Author: Colin Yeung - Group Leader

Macedon – Woodend Scout Group Update – Term 4 2020

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

Team,

Term 4 has started and we are slowly getting back to scouting.

Venturer’s is starting this week, Cubs & Scouts is starting up next week, with a carefully considered approach from the Leaders in keeping everyone safe.

Our transition to the new hall in Macedon is occurring in the background with movement of equipment and the other necessary details being admirably handled by the committee, Leaders and Venturer’s.

Three items I’d like to draw your attention too which require input from yourselves

1/ Scarf Design Contest. Attached is a flyer calling for the design of our new scarf, heralding the new era that our combined groups will represent. Submissions are only to be from the cubs, scouts or venturers, with entries emailed to corinneshaddock@gmail.com by October 30th.

2/ TeamApp – Shortly, we will be closing this TeamApp Site down 2nd Woodend Scout Group and moving everyone to the newly created Macedon – Woodend Scout Group. The colour scheme and Logo are generic at the moment, until we finalise this through the scout design contest.

3/ New website at www.macedonwoodendscouts.com – ongoing this will be managed by Venturers and older Scouts who want to learn how to manage a digital platform.

In closing, this has been a tough year for all. Working remote, schooling remote, has meant all of us have had to adapt. Merging two vibrant groups into one has been a tall task, but I’d like to acknowledge and thank the following committee members for their fantastic contributions: Zac Dunn (Parent Committee Chair); Jane Walduck (Assistant Parent Committee Chair); Rohan Birkett (Secretary); Tanya Graham & Jannaya James (Co-Treasurers); Corinne Shaddock, Tim Duff, Ken Bryce (MSG Group Leader), Mark Baeten, Simon Waliss, Brad Dean, Tim Jeans, Andrew Blain, Dale Sutton & Phil Seeber (2WSG Group Leader).

I look forward to catching up with you over the coming weeks, in person (socially distant!)
Best regards,
CY
–—————————-
Colin Yeung,
Group Leader | Macedon – Woodend Scout Group
Rama | Cub Scouts

ANNOUNCEMENT: A new address, a new name, a fantastic program

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

2nd Woodend Scout Group at Racecourse Reserve Hall is excited to make some announcements. We are moving to a more permanent home, merging with 1st Macedon Scout Group and starting a new era of Scouting in our region.

The 2nd Woodend Scout Groups tenure at Racecourse Reserve is coming to an end, with plans for development in this precinct meaning our Scout Group needs to find a new home.

We have been offered an enormously beneficial merge by our colleagues in Macedon; an opportunity to share their hall and become the Macedon – Woodend Scout Group.

Ten minutes from Woodend via the Old Calder, the Hall is across the street from where we canoe every summer. It is surrounded by bush trails for our mountain biking, hiking, orienteering and camping program. It is only 400 metres from the Macedon Train Station and shops. The hall is warm, spacious and features indoor bathrooms and plenty of wall space to hang our award boards and house our equipment. We are excited to make this our permanent home with them.

Our Leaders are all coming across, our program will continue once COVID restrictions are eased and our nights will stay consistent. Nothing about the 2nd Woodend Scouting experience will change, except now we have a location which will greatly complement our already active program. The Macedon group are also a highly active group, with both groups leaders commited to working together for the success of scouting in the region.

Our Section Leaders will continue to keep in contact with you as we make a COVID-conscious return to Scouting.

We welcome all of you to send us your ideas to help our Leaders and youth get the most out of this merge. We look forward to sharing this new era for our Group with you and will issue you further updates as we go.

Yours in Scouting,
1st Macedon Scout Group Committee & 2nd Woodend Scout Group Committee

2WSG COVID-19 Update

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

Dear All,

Update in relation to 2WSG and plans over the coming months in relation to COVID-19.

Since electing to cease face to face scouting activities on 22nd March 2020, many of you have spoken to Dale Sutton (Venturers), Matthew Perry & Andrew Blayn (Scouts), Tim Jeans or myself (Cubs) over the past couple of months. The collective message we are receiving, is all Cubs, Scouts and Venturers are adjusting to home schooling and learning an entirely different set of skills in a markedly different environment.

