Scotch College

Venturers in Hoadley Hide competition

Venturers do well in Hoadley Hide competition

At the beginning of this term, members of the 1st Hawthorn Venturer Unit had an exciting and challenging time. Over the Easter break, Scotch Venturers attended 'Hoadley Hide', a hiking competition based in the Wombat State Forest. Our team consisted of four unit members who were, Desmond Fung, Luke Van Ryn, Lachie Fraser and Dave Stillwell.

We competed against more than two hundred other Venturers from across the State. The aim of the competition was to visit a series of stunts per day, to score as many points as possible. At the end of the three-day competition the teams with the most points won.

During the day, teams navigated routes through the State Forest aiming to visit as many stunts as possible before stunts were closed and teams had to return to designated overnight camps.

At each stunt, teams were assessed for teamwork, leadership, knowledge, skills and attitude. These overnight camps allowed Venturers to revitalize body and mind, by socializing with other Venturers, sleeping and eating.

Many facilities were available at these Venturer Overnight Camps eg; first aid, washing facilities, toilets and suitable camping sites.

After three days' hiking, points were tallied and awards given to the highest-scoring teams. 1st Hawthorn was awarded a 'C', placing them in the top 20 teams, ahead of all other teams in the Boroondara district. Our team members all said it was a worthwhile experience, learning new things, enjoying nice scenery as well as making many new friends.

On the 10 May, we took part in Sandringham Venturers' Annual Jelly Wrestling Extravaganza. We had a great time going pound for pound with other venturers, trying to climb three metres up a ridiculously slippery rope to ring a bell.

Other activities included visiting Formula Bike, an eighteen hour continuous bike relay, and hearing John Glover, a forensic expert discussing kidnapped children, a lesser-known problem facing modern society.

We have also invested several new members; Lachie Fraser, Nick Darby, Michael Speer, and Jono Goldsmith, all of Year Nine, and Chris Newnham of Year Twelve.

Later in the term we are planning to go Go-Karting, a visit to the Hare Krishnas, a weekend working on our shack at Healesville and an overnight Venturing Skills hike in the Murrindindi State Forest.

Anyone interested in joining the Unit should speak to Desmond Fung (Year 12), Luke van Ryn (Year10) or drop by the Venturer Room at the Scout Hall any lunchtime.