1st Wahroonga

The bush walk terminates at Halvorsens boat shed, where we pause for a paddle pop break.

Then over to the sandpit area for the standard Scout sausage in a bun. Not the most exotic cuisine but it’s always amazing, how quickly they disappear.

There’s many more hikes and overcooked sausages in our future, at 1st Wahroonga! Cheers, Andrew

Visit to Fighter World

About 45 Cubs and family in total left from the Hall a bit after 9:00AM and arrived at Fighter World before eleven. It’s a museum attached to Williamtown air base which specializes in military aviation history. Our Cubs really enjoyed climbing into fighter cockpits, operating (dummy!) Gatling guns and buckling themselves into pilot harnesses:

We then drove to Corlette for a barbecue at the beachside park there. After lunch off to the northern end of Stockton Beach, where we transferred to 4WD buses and were driven to a massive sand dune. After a brief instruction from the (very helpful) Rob and Neil, the sandboarding started:
Pretty much as its name suggests- sliding down a huge sandhill. If everything comes together aerodynamically it’s quite amazing the speed that can be reached. Some of our high-spirited 1W parents were naturals, at sandboarding:
 As is always the way it all ended too soon, and we returned to Sydney with a bunch of tired and happy Cubs. Thanks to all the parents who attended, for your support! Carolyn and I couldn’t do it without you.

- Andrew & Carolyn Hestelow, for 1st Wahroonga Cub Scouts

Sirius Cup Camp

22 of our Cub Scouts attended the Sirius Cup weekend camp over 10th and 11th March, at Balmoral Oval. After all the camp postponements in late 2006, at last good weather was predicted, and we were determined to make the most of it.

We arrived early on Saturday morning, and with the help of several parents (much appreciated) set up two large bell tents and a marquee. With most of Saturday’s competitive events being Scouts-only, we headed for the beach. 

 Hole-digging was unfortunately not listed as an event, but if it had been it would be ‘gold, gold, gold!’ to 1st Wahroonga.  
Several parents had brought their boats to Balmoral, and generously offered rides to both Cubs and other parents. Sincere thanks to Brad Crosling and Michael McAuliffe for their thoughtfulness in that department. Craig, from Scouts Waterbase at Woolwich, took six Cubs to Clontarf and back, in an Army RIB.  In the evening we went to the wharf for some fishing. Jess Holland caught the fish of the night, a nice bream which was a lot bigger than it looked.  After a hilarious movie (screened outdoors) we settled down for the night in sleeping bags. Several parents stayed over. Thanks very much from Carolyn and I to the ever-helpful Stuart Vaughan and Marinela Mendes. We really couldn’t do it without you both!

Next morning the Cubs’ competitive events began. First up was the Iron Cub event which involved a lap of the oval and a 50 metre swim in Balmoral pool. With no preparation and almost no notice Milan Basson came 5th in a field of about a hundred. Well done Milan!  Next up was the Cubs canoe race. Our top team of Antonia Scott and Natalie Peden showed a lot of confidence and aggression on the starting line.  Due to a bit of a mixup (ie, paddling the wrong way around the course) 1st Wahroonga was under-represented, on the winner’s podium. Nonetheless much was learned, all of which will be helpful for Sirius 2008. 

All too soon the weekend was over and it was time to pack up and head for home. While Keith and Carolyne Waugh helped pack up the tents, James made friends with a kookaburra.  It really was a great weekend and the Cubs behaved very well indeed.

- Andrew & Carolyn Hestelow, for 1st Wahroonga Cub Scouts


Zulu!

The 1964 movie Zulu! is an adventure classic. Starring Stanley Baker and Michael Caine, the film is based on the true story of the siege of Rorke’s Drift in 1879. Around one hundred Welsh soldiers defended a small South African mission, against thousands of Zulu warriors. Eleven Victoria crosses were awarded after the battle. Earlier in 2005, we decided to host a Zulu movie night and sleepover at our Scout Hall, for 1st Wahroonga Cubs. We invited each Cub to bring a friend. A sizeable contingent arrived, and we begun the evening with a Zulu-themed barbecue, with most of the food supplied at a discount by local businesses. The Cubs then made Zulu ‘spears’ from rolled up sheets of newspapers, and cut ‘shields’ from sheets of cardboard, which they decorated with Zulu insignia. As darkness fell, the movie commenced, and Cubs and dads sat spellbound by Zulu’s Scout-related themes of bravery and integrity, and its overall message of war’s brutality.

After the movie ended, we staged a re-enactment of the battle. Three Sixes, with their shields and spears, performed a war dance in front of the ‘fort’, constructed of large cardboard boxes, also kindly supplied by a local business. The defenders readied their popguns, bought locally from a $2 store. ‘Battle’ was then joined, to the excitement of the Cubs, and amused enjoyment of a large group of parents, who had stayed to watch the fun. It was then time for teeth-cleaning, and into sleeping bags. To settle the Cubs down for the night, we outlined the story of the regimental flag, the ‘Queen’s Colour’, which was saved from the preceding battle, Isandhlwana. In that battle, fought a day before Rorke’s Drift, over 1,600 British troops died. When the regimental commander realized all was lost, he ordered two officers, Melvill and Coghill, to mount their horses, and save the Queen’s Colour by evacuating the battlefield. Coghill made it across the nearby Buffalo River, but returned to help his friend, who had been surrounded by Zulus. Both were sadly killed, and the Colour was lost in the river.

