from Wagga Wagga.
Other activities
In the course of the year I was guest speaker at
the 1st Woodend Scout Group AGM. I also
attended a commissioners’ conference. Here I
was measured for long trousers for the new-style
uniform. This was a long-sleeved shirt and tie,
with long trousers, was offered as an alternative
uniform for leaders. It did not last long and fell
out of favour. It was sensibly designed for night
meetings, where a leader had to speak at a
public meeting. Shorts and short-sleeved shirt
can present an odd image at times and be very
cold.
Rear: Doug Daniel, Kirsty Brown, Col Martin, Patrick
Goss, Rix McGinley, Max Gowty, Kees Klep, Vic Sharp.
Centre: Wayne Myers, Ada Wilkinson, Jim Richards,
Kingsley Davis, John Barlow, Philip Haywood, Neville
Spillane, Betty Mugg, Ken Durham. Front: Cliff Farmer,
Leon Costermans, Ken Bayly, Peter Barlow, Bill Dawson,
Shirley Greer.
Bendigo woodbadge
I did not need this course. I offered transport to
two local leaders and let them drive while I
rested! I had switched the venue from a scout
hall to the Kangaroo Flat High School and this
offered excellent class room facilities for our
discussions.
On the second weekend I had to return for a
school budget meeting on the Sunday. The third
weekend passed off quietly with the formal
lunch on the Sunday. The course had an
intimacy that I had not experienced before. This
was greatly helped by the role of Tom
Glazebrook, the local DC. Tom was a senior
engineer with Vic Roads and was very active in
the army reserve. He brought his expertise and
experience to the course and stimulated us all
with his perceptive questions and knowledge.
In particular, he studied my gaming documents
from the SAGGA organisation and adapted
some of them to local needs.
Rear: Bryce Kelaart, Greg Samson, Margaret Turner,
Martin Davies, Allan Saunders, Max Anderson,
Centre: Warren Jarrett, Greg Boulton, Helen Strutt, John
Wilmot, Shirley McKay, Aline Thomson, Tricia Marriott,
Neil Weatherill. Front: Margaret Green, Bob Lambert,
Pat Dugan, Lance Bulluss, Betty Willison, Lorna Bon
But many leaders on the course arrived late and
consequently exhausted. The four-day weekend
holiday at Easter has never been quite long
enough to conduct this particular course without
squeezing its members up against their normal
paid commitments at each end.
I have retained no details of the Easter course
other than I agreed with a chap named Jarrett,
235
Year ends
To use Her Majesty’s description of a year of
her reign as being “annus horibilis,” 1977 had
been rather similar to me in my job as
headmaster of Braemar College. That of course
is another story. The only other scouting event
for the family was to attend the annual
Melbourne Gang Show at the Palais Theatre in
St. Kilda.
My scouting involvement was getting very
patchy. I was neither in touch with youth, other
than in my professional situation, or able to give
the time to the training team role. But somehow
I maintained my membership. I do not like
resigning from things – one never knows what
might be around the corner.
236
years it would be dramatically changed in its
presentation.
Chapter 46
Continuous woodbadge course
A quiet period and the All Sections Advanced
Course
Whereas I had looked forward to conducting
these courses, this time I would have preferred
to stay down at Torquay with the family where
we now had our own holiday house so that I
could recuperate from yet another busy
professional year.
1978 was to be another lean year for me in
Scouting. My daily job was consuming all my
time and energy. I fitted in a day at the Gilwell
Reunion, but it was becoming less and less
meaningful to me. I was asked to demonstrate
the pioneering item, a bridge without ropes.
With the spars laid in a particular way, friction
could hold them in place.
In the same way I was present at the training
team weekend but had few memories of it and
was probably as tired as I had been twelve
months earlier.
Early in March, there was a suggestion that I
might be area commissioner for Hoadley Area
but it was then cut back to a general duties
commission. Did I refuse it out of hand? It was
not the last time that such an idea was put
forward, but again with no finality to it, which
was just as well.
1978/79 Group Leader/Commissioner wood badge course
I had met Warren Jarrett from South Australia
the previous year at the training the team course.
He accepted my invitation to be on my team. I
picked him up at the airport. He was a larger
than life character, both physically and in
Norm Johnson, who was a dentist to many of us
in the movement, must have been chief
commissioner at the time. Much scouting
business was completed in his surgery. With a
dental drill and a suction hose stuck in one’s
mouth, it was rarely possible to make any
meaningful comment to Norm’s ideas!
In hindsight I was hanging on to training team
membership as I believed I had some ability
there, but I was likely to become a “Colonel
Blimp” in the process through little youth
contact other than my four-year old son and
some three hundred secondary school students.
Once again, I attended the Gang Show. Ken
Bayly was now taking the leading role in this
show, writing songs and conducting the
orchestra. The format was largely unchanged
from the Ralph Reader model but in the coming
Warren Jarrett from South Australia
237
Ken Brewster
personality. He was in the legal profession. He
acquired the nickname of “Petrocelli” on the
course for some reason.
One of the most experienced group leaders at
the time was Ken (“Kenya”) Brewster of 10th
Malvern. He was able to handle a wide range of
scouting appointments including being a deputy
chief commissioner. He managed 10th Malvern
in a most effective way. 10th had always had a
strong Rover Crew, many of which doubled up
as section leaders.
The team included Dick Milne, Bill Dawson and
Peter Lyon. Peter was a teacher at Omeo who
had been appointed to one of the” joke title”
schools, ‘Swifts Creek Central Classes.’ When
we reviewed the trainees’ documents, I found
that we still had leaders that seemed to think that
nicknames, such as “JJ,” “ Bulldog” and
“Jumbo,” were necessary to bond with the
scouts. I had always been “Graham,” “Mr.
Farley” or “Sir,” and it would stay that way!
The program for the week on the blackboard in chalk
Dick Milne, Geoff Switzer, Bill Dawson, Peter Lyon
I was now quite confident in drawing up the
program based on the needs of those leaders
who had come on the course. This approach
always seemed threatening to my fellow
trainers, but it seemed to work and be eagerly
accepted. I even had leaders coming from
interstate to attend a course structured like this.
I have a photograph of a black or green chalk
board with the program set out on it. In later
years the white board would be used. At this
stage the trainers tended to take all the sessions
in response to the needs, but in later years, if
there were experts on the course in the subject
wanted, then they were the ones who led the
session.
Ken Brewster shares his accumulated Scouting
knowledge with members of the course
I invited Ken to come up and take an afternoon
session about his experiences as a GL. This he
did, but I wonder whether the leaders got the
most benefit from his knowledge. Ken had the
tendency to affirm that there was only one
answer or one way to deal with a situation and,
probably, like others amongst us, he was starting
238
to date himself. People increasingly needed
reasons for doing things.
as I considered that there was so much history
there.
Jamborella
Dick Milne
In addition to the two training courses the
Jamborella was being conducted nearby. This
included both scout troops and guide companies.
It was fortuitous that I was able to meet Rita
Friee150 and at the same time offer her a position
as a music teacher at Braemar. Now married
and a mother, she is still on the school’s staff in
2011!
I may have mentioned Dick before. He had
been on the staff of Wesley College and was
part of that school’s training team members,
although Dick tended to specialise in catering
and administration of courses. At Wesley he
was the “sloyd” teacher, but also in charge of
cadets. He was a major in the CMF and had
been second-in-command of the Hume
Regiment in Shepparton. He had also been
made an MBE.151
Training Team
I have no record of attending the 1979 training
team weekend, but I was able to fit in a visit to
the Training the Team course at Gilwell at
Easter on the Monday. Having been given
approval and support to conduct a special
training course later in the year, there were some
useful things that I could do while I was there.
Having reached the end of his normal scout
career Dick started to specialise in two areas.
One was the history of the movement, for he
had been an aide to B-P at the Frankston
jamboree. The other was to develop a skill in
binding magazines and books that would come
to be kept in the various libraries, particularly at
branch headquarters and Gilwell.
All Sections Advanced Course
We knew each other through Wesley College. I
also knew he was looking for scout
“employment.” I had invited him some years
earlier to be a member of my training team and
he regularly shared my courses. I could rely on
him thoroughly to handle the administration and
in particular the formal meal at the end of a
course.
The idea had come to me that the content of the
woodbadge course lacked depth for those with
an enquiring mind. Would it be possible to get
support, both from headquarters and also from
leaders, to advertise a course that would go
beyond the current handbooks and help people
to understand scouting in its many facets? It
was to be called the All Sections Advanced
Course
John Ravenhall was very enthusiastic. The
course was listed in the monthly magazine, then
titled, Victorian Scout. Some sixteen or so
applications came in but not from any particular
spectrum. The idea had clearly interested them.
I thought that we could hold the course at
Braemar on at least two of the weekends, using
the now completed Room 10 and 11 classrooms
that had heating facilities and plenty of light.
The middle weekend would be at Gilwell Park,
151
150
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British
Empire. It currently ranks between the AM and the OAM
in the Australian order of precedence for decorations
Now Rita Vanderwalk
239
training team being pooled. This certainly gave
further depth of experience to the two courses.
Gilwell
The second of the three ASAC weekends was at
Gilwell. On arrival we found that the two
training grounds had already been taken over by
one of the areas. That left the Delacombe Hall
for us and it proved to be very appropriate.
Meals were right alongside us and cups of tea
and coffee were readily available.
The certificate presented to each participant at the end of
the ASAC with the names of those who attended. (The
top of the original certificate got chopped off in copying)
Certificate
The final weekend was held at Braemar College
and the weather again was at least sunny. The
traditional formal meal took place and the
leaders that had come went to their homes,
groups, districts &c better we trusted for their
attendance. Whether there would ever be
another ASAC remained to be seen. It would
depend on the critique that these first attendees
gave it.
Another team member was Martin Davies who
worked at the nearby Mount Macedon National
Emergency Services College (now Emergency
Management Australia). The fourth person was
Bill Dawson who was readily available and who
often worked with Norm Johnson.
Strangely, I have no record of what material or
information I sent out to those who applied for a
position on the course but I would have made it
clear that discussions would be held on most
aspects of the scouting story, such as its history,
the fundamentals, its program and the like.
Rather than use the standard course certificate,
Dick arranged for a special one to be printed.
This was to bear the names of all who were
involved, both team and leaders.
The leaders who attended were: Lee Brooker, 1st
Chadstone; Ann Edwards, 2nd Preston; Ernie
Stermole, West Nunawading District; Shirley
Reeves, 2nd Korumburra; Don McDowall,
Springvale District; Judy Wood, 1st Greenhills;
Fred Turner, Dandenong District; Margaret
Tremewen, 1st Doncaster West; Cliff Dent, 2nd
Warragul; Jack Griffiths, Diamond Valley
District; Bruce MacKenzie, 1st Camberwell
South; Sandra McCallum, 4th Preston; Ray
Stevenson, Box Hill District, Colin Slutzkin, 3rd
St. Kilda; Peter Bellis, Springvale District;
Kevin Fowler, Dandenong District; and Bryan
Nitz, 3rd Bennetswood.
Catering for the weekends at Braemar was
handled in a partnership between volunteer
school parents and, of course, Dick Milne.
Accommodation would be in the offices
occupied by teaching staff during the week,
particularly those that could be adequately
heated. Braemar at eight hundred metres above
sea level is never a warm place mid-year.
Stage 3
Unless the reader has worked with Norm
Johnson they will not be fully able to understand
his flexibility and his winning ways. Few can
fail to fall in with his ideas. He was to run a
Stage 3 course on the first weekend of the
ASAC (as it became known) and he suggested
that his group come and join us at Braemar the
240
Years later, many of these Scouters are still very
active in the movement, holding down very
demanding warrants/certificates.152
My diary for the rest of 1979 contains no
references to scouting. I was involved but not
involved. The risk was that I was missing out
on the communication and networking so
essential for an understanding of what was
taking place in Scouting’s society.
One might ask: Where are they now thirty years
later? Shirley Reeves, Don McDowall, Jack
Griffiths and Cliff Dent were all to continue to
be involved in leader training, in fact Jack was
branch commissioner for some years. Cliff is
currently branch commissioner for Venturer
Scouts. Margaret Tremewen is chair of the
Committee for the Far Future.
Another risk was that I was bringing to scouter
training the approach of the” teacher.” B-P was
always on guard against us “chalkies,” feeling
that we might lose the “spirit of the game of
scouting,” and see our task as one of achieving
standards and outcomes. For B-P it was not
achievement but the degree of effort that the
scout put in to his activities, whether in camp or
in badge work, and the degree to which he had
progressed in his knowledge and skills. Above
all, Scouting was meant to be fun.
My wife, Shirley Farley, was directly involved
with the course both in catering and in looking
after the visitors. Having been a guide captain
and a campcraft trainer in the Guides, it was
logical that she chaired the session on the sister
movement. This was often quite fiery,
particularly over the matter of camping and how
carefully guiders were trained in their
responsibilities for it. Scout camps, on the other
hand, seemed to take place without apparent
adequate preparation or support but perhaps
more of its members actually camped, albeit at a
second class standard. Looking back, there was
a degree of trust placed in us. In addition the
group and the district provided expertise with
checks and balances.
Scouting’s peak years
It is interesting to note Margaret Tremewen’s
name above. She is chair member of the
Committee for the Far Future, a team that is
reviewing Scouting’s share of the potential
youth population of the community. Scouting’s
numbers in Victoria reached their peak
approximately during the period that the three
ASAC courses were held. But I do not believe
that we were in any way responsible for the
decline in membership that then began to take
place!
152
At some stage in the new century, the terminology was
changed from “warrant” to “certificate” – perhaps another
example of the desire of Scouting to distance itself from
its semi-military origins, yet “commission” in
“commissioner” has been retained!
241
Chapter 47
Commissioner Stage 3
Still involved in leader training – just!
On the last Saturday in May, I found myself
programmed to go to Gilwell to help John
Ravenhall on a Stage Three course. It was a
difficult day from the start. I had difficulty in
trying to get away from Braemar College in
time to be at Gilwell before the evening meal.
My son’s pet rabbit refused to come out of its
hutch as he and his mother were going down to
Torquay. I virtually had to wreck the wire
netting on its cage to extract the reluctant
animal153.
Training Team weekend, February, 1980
The start of the year always saw me “being full
on”! I generally came back from our Torquay
beach house early in January and then had to
head up the reception for new and former
students and the settling in of the school with its
changing staff, curriculum and facilities. Come
the second weekend in February I was generally
very tired out.
On this occasion, I arranged with John
Ravenhall, then already a senior person in the
movement both in training and leadership
appointments, that I would drive to his home in
Strathmore. He would take me on to Gilwell.
Thus we arrived, but looking through the
program for the Saturday afternoon I retired to
my bunk and got some useful sleep.
There are plenty of ways to get to Gilwell, but I
chose the route adjacent to what was then VFL
Park. This was the ground specially developed
in the Mount Waverley area but it lacked public
transport and was eventually down graded.
Houses now stand on the former large car parks.
But on the day in question there was a football
match listed for the ground and I got locked in
traffic. At Gilwell that night I took the session
on Fundamentals and then gave the yarn the
following morning at the Scouts Own.
That night there was a campfire led by Kees
Klep with me in support. On the Sunday
morning, there was a Scouts own led by
Kingsley Davis at which he asked me to give the
message. Apparently I got some points across
to at least one training leader, for Martin Davies
was able later to almost quote what I said.
I have never been sure that the Scout
Association has got clarity with its Duty to God
policy, particularly as its members represent
such a cross section of religions, denominations
and degrees of spirituality. Kingsley of the
Jewish faith showed in his writing of the Scouts
Own that all should be represented and
acknowledged: from Jehovah to Christ to
Mohammad. All too often the names of the
traditional deities are left out on the spurious
ignorance of not “offending” those of different
belief.
A Scouts Own in the training ground chapel at a previous
course. The photo is from The Story of Gilwell in
Victoria. It also shows the statuette of the Boy Scout,
copies of which are in many parts of the world, including
the one I saw in the USA in 1974
As readers can appreciate I was not at all active
in the Scout movement, limiting my
involvement to training. But Braemar came first
and my CMF army obligations came next.
I got the opportunity to advertise the All
Sections Advance Course for 1980. I can’t have
done it very well considering that it had to be
cancelled through lack of applicants!
153
A few days later I added side panels and other features
to the rabbit hutch which made it all too easy to extract
“Betsy,” the rabbit
242
public transport, other than walking from the
parallel St. Kilda Road.
No ASAC course
Neither the January continuous woodbadge
course went ahead nor the ASAC course. The
latter course would have to draw from a limited
number of scout leaders and the team of us that
ran the course bided our time until 1981.
But there was the Albert Park lake and park just
a road width away. This had some appeal. Two
large rooms at the front of the “house” provided
space for training courses and conferences. I am
sure there is a story behind each of the
headquarters’ moves. For it was not long before
the property in Barry Street at the top of the city
became available and was acquired. For those
of us who use public transport and live west of
the city, this was the ideal location for there was
car parking in the street at the weekend and
plenty of space in the building..
By the end of the year I had spent little time on
Scouting. Yet, I appeared to be still valued and
no one suggested that I should hand in my
warrant and beads. I was still available to
conduct the January continuous course if
required, but it was now in the safe hands of Bill
Dawson and Martin Davies, who ran the scout
course.
Australia Day
Visit Woodbadge course
On the 2nd of January I drove up to Gilwell to
lead the Fundamentals session for the combined
courses of some forty-one leaders. I had put
considerable preparation into the session. The
follow up questions and discussions proved
helpful.
The Gilwell Reunion by now had been returned
to its traditional Australia Day weekend, but I
was no longer making the effort to attend it each
year. Both this and the training weekend were
too early in the school year and I needed those
weekends in which to gain strength for the
following week.
Queen’s Road BHQ
Training weekend
When I first became a leader, the Victorian
Scout headquarters was at 516 Collins Street.
The Scout Shop was on the ground floor,
administration probably on the first level and a
café was located on another. The latter was
quite a meeting place for leaders.
My wife and I were experiencing car problems.
We felt that both of us needed access to a car
without the rigmarole of having to dove-tale in
with the other one’s program. But both cars had
seen better days and were experiencing too
many visits to service stations for things like
new batteries and tyres. We even had a fire
under the bonnet in one of them.
For reasons best known to the Branch
Executive, headquarters moved to 384 Elizabeth
Street, a former bank building. I think the Scout
Shop was still on the ground floor. But there
was no café in the new building. If 516 was
well down Collins Street, 384 was well up
Elizabeth Street. Trams served both streets.
Consequently, I had to contact John Ravenhall
to take me up to Gilwell. I caught him just as he
was leaving his Strathmore home. Shirley drove
me to the new headquarters’ building, where
John picked me up. On arrival, Dick Milne
invited me to share his caravan again. Paul
Thomas wanted a mate to go with him back to
Berwick to pick up something he had left. Paul
then headed up Air Activities at the Berwick
(Casey) Airfield.
By 1981 the headquarters had moved again, this
time to a property in Queen’s Road, fairly close
to St. Kilda Junction. This building had once
been a private mansion. To house all the scout
full-time officers, additional rooms were built
on at the rear of the building. There was no
243
The afternoon session was on Transactional
Analysis. At the time with my “educational
administration” university work under my belt I
probably knew what it meant. My diary refers
to my dislike of the “Stand up with a blindfold
and move amongst the other persons until you
find someone by smell or other characteristic
with whom you would like to undertake other
activities.” Those approaches to training were
the buzz of the time, but they passed away like
most bright ideas do and traditional methods
reappeared.
The first weekend was at Gilwell and started on
23rd May. I came up from Geelong by train and
Martin Davies met me at Spencer Street station.
Vic Sharpe had asked to be on the team. His
approach was not as subtle as mine but I had no
reason to knock him back and was rather
pleased about it after our earlier shared training
experiences.
On the Sunday I accompanied two lady leaders
for a walk down Forest Path to survey the
damage to the camp from the January bushfire.
8th Malvern had lost their hut. Had the
suspension bridge to their site gone by this
time?
I led the Scouts Own. Bill Dawson wished to
get away promptly so he drove me to Spencer
Street station where Shirley picked me up.
The second ASAC. Rear: John Wilson, John Ireland,
Graham Farley, Stan Brown. Centre: John Dunkley,
Marcia Whitely, Rachel Kelly, Merv Tebbutt. Front: Mal
Jenkins, Jerome Winston, Tony Beck.
Jim Money
On Saturday 21st March a dinner was held in
Geelong to recognise the contribution that Jim
Money made to the area as Area Commissioner
and later in managing the Scout Shop in
Geelong. Shirley and I attended and sat with
Aileen and Graeme Taylor, Beryl and Alwyn
Hickman and the Moodys.
Vic and Dick Milne started the course as I
wished to deviate via Croydon to pick up some
repaired model steam engines – a hobby I
shared with my son. I might have started the
course in a different manner, but I accepted the
situation and endeavoured as the day proceeded
to orientate the course to my liking.
ASAC
One of Merv’s team, an American, kept me
informed as to how he thought the course was
going. This was very helpful although I
wondered how many other course leaders would
be able to tolerate what might be seen as
impertinence. But this chap reflected the sort of
university teaching I had received for my
educational administration course and I
understood “from where he was coming”!
Headquarters training personnel advised that
there were sufficient applications for the second
ASAC to justify it going ahead. This was
because a live wire DC in Merv Tebbutt had
encouraged (directed?) his district team to
attend the ASAC course. Merv was a airline
pilot and he reminded me very much of my
school’s chairman. By the second course, the
program was more or less in place and its actual
fixation depended on who was available for
leadership roles.
There was a new team of caterers – John and
Carol Bloomer. They were “Poms” and,
because of my own birth place in Cheam,
Surrey, we got on very well. The Australians
244
starting a new appointment with the CMF,
reporting directly to the divisional general.
‘Three into one’ was too tight a squeeze. How
long would it be before I made the right decision
and pared down my professional and spare time
activities?
had to get used to the serving of “elevenses”
(and not necessarily at eleven in the morning!).
John even swept up the leaves and cleaned
leaves off the roof!
Vic conducted several of the key sessions and
our friendship and understanding developed.
The leaders who had come on the course began
to appreciate the “free thinking” approach that I
was encouraging to consider what we and they
were doing as scout leaders. The group looked
forward to the second weekend at Braemar
College.
I was then approached about taking an active
warrant position or resigning. I could not see
how I could accept such a load and thought that
this would terminate my membership with
scouts. The phone call was on Monday, 27th
July with possibly my final day at the mid-year
training team conference on Sunday, 2nd August.
The second weekend included my birthday
which was on Sunday, 14th June. The Saturday
was typical Mount Macedon weather – cold,
dark, wet. The classroom in which we held our
sessions could be lit and heated more than
adequately. Dick Milne helped Shirley with the
catering. Those that stayed overnight were
accommodated in what Clyde School knew as
The Memorial Wing. Merv Tebbutt went flying
overnight!
But the axe did not fall and I continued to be
“attached,” however part-time and this situation
continues to the present day (1st June, 2010)
when I am officially an “honorary
commissioner” at the age of nearly 77. I must
have been seen to still have some use or I would
have been terminated long ago. I am very
grateful for this degree of tolerance and
acceptance.
Mike Downes came up on the Sunday to take a
session and we all looked forward to the third
weekend at the Queens Road headquarters
building.
A year or so later, Wayne Myers dubbed me
along with other ‘old-stagers’ to be an “elder
statesman.”
Harking back to 1981, Shirley and I attended the
Gang Show, having tickets almost in the front
row at The Palais, St. Kilda. I was sorry to hear
from Bill Dawson that Dudley Wilson was
succumbing to cancer. I made a note to see him
in hospital. I eventually saw him in the nursing
home. He died on 1st May, 1982.
The third weekend (4/5th July) took place
reasonably well, but catering was patchy. For
the Saturday lunch, the participants went to a
local restaurant. The evening meal was
Chinese, which Dick and Martin went and got.
Sunday’s breakfast was cooked indoors and was
sumptuous.
On 16th October a number of the team and the
course participants were able to attend a reunion
dinner at The Naval and Military Club which
was appreciated by all. “Parchment” certificates
were presented to those who attended.
By now the “trainees” were “feeling their
straps” and giving all the session leaders “a bit
of curry.” From this point of view the course
was a success and its members were more than
likely to tell other leaders that it was worth
attending, even with all the odd aspects of
weather, accommodation and catering.
For me it had been a difficult weekend with an
embarrassing situation with the bus for the
school’s play dress rehearsal and that I was
245
Father and son following the latter’s entry to Cubs
On Wed 21st October, my son, Roger, was
invested as a cub in the 1st Woodend group. In
the father and son photograph, I am wearing the
long-sleeved shirt uniform with tie and long
trousers. This was a sensible uniform for nonphysical activity meetings. But it fell out of
favour and the short-sleeved shirt with scarf
prevailed as that worn in preference. Cubs
retained their traditional cap but they now wore
the same uniform as their elder brothers, the
scouts. There were no girl cubs at this stage.
The badge system had been updated with
boomerangs, the third and top being the golden
one.
Roger completed three happy years as a Cub
earning his Golden Boomerang. He did not
proceed to Scouts but would have rejoined as a
Venturer if travel to the Gang Show rehearsals
could have been more easily arranged. Some
years later, 1st Gisborne regularly had some of
its members in the show taking transport in
turns.
246
normal pattern. I had to steal away to attend an
army dinner on the Saturday night, which meant
that for all three of the ASAC courses my
attendance and leadership had been intermittent,
but no one saw it as a crime or a weakness in the
course. I was just over committed. I kept on
having “good ideas” and wished to see them to
fruition.
Chapter 48
The Third ASAC course
Training Team w/e 13/14 February 1982
I now began to play the “elder statesman”154
role on the training team; after all I had been a
leader trainer for eighteen years. I rarely got to
the weekend for flag break. In this case I was
making sure my mother was ready to move from
the flat which she had occupied since 1947 to
one in Belmont, my father having died in
November, 1980. I again shared Dick Milne’s
caravan. I left Gilwell in time on the Sunday to
go to dinner at the school chairman’s home. I
had the un air-conditioned car and noticed it!
Once again a suitable certificate was issued, this
time on parchment. Those in attendance were:
John Back (3rd Wodonga), Peter Ingram (1st
Healesville), Patricia Catt (1st Doveton), Bryan
Kidd (East Nunawading District), Carol Thom
(Bullas District), Catherine Coverdale (2nd
Clifton Hill), Leslie Milroy (1st Endeavour
Hills), Stanley Parfett (Branch HQ), Robert
Cowdale (1st Queenscliffe), Kenneth Williams
(Branch HQ), Jennifer Dovaston (1st
Healesville) and Allan Thomson (Branch HQ).
Third ASAC course
Sufficient applications had come in for this
course to be held. Would it become an annual
event? But this was to be the last one. Yet the
title found its way into later training course
terminology. I had an army dinner on the
Friday night, so I drove on up to Gilwell and let
myself in to the training office. Fortunately I
found a tangential heater and ran it for the rest
of the morning, for it was one o’clock before I
got to the camp and it was very cold.
The team was the same as the previous year
with Dick Milne, Martin Davies and Vic Sharp.
Ken Brewster visited the course.
Assist at GL Course
Rather than run a course with all the
responsibility, I chose to assist Lewis Tulk with
his continuous woodbadge course that
commenced on Monday, 27th December, at
Gilwell Park. Other members of the team
included Dick Milne and George Todeschini.
The first weekend was on the 5/6th June. There
were three field commissioners as “participants”
(the new term) on the course which made things
all the more stimulating. My diary contains
little of the content of the course other than the
good humour that John and Carol Bloomer
brought to the catering side of the weekend.
The second weekend at Braemar College on the
26/27th June was again a very cold one. Both
Neil “Wacka” Westaway, Chief Commissioner,
and John Ravenhall, Branch Commissioner for
Training, visited the course.
The final weekend (17/18th July) was at the
Queens Road headquarters and followed the
Lewis Tulk, (above the axe head), with Graham Farley
and Dick Milne on his left
154
I was not know that I would be granted this title
officially at this stage
247
Martin Davies, my assistant on the ASAC
courses, ran the Scout course on the De Molnar
training ground.
and safely started to achieve the aim. I was not
much use as a leader trainer to Lewis until the
match was over one way or the other. Then
with three runs needed, Thomson snicked the
ball. The first fielder dropped or rather knocked
it into the air, whereupon another slips person
moved in to take the ball safely. England had
finally won and the series moved to two – one in
favour of Australia. I could now relax and
concentrate once again on scouting matters.
Relieved of the course leadership worries, I
concentrated on “management” on the second
day of the course with a view to keeping the
tasks of the Group Leader to its essentials. The
“hike routes” of Scouting are littered with group
leaders who have allowed themselves to be
burnt out through not keeping their own role
tight and delegating the challenges to others. In
all my sessions I would emphasize that one
night a week is one night a week. You do not
take phone calls except at the time you
nominate. Most problems that seem critically
important one night solve themselves several
days later!
I came away from the course the next day, when
Dick Milne returned.
Spring Lodge
With son Roger in cub uniform, Shirley and I
drove to Gilwell Park on the Gilwell Reunion
weekend to witness the opening of the Don
Spring Lodge. Norm Johnson performed the
opening ceremony. After the opening, we were
invited to afternoon tea, before we returned to
Braemar.
