Scouts Victoria

Moonee Valley DISTRICT

report to
our community
2014-2015

Moonee valley district

Moonee Valley District began as Essendon District over 100 years ago. The District is
made up of Scout Groups from the suburbs of Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Airport
West, Essendon, Keilor East, Kensington, Niddrie and Strathmore.
There are a total of nine operational Scout Groups throughout the district with more
than 300 Youth Members (6-17) and Young Adults (18-26). These members are led and
supported by more than 50 trained leaders with assistance from countless parents and
friends.
The role of Moonee Valley District is to provide the support and coordination for
Scouting within the local area. The District is specifically tasked to support and advise
the membership to ensure a varied and well executed program in each section. The
District is charged with the role of acting as a centralised body for major tasks such as
property management support, communication with local council and the community.
Scouts Australia (Victorian Branch) is the largest volunteer based youth organisation in Victoria, with over 1,000,000 hours of
dedicated work by our tireless volunteers. We are twenty-two thousand members strong, focusing on the education of youth and their
development into resilient members of our community.

High achievers

As a matter of conversion, if a workforce was paid in order to deliver the Scout Program it would cost over $25 million per year before
including any additional items like entitlements. Worldwide, Scouting has over 30 million members with operations in over 161 nations.

Promise
Challenge
Badge

Grey
Wolf
Award

Australian
Scout
Medallion

Queens
Scout
Award

Baden-Powell
Scout Award

12

Name
Mason Morrice
Seren Rowlinson
Lawson Sleigh
Martyn Arends
Aston Smith
Amy Pittard
Jack Twomey
Matthew Davis
Harrison Harbert
Yvonne Morton
Thomas Norman
Dylan Page
Matilda Randle
Emma Rawson
Tamsin Sleigh
Dirk Arends
Zoe Kermonde
James Lockwood Spence
Harriet Andrew
Emma Conley
Rose Davis
Simone Prendergast
Sam Ferris

Group
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
15TH ESSENDON
15TH ESSENDON
1ST STRATHMORE
2ND STRATHMORE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
6TH MELBOURNE
15TH ESSENDON
15TH ESSENDON
17TH ESSENDON
1ST STRATHMORE
1ST STRATHMORE
1ST STRATHMORE
1ST MILLEARA
17TH ESSENDON

Award
Joey Scout Promise Challenge
Joey Scout Promise Challenge
Joey Scout Promise Challenge
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Cub Scout Grey Wolf
Australian Scout Medallion
Australian Scout Medallion
Australian Scout Medallion
Australian Scout Medallion
Australian Scout Medallion
Australian Scout Medallion
Queens Scout Award
Baden Powell Scout Award

School
Kensington Primary School
Holy Rosary School - Kensington
Kensington Primary School
Our Lady of the Nativity School
Kensington Primary School
Strathmore North Primary School
Strathmore North Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
Kensington Primary School
St Bernards College - Essendon
Lowther Hall Grammar School
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College
N/A
N/A

REPORT TO our community

Aim, principles & mission

Aim
The Aim of Scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of young
people so that they take a constructive place in society as a member of their local, national and international community.
Principles
The Principles of Scouting, as identified by the founder, Lord Baden-Powell, are that Scouts serve their God, act in
consideration of the needs of others and develop and use their abilities to the betterment of themselves, their families
and the community in which they live.
Mission
To contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Promise and Law, to help build a
better world, where people are self fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
We achieve this by:
- Involving young people through their formative years
in a non-formal education process.
- Using a specific method that makes each individual
the principal agent in his or her development as a selfreliant, supportive and committed person.
- Assisting them to establish a value system based upon
spiritual, social and personal principles as expressed in
the Promise and Law.

Our Scout Groups

15th Essendon
Joey Mob

22 Woods St, Ascot Vale VIC 3032

Mon (17:45:00-18:45:00)

1st Strathmore
Cub Pack

138 Lebanon Street, Strathmore VIC 3041

Thu (19:00:00-20:30:00)

Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit
Rover Crew

Thu (19:00:00-20:30:00)
Tue (19:00:00-21:00:00)
Tue (19:30:00-21:30:00)
Fri (19:30:00-22:00:00)

Scout Troop
Venturer Unit

Wed (19:00:00-21:00:00)
Fri (19:30:00-21:30:00)

2nd Essendon

Cnr Buckley St & Mt Alexander Rd, Essendon VIC 3040

17th Essendon
Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit

7 Batman Street, Essendon West VIC 3040

Mon (19:15:00-20:45:00)
Thu (19:30:00-21:30:00)
Tue (19:30:00-21:30:00)

Venturer Unit
Rover Crew

Fri (08:00:00-10:00:00)
Fri (20:00:00-23:00:00)

1st Milleara
Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit
Rover Crew

1A Doyle St, Avondale Heights VIC 3034

Wed (18:30:00-20:00:00)
Mon (19:00:00-20:30:00)
Wed (19:30:00-21:30:00)
Thu (19:30:00-22:30:00)

2nd Strathmore
Joey Mob
Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit

63A Kernan St, Strathmore VIC 3041

Mon (17:30:00-18:30:00)
Mon (19:00:00-20:30:00)
Wed (19:00:00-21:00:00)
Fri (19:30:00-21:30:00)

1st Moonee
Ponds
Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit
Rover Crew

Cnr Clarinda St/Ardmillan Rd., Moonee Ponds

VIC 3039
Mon (19:00:00-20:30:00)
Wed (19:00:00-21:00:00)
Wed (07:00:00-09:00:00)
Fri (20:00:00-23:00:00)

5th Keilor
Cub Pack
Scout Troop
Venturer Unit

Fullarton Road, A.J. Davis Reserve, Airport West VIC 3042

Wed (19:00:00-20:30:00)
Mon (19:00:00-21:00:00)
Thu (19:00:00-22:00:00)