Later, hower, the flag was recovered, and today hangs in Brecon Cathedral, Wales – a testimony, to the officers’ bravery and sacrifice, mateship, and their respect for the flag. With that reflective message to ponder, and after saying the Cub’s Prayer, we all settled down to sleep.

Next morning, after fruit and muesli (mixed in snack packs – to save washing up), our Cubs and their friends were picked up early by parents. This was a simple and inexpensive sleepover, which we all enjoyed immensely. It also boosted Pack numbers considerably – not that our pack numbers need any boosting. I’d recommend this formula to any Leaders who want to give their Pack a fun night they’ll never forget. We can lend our cartons or shield templates, if they’re of assistance.

Visit to a Tall Ship; an account of 1st Wahroonga Cub Scout’s pack holiday on the James Craig

The ship’s history is well known to most Australians. Abandoned as a hulk in Tasmania early last century, the ship was steadily restored by volunteers during the 1980s, and finally completed as a Bicentennial project.

The fun started with a Saturday afternoon arrival at the dock in Sydney Harbour. We entered the nearby Australian Maritime Museum, examining the exhibits in the main building, then boarding a submarine and frigate moored alongside the wharf for a guided tour. Soon after, we went aboard the James Craig, stowed our gear and were introduced to the crew. Ship Keeper Sally Ostlund instructed us in the art of rigging a hammock below decks. A filling and nutritious box dinner was then provided.

After dinner, we were taken on a stem-to-stern tour of the ship, and enjoyed an array of activities with nautical themes. After singing a few sea shanties we retired to our hammocks and settled down for the night.

Next morning, after breakfast, a team of Rovers arrived, and belayed our Cubs as they climbed the ship’s rigging. Later in the morning parents arrived for pickup. This was a holiday everyone enjoyed immensely. It was not expensive, and I can recommend it without reservation to all Leaders close enough to Sydney to take advantage of the opportunity.

Fishing

In days gone by, 1^st Wahroonga used to tackle their red fishing Badge (he he. Get it? ‘tackle’, their Fishing Badge) with a trip, to Bobbin Head Wharf. Once there, our Cubs would excitedly tie oversized hooks onto their sun faded, too-heavy line with granny knots, and bait up with a frozen prawn. This unappealing combination would then be hurled out into the channel. Some lines would sink untouched, into the mud, safely out of reach of any passing fish. Others would be wrapped around the oyster-covered rocks, or the wharf pylons. After an hour or so of tangles (and no bites) we’d all pull in our lines, and go thankfully home. The only real excitement I recall is when one of the dads (who knew a bit about angling) brought a huge whiting, up onto the wharf planking. Everyone gathered around admiringly, to stare in awe at the trophy. Looking at the wistful envy in our Cubs’ eyes, I realized it was time to get our act together, fishing-wise.

 Fast forward to Summer, 2003. A generous Cub dad offered us the occasional use of his boat, for the purposes of fishing and boating badgework. An equally generous local marina offered us a mooring, at discount rates. It’s quite amazing, the support you can get from the old Scout network, if you’re prepared to ask for help. Lastly, we had all the reels serviced, and loaded with fresh line.

We were ready for a big fishing season! And so it proved to be. Most Sunday afternoons a collection of Cubs (and often, dads) have set out to explore the angling possibilities of Cowan Creek. And we haven’t been disappointed. The waterway is full of squid, which have certainly provided our excitement ration, during capture. Many a Cub, with his T-shirt sprayed with squid ink, has been picked up by a frowning mother at the end of the day! As confidence grew, we pushed further afield, into the Hawkesbury and Pittwater. Those waterways have been the scene of some memorable battles with kingfish, flathead and salmon (see pic.) With autumn drawing to a close, our fishing adventures are nearly over. Roll on, next summer!

Whitsundays kayak trip

Thirteen leaders, dads, and lads assembled at Shute Harbour in early 2006 for our Whitsunday sea kayak and camping trip. We shipped boats and gear across to Whitehaven beach using the local barge, and set up camp. Next day, we paddled up to the beautiful Hill Inlet, did some skitubing and chased the stingrays around. During the week we paddled, swam, fished, and snorkeled over the coral.

One day a 7 or 8 foot shovelnose shark (which had been bitten by another shark) came into Chance Bay, our second campsite, to recuperate. A couple of the boys managed to grab its tail for a free ride! The weather was great, mostly dead calm, with a one foot chop being the most we had to deal with. Everyone got on well together, and we finished off the week with steaks at the Hog’s Breath Cafe in Airlie Beach. A really great trip, not expensive, and one we hope to duplicate later this year.