My chats with Lewis about the fundamentals of
our respective beliefs, for he was from the
Salvation Army background, had to be put aside
as I listened to the test cricket. Unbelievably
Australia in this test had lost ten wickets,
leaving only Border (batsman) and Thomson,
(bowler,) to find the last seventy-five runs or so
to win. Born in England I am emotionally
involved with test matches in a way I cannot
explain or control. My diary says that there
were action songs in the campfire that night and
that I went for a walk in the moonlight along
Forest Drive.
The Spring Lodge was built for overnight
accommodation for training team leaders and
participants. It was enabled through a very
generous bequest from Don Spring, who was a
dentist and also a member of the Pigeon Patrol.
Norm Johnson had persuaded him to adjust his
will so that something substantial could be built.
The architect was the late Dudley Wilson
It was an interesting design with a central
corridor. Off to each side were bedrooms with
two beds and alternately, off the central
corridor, shower rooms and toilets. Dudley
must have had good reasons for not having
cathedral roof panels to let in the light into the
corridor, which always has to be electrically lit.
Perhaps this was a precaution against embers
from bushfires.
However the facility has more than proved its
worth. A sort of discussion area was made by
dropping the floor level in a rectangle. The
space was about three by four metres. Leaders
could sit around the edge with their legs
dangling below. Eventually the hollow area was
The E. H. C. (Tom) Russell Troop Room
On the following day I sat myself down with my
tape recorder, turning the tape every thirty
minutes as the two Australian batsmen slowly
248
filled in as it was too easy to fall into it if the
lighting was poor.
Fundamentals package
Something encouraged me after all the sessions
that I had taken on the subject, to put together a
number of documents relating to Fundamentals
in Scouting. This meant a lot of typing for Mrs.
Jan Morehen, my secretary at the college, and
quite a bit of assistance from helping hands to
put it all together. The stapling of the final
copies was done by printers in Kyneton. The
cover of the booklet seemed to carry the
authority of the national training team.
The package was distributed at the 1983
February training team weekend which started
that year on the Saturday morning. Norm
Johnson was never noted for his use of time in
terms of a program but he was par excellence
for social interaction and supporting people. He
was a past master at soliciting ideas and turning
them into action. My session seemed to be well
received. With Cliff Farmer, the national
representative, to get to the airport, we got away
before the weekend’s program finished.
249
a fine but windy day. The visit fulfilled a
dream.
Charterhouse
Chapter 49
This had been B-P’S school where he had
practised cooking in a nearby copse and had
hidden from the masters by climbing up the
trees amongst other life-developing exploits.
On this sabbatical from Braemar College I was
expected to visit a number of schools and I had
no trouble in listing Charterhouse as one of
them. On that day, Monday, 27th June, the
headmaster made me very welcome and showed
me round, I was then placed in the care of the
school’s scout leader.
Overseas trip and five Scouting landmarks
On what might be termed a sabbatical, our
family together with that of Meilma and Peter
Hutton enjoyed several months in Britain and
Europe. In the course of this we were able to
visit or sight five of very important sites or
buildings in the history of scouting. Peter
Hutton was a GL; Meilma was a scout mother
and had been accompanist for Barwon District’s
B-P Revue. So, all of us on board the camper
van that year were scout or guide devotees.
I was able to visit five of the historic sites
associated with Scouting. I had been to the UK
Gilwell Park, Chingford, in 1966 and 1974, but
had only seen Brownsea Island from Poole
across the bay.
Brownsea Island
This of course was where it all began – where
B-P held his first experimental camp of public
school and town boys back in 1907. Brownsea
is reached from Poole by boat. A recent hail
storm had brought down a lot of leaves from the
Charterhouse School, Godalming, Sussex
This master took me to the copse where it is
alleged that B-P practised fire lighting and other
ploys. I was also shown the Boer War memorial
and the writings of B-P in the archives section
of the library. This was the second scouting
landmark that I was able to visit this trip.
The monument to B-P’s first camp on Brownsea Is.
trees. We were there on Monday, 6th June. It
was a short walk to the site of the camp, now
marked by a large obelisk rock and signposts to
the other scouting countries of the world. It was
The copse at Charterhouse in which B-P hid from the
masters by climbing the trees. The school’s SL is right
250
known also as Kanderstag. Memory says that I
visited the chalet. There were many British
scouts resident in the building.
World Bureau
Our travels took us to Geneva. The date was
Monday, 11th July. It was too good an
opportunity not to visit the international
headquarters of the Scout Movement. My son,
Roger, and I walked to the building. Here we
found Phillip Pijollet getting ready to go to a
conference or jamboree but he interrupted his
packing to show us over the offices and
conference rooms. In particular he showed us
the name plate of Norm Johnson, our Victorian
commissioner, who had been elected president
of the world body.
Kanderstag International camp site, Switzerland
Gilwell Park
I had been blessed with several opportunities to
visit the English Gilwell Park, having taken
woodbadge courses there in 1966 and assisted in
1974. But it was new to Roger and the Huttons.
On Friday, 12th August, having arrived back in
Britain, I navigated our van from Canterbury,
through the Dartford Tunnel and via the M11 to
the famous scout camp and training centre at
Chingford.
The World Bureau, Geneva, Switzerland. Please excuse
the human interest – after all, it was “tourism”!
We were looked after royally at the scout camp,
but I have no record as to who showed us
around. Before we left this “mecca” of
scouting, we visited the shop and made bought
some memorabilia, some of which I still have.
Kanderstag
Still in Switzerland, we had spent a glorious day
on Manlichen, having reached those heights by
the rigi or small cars dangling from moving
cables. (Shades of James Bond and other
adventure movies.) The snow covered alps
were shining in the brilliant summer sun. It was
Friday, 15th July. When we came down off the
mountain, we drove to the village of Kanderstag
where we sought a site for our camper van. This
was within view of the international scout lodge,
The visitor from Australia to Gilwell, England,
finds it hard to cope with the manicured lawns
upon which the tents are pitched for the training
courses, as against the “rough old bush” of the
one at Gembrook, Australia. The “Boys’ Field”
was more of a field than the one at home and it
has become quite famous for its “bomb hole” –
251
left by Hitler in World War II -- but extended
since for pioneering constructions. There was
little in our Gilwell at Gembrook to compare
with the “White House”155 at Chingford and
perhaps just as well, knowing the maintenance
costs that the English one presents.
when I “reverted” to being a member of the
training team. I must have done something to
justify retention of the warrant but what I did
has been erased from my memory.
Our visits to the five landmarks was now
complete and in due course the two families
returned to Australia and normal life.
If I could not fulfil the chief commissioner’s
hopes in regard to the ABC-TD warrant I could
at least make myself available to conduct the
continuous group leader course after Christmas.
But this time I adopted a completely new
approach in regard to meeting the needs of the
participants and that account can wait until the
next chapter.
Group Leader course
John Ravenhall
John’s scouting background was in the cub
section but he had a very broad view and, being
a university lecturer, was obviously successful
in the leader training role. He too was a regular
Anglican Church member. We had many
parallels in our lives. He was always hopeful
that I would find the time to contribute more to
the movement than I was currently doing. In
one sense, he never gave up, particularly years
later when my age meant that I could no longer
be active in the military CMF. My diary notes
that he visited Braemar and left some
“homework” for me to do in regard to courses.
ABC-TD
A “then” and “now” pair of photos of the Middleton Flag
base at Gilwell Park, Gembrook. It is hard to believe the
scene could change so much over the years despite it
being a coloured photo
Neil “Wacka” Westaway, the Chief
Commissioner, had talked me into accepting the
warrant as an “Assistant Branch Commissioner
for Training Development.” The main request
was that I prepared each month a presentation to
members of the training team. I at least made
one such presentation and I should have been
able to discharge the task, but all too soon
events “choked” off the time that I had for such
work. It was not that I did not have the
knowledge and skills to do it, it was more that I
was too far from Melbourne and too involved in
day to day leadership of an ever expanding
school.
I held this warrant for several years. My diary
mentions it at the end of February, 1986. My
warrant certificate has no entry until late 1967
155
Also known as “Main Hall”
252
trailer full of canoes, boats, sails and all the
items associated with the water.
Chapter 50
Still training
Finally, on that first day, Mrs. Phelps once again
came along to complain about the way the cubs
were upsetting her cat by throwing stones on her
roof when they came from their meeting.
Group Leader course
With the backing that I was receiving both from
Neil Westaway and John Ravenhall I felt a new
confidence in how one might lead the course. I
cannot be certain that I had planned to do what I
did. But on the day that the course was to
commence, I took my time to drive to Gilwell
via Launching Place wearing “civvies.”
I have no list of who helped me but I suspect I
was a “one man band,” with the exception of
Bill Dawson who looked after the projects.
Providing I kept my health, there was no need
for a second leader as the participants were
taking most of the sessions.
The course commenced just after Christmas in
1983.
My diary records the names of several of the
key members of the course. I used the word,
“dynamic,” to describe how the course
developed. The participants came out of
themselves as they demonstrated assurance in
taking sessions and relating to others.
One leader returned to witness his father’s death
at the age of 92 and arrange for the burial.
Another leader, unaware of high blood pressure,
started to have nose bleeds and he was taken off
to hospital.
A Roman Catholic priest, although a course
member, gave me great assistance. For once, I
did not have to carry the “burden” (privilege) of
taking the Duty to God sessions. He was
prepared to demonstrate and explain the various
vestments worn by his denomination in
particular during communion. His counselling
skills came to the fore. He celebrated mass on
New Year’s Day to which everyone was invited.
The ecumenical movement took another step
forward as a result.
When we were all gathered in the De Molnar
hall, I drew lines on a black/white board to show
the possibility of six sessions a day for six days.
I then asked the participants to tell me the topics
in which they sought information or skills. If
someone had said “water activities,” I then
asked whether anyone present felt they “knew it
all.” In nearly every case a leader would
suggest that they did. Whereupon I would write
that topic into the program with his name
alongside it as being the person who would
conduct the session!
The Spring Lodge provided a standard of
comfort for us all which was much appreciated.
Eric Davey ran the scout course and
unfortunately there was some friction between
the two groups. As it turned out the scout
people went off on their overnight journey
returning New Year’s eve, but tired enough to
want to retire early.
This revolutionary approach meant that the
needs of the course could be met, while at the
same time giving each participant a direct
emotional involvement in the training process.
In the case of the water activities leader he
would, when the opportunity came, drive back
to his group headquarters and return with a
253
standards. I grabbed the chance while I was still
a favoured leader. One can so soon be seen as
an “old timer,” who could only be wise about
the courses that were run “in the past.” Things
are different now – what could I possibly learn
from him!
Theoretically the formal lunch should have
presented no difficulties on a combined basis,
but by the end of a course, the participants
develop a code of behaviour in relation to the
course leadership which can often conflict with
that developed by the other course. There is
also hesitancy in this country for people to
proudly wear their “gongs” or ribbons. But I
will do so on any excuse – they were not
awarded to me for nothing.
Training Team weekend group. John Ravenhall centre
seated, Norm Johnson (World Bureau scarf) on his left.
I may mention this again in later chapters, but
clearly the movement was changing or about to
change while I “stood still,” without any youth
involvement as to know what the needs and
opportunism of and for youth were current. I do
not think I was even aware that the number of
enrolled “scouts” in Victoria, and in Australia
for that matters, was in serious decline.
Scouting was attracting a smaller percentage of
the possible youth quota than it had in the past.
The presentation of the lowered national flag to the leader
of the course, who knew how to be humble and meek for
the occasion!
A “one-day” ASAC
A month or two later on Sunday, 8th April, a
number of the woodbadge participants came to
Braemar College for a reunion and bar-be-que.
The spirit of the course was living on.
Four leaders in the Geelong Corio District
sought some form of extra training along the
ASAC lines. The number was too small to
warrant a full course, so I went down on
Saturday, 2nd June and spent a day with the four
going quickly through the program that we had
found valuable for the three weekends of the full
course.
Training Team weekend
This was held on 11/12th February, 1984. I
travelled up with John Ravenhall, who gave full
backing to my approach to program
arrangements and the use of the participants
except he felt that other leaders might do well to
stick to the normal system as not all would have
the skills (audacity, nerve?) to do it the Farley
way.
Commissioners’ course
On 14/15th July I journeyed to Gilwell to assist
at a commissioners’ course. Cliff Dent was a
participant and we renewed friendships. It was
twenty years since he had been invested as a
Senior Scout in Warragul where I had been the
leader of that section. I fitted in the
Association’s AGM a few weeks later. By
I took a leading role at the weekend. In
particular I endeavoured to get the message
across as to language, example, alcohol and
254
On the Saturday, 13th October, the first
gathering was held at the same spot that the
troop had used for its first meeting back in
March, 1963, namely Crossover. Here the
former railway line to Noojee from Warragul
passed under a bridge. Nearby in the former
station area about a dozen scouts had spent a
day dealing with scouting challenges.
doing so I was ‘building up capital in the bank’
and giving the impression of activity in case
some zealous commissioner decided to apply
the rules about the number of course a member
of the training team was expected to conduct or
participate in each year.
East Tarago’s 21st birthday
After I left Warragul at the end of 1965, Ken
Abrecht continued to lead the senior scout
district troop with Graham Dorling as his
assistant. Ken Carland also helped. In 1967 the
ETSST won three “A” Grade pennants at the
annual Hoadley Hide, a feat that they tended to
emulate year after year. Cliff Dent became
leader and the same standard was maintained.
The two ‘11-seater’ buses became worn out and
were replaced with an 18-seater one.
In the evening of the reunion, the dinner took
place in a restaurant with the Hoadley Hide and
the many “A” Grade pennants strung along the
walls. Both Ken Abrecht and Graham Dorling
were able to attend the dinner.
Original scouts or those in the period 1963-5
who attended were: Ian Hastings, Wayne
Hardie, Ron Brooks, (incidentally the first three
Queen Scouts), Colin Walker, Ian Jackson, Ian
Snape, Russell Marriott and Stuart Burns. Tony
Holland, who had been GL of 2nd Warragul, also
came down from Taree in NSW to the weekend.
He had been involved in many of the senior
activities including jamborees and the B-P
Revue.
On the Sunday, the church services were well
attended and then everybody involved met at the
1st Warragul scout hall for a general get
together. It had been a great weekend and a
reward for the work that had been put in to
organise it. It remains to be seen whether there
will ever be another reunion as the yeas pass and
memories fade.
LtoR: Cliff Dent, Graham Dorling, Mrs. Kent, Ken
Abrecht and Tony Holland at the anniversary dinner
With the 21st anniversary coming up, Cliff Dent,
with a little encouragement from me, undertook
to arrange a reunion. These were the days when
anniversaries were marked with a special
bottling or labelling of souvenir wine.
It was not too difficult to draw up an
alphabetical list of those lads eligible to attend
the function, even though the title of “Senior
Scout” had been taken over by that of
“Venturer.” But to find the current addresses of
those boys was quite a challenge. Eventually
Cliff had to cut losses and accept that he could
do no more. A location for a dinner was found
and the local churches warned that their
congregations might be slightly larger on the
Sunday.
Past and present members of the ETSST/ETVU on the
Sunday afternoon adjacent to 1st Warragul Scoot Hall
255
It has always been a tradition that the course
members should take part in a good turn to
Gilwell. A large tree had been felled in front of
the De Molnar hall and a chain saw had been
professionally used to saw into in to half-metre
lengths. Our task was to split the large slabs of
wood and stack the split lengths ready for
drying and eventual burning on the hall fire.
Group Leader course, January, 1985
On arrival at Gilwell I spotted a group of leaders
who were obviously participants who had
arrived early. I mixed with them without
revealing who I was or my role on the course.
They accepted me as “one of them.” I even
asked some questions about what they knew
about the leader and what they expected of the
course.
I thought we might get some of it done, but one
of the participants must have been a professional
wood man for in the space of an hour or two he
split every slab into burnable widths and the rest
of us stacked these pieces of wood.
Then, to their surprise, I having changed into
uniform with all the badges of achievement and
authority bedecked about me, asked the
participants to make the horse shoe preparatory
to “flag break” and the start of the course. If
there had been tar and feathers handy I think I
know how they would have been used!
It was one of the most cohesive courses with
which I have been privileged to work. Maybe
that was because I at last understood what my
role was and had the confidence to carry it out.
The reunion for the course was held on Sunday,
28th April, 1986, at Braemar College. Lunch
was enjoyed on the croquet lawn in the shadow
of the wooden school building’s tower.
Strangely enough, I glossed over this end-ofyear course in my diary. It would have flowed
in much the same way as the previous year’s,
with the program being drawn up against
participants’ needs and then the offer of the
opportunity for them to take many of the
sessions. Bill Dawson and Dick Milne assisted
me again, with Bill handling the projects and
Dick the catering and administration. We
understood each other and hardly needed to be
in contact as we were able to predict the
certainty of the January course and its format.
About this time, “the powers that be,” started to
approach “leader of adult” training from a
different stand point. I could not put dates on it,
but it was thought that workbooks might be a
better way for these “management-role” adults
to prepare for their tasks as these were quite
different from those leaders who worked with
youth.
These workbooks would allow for “prior
learning” and give remissions for skills and
knowledge already learnt elsewhere. The third
element was for “personal leader trainers” to be
allocated to these new adult-focussed leaders,
who would liaise with them and help them to
complete the relevant workbooks.
The concept was not all that different from the
system that I recalled in 1952 when I first
became a leader of youth. I did not experience
it but it was the vogue in Malvern District for
new leaders to be allocated an experienced
colleague. Further, the new leader might well
be asked to work with a group different from the
An additional feature of these courses was to
arrange for the participants to give a short “life
story” on a roster at meal times. These personal
reflections were very revealing as are of course
eulogies at funerals. Those that “were
unaccustomed to public speaking,” soon found
their tongues.
256
one that he or she would finally adopt as their
own.
Like all changes of such a significant nature
there were arguments and evidence for both
approaches, which by 2010 had been brought
into a workable balance. Adults learn through
many complex forms and a combination of
course, workbook and personal assistants might
be the optimum outcome.
Accolade
Knights
Knightood’s spurs are fastened to thee,
Keep them shining long,
Honour’s sword is girded to thee
In faith and service ever strong:
Shield the weak, and keep the Law,
Spotless let thine honour be,
Bravely face the world before you
Secure in Chivalry.
Scouts
On your honour you have promised
That you will do your best,
Your duty to God and your Sov’reign
Stands firm, whatever be the test:
Ten good Laws, your armour strong,
Will serve to guard you on your way,
To our happy band of brothers
We welcome you today.
All
Knights no longer ride in armour,
Swords are turned to rust:
Kings have passed into the shadows,
Castles crumble into dust:
Where is honour? Where is truth?
Have these treasures passed away?
Faithful hearts still band together
And keep them bright today.
Don Sutherland
257
probably as it was the closest to the Delacombe
Hall, which contained the dining facilities.
Chapter 51
Just doing enough training to stay on the
books!
Training Team weekend 1985
These weekends were now a regular opportunity
for me to don uniform and be seen. My
professional life was getting more organised and
I was no longer as stressed at the start of the
year as I had been. Once again I drove to
Strathmore and picked up John Ravenhall to go
to Gilwell. It was a good weekend and I slept
well. I came back with John and also Cliff
Farmer, who was the national training leader so
that he could get to the airport. I was one of the
few members who lived beyond it in the
direction of Bendigo.
There was nearly always a large envelope of
material ready for each team member. These
envelopes contained the latest handbooks and
information on training. Not every team
member could be present at these weekends but
for those who could they were invaluable for
their social contact and the “state of being.”
The training weekends began to fall into a
pattern. The members would convene after
lunch on the Saturday and would commence
with a challenging session, often taken by a nonscout management consultant or trainer. Over
the weekend there would be opportunities for
the camp warden, the chief commissioner and
the national commissioner to report on
developments and changes. Campfires or sing
songs would be held in the evening, although in
later years these became entertainment sessions
taken by the areas or regions in turn.
Sundry events
The training team day in the second half of the
year was held on 14 August. Scouting had been
traditionally “dry,” but several key leaders had
their “first aid kits”! Then there was a
relaxation, and alcohol could be consumed on
courses. Probably the assumption was that it
would be at meals, but experience found that
many participants brought alcohol to the courses
in quantities and consumed it in their huts at the
end of the day’s sessions. The policy was now
tightened and it was spelt out that the only
exceptions would be for the formal meal at the
end of each course.
On the Sunday a Scouts Own would generally
start the day. Section leaders could then meet in
their groups and review their training courses,
for this was a time when the English handbooks
were no long in vogue and Australian Scouting
was feeling its way to developing its own course
handbooks. The weekend would conclude after
lunch on the Sunday.
The Association’s AGM was the opportunity to
be seen, but I only arrived just in time to second
the motion of Mr. Butchart to adopt the minutes
of the 1984 meeting. Correctly so, movers and
seconders of the straight forward motions were
arranged prior to the meeting from those who
indicated that they would be present.
The fulltime training leader at headquarters,
would endeavour to get the team members to
roster themselves for leading the courses for the
ensuing year, using charts pinned to the back
wall of the De Molnar hall. This hall was used
AGM’s in those days were followed by the
Herring Oration in tribute to the long period of
service that Lieutenant-General Herring had
rendered to the movement. This was given by
258
Dawson was resident at Gilwell so he was more
flexible. Then I found that several training team
members had been given approval to join me,
namely, Peter Butcher, Ray Hughes, and David
Bennett. Was this the sort of appeal that I had?
David set himself up with his computer in one
of the rooms off the De Molnar hall.
my army colleague, Major General Kevin
Cooke –resplendent in his general’s uniform.
My final appearance for the year in uniform was
at the Guild Hall in Geelong where I led
sessions on role-playing, such as the Mrs.
Phelps routine, and gaming.
I apparently added another dimension into the
course with the daily planning being almost day
by day, but ahead enough for participants to
prepare their sessions. I used a whiteboard,
having ruled it up with red lines and a blue or a
black washable whiteboard pen to write in the
topics and session leaders. This was the only
copy of the program that I or the participants
had recourse to.
Group Leader course 1986
I was not to know it at the time, but this would
be the last continuous course or even a full
woodbadge course that I would lead. The move
to the workbook approach cancelled out the
holding of the “get-together” courses. That they
are back to some degree in 2010 is beside the
point.
One morning I walked into the De Molnar hall
to find that the whiteboard had been completely
wiped clean. The only marks left were the ends
of the red ruled lines close to the edge of the
board. I was at a loss for what to say or do. I
could not believe that I could be ‘sabotaged’ by
such a great group of chaps like this, but there
was the evidence.
I was only fifty-three at the time, but my diary
says that I approached this course with a degree
of nonchalance or vagueness. I only heard that
it was on through a secondary source. I then
failed to make sure that I had a team or that
headquarters had notified Gilwell catering that
we were coming and for how long. That we
turned up before lunch for a course that started
at two was another minor aspect of my situation.
Before I collapsed or spoke out of turn, one
member of the course came forward and turned
the board around to reveal the original program
still in all its beauty on the other side. Some
person or persons had gone to a lot of trouble to
put those short red lines in on the other side to
give the apparent vandalism authenticity.
In the end three leaders came from New South
Wales for apparently they had heard about the
novel approach that I took to leading this
particular course. I was asked to pick one up at
Spencer Street but my diary says that he came
by car, but we still met up and moved to
Gilwell.
A further innovation (for my courses) was the
daily camp paper which the two patrols took it
in turn to write. An ordained clergyman was
again able to visit the course and carry out the
functions that he had so well done a year or two
back.
Here I discovered that the Bloomers had not
been given any information about the numbers
attending the course other than it would start at
two in the afternoon. I have already alluded to
that problem. I found myself on my knees,
literally, to Carol Bloomer seeking her
forgiveness and understanding about the whole
matter. Further I had to seek something for
lunch to feed half the participants who had, like
me, turned up in the morning.
On the night before the course finished there
was the combined formal function, followed by
mass. On the Sunday, there was a Scouts Own,
clean up, flag down and everyone away to their
homes.
Dick Milne was not at all sure as to what was
going on, but had kept himself available. Bill
259
The Morning of My Life
1. What it is to be a very lucky fellow
Living in a world forever young.
How I remember when I was like them,
Games we played and the songs that were sung.
Cares were never there, blue skies ev’rywhere,
In, the days when we were young.
Interlude
Theirs is a Springtime all, all their own
Where not a cloud appears.
Theses are the days when silver dreams
Shine through their tender years.
Where ev’ry storm is just sunny showers,
Filled with all magic things,
And with the surest anchorage
Of someone’s apron strings.
My year – 1961!
Ch. This is the day when ev’ry thing
Is filled with songs the Bluebirds sing.
The world is yours and you are king!
This is the morning of your life.
Yours is a journey just begun,
A time to dream, to walk and run
Though fields of green and summer sun,
Here in the morning of your life.
2. Life is good and ev’ry one’s a lucky fellow
When like me he’s young and full of vim.
Times that are wonderful we are sharing,
These great days we’ll fill them to the brim.
Learning how to live, and so blessed with
Pow’rs to climb, to trek and swim.
Ralph Reader
260
Costermans took the main sessions which were
based on nature-craft. I found myself fishing
wild life from the creek and identifying and
measuring trees.
Chapter 52
World Jamboree and Conference
Gilwell Reunion, 1986
I regret that I never kept detailed notes of the
programs of the many training team weekends
that I attended so that I could watch how they
developed and changed over the years. “What
comes round comes round” it is said, and thus it
was no coincidence that at the 2010 weekend,
the Branch Commissioner for the Environment
should take a session, but we did not go outside
and get our fingers dirty!
I was asked to attend the business meeting of the
reunion as I had been made a life member of the
Reunion. There was some by-play with Bill
Dawson over the sum of $5 but I cannot
remember why. I was glad not to find myself
elected into any post on the committee and I
came away when I could.
Training Team weekend 26 Jan 86
Scout Task Force
Once again I travelled up with John Ravenhall,
but this time on the Friday night. Saturday was
to be a day of Total Fire Ban. But I must have
had better nerves in those days as I was satisfied
that our new caretaker would have things in
hand. No students would be at school.
I went to Melbourne one night in the course of
1986 to offer some thoughts to the Scout Task
Force that had been set up. This was chaired by
Graham Beanland and had Major-General Ken
Green, Barry Armstrong, Alan Dash, and Dr.
William Wells as members that night. I had no
further contact with this committee or ever read
its findings.
The one-day training team conference was held
on 10th August. My diary sums it up, “I speak
up more and more and get some laughs, if not
results.” It was probably time to resign but
resigning is not one of my habits. I had too
many friends in scouting just to walk away at
this stage, although I think I would have
objected if I had been any other member of the
team and knew that this “four-beader” was not
being obliged to meet his commitment to stay
on the list.
Saturday was a nasty day from the point of view
of the weather. At nine, fire sirens could be
heard as fire tenders raced near us to deal with a
fire four kilometres to the north. Throughout
the day the situation was monitored. I decided
that the Spring Lodge was the safest place,
particularly the central corridor. Every side
room had its own exit door so no one would be
trapped. The building was also set low and was
of brick. Fortunately the bushfire did not reach
the camp that day.
Having rarely made a note of the sessions at the
training team courses, I am now impressed with
my write-up for the August one-day event.
Mind you, my son now had a BBC computer
and that made writing up the diary, that was also
a letter, much easier and I could be lengthier in
my comments.
In the evening there was a very good Scouts
Own, and then a campfire but, owing to the
weather, it had to be held in the Tom Russell
troop hall room. On the Sunday, Leon
At the one-day event, a professional trainer
came along and spent two hours reducing us to
laughter as he explained the characteristics of
261
exercise in Canberra, when he had come from
Singapore as a UK visitor to it156.
persons in a quadrant where the descriptions in
turn were: Enthusiastic, Friendly, Forceful,
Thorough. He carried on a quick-fire
commentary as he made his presentation. My
eyes were running and my mirth- cackles were
drawing the attention of others.
World Scout Conference in Melbourne
The World Scout Conference was held in
Melbourne parallel with the jamboree in
Sydney. Shirley and I had invitations to the
opening speech by Sir Ninian Stephens at the
Dallas Brooks Hall in the Masonic Centre. A
combined Gang Show team put on two items,
whetting my appetite to see the full show the
next night.
1987 – A lean Scouting year!
My diary only has two scouting entries, namely
the February Training Team weekend and the
one day in August. At least I was not wearing
out my uniform!
On Tuesday, 12th January, I was able to spend
the day as an observer at the conference. I was
joined that night by Shirley and Roger and we
thoroughly enjoyed the performance of a Gang
Show cast drawn from the various capital city
casts. The evening was memorable, concluding
with the massed flags and singing of Prayer for
Brotherhood.
World Jamboree in Sydney
As we as a family were touring near the site of
the World Jamboree near Sydney, it was
decided that we would visit it. It was a hot day
on Wednesday, 6th January, 1988, but we found
the car park and walked into the site. I got the
impression that there might have been too many
visitors. We had already seen plenty of local
and international scouts in Sydney.
David Armstrong
David lived with his family in Woodend. He
had known my father through their shared
insurance management roles. David and
Noelle’s two children had attended Braemar
College, their daughter, Debra, having
previously been enrolled at Clyde. David had
been asked to visit the training team weekend
and speak about insurance matters. I took the
opportunity to travel to and from Gilwell with
him.