Rover Crew

Thu (19:30:00-00:00:00)

6th Melbourne
Joey Mob
Cub Pack
Scout Troop

55 Mccracken Street, Kensington VIC 3031

Wed (17:30:00-18:30:00)
Tue (18:30:00-20:00:00)
Mon (18:30:00-20:30:00)

REPORT TO our community

moonee valley scouts Today

Group
Moonee Valley District
1st/10th Essendon
15th Essendon
17th Essendon
5th Keilor
6th Melbourne
1st Moonee Ponds
1st Strathmore
2nd Strathmore
1st Milleara
2nd Essendon
Fellowship - Moonee Valley

33

Suburb
District Support
North Essendon
Ascot Vale
Aberfeldie
Airport West
Kensington
Moonee Ponds
Strathmore
Strathmore
Avondale Heights/Keilor East
Essendon
District Fellowship

345

Joey
Scouts

Total
3
2
78
34
41
73
28
41
70
52
4
8

118

Total Youth

62

Scouts

124

Leaders

Rover
Scouts

44

Cub Scouts

Scouts

Fellowship

Venturer
Scouts

Joey Scouts

Total Adults
Adult
Helpers

26

Cub
Scouts

90

Venturer Scouts

Rover Scouts

400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

REPORT TO our community

District Commissioner

As another year rolls by, Scouting is more than ever a

relevant organisation for the development of the future of
our community. Scouting has been out and about more
than ever in the past twelve months, both locally inside
Moonee Valley District, but also across the state. Starting off in February this year, we had over 10,000 Scouting Members
descend on the City of Melbourne, celebrating the successes of Scouts Victoria. On the same day, we welcomed Shane
Jacobsen as Chief Scout of Victoria. For those who arent aware, Shane was actually a 15th Essendon Sea Scout and also
a 1st Keilor Scout (the predecessor of 1st Milleara).
Over the past four years, we have focused on consolidating and fixing the critical challenges in the delivery of the program.
These have ranged from assisting in recruitment of new leaders, training of new and existing leaders, coordination of major district activities and ensuring we set up a platform that can springboard us into continued growth of a relevant youth
organisation.
This year, weve worked with groups to begin the creation of local development plans. These plans outline key tasks and
activities to be undertaken to assist our groups into growing towards at least 100 members in the next five years. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we have at least 1000 members in Moonee Valley within the next eight to ten years. We have
plenty of opportunity with the progressive change of the demographics in many locations, including the increase of new
families in our local area.
Our primary focus will be retention of our membership, while we have grown each year, we have a significant retention
challenge. In the past twelve months, while we recruited about 110 members in the district, we lost 96 members from the
district. This is a clear indication that while we promote well, we arent doing well in keeping our membership. If we can
solve the retention challenge and reduce these figures by around fifty percent, then we will grow at least fifteen percent a
year. If we can maintain growth of 15% per year, then we are well placed to be at a membership of 1000 members by 2022.
A major task underway by the District Team supporting 5th Keilor Scout Group, is the development of their facility. The
current facility is at least fifty years old and is in dire need to be replaced. I am pleased to announce that funding has been
approved by the Scouts Victoria Branch Executive Committee and the project is aimed to be underway in early 2016. Combined with funding from the Victorian Government Scouts & Guides Hall Replacement Program, 5th Keilor Scout Group
and the Community of Moonee Valley will benefit from a fantastic purpose built facility to deliver Scouting and which will
continue to be made available for use by the local community for other activities like the current use by Dance Classes.
The future is bright for our organisation, with growing numbers growing across the state for the past eight years. In Moonee
Valley, we have grown by 46% in eight years. I am proud to have been part of the increase during my tenure as District
Commissioner of twenty percent. The credit must to go our leaders and the youth members for being part of and sharing our
quality program with the youth of Moonee Valley, a growth on average of five percent, per year is not an easy thing to do.
I would like to thank the efforts of all of our leaders and supporters. Each year in Victoria, we have more than a million hours
of dedicated hard work by our volunteers. In Moonee Valley our volunteers contribute nearly 100,000 hours of work into
Scouting in various forms. This involvement ranges across many disciplines such as being an assistant leader, managing
finances for a group, maintenance tasks on a Scout Hall, interviewing perspective leaders, conducting leader reviews, designing a training plan for a new leader, working with parents, providing support directly to a youth member struggling with
the skills for a new badge, coordinating hall hires, repairing water craft, responding to new enquiries, answering technical
questions on how to deliver the program, completing criminal history & reference checks on leaders. The amount of different tasks is substantive beyond what I have listed here, regardless, without the efforts completely by volunteers, we would
not be the organisation we are today.
I would like to finally thank the entire District Team for their support, without the assistance of Emma Barker, Luke Byrnes,
Robyn Whelan, Andrew Pocock, Stuart Grierson & Grant Martens. Additionally, the efforts of the day-to-day running of the
groups by our Group Leaders, Andrew Pocock, Cheryl Prendergast, Grant Randle, Steve McLean, Jason Troy, Ian Collings
& John Ravenhall. This year we had two group leaders retire from their role, Heather Honeyborne (transitioning to Assistant
Group Leader) and Heather Davis (moved overseas). I wish them every luck into the future and hope they continue their
involvement in Scouting.
Finally, I would like to extend my gratitude to the non-Uniformed members of the organisation. These are often the hidden
heroes of our groups and wider organisation. They complete many of the tasks and jobs that are beyond the reach of our
uniformed members. One such group is the Rowallan Committee of Management. Moonee Valley District is lucky enough
to have its own campsite and without the Rowallan Committee of Management, the facility would have disappeared long
ago. The facility is well run and is one of the highest rated Scouts Victoria operated site for many organisations. Well done
and thank you.
As many have heard, I am moving onto a new volunteer challenge in taking on the role of State Commissioner Personnel
Support. The role is specifically in the space of assisting the Assistant Chief Commissioner Human Resources in managing the Adults in Scouting space. A unique, challenging and fulfilling role that will hopefully see our organisation continue
to improve in the space of volunteer management and engagement. The volunteer role of District Commissioner will be
advertised in due course and we look forward to appointing a new person into the position to continue to grow the district
into the future.
Yours in Scouting
Mathew McKernan
District Commissioner

