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Sea Scouts make waves in 2009

The Scotch College Sea Scouts have taken on 2009 with more members, more staff, a distinctive uniform, and a massive new boat–building project.

WORDS: WILL HUGGETT – YEAR 12

Richard Blake with the hull of the boat; and (inset) George Stevenson and James Fenke (Year 12)

The Scotch College Sea Scouts have made some changes and have taken on a big project in 2009. For the first time in a long time, a captain and vice-captain have been elected from the students. George Stevenson was elected captain with Christiaan Van Til as his vice-captain. For the first time in the history of the Scotch College Sea Scouts, an official uniform has been created, making staff and students more recognisable, and creating a sense of conformity and belonging to the Sea Scout population. The new uniform is a red T-shirt, blue shorts or pants, and a blue hoodie, all embroidered with the Sea Scouts logo.

Regular activities are going well as usual. Students are undertaking activities including scuba diving, kayaking, fishing, camp catering, welding and working on personal building projects. With each activity undertaken, the students, with the help of a great team of staff members, are able to gain skills very important to their lives beyond Scotch.

At the end of last year, Scotch Boatman Mr Bob Lachal and the Sea Scout community decided that for the next two years the Sea Scouts would be involved in building a 26 foot (7.92m) sail boat. With the assistance of Mr Richard Blake, a professional boat builder, most Year 11 and 12 students have undertaken this great project and are well on their way to completing the hull. The Sea Scouts would like to thank Richard for agreeing to offer his assistance, and for his guidance so far, and we are looking forward to the next year and a half with him on this project. We would also like to thank the Swap Shop for its generous donation in making this project an achievable goal.

Another project the Sea Scouts will undertake, currently in planning stage, is building large wrought iron gates for the Sea Scouts’ boat shed. This project will require the cooperation of metal-smith Mr Justin Purser, and some funding, but it is well within the reach of the Sea Scouts.

Next year, and hopefully annually, the Sea Scouts will be involved in a sailing trip on The Enterprise, a big 19th century sailing boat. The staff and students will all spend the night on the boat as an extra activity in addition to the annual end of year camp.

The Sea Scouts’ population is growing, with a new group of 20 Year 10 students joining the approximately 60 existing Sea Scouts. New members of staff have joined the Sea Scouts with Messrs Robert Braidwood, Dean Russell and John Newell all joining the team, as well as Mr Peter Rickard joining us all the way from the Music School. These new staff members are joined by returning staff members Rev Grant Watson, Mr John Flynn, and the teacher-in-charge, Mr Dylan Coleman.

The year so far has been exciting for the Scotch College Sea Scouts, with new uniforms and a big new project. The remainder of the year looks to bring even more adventure and skill acquisition for all Sea Scouts students and staff. GS