The bush colonial court at the World Jamboree, Sydney
Spiritual Development weekend
Finding the UK contingent area, I was delighted
to hear the words, “Would you like a cup of
tea?” This was the British approach to
fraternisation. I gladly accepted the tea with
scones. I then had the chance to meet the UK
chief commissioner, Major-General Michael
Walsh. I was further surprised when he said
that he had met me! We narrowed it down to
the 1977 Chief of the General Staff’s annual
I was asked to prepare a paper or two for this
conference of guide and scout leaders. It was
held at the Wycliffe Bible College at Kangaroo
Ground. I prepared a booklet of sayings of B-P
in relation to the spiritual side of scouting and I
also added my thoughts. Overhead projector
transparencies assisted me in such presentations
and I had it in that form.
156
Many people, military or otherwise, have this
wonderful knack for remembering faces and names. It
can make a great difference to relationships
262
and girl patrols. But like most such arguments
they soon become extrapolated to the general
scene. I was obviously not a party to the
discussions but I would be very interested in the
politics amongst the chief commissioners that
led to this decision.
When I gave the first part of the paper I had a
video camera light shining at me. This made me
realise what it must be like to continually face
the media, such as politicians. It was most
disconcerting. After lunch we had to erect hike
tents blindfolded. I guess it had some relevance
as well as making us realise how important
one’s sight is.
If the Victorian Education Department was
wedded to “mixed” or “co-educational”
schooling, then neither Melbourne High or
MacRobertson Girls would remain single-sex
schools or delay their intake until Year 9.
Braemar College can really owe its
establishment to the decision by Geelong
Grammar to enrol girls from The Hermitage and
Clyde School.
The second part of the paper was given that
night. I came home about lunchtime the
following day, Sunday, 1st May.
Girls in Cubs and Scouts
The media could not wait to announce what they
suggested was revolutionary: that girls were to
be admitted to the cub and scout sections.
Presumably they had already been brought into
Venturer and Rover sections, where perhaps
maturity maintained some balance.
From perhaps an ideal point of view, there is a
school in Victoria which, through the chances of
history, consists of two separate gender schools
up to and including Year 10 before the two
genders come together for the VCE classes and
section of the school (Years 11 and 12).
I have no statistics but my guess is that this
innovation did not lead to any great advantages
for either gender or for the movement. This is
not the place to discuss co-education, but it is
only so when no activity could be held without
both genders being directly involved. The old
segregation in classrooms and playing grounds
was not co-education – it was “mixed”
schooling.
Gang Show
After a long run staging the Gang Show at the
Palais Theatre in St. Kilda, the 1988
performance was at the Princes Theatre next to
the Windsor Hotel. Shirley and I saw the show
on Friday, 19th August, along with Meilma and
Peter Hutton.
The longer that I had the privilege of being a
head in a mixed school, the more I became
aware of the disadvantages of having boys and
girls in close rivalry at the junior secondary
levels. There is no way to stop the girls from
developing faster than the boys in nearly every
sphere of their lives. I cannot say that boys
“retreat” into themselves, but they are generally
powerless to prevent the girls from lording it
over them in class performance and in activity
involvement. So, I could not agree with this
announcement on 23rd May, 1988.
The content of the show was nearly all
Australian. Local musicians, such as Ken
Bayly, were now writing songs and others were
presenting skits. However, some of the items
were UK repeats, although Ralph Reader was no
longer alive to write and compose songs.
Unfortunately, the program included an item or
two where the Guide movement was not shown
in the best light. I think this was the song with
boys dressed up as guides on a hiking trip. It
could just have easily been acted by males in
male parts and placed in the scouting situation.
The classic argument for joint membership is
always cited in the poorly populated rural
districts where a single parent committee could
be supporting the “troop” with its separate boy
263
six-thirty from the college. There was a detour
on the way down to avoid a fatal accident. In
Melbourne getting fuel I noticed that a tyre
looked distinctly flat and I pumped it up. It
stayed up for the weekend but eventually a nail
had to be located and removed.
Chapter 53
Not too old to help on a Hoadley Hide
Training Team weekend, 1989
Once again this event started my scouting year.
Once again I made sure that I was “seen” at it
and that I attended enough sessions for my
presence to be noted. On the way to Gilwell I
spotted the Puffing Billy train in Emerald and
then another leader in Gembrook, which
confirmed that I had the right weekend!
I was successful in arriving on time, but this
year, instead of total fire bans, it was raining. A
university lecturer presented a session on
transfer of learning, which was relevant in many
areas. On the way home I called in at our
church where the lady deacon was being
farewelled. My scouting shorts were much
appreciated on such a wet day!
I was glad to see that there was a speaker from
the Scripture Union, which was fairly unusual in
view of my thoughts that the movement was
becoming increasingly secular, even to the point
of being animistic! Animism157 is a love of
natural world. The view from the mountain top
might be outstanding but it can be a bit murky
on a wet cold day.
Norm Johnson dies
When someone is as active and apparently as
healthy as Norm was, it is difficult to
comprehend such an early death. I never heard
what the cause of death was, but I gather it was
something to do with his heart. Norm had been
my mentor for years. Unfortunately I could not
attend his funeral owing to a curriculum
conference at the college.
In the forest animals are not all loving, and a
number depend for their survival on their ability
to devour others. Scouting respects the
environment but it is pushing the case for one to
plead that one can find God through it –
certainly the Christian God that shows a love for
the deity and for other people.
He was one of my three referees for the Braemar
College position. He was also my dentist from
about 1976. His secretary, also a cub leader,
found herself doing a lot of scout typing on the
side. Norm had been a scout leader and slowly
found his talents to be needed in various
commissioner postings, culminating by being
the World Bureau chairman. Norm had been the
author of a camping text book, Camping for
Scoots and Others. Scouting was different for
me after his death.
Leon Costermans was also at the weekend and
we had a walk around the camp after the
evening meal. On the Sunday the Scouts Own
reflected all that worried me in regard to nature
worship as distinct from a God with a
personality. As I had a lot to do back at the
college, I left in time to be home shortly after
mid-day.
Hoadley Hide, 1990
And that I have to confess sums up my scouting
for 1989!
This annual competition has been conducted at
Easter from the fifties for the elder age group,
ie., 14 to 18s. It has been extremely popular and
is quite a challenge to those who take part,
although since girls have been in that age group,
there are now “social” patrols who no longer set
out to compete. While at Warragul I was
directly involved in helping with the running of
I only attended the Sunday of the 1990 weekend
training conference. I was keen to be in time for
flag break at nine, which meant leaving about
157
“Animism, n, the belief that all natural objects and the
universe itself possess a soul. …” The Concise Macquarie
Dictionary, Macquarie University, 1985 edition
264
met up with Cliff Dent, who driven in his teams
using the unit’s 18-seater vehicle. He had
brought two patrols, one to take part with
enthusiasm and one which just wanted to be
there!
these events, but had fairly little to do with them
after leaving Geelong in 1973. I must have got
in touch with one of the organisers to see
whether I could help.
Once the senior scouts could be trusted to camp
in the bush without damaging it or vandalising
huts, but it had been found wiser to establish
VOCs or Venturer Overnight Camps! These
were now run by the areas or regions and
provided camp sites, showers, cooking, washing
and toilet facilities. Rovers also tended to be
active in staffing them. Unfortunately, in this
day of portable electricity generators, the public
address system accompanies the TV sets and of
course with PA one must have frequent
announcements and music (sorry, I meant
musak!).
At the HQ there was both Dr. William Wells
and John Ravenhall. I had the cheek to wear my
branch scarf, to which I was entitled as a
member of the training team. Each of the Hides
had a theme and this year’s was pirates. I was
asked whether I would like to visit the stunt
staffed by Macedon leaders. I found it without
much trouble. Here Trevor Turnham and
Christine Antonis were very busy. The
competing parols were given their challenge, all
but the PL being blind-folded. The last part of
the stunt required the patrol to walk the plank.
It was only two foot high and straw caught the
victims.
I returned to HQ for the evening meal. I had
already erected my wife’s very waterproof and
sealed hike tent and retired into this before the
rain began in earnest. I had warmth and light
from a gas-fired pressure lantern and was even
able to read as the heavens opened up. I was
quite secure. I had a good night’s sleep and rest.
Saturday
The “Legless Seadogs” patrol. This was my idea of how
a patrol on the Hoadley Hide should present itself. I
would have awarded them an “A” Grade on the spot!
The Hoadley Area leader had been taken to
hospital with stomach pains, but the Hide ran
smoothly, which showed both the quality of
planning and the use of understudies. No one
seemed to want me for a specific task so I
loaded up the car and spent the day moving
around the good roads, talking with both the
Venturer patrols and those leaders and Rovers
running the stunts.
A chap who had been a scout when I was at
Warragul was one of the organisers and he gave
me a job and a place to be at for Good Friday
morning. The location for the Hide 1990 was in
the Wombat State Forest west of Blackwood
with its HQ at Barry’s Reef. I arrived in
sufficient time to check the map references to
make sure of my destination.
I was self-sufficient for meals with my gas stove
and brought rations and thoroughly enjoyed my
day in the bush. I joined the Macedon group
later in the day and enjoyed the BBQ at HQ,
before retiring.
But I found that I was supernumerary to needs
and there was sufficient staff already in place. I
found that I knew quite a few people. After
providing cups of tea, as I always travelled with
“the makings,” to some of the leaders I headed
back to Barry’s Reef for lunch. I had already
265
Easter Day
Cub Conference
I got up and drove back to Woodend and the
college and joined my wife and son for their
Easter Eucharist in Woodend. By now I realised
that my best contribution was as an “old-timer.”
These were experienced leaders who wandered
the roads and tracks with a view to sustaining
morale and helping out here or there. The
terminology was now up to date. The new
phrase was “Venture Support Team,” but I stuck
to the phrase I knew best. It was traditional to
wear old gear appropriate to the theme but I
only had uniform.
Memory fails as to how I became involved with
an invitation to speak to a conference of cub
section leaders at Benalla, but it may have been
as a result of the paper I presented at the
weekend when spiritual matters were discussed.
It fitted in with family plans, as a teacher and his
wife from England on exchange, was at my
school and Shirley and I would frequently show
them the countryside, although they had taught
in Australia before at The Geelong College. I
combined the two activities and we drove to
Benalla. There was at first a minor challenge in
finding the location of the conference.
Leaving the car at various secure locations, I
would move about on foot. That I was also
walking/hiking was appreciated by both the
patrols and the stunt leaders and I received a lot
of hospitality as a result. For instance I found
myself discussing the problems with the
Victorian Certificate of Education with those
boys and girls in the Year 11 and 12 classes
with some value to both sides.
I had presumed that there would be about
twenty or so leaders, so I was taken aback when
I walked into a hall where I found several
hundred present. I only had notes from which to
talk but I must have been appreciated, as at the
end of the talk, I was asked to leave my “paper”
for reproducing! I suggested my notes were
hardly in that state.
A priest arrived to say Mass and the Reverend
Norm Tong of the Uniting Church came to lead
a Protestant service. The “entertainment” in the
VOC’s was all too loud and all too bright for me
but then I was only proving that I was an “oldtimer”!
Narelle Swaffield
A senior student at Braemar, Narelle was a
member of a family where the Guide
Association was fully supported. Narelle
qualified for her Queen’s Guide badge, much to
everyone’s pleasure. Some years later her
mother received the OAM for services to
Guiding.
Monday
The formal competition ended on the Sunday
night as the leaders had to assess which patrols
should be classed as “A”-Grade. So, on the
Monday, a program of fun and games is offered.
I found myself fully involved in this. When the
pennants were announced, the East Tarago
patrol was one of them – Cliff Dent and his
venturers were maintaining their standards
which reached back to 1967, when the troop
three patrols all won “A’-Grade pennants.
Training Day, 1990
Even though the current training commissioner,
Jack Griffiths, had written to me and suggested
that in view of the few training courses that I
was running, I should consider handing in “my
beads,” I only came for the Sunday. And that
was only a sluggish approach, arriving in time
for morning tea and then quickly volunteering to
take the Tasmanian leaders to the airport. I am
not sure what arguments I had used in my reply
to Jack, but he did not pursue the matter. Every
I hoped to be able to help on later Hides, but I
was in the UK the following year. It would be
some years before I joined another Hoadley
Hide.
266
five years of membership is recognised with a
certificate and a badge. I received my second
certificate for 35 years service, but I did not
point this out.
I understood or accepted the strength and modus
operandi of this new section.
Overseas in 1991
As this pattern of attending part or all of the
annual training team conferences would
continue, I can look back (from 2010) and feel
rather embarrassed that my contribution was so
limited. I know that I had the ability to show
leadership and to guide others in the movement,
but there are only 24-hours in the day and my
responsibility to Braemar College, my source of
income, was the greater. There was time left in
the day to breathe, but not much else.
Review of 1991
During my 1991 sabbatical in Britain and
Europe I had no association with any scouting
or guiding activity. I do not think I even saw a
member of either movement in uniform. Was
this a sign of the times? Marcel Nyeholt, my
deputy head, was not well and we brought
forward the dates of our travels, but Marcel was
determined to fulfil his acting role.
Unfortunately, his health deteriorated very
quickly and the next senior member of staff, Ian
Buerckner, stood in as acting head. Marcel’s
cancer could not be arrested and he died about a
month after the Farley family returned to
Australia.
Queen’s Scouts
I started to receive invitations to badge
presentation ceremonies for the Queen’s Scout
badge. The first was for Stuart Turnham and the
second for Brendan Spears, both of whom
attended Braemar College.
A nostalgic reminder of what it was like “in the good old
days” with a session at the campfire circle. This was
probably in the days when the Russell Troop room
provided the only cover in inclement weather. The carved
totem with the kookaburra perched at its top still exists,
having been carefully preserved. On its rear is the
signature of B-P. The training leader looks uncommonly
like “Bus” Derrick – certainly it was his legendary pose
One-day conference
Maintaining my view that it would be difficult
to be “sacked” if one kept up attendances at the
training team meetings, I prepared to drive to
Bentleigh in Melbourne. On the way I attended
church at St. John’s, Malvern, the church that
was linked to the school I attended, Malvern
Grammar School.
John Ravenhall visited the meeting and there
were discussion groups. A leader from the new
Joey section spoke to us. This one was for the
six to eight age bracket. I had doubts as to its
value. I had always regarded the cub section as
a recruiting ground for the important years of
“scout” and “venturer” scouting. Here we were
with one for the cubs! It was to be years before
267
On the Sunday the sessions continued until “flag
down” at lunchtime. Rodger O’Hara, also of
Bendigo, drove me home to Braemar.
Chapter 54
More leader training opportunities and the
history of training
Benalla Phase 4 GL Seminar
I have lost touch with what current course is
equivalent to those with which I was historically
associated. It was a weekend course to be held
at the former RAAF base at Benalla, now owned
by the civic authorities. The course would run
parallel with a venturer one and the meals would
be provided centrally. It would be held on the
weekend of 6th and 7th of July, 1992.
Training Team weekend, 1992
Once again the year started with the training
team conference. I do not think we were down
to one vehicle but I asked Joan Summers of
Bendigo to pick me up. Joan was a life long cub
leader. She was to receive the Public Service
Medal (PSM) and to be awarded the medal of
the Order of Australia.
Joan met me at the bottom of the school drive
and we went to Gilwell via Whittlesea which
was a slightly longer but more attractive way of
going than through the city. The Citylink had
not yet been constructed, which was to make the
city route even quicker.
I had warned the applicants that my method of
running a course was unusual and it might be
more a matter of them training me! The weather
was unpleasant on the Friday night, so I elected
to drive up on the Saturday morning. It was
very foggy most of the way and I was glad of
the extra time that I had from being up early.
I found a bed in Spring Lodge and then reported
in. This may not have been the first time that a
professional training person was to start the
weekend, but when the person thanked him for
coming, she remarked that he had even kept me
awake. I have to admit that if my interest is not
maintained, I will often close my eyes. But I
also say that I was always tired from the
intensity of those first few days of the school
year and would have gladly spent the weekend
home resting, that is, if the parent community
had allowed me to.
Not only was the venue new to me, but I had not
met my assistant leader trainer, although he said
he had been on one of my courses. Nor had I
read through the material for the course. This
failure “came home to roost” when, in the
course of the afternoon, I saw that I was reading
from the phase 3 workbooks rather than the
phase 4! On the Sunday morning I switched
without saying a word or admitting anything.
But then my method of getting the applicants to
tell me what they knew well overcame this
‘minor’ hiccup.
In the evening we had what I would call “a
proper campfire.” Appropriate to each activity
in life are specific ceremonies or experiences
that are unique to it. One of these in scouting
was the campfire. There was a way to lay it.
There was a way to open it. There were
appropriate clothes or dress to wear to it. Most
of us led an item. I fell back on the time-old one
of singing “Pack up your troubles in your old kit
bag” in unison with “It’s a long way to
Tipperary.”
I was impressed with the material. The session
material commenced with the words, “At the
conclusion of the session, the leader should be
able to …” I could see the hand of John
Ravenhall in this professional approach. It was
a big step forward from the days when
participating scouters were expected to take in
the ‘golden words’ of the leader trainer,
generally from a handbook written at Gilwell
Park in the UK. The small numbers on the
course permitted a “round table” approach. The
Sunday passed without further incident to record
or confess!
268
1993 Training Team weekend
The return to a “seminar” format was the
inevitable ‘turning of the wheel’ since the
continuous and weekend courses had been
scrapped in favour of work books studied at
home with the help of a “training adviser.” It
seems that a “shoulder to shoulder,” “face-toface” type of experience is necessary to get full
value from the sessions.
Lynda Wright was now branch training
commissioner. I got to Gilwell on time but not
before I had noted that work had started on the
re-laying of the narrow-gauge “Puffing Billy”
train from Gembrook back to Emerald, then the
current terminus. No reader could guess that I
was also a “railway buff”!
I excused myself mid-afternoon to change into a
suit and attend a fellow government principal’s
farewell dinner in Geelong, returning to Gilwell
mid-morning the next day. After lunch, I was
able to take the national training commissioner,
Kirsty Brown, to the airport for her to flight
back to Brisbane.
August Training Day in new HQ
The one-day conference was held at the new
headquarters in Barry Street, Carlton, just north
of the city proper but within easy walking
distance from Melbourne Central station. The
former HQ in Queens Road had been sold. Our
new HQ had formerly been the property of a
trade union.
Group Leader course at Benalla, Sunday 7 June 92
Over the years the movement explored the
various approaches to training, even to allowing
for proven prior knowledge. With the later
establishment of the Scout Australia Institute of
Training (SAIT) and the national recognition
that this body could grant a diploma in
leadership, training styles settled down.
The Barry Street building had three floors, with
the conference rooms on the third. Then we
discovered that the lift was not working. In
those days I could climb stairs easily – if one
was to survive at Braemar, one had to.
Trevor Miller
1994 Training Team weekend
If one is to work in what I might term, “people
industries,” then it is inevitable that it is difficult
to go anywhere without meeting someone whom
you have known. Returning home on Sunday
12th July I was in the Woodend convenience
store. Here I was recognised by Trevor Miller.
He had been a senior scout in the Barwon troop.
He was looking for a campsite for his van for
the night. I suggested that he might as well
come up to the school and I would run out a
power lead from one of the buildings. He
accepted this offer gladly.
I attended this conference, the only memory
being that I accidentally left behind my second
uniform, pyjamas and dressing gown. But I
coped apparently.
Training history
At a Commissioners’ course in October, I was
approached both by Lynda Wright and John
Ravenhall with a view to producing a short
history of leader training in Victoria. This was
because it was the 75th anniversary of training in
1995. I could not see any difficulties in doing
269
this with my contacts at Scout Heritage and with
the Gilwell Park warden, John Noke.
further out from the town. The government land
selected was at a cliff top some three kilometres
back towards Geelong.
I invited current members of the training team to
send in “memories” of the courses they had
attended. I was also able to get an up-to-date list
of those leaders who had held “honourable
charges” together with the current list. Their
titles now were Leader Trainer and Assistant
Leader Trainer.
When one year some scouts from Nauru landed
at the port of Geelong to attend a jamboree,
“Boss” Hurst, as the local DC was asked to look
after them. As a result “Boss” was to champion
the right of the Nauruan people to have
independence, even though the phosphate
mining had run out on the island. For a while
the Geelong scout area was known as “Geelong
- Nauru.”
“Boss” developed quite a range of facilities for
leader training at Eumeralla as well as a number
of huts and halls for functions, such as
Eumeralla Day. On this occasion the area
president, Philip Law, attended the luncheon
and spoke to those assembled.
Queen Scout badge awards
In November, I was invited by Justin Gates to
witness him receiving his Queen Scout’s badge.
Justin was a student at Braemar College and I
had encouraged him to complete the badge as he
was so close to doing so and nearly over the age
limit. I was to receive invitations from then on
when local Venturers received their badge, even
where they had not attended Braemar College
where I was headmaster.
The author with John Noke, Camp Warden, in Spring
Lodge
During the following January, 1995, I spent a
day at Gilwell with John Noke pouring over the
log books that he had in his library. I timed this
with the Gilwell Reunion attending the campfire
on the Friday night.
Farley Library
Talk on the history
Doug Doak had re-established Eumeralla Day
in the Geelong scout area’s calendar. I was
encouraged to attend but not quite knowing
why. Wayne Myers proudly showed me the
room with its sign, “The Farley Library.” It was
well equipped with scouting books and
magazines.
At the 1995 training team weekend I was asked
to provide an “after dinner” talk about what I
had learned in preparing the history of training
in Victoria. I have never been able to remain
serious on such occasions and I brought a bag of
sweets to present as prizes when leaders were
able to answer my questions. This would not be
the last time I would be so asked. I was again
able to take Kirsty Brown back to the
Melbourne Airport on her way home to
Brisbane.
“Boss” Hurst’s book
On the same day, a book on the life of “Boss”
Hurst was launched. “Boss” had patented the
double-ended wool-bale hook. With the
proceeds he developed a scout camp near
Anglesea but then was obliged to move it
270
of Dinizulu’s beads for course completion.
These were known as “wood badge” courses.
The Training Team Reunion day – Sunday,
26 Feb 1995
Present and past members of the training team
were invited to Gilwell158. The group was to
include Charles Hodgins who, as a patrol leader,
had attended the first training course back in
1925 which added considerable colour and
authenticity to the day.
Copies of my “provisional” history were made
available to all those present. The lunch was in
the Hoadley Hall, followed by a Scouts Own. I
sat with Jo and Geoff Allen, training leaders
from Geelong. By chance I had lived next door
to their home in Belmont from 1967 until
marriage at the end of 1971.
Geoff and Jo Allen who were trainers in Geelong with me
Dinizulu had been a native chief in Africa and
B-P had received this man’s set of beads that he
wore around his neck.
LtoR: Ray Beebe, Graham Farley, Wayne Myers, Lewis
Tulk, Andrew Wallace. John Noke to the right
But it was found that many leaders came
unprepared for the long course and so a
“preliminary” one was introduced. In due
course, this one was “up staged” with the need
for an “explanatory” one prior to that. When I
did my training, I attended in succession
Explanatory, Preliminary and the Wood badge
courses. Nowadays such “titles” have been
substituted with “stages159,” such as Stage 1,
Stage 2 &c.
Charles Hodgins was able to attend the training reunion
day. He was the only survivor of the first course to be
conducted.
Adult leader training had commenced in the UK
as a response to a need. The English association
was presented with the White House and park at
Chingford, to be known world-wide as Gilwell
Park. Baden-Powell conducted courses for
scout masters that lasted a fortnight. On
completion the participants were awarded two
158
159
It had been left to the discretion as to whether uniform
was worn. This resulted in a bit of a “hotch potch”!
I may not be quite up to date here, now that SAIT
overseas training
271
In many ways leader training in Victoria copied
without question the UK system as did much of
scouting in general. Two Victorian scout
leaders were granted “honourable charges” to
become “Deputy Camp Chiefs.” One of these
men, Tom Russell, had presented the local
movement with forested country at Gembrook
where he constructed four training huts for
sleeping and eating. Soon training courses,
where practicable, were conducted here. “Arch”
Hoadley was the other, the lower training
ground being named to honour his contribution
as was the naming of an area in the Western
suburbs.
Ian Hastings
Ian had been the first troop leader of the Senior
Scouts (later, of course, the Venturers) in
Warragul in 1963. He had met his wife,
Barbara, at a Guide social. They now live in
Ballarat and in 1995 they celebrated their 25th
wedding anniversary. Shirley and I were invited
to join in the celebrations. He was an officer
with the Forestry Commission of Victoria
(FCV), now the Department of Sustainability
and the Environment (DSE).
I had to make an amendment to the list of
leaders who could run courses as, for some
reason, Ken Brewster’s name was not on the list
I was given. Ken was able to show me a
photocopy of his original charge.
Betty Brooks
I never took the history beyond what I termed
this “provisional” stage as there seemed no need
to go into any further detail, the log books of the
various courses being available at Scout
Heritage or Gilwell. I had been intrigued to
read “Kenno” Kennedy’s comments on my own
participation at the practical course in January,
1955.
272
By now, the show had changed its shape
somewhat significantly. Gone were the songs
and skits that had been the kernel of the Ralph
Reader London Gang Shows. Now, there were
two musical productions separated by the
interval. In 1996 the first half was about the
Jungle Book story. The second half took the
story of Ruth in the Old Testament.
Chapter 55
Another career change coming up –
retirement!
Training Team weekend, 1996
Doug Doak made a presentation about the
changes to leader training as a result of the
successful application by the movement to have
its courses recognised at the Technical and
Further Education (TAFE) level. This would
mean a lot of standardisation as well as great
benefit, but it brought forward the idea of
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL was
possibly OK in theory but it had many practical
problems in its implementation.
Geelong reunion night
Meilma and Peter Hutton arranged for a reunion
dinner of those directly involved with the years
of 1967 to 1973, when Shirley and I left the
district on my appointment as principal of
Birchip High School. During those years a
number of adult couples had got to know each
other very well as they discharged their scout
warrants from area commissioner to group
leader.
Ross Hutton (right), son of Meilma and Peter Hutton,
continued with Scouting in both Rovers and Water
Activities. His two children, Joshua and Kate, were
especially active in the Rover section. Here they are in
1996 at Government House – all three Queen Scouts.
Ross’s brother, Bryce, was Eumeralla camp warden
amongst other roles. Ross’s sister, Jill, was a cub leader.
Three generations in Scouting -- an example to us all
There were still scouting aspects to the show,
such as the finale in uniform and the ritual
singing of It’s a Wonderful Life; with “Out in
the rain, boys,” or had it become “Guys” by
then, with the introduction of girls! There were
three Braemar students in the Gang Show cast,
namely, Jessica Rodda, Nicki Buskes and
Meredith Frearson. Meredith’s younger sister
and brother would be in later casts.
The guest list included Aileen and Graeme
Taylor, Jenny and Bob George, Carmel and
Peter MacAuslan, Duncan MacAuslan, and
Chris and Ross Hutton. There was much
reminiscing during the meal. We also
remembered those that were no longer with us,
such as Max Grinter. Some symbolic awards
were made in the course of the evening for
“good services.”
Warragul reunion
Gang Show
Cliff Dent had married Pat and they had settled
down in Warragul where they had four children.
Cliff was the leader for the Venturer unit, the
renamed one from my days. Over the years, the
East Tarago Venture Unit was consistently
successful in securing “A-Grade” pennants at
the annual Easter time Hoadley Hide. The two
earlier eleven-seater vans had been replaced by
an eighteen-seater bus.
Braemar’s Year 5 and 6 classes decided to
attend a performance of the Gang Show. This
was staged at the old Hoyts Victory theatre in
Acland Street, St. Kilda, not far from the Palais
where I had been in the cast in 1961.
273
activities for the elder adolescent age group, was
able to be present. It was a great night.
At the dinner were eight of the original 1963-65
unit, as well as Clem Jervis, who was DC. I
wore civvies but adorned myself with both the
Change of life
After 21 years I offered my resignation as
headmaster of Braemar College. It was time, as
they say, to “move on.” Theoretically I would
now have time to pursue many activities, which
would surely include more scouting. But with
the changes in leader training that had taken
place, it was unlikely that it would be at that
level. In the meantime, Shirley and I would
have a five-month trip to the UK and Europe.
1998 would come around all too soon.
Graham Farley and Cliff Dent at 33rd Reunion dinner
Scout Heritage opening
famous “unofficial” district scarf and the scarf
that was issued for the 1965 Tasmania trip. Bob
Swinton, who had done so much to inspire
While Lillian Beard and particularly “Mac”
Stidston had brought together much of the
memorabilia of the movement before it had been
lost for ever, storage and display had been
limited. Now the association handed to Scout
Heritage a disused scout hall in Ivanhoe. The
fact that the scout hall was available was a sad
reflection on the loss of membership that
scouting, along with many other organisations
that assumed commitment, were experiencing.
Scout Heritage already had use of “Como,” the
National Trust property in South Yarra, but
needed storage space for the number of
“bequests” that families were making of
scouting uniforms, books and the like following
the death of a loved one.