REPORT TO our community

Youth membership DEVELOPMENT

It has been twelve months since my appointment as District Leader Development for Moonee Valley District, and what
a busy twelve months it has been. Tasked among other things with the rebuild of 17th Essendon Scout Group, the year
began with a dive into the deep end of frontline management. Being a Leader in Charge provided a confirming insight
to the challenges and struggles of delivering the Scouting program with limited support.
Faced with a small Youth profile, Leaders yearning for support, and fresh-faced parents, challenges at 17th were many
and far across, but the foundations of a Group were still present a strong youth Program, eager Youth members, new
opportunities for fresh Leaders, and a beautiful hall to call home.
There are bumps and interruptions along any journey, and rebuilding 17th Essendon Scout Group was no different. Matthew Haysom announced his resignation in November 2014 as ACSL for the Pack, with the intention of travelling to the
UK for a few months, and is now living in France. CSL John Fissichia started the 2015 year with the Pack, but began
to withdraw in early 2015 due to increased work commitments after 16 years as a Cub Scout Leader.
The Group has had significant spurts of success. The Pack transitioned into new Leadership, with Susan Young (Berembong Rover Crew member) and Adam Bates (parent of 2 Cub Scouts) stepping into the Blue Uniform and taking on
the challenge of running a Cub Pack in full stride and with gusto. Both are well into their tenure as Cub Scout Leaders,
and doing a remarkable job. Susan and Adam are joined by Cleve Meyerhoff (new community resident), who has also
taken like a fish to water to his new role of ACSL. All three Leaders run a fantastic program, and it is due to their hard
work and dedication that the Pack has grown from 5 to 11 members at Census, and earned the Quality Scouting award
for the section.
Scouts at the Group share a unique burden. With a single, highly qualified Scout Leader, 17th Essendon Scout Group
grew from 2 to 6 members during the year, and were joined by 1st Moonee Ponds Scout Troop in January due to Steve
McLeans change from Scout Leader to Group Leader within their group. Both Groups are actively seeking new Scout
Leaders, with interest going as far as signing up Adult Helpers. This assists in allowing Youth members to attend and
participate in activities, but does not help ensure that a regular quality Scout program is delivered a significant challenge.
This challenge is not unique to this section, or this group. Across the District, and across the State, we have limited capacity to provide the Scouting program due to a Leadership shortage. In the past 12 months, the District Development
Team have sought out candidates to fulfill these roles, seeking students, parents, former Scout Leaders, and other
section Leaders to fulfill the role requirements to deliver our program. These have had limited success, mainly in that
candidates didnt realize what a challenging and dedicated experience being a Leader in the Scout Association presents
itself to be. Theyre not wrong, given that Victorian Leaders donate a combined 1.3 million volunteer hours per year with
professionalism and enthusiasm.
The Group has made significant developments, and will shortly be in a position to set their own course and continue
their own development.
17th Essendon Scout Groups challenges are not unique. Each Scout Group faces its own difficulties, ranging from poor
infrastructure, and a lack of Leaders, unstable committees, low youth membership, insufficient funding, and others that
prevent the execution of a Quality Scouting Program. Each presents its own crippling effects on a Group, but they can
all be overcome. To do so, Groups across the District (and the State) are encouraged:
To create a Group Strategic Development plan (projecting goals and objectives over 12 36 months).

This should be a documented consensus of the Group Council objectives to make a stronger, healthier Group.

Its implementation is driven by the Group Leader, and executed by section Leaders and the Group Support

Committee (where required). It is the responsibility of every Leader to shape the Development Plan and ad

dress its objectives, and reach out to their Parents and supportive Group members to make it happen.

It should address liquid and flexible processes to solve:

o
Youth recruitment and retention initiatives

o
Fundraising programs

o
Team building and communication opportunities (this can simply include regular Group Councils)

It should be simple, and easily understood by any member of the Group, uniformed or otherwise.
These are all things that many of our Groups do automatically. Youre probably wondering why its necessary to bother
with this if youre already doing this naturally but with the growing turnover of Leadership, and a shifting paradigm
of new membership, it helps if everyone starts on the same page, with the same playing field of understanding and
direction. If that page is physical, and explains what it is that your Group is all about, and how you do things, its all the
more easier to recruit new people, get them up to speed, and have everyone on the same page to move in the same
direction.
Thanks to all for your ongoing support over the past year. Your efforts are a testament to the success of this District and
the potential for a great future of Scouting across Moonee Valley District. Keep up the good work!
Yours in Scouting,
Luke Byrnes
District Leader Development

REPORT TO our community

adult training

Trained adults delivering the Scouting Program to our members is paramount to the success of delivering on the aims
& Mission of Scouting. The role of District Leader Adult Training Support, is to facilitate and support the completion of
training by our leaders in the District.
Moonee Valley District has had a great year in terms of training being completed with a large number of new leaders
completing their basic training this year. This is a result of the hard work of the Districts PLAs and mentors who work
closely to support our new leaders.
The District should be very proud to recognise 3 Wood Badges being completed in the last 12 months. Congratulations
go to:

Matthew Cengia, 17th Essendon Scout Wood Badge

Sue Knox, 5th Keilor Scout Wood Badge

Scott Harrison, 2nd Strathmore Cub Scout Wood Badge
This brings the total number of fully trained leaders in the District to 32. This also adds more highly qualified leaders to
the District that are able to mentor and support new leaders.
Within the Scout program, activities undertaken as part of the Basic and Advanced training are mapped against
competencies from Accredited Management Programs. In Moonee Valley in the last 12 months we have had the
following qualifications completed:

Certificate IV Frontline Management 2 leaders
I am looking forward to the training results in the next 12 months as there are a number of leaders undertaking their
advanced training. I am hoping that I will be able to report on some Joey
and Venturer Wood Badges in next years report.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Moonee Valley
District Personnel Committee (DPC) under the direction of Tony Farquhar.
The new leader interviews are now being conducted in a timely manner
and reviews are up to date.
Emma Barker
District Leader
Adult Training Support

District Personnel Committee

In the 12 months to 8th September 2015 the District Personnel Committee interviewed sixteen new leader applicants and
conducted nine 3 yearly reviews of existing leaders.
These interviews/reviews were spread across the following Sections and Groups.
New Leader Interviews
Joeys 6th Melbourne (1), 15th Essendon (3),17th Essendon(1), 2nd Strathmore (1)
Cubs 1st Strathmore (1),15th Essendon (1), 17th Essendon (2), 6th Melbourne (1), 1st Moonee Ponds (1)
Scouts 15th Essendon (1), 2nd Strathmore (1)
Venturers
17th Essendon (1), 1st Milleara (1)
Leader Reviews
Joeys
Cubs
Scouts
Venturers
Group

6th Melbourne (1),

1st Milleara (1), 1st Moonee Ponds (1)
6th Melbourne (2),15th Essendon (1)
15th Essendon (1), 17th Essendon (1)
1st Moonee Ponds (1)

The DPC continues to be impressed by the enthusiasm of new applicants and the skills and experiences they can bring to
their leadership roles.
It is particularly refreshing to hear booted Rovers say they want to give back to Scouting some of what they have learnt and
experienced as youth members.
Our thanks to Heather Honeyborne for allowing and facilitating the use of 15th Essendon Hall by the DPC to carry out leader
Interviews and Reviews throughout the year.
I would like to recognize and extend my thanks to Heather Stringer and Emma Barker for their ongoing contribution to and
support of the District Personnel Committee.
Tony Farqhuar
District Personnel Committee - Chairman

FINANCE
Moonee Valley District Scouts - Operating Budget
Income
Section
Badges
District Levies
Raffle Tickets
Hall Hire (1/10th Essendon)
Youth / Young Adult Registration
(1/10th Essendon) Income
Misc Income
Donations
Income Total

Budgeted
$500.00
$4,100.00
$0.00
$300.00
$0.00

Actual
$0.00
$3,048.00
$0.00
$0.00
$0.00

Difference
-$500.00
-$1,052.00
$0.00
-$300.00
$0.00

2015/2016 Budget
$200.00
$4,100.00
$0.00
$200.00
$0.00

$0.00
$0.00
$4,900.00

$0.16
$560.00
$3,608.16

$0.16
$560.00
-$1,291.84

$0.00
$0.00
$4,500.00

Budgeted
$0.00
$1,000.00
$1,900.00
$100.00
$280.00
$300.00
$700.00
$150.00
$0.00

Actual
$0.00
$782.10
$1,711.18
$122.10
$160.00
$480.00
$43.70
$0.00
$0.00

Difference
$0.00
$217.90
$188.82
-$22.10
$120.00
-$180.00
$656.30
$150.00
$0.00

2015/2016 Budget
$0.00
$1,000
$1,900.00
$100.00
$280.00
$500.00
$250.00
$150.00
$0.00

$4,430.00

$3,299.08

-$1,291.84

$3,180.00

$470.00

$309.08

-$160.92

$1,320.00

Expenditure
Section
IT Consumables
Electricity (1st/10th Essendon)
Insurance (1st/10th Essendon)
Insurance (MVD Assets)
Leader Registration
Leader Training
Misc Expenditure
Fire Services (1st/10th Essendon)
Youth / Young Adult Registration
(1/10th Essendon) Fees
Expenditure Total
Budget Total

This year, the District Scout Operating Account has seen some improvement in terms of remaining in surplus. This year, the District
Operating Account has had a surplus of $309.08, which is up on last years loss of $620.29. While this is an improvement, the delay
in payments from groups for levies and badges etc. As of today, we have receipted several hundred dollars of funds that should have
been paid for the reported year of 2014/2015. Our team will continue to work with groups to ensure the invoices are paid in a more
timely manner to ensure that our finances remain viable and we can continue to support with trained leaders, insured facilities and
the like.
This year, we had a closing balance of $1,346.45 at 30th June 2015. This is up on the previous year due to the surplus of $309.08.
With the planned expectation of re-opening 1st/10th Essendon Scout Group in the next 12 months, we should be in a better position
removing the increased burden from insurances and services required to maintain the Brewster Street Facility. This year is our second year with full internet banking for the district, which has substantially improved our position given we have direct access to funds
to pay invoices as they arrive for training, electricity and other utilities. We were fortunate with regards to Fire Services for 1st/10th
Essendon, with a supporter of Scouting completing the works free-of-charge through their employment in an effort to save significant
cost to the district in its custodianship of the facility.
Louise Pocock
District Treasurer

SUPPORTING THE YOUTH PROGRAM

ConsolIdated FINANCEs

This section outlines the total financial position of all groups in Moonee Valley District. This includes the operating account balances
at 30th June 2015 for each formation and the surplus/defecit details for each formation. These funds are used to operate each Scout
Group including purchasing of equipment, subsidising activity expenses, facility maintenance, contents insurance, capital works, trailer maintenance and other operating costs for groups. While there is a significant amount of funds in total, each formation runs with a
minimal budget per annum with an emphasis on reducing the cost for executing the program for our membership.

