Scotch College

Venturer Unit active months

Scotch Venturers have been busy in a wide range of activities during the past few months. Several Unit members attended the Scout Group's Annual Camp, assisting in cooking, activities, entertainment and in putting up the Scout tents, arranging their sites, and packing up on the last day.

The Cross Country skiing this year was disappointing, as the snow conditions didn't match our planned trips. Three days selected and not one trip; let's hope that next year is a better season.

On the 12 October, we invested three new members: Jono Newnham, Luke van Ryn and David Stillwell into our Venturer Unit. Bearing the wind and rain, we walked out to the end of the St Kilda Beach pier, climbed aboard a yacht and invested our new members in a watery ceremony.

The following week, we elected a new Venturer Unit Council and our newest invested members are now holding the positions of Quartermaster, Secretary and Treasurer. Their first challenge was a race against the deadline for Vic Gathering Application.

The Vic Gathering, is an event for Venturers aged 14-18 from all over the state. Over 1500 people are onsite for the weekend and this is a great event for meeting new friends and exchanging ideas. VG happens during the Correction Day weekend and activities run from 8pm Friday through to noon Sunday.

It is a weekend of canoeing, abseiling, rock climbing, dancing, milk crate climbing, fly wall and socializing.

The Venturer Room is currently under renovation: well not quite! We are in the middle of putting up shelves, and increasing our storage capacity. This has been a test of our Year 7 Design Technology Skills, as well as our ability to dodge falling pieces of timber. The Venturer Shack at Elliott Lodge is still undergoing a major renovation. While we have the floor, roof and walls, all the interior has been gutted. This project should keep the Venturer Unit busy well into next year, or beyond!

One of our upcoming activities is pistol shooting at the Melbourne International Gun Club. Here we will be instructed in the safe use of .22 and 9mm automatic pistols and revolvers. A canoe BBQ will finish our Friday night activities.

Our Unit is also taking part in a Relay for Life at the Burwood athletics track, teaming up with the Scouts and Rovers of the 1st Hawthorn Scout Group and the Boroondara District.

The final event for the year is our Annual Camp, which could include surfing, fishing, swimming, canoeing, hiking, sightseeing and relaxing. Stay tuned for further information about this great activity - check out further information at the Venturer Room.

Students interested in joining Venturers should speak to Luke van Ryn (Year 9), Dave Stillwell (Year 10), Desmond Fung or Ned Letcher (Year 11), or drop by the Venturer Room during any lunchtime.