On the same night, Ray Beebe presents one of the Dents
with his Queen Scout badge
The Governor of Victoria, Sir James Gobbo,
performed the opening ceremony, an indication
of vice-regal support for the movement.
1997 would prove to be a quiet year for me in
Scouting, but I still found enough activities to
keep me occupied. I was not out of it yet.
Ray Hughes, who had worked with me on
training courses, found himself ‘conned’ into
giving me a lift to Gilwell for the annual
training team weekend. Nothing much of note
took place at the course upon which to
Wayne Hardie (Founding member, 1963) and Ken
Carland (1964) at the dinner
274
comment. The weather was indifferent. The
new TAFE approach influence was beginning to
be felt. I wondered whether it was becoming
too bureaucratic for “Mr. and Mrs. Average” to
both understand and cope with.
I had had little contact, other to encourage from
time to time participation if we had boys old
enough to take part. When the St. Bede’s 6th St.
Kilda rover crew was formed, some of the lads
acted as assessors and helpers.
Shirley and I had our five months in the UK and
Europe in 1997 without coming into contact
with Scouting at all. This was partly due to me
not having any reason to make contact but I was
surprised that we saw no scouts in uniform or
their activities.
Over the years several aspects of the hide
changed. Some scouters offered to act as “old
timers.” They would dress in the costume
relevant to the theme but move about the
countryside in an encouraging role. Their title
was changed over the years, but the original one
described their role very adequately.
Hoadley Hide reunion
Whereas the patrols had previously camped out,
the decision was made to bring them in at night
to a “VOC,” a Venturer Overnight Camp. Some
patrols had abused the bush and even vandalised
huts in the forest areas used for the hide. The
“Vocs” provided hot water, toilets, warmth
(large fires), medical aid, but also with public
address systems came noise. Some called it
music!
With a view to getting oral and written histories
before many of the leaders died or could not
longer be compos mentis, headquarters
organised a reunion on a Sunday afternoon at
the relatively new Barry Street building.
Photos and memorabilia covered the walls to
remind those attending of the “days that were.”
In turn the surviving commissioners told of their
memories. Then, of course, those of us who had
brought items could chat with each other and
“remember the good old times.”
While at Warragul, I was very much involved
with other Warragul scouters in the staging of
the 1965 hide, which was held nearby north of
Labertouche. The theme was “Unlocking the
land.” That Easter was characterised by
alternate bursts of sunshine and rain squalls.
The hide competition commenced I believe after
1945. It was held at Easter in parallel with the
other two Easter competitions (Cohen Shield
and Stradbroke Cup) but for the over–fifteen age
group. There would be a theme – generally
historical, such as the days of Rome – and the
patrols would be expected to hike from one map
reference to another where they would be
challenged with a task that somehow fitted in
with the theme but involved scouting skills.
Points would be awarded for how well the
patrols tackled and achieved the tasks
After leaving Warragul, Ken Abrecht, who took
over from me began to have incredible success
with his patrols, winning three “A”Grades in
1967. Cliff Dent carried on that tradition to the
extent that there wee always Warragul patrols in
the winning list for years.
Leon Costermans and I swapped photographs
and stories of the hides with which we had been
associated. One of the famous hides was that of
Anthony and Cleopatra, in which the battle of
Salamis or its equivalent was trumped up.
Boxes of rotten tomatoes and bags of flour were
used in that mock conflict; and all recorded on
silent 8 mm film, courtesy of Bob Barrow.
The patrols would be self-sufficient and camp
out over night. A log would have to be kept.
Only those patrols with the highest training
standards and morale could expect to hear their
names read out on the Monday when the “Agrade” pennants were awarded.
On returning home I drafted a report about my
association with the Hoadley Hide over the
275
the play off of “Peter Pan.” Membership of the
team that I was in seemed to be an attractive
idea. In the morning, the usual Scouts Own was
held. Once again I was concerned that there
was an unnecessary emphasis on the beauty of
nature, when I knew that in the world of the
jungle, dog eats dog and despite the beauty of a
sunset, there are also floods, droughts,
hurricanes and the like. Slippery thinking
continued to exclude the person and divinity of
Jesus and his life and example.
years, unaware that I would have some contact
later on with this annual event. Regrettably with
the reduction of enrolled scouts, fewer take part.
One other step was to drop the requirement for a
log book to be kept. This might have saved both
the youth members and the leaders who had to
stay up all night marking them, but in my
opinion it was a retrograde step.
The Warragul approach to the keeping of the log
book was to nominate or select one member of
the patrol and make that his or her only task.
Meals and other comforts would be supplied for
the log keeper by the other patrol members.
I visited the August training day at Barry Street.
Even then I wondered how long I could “get
away with” so little participation in the
movement. Why didn’t I resign? Why didn’t
they sack me? I still seemed to be acceptable
and small tasks came my way. It was not that I
wasn’t interested, it was more that there was no
great demand for what I could offer. I was
invited to be on the district warrant committee
but was never invited to a meeting!
In 1998 my scouting involvement was limited to
attending the training team functions. Nor did I
get involved in helping at the Heritage Centre –
it was not convenient to public transport.
Training Team weekend, 1998
Having assisted with transport for the national
training commissioner, Kirsty Brown, I also
picked her up from the Melbourne motel where
she had stayed overnight. Our early arrival at
Gilwell permitted us to settle in to our
accommodation and meet up with others.
Wayne Myers, who had been training
commissioner at Geelong, was now the branch
training commissioner. I thought this would be
a step forward for the movement. In fact the
training weekend took on a new pattern. From
now on, a specialist trainer from the business
world would be engaged to give the morning
session and stimulate the scout leaders to look at
their task from fresh points of view.
In the evening, one of the areas/regions would
be responsible for the social activities. Having
won the previous year I did not seek glory but
had it thrust upon me and my group. A hat
bearing a famous person’s name would be
placed on heads in turn and the wearer had to
guess who he or she was meant to be.
I was asked at some stage to revise the story of
Gilwell book, but that would mean frequent
trips to Gembrook and an unnecessary demand
on the use of the car. I let the idea slide into the
night!
To use that dreadful cliché, it “went down to the
wire,” with our captain guessing her identity on
276
Heritage
I seemed to be a natural to be involved with
Lillian Beard and the heritage area of the
movement and one day to test it, I made my way
by public transport to their new Ivanhoe
headquarters. I spent the day at the scout hall
and Lillian drove me to the nearest railway
station to get home.
But there my involvement more or less came to
an end as far as that location was concerned as it
was not easy to reach by public transport and, in
retirement, one had to be sensible about how
much one used a car that would possibly never
be replaced. The following year I was able to
find a way of assisting the movement “that
ticked all the boxes”!
I was disappointed with the decision that I had
to take but Shirley and I would now be living on
income from superannuation. We would be
glad of any discounts that might arise from the
Seniors’ Card and the like.
I was now 65, an age that restricted one’s
opportunities for employment, even locally, and
the little teaching that I did told me that I might
be past that activity as well! To say nothing of a
change in student culture that made my tired and
proven methods of class control obsolete!
There was always plenty to do outdoors on our
five acres. I made sure I had time to have the
sheds restructured to permit the model Hornby
train to be laid out and my tools and documents
well stored. One can dream but sometimes one
has to face the reality of life.
277
by sitting carefully and upright that my hat
protected me from the worst of it.
Chapter 56
A Silver Koala, a Hoadley Hide and helping
at BHQ
I had also continued to wear my “old” uniform,
that of the short-sleeved collarless shirt and
shorts. By this date many leaders were wearing
the new uniform of darker long trousers and
shirts with a collar. I was not alone in the
traditional gear. But when it came to the
presentations nearly every variation of the
uniform arrayed on bodies of all shapes and
sizes paraded across the staging.
Good service award
I apparently asked to be excused from the 1999
training team weekend, the first that I had
missed in years. I have no recollection why I
tendered an apology. But almost the following
day I received a letter from BHQ advising that I
had been granted the good service award of the
Silver Koala. This award was the new
Australian one that replaced the former Imperial
Silver Acorn. Suspended now from the broad
yellow ribbon was a metal koala.
We recipients were seated on forms on the flat
ground of the campfire circle with the
supporters on the banks. It had been expected
that the senior awards would be made first but
this was reversed, sending the team looking
after the “gongs” and certificates into a bit of a
flap until they sorted things out.
I found it interesting that the names almost next
to mine were Cliff Dent, my neighbour back in
Warragul in 1963 – 65, and Graeme CumbraeStewart, who had been one of my scouts when I
was scout leader of 15th Malvern! I mused as to
whether this was a way of saying both thank you
and goodbye! Barry Marshall was similarly
honoured but in the Canberra area, where he had
been a leader.
The Farleys and the Dents found a dry spot for
lunch under the cover of the gap between the
Hoadley Hall and its library/offices.
Hoadley Hide
I was to be a member of the Venturer Support
Team, the formerly known “old timers.” I can
not recall how I got involved with this Hoadley
Hide. It was fairly normal for it to be held near
Barry’s Reef south of Trentham where the
Association had good links with the Forestry
Awards day, Sun 21 Mar 1999. Cliff Dent on right!
The presentation took place at Gilwell on
Sunday, 21st March, 1999, in the campfire
circle – now very much improved with staging
and seating. I was glad that I had worn my
scout hat – the one designed by our founder to
protect us from sun and rain. Not far into the
ceremony a light rain began to fall and I found
Rovers at one of their Hoadley Hide stunts. Note the
welcoming committee, equipped with “water blaster”
278
lighting and TV for entertainment, although I
did feel the sight of rugged-up leaders watching
TV in the Wombat State Forest a bit odd. There
was a row of “portaloos” as well as some basic
showers. Meals were supplied, which reminded
me of the 1965 Labertouche hide when I was
involved with the group that provided the “rest
and recover” hall for the supervising leaders.
Commission, or had it already become part of
the Department of Sustainability and the
Environment (DSE) by then?
I loaded the Laser car, now on its last legs (or
wheels) with the comforts that I thought I would
need. These included of course Shirley’s hike
tent which had a sewn in groundsheet base and
could be closed up against the elements. I also
put in the camp box containing the gas cooker
and other such equipment. Providing the car did
not break down or become bogged I was ready
for what might unfold.
I was in a team of three, the others being Doug
Waldron and Graeme Harrison. We set out after
lunch on the Friday to ‘minister to the fallen’
and to encourage the others! It was very cold
that afternoon as we visited the spots where the
stunts were conducted by teams of Rovers and
other adult leaders.
On Good Friday I was due to report to a certain
map reference to check rucksack contents. But
when I got there, I found that the others had the
situation well under control. It was quite
surprising the loads that some of the venturers
had packed that morning. Quite a few items
were put on one side for collection the following
Monday when the hide had been completed. I
was glad of my flask of tea.
On the Saturday the weather this time was quite
glorious. I wore my English “senior scout”
beret complete with the District Senior Scout
Leader’s plume. I had left my proper scout hat
in the car as one might have guessed. I had sun
cream with me.
I came across Bruce and Marcia Ellis. They are
chiropractors in Gisborne and are very much
involved in the very successful 1st Gisborne
scout group. The Macedon Ranges are blessed
with several well-functioning venturer units
under the leadership of people like Bruce, Rose
Moait (Macedon Ranges) and David Bachelor
from Woodend. The good weather rendered our
ministrations quite unnecessary. I was glad to
find that I could still keep up the pace of hiking.
I was now “under command for movement” at
Cliff Dent’s beck and call. My, how the
pendulum had swung! He had come with his
wife, Pat, and they set up a large square tent,
offering me space for any gear that was not
convenient for me to stow in the hike tent or the
car. Whereas I had used the car quite a bit back
in 1990, this time I hiked around on my own
two feet.
On the Sunday after I had been to church in
Trentham, I wore my scout hat and soon came
to be known as “B-P” by some of the Rover
staff. The traditional scout hat had been
replaced by something akin to the Australian
Akubra, but it was not popular. It was odd that
a movement that should have been concerned
about sunstroke and the like should make this
change and become almost a hatless youth
group. But I showed them what a true scout
wears or wore!
The leaders’ camp was quite well set up with a
kitchen, marquee, generated electric power and
Rain had been forecast and it began Sunday
afternoon continuing into the evening and all
Another view of the Heathmont Rover Crew’s stunt
279
night. There were those who said, “This should
test them”! The rain had eased by Monday
morning but unfortunately Pat and Cliff’s tent
did not have a waterproof ground sheet or a
sealed one and my case of spare clothes got
quite wet, but by then it did not matter.
I think membership of the lodge was restricted
to warranted scouters, but many of its members
were no longer active in the movement. On the
last Monday of February each year the lodge
holds a “uniform night,” to which many people,
masons and otherwise, are invited.
The sun had come out, unlike the previous year
when it had rained solidly over Easter. I packed
up the car and drove home. I was to find over
the next couple of days that that car was about
to give up the ghost as we prepared to trade it in
for a new one. I had been fortunate that it had
not let me down either going to Barry’s Reef,
church or coming home.
Ken Brewster
Perhaps because I had met up with him again,
Ken invited me to his home in Gardiner not far
from where I was used to play bridge on
alternate Wednesdays – another of the
“hobbies” I had taken up on retirement. Ken
was now a widower. Either at this or a
subsequent meeting he asked me to make sure
that his eulogy and obituary were correctly
presented following his death160.
Girls had attended the 1990 hide but I had no
special memory of them other than they often
came along as a “social” patrol with little
intention of taking part in the stunts with any cut
throat enthusiasm. But they did have a
humanising affect on the boys, who were
nowhere near as “macho” as I recalled them to
be. I have not attended a Hoadley Hide since
1999, although I was given several
opportunities.
I had always been impressed by Ken. You
knew where you stood with him. I guess he was
a bit humourless, but he ran a first class group,
10th Malvern. He used to be in charge of the
Easter camping at Gilwell and never found it
funny when flags were “souvenired,”
particularly a 10th Malvern one! He knew his
scouting backward and would generally be in
the panel at a conference when it came to
answering questions from the floor.
Baden-Powell Lodge
Although Lord Baden-Powell was never a
mason, scout lodges sprang up in most
Commonwealth countries. A significant
number of the commissioners in Victoria
seemed to be members. At each jamboree there
would be a special night for members of the
craft, in rather a similar to the Gilwell Reunion
night.
Helping in BHQ
Sometime earlier in the year I had written to the
Chief Commissioner, John Ravenhall, offering a
day a week if I could be of use. I did not
receive a reply for some time. When I did, the
offer was accepted with enthusiasm. I was
asked to report to BHQ on a day to be fixed.
I had walked the roads of the Hoadley Hide with
Doug Waldron. He was to pass his first degree
in the craft on 26th April, so I accepted the
invitation of the Honourable Michael BadenPowell, then Master of the Baden-Powell
Lodge, to this induction night. I think I had
attended a B-P lodge meeting earlier in my
Masonic career. On this occasion I met up with
some good friends, including Michael, namely
Paul Thomas, John Noke and Ken Brewster.
I had my first day on Monday, 5th July, 1999.
On that occasion I had a lift by car to Melbourne
but on subsequent Mondays I travelled by train.
Concessions for Seniors’ were limited to
Tuesday through Thursday, so I had to pay full
fare which was refunded by the HQ.
160
When Ken died, his memorial service was at the
church where he had worshipped most of his life. James
Jacoby was the sole eulogist.
280
of invitations for the Queen’s Scout certificate
presentation at Government House. Vice-regal
invitations were limited to three per Queen’s
Scout, but sometimes my fingers would slip and
fourth relation would be very grateful!
Headquarters staff had once consisted of a
general secretary and probably one typiste. In
addition, there were three field commissioners
who were responsible for assisting scouting in
the country regions. By 1999, these three fulltime appointees were working in the
headquarters and no longer acting as “travelling
salesmen.” One of these positions was held by
Neil.
By 1999, “IT” had taken a hold in management
across the world. Scouting did not escape this
medium. The “floor below” seemed to have
quite a team of IT experts or those in training.
Slowly scouting records became computerised
with all the advantages and disadvantages that
followed. Sometimes the program or unit would
be “down,” and we would have to wait upon the
pleasure of the IT boys to sort it out.
Apart from being relatively thorough and
methodical with administration, I had developed
reasonable typing skills ever since becoming a
commerce teacher and needing to teach this skill
in schools. Hence I was asked to enter up
training records and the like. On that first day I
addressed and prepared minutes to be sent out to
the training team or a training section. I was also
shown how to put together the “show bags” that
were handed out at Stage 1 courses.
The headquarters’ computers were an advance
on the one that I had inherited from my place of
work. At the end of the year my son and
daughter-in-law “dragged” me into the next
century getting me to buy a new computer, but
such was the pace of IT development that that
machine became superseded in no time. My
present one has a memory capacity that I do not
think I will ever be able to fully use!
But my specialty was with photo-copying. The
Association had a modern machine that was able
to do nearly anything that was imaginable from
copying back-to-back to making overhead
projection transparencies.
I terminated my attendance at BHQ when the
“powers that be” decided to sell the city office
and move out to Mount Waverley. Despite the
nearby station, well over several kilometres
away, there was no ready public transport and
the time came to take off my hat, yet again!
Each Monday I would arrive sometime after
nine, work through until lunch and then leave in
time to catch a train back to Gisborne. I began
to sit with a particular group of chaps on the
“up” train but a different one on the “down”
one. Amongst the latter was Derek Guille, a
well-known ABC TV and radio announcer.
I was given a farewell lunch and I knew that I
had made a small contribution. There were
others that came in on a similar basis, especially
Lillian Beard.
For lunch I would go to a nearby café and have
a vegetarian focaccia, together with a chocolatebit biscuit. In this way the waitresses knew my
predictable needs without further explanation.
Following that I would walk around the block
before returning to my “demanding” duties.
In this manner over the nest few years I got to
know the BHQ staff very well. They were all
dedicated to the job. Some very interesting
queries came up for the team to answer.
One of my most interesting tasks was to
administer the receipt and then the mailing out
281
The cover page from an early selection of articles to assist
leaders of the then Senior Scout section (15 to 18 yearolds). The booklet was produced by Richard Franklin and
Grenville Kirton, with an introduction by Bob Swinton,
who was then the BHQ Commissioner for Senior Scouts
A later publication when the Venturer section, now 14
plus, had been created
282
windows of the Hoadley Hall as quite a few
non-masons and ladies were invited to attend the
meeting. Masonic aprons were worn but the
ceremonial was cut to the minimum.
Chapter 57
Gilwell visits and the Leaders’ Manual
What with my Mondays at Branch headquarters,
the year 2000 saw me being busier in Scouting
than I had been for many years. I endeavoured
to get to the training team weekend in time to
witness Cliff Dent receive his honourable
charge as an Assistant Leader Trainer, but I
failed in that endeavour. But I did offer him the
three beads that I had worn until I was upgraded
to Leader Trainer in 1973. I worked out that I
had now been on the team for 33 years161.
The highlight of the meeting was the series of
talks as leaders described the lives and
contributions of four outstanding scout leaders,
which of course included Lord Baden-Powell,
Arch Hoadley, W. D. Kennedy and Lord
Somers. It was eerie to have present the 1999
lodge master, the Hon. Michael Baden-Powell
who is direct in line for the title should his
brother pre-decease him.
Pre-dinner drinks took place and the ‘banquet’
was held in the Delacombe Dining Centre. I
was not to speak until after the third course. I
was concerned that my voice might not hold out,
but it did. I gather that what I said was
generally well received.
I have to confess that I did not attend many of
the sessions, but spent time with John Noke
putting together more facts and stories for my
talk in a few weeks time at a meeting of the
Baden-Powell Lodge at Gilwell. I was to be the
after-dinner speaker. My topic was the
campsite’s history.
The weather being appropriate, the first part of
the evening was given over to a campfire in the
training ground campfire circle which is
overshadowed by the hand carved bird-emblem,
which in turn bears the signature of our
Founder.
The following Monday, I helped process the
envelopes that advised the Year 2000 good
service awards to the many recipient leaders.
We were both irritated when the Chief
Commissioner added some names to the list. A
week later, we discovered why this secrecy had
been necessary.
We then recessed to the nearby chapel. I had
never been to a night service in it. Flood lamps
behind the altar shone up into the trees above
giving the place a magical feel. In addition, an
electronic organ had been installed, which gave
great encouragement to the singing of the
hymns.
Gilwell Masonic Lodge gathering
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of its
foundation, the B-P Masonic Lodge held a
meeting at Gilwell. Graeme McCoubrie had
made sure that I was invited and the bargain I
made was that Shirley and I would be
accommodated in the Spring Lodge. I was
asked, as I have said, to give a talk on Gilwell.
Queen’s Scouts
In the course of the year I was invited to badge
ceremonies in honour of Andrew Newell, David
Lapthorne, and Andrew Ellis. On Saturday 7th
October, these lads were amongst many who
received their certificates at Government House
from the Governor of Victoria.
Shirley and I made good time to Gilwell using
the newly opened “CityLink” tollway that cuts
so much time off the trip as there are no traffic
lights except when one leaves the freeway. I am
not sure why efforts had been made to cover the
161
When I arrived I found that the ceremony had
been moved indoors as the weather was
Now 43 in the year of writing this history
283
errors. I even took the manuscript to one of our
time-share weeks at Nathalia.
becoming inclement. Years ago, the recipient
scouts would be drilled at the 2nd Field
Alston appeared to be happy with my approach
but would probably have settled for something a
little less in the form of an itemised manual. We
would swap chapters by email and he thought
nothing of printing off chapters on the
association’s photocopier.
On the 14th November I was invited to Coral
and Altston Park’s home in Geelong where we
worked on the index, thus completing the task.
It was reduced to a CD that was then made
generally available throughout the movement.
Alston, who had been in insurance, was a very
skilled administrator.
1st Gisborne Queen Scouts at Government House
Regiment’s artillery training depot, often under
Warrant Officer Class 1, Joe Monahan. With
the sort of hob-nailed boots that were in vogue
at the time, the long rank marching forward
could make quite a bit of noise that marred the
whole exercise.
I conspired with John Ravenhall that we would
go to Gilwell Park for the 2001 training team
conference together and just for the day. Cliff
Dent and Barry Marshall were both there. The
presentation was on relationships and I noted
that I would have been grateful to hear that
lecture “prior” to my marriage!
With the change in arrangements caused by the
rain was the need to deploy chairs. While many
hands made light work of it, it did not add to the
dignity of the ceremony. I have not recorded
who the Governor was at the time, although
John Landy was quite likely to then be in office.
Richard Tracy
This scouter from Canada needed a “host,” so I
was a natural to handle that role. In case he
wanted to see around Melbourne, I took the car
and parked it at BHQ where there was enough
space for interlopers or the “non-professionals.”
Leaders’ Manual
Earlier that year, Neil presented me with a copy
of the then Leaders’ Manual a hotch-potch of
writings that were meant to provide a leader
with all he or she would need to know in terms
of protocol and procedures, such as insurance
and the purchase and sale of property.
I walked across to The University of Melbourne
and presented myself in the Union building.
There I was briefed by a lady professor with the
aid of a poorly maintained overhead projector as
to the course that Richard was visiting. Then,
moving into the Union dining room, I met up
with my guest, who seemed to have no difficulty
in recognising the “tall one.”
Informative in itself, it required editing and
being brought on to a common form of writing.
I accepted this challenge, but warned Neil and
Alston Park that I would wish to make it look
like an army training manual with numbered
paragraphs and cross references.
Richard was the “Directéur General” of the
Conseil Provincial du Quebec. This was the
“protestant” scout organisation in Quebec as
distinct from the much larger Roman Catholic
one. The function must have been only
“drinkies,” for we walked back to BHQ and I
So I commenced the task of correcting the
script, putting it all into the same grammatical
tense and correcting spelling and typographical
284
left him with Dion Ellis, the then Executive
Manager and General Secretary. Dion then took
the three of us out to lunch which I found to be a
great upgrade on my vegetarian focaccia!
Returning to Barry Street, Richard made his
way about the premises “bleeding” information
from the many employees who only seemed too
glad to chat with him. It was a breath of fresh
air from across the Pacific.
285
did not occur to me, but a seat was found on the
side of the auditorium. It was then that Jon
Chapter 58
The Melbourne Gang Show’s fifty year story
Gang Show story
Having completed the Leaders’ Manual, I was
then approached about updating the history of
The Melbourne Gang Show. The first 25 years
had been written by Andrew Taylor, but the
fiftieth anniversary would take place in 2002.
The idea was to produce a presentable history to
coincide with the show and the reunion dinner.
Jon Willis, Melbourne Gang Show producer
Willis sought me out and presented me with a
copy of the program. Presumably he had now
heard that I was to write the book, but I had not
been in touch with him at that stage.
I had been a member of the cast in 1961 when
the show played to full louses at the Palais
Theatre, St. Kilda as a result of some very
effective promotion. I had produced concert
shows at Mirboo North Warragul and Belmont,
but on a very amateurish scale. The music and
skits of Ralph Reader in the English show had
But for some reason I did not seriously start on
the history until the end of the year. It was not
until September that I could sit with Shirley
Bean, who was supervising the Gang Show
reunion arrangements and get some clarification
as to my charter and what the committee
thought they would like.
Late in November a sort of reunion was held at
Barry Street for Gang Show enthusiasts and this
was very useful for me to get atmosphere, help
and information. While there was excitement
about a book, few were offering to write for it.
But I was starting to get some response and
particularly with photographs.
Eric Black’s funeral
On Tuesday 14th August I attended the funeral
of Colonel Eric. E. R. Black, who had been
General Secretary of the Association in Victoria
for some years. He had the distinction of
holding the equivalent rank in both the British
Army and the RAF162. Eric was a most capable
administrator. He had been an area
commissioner and it was he that while visiting
the Preliminary Course that I was on at Herring
Isle in the River Yarra, that he fell in when the
dingy capsized.
The dust cover of the book by Ralph Reader of his story
of the London Gang Show
been part of my scouting life and culture. I used
them in my shows to a great extent.
I thought that I should attend a performance of
the current Gang Show and, without advising
anyone, I drove to the Darebin Arts Centre for a
matinee performance. Here I met up with
Lillian Beard who directed me to where I could
get a ticket. That the matinee might be sold out
162
286
The RAF equivalent rank to Colonel is Group Captain
He was the secretary at the time of the 1964/5
Dandenong Jamboree when it had been
suggested that my father, who had just retired,
be brought in to administer the jamboree.
Rather than that role, my father indicated that it
would be more efficient overall for him to assist
Eric, thus releasing one of the field
commissioners for the role – a person who
would be much more conversant with
Scouting’s ways.
Ken came to write quite a few of the songs that
became incorporated in the “old style” of the
show in lieu of some of Ralph Reader’s from the
UK. In the fifties, the Melbourne show used
material about two years behind the UK Golders
Green one, even to the skits as well as the songs.
Some of Reader’s material, particularly the
skits, were too much in the British culture and
lacked the Australian flavour. But it was the
music and singing that Ken handled.
But with Eric’s death, Scouting lost another of
“the old brigade,” and another person at whose
feet “I had knelt” in my earlier scouting days.
Of the same ilk were “Narse” Lesser and
“Kenno” Kennedy.
The story goes that when the Melbourne show
hired professional musicians and Ken was to
conduct them, he had to be enrolled in the
musicians’ union before he could proceed. The
back of Ken’s head was a familiar scene to those
who went to the St. Kilda Palais or other venues
to see the show as he conducted the orchestra.
Ken Bayly, OAM
I had my first discussion about the book with
Ken on Monday, 26th November. Ken and I had
known each other through both being
scoutmasters. He had been the leader for 11th
Essendon. It flourished under his leadership.
Ken had remained single and lived in his
parents’ home in Wood Street Essendon, which
he inherited upon their death.
By 1961, Ken was one of the key members of
the Melbourne Gang Show team. For a start he
was a skilled pianist and organist. He had the
capacity to compose songs and transpose them
from key to key as required163. My memory is
that he was in charge of the 1961 show or one of
the trio that produced it.
He and I would talk about the history of the
show before and after lunch. I took copious
notes and started to grasp the extent and success
of the show, particularly through Ken’s
contributions. A photo of him wearing his
Order of Australia medal sat proudly on the
mantelpiece.
Ken was able to tell me about the two overseas
trips of the Gang Show cast, namely to the
Philippines and Thailand. In the former, the
cast could use English as their medium, but not
to the same extent in Thailand. Here many of
the skits had to be developed in dumb show so
that the Thais could appreciate them.
Ken Bayly, taken from the 1961 Gang Show program
Both of these overseas trips had been
outstanding successes, but they were a big
security risk even in those times. A problem
with the flight home from the Philippines
brought Ken’s organising ability to the fore. I
163
With the introduction of computers, this became a very
simple task but not in 1961 when it would have to be done
manually
287
rather gathered that the airline executives at the
airport virtually handed the running and
placement of the scouts that night into Ken’s
hands!
Two days later I had lunch at the home of Barry
Meyers who, prior to his medical condition, had
played a big part as well. Unfortunately by now
Barry had extreme difficulty in expressing
himself other than through printing in large
letters. How tragic it was for him and Mrs.
Meyers, after such an artistic life.
I was now able to type up the narratives I had
received as a result of my appeal to past
members of the cast and back stage and also
able to put down in print the accounts of the
overseas trips as well as the home shows. I also
had access to the programs for the fifty years
and these were also brought together in their
own chapter.