net position - surplus/deficit

District Accounts
Moonee Valley District
Moonee Valley District Cubs - Seeonee
Rowallan Scout Camp

$309.08
-$200.00
-$12,492.52 * Major Capital Works Projects Loan Repayments
contribute to loss

District Accounts Surplus/Deficit:

-$12,383.44

Group / Formation Accounts

2nd Essendon (Keith Farquahar Rover Crew) *
15th Essendon
17th Essendon
1/10th Essendon
5th Keilor
6th Melbourne
1st Moonee Ponds
2nd Strathmore
1st Milleara
Amaroo Rover Crew
1st Milleara Venturer Unit
Berembong Rover Crew
Monash Venturer Unit

-$172.00 * Member fee invoices outstanding

$11,145.29
$450.87
$0.00
$10,881.85
-$11,138.73
$17,667.48
$2,101.76
-$4,553.28
$378.87
$0.00
$448.00
$0.00

Group / Formation Surplus/Deficit

$27,210.11

Net Surplus/Deficit

$14,826.67

District Accounts
Moonee Valley District - ANZ
Moonee Valley District - Bendigo Bank
Moonee Valley District Cubs - Seeonee (Cub Scouts)
Rowallan Scout Camp

Cash at BANK
$1,346.45
$90.70
$2,356.15
$38,911.60

District Accounts Total:

$42,704.90

Group / Formation Accounts

2nd Essendon (Keith Farquhar Rover Crew)
15th Essendon
17th Essendon
1/10 Essendon
5th Keilor
6th Melbourne
1st Moonee Ponds
2nd Strathmore
1st Milleara (Combined Term Deposit & Operating Account)
1st Milleara Venturer Unit
Amaroo Rover Crew
Berembong Rover Crew
Monash Venturer Unit

$3,833.84
$38,669.75
$11,258.41
$497.72
$35,436.28
$28,851.00
$17,682.48
$18,928.06
$22,518.37
$1,315.40
$689.14
$2,014.34

Group / Formation Total Accounts

Net Cash at Bank

Moonee Valley district Scouts

Acknowledges the Support of
Bendigo Community banks of
Strathmore, Keilor east &
flemington for their generous
support of delivering Scouting to
the community of moonee valley

$181,694.79

$224,399.69

Prepared by L. Pocock based on Group Financial Report Data as presented at formation ARAP

Youth program

Joey Scouts

Its been another busy year for our Joey Scout Mobs
Currently we have 27 Joey Scouts over 3 mobs, with a possible new mob opening in the New Year.
We have 4 new leaders
- Jon Baker - 6th Melbourne - Paul Spencer - 15th Essendon
- Corrine Twomey - 2nd Strathmore
- Louise Pocock - 5th Keilor
We welcome them to our Scouting Family.
We say farewell to Brooke Carter from 2nd Strathmore, and thank her for all her good work with the Joey
Scouts and creating the momentum as the first Joey Leader for 2nd Strathmore.
Our Joey Scouts are continuing their journey in Scouting - by Linking up to Cub Scouts -their next exciting
adventure. Seven of our Joey Scouts have earned the highest award that Joey Scouts can achieve,
Promise Challenge Award 6th Melbourne- 2nd Strathmore:
- James Sides
- Lachlan Harrison
- Helena Da Preez
- Alexia Kyriacou
- Seren Rowlinson
- Lawson Sleigh
- Mason Morrice
Well done to all our Joey Scouts on their fabulous achievement.
The Joey Scout section turned 25 years old this year, and as a Region we
decided to celebrate by going to Scienceworks, to enjoy cake and have fun,
and by a visit to the planetarium.
As a District, the mobs have decided to celebrate our 25th Birthday by having a sleepover together. The theme will be Happy Birthday of course, all
the Joey Scouts are looking forward to this fun packed event.
The Joey Scouts all take part in all sorts of community events Australia Day Celebrations, Clean up Australia, Anzac Day March, Moonee Valley Festival
They also work together on Participation Badges
Buddy Badge, Adventure Badge, Environment Badge, Care n Share Badge
I would like to say a big thank you to all the parents for supporting their Joey
Scouts and to all the leaders for their ongoing commitment and support.
A Joey Scouts life is a busy busy time, learning about caring and sharing,
and about themselves through the Aims of Scouting.
We have a great bunch of leaders who encourage our Joey Scouts to develop and grow into the best person they can be, and continue their journey
through Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers. Then hopefully will
come back as leaders in one of our sections, they will be welcomed back

with open arms.

Thank you
Yours in Scouting
Robyn Whelan, District Leader - Joey Scouts

SUPPORTING THE YOUTH PROGRAM

Cub Scouts

The Moonee Valley District Cub-Scout section had

another eventful year; however our cub-scout numbers dropped from 131 to 124. Moonee Valley District cub-scouts, leaders and parents spent over 700
person-nights on camps. This is a major contribution by volunteers to the development of youth
in Moonee Valley. 17th Essendon resumed in their own hall after a period of being hosted at 1st
Moonee Ponds. Cub-scouts enjoyed the following activities in 2014-15:

Over 260 pack nights in total, including over 2000 hours committed by leaders during the year
to making the pack night programs innovative and enjoyable across Moonee Valley.

Packs participated in events including Anzac day marches and activities, an Anzac Day
re-creation event at Geelong, Planetarium visits, Big Day Scout in February, community gardening
projects, Clean Up Australia Day, canoeing, rock climbing, boomerang nights to accelerate cubscout achievement of goals, visits to fire brigades and a lapidary club, hikes etc.

