For those who are jumping straight in here, it might be worth looking at Part 1 to see what I’m rambling on about. It’s quite an adventure. The link is https://petersfielddistrictscouts.org.uk/news/drop-bear-survivor-part-one/

So, part 2, where do I start! Well normally with a Scout Jamboree either before or after the camp there is a period of ‘Home Hospitality’, or if things aren’t going well ‘Home Hostility’! This is where Scouts stay with a host for a few days. It used to be a case of a local family would host them, but now they tend to stay with a local Scout Group. The idea is they can really immerse themselves in the culture of the country they are in. My trip was no exception.

So with the ‘work’ bit done, I moved into the holiday bit. There were still Scouty things to do but I wasnt in the spotlight so much. Firstly was a long awaited visit to Perth Aquarium with Cyclone. This gave Kanni valuable time to catch up on things. The aquarium was great with lots of things I hadn’t seen before, and my guide for the day was very patient with me. Even reminding me to do lunch! Speaking of food, I was really impressed with the quality and quantity of food throughout my visit. This can often make or break a camp. Even in the restaurants we visited the food was great and well priced.

My next event was something I had been looking forward to for a long time though. From a very early point in the planning I had wanted to go an see an Aussie Football game. My original thought was to compare it with rugby, but was I in for a shock! Again I was very lucky, and for a birthday treat Cyclone teamed me up with two other Venturers for our first ever AFL game. We took the train to the Optus Stadium, literally a stones throw from the Matagarup Bridge, where only a few ays ago I was heading down a zip line. There the surprises started. Its a very odd game, played on a oval pitch, with nine, yes nine referees. There appears to be no rules, and it had nothing in common with rugby! I’m sure it made sense to someone, but I couldn’t even figure out the scoreboard! That said it was an amazing experiance, and definately a highlight of the trip.

The following few days were a series of late nights and early mornings. Firstly was a trip to Bussleton with River and her son, who had made a huge impression at the main camp as Entertainment Manager. I was picked up really early and we went on what I would call a real Aussie Road trip. Our mission was Bussleton Jetty, the longest jetty in the southern hemisphere, over a mile long. On the way we ‘had’ to stop and test a coffee shop that had been on River’s radar a while, and also to meet local character Fergus….

Bussleton itself was great, a real seaside town. The Jetty was obviously the centre point of the town and with good reason. The impressive bit was the underwater observatory at the end. Going down under, down under was really impressive and the variety of fish that came to see us was pretty special too!

There is a character who I havent mentioned yet, and with good reason. ‘Red’ is a cub leader who is always up for a laugh. I was very used to the words, ‘Red will pick you up and take you to…..’ or ‘Red will bring you home from…..’ After a bit of planning we met up for the post camp debrief. The venue a pub on the sea front. We got there early as we wanted to see the sunset. Lets put this into perspective. To see the sun set on the ocean is a four hour flight from seeing it rise from the ocean. So I wanted to be at least 50% of the way there. In the end it was cloudy but it didn’t stop us all having a great evening, and to top it off many of the leaders from the camp came along too. With no Scouts about it was great to relax in a social setting for a few hours.

It was certainly not all play and no work though. I was honoured to take part, as a guest, in the ANZAC day dawn service. Up well before dawn the Joeys, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers met up at North Beach where I was invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the Group. A very moving experience, topped off by meeting Arthur, a Ex Pat Brit who had served on the same Royal Navy Squadron I had, just 30 years apart. The stories were still being swapped as we were ushered out the building, having had a ‘Gunfire Breakfast’.

There was still plenty of Scouting to be done though with visits to both Cub Units and both Scout Units. I must have got something right as at my final visit I was invested as an Australian Scout Leader. A very surreal experience as its normally me doing the investing! To help some of the Scouts complete part of their Australian Scout Award I took part in a question and answer session as a Veteran. The Scouts were asking some very good questions and seemed to take in what I had done in my previous time onboard Royal Navy ships.

Keen to explore new things Kanni had planned to take me to a wildlife park for some animal encounters.

Fortunately everything was under control at the wildlife park, but I did get to handle a snake, feed kangaroos and take in animals I’d never seen, or even heard of.

Then all of a sudden it was time to leave.

Looking back I’d been so lucky. The people I met, and I mean everyone I met, were so welcoming. Nothing was too much trouble. I was given free reign of peoples homes, Scout store rooms, and had so many amazing adventures. The event could have been held anywhere, but it’s the people who make it.

So whats next for me? I’ve extended an invite to the Group to come to the UK for a Jamboree in Cornwall in 2025. It seems several leaders and some of the older Scouts/Venturers are seriously considering it. Plans are being made. In keeping with the international theme, I’ve been invited to help at a sub camp at the Essex International Jamboree in 2024. I think that’s it, and it’s just hit me. Scouting is an International organisation. Its run by unpaid volunteers, on a series of invites. Anyone can join, and we would welcome more adults to help children have amazing adventures like I had, but once you’re in the door you can do as much or as little as you like. My Aussie adventure was nearly 10 years in planning, and worth every minute.

I hope to be doing another update on here in 2 years time, about a group of cold, weary travellers from the other side of the world. If you have the time, watch this space. If you want to know more, or have some spare time and are wondering if you can join in then you can click the link below or contact me here. You don’t need any ‘qualifications’ or experience in working with children, we can and will show you how to do all that stuff. We just need adult volunteers to be an extra pair of eyes, to make the squash, and to help run a game. The rest comes along as part of the fun!

/https://www.scouts.org.uk/volunteer/volunteering-with-scouts/