Early in February, Sandra Pretty gave me the
story of her part, particularly the two overseas
trips. I now started to become aware that when
the show changed its program policy of mixed
songs and sketches to that of a couple of themed
musicals, there was regret by many whose
action was to withdraw rather than be involved
with the new approach. Change is always both
inevitable and hard to accommodate. In due
course I would be talking to the current
production team, Bob Motton and Jon Willis.
The Gang Show story now started to develop a
momentum of its own. The deadline was the
reunion dinner, when presumably it would be on
sale, if not part of the “entrance fee,” which
would guarantee a number of sales.
In addition to my invitations, people started to
come out of ‘hiding’ to be involved and to
contribute to the project. But I found myself
being organised!
Did I really wish to be organised like this? It all
seemed to be deja vue. I remember a similar
instance when Tony Holland, then GSM of 2nd
Warragul, directed me to find enough senior
scouts to help me after school to go to a
property where there were poles to be loaded on
a semi-trailer. These poles would form the
uprights for our tower at the 1964/5 Dandenong
jamboree.
Robert Motton, Director Melbourne Gang Show
On Monday, 11th February, I was involved in a
meeting with David Jefferson, treasurer of the
reunion committee, but who had been very
active in past casts, particularly in a role as the
chairman of the governors in “Goodbye Mr.
Chips.” Also at the meeting was Ken Bayly.
Clear decisions were now made on format,
numbers of copies and deadlines.
Back to 2002. On the following Monday I had
morning tea with Doug Edmonds, now a priest
in the Anglican Church based at Lancefield.
Doug had followed me at Geelong as area
training commissioner when I stepped down
from that appointment. Doug had regularly
been in the Gang Show cast and production
team. I recorded his version of the events.
These interviews would be typed back and
submitted to the interviewee for comment
before they were included in my draft of the
book.
Only a few years later, Ken Bayly was to die
tragically from spinal cancer. I visited him in
what had formerly been the Masonic Hospital
where I found him in good and optimistic
spirits, but pneumonia laid him low and he
succumbed. The current producers of the Gang
Show made a special tribute to him in the next
show in Victoria. With his death, quite a
chapter in the story of Gang Show died with
288
I then received a request to see the Chief
Commissioner, Alston Park. When I did so he
advised that the Association would not publish
the book. Alston and I agreed that the reason
the book was not going ahead was that there was
now no money to finance it.
him, although he had not been directly
associated with the show for some years.
Betty Stewart
A sideline to my research now came from the
suggestion that I contacted a Betty Stewart who
had been retained in 1961 to promote that year’s
show. She kindly sent me a copy of her autobiography and I started to get an understanding
of what her role had been. Remember that that
year, when I was in the cast, all tickets were
virtually sold for the five-performance show at
the Palais Theatre, St. Kilda in the days when
that theatre held three thousand seats! Betty had
also won the promotion role with The Beatles
when they visited Australia at the beginning of
their fame.
I decided my efforts had not been in vain. I had
learnt a lot and met some very interesting people
in the process. The story of the second twentyfive years and an overview of the fifty were in
draft form. Copies were given to key people in
the movement, should the information in them
ever be needed in the future.
BHQ to move again
Two months later I heard the first rumour that
the headquarters in Barry Street was on the
market with a view to HQ moving to premises
in Mount Waverley. The location was very
close to the freeway and the only practical
access would be by car and from that road.
Public transport would not be available. The
Mount Waverley railway station was about two
kilometres away.
I learnt that when Betty first visited a rehearsal
she was so impressed with the vitality,
enthusiasm and competence of the scouts in the
cast and back stage that she went out of her way
as a theatre promoter to get the then media of
the press, radio and fledgling TV on side.
Clearly her efforts were successful. I well
remember a photo appearing in the then evening
paper, “The Herald.” This had to be the result
of her enthusiasm. I would have the privilege of
meeting Betty on the occasion of the last night
of the 2002 Melbourne Gang Show.
The move was not popular with Hoadley Region
in particular. Also those leaders who found
getting into the city, particularly staying after
work, fairly easy were also directly affected. It
even led to some of the long-serving employees
considering their position.
The draft stage
For me it meant the end of my offer to do a day
a week. This was to occur with my last day on
Monday, 7th October, 2002. I had enjoyed every
minute of this service, although at times I was
asked to do some very “menial” tasks. Putting
together packages of various training handbooks
was one of them. I had to get down on the floor
to get at some of the stacks of these booklets.
But if I made people’s job easier, then I was
quite satisfied.
I am not recording all the meetings, but as drafts
were produced others corrected errors and made
suggestions. On Friday 8th March I was at BHQ
and ran off some six copies of the almost final
draft and forwarding them to key people,
particularly Shirley Bean, who was chairing the
Gang Show reunion committee.
At some stage after that I received the
information that the money that had been set
aside to pay for the printing of the book had
been spent on decorations and other aspects of
the reunion dinner. The treasurer had not been
aware of this information.
No one could ever convince me that the move
was better from a convenience point of view,
even though the facilities were somewhat
289
But after the poor manner in which the
committee had handled the production of the
book, I decided not to attend the Gang Show
reunion dinner which I am sure was a great
success and I was the loser. It has not been
convenient to attend any Gang Show in the past
few years but I am sure its success continues to
lie in the good hands of Rob and Jon and their
teams.
similar. I had lost my car park in the city for
one thing!
Anniversary Gang Show
This took place in June with the final night on
Saturday, 29th. I was given the opportunity to
meet Betty Stewart at the home where she was
staying while down from the north. She was the
sort of person I expected to meet – genuine and
a person with an eye for talent, ability and
enthusiasm.
Government House
Two days before my last day at the Barry Street
headquarters, I attended the presentation of
Queen Scout certificates by the Governor. Once
again, the ceremony had to be switched indoors
into the ballroom but this time the authorities
were ready for the switch. Unfortunately the
number of venturers receiving this high award
has declined in proportion to the drop in
numbers overall in the movement. Only a few
years previously there was a need to have two
presentations a year. The scout and guide
associations cooperate in the annual award day.
Later that night I attended the anniversary Gang
Show. From the moment I entered the foyer of
the Bessen Theatre I was made a fuss of. I was
the guest of the Chief Commissioner and was
led to my seat. The first half was a musical on
the theme of Hansel and Gretel, while the
second half was traditional Gang Show. I was
rather pleased to see that some of the photos that
I had emailed to the producers had been used in
the slide show part.
After the show there was supper and I was led
backstage to meet the cast. I was taken by
surprise when Rob Motton invited me to speak
to the cast. I have rarely been lost for words but
Some of the local Queen’s Scouts whose badge
presentations I had attended included: Michael
Proctor, Matthew Boustead, Cameron Newell
and Mark Jellis.
I was not really ready for this one. But I spotted
a Braemar College boy, Alistair Frearson of 1st
Gisborne, and also some others from the same
group. I gave them a special mention.
290
Australia
From open country wide,
From rugged mountain-side,
Sing we a song of our native land;
From crowded city street;
From stately forest deep,
Sing of our native land
To you, Australia, we pledge ourselves a-new,
Ever in your service to work our whole lives
through,
To you Australia, land that shall ever be
Home for all men to live in liberty.
So shall our anthems rise
Upwards, to summer skies,
And spread their message from shore to shore;
Till all the world shall see
Why we are proud to be,
Each one, ever Australia’s son,
Great land we love
Ken Bayly
291
Chapter 59
An “elder statesman” and “Fifty years of
training in 45-minutes”!
Fifty years of training in 45-minutes
As I was getting close to being 68, I wondered
what my future in scouting would be.
However, Wayne Myers, now the branch
commissioner for training asked me and several
others, such as Lillian Beard, to continue as
members of the training team (and honorary
commissioners) with the unofficial title of being
an “elder statesmen164.”
I was the pre-dinner speaker at the 2003 training
team weekend and followed John Glover who
presented a masterly presentation on “Anger
Management.” I did not see that my talk had to
be serious. I even dressed for the part, wearing
shorts and garter tabs that Lillian Beard kindly
got from Heritage.
I read from large print sheets and someone
operated the overhead projector which had
images of what the scout uniform was (and
perhaps should still be!). I had also produced
photos from the Gilwell book so that everyone
could understand phrases such as “The Council
Rock” and “The Somers Gate.”
Strangely enough, the Citizen Military Force
(now the Army Reserve) had dubbed several of
us senior but retired officers as “tribal elders.”
There was a view apparently that we had a
history of experiences that we could share with
the younger and current members to their
benefit. The degree to which the army used us
was dependent on the attitude of the
commanding officer, but the scout approach
legitimised my future attendance without
question at training team functions.
I had warned those present that if they were not
laughing within ten minutes I would stop but I
had a task to stop them laughing me away from
what I was trying to say. I think we all enjoyed
it, but I only got half-way through the
presentation. How would I be able to persuade
Wayne to let me have another slot twelve
months later!
But one thing I did draw the line at and that was
to acquire the contemporary uniform. At first
the changes were negligible, namely a collar to
the shirt and consistent wearing of long trousers,
but this would change with a dramatic review of
the uniform a few years later.
Wayne then presented my certificate and I think
the silver wood badge beads, which meant that I
had moved from the “active” to the “inactive”
side of scouting as both an honorary
commissioner and an “elder statesman”
I attended the August training day and rather
surprised Wayne Myers as he had my 50-year
long service badge and certificate at home,
believing I was an apology. I did not think I
was eligible until August but I had been credited
back to the date I donned uniform in February,
1952.
I suggested to Wayne that at the forthcoming
conference in February I might take a session on
my fifty years of being trained and training.
This was accepted, as was an article for the
monthly “Australian Scout” on the same topic.
164
Wayne Myers presents Graham Farley with his miniature
silver wood badge beads and dubs him an “elder
statesman”!
I also used the words, “Tribal Elder”!
292
Around the room were the proposed mock-up
uniforms for each section as the changes were
being canvassed nation-wide. I, the
traditionalist, saw no reason to change from the
spirit of B-P’s South African police uniform but
there were those who felt the “military” uniform
was holding back membership. One of the
poorest aspects of the exercise was that on the
referendum sheet, there was nowhere for the
current uniform to be ticked as still the most
appropriate.
East Tarago Senior Scouts on board a sea-going yacht on
their annual expedition 1967, when I was in the UK.
Graham Dorling (dark brown shirt) was the leader on the
day
293
Some years later at another training weekend I
got a clearer understanding of the differences in
approach of the Joey leaders to that of the older
sections. I still think the Joey leaders were very
thin-skinned but they probably thought I was
rude and indelicate! We have since made up!
Chapter 60
Gilwell Reunion, Lodge night, and Ken
Brewster’s memorial service
Gilwell Reunion
A number of the training team who had resigned
were farewelled at the same dinner.
It is just as well I keep a fairly accurate diary or
I would refer to matters that did not take place at
the 2004 Gilwell Reunion. I felt that I would
like to attend one, having had such a close
association prior to marriage. Shirley and I had
a day in effect in the country, having a picnic
lunch at the park in Gembrook.
B-P Lodge uniform night
Barry Marshall was then living in South
Gisborne. I agreed to go to the meeting out at
Glen Waverley if Barry drove. I did not think
my uniform was suitable, even though it was the
annual “uniform night.” I wore black tie. In the
event, my uniform would have been seen to be
very up to date when compared with some of the
outfits that were worn.
There were no grounds for ladies to be
excluded, although the craft is a male-only
activity. There was no Masonic meeting or
secrets revealed as such. I presume the
presentation of the annual rover award was
made, although I made no reference to it.
Gilwell Reunion 1968
I was able to attend the annual meeting of the
reunion, although I am sure that I was always
welcome at any of the events. These still
included a social dance and a working bee. One
of the traditional events at the AGM was for
leaders to stand and sit as the years are counted
back to when they did their wood badge. I
thought I might have a strong chance to be “the
last man standing,” but “Mac” Stidston still
stood after I sat down, he having completed his
course before World War II.
In the South there was a sing song with the
meal. Strings of scout scarves decorated the
ceiling. I think there was also a special badge
and memento menu. Being at that distance from
Macedon, it was quite a late night before I was
home.
Queen’s Scout
Alistair Frearson received his Queen’s Scout
badge at the 1st Gisborne Scout Hall, but many
speakers were drowned out by the rain on the
roof. But Alistair, who had done a lot of acting
and had been in the Gang Show, demonstrated
how to pitch his voice and be clearly heard over
the very loud pitter-patter above us.
Training weekend, 2004
I offered the second half of my 2003
presentation but as an after-dinner offering.
However, I managed to upset the Joey section. I
must have made some comment about their role
being to produce a waiting list for the cub
section, something that the cub section did for
scouts prior to the introduction of the six-toeight age group.
294
Ken Brewster’s memorial service
A well attended memorial service at the Uniting
Church where he had led the very successful
10th Malvern Group was held for Ken, whose
life had drawn to a close. James Jacoby, onetime DC for Malvern, gave the eulogy on behalf
of us all. Ken had previously made sure that I
had an accurate account of his life both in the
State Electricity Commission and in Scouting,
but the family asked for just the one speaker and
James did it in style.
Ken Brewster
295
of this one was the Jindalee Jamboree in
Brisbane at the end of 1967. But I still had forty
years of scouting left to describe.
Chapter 61
I write for the “Australian Scout”
With the appointment of the new Chief
Commissioner, Bob Taylor, there was also a
significant change to the magazine. The
committee’s membership was varied and the
new policy was not to look back but to look
forward. My articles, whether read or not, were
put in the first category. However, the
committee also proposed that if I finished the
articles and they were accepted in that form,
then CD’s would be offered through the
magazine. Kingsley Davis was the committee
member to liaise with me on this offer.
I had for some years been writing four-page
articles about my citizen army experiences for a
quarterly “in-house” artillery magazine. I now
offered to do something similar for the scout
magazine. Dian Sheedy, who edited the
magazine as the full-time employee, accepted
the idea and suggested that they be bi-monthly.
(This of course is the origin of this CD.)
I now had to put together from my early diaries
my thoughts and memories of my scouting days
from the time that I became an “assistant
scoutmaster” in February, 1952. The seeds for
my membership had been sown several years
earlier by a perceptive “group scoutmaster.”
The 101 committee
A group of “nameless” leaders now put out 101
recommendations to reform the movement.
Rather than maintain the federal system under
which the movement was run, the group
considered that administration should be
centralised. The committee was also concerned
with the degree of repetition at the various
levels and recommended that either “region” or
“district” be abolished.
Dian Sheedy presumed that there would be
pictorial support to my articles but my store of
photographs was limited until I got a 35-mm
camera in 1963. Prior to that it had been a
“bellows” Kodak 127 and then a “Box
Brownie.” These cameras were limited to eight
exposures to a film. Neither had focusing lens
equipment. It was “point and shoot” and make
sure that the subject was far away enough not to
be blurred.
To the extent that the recommendations in many
cases did away with the very appointments of
those who would implement them tended to lead
to the recommendations being quietly moved to
one side. David Jefferson, as editor of
“Australian Scout,” gave the recommendations
space and support. Little has come of them and
probably the emphasis is now on the Committee
for the Far Future which in August, 2010, had
already started to report back to the movement
through the pages of the magazine.
I wrote the first drafts. I had found with the
army articles that I would rarely use the first
draft in the final offer. I would almost re-write
it. I then had to put it to one side for a day or
two and come back to it, meticulously checking
spelling and grammar. It would then be sent by
email or CD to Dian and I would wait to see
whether it passed the editorial board and was
published. Now sixty-one chapters later I am
beginning to realise what a long scouting life I
have had and enjoyed.
Invitations
On Sunday, 11th September, Shirley and I in the
course of an afternoon drive called in at the
course that Pat and Cliff Dent were conducting
at the “Pax Hill” camp near Ballarat. I
introduced myself as the chap who wrote the
The first chapter was printed in the April, 2005,
copy. In due course the articles started to
appear approximately every other month, but
sometimes if Dian was short of material, they
appeared monthly. The last chapter appeared in
April, 2009, the thirtieth to do so. The subject
296
articles. As a result many of those present knew
who I was.
all of our camps and ventures and at a very
competitive price.
Then just before Christmas Shirley and I
accepted the invitation to attend the Christmas
function at the new branch headquarters. There
were addresses by the Chief Commissioner and
members of the Branch Executive and every
opportunity to “network” and liaise.
Robert was always full of tricks. On one train
trip as I went to sit down, he slid my scouter’s
hat under me! I was not amused, but everyone
else seemed to be. 6th St. Kilda was a church
group and had been established in place of the
traditional Anglican church’s Church of
England Boys’ Society.
At the 2006 training conference, Cameron
Glover, son of John Glover, took the morning
session and did it with verve. I was given a slot
after dinner to add some more observations
about leader training. I had plenty of aids with
me, such as my own training handbooks in
which I had dutifully drawn my daily sketch. I
knew that I had the attention of training team
members present, but would have probably
preferred the hilarity of a year or two back. One
can be too serious at times.
I have rarely seen a group of boys take to
scouting as that lot did. Investitures could be
very emotional with the darkened church, the
light of candles on the altar and the consecrated
troop flag upon which they made their promise.
Having fallen “in love” with scouting at the age
of 18, I could understand how these lads felt.
The group soon had a thriving cub pack and
there was a wonderful spirit amongst everyone
concerned.
Trish Myers
A week later, I drove to Drysdale to attend the
funeral of Trish Myers, Wayne’s wife. For
years Trish had had bad health, but now her
body had finally succumbed although her spirit
had remained strong. Like so many funerals,
one learnt things that one would have benefited
from if known earlier and one also caught up
with a lot of friends that one had not seen for
some time.
A face from the past
Watching the news one night I suddenly realised
that the person on the screen, the CEO of
Timbercorp, was named as Robert Hance. And
what was more he looked like the Robert Hance
I invested in the 6th St. Kilda scout troop back in
1955165.
Robert was the younger brother to John. Their
father conducted a grocery in the old style years
before supermarkets changed retailing of foods
forever. Mr. Hance provided the foodstuffs for
165
See Chapter 3
297
conditioning not working. But I was grateful for
the companionship and the lift.
Chapter 62
The weather that day was a cold north wind! I
provided morning tea and north of Bendigo we
were glad of this but we had to battle the
elements. In due course we arrived and I
reported to the B-P stadium or marquee. Wisely
the organisers had erected large “canvas”
(especially strong plastic material) with
aluminium or metal frames.
The Elmore Jamboree and the anniversary
city parade
Australia hosted a jamboree to coincide with the
hundredth anniversary of the birth of Scouting,
which can be placed legitimately in both 1907
and 1908, depending on the legalistic approach
to its constitutional beginning.
I enjoyed morning tea at the jamboree on
arrival. Shirley Bean briefed me on what she
wanted to happen. In due course we gathered
for the lunch and I did my bit. I then sat at the
same table as Sally and John Ravenhall and
their daughter, Clare, now a doctor.
The jamboree was held at Elmore. Elmore was
a farming community on the highway between
Bendigo and Echuca. Farming field days were
held there and consequently there was quite a bit
of infrastructure in place such as toilets and
showers. This had helped to sway the decision
in its favour.
After lunch, we were put into groups for a
guided tour of the site. I got as far as the
Kaleidoscope where Pat and Cliff Dent, with
other venturer leaders, were giving scouts a taste
of what they could expect in the Venturer
section.
But the countryside was flat and the campsite
was “gridded” with its roads. In winter no
doubt the grass was green and if it was a fine
day with no wind, the site would have looked
more attractive than it was to look during a dry
summer on a very windy day.
I went for my own walk around the jamboree
site, enjoying some hospitality and also
admiring the work that Lillian Beard and her
team had put into the Heritage section, where BP’s life, uniform and decorations were featured,
as were a range of scout and guide uniforms on
mannequins.
The jamboree was oversubscribed. Its program
was to include bus trips to the various facilities
around, whether towns such as Bendigo and
Echuca or opportunities to sail on the River
Murray and the like. The camp fee, which was
in the vicinity of a thousand dollars, covered all
expenses. I could not help feeling that even in
1952’s money value I did not pay anything like
the 2007 sum to attend that jamboree.
It was then time to find the rest of the car party
and depart but not before walking amongst the
many “scouts” returning from their buses and
day activities. They were nearly all dressed in
their jamboree light blue gear but the wonderful
thing about them was that they all displayed
smiles and thorough enjoyment.
The Elmore jamboree organising team went to a
lot of trouble to invite honorary and past leaders
on Saturday, 6th January. Further, Shirley Bean,
was in touch with me to ask whether I would
say grace before the luncheon.
Meanwhile we had spent a day in the cold north
wind walking amongst dead brown grass and the
gridded dirt roads, many of which still showed
the effects of showers from previous days. The
site bore no resemblance to the Dandenong
jamboree of 1964/5 with its rolling greengrassed hills.
I managed to get a place in the car that Barry
Marshall was travelling in but the weakness of
this was that I was in the centre in the back,
sitting on a ridge, trying to find the seat belt and
having my knees up under my chin. The lack of
comfort was compounded by the air
298
Gilwell Reunion, 2007
At Parliament House this scene of uniformed
members was recorded on film and the like and
became quite memorable. By then “scouts”
were wearing shirts with sleeves the colour of
their section. Leaders were in blue. I still wore
my very much “out of date” uniform, but I was
not alone in this.
For the second year I listed the reunion in my
diary, but this time picked up Barry Marshall on
my way. Apart from attracting the attention of
an over-eager puppy at our refreshment stop, we
made good time and got there for lunch.
At the AGM I was still not the oldest to have
obtained a wood badge. John Noke, warden of
Gilwell, had the audacity to be present, having
got his beads in 1940! One day the honour may
come! We drove home safely.
Training weekend
I again managed to get on the speaker’s list and
I was to be given a slot after dessert at the
evening’s dinner. During the afternoon, Gary
Durant, OAM, gave a stimulating talk on the
activities side of the movement. In the predinner drink period, I endeavoured to make
peace with the Joey section leaders whom I had
“offended” (in their opinion) a year or so back.
State Parliament and the City of Melbourne had
combined to help stage this event and the
gathering was addressed by key
parliamentarians and later by the Lord Mayor.
In due course, the dessert was served and I was
given my opportunity. Perhaps many had heard
my thoughts on the history of training before but
there were still valuable aspects to be presented.
Leaders were still not completing their training
within the required time if at all. Perhaps
“history” might give a few pointers as to why.
In nearby Fitzroy Gardens, there were special
displays and entertainment for those present.
Food was also available. The queue for people
to walk across the “monkey bridge” was too
long to spot the end. It was a great day and the
idea was an inspiring one.
City parade
Lodge night again
Perhaps it was not listed as a march as such, but
a gathering of all sections of the movement with
view to moving up Bourke Street and
congregate on and at the foot of the steps of
Parliament House was arranged. I went into the
city by train, finding other uniformed members
on the same train.
I drove to Footscray and Barry Marshall drove
from there on. We arrived in plenty of time and
this year I wore my old uniform – but there were
older ones there – impossible one might say!
Joan and Russell Brad introduced me to two
leaders who had been virtually the last leaders
of 6th St. Kilda, the group that I had helped to
start in 1955. They shared with me some of the
factors that led to its demise.
In Swanston Street I joined up with Pat and
Cliff Dent amongst others, and moved off when
the procession began. The movement’s
members virtually filled the width of Bourke
Street and with the new colourful uniforms this
made quite a sight.
Once again the committee failed to appreciate
the distance that some visitors may have
travelled and the evening showed no signs of
finishing when Barry and I excused ourselves.
299
It can take anything up to ninety minutes to get
home – much the same time as it does from the
new headquarters near by.
directory of all the groups and districts in those
years.
In the event, I struck the right chord and
introduced some levity into the evening. I was
surprised that there were hardly any leaders
from “my era,” but of course that was forty
years earlier. It is also questionable as to how
much “history” people want to absorb – the
present presents enough challenges. But then
history was my second method in teaching and
it was the history of Britain when I visited there
in 1951 that was one of the key factors in
attracting me to my vocation.
Apart from attending part of the Saturday for the
training team weekend and also the uniform
night at the lodge, 2008 was not a “scouty” year
for me, but my articles continued to appear in
“The Australian Scout” so I kept in touch that
way. I did get to the end of year Christmas HQ
function, Bruce and Marsha Ellis kindly
providing transport. As Bruce was assistant to
Cliff Dent, now Branch Commissioner for
Venturers, there was a “working dinner” at a
Chinese restaurant after the socialising at BHQ.
Brian Geary uses an email program that makes
it appear that the recipient is receiving a
personal email from him. I know how it is
done, as I use the system in hotmail in
particular. Whether he really wanted me to
attend the Personal Leader Trainer day at 1st
Ringwood I will never know, but I drove there.
I would have used the train but it involved quite
a walk. Brian had attracted some three hundred
active “scout” leaders and we all received the
excellent program, including meals and
refreshments.
Despite having been to Scotland for ten weeks
to welcome my first grandson, I was passing
through a period of insecurity. I found that I
needed a mobile phone to keep in touch with
wife and medical resources. I had had my
pacemaker fitted for some time before going
overseas and for some reason I began to doubt
its efficacy. I do not wish to experience
anything like this period of anxiety in my life
again. The medical solution was that I needed
to be on fluid tablets!
The bushfires of 8th February, 2009, and the
dreadful loss of life, led Brian Geary, the branch
training commissioner to move the training
weekend from Gilwell to a safer location. I did
not attend it or the lodge uniform night.
Geelong anniversary dinner
The “Australian Scout” magazine changed its
committee and policy during the course of the
year. It had been flagged at the end of 2008 that
this would happen. It was hoped that the
magazine would go to all youth members as
well. About the only way to guarantee this was
to post it to the addressee, but that can be
expensive. The pages of the new style were
more colourful and full of photographs of scoot
activities and “scouts” being active. But, as I
have said, my articles were suspended with a
view to them being available on CD in due
course.
On Friday, 7th August, 2009, I was the guest or
“after dinner” speaker at Geelong’s anniversary
function. I gathered that Wayne Gunn, the
Region Commissioner, hoped that I could retell
some of the history of the region. This I could
in detail for the period 1967 – 1974 as I found
that I had kept some key documents, such as a
At the end of year Christmas drinks at BHQ,
Bob Taylor, CC, strongly explained the changes
that would occur in the regions in 2010 with the
districts becoming larger entities, closer to the
former areas or regions. Bob also continued to
emphasise the movement’s slow improvement
in enrolments. Such figures can easily hide the
I found myself as an Honorary Commissioner
on the distribution list for the monthly email that
came from BHQ. This email was always
packed with news and events. Who ever
introduced it had a winner.
300
loss rate. I found myself at the same Chinese
restaurant with the Ellis and Dent adults but this
time there was no business meeting for the
Venturer section.
I attended the 2010 training team weekend for
the time that I could spare. I missed Cliff
Dent’s elevation to be a Leader Trainer at the
flag break ceremony. On the Sunday morning,
Bob Browne, now Branch Commissioner for
Faith, presented a first class summary of how
Scouting should approach its Duty to God.
In my opinion, Australian Scouting had never
been comfortable in how it presented and
followed through on this subject, being wary of
offence to the point where prayers and Scouts
Owns often lacked any substance. Bob showed
us all “the way ahead” in a very confident
manner.
301
together took place on Sunday, 10th October,
2010 – known by some as “the tenth of the tenth
of the tenth”!
Chapter 63
The Committee for the Far Future
I had read about this committee being
established by Bob Taylor with Margaret
Tremewan as its chair. At the training
conference, Kinglsey Davis had a copy of one of
the first documents to come from it. I was able
to obtain one from David Hunt, who, with
Lachlan Shields, had analysed and presented a
statistical summary of where the movement was
now at and where it had been.
I was due to attend and got as far as Southern
Cross railway station in Melbourne only to find
out that engineering works on the line meant
that road coaches had been contracted in lieu.
Having used such a conveyance to get to
Warragul I knew it would add about an hour to
the timetable and by then my presence would be
almost too late. I phoned Jenny with my
apologies.
I gathered that the aim set for the committee was
to maximise conditions whereby the movement
could expand back at least to its peak enrolment
but at the very least enable youth members to
have access to a geographically convenient
scout group.
I have been assured that the function was a great
success. This story of mine could not be much
more up to date as a consequence. And then I
heard from Ron Brooks, one of the first Queen
Scouts at Warragul in 1964, who is in Victoria,
and wishes to catch up with me. I think it will
only end with death!
An article in the monthly magazine also set out
the preliminary results of the geographical
study, listing those municipal areas where scout
groups needed to be either established or reestablished. It reminded me of similar
undertakings by the Anglican Church and the
Masonic organisation.
Conclusion
I have come to the chronological end or point in
my scouting life story, with little else to do but
keep in contact and give every support that I can
to the movement’s future development.
Inevitably this will be with a strong streak of
nostalgia but it is to be hoped that I too can look
forward to the “far future.”
The beauty of the committee was that there is
now a group to which ideas can be fed and
where they can be reviewed without emotion
and with some expectation of having branch
back up in their possible implementation.
The next and last chapter deals with some
observations from my sixty years membership
with the hope that I can be objective and not live
too much in the past.
I have had the privilege of having had two
meetings with David and one with Lachlan,
where I endeavoured to present my thoughts
based on nearly sixty years of membership.