Moonee Valley leaders ran two packs at Cuboree 8 in September 2014 (5 days, 4 nights,
3000+ cubs, good food). Cubs enjoyed a range of great activities, made new friends and developed
their skills and resilience.

2 District camps; one focussed on developing leadership skills for older cubs at Rowallan
camp and the other to introduce cubs-scouts to camping in tents as well as great activities at the
Pines in Altona.

A variety of pack holidays and sleepovers at different halls and campsites.
In recognition of their effort, skills development and application, we awarded the following badges to
Moonee-Valley cub-scouts in 2014-15:

10 Grey Wolf awards

Over 70 Boomerang badges

More than 300 Activity Badges
The activities and events developed the cub-scouts:
independence

communications skills

confidence
friendships

technical skills & knowledge
resilience
We look forward to the involvement and continuous improvement of the Cub Scout Program in the
next 12 months. We have many challenges ahead in a dynamic environment and hope to achieve
much success into 2015-2016.
Yours in Scouting
Stuart Grierson, Acting District Leader - Cub Scouts

10

Youth program

Scouts

Operation Night Owl

On 13th & 14th September, 2014, Moonee Valley District Scouts were
well represented at the inaugural Operation Night Owl, a 12+ km patrol hiking competition run by Lerderderg Region and designed to test
night time navigation skills. The event was held within the grounds of
Eumeralla Scout Camp. 33 Patrols numbering about 160 Scouts in
total competed. Moonee Valleys 6th Melbourne Scouts were awarded
the magnificent owl trophy. This year, Operation Night Owl will be held
at Treetops Scout Camp on 12th & 13th
September.
(Credit: Enid Hookey, 6th Melbourne)
Walter Murphy Hide Hike 2015
The Moonee Valley District annual hiking competition took place in the Creswick Regional
Forest north of Ballarat on May 30th & 31st. 5 Patrols (28 Scouts) from 2nd Strathmore,
15th Essendon and 6th Melbourne hiked a section of the Goldfields-Wallaby Track, near
Creswick. The 12 km hike tested hiking, estimation, construction, estimation, map reading
and emergency first aid skills. At the end of the hike, Scouts were transported to Pax Hill
Scout Camp for an overnight camp. The Walter Murphy Hide was won by 6th Melbourne
Scouts, now proud holders of the shield for the 3rd year in a row.
(Credit: Enid Hookey, 6th Melbourne)
District Leadership Course
On August 21st to 23rd, we had our annual District Scout Leadership course. With 13 scouts attending, 6 of which were
from outside our district, it was a small course, but the weather was very favourable, and we ran the course based on
the state recommended guidelines. Everybody had a great time, and I am incredibly proud of each scout who attended;
they grew into better leaders before my eyes.
Scout Medallions
The Australian Scout Medallion is the highest achievable award in the scout section, and requires many hours of work
over the several years a scout is in the section. The following scouts have achieved the ASM in the past 12 months:
Dirk Arends
Zoe Kermonde
James Lockwood Spence
Harriet Andrew
Emma Conley
Rose Davis

15TH ESSENDON
15TH ESSENDON
17TH ESSENDON
1ST STRATHMORE
1ST STRATHMORE
1ST STRATHMORE

St Bernards College - Essendon

Lowther Hall Grammar School
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College
Strathmore Secondary College

Leader awards
This year, weve had 2 scout leaders, Matthew Cengia of 17th Essendon, and Sue Knox of 5th Keilor, complete their
advanced scout leader training and be presented with their wood beads. This is a fantastic achievement, and requires
lots of hard work, so we congratulate these leaders. This will allow us to run more activities for our scouts.
Additionally, Matthew Cengia, Scout Leader at 17th Essendon, and David Southworth, Assistant Scout Leader at 1st
Milleara, achieved Meritorious Service Awards, for Meritorious or praiseworthy service to the Association for a period
of at least 6 years.
Matthew Cengia
Acting District Leader - Scouts

11

SUPPORTING THE YOUTH PROGRAM

Venturer Scouts

The past 12 months has seen continued growth in the Venturers in the Moonee Valley District. The District continues to run four Units;
Akoona, 2nd Strathmore, Monash and Parkair. Each of the Units have continued to grow with the newest Unit, 2nd Strathmore, going
from strength to strength. Venturer numbers continue to grow in the District and there is continual planning for recruitment of our older
Scouts to continue their Scouting experience in to Venturers and beyond. It is pleasing to see Rover Crews following a similar path
with Venturers in the District. The notion of providing a continued Scouting option for youth members is strong in the District with Units
currently providing a way to Look Wide for members from 1st Milleara, 1st Strathmore, 2nd Strathmore, 5th Keilor, 6th Melbourne,
15th Essendon and 17th Essendon. We are also hosting Venturers from 1st Keilor Village (Kororoit District) as well as continuing to
attract members from outside Scouting to our ranks. This year has seen Moonee Valley District Council welcome Moreland Venturers
to our District Council meetings. Units continue to provide fun activities and events for older Scouts to show them that fun in Scouting
doesnt have to finish after Scouts. In this vein, there are currently plans afoot to provide an activities camp for older Scouts based
on a Venturer Initiative Course.
The number of Venturer Leaders in the District has remained constant. We are thankful that such a group of passionate and hardworking people give of their time so freely to oversee the running of our Units.
Parkair Venturers currently has 10 invested Venturers; from 5th Keilor, 1st Strathmore, 15th Essendon, and 1st Keilor Village and four
leaders. These leaders are attached to 5th Keilor, 15th Essendon and 1st Keilor Village. We also have a number of new members
who are currently in the process of linking into Venturers for the first time. We are expecting further linking Scouts from 5th Keilor,
15th Essendon, 1st Strathmore, and 1st Keilor Village over the coming year. Parkair are proud that two or their members are nearing
completion of their Queens Scout Awards. Congratulations to Brendan Miller and Lily Kenna on all their hard work.
1st Millearas Akoona Venturer Unit continues providing a Venturing option for youth members in the west of our District. It currently
has 6 members and maintains a strong link with the 1st Milleara Group. This Unit has maintained its reputation of producing Queens
Scouts with Simone Prendegast receiving her invitation from Government House to her QS Award presented. Congratulations to
Simone on earning this auspicious award as well as her leaders, Group and family who have supported her throughout her time in
Scouting.
Monash Venturers has 10 Venturers and 2 leaders with a number of linking Scouts who will soon be invested as full members. Like
the other Units in the District, Monash Venturers are working solidly towards completing the Award Scheme with a number of them
well on their way to completing their QS.
Strathmore Venturers has 8 Venturers, 1 leader and 3 linking Scouts. They have been working hard at setting up their new Unit with
the creation of a Unit Constitution and developing their own persona. They are ably lead by Maria Bucknell who works hard to provide
a varied and fun program for her Venturers.
Also pleasing is the sense of District spirit among the four Units. There have been regular District and combined events throughout
the year and these will continue in to the future with a good rapport developing among the Venturers and leaders alike.
Venturers in the District have taken part in some amazing and challenging activities throughout the year. These include:

Venturing Skills camps

Australian Venture in Adelaide

Themed Camps

The Anzac day Dawn Service and Parade and participation in local RSL services

Vocations / Training for Job interviews

Art expression activities with a guest presenters and a formal presentation night

Rock Climbing

Cross dress dinner and dancing

Zone Councils

Anything Goes and Victorian Gathering (annual activity camps)

Hoadley Hide challenge camp completing the Venturer Initiative
Award

Movie & Pizza nights

Laser tag and go-cart night with the Rovers

Unit Management Courses
Upcoming events include:

A formal McDonalds dinner

Canoeing Expeditions

Victorian Gathering (annual end of year activity camp)

Victorian contingent will go to the Australian Venture in Adelaide

in Jan 2015
Roventure
Venturing in Moonee Valley continues to grow in 2015 and we anticipate will do so over the next few years. We now have a number
of different options for our members of Venturer age in regards to Unit types as well as meeting nights with every Unit in the District
meeting on a different night of the week. All the Units are running good, engaging programs and are led by a group of volunteers who
are passionate about the growth of Venturing. It has been my absolute pleasure to work with the youth and adult members of the
District over the past 12 months and I look forward to working with them in the future.
Grant Martens
Acting District Leader - Venturer Scouts

12

Youth Program

Rover Scouts

The 2014-2015 year has being a good one for rovers in the Moonee Valley district.
There have being a number of Rovers in the district taking on key positions in, the Victorian Rover
Council Office Bearer Group (OBs), the Lerderderg Rover Region Community (LRRC), Surfmoot,
Mudbash, RoVenture, Mafeking Committee and
Rover Motorsport (RSM), Hoadley Hide, MARB
and The Moot. The role of these teams is wide
and varied, with responsibilities in operating the
self-governance & management of the Rover
Section, assisting in development of Rovering
and managing the overall operations of the Section. Other teams are responsible for major events
operating with budgets of upwards of $80,000 and 1000 participants. Rover Scouts in Victoria are
also fortunate enough to operate and own major properties in the Alpine Areas for Skiing and also
in North East Victoria for multi-purpose activities (including motorsport, camping, adventurous activities). We are proud to say that there is at least one Moonee Valley Rover on each major sub-committee and team in the state.
As always it is fantastic to see so many Lerderderg rovers so
actively involved in leadership roles and in the running of Rovering at all levels of scouting.
There has also being a continued commitment from Rovers in
the district participating in and continuing to support Rowallan
working bees.
Moonee Valley Rover Crews continue to be an activate participant of motorsport with all crews participating in a least one motorsport event this year and some
crews being able to race at every event of the season.
Crews in the District are continuing to work hard to create inclusive and diverse programs, catering
to activities to suit all members. This has had a positive influence as we have seen the joining of new
members from both the Venturer Scout Section & people who are new to Scouting, bringing new life
into our Rover Crews. Throughout the Rover Section in Moonee Valley there has been a continuing
effort to run linking nights with our younger sections, and
we look forward to the continued support of Venturer Scout
leaders with these linking activities as well as continuing to
promote all the great activities Rovers has on offer.
Yours in Rovering,
Catherine Paterson
Rover Scout - Keith Farquhar Rover Crew

13

highly trained

SUPPORTED BY ADULTS
adult members have completed

leaders have completed

662 E-Learning

29 basic sectional techniques courses

the wood badge has been awarded to

building a pool of over
a

3 leaders this year

40 fully qualified leaders delivering

QUALITY program

Adult recognition & Service Awards

Helen Arends
Jacinta Lynch
David Southworth

15th Essendon
1st Milleara
1st Milleara

5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service
10 Year Service
10 Year Service
15 Year Service
15 Year Service
20 Year Service
25 Year Service
Outstanding Service Award
Special Service Award
Special Service Award
Special Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Award
Meritorious Service Award

Simon Rickard
Grant Martens
Enid Hookey
Ashley Hunt
Craig Morton
Cheryl Krois
Len Krois
Cheryl Prendergast
Bear / Dennis Prendergast
Andrew Pocock
Robyn Whelan
Emma Barker
Elizabeth Benton
Bruce Paterson
Wendy Jones
Fleur Clausen
Michael Wong
Heather Honeyborne
Matt Cengia
Jacinta Lynch
Stephen Marian
David Southworth