The Venturer unit has maintained activities throughout this period, as reflects their age and maturity, taking to online and individually led teamwork to achieve their goals. Dale has indicated that in the coming weeks with the easing of restrictions, that the unit is preparing to do more in person activities.

The Cubs and Scout units elected not to run activities. Our preference as leaders was that our children be given the opportunity to make adjustments and have the necessary “rest” so important to them at this time. One of the key messages we took away was that many parents were concerned at the amount of screen time with online learning and were making active efforts to reduce this exposure as much as possible.

With the above in mind, it is worth mentioning that Scouts Victoria has created weekly programs for Cubs, Scouts or Venturers available https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/age-sections-adults/scouting-at-home. All the leaders are available for a chat/review of any activities undertaken. Tim and myself with the Cubs are committed to getting our group who are eligible for Grey Wolf’s this year, through successfully.

Supporting those inclined, the 1st Woodend Scout Group, 1st Riddells Creek Scout Group and 1st Gisborne Scout Group have all invited anyone from the 2nd Woodend to attend their weekly Zoom sessions if you are interested. For further details, please contact myself on the below listed.

In closing, with the State of Victoria implementing a phased return to school from May 26th (P, 1,2, Yr 11 & 12) and the general school population from 9th June 2020, at this stage, we are looking to resume scouting activities in Term 3 to allow everyone to settle back into routine. Throughout, our decisions will be informed by the health authorities, containment and treatment and the consensus of the community. I’ll write to you again what that looks like in the coming months.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact myself on the below listed.

Colin Yeung,
Rama, Cub Scouts & Assistant Group Leader (Group Leader elect)
2nd Woodend Scout Group

COVID-19 Response from 2nd Woodend Scout Group

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

Midday, Sunday 22nd March 2020.

Dear All,

As the COVID-19 situation rapidly evolves globally, 2nd Woodend Scout Group (2WSG) has discussed the response that is in the best interests of our youth members, their families and the wider Woodend community.

With each of the leaders having at the highest priority the safety of their respective packs, we’ve elected to suspend face to face activities and programming, until further notice.

This is decision that has not been taken lightly. As parents and leaders, we all understand the importance that being involved in scouting presents to our children, as they navigate the trials and tribulations of growing up. The opportunity to guide our youth in an environment where they are challenged, build resilience, meet new friends and learn the importance of adaptability, creativity and kindness, in a well proven framework, is why we each became leaders in the first place.

However, as leaders, our duty of care extends to ensuring our community is safe. Youth from multiple schools, being led by volunteer parents from multiple work environments is a cross pollination risk we are not prepared to take, in light of the social distancing directives being recommended by the Australian Government and World Health Organisation.

The global response to COVID-19 with country’s in lockdown and sovereign governments in Europe and Asia taking extraordinary measures to contain contagion spread, as well as the experience from each of our respective work environments, are cues we are also using to inform our decision.

In closing, at this time the leaders and committee of the 2WSG would like to extend our best wishes to each of you, your families and loved ones. At a time where things are challenging, its up to each of us to support each other and help those that are in need and guidance. We all look forward to when circumstances change and we can all resume 2WSG scouting activities as normal.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact myself on the below listed,

Colin Yeung,
Rama, Cub Scouts & Assistant Group Leader (Group Leader elect)
2nd Woodend Scout Group

Cub Scouts – Grey Wolf Awards

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

Monday 22nd July 2019 to open term 3 we were joined by senior leaders from District and State to present Grey Wolf Awards to Evie Blain, Mitchell Dunn and Noah Yeung.

Shown in the photo are Wayne Gunn, State Commissioner Region Support, Tim Jeans, Akela 2WSG Cubs, Mitchell Dunn – Grey Wolf, Lois Pinkerton, State Commissioner Cub Scouts, Noah Yeung – Grey Wolf, Phil Seeber Group Leader 2WSG, Evie Blain – Grey Wolf and Steve “Bazil” Beshara, District Cub Scout Leader.