When I became a scouter, the Boy Scouts
Association was not yet fifty years old. It has
now had its 100th anniversary!
Stop Press. Joan Brad has succeeded Brian
Geary as Branch Commissioner for Adult
Leader Training and Development. Training
will now be “Ace”!
The ETSST and ETVU “guys” from Warragul
are planning their 50th reunion on 16th March,
2013, the very day of the month that the troop
started in 1963 at Crossover!
B-P Revue Reunion
Jenny and Don Leeson organised a reunion of
the producers, casts and “back room” personnel
who had been associated with the B-P revues
that started with the one in 1965. This get
302
first hip hole! I found out what a “La la” was. I
found I could boil water over a fire of sticks.
But it rained on the last two days. I could not
see how the canvas fly could keep out the water,
but it did.
Chapter 64
My Scout membership in review: 1952 to
2010
I have thoroughly enjoyed my sixty years,
which I have found to be richly rewarding and at
the same time, wonderful fun.
It is not everyone that is given the sacred
opportunity of moulding youth, but I have had it
both in my professional career in education and
in one of two main spare-time activities, that of
Scouting.
Like the apocryphal story of the blind-folded
person trying to describe what he felt when he
was put alongside an elephant, Scouting has so
many features that perhaps no two of its
members could have the same impressions and
experiences.
I was eighteen when the group leader of the
sponsored group at the school where I had just
completed Year 12, Mr. Gerald T. “Beelus”
McNamara, invited me to consider being a
leader. I thought that this would keep me in
touch with “my old school.” I guess that I was
rather pleased to be wanted. I was also at a
point in life where I had no other commitments
or had even commenced my career.
The Lochan, Gilwell Park, Gembrook, Victoria
By then, I was “hooked” on Scouting. It was
only later that I grasped the nature of it all – its
sound moral basis of the Law and Promise, its
sensible organisation with its sections, groups,
districts, areas and the like, and its excellent
open-air program of self-sufficiency and “being
prepared.”
I was lent a copy of Baden-Powell’s “Scouting
for Boys.” Why did I open first the chapter on
knots. I found myself with twine and broom
sticks successfully executing clove hitches,
sheet bends and bowlines. These knots worked!
I wondered why we wore shorts and shortsleeved shirts, yet met at night in most cases. I
shivered on too many occasions that first year,
until I found ways of keeping warm. The
request, “jumpers off,” seemed to fly in the face
of reason. Why not have all the badges sewn on
to the jumper rather than the shirt?
At the first scout meeting, I admired the scout
leader, Les Picken, for his knowledge and
confidence. The troop members did not reject
me, although I knew it would be a different type
of leadership than that of being a prefect in a
school where attendance was obligatory.
Scouts, being members of a voluntary body,
need to be wooed by example.
Other aspects of my new found hobby included
the educational badge work, hiking, maps and
compass, together with the whole range of
choral activity through campfires and shows like
The Gang Show.
I had never camped under canvas and that first
Easter at Gilwell was an eye-opener. I dug my
These newly learnt scouting skills came in very
handy when in 1954 I found myself called-up
303
existence of “multi-gods.” The Jewish,
Christian and Islamic religions emphasise the
unity of God. The Laws have been changed but
is it really any better? The corny “brother to
every other scout,” has gone but the old tenth
one has no current mention166.
for three months National Service at
Puckapunyal, where mapping, looking after
oneself, knotting and camping all came just at
the right time to make my life more comfortable
and easier.
At the end of 1952 Les Picken announced that
he was being transferred to Adelaide. Guess
upon whose shoulders fell the scout leader’s
role? I had avidly read any scouting books that
I could find, such as the “Gilcraft” series. I was
in my first year as a teacher in training.
Planning scout programs kept me awake in
many a boring university lecture, but I might
have done better in the examinations if I had
paid more attention to the person at the lectern.
It was inevitable, considering the times that the
movement was founded, that we would be
hierarchical in organisation. This reflected the
ranks of the services and the general nature of
organisations, such as the main stream churches
with archbishops and or a pope. There are now
significant attempts to review this authority
structure. Flatter structures are more the vogue.
I was not at first convinced that there were any
great benefits from introducing the Joey section,
although I have now been converted on this
point in view of the very different approach to
the training of these younger youth members
that their leaders demonstrate.
I do not believe that the case to introduce girls
was ever presented against an academic or
psychological background. I admit that I have
never led a scout section that included girls, but
I have spent forty years of my life associated
with schools that had both boys and girls as
students.
A training leader leads a session at the campfire circle
I must not repeat what is already in the
foregoing chapters, but rather look back on
some aspects that could have been different.
The term “co-education” has been
misunderstood. When the school Huntingtower
was established in the thirties its headmaster,
Boyd Coutts, affirmed that nothing meaningful
could be learnt unless both genders were present
in the process of learning/teaching.
I have already referred to a uniform that seemed
to ignore the time of day when meetings were
generally called and that when the activity was
in day light, it was almost certain that the last
gear to be worn was that of the scout uniform.
What we needed was both an activity outfit and
a warm formal dress one. Perhaps the current
one meets those criteria to some extent.
All too often, schools have claimed with some
virtue that they are “co-educational,” when it
has been a matter of economics to build one
school not two. If there had been any real faith
in the concept by the Education Department of
Victoria, then why have Melbourne (boys)
High, Mr. G and MacRobertson (girls) remained
single-sex schools and most of the schools I
All too often, the “powers that be” have made
changes that might have been “PC” but really
have never led to a rush of enrolments. The
Promise has been changed to use the term ‘my
God,” which concerns me as it implies the
166
304
A Scout is clean in thought, word and deed
taught in until 1970 had separate playgrounds
for boys and girls?
placed in a log of wood. Campfires developed a
whole apparatus of campfire blankets, opening
and closing ceremonies and ways to lay and
light the fire
As a headmaster of some twenty-one years of an
independent school, I could not fail to notice
that girls matured faster in the middle-school
years, did better at studies and also had the
undesirable effect of discoursing boys to try
both in studies and subjects like drama, music
and choir.
The movement must get away from the idea that
there is promotion and ranks. The most positive
approach to instil is that we serve in the role to
which we are best suited. Unfortunately, some
people have to be branch commissioners! But
these people should “serve” the real leaders –
the section leaders. All too often, the
outstanding scout troop leader finds himself in a
district role and suddenly divorced from what he
or she does best, that is working directly with
youth.
Another matter that concerns me is the reduction
of “risk” in our activities. This is not a request
for irresponsible leadership and wanton
disregard for basic matters of safety. The
movement “trusted me” from the age of 19 to
erect monkey and commando bridges and
“flying foxes.” That trust meant that I had to be
responsible. My reading of the current Leader
Manual would suggest that it would be desirable
to have a diploma of engineering to build a
flying fox. Humans are very resilient and most
(at the Venturer level) have a clear idea of what
they are capable. Perhaps Joeys, Cubs and
Scouts should not have flying foxes on their
agenda!
The Hoadley Hall training ground facility
But the decision was taken, and there is no
going back, but I believe if I had been a leader
in a group with boy and girls membership then I
would have had single-sex patrols and even
single-sex troops! Yes, I know there are “tomboy girls” and “effeminate boys,” but, as they
say, one swallow does not make a summer!
Because I was active both in Scouting and the
Citizen Military Force, it always amused me
that I seemed to be always paying out for the
former and being paid for my time by the latter.
The trouble came when both activities clashed
on the same weekend!
Back in 1952 any self-respecting Scout would
never have dreamed of going into camp without
a sheath knife (shades of Paul Hogan in New
York in the film, “Crocodile Dundee”) strapped
to his belt. Similarly, Scouts aiming for their
First Class badge were required to ‘cut down’ a
tree. Scouts on their overnight hike were
expected to catch, skin and cook a rabbit.
Obviously few did.
I have written the word, “woodsmoke,” in my
notes. There was always a lot of this in
Scouting. I am not sure how much there is
today. In the same way that there is ritual in
church and Masonic matters, so has Scouting
developed its own. One “crossed the Rubicon”
before commencing a woodbadge training
course. Now you get yourself a cup of tea!
Gilwell was always represented with an axe
I am sure other thoughts will come to me, but
Scouting has been and still is a “Great Game.”
Graham Farley, LT ©
Macedon, Victoria
February, 2012
305
Chapter 65
A biographical note
Graham Farley was born on 14th June, 1933 in
England. He came to Australia in 1937, the
family settling down in Glen Iris. He attended
Malvern Grammar School, now affiliated with
Caulfield Grammar School. Following a trip to
the UK in 1951, he was enticed to become an
“assistant scoutmaster” with his old school
group. About the same time he opted for a
career as a teacher, commencing a commerce
university course with the Education
Department of Victoria.
By the Blazing Council Firelight and Prayer
Tune: ‘Till we meet again
By the blazing council firelight
We have met in fellowship tonight
Round about the whispering trees
Guard our golden memories.
And so before we close our eyes in sleep
Let us pledge each other that we’ll keep
Scouting friendships strong and deep
‘Till we meet again
As Graham changed schools, which was the
pattern for promotion in those days, he kept up
his Scouting interest, as well as his membership
of the Citizen Military Force, often in
partnership! He retired in the rank of colonel.
Having been principal of Birchip High School,
he accepted the foundation headmastership of
Braemar College at Woodend, from which he
retired 21 years later in 1996.
Hum while prayer is said
Prayer
We thank Thee for Thy blessings in creation, for
the beauty of the earth, the sea, and the sky; for
the happiness of our lives, for the peaceful
homes and healthful days; for our powers of
mind and body; for faithful friends; for the joy
of loving and being loved.
Graham married Shirley n 1971, and their son,
Roger, was born in 1973. Shirley and Graham
live in Macedon on five acres – a piece of turf
that keeps them busy, when they are not
involved with their Church and other “good
turns.”
And so before we close our eyes in sleep
Let us pledge each other that we’ll keep
Scouting friendships strong and deep
‘Till we meet again
The list below shows the various warrants
(certificates of leadership) that he held. He is
currently an Honorary Commissioner and still
on the training team.
Source: Australian Scout Song Book
306
Chapter 66
The Scouting Day
(Tune - Perfect Day)
Warrants held in Scouting
Years and dates approximate
From Appointment167
1952
ASM
1953
SM
1955
SM
1956
SM
1958
DSM
1959
RSL
1962
GSM
1963
SSL
1966
SSL
1967
AAC (Training)
DSSL
HQ Asst. Trg Cmr
1974
Honorary Commissioner
ADC (Training)
1983
Asst. Br. Cmr. Training
Dev, BHQ
When you come to the end of a Scouting day
And you sit in the campfire light;
And the sky has turned from blue to grey,
With the shades of the coming night;
Do you think what the end of a good Scouting
day
th
15 Malvern
Can mean in a real boy’s life,
When the bugle blows and the flag comes down
And there’s peace in this world of strife?
6th St.
Well,
Kilda
this is the end of a ScoutingEnd
day,1955
Near the end of our journey, too,
And theNorth
days that are gone cannot be recalled
1st Mirboo
What have they meant to you?
Tarwin
For we’ve
Districtshared the same tent and
End
side
1958
by side
The hills of the old world trod,
6th St.
In the
sun and rain we’ve done our best
Kilda
And we’re closer grown to God
End 1962
Postscript
1st Warragul
End 1965
It is nearly sixty years since I “married”
Scouting.
8th Cheam,
UKAs explained in the first chapter, I
had been approached and encouraged by the
th
leaders of 15Area
Malvern to attend their end-ofGeelong-Nauru
year campfire “break-ups.” Maybe I initially
Barwon
became
District
interested for the wrong reason – it
could be a means to keep in touch with the
school that I had attended for twelve
BHQ
Endyears.
1983
BHQ
On Wednesday, 13th February, 1952, Gerald
McNamara, Jnr, came to our home for a meal
Karawith
Kara
a copy
District
of Scouting for Boys for
Endme.
1975
The next day I was trying out my skills tying
knots, but using broom handles and string! I
BHQ
attended my first scout meeting the
End
next
1984
night.
By the 3rd March I was in uniform. I had my
first weekend camp at Gilwell on 29/30th March.
I camped at Gilwell that Easter. I did my
Explanatory (Basics) course on 24th May.
Ass Trg Cmr, BHQ
Truly, I had been sold on Scouting and have
never regretted it.
167
Most of these appointments now have modern titles,
such as in order, ASL, SL, DL(Scouts), Rover Advisor,
GL, AAC, ARG, DL (Venturers), ATC, LT, ADC, ABC,
ATC.
307
Anglesea River, 210
Anglican Church, 174, 186, 215, 252, 288, 297, 302
Animism, 264
Annual General Meetings, (AGM), 63, 147, 191, 215,
224, 235, 254, 258, 294, 299
Ansett—ANA, 106
Antarctica, 147
Antonis, Christine, 265
“Aquacat,” 195
Ararat, 226
Area Commissioner, 138, 170, 203, 244
Area Training Panel, 160, 188
Areas, 176
Armoured Personnel Carrier, (APC), 197
Armstrong 500, 69, 190
Armstrong, Barry, 261
Armstrong, Bruce, 103
Armstrong, David and Noelle, 262
Armstrong, Tom, 190
Army Armoured Museum, 196
Army Reserve, See CMF
Arundel, UK, 133
Assessors, 36, 54, 70ff, 81
Assistant Area Commissioner for Training, 137
Assistant Branch Commissioner for Training
Development (ABC-TD), 252
Assistant Deputy Camp Chief (ADCC), 137, 148
Assistant District Commissioner (ADC), 152
Assistant District Commissioner for Training, 160, 188,
204, 220
Assistant Leader Trainer, (ALT), 270, 283
Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM), 14, 199, 296, 306
Assistant Senior Scout Leader (ASSL), 138
Atkinson, Tommy, 55
Audio-visuals, 170
Austin, Peter, 38
Austin van &c, 40, 45ff, 57, 63, 67, 76, 79, 81, 83, 91ff,
99, 106, 109, 136, 149, 164, 182ff, 255
Australia, 252, 298, 306
Australia, (Ken Bayly), 291
Australia Day Weekend, 41, 53, 59, 158, 243
Australian Boy Scouts Association (ABSA), 17, 174ff,
302
Australian Boy Scouts Song Book, The, 62
Australian Paper Mills &c, 29
Australian Scout, 16, 18, 292, 296
Australian Scout Handbook, 216
Australian War Memorial, 76
Austria, 122
Avonsleigh, 43
Axedale forest, 157ff
Axedale Hoadley Hide
B-P House, London, 220
B-P Revues, 31, 101ff, 109, 171ff, 186, 189, 250, 255,
302
B-P’s program and aims, 41, 43, 130, 174ff, 199ff
Bacchus Marsh, 152, 191
Back, John, 247
Back to Gilwell, 129
Index
(Note: Some topics are so similar, such as “church,”
“worship” and “Scouts Owns,” that I have put the
reference against one or more of them. Similarly, as I
spent 1966 in the United Kingdom, I have added the
capitals, “UK,” where I think the person or place needs
explanation.)
Abbott, Graham, 38,
Abinger Hammer, UK, 114
Abrecht, Ken, 88, 91ff, 95, 97, 109, 133, 136, 141ff,
152ff, 166, 171, 189ff, 204, 255, 275
ABT narrow gauge railway, 39
Achievement badges, 200, 303
Accolade, 257
‘Actiomatics,’ 178
Activity camps, 178
Adams, Bruce, 52
Adams, Ian, 64
Adams, Len, 190
Adelaide, 304
Advance Party Report ,(APR), UK, 128, 132ff, 174ff,
198ff
Afghanistan, 95
Africa, 271
Agar, Bill, 158, 173
Age ranges, 174
Agg, Peter, 166, 182
Agitator, The, 97
Aims of Scouting &c, 21
Air Scouts, 216
Air Training Corps, 10, 15, 74, 178
Aircraft, passenger, 153
Airey’s Inlet, 193
Akubra scout hat, 280
Albert Park Lake, 243
Albury, 45, 51
Alcohol, 189, 226, 258
Aldhouse, John, UK, 117
Alexandra, 63, 191, 193
All Sections Advanced Courses (ASAC), 239, 242ff, 244,
247, 254
Allambee, 34
Allan, Bob, 98
Allan, Tony, UK, 118, 130
Allard, Mr. and Mrs., 89
Allen, Joan, 137, 148, 271
Allen, Geoff, 137, 271
Allerdice, Harry, UK, 52
Alverez, Don, UK, 132
Ambulance Badge, 77, 81ff
Ambulance course, 77, 81ff, 161
Ambulance, converted vehicle, 212
Anderson, Donald, 22
Anderson, G. W. S., Park, (Officer) 10, 20ff, 43, 82ff, 103
Andrews, John, UK, 118
Angahook Park, 133
Anglesea, 137, 160, 231, 270
308
Bell (nee Bonney),Doreen, 189
Bell Park High School, 136, 140, 157, 161, 217
Bellis, Peter, 240
Belmont, 136, 157, 211, 247, 271, 286
Belmont High School, 146
Benalla, 266, 268
Bendigo, 79, 159, 220, 258, 268, 298
Bennett, David, 259
Benporath, George, 52
Bentley Copse, UK, 134
Berets, 132, 147, 162
Berwick, 243
Bessen Theatre, 290
Bill Waters, A Biography, 42
Billy Tea, 10
Binks, Andrew, 196
Birchip, 215, 220, 224, 229
Birchip High School, 215, 217, 273, 306
Black, Eric. R. E., 67, 88, 169, 286 (funeral)
Black Forest, Ger., 115, 121, 135
Black or white board, 238, 253, 259
Blackburn, 57
Blackburn Lake, 16
Blackwood, 171, 265
Blair, Bert, 44, 47, 209
Bland, Bill, 28, 36, 38
Block and Tackle, 73
Bloomer, Carol and John, 244, 247, 259
Blount, Marc, 88, 150, 169
Blowhard Hut, 58
Blue Mountains, 46
Blunn, Tony, 21
Boer War Memorial, 250
Bomb Hole, Gilwell, UK, 117
‘Bond, James,’ 251
Bottle drives, 14
Boulogne, 121
Bourke Street, 299
Boustead, Matthew, 291
Bowie, Bill, 42
Boeing, 727, 156
“Boss” Hurst Light, 215
“’Boss’ Hurst of Geelong and Nauru,” 270
Box Brownie camera, 296
Boxes, equipment, 153
Boy Scouts of America, 135
Boys’ Brigade, 88
Boys’ Field, UK, 116, 199, 251
Brad, Joan, 299, 302
Brad, Russell, 299
Braddock, Alan, UK, 117
Bradley, Glendyn, 38
Braemar College, 17, 120, 228ff, 239, 242ff, 245, 247ff,
250, 252ff, 256, 263ff, 267ff, 270, 274, 290, 306
Branch Commissioners, 169, 176, 247, 305
Branch Commissioner for Training (various titles), 292
Branch Commissioner for the Environment, 261
Branch Commissioner for Faith, 301
Branch Commissioner for Venturers, 300
Baden-Powell, Lady, 129, 145
Baden-Powell Lodge, 280, 283, 295, 299ff
Baden-Powell, Lord, (B-P), 14, 36, 41, 61, 66, 112, 116,
170, 203, 222, 234, 239, 241, 250, 262, 267, 271,
280, 283, 293, 298, 303
Baden-Powell, The Hon. Michael, 129, 280, 283
Baden-Powell Society, 16, 32, 112
Badge board, 33
Badge work, 23
Badges, Cubs, Boomerangs, 246
Badges, Tenderfoot, 10
Baerlin, Gerald, UK, 127
Bagpipes, 233
Bairnsdale, 58, 136, 162 (recce.), 164, 166ff, 208, 212ff
Ballarat, 62, 143, 225ff, 272, 296
Balsillie, Melville, 67
Barkla, Harry, 231
Baron and Beef restaurant, 235
Barber, D. H. 41
Barlow, John, 235
Barlow, Peter, 235
Barnadoes Boys’ Home, UK, 119
Barnfield, Robert, 22
Barrow Bob, 14, 21, 70, 189, 193ff, 275
Barry’s Reef, 171, 265, 278ff
Bartrip, Alison, 103
Batten, Ashley, 209
Barwon River, 157, 212
Basel/Basle RS, Germ., 123
Barwon District, 138, 145, 149ff, 152, 157, 171, 175
Barwon District Senior Scout Troop, (BDSST), 138, 145,
150, 157, 164, 183, 188ff, 197ff, 202, 211, 216.
(See BDVU)
Barwon District Venturer Unit (BDVU), 216ff, 269
Barwon Guide Division, 171
Basket ball, 72
Bath, Des, 138, 146
Bathurst, 45ff
Batten, Ashley, 25
Battle of Actium, 81
Battle of Agincourt, 94
Bayly, Ken, OAM, 33, 55, 104, 156, 173, 234ff, 237, 263,
287ff
BBC computer, 261
Be Prepared &c, 303
Beachy, Len, 99
Beaconsfield, 42ff, 49
Bean, Shirley, 286, 289, 298
Beanland, Graham, 261
Beard, Lillian, OAM, 28, 50, 274, 277, 286, 292, 294, 298
Beatles, The, 289
Beebe, Ray, 271, 274
Bega, 76
Belabdelouahab, H., Algeria, 126
Belgrave, 57
Belin, Paul, 165, 172
Bell, Albert, 189
Bell Bay, 107
309
Butcher, John Mr., 22
Butcher, Peter, 259
Butler, Don, 76
Cadby, Randall, 77, 100ff, 106ff, 136ff
Cadbury’s, Claremont, 39, 107
Caine Mutiny, 184
Cairns, Nth Queensland, 288
Callister, Doug, 25
Cameron, Don, 133
Commando Bridge, 77
Camp gadgets, 18
Camp paper, 259
Camp sites, UK, 133, 250
Campbell, John, 169
Campbell, Mr. Ian, 45ff
Campcraft trainer, 241
Campfire, The, 62
Campfire Circle, Gilwell, Aust, 267, 304
Campfire Circle, Gilwell, UK, 117
Campfire Club, 61, 140, 157
Campfire Leaders Book, The, 61
Campfire Team, 54
Campfire yarns, 61, 203
Campfires, 11, 43, 61ff, 64, 68, 81, 92, 129, 141, 180,
258, 268, 270, 283, 305
Campbell, John, 57
Camping course, 159
Camps, 23, 41, 51, 59
Camper van, 220, 251
Camping for Scouts and Others, 11, 16, 264
Canada, 284
Canadian canoes, 164, 183ff
Canberra, 45ff, 76, 136, 262
Cann River, 76
Canoe carrying frame, 206
Canoe shed, 197
Canoes, Canoeing, 69, 163ff, 183ff, 191, 193, 206ff,
213ff
Canterbury, UK, 251
Canty, Allan, 95
Cape Otway, 79
Capri car, 206
Capricorn Award, 92
Caravan, 243,, 247
Carey, H. K., Chick, 200, 226
Carland, Bill, 102, 106
Carland, Greg, 102
Carland, Ken, 82ff, 102, 106ff, 108, 141ff, 149, 171, 255,
274
Carle, Catherine, 140, 145
Carlton, 269
Carr, Mr. and Mrs., USA, 222
Casbolt, Don, 88
Casey Airfield, 243
Cashin, Mrs., 29ff
Cashin, Colin, 35
Cataract Gorge, 107
Cathedral Hall, Brunswick, 29ff, 34, 43
Cathkin, 196
Branch Executive, 176, 243
Branch Headquarters (BHQ), 88, 161, 169, 280, 283ff,
288ff, 297
516 Collins Street, 243
384 Elizabeth Street, 243
8 Queens Road, 243ff, 247, 269
Barry Street, 243, 269, 275ff, 285ff, 290, 294
Mount Waverley, 282, 290
Branch Headquarters Christmas function, 297, 300
Branch Headquarters monthly newsletter (email), 300
Breydon, Claude, 21, 42ff
Brewster, Ken, 50, 54, 92, 169, 238, 247, 272, 280, 295
“Bridge without ropes,” 189, 237
Bridgewater, 186
Bright, 58, 63
Brighton District, 43
Brighton Grammar School Camp, 96, 148, 215
Brisbane, 35, 152, 210, 270, 296
Brisbane Ranges, 150
Britannia Creek, 140, 212
British Army, 286
British Bulldogs, 29
British Phosphate Commission, 137
Brooker, Lee, 240
Brooks, Betty, 272
Brooks, Bill, 86
Brooks, Peter, 45
Brooks, Ron, 68, 75, 78, 84, 96, 107, 109, 255, 302
Brothers of the Sky, 192
Brown, Kirsty, 235, 269ff, 276
Brown, R. A. 200
Brown, Stan, 244
Brown Mountains, 207
Browne, Bob, 301
Brownsea Island, 116, 174, 199, 221ff, 232, 250
Brownsea Island, 1907 campsite, 250
Brucknell, 186
Bruhn, Stan, 27, 32
Bryant, Rod, 137, 146
Bucher, Alan, 17, 21, 24, 32, 45, 49
Buckingham Palace Road, London, 17, 112, 174
Buddhist Temple, Gilwell, UK, 117
Budgets, 168
Buerckner, Ian, 267
Buffalo lawn, 128
Buggy, 96
Bunney, Doreen, 171
Buoyancy vests, 166
Burdekin, Alan, 28
Burgess, Martin, UK, 123
Burnie, 39
Burns, Stewart, 82ff, 96, 101, 255
Bushfires, 169, 219, 225, 248, 300
Bushman’s Thong, 77
Bushnight Song, 42
Buskes, Nicki, 273
Butchardt, Jim, 169, 258
Butcher, Major, 107
Butcher, John, 42, 45, 64
310
Communications, 72, 97, 100, 146, 211
“Como,” 274
Compass, 303
Computers, 281
Constable, Dale, 214
Cook, Peter, 55
Cook’s Badge, 77
Cooke, Maj-Gen Kevin, 259
Cooking methods, 18, 127, 164ff, 179ff, 221
Cooma, 46, 76, 136, 207
Cordell, Charles, 62
Corio District, 148, 254
Cornwell Scout badge, 138
Cording, Rex, 27
Costermans, Leon, 16, 98, 159, 209, 224ff, 234ff, 261,
264, 275
Council Rock, 84, 292, 305
Courses, Explanatory, 14, 271
Preliminary, 14, 271
Mail bag, 14
Training the Team, 126ff
Woodbadge, (See Woodbadge courses) 14
Court of Honour, 35, 111, 121, 146, 204
Coutts, Boyd, 304
Coventry, 221
Coverdale, Catherine, 247
Cowdale, Robert, 247
Cowes (cattle), 122
Cox, Esther, 53, 59
Cox, Fred, 88
Creswick Forestry School, 148
Crichton Hide, 203
Cricket, 64
Crocodile Dundee, 10
Crossover, 67, 70, 75, 145, 255, 302
“Crow’s nest,” 153
Croydon, 244
Crutchfield, John, 35, 38
Cub conference, 266
Cub Instructors, 66
Cub Packs, 17, 21, 23, 175
Cub Scouts, 132, 252, 305
Cuckoo Patrol, 199
Cudmore, John, 14
Cumberland River, 49, 171
Cumbrae-Stewart, Graeme, OAM, 278
Dallas Brooks Hall, 262
Dallimore, John, 148
Daly, Tony, 24
Dandenong, 53, 152, 298
Dandenong Jamborees, 83, 152, 298
Darebin Arts Centre, 286
Dart, Squadron Leader, 180
Dash, Alan, 261
Davey, Eric, 253
Davies, Martin, 235, 240, 242ff, 247
Davis, Kingsley, 127, 235, 242, 296, 302
Davis, Norm, 95
Dawson, Bill, 153, 160, 169, 209, 225, 229, 235, 238,
Cations, Milton, 194ff, 206
Catt, Patricia, 247
Caulfield Grammar School, 12, 306
Certificates, course, 240, 245, 247
Chalcraft, Michael, 21
Chambers, Don, 210
Change in Scouting, 132, 174ff, 199ff
Chaplain, Roman Catholic, UK, 129
Charlton, Bill, UK, 118
Charterhouse, 250
Chateau Tabilk, 196
Cheam, UK, 111ff, 116, 124, 244
Chief Commissioner, Victoria, 155, 169, 176, 237, 247,
252, 258, 280, 283, 289ff, 294, 296, 300
Chief of the General Staff’s conference, 262
Chief Scout, 174ff, 199
Chief’s Approach, 218, 234
Chicago, 222
Chingford, UK, 116, 250, 271
Christensen, Beryl, 227, 230ff
Christensen, Carl, 224. 227, 230ff
Christie, Colin, 35
Christmas Day, 153
Church of England Boys Society (CEBS) 20ff, 297
Church services, 97,114, 123, 167, 183, 186, 191, 193ff,
206ff, 214, 255, 266, 283
Churchill Patrol, 117
Citizen Military Force, (CMF), 31, 36, 53, 60, 63, 65ff,
72, 74, 140, 157, 178, 192, 195ff, 203ff, 205,
217, 231, 239, 242, 245, 252, 292, 305
City District, 204
City of Melbourne
City of Melbourne parade, 299
CityLink, 268, 283
Clarke brothers, 179
Clarke, Elizabeth and John, UK, 112, 221
Clarke, David, UK, 123
Clarke, G. J., 169
Clay shooting, 181
Cleopatra on the Nile Hoadley Hide, 81
Clifford Park, 43ff, 55, 58, 61
Clifford Park Jamboree, 27
Clyde School, 229, 245, 262ff
Cobb & Co., 96
Co-education, 263, 304
Cohen Shield, 17, 36, 49, 191, 203, 209, 275
Colac, 183, 205
Colac Colac, 205ff
Colledge, Stan and Mrs., 204
Colley, Eric, UK, 116
Collis, Mr. 63
Colonial, The, 119
Colquhoun, J. F., 60
Colvin, Derek, 150
Commando Bridge, 147, 305
Commissioner Stage 3 course, 242
Commissioners’ conference, 169
Commissioners’ course, 253
Committee for the Far Future, (CFF), 201, 241, 296, 302
311
Drysdale, 297
Eacott, Wally, 120
Eade, Brian, 234
Eagle Farm airport, 153
Eagle Point, 164, 166
East Suburban Area, 189
East Tarago Senior Scout Troop (ETSST), (This includes
the phrase, “Warragul Senior Scouts), 39, 68,
70ff, 77, 135, 138, 141, 149, 153, 171, 182, 189,
198, 202, 208, 255, 302
East Tarago Venturer Unit (ETVU), 69, 255, 266, 273,
302
East Tarago Senior Scout/Venturer District Scarf, 109
Easter Day & Easter holiday, 230, 266, 275, 279ff,, 303
Easter Day church services &c, 142
Easter camps &c, 11, 36, 43, 54, 59, 70, 188, 191, 209,
234
Easter Monday, 97
Easter Sunday, 71, 114, 142
“Eccles,” The B-P caravan, 129
Echuca, 298
Edale, UK, 114
Eden, 76, 207
Edmonds, Doug, 211, 224, 232, 288
Education Department of Victoria, 111, 134, 263, 306
Edwards, Ann, 240
“Egret” yacht, 213
Eighth (8th) Cheam, UK, 66, 111, 119, 121, 134ff
Eighth (8th) Malvern, 244
Eighth (8th) Prahran, 61, 141
Eighth (8th) St. Kilda, 21
Eildon, 57, 63, 193ff
Eildon Weir, 191
Eleventh (11th) Esseondon, 287
Eliason, Roy, 231
“Elder Statesman,” 247, 292
“Elevenses,” 142, 245
Elliott, Max, 51
Ellis, Andrew, 283
Ellis, Bruce, 279, 300
Ellis, Dion, CEO, 285, 294
Ellis, Marsha, 279, 300
Elmore Jamboree, 298
Elton, Tom, 100, 107
Elwood, 37, 43, 47, 55, 135
Emerald, 264, 269
Emergency Management Australia, 240
Empire Youth Day, 23
Emu Bay Railway, 39
England & UK, 64, 111, 122, 220, 250, 306
English Channel, 121
Epping Forest, UK, 119
Equipment boxes, 153
Eumeralla camp, Anglesea, 18, 32, 57, 79, 137, 147, 149,
157ff, 170, 182, 189, 191, 203, 209ff, 215, 273
Eumeralla Day, 162, 231, 270
Euroa, 82, 101, 149
Europe, 250, 274
Eurostar, 121
240, 243ff, 253, 256, 259, 261
Dawson, Bram, 103, 153
Dawson, Peter, 211, 217
Daylesford, 84
De Longville, Heather, 64
De Molnar Training Ground, 218, 232, 247, 253, 256, 259
De Vries, Cor, 234
Delacombe dining hall, Gilwell, 240, 258, 283
Delacombe, Sir Rohan, Governor of Victoria, 154
Dent, Cliff, 78, 82, 84, 87, 93, 107, 108, 159, 162, 164,
167, 183ff, 208, 212, 214, 240, 254ff, 265ff,
273ff, 278ff, 283ff, 296, 298ff
Dent, Pat, 171, 208, 296, 298ff
Dent, Nigel, 171
Dentist, 264
Department of Sustainability and the Environment,
(DSE), 272, 278
Deputy Camp Chiefs (DCCs), 199, 272
Derrick, “Bus,” 55, 57, 62, 64, 95, 126, 132, 200, 267
Derwent River, 107
Design for Tomorrow, (DFT), 132, 163, 171, 174ff, 198ff,
204, 216
Devonport, 106
Diamond, Joan, 198
Dinizulu’s beads, 271
Directéur General of the Conseil Provincial du Quebec,
284.