2nd Strathmore
5th Keilor
6th Melbourne
6th Melbourne
6th Melbourne
Moonee Valley District
Moonee Valley District
1st Milleara
1st Milleara
5th Keilor
Moonee Valley District
Moonee Valley District
Moonee Valley District
Moonee Valley District
1st Milleara
6th Melbourne
6th Melbourne
15th Essendon
17th Essendon
1st Milleara
1st Milleara
1st Milleara

Highly respected

5 Year Service
5 Year Service
5 Year Service

Special Service Award

Meritorious Service Award
Outstanding Service Award

3
5
1

5 year service
10 year service
15 year service
20 year service
25 Year Service

10
2
2
1
1

14

Rowallan Scout Camp

SUPPORTING THE YOUTH PROGRAM
The year 2014 to 2015 has seen a continuation of improvements both at HQ Camp and in the Forest Camp.
HQ Camp
The dormitories and toilets were our target this year. New hydronic heating throughout, along with new mattresses has
lifted the comfort standard considerably. The toilet and shower floors have been resurfaced and sealed and the mens
toilet now has a solar powered air extractor fan above the urinal.
The steps to the Rec hall and small dorm have been replaced and side handrails installed. The Rec Hall verandah posts
repaired & replaced as needed.
Scout Fellowship again spent a weekend at camp doing a phenomenal job weeding and pruning at HQ, continuing the
improvements to the chapel and assisting with repairing steps. A 3rd tier of
seating has been added to the amphitheatre by KF rovers.
We are concerned at the speed at which people drive going up and down to
HQ. There is a 10kph restriction sign at the base of the drive which should be
adhered to. As well as the likelihood of collecting a Kangaroo there are also
children on this driveway.
Forest Camp
An arborist has conducted a survey of the trees in all current camping areas.
All trees deemed to be unsafe have been cut down. We need help in cutting
& removing them.
It is obvious that our forest area is well treed with 30 year old growth. We
maintain a section of it as safe for camping; therefore it is extremely important
that, the sites chosen for camping by the ranger are the ones that are used.
In addition to personal safety the other concern is maintenance of a fragile
environment and it is for that reason that sites are used on a rotation basis.
An additional walking track has been added, near the Angels Flight bridge.
We continue to improve the forest ablution block and have partly resurfaced
and sealed the floors. Further work will be carried out when it is warmer and
drier.
A persistent concern throughout the year has been the water leaking from underground pipes in the
forest. There is 1 leak that has proved very difficult to isolate and repair.
If anyone in the forest finds isolated green area with lush soft growth in
an otherwise dry environment could you please point it out to the Ranger.
Late update, the leak has been found in the cisterns of the toilet block.
Wardens Cottage
This year we have replaced the 30 year old hot water service with an
electric boosted Solar HWS and have replaced the 10yr old combustion
heater. We would like, when finances allow, to install a wetback on this to
give free heated water to the cottage.
Facebook & Web Site.
Thanks to Dirk Arends we now have an up to date facebook site. Check it to see our ongoing improvements. There is
also the Rowallan website at www.rowallan.org.au that enables direct contact for information and bookings.
Future projects
Jason Troy is currently developing an Archery Course in the forest which we expect to be operational by Christmas.
Many thanks to Jason for driving this Project.
Bookings
Much of our success can be attributed to our Booking secretaries, Rob and Helen Arends and their family, who work for

15

SUPPORTING THE YOUTH PROGRAM

the camp in many ways as well as their management of the Camp PR. This year we have had 31 Forest Camp bookings
for 980 people, an average of 58 person-nights per booking and 43 HQ Camp bookings for 1304 people, an average of
65 person-nights per booking. HQ Camp was booked
for 80% of weekends and 35% of our income is from
Scout sources.
Direct benefits to members of the District in the form of
free camping; $3,440 being 150 person-nights for Forest Camp, and 284 person-nights for HQ Camp.
Thanks
I would like to thank all the members of our committee.
It really is amazing what so few people achieve. The
assistance of Keith Farquhar Rover Crew has been of
enormous benefit and especially to Gary Howard for his
help in wood cutting and maintenance work.
The Ranger, Len Krois, who is kept quite busy with
groups coming and going in both HQ Camp, Forest
Camp and Guide camp throughout the year and looking
after all the small maintenance items that we are only
aware of when something goes wrong
Our Projects officer Rudolf Arends puts in more hours than we can count into repairs and maintenance as well as projects.
Our thanks go to our DC, Matty McKernan, for all his help over the past 4 years. He has been a tremendous asset to this
District and it is a real shame that he is moving on before the results of his work have had a chance to be consolidated.
To Bruce Paterson, our Auditor for many years, thank you and congratulations for a well deserved Distinguished Service
Award
Finally our Treasurer Mark Anastacio who has resigned after the year he committed to. His circumstances changed and he has had to move on. He has been
a reliable and thorough treasurer and we appreciate all he has done. Jordan
Buchanan is now taking over for which we are grateful.
Service Work
The Camp is maintained by our small committee with the assistance of KFRC,
however we would like to see more physical assistance from the members of
our district in keeping the Camp in good shape. Much of the work, especially in
the forest clearing and planting could be done a little at a time by groups which
would make an enormous difference to the camp. Service work at the Camp can be used toward badge work. It would
be really appreciated if other Rover crews and Venturer groups would help out at their Districts camp.

sustainable

Declon OFarrell
Chairman
Rowallan Scout Camp
Management Committee

980 forest campers this year

1304 HQ (INDOOR FACILITY) Users This YEar
HQ (INDOOR FACILITY) CAmp Centre was used 80% of Available Weekends
75% OF HQ CAMP CENTRE INCOME WAS FROM EXTERNAL USERS, MAKING SCOUT
weekend camps AFFORDABLE FOR FAMILIES

$3,400 worth of savings for Moonee Valley Scouts

16

Copyright 2015 - Moonee Valley District - Scouts Victoria