LAST week I had the privilege of meeting with Scouts NSW in the Parliamentary Speaker’s garden, wearing two official scarves — one presented to me by the 1st Lismore Scout Group at a recent function and another from Scouts NSW.
The 1st Lismore Scout Group, celebrated its centenary in 2017, although delayed by one year due to the Lismore floods of March 2017. 1st Lismore Scouts is also known as “Sir Walter Davidson’s Own.” During a visit in 1918, by Sir Walter Davidson, Governor and Chief Scout of NSW, the Lismore Scouts formed a guard of Honour for him, and on hearing of the hard work the scouts did for the community during the floods of Lismore and fund raising for troops in World War One, he bestowed the honour of calling them his own group.
Group leader Nigel Watts presented me with a 1st Lismore – “Sir Walter Davidson’s Own” scarf and a Scouts Australia leather woggle at a meeting in the Lismore Scout Hall on Magellan Street, where I met with Scouts, Cubscouts, Scouting leaders and their families.
The aim of Scouting is to prepare our youth for a full, active and productive adulthood, especially through fun and outdoor activities. This is achieved through the principles of personal progression, community involvement, learning by doing, nature and the outdoors, youth leading-adult supporting, and more.
Boys and girls are welcome to join Joey Scouts 6-8 years; Cub Scouts 8-10 years meeting Tuesdays 6.30-8pm; and Scouts 11-15 years meeting Thursdays 6.30-8.30pm.
Scouting is a volunteer organisation relying on parents and the community for support. If your youth are interested in Scouting or you can help, please email lismorescouts@gmail.com, or your local group.
I plan to also meet with Scout Groups in Kyogle and Murwillumbah.
I have read the 2018-19 Annual Review for Scouts NSW and the organisation forecasts a bright future.
WINTER WEAR: Lismore MP Janelle Saffin actually wore three scarves — her own winter one, the 1st Lismore Scouts Scarf and a Scarf from Scouts NSW. She is pictured with Parliamentary colleagues and Scouts NSW representatives.