Director of Leader Training, UK, 221
Disney World, USA, 135
Displays, 94
District Association (DA), 67, 184
District Commissioner (DC), 17, 21, 66ff, 138, 191,
194ff, 220, 232, 235, 270, 274, 295
District events, 78, 87
District Scout Master (DSM), 36
District Senior Scout Leader (DSSL), 67, 157, 188, 211
District Senior Scout Troops, 175
District warrant committee, 276
Doak, Doug, 270, 273
Don Spring Lodge, The, (see Spring Lodge)
Donald, 220, 226
Dorling, Graham, 93, 133, 136, 142, 190, 255, 292
Douglas aircraft, DC9, 153
Dover, Gary, 178
Doveston, Jennifer, 247
Dovey, Mrs., 109
Downes, Mike, 203, 209, 217, 245
Drew, Rodney, 151
Drik Drik, 187
Drouin, 66, 68
Dubbins Hut, 58
Dumbalk, 28
Dunnachie, Ken, 149
Durant, Gary, OAM, 299
Duty to God (See Scouts Owns), 242, 253, 264, 301
Dunn, Vern, USA, 135
Durham, Geoff, 96ff
Driver, Roy, 47
312
First (1st) Highton, 138, 143, 146, 161, 190, 197, 204, 227
First (1st) Highton scout hall, 148
First (1st) Koonawarra, 152
First (1st) Leongatha, 152
First (1st) Lindfield, 52
First (1st) Locksley, 78
First (1st) Longwarry, 152
First (1st) Meeniyan, 152
First (1st) Mirboo East, 30
First (1st) Mirboo North, 27, 36, 215
First (1st) Neerim South, 100
First (1st) Nilma North – Lillico, 66, 78
First (1st) Port Fairy, 186
First (1st) Queenstown, 106
First (1st) Upper Ferntree Gully, 213
First (1st) Warragul, 66, 75, 77ff, 81ff, 100ff
First (1st) Warragul Scout Hall, 72, 75, 255
First (1st) Wesley College, 61
First (1st) West Geelong, 158
First (1st) Woodend, 235, 246
First Class Badge, 70, 77, 233, 305
Firth, Eric, 234
Fisher, Clive, 87
Fishing, 183, 186, 213
Fitzoy Gardens, 299
Flag Break, 18, 30, 247, 256, 294
Flag Break, 161, 188
Flags &c, 21, 23, 91, 134
Flying, 180
Flying fox, 18, 49, 77, 82, 86, 183, 195, 305
Folkestone, UK, 121, 133
Footscray, 299
Forever April, UK, 134
Forest Drive, 248
Forestry Commission of Victoria (FCV), 32, 41, 48, 70,
96, 149, 171, 184, 210, 272, 278
Forestry School, Creswick, 84, 148
Forrest, 171
Founder (see B-P &c)
Founder’s Day, 36
“Four Terrors, The,” 288
Fourth (4th) Belmont, 162, 169
Fourth Caulfield (4th) Caulfield, 18 ff, 45, 58
Fourth (4th) World Training Conference, 126, 129ff, 135
Fowler, Kevin, 240
Fox, Joan, 234
Foxlease Guide Training Centre, UK, 222
France, 121
Frankston Jamboree, 239
Frankston Sea Scout Hall, 54
Fraser National Park, 191, 193ff
Freasrson, Alistair, 290, 295
Frearson, Meredith, 273
Freiburg, Germ., 121, 124
French, Tony, 228
Friee, Rita, 239
Fundamentals, 242ff, 249, 303
Furniture vans, 12, 43
Gadget, Gilwell, UK, 118
Expeditions (Rover Moot), 57, 76
Mirboo North, Tasmania, 39
ETSST, Canberra, 76ff
ETSST, Adelaide, 78ff
ETSST, Hall’s Gap, 83ff
ETSST, Tasmania, 106ff, 274
ETSST, Ninety Mile Beach, 133, 293
BDSST, Gippsland Lakes, 164ff
BDSST, Glenelg River, 182
BDSST, Goulburn River, 193ff
BDSST, Upper Murray River, 205
BDSST, East Gippsland, 212
BDSST, Goulburn river, 220
Explanatory courses, 14, 95, 136, 139, 148, 170, 189, 209,
271
Fagg, Mr. Bert and Fagg families, 217
Falconer, Sue, 155
Fallshaw, Robert, 159
Falstaff Patrol, 53
“Fang,” Cub woodbadge, 116
Farley, Ernest, 88
Farley, Graham, 1ff, 45
Farley Library, 270
Farley, Roger, 215, 246, 248, 251, 262, 306
Farley, Shirley (nee Monkivitch), 207, 215, 241, 243ff,
245, 248, 262, 274, 283, 306
Farmer, Cliff, 249, 258
Farrell, Vera, Eng., 126
Fary, Mr. Lal, 29
Fary, Graham, 35, 38
Fary, Bill, 35
Farrago, 16
“Fast Austin Transport,” 40,
Fatana, Gamill, Saudi Arabia, 126
Fathers and Sons’ activities, 85ff, 102ff, 147, 161
Festival of Britain, 111
Field Commissioners, 38, 139, 247, 281, 288
Field Days, 149
Fifteenth (15th) Malvern, 9, 20ff, 54, 61, 63, 71, 150, 193,
278
Fiftieth Anniversary of Scouting, 34
Fifth (5th) Caulfield, 14
Fifth (5th) Port of Spain, 134
Fifth (5th) St. Kilda, 49
“Fifty (50) Years of Scouting in Five Minutes,” 292
Fiji, 170
‘First Aid Kits,’ 258
First (1st) Alexandra, 159
First (1st) Belmont, 138, 146
First (1st) Birchip, 220, 226
First (1st) Cheam, UK, 111
First (1st) Dumbalk-Mardan, 27, 152
First (1st) Footscray, 24, 32, 45
First (1st) Garfield, 66, 68, 88, 90, 152
First (1st) Gilwell Park Scout Group, 33
First (1st) Gisborne, 246, 279, 290, 295
First (1st) Gisborne scout hall, 295
First (1st) Hampton, 88, 101
First (1st) Highton scout hall, 145, 172
313
Glen Cromie Park, 75
Glen Iris, 306
Glen Nayook Park, 109
Glen Waverley, 295
Glenelg River and expedition, 182ff
Global Positioning Systems (GPS), 44
Glover, Cameron, 297
Glover, John, 140ff, 292, 297
“Going-up” ceremonies, 81, 100
God, 264
Godalming, Sussex, UK, 250
Gold rail card or pass, 14, 225
Golden Fleece restaurants, 187, 197, 214
Golders Green Hippodrome, 133, 287
“Goodbye Mr. Chips,” 289
Good Friday, 71, 97, 140, 188, 265, 279
Good Service Awards, 283
Good Turn, 83, 119, 123
Goolwa, 79
Goulburn, 51
Goulburn River, 166, 191, 193ff, 203, 220
Government House, Victoria, 162, 181, 210, 273, 281,
283
Governor of Victoria, 274, 283, 290
Graham, Beverly, 16
Grampians, 190
Grand Howl, 294
Grand Ridge Road, 27
Grant, Geoff, 213
Great Ocean Road, 49
Green, Maj-Gen Ken, 261
Green, Margaret, 235
Greenbank Corroboree, 35ff, 152
Greening, Bruce, 75
Greening, Gary, 75
Grenda, Paul, 23
Greystanes Jamboree, 17 ff, 51
Griffiths Book Store, 204, 215
Griffiths, Jack, 240, 266
Grinter, Heather, 161, 190, 198, 215
Grinter, Max, 150, 204, 215, 273
Group Councils, 60
Group Leader course, 268
Group Scout Masters (GSM and later Group Leader, GL),
14, 44, 48, 57, 60, 67, 78, 87, 118, 152, 179, 190,
4, 224ff, 248, 255, 288, 296, 303
Grover, John, 161
Guide Association, 20, 266
Guider, 140
Guider trainer, 205
Guides (general), 166, 183, 190, 193, 205, 212, 217, 241,
263, 291
Guild Hall, Geelong, 138, 203, 210, 259
Guilford, UK, 113
Guille, Derek (ABC), 281
Guningham, Warren, 35
Gunn, Wayne, 300
Guthega Dam, 46
Guthrie, Val, 23
Gaming, 221, 225, 234
Gang Show, 1961, 50ff
Gang Show, Brisbane, 210
Gang Show, London, 101, 133, 171, 221, 273, 286
Gang Show Reunion, 289
Gang Show, The, (Melbourne), 23, 29ff, 34, 37, 43, 50ff,
82, 92, 101, 147, 231, 236ff, 245ff, 262ff, 273,
286ff, 289, 303, Anniversary show, 290, 294ff
Gang Show, The Mirboo North, 37
Gangsters, The, 101
Gardner, Bob, 233
Gardner, Ray, 100ff
Garnsey, Bruce, 130
Garfield, 66, 68
Garnett, David, UK, 118
Gates, Justin, 270
Geary, Brian, 300, 302
Gedye, A., 169
Geelong, 136, 157, 162, 169, 171, 187, 191, 208, 214,
232, 244, 254, 259, 265, 269ff, 271, 273, 276,
4, 288, 300
Geelong Advertiser, The, 170
Geelong Scouting 100th Anniversary Dinner, 300
Geelong College, The, 266
Geelong Grammar School, 229, 263
Geelong-Nauru Area, 137, 158, 182, 270
Gembrook, 57, 119, 226, 251, 264, 269, 272, 303
General Secretary, 67
Geneva, Switz., 250
Genoa, 213
Gentle Annie, 96
George, Bob (and Jenny), 211, 273
Germany, 121
Ghin Ghin, 191
Gilcraft series of books, 16, 199, 304
Gill, Ray, UK, 122ff
Gillman, Brian, UK, 117
Gilwell Chapel, 203, 283
Gilwell handbooks, 25
Gilwell Park, Victoria, 10, 16 ff, 20, 25, 36, 47, 49, 54,
60ff, 64, 71, 81, 83, 95, 141, 189, 191, 199, 209,
215, 225, 232, 239, 242ff, 247, 253ff, 256, 258ff,
262, 264, 268ff, 272, 274, 276, 278, 280, 300,
303, 305
Gilwell Park, UK, 12, 62, 113, 166ff, 126, 132, 199, 221,
250ff, 268, 271
Gilwell Reunion, 33, 41, 47, 50ff, 53, 57ff, 65ff, 136, 140,
157, 162, 169, 188, 203, 215, 237, 243, 248, 261,
270, 280, 294, 299
Gilwell Reunion, UK, 126, 128, 135
Gilwell Scarf, 26
Gippsland, 66, 162
Gippsland Highway, 214
Gippsland Lakes, 162ff, 164ff
Girl Guide Association, UK, 135
Girls in Scouting, 132, 174ff, 200, 202, 246, 263, 280,
304
Gisborne, 79, 279, 281
Glazebrook, Tom, AM, 235
314
Hoadley Hall & Training Ground, 218, 232, 271, 278,
283, 305
Hoadley Hide, 36, 43, 69ff, 76, 81, 93, 95, 133, 148,
157ff, 170, 189, 255, 264, 273, 275, 278ff
Hoadley Hide Reunion, 275
Hoadley Region, 120
Hobart, 39, 107
Hodges, Ian, 14, 169, 225
Hodgins, Charles, 271
Holden wagon, 107
Holland, Jeanette, OAM, 88
Holland, Tony, 78, 87ff, 91ff, 102, 106ff, 255, 288
Honourable Charges, 270, 272, 283
Honorary Commissioner, 292, 300, 306
Honorary leaders, 298
Hood, Alan, 231
Horsham, 220
Hoskins, Alan, 68
Hotchkin, Alan, 38
Hotham, 58
Houston, Peter, 145, 158
How to Run a Troop, 16
Howard, Peter, 145, 148ff
Howard, Ross, 145, 149, 158, 189ff
Hoyts Victory Theatre, 273
Hudson, Chris, UK, 112, 123
Hudson, Mike, UK, 123
Hudson, Peter, UK, 121, 123
Hugg, Frau and Herr, Germ., 121
Hughes, Geoff, 22
Hughes, Geoff, Scouter, 88
Hughes, Neil, 100ff, 106ff
Hughes, Ray, 259, 274
Hume Highway, 46
Humphries, A. S., 169
Hung, Tony, Hong Kong, 126
Hunt, David (CFF), 302
Hunt, David, (Wesley College), 42ff, 61, 201
Huntingtower School, 304
Hurst, Harold “Boss,” 137, 160, 209ff, 270
Hurstbridge, 23
Hutton, Bryce, 217, 273
Hutton, (Peter), family, 196, 273
Hutton, Ian, NZ, 128ff
Hutton, Joshua, 273
Hutton, Kate, 273
Hutton, Meilma, 172, 188, 250, 263, 273
Hutton, Peter, 172, 250, 263, 273
Hutton, Ross (and Chris), 172, 185, 187ff, 204, 273
Imperial Headquarters, UK, 17, 112, 174ff
Information Technology, (IT), 281
Ingram, Peter, 247
In My Dreams I’m Going back to Gilwell, 115
Ingwersen, Peter, 182, 184, 187, 189
International Headquarters, 251
International weekend, 132
Islamic worship, Gilwell, UK, 117
Ivanhoe, 277
Investitures, 22, 42, 63, 75, 246, 254, 297
Hackney Song Book, 54, 62
Hague, John, 231
Hair length, 75
Hall, Ernie, 64
Hall, Kevin, 233
Hall’s Gap, 84, 227
“Hamarago-on-the-Hill,” 88
Hamilton, 183
Hamilton, Robert, 178
Hamilton, Ron, 99, 118
Hance, John, 22, 42, 46, 297
Hance, Robert, 21, 38, 42, 297
“Hanzel and Gretel,” 290
Happiest Days of Your Life, The, 36
Hardie, Mrs., 68, 72
Hardie, Mr. “Bon”, 68, 72, 86, 89, 102ff
Hardie, Neil, 78, 101ff, 107,, 137
Hardie, Wayne, 68, 71, 75, 78, 82, 84, 90, 102ff, 274
Harley, Les, 233
Harrietville, 58
Harrison, Graeme, 279
Hart, Peter, 55
Hastings, Barbara, 272
Hastings, Donald, 77, 100, 143
Hastings, Ian, 66, 68, 71, 75, 78, 82, 84, 92, 143, 148,
255, 272
Haycroft, Graeme, 68, 70, 75, 78, 84, 100, 108
Haycroft, Vern, 86, 102, 107
Hawsers, 72
Hazlewood, Rex, 61
Headquarters Cmmr. for Senior Scouts, 70
Healesville, 42
Heathcote, 81, 159
Hegarty, David, 35
Hellyer Gorge, 106
Hendrikse, George, 68, 75
“Herald” Melbourne newspaper, 289
Hergstrom, Paul, 145, 147
Hergstrom, Ture, 138, 146
Herring Island, 286
Herring, Lt-Gen., Sir Edmund, 258
Herring Oration, 258
Heyard, Oliver, Rt. Revd., 39
Heywood, 184
Hickman, Alwyn (and Beryl), 244
High Lead, 49
High Plains, 58
Highton, 211
Hike tents, 165, 183, 279
Hikes, 23, 58, 69ff, 76, 81ff, 113, 119, 122, 150, 160, 164,
166, 171, 190, 209, 303, 305
Hill, Fred, MBE, UK, 134
Hillsberg, Keith, 89
Hinkler Patrol, 68, 70
Hints for Senior Scouts and Scouters, 75
Hip holes, 10, 303
History of Training, 269ff
Hoadley, “Arch,” 32, 272, 283
Hoadley Area/Region, 237, 290
315
Kelly, Pat, 141
Kelly, Rachel, 244
Kemp, Ken, 55
Kemp, Tony, UK, 130
Kennedy Chapel, 203, 208, 212
Kennedy, W. D., (“Kenno”), 25, 60ff, 203, 218, 272, 283,
287
Kenney, Tom, 64
Kent, John and Mrs., 189, 255
Kent, UK, 121, 134
Kett, Gwynne, 234
Kew Scout Hall, 140
Kiandra, 207
Kidd, Bryan, 247
Kiewa Valley, 63
Killingsworth, Michael, 139, 145, 148
Kilmore East, 159
King, Mr., 54
King, Russell, 184, 187, 189, 195ff, 206ff
King, Tom, and family, 183, 193ff, 206, 212ff
King River Valley, 63
Kinglake, 160
Kinglake West, 59
Kirchzarten, Germ., 121
Kithcen, fabricated 68, 152
Klep, Kees, 64, 235, 242
Knots, 303
Knott’s Berry Farm, 135
Kodak 127 camera, 296
Kokoda Track, 231
Kombi vans, 153, 193
Kookaburra song, 130
Kyneton, 249
Labertouche, 73, 148, 215, 275, 279
Lake St. Clair, 107
“La la’s,” 303
Lakes Entrance, 76, 164ff, 208
Lambourne, David, 217
Lancefield, 288
Landy, John, 284
Lange, Paul, 187, 195ff
Lansdowne Jamboree, 50ff, 59, 69
Lapthorne, David, 283
Lara, 169
Latrobe Valley Bus Company, 96
Launceston, 39, 107
Launching Place, 253
Laws and Promise, 303ff
Law, Philip, AC, CBE, 64, 147, 270
Lawrence, A. O., 169
Lawson, Adrian, 149, 158, 162
Lawson, Ossie, and Mrs., 138, 150, 158, 169
Lawrence of Arabia, 101
Lay Reader, 157, 210, 237
Leader Trainer (LT), 215, 270, 283, 301
Leaders’ Manual, 284, 286
Leadership, 78, 168
Leckie, Bert, 21, 42, 44
Leeson, Don, 103, 302
Iolanthe (G & S), 15
Ireland, John, 59, 82, 244
It’s a Great Great Game, 90
It’s a Wonderful Life, 31, 273
Jackson, Ian, 68, 78, 84, 107ff, 255
Jacksons Creek, 16
Jacoby, James, 47, 94, 280, 295
Jamboree 1934 hike maps, 41
Jamborees in general, 52, 63
Jamborees:
Clifford Park, 27, 43, 83, 88, 212
Dandenong, (1964/5) 83, 88, 91, 152, 287ff
(1977/8) 231
Elmore, 94, 298
Frankston, 137
Greystanes, 9, 17 ff, 51, 156
Jindalee, 151, 152ff, 178, 296
Lansdowne, 50ff, 59, 69
Jamborella, 239
Jarrett, Warren, 235, 237
Jefferson, David, 52, 289, 296
Jehovah, 242
Jellis, Mark, 291
Jenkins, Max, 244
Jensen, Howard, 103ff
Jepson, Peter, 35
Jervis, Clem, 82, 107
Jervis, Clem, Snr., 86, 274
Jesus Christ, 242
Jewish Faith, 242
Jindalee Jamboree, Queensland, 151, 157, 178, 296
Jindabyne, 207
Jinjelic, 206
Job, Michael, 88
Joey section, 267, 294, 299, 304ff
Johnson, Norman, OBE, 11, 54, 81, 137, 156ff, 159, 169,
204, 209, 215, 221, 225, 237, 240, 248ff, 251,
254, 264
Johnson scout hat, 280
Johnston, Philip, 22
Jones, Daryl, 35, 38
Jones, Ian, 189, 196
Jones, Irwin, Jamaica, 126
Journeys, 233
Juffermans, Frank
Jungalow, The, 42
Jungle Book, The, 23, 132, 273
Kadfr, Abdul, 169
Kaleidoscope, 298
Kanderstag, Switz., 116, 251
Kangaroo Flat, 235
Kangaroo Flat High School, 235
Kangaroo Ground, 262
Kangaroo (Wooden), 130
Kara, Alex, 82, 108
Kara Kara District, 218, 220
Keep Looking for a Bluebird, 80
Keith, Gordon, 27
Kelly, David, 183ff
316
Malvern District, 10, 256, 295
Malvern Grammar School, 9, 10, 267, 306
Maps, 113, 160, 191, 303
Marching, 92
Mardan, 28
Maroon epaulettes, 181
Marple, Yvonne, 14
Marriage, 205
Marriott, Geoff, 68
Marriott, Mr. L. 96
Marriott, Peter, 234
Marriott, Russell, 99, 136, 255
Marriott, Tricia, 235
Marshall, Barry, 148, 159, 217ff, 278, 284, 295, 298ff
Martin, Peter, 104
“Marwarra,” 87
Maryborough, 225
Marysville, 205
Masonic Centre and Masonry, 262, 280, 283, 302, 305
Mast, ship’s, 152
Masizana, S., Bechuanaland, 129
Maughan, John, 38
Maughan, John, campsite, 33ff, 37, 47, 50, 77
Maver, Jack, 57, 64, 169
May, Robert, 233
McCallum, David, Scot., 126
McCallum, Sandra, 240
McClennan, John, 137
McCoubrie, Graeme, 53, 283
McCowat, Ken, 233
McDowall, Don, 240
McGinley, Rix, 235
McGowan, Vic., 62, 169
McGraw-Hill Book Company, 216
McGuinness, Barbara, 63
McGuinness, Graeme, 22, 42, 45
McKee, Ian, 231
McKellar, “Bosun,” Rolf, 88, 169
McKenzie, Wally, 103
McKinnon, Lyle, 35, 38
McLachlan, Stephen, 183, 196
McMaster, Geoff, 22, 45
Mc Master, Mr., 33
McNamara, G. R., 14
McNamara G. T., 14, 150, 303
McNamara, Mrs. G. T. 14
McPhate, Alan, Dr., 81
Meetings, 67, 160
Melbourne, 110, 156, 178, 214, 252, 262, 264, 284, 294
Melbourne Airport, 270
Melbourne Cricket Ground, 64
Melbourne Gathering, 69, 148, 161, 190
Melbourne Grammar School Cadet Unit, 97
Melbourne Herald, 55
Melbourne High School, 263, 304
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, 92
Melbourne Walking Club, 41
Memorial wing, 245
Menzies Creek, 57
Leeson, Jenny, 302
Leichardt Patrol, 68
Leith Hill, UK, 134
Lesser, “Narse,” 14, 15, 41, 61, 64, 138, 209, 212, 287
Letter of Introduction, 220
Letters to a Rover, 41
Letts, Gordon, 68, 71, 75
Life jackets, 166
Lime Walk, Gilwell, UK, 117
Lind National Park, 213
Lindenow, 109, 164, 214
Lindsay, Jim and Wendy, 230ff
Lindsay, Warwick, 63
Lithgow, Don, 33, 47, 81, 169
Little Cottage in the Wood, 93
Little, Graeme, 145
Lilydale, 141
Liverpool Street RS, UK, 116
Lochan, 25, 84, 117, 303
“Lodge, The,” Eumeralla, 160
“Lodge, The,” Gilwell Park, Gembrook, 218, 234
Log books, 36, 68, 70, 73, 98, 272, 275ff
London, 116, 220
London Bridge, Vic., 183
London Bridge RS, 116
London Hotel, 55
Lone Scouts’ site, 81
Long Service awards, 292
Longwarry RS, 96
Lorne, 79, 171
Los Angeles, 135
Lowe, Keith, 145, 158, 181
Lowe, Ted, 150
“Lower Eight, The,” 83
Luftwaffe, 117
Lynas, Mrs., 109
Lyon, Peter, 224, 238
Macafee, Tony, 78, 100
Macarthur, 184
MacAuslan, Catriona, 190
MacAuslan, Ealisaid, 190
MacAuslan, Duncan, 145, 147ff, 150, 155, 158, 161, 186
MacAuslan, Neil, 183, 187, 194, 196
MacAuslan, Peter (and Carmel), 138, 146, 158, 186,
193ff, 196, 204, 227, 230ff, 273
Macedon, 265, 295, 306
Macedon Ranges, 279
MacKenzie, Bruce, 240
Mackie, Ian, 49
Maclean, Jeanette, 157
Maclean, Sir Charles, Bt., 92, 119, 129, 132, 157ff, 174ff,
199
Maclaren, Graham, 16
Maclaren tartan ties and scarves, 161
Maclaren, W. de Bois, 26, 116
MacRobertson’s Girls High School, 263, 304
Mail bag course, 14
Main Hall (White House), UK Gilwell, 116, 271
Mallacoota, 76, 206, 212
317
Murfett, Tom, 64, 169
Murphy, Ray, 231
Murray River, 298
Myers, Trish, 297
Myers, Wayne, 235, 270ff, 276, 292
Myrtleford, 46, 63
Nagambie, 191
Nauru, 137, 270
Nash, Mary and Stephen, UK, 111, 116, 126, 132
Nassin, Mohammed, 95
Nathalia, 284
Nathan, Harold, 49, 63
National Commissioner for Leader Training, 258, 269
National Service, 18, 52, 288, 304
National Trust, 274
Naval and Military Club, The, 156, 245
Neate, Mr. IHQ UK staff, 113
Nelson, 182
Nelson, Greg, USA, 228
New South Wales, 180, 255, 259
New South Wales trip, 45ff, 76
New Year’s Eve & Day, 180, 253
Newbigin, Eric, 209
Newcomb, Arthur, UK, 129
Newell, Andrew, 283
Newell, Cameron, 291
NIMBY, 177
Ninth (9th) St. Kilda, 29ff
Nippon Scouts, 179
Nitz, Bryan, 240
Noack, Robert, 35, 38
Nobelius, Peter, 77, 100
Noke, John, 270ff, 280, 283, 299
Nonsuch Park, UK, 133
Noojee, 66, 109, 255
North Arm, 164ff
North Geelong High School, 187ff, 203
North Hell’s Gate, 96
North Polar star, 199
Northern Hemisphere, 199
Northway, Donald, 17
Notebooks, 44
Nowa Nowa, 213
Nunawading, 88, 156
Nut, The, 106
Nye, Humphrey, 114
Nyeholt, Marcel, 267
Obelisk Brownsea Is., 250
O’Brien, Ray, 147ff
Ocean Beach, 166
Officer, 10, 17
O’Hara, Rodger, OAM, 268
Older boy, The, (See Senior Scouting), 74, 100ff, 110,
119, 176, 189, 198ff
‘Old-timers,’ 265ff, 275, 278
Oldham, Gordon “Tops,” 64
Olney, Ross, 55
Olsen’s Bridge camp, 32
Olympic Games, 142
Methodist Church, 214
Metung, 167
Meyer, Ian, 189
Meyers, Barry, 288
Middleton flag base, 252
Migrants, 45
Mildura, 79, 220, 225
Miller, Keith, 64
Miller, Trevor, 217, 269
Milne, Dick, 64, 212, 219ff, 225, 227, 230ff, 233, 238ff,
243ff, 247ff, 256, 259
Milroy, Leslie, 247
Milsted, Steven, 68, 70, 75, 78ff, 82
Mirboo North, 27, 32, 43, 87, 286
Mirboo North Gang Show, 36
Mirboo North High School, 24, 27, 36, 217
Mirboo North Railway Station, 35
Mirboo North Shire Hall, 37
Mitchell, Alec, 83, 93
Mitchell River, 109, 164, 211ff
Mitchell, The Hon. Tom, MLC, 205
Moait, Rosemary, 279
Mohammad, 242
Molesworth, 194
Molineux, Levi, 11, 14
Monahan, Joe, WO1, 284
Monash Freeway, 204
Money, Jim, and Mrs., 138, 150, 157, 169, 203, 210, 244
Monkey Bridge, 25, 299
Monkivitch, Shirley, 193, 205,
Monopoly game, 59, 184ff, 206, 213ff
Monte Carlo Hoadley Hide, 70ff
Moody, Mr. and Mrs., 244
Moore, Barbara, 23
Moore, Ron, 22ff
Morehen, Jan, 249
Morning of My Life, The, 260
Mornement, Deryck, 52, 63
Morning of My Life, The, 53