Grey Wolf is the highest honour bestowed on Cub Scouts and is awarded to those that display initiative, creativity, leadership and organisational skills in line with the cub scout way. Fun Fact: Only 5% of Cub Scouts ever attain the Grey Wolf Award.

Previous 2WSG Cubs who have been awarded Grey Wolf are listed here: https://www.2ndwoodendscouts.com.au/about-us/awards-recipients/

Also covered off was the promotion of the below cubs into leadership roles within the 2WSG Cubs pack. The below represent our next generation of leaders.

Red Six Sixer – Charlie P.
Red Six Seconder – Natalia
Brown Six Sixer – Jack
Brown Six Seconder – Hugh
Black Six Sixer – Charlie J.
Black Six Seconder – Lucie
White Six Sixer – Will
White Six Seconder – Phoebe
Grey Six Sixer – Lennox
Grey Six Sixer – Liam

Note:
Grey Six is a new ‘six’ group for our senior Cub Scouts that are actively going for their Grey Wolf award and will be progressing to Scouts within 6 months. The Grey Six will assist Leaders & younger Cub leaders & lead the group in activities from time to time.

Congratulations to all!

Cub Scouts, do your best!

Akela, Baloo & Rama

Cub Scouts – 2 Night Camp at a Sheep Station in Metcalfe

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

March 22nd 2019 Cubs Scouts headed off to a Sheep Station in Metcalfe for 2 nights under canvas for Term 1 2019 Camp. Originally scheduled earlier in the term, we had to delay due to Bushfire Danger and high temperatures. The Camp  got underway Friday afternoon with cubs meeting at the hall and heading off in convoy.

Leaders in Attendance – Akela (Tim), Baloo (Will), Rama (Colin) and parent helpers Nick (first night), Sam (2nd night) and Simon on Saturday morning (First Aid Classes, Green + Red Level badges). Also thanks to Sarah and Craig for driving cubs up on Friday night and Harry and Michael for helping with Camp pull down on Sunday morning.

Driving into Camp site, Friday night through Sheep Country.

Driving into Camp site, Friday night through Sheep Country.

Friday night, tents set up and some quiet time by the fire.

Friday night, tents set up and some quiet time by the fire.

Breakfast preperation – Jack & Noah preparing to do mass scrambled eggs and baked beans.

Water! Cubs scoping out the area we camped in.

Water! Cubs scoping out the area we camped in.

View of the mess tent & campsite from the opposite bank.

View of the mess tent & campsite from the opposite bank.

Saturday morning First Aid Lesson from cub parent Simon, who is also a serving Ambulance Officer with Ambulance Victoria. The cubs attained their Level 1 Green and Level 2 Red badges with the mornings lessons.

Saturday morning First Aid Lesson from cub parent Simon, who is also a serving Ambulance Officer with Ambulance Victoria. The cubs attained their Level 1 Green and Level 2 Red badges with the mornings lessons.

Lunch - you have to cook it! Saturday lunchtime, Cubs here preparing their own camp fires which were checked by Cub Leaders for size, safety (rocks/clear area/water nearby) before they cooked their own hamburgers.

Lunch – you have to cook it! Saturday lunchtime, Cubs here preparing their own camp fires which were checked by Cub Leaders for size, safety (rocks/clear area/water nearby) before they cooked their own hamburgers.

Going for a swim

Going for a swim

The boys swum out to this tree for their own photo opportunity.

The boys swum out to this tree for their own photo opportunity.

2018 District Leadership Course – Cub Scouts

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

August 24th – 26th saw 35 Cub Scouts from across the district attend the 2018 Leadership Course at Tree Tops in Riddells Creek.

Open to Sixers, Seconds and Cubs with promise of leadership capability, the camp is held once a year with participants from Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Macedon, Woodend (1st & 2nd) and Romsey packs.

Attending from 2WSG were: Evie, Liam, Mitchell D, Lennox, Nell, Mitchell T, Noah accompanied by Tim (Akela) & Colin (Rama).

An action packed weekend of activities, reflections and discussion with other cubs and experienced leaders about what qualities, actions and traits good leaders have. Lots of interesting puzzles, challenges and new friendships.

Thanks to the parents who dropped off cubs, helped across the weekend and congratulations to those that attended.

Akela & Rama.

2WSG Newsletter – April 2018

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader
2nd Woodend Scouts Newsletter – April 2018

Cubs
Cubs have had a great first term, making the most of the warm evenings. They’ve cycled the Domino Rail Trail in Trentham, canoed on Nursery Lake, and partied at the Pax Hill District Bushranger Camp! There’s been great hikes up Camel’s Hump organized by Isabelle, and a Grey Wolf Hike around Whipstick Loop in Blackwood organized by Harry. Not to mention the incredibly fun evening on Survival Night, where campfires were lit, jube castles built, and makeshift chariot races were won. Thanks to all of the Leaders for organizing an incredible first term. We have new Leaders appointed for the coming term who will start their training – thank you Tim, Nerissa, Colin and Will for stepping forward to become our new Cub leaders; allowing Gavin, Mark and Matt to move forward into new Scout leader roles in the coming months. Cubs resumes back
on Monday 16 April 5.30 – 7.00pm as usual.

 

Scouts
Scouts likewise have had a crazy and wonderful first term. They’ve participated in Clean Up Australia Day, and enjoyed the weather in Anglesea surfing and beach combing. They’ve worked on their badges and cords, and built and raced billy carts. A few experienced Top Gear where they drove cars, more billy carts and archery. Following on from the joint Survival Night with Cubs and Venturers, the Scouts loaded up their weapons and enjoyed paint ball in commando gear in Ballarat – thank you Heather for an awesome few months! Scouts resumes on April 16th from 7 –9pm – see you all there!

 

 

Venturers
Venturers this term have done a lot of planning for their Queen Scout. Following on from their successful 85km Gippsland Wilderness Trail Hike in January, they successfully completed the Tasmanian 75km Overland Track Hike this Easter. The weather looked highly unpredictable, but the Group was very organized with their gear and it was a huge success. Seven days of hiking was their longest hike to date with all food and gear on their backs. Looking forward to hearing what the Venturers plan for next term…

 

 

 

 

2WSG Newsletter – March 2018

/ Colin Yeung - Group Leader

A productive year so far…

An amazing start to the year for 2nd Woodend Scouts.  Our numbers have increased to 80 as more adventurous young people join our Group.

Cubs
So far our Cubs have enjoyed an active program riding the Domino Rail Trail from Trentham, canoeing on Nursery Lake in this stunning warm summer, and baking cakes in cardboard boxes and testing their survival skills building cubbies and shelters from  bark and logs deep  in the Wombat Forest.   They’ve hiked the Whipstick Loop in Blackwood for Harry’s Grey Wolf, and Camel’s Hump for Isabelle’s – and we’re only one month into the year!

Scouts

Scouts have worked hard this year to earn badges and cords, starting with last Sunday’s Clean up Australia Day along Five Mile Creek.     The kids have built billy carts, and a double A monkey bridge from scratch.   A  handful are looking forward to the Top Gear Camp next week where they race BMX, real cars, and more billy cart action as they drive hot laps.   Their main event this Summer has been the Surfing Camp down in Anglesea where they had lessons, and learnt environmental conservation of our beaches. Plans are now underway for the Scouts to work towards attending next January’s Jamboree from 3rd – 14th in South Australia.   A parent’s information night will be held on Wed 21st March at the Scout Hall 7.30pm.   It is an expensive camp, so ideas and parent helpers are needed to assist the kids to fundraise for this.     Registrations are now open and you can review this experience at:

https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/activities-events/events/scouts/australian-jamboree/

Venturers to date…

Venturers have lived the dream this Summer and hiked the Gippsland Coastal Walk – 45 kms of pristine isolated coastline.   They carried 5 days of food on their back, ,slept on the beach  and filled up on fresh water in the passing river estuaries.   It was a test of endurance, the heat causing the need to hike before the sun rose, an incredible experience.     Their focus now is on hiking Tasmania’s Overland Track this April over the course of 5 days and fundraising for this – with a sponsored mountain bike ride and barbeque this Saturday outside the Woodend Butchers.