Morris, Bob, 233
Morris Van, UK, 115
Morwell, 29
Mosquitoes, 166, 184
Motton, Robert, 288, 290
Mount Baw Baw, 81
Mount Donna Buang, 49
Mount Eccles, 183
Mount Gambier, 79, 202
Mount Juliet, 170
Mount Kosciusko, 205ff
Mount Macedon, 242, 245
Mount Waverley RS, 290
Mountain Ash trees, 48
Mouser, George, 233
“Mud”boree, 27, 61, 88, 91
Mulhouse, Germ., 121
“Munga” box, 165
Murchison Highway, Tas., 106
Murfett, “Murf,” Mrs., 64, 169
318
Picot, Ken, 152
Pigeon Patrol, 33, 50, 199, 248
Pijollet, Phillip, 251
Pike, Stewart, 188ff
Pilgrims’ Way, UK, 113
Pink Panther, The, 108
Pioneer Badge, 77
Pioneer badge course, 43, 63, 77
Pioneering, 13, 18, 25, 147, 167, 190, 237
Pirates and theme, 151, 154ff, 265
Plimsolls, 119
Princess Theatre, 263
Poatina, 108
Polglaze, Colonel, 25
Policy, Organisation and Rules, (PO&R), 28ff, 44, 67, 75
Politically correct (PC), 304
Ponsford, Alan, 18, 45
‘Poo-bahs,’ 179
Poole, UK, 221ff, 250
Poole, Mrs., 102
Poole, Barry, 77, 82, 96
Poole, Norm, 86
Pope, Graham, 64
Port Adelaide, 79
Port Arthur, 39, 107
Port Campbell, 79, 183
Port Fairy, 182, 186
Port Wakefield, 79
Portrait, `133
Potter, Michael, 23
Potter, Revd., W. R., 54
Powelltown, 49
Power point presentations, 170
Prayer for Brotherhood, A, 55, 262
Preliminary courses, 14, 95, 136, 139, 148, 171, 189, 271,
286
Presbyterian Church, 206
Pressure lanterns, 166
Preston, Ron, 22, 42
Pretty, Sandra, 288
Prince of Wales Hotel, 50
Princes Hill High School, 40ff, 59, 66, 82
Princess of Tasmania, 106
Princess Margaret, HRH, 113
Proctor, Michael, 291
Program, course, 238
Program innovative, 253
Progressive Pioneering, `12
Project, woodbadge, 233
Protestant, 284
Protestant Chapel, Gilwell, UK, 119
Public Address systems, (PA), 265
Public Service, 87
Puckapunyal Army Camp, 18, 196, 304
Puffing Billy Preservation Society, 57, 264, 269
Punctuality, 154, 161, 179
Quarter Master (QM), 18, 64, 157
Quebec, 284
Queen’s Guides, 266
Omeo, 58,, 238
On the Crest of a Wave, 144
One Hundredth Year Anniversary Jamboree, 298
One Hundredth (100) Scout Wood Badge, 150
One Naught One (101) Committee, 296
Open groups, 28
Orbost, 76, 213
Organ Pipes National Park, 16
Ormond College, 16
Orphanage camp, 32
Otway Foresters Group, 203
Overhead projectors, 170, 209, 225, 262
Owls Patrol, 199
Pack Holiday Centre, 81
Pakes, Ian, 38
Palais Theatre, St. Kilda, 55, 101, 236, 245, 263, 273,
286ff
Pallin, Paddy, 52
Palmer, Robert, 22, 42, 45, 55, 59
Panama Canal, 134
Paper drives, 23
Papua New-Guinea, 95
Parfett, Stanley, 247
Parish, Bill, 66, 82
Park, Alston, 284, 289
Parker, Dr. Charles, 190, 193ff, 204, 207ff
Parker, Greg, 158
Parker, Ted and Mrs. Edna, 161ff, 169
Parliament House, 299
Pathfinder Scouts, Germ., 123
Patrol boxes, 51
Patrol camping, 17
Patrol cooking, 18
Patrol Leaders (PL) 21, 35, 68, 154ff, 175
Patrol Leaders training course, 161
Patrols, 199
Patterson, Lindsay, 189ff
Pax Hill, 296
Pearce, Derry, 54
Pearce, Garry, 54, 60
Peckers Patrol, 199
Peebles, Max, 55
Penang, 61
Penfold, Alan, 68
Pennants, Hoadley Hide &c, A Grade &c, 11, 69, 71, 81,
93, 99, 142, 159, 188, 255, 266, 273, 275
Perry, Kevin, 214
Personal Leader Advisors/Trainers &cPLAs), 256, 269,
300
Peter Principle, The, 232
Petter, Jim, 233
“Phelps, Mrs.,” 224, 234, 253, 259
Philippines, 95
Philippines Gang Show trip, 287
Phillips, W. G., 169
Pianist, 172
Pianta, Paul, 82ff, 101, 143, 171, 204
Picken, Les, 10, 15, 303ff
“Picking up sticks,” 152
319
Rover Den, 47, 54
Rover dinner, 63
Rover Leader, 44, 51, 64, 232
Rover Mate, 43
Rover Mate course, 43
Rover Moot, 55, 57ff
Rover Preliminary course, 43
Rover Squire, 41
Rover Scouts, 42
Rovering to Success, 41
Rovers, Rovering &c., 18, 24, 39ff, 44, 157, 175, 199,
203, 263, 265, 273, 279
Rowlands, Barry, 145, 147
Royal Australian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers,
(RAEME), 197
Royal Military College, Duntroon, 76
“Royal Purples,” 100
Rubicon, Crossing the, 53, 305
Ruppin, David, 147, 149
Running a Scout Group, 60
Running a Senior Scout Troop, 67
Russell, (Tom) E. H. C., Scout Hall/Troop Room, 25,
223ff, 234, 248, 261, 267, 272
Ruth, 273
Sale, 137
Salvation Army, 248
St. Albans, UK, 129
St. Bernard’s Roman Catholic Parish Hall, 172
St. Bede’s Anglican Church, Elwood, 20ff
St. George’s Day Service, 23
St. Dunstan’s Church of England, Cheam, UK, 111, 134
St. John’s Ambulance organisation, 150
St. John’s Anglican Church, Malvern, 10, 267
St. Kilda Scout District, 21, 63
St. Patrick’s College, Ballarat, 62
St. Paul’s Anglican Cathedral, 23
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Warragul, 66
St. Stephens’ Anglican Church, Belmont, 157, 205, 217
Sailor Maker’s Whipping, 73
Salt, Trevor, 184ff, 190, 196
Saunders, Rodney, 68, 75
Scales, John, 23
Scandinavia, 126
Scarfe, Ron, 233
Scarves, 67, 75, 109, Aust., 126, 147, 155, 200, World,
254, Branch, 265, ETTST 274; 295
Schaunslandbahn, Germ., 123
Schwarzwald, Germ.,121
Scotch College &c, Senior Scouts, 99, 188, 204, 215
Scotland, 190, 300
Scout Awards Scheme, 202, 216
Scout Hat (s), 22, 32, 132, 201, 297
Scout Heritage, 270, 272, 274, 277, 292, 298
Scout Hymn, 8
Scout Law and Promise, 9, 10, 21, 132
Scout Task Force, 261
Scout Shop, 10, 16, 28, 38, 161, 210, 243
Scout Shop, Geelong, 203, 244
Scout Transporter, 145
Queen’s Scouts, 38, 43, 69, 76ff, 81, 84, 108, 119, 162,
181, 189ff, 200, 210, 215, 255, 267, 270, 273,
281, 290, 295, 302
Queensland, 35ff, 180
Queenstown, Tas., 39, 106
Quirk, Howard, 22
RAAF Activity camp, 178ff
RAAF Butterworth, 61
RAAF East Sale, 208
RAAF Museum, 181
RAAF Point Cook, 178ff
RAAMC Training Depot, 53
RAF – Royal Air Force, 286
Raft race, 157, 188
Rail strike, 167
Rail trails, 71
Ranger Guides, 140
Rapkins, Jim, 152
Ravenhall, Dr. Clare, 298
Ravenhall, John (and Sally,) 234, 239, 242ff, 247, 252ff,
254, 258, 261, 267ff, 269, 280, 284, 298
Ray, Denise, 104
“Razor blades,” 226
Reader, Ralph, 31, 133, 173, 220, 263, 273, 286ff
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), 256, 273
Reconnaissance, 96, 191, 193, 205, 211
Reeves, Shirley, 240
Region Commissioner, 300
Regions, 176
Rehearsals, 53, 172
Reigate Hill, UK, 113
Religious Policy, 201
Renmark, 79
Rich, Peter, 27, 33ff, 36
Richardson, Alan, UK, 111, 123
Richmond, Tas., 39, 107
Ringwood, 58, 140, 300
Risson, Major-General Sir Robert, 55
River Yarra, 23, 286
Robbins, Irene, BEM, 53, 59
Roberts, Gary, 162, 164ff, 181ff, 186, 189
Roberts, Herb, 183
Roberts, Peter, 166, 182
Robertson, Neil, UK, 117
Robin Hood Park, 73, 82
Robinson, Barbara, 143
Robinson, Derek, UK, 117
Robinson, Ken, 41, 45, 49, 53, 55, 59, 77
Rock and roll, 180
Rocky Cape, 106
Rodda, Jessica, 273
Roddick, Revd. Reg, 20, 23
Rogers, Peter, 145, 158, 182
Rokeby, 87
Roman Catholic Church &c, 174, 253, 284
Rossiter, J., 169
Rotary International, 175
Rover Chalet, Warburton, 48, 55
Rover Crew, 238
320
Shoalhaven Gorge, 45ff
Showtime, 147
Silver Acorn, 278
Silver Kangaroo, 283
Silver Koala, 278
Silver woodbadge beads, 292
Simpendorfer, Les, 96
Simpson, Harry, 233
Singapore, 262
Singing, 186, 235, 258, 295
Sixth (6th) Rover Woodbadge course, 47
Sixth (6th) St. Kilda, 21, 29, 34, 38ff, 43, 46, 49, 51, 53,
57, 60, 63, 77, 297, 299
Sixth (6th) St. Kilda Rover Crew, 72, 275
Sky hooks, 51
Slutzkin, Colin, 240
Smartness and Good Order session, 127
Smith, “Beaver,” 159
Smith, Lyne, 161
Smith, Terry, 233
Smoking, 73, 74, 106, 189
Snape, Ian, 68, 70, 75, 255
Snoopers, 11
Snow weekend
Snowgum, 28, 161
Snowy Mountains and Scheme, 45ff
Snowy River, 207
Socials, 36, 87
Soccer Cup, World Final, 121
Sock tops, 39
Solomon’s Store, 170
Somerama, 148
Somers Gate, 292
Somers, Lord, 283
Somers Walk, 83, 220
Songs/singing, 62
Sorrell, Tas., 39
Soulsby, Glen, 214
Sound of Music,122
Soutar, Jon, 75, 78, 96
South African Constabulary, 74, 293
South Australia, 235, 2327
South Korea, 95
South Pole, 199
South Yarra, 274
Southampton, 110
Southern Cross constellation, 199
Southern Ocean, 216
Spencer, Geoff, 82, 96, 108, 143
Spence, Cyril, 184
Spencer Street railway station, (now Southern Cross), 81,
167, 225, 244, 259, 302
Spiritual Development, 262
Sponsored groups, 10, 20
Spring, Don, 33, 62, 248
Spring Lodge, 47, 234, 248, 253, 261, 268, 270
Sputnik, 44
Square tent, 279
SS Oriana, 110
Scout Troops, 175, 246
Scout and Guide Graduate Association (SAGGA), 112,
127, 221, 224, 235
Scouter, UK, 112
Scout Laws, 201
Scout library, 212
Scoutmaster (SM) or Scout Leader (SL), 10, 14, 20, 22,
63, 71, 304
Scouting for Boys, 9, 61, 174, 199, 303
Scouts Australia, 200
Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT), 232, 269,
271
Scouts Owns and yarns, 59, 92, 111, 118, 129, 134ff, 215,
227, 234, 242ff, 258ff, 261, 264, 271, 276, 301
Scripture Union, 264, 283
Sea Lake, 220
Sea Scouts, 21, 216
Second Class badge, 23
Second (2nd) Australian Scout Venture, 88, 178ff, 300
Second (2nd) Belmont, 137, 146, 155
Second (2nd) Belmont Campsite, 147
Second (2nd) Hampton, 88
Second (2nd) Warragul, 66, 78, 82, 87, 100ff, 162, 255,
288
Sedgeley, John, 57
Selby, 57
Senior Scout Conference, UK, 112
Senior Scout Preliminary course, 189
Senior Scouts &c, 24, 33, 36, 43, 51, 66ff, 72, 134, 136ff,
142, 145, 153ff, 157, 164, 174ff, 181, 189, 199,
202, (see ‘Venturers’ from here on), 255, 265,
272
Senior Scouts, UK, 111
Senior Teacher, 188
Seven Creeks, 59, 63, 82, 101, 149
Seventeenth (17th) Geelong, 204
Seventeenth (17th) GL/Cmmr WB course, 227
Seventh (7th) Australian Jamboree, 88ff
Seventh (7th) Australian Jamboree Song, 105
Seventh (7th) World Rover Moot, 55, 57ff
Seventy-Five Years of Scouting, 144, 272
Seventy-fifth anniversary of training, 269
Seymour, 191
Shannon Vale, 58
Sharp, Harold, 231
Sharp, Vic, 235, 244, 247
Shaw, Alex, 129
Shaw, Dave, 57
She Oak River, 171
Sheath knives, 10, 305
Sheedy, Dian, 294, 296
Shepherd, Robert, 184, 187
Sheppard, Michael, 100, 107
Shepparton, 230, 239
Shere, UK, 111
Sherrand, David, 55
Shields, Lachlan, 302
Ship’s mast, 152
Shire of South Barwon, 198
321
Taggerty, 41
Tallarook, 196
Talmalmo, 206
Tam O’Shanters, 147
Tanjil Bren, 70
Tanke, George, 47
Tanzania, 129
Tape recorders, 170, 233, 248
Tarago Scout District, 66, 153
Taree, 255
Tarwin District, 36
Tasmania, 39,41, 43, 105ff
Tasmanian Tourist Bureau, 39
Taylor, Andrew, 286
Taylor, Bob, 296, 300, 302
Taylor, Horace, GC, (UK), 117
Taylor, Graeme (and Aileen), 170, 172, 178, 190, 203,
211, 224, 244, 273
Taylor, Ian, 22, 42
Taylor, John, 111
Taylor, Rod, 111
Tebbutt, Merv, 233, 244ff
Technical and Further Education (TAFE), 273, 275
Tenderfoot badge &c, 10, 19, 21, 28
Tent poles, 51
Tents, hike, 165, 183, 263
Tents, square or auto, 179
Tentage, 72
Tenth (10th) Malvern, 50, 238, 280, 295
Tenth (10th) Medium Regiment, RAA, 136, 195
Terangaville, 191, 194ff
Territorial Army, 119
Test cricket, 248
Thailand Gang Show trip, 287
Thanksgiving Day, 228
That Song in my Heart, 168
Therfield School., UK, 134
Thetford, Paul, 145, 148, 150, 155, 162, 172
Third (3rd) Highton, 193
Third (3rd) Portland, 184
Third (3rd) St. Kilda, 21, 49
Thirteenth (13th) GL/Cmmr WB course, 224
Thom, Carol, 247
Thomas, Paul, 225, 243, 280
Thomson, Aline, 235
Thomson, Allan, 95, 139, 150, 169, 247
Thomson, Graeme, 22, 42
Thomson, Ian, 66, 68, 71, 75
Thomson, Peter, 46
Thomson River, Dam, 214
Thompson, Hon., Lindsay, 222
Thurman, John, 12, 61, 117, 126ff
“Tim,” 219
Timber tramways, 49
Timbercorp, 297
Titcumb, Maureen, 234
Todeschini, George, 217, 224, 230ff, 233, 247
Tomahawk Creek, 43
Tommy’s Hut, 59
SS Oronsay, 134
SS Taroona, 39
S.S.L’s Guide, The Australian, 52
Stage 1 course, 209
Stage 3 course, 230
Stage 4 course, (was Woodbadge Part 2), 217
Starved Rock, USA, 222
State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SEC), 103, 295
“Statics,” 208
Statue of “The Boy Scout,” USA, 222
Staves, 17 ff
Spears, Brendan, 267
Stephens, Sir Ninian, 262
Stephenson, Harry, 42
Stermole, Ernie, 240
Stevens, Revd., Fr., Geoff, 142
Stevens, Ivan, 47
Stevenson, Ray, 240
Stewart, Mrs. Betty, 55, 289ff
Stidston, David, 141
Stidston, “Mac,” 274, 294
Stockade, Germ., 122
Stone, Revd. Alex, 17
Stone, Athol, 57
Stoneman, Eric, 233
Story of Gilwell in Victoria, The, 242, 276
Stoves, cooking, UK, 113, 132
Stradbroke Cup, 11, 17, 21, 36, 49, 191, 203, 209, 275
Stratford, 76
Strathbogie ranges, 59, 63
Strathmore, 242ff, 258
Strzelecki Ranges, 83
Strathbogie Ranges, 149, 160
Stringer, Lawrence, 112
Striped paint, 18
Stunts, (Challenges) 36, 65, 68, 70, 97, 145
Sturt Patrol, 68
Sub-camps, 178
Suez Canal, 134
Summers, Joan, OAM, PSM, 268
Sunburn, 122
Sunset Valley, 97
Suspension bridge, 244
Sutherland, Jim, Group Captain, 178
Sutton Street, 66
Swaffield, Narelle, 266
Swan, Clark, 213, 217
Swan Hill, 161
Swanston Street, 299
Sweden, 174
Sweeney, H., Shield, 24
Swift’s Creek, 224, 238
Swinton, Bob, 70, 93, 95ff, 142ff, 169, 188ff, 209, 274
Switzer, Geoff, 95, 238
Switzerland, 123, 251
Sydney, 46, 51ff, 136, 262
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, 156
Symon, C. C., 200
T-shirts, maroon, 164, 183
322
Uniforms, 22, 23, 28, 36, 38, 48, 74, 154ff, 171, 176,
199ff, 220, 235, 246, 271, 273ff, 278ff, 281, 292,
298, 299, 303ff
Union House, 64, 284
United Kingdom, 174, 220, 224, 262, 266, 274
Uniting Church, 174, 295
University of Melbourne, The, 9, 32, 64, 284
“Unlocking the Land,” 96, 275
Upper Murray River, 205ff
Valena, Eddy, 100
Valentines Mansions, 12
Valiant station wagons, 140, 149, 193, 206
Vatican II
Vaughan, John, 22
Venturer Badge, 77
Venturer Course, 49, 268
Venturer Scouts, inc., UK, 74 132
Venturer Scouts, Aust., (Venturing), 175ff, 190, 198, 202,
305
Venturer Support Team, 266, 278
Venturer Overnight Camps (VOCs), 70, 96, 265ff, 275
Venturers, 216, 246, 255, 263, 270, 291, 298, 300
Ventures, 156
Verschure, J., Netherlands, 126
VFL Park, 242
Vic Roads, 235
Vicar, 66
Victor Harbour, 79
Victoria, 61, 63, 269, 289, 303
Victoria Palace, 182
Victoria RS, UK, 121
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE), 266
Victorian Railways, (V Line), 14, 30, 214, 225
Victorian Scout, 16, 18, 239
Victory Theatre, St. Kilda, 273
Vigil, 41
“Vinelander” train, 225
Voigtlander camera, 83
Viva van, 206
Vivian, Joe, UK, 117
Wade, Lynton, 232
Wagga Wagga, 235
Wake, Phillip, 180
Waldron, Doug, 279ff
Walker, Colin, 68, 70, 75, 78, 96, 255
Walker, Mrs. 66
Wall blackboard, 204
Wallace, Andrew, 271
Walsh, Maj-Gen Michael, UK, 262
Walter, Keith, 52
Waltham Abbey, UK, 129
Waltzing Matilda, 130
Wangaratta, 63
“Warratabargo,” 153
Warburton, 48, 55, 71, 140, 212
Warby Springs, 46
Warracknabeal, 220
Warrnambool, 148, 183
Warrandyte, 23
Tomorrow’s Guide, 135, 200
Tong, Revd., Norm, 266
Tooboorac, 197
Tooth, Revd. George, 49, 57
Torquay, 242
Total Fire Bans (TFBs), 261
Tourniquet lashings, 188
Tower (Dandenong Jamboree), 88ff, 91ff, 109, 152
Tower Hill, 186
Towong Hall, 205
Tracey, Richard, 284
Trafalgar, 29
Trailer, 164,, 19
Train travel 51
Training courses, general, 189
Training Ground, Gilwell, UK, 117
Training handbooks, UK, 128, 199, 297
Training handbooks, Aust., 223, 297
Training history, 269
Training the Team course, 225, 234, 239
Training the Team, UK, 126ff, 135
Training Team, 129, 252
Training Team conferences, 137
Training Team monthly meetings, 156, 230
Training Team 75th Anniversary Reunion, 271
Training Team weekends and days, 188, 204, 208, 215,
230, 237, 239, 242ff, 247, 249, 254, 258, 261ff,
264, 266ff, 268ff, 273ff, 276, 283, 294, 299ff
Transactional Analysis, 244
Traverse, 48
Trease, Graham, 27
Trease, Harold, 27
Trease, Len, 27
Trease, Neil, 27
Trease, Ron, 27
Trees of Victoria, 16
Trembath, Mr., 29ff
Tremewan, Margaret, 240, 302
Trentham, 171, 278ff
Triangulation, 43
“Tribal elder,” 292
Trinidad, 134
Troop Leader, (TL), 35, 53, 95, 111, 184, 211ff, 272
Tulk, Lewis, 247, 271
Tullah, 106
Tullawalla camp site, 193, 209
Tumult, 206
Turner, Fred, 240
Turnham, Stewart, 267
Turnham, Trevor, 265
Twelve Apostles, 183
Twenty-One Years of Scouting – The official history of the
Boy Scout movement from its inception, 199
Twenty-third (23rd) GL/Cmr woodbadge course, 232
Two (2nd) Field Regiment, RAA, 284
Tyler, Tony, 229
323
Wolf Cubs, (also Cubs), 132, 252
Wombat State Forest, 265, 279
Wood Badge courses, &c, 271, 305
Parts 1 and 3, 161, 233
Commissioner, 202
Cub, 189
GL/Commissioners, 159, 190, 209, 218, 223,
224, 229ff, 232, 237, 247, 252, 256, 259
Project, 233
Scout, 25, 64, 95, 150, 157, 248
Senior Scout/Venturer, 113, 116, 135
Rover Mate, 43
Rover, 47
Wood, Judy, 240
Wood, Wally, UK, 134
Wood Wood, 79
Woodend, 228, 266, 269, 279, 306
Woodhouse, Chris, 100
Woodsmoke, 305
Working Bees, 83
Works and Services Camp, 154
World Bureau & scarf, Geneva, 116, 130, 251, 254, 264
World Emblem, 176, 201ff
World Jamboree, Sydney, 262
World Scout Conference, Melbourne, 262
World War I, 199
World War II, 45, 199, 294
Worpel, Gerd, 194
Worship, UK, 123
Wright, Bill, 21
Wright, Lynda, 269
Wycheproof, 220
Wycliffe Bible College, 262
Wynyard, 106
Yachting, 186, 194, 214
Yallourn, 66
Yankee Gully, 139, 145
Yarra Junction, 70ff, 141
Yarra River, 204
Yarrongobilly Caves, 207
Yea, 191, 193ff
Yorkshire Dales, 114
You Yangs, 169
You’re the Fellow for Me, 198
Warragul (Also see ETSST) 60, 64, 66, 70, 75, 79, 87,
110, 145, 153, 164, 182, 208, 215, 254ff, 264,
272ff, 275ff, 286, 302
Warragul Artillery Training Depot, 36
Warragul Combined Schools Cadet Unit, 66
Warragul District Ambulance Service, 81
Warragul Guide and Brownie groups, 102ff
Warragul High School, 65ff
Warragul Methodist Church Hall, 102
Warragul Presbyterian Church Hall, 102
Warragul Roman Catholic Church Hall, 102
Warrants, 15, 157, 211, 245, 252, 306ff
Warrnambool, 79
Water certificates, 212
Water activities, 253, 273
Water truck, 159
Waters, Bill, 41ff, 44, 47, 57ff
Waters, W. F. Bogong Ski Lodge/Chalet, 42, 58
Watts, Wally, 44, 47
Wehbey, Joe, Syria, 126
Weller, Harry, 52
Wells, Eddie, 212
Wells, William Dr., 261, 265
Wensleydale coal mine, 160
Wescott, Elton, and family, 212, 217, 220
Wesley College, 40ff, 45ff, 48, 60ff, 212, 219, 239
West Side Story, 85
Western Australia, 163
Westaway, Neil, 52, 97, 247, 252ff
Westminster Abbey, 113, 135
Whipping (ropes), 73
Whiteley, Marcia, 244
Whitfield, 63
White Wolves patrol, UK, 126
Whitten, J. H., 169
Whittlesea, 268
Who Wants to Say ‘Goodnight’?, 151
Wide games, 12, 112
Williams, Chris, 186ff, 194ff, 206
Williams, David, 111
Williams , Brian and Jane, 185, 196, 206ff
Williams, Harold, 10, 37
Williams, Kenneth, 247
Willis, Jon, 286, 288, 290
Wilkinson, Ada, 235
Wilson, Barry, 22, 42, 63
Wilson, “Blue,” 81
Wilson, Dudley, 33, 42ff, 47, 50, 54, 62, 141, 145, 245,
248
Wilson, John, 244
Wilson, Mrs. George, 84
Wilson, George, 84
Wilson, Kent, 66, 82, 89
Wilson’s Promontory, 214
Wimbledon, 112
Windsor Castle, 119
Windsor Hotel, 263
Wittental, Germ., 121
Woggles, 200
324
Songs
Scout Hymn, 8
It’s a Wonderful Life, 31
Prayer for Brotherhood, 56
Keep Looking for a Bluebird, 80
It’s a Great Game, 90
7th Australian Jamboree Song, 105
On the Crest of a Wave, 144
Who Wants to Say ‘Goodnight’?, 151
That Song in My Heart, 168
Brothers of the Sky, 192
You’re the Fellow for Me, 198
Thanksgiving Day, 228
Accolade, 257
Morning of My Life, 260
Australia, 291
By the Blazing Council Firelight, 306
The Scouting Day, 307
Thursday, 18th July, 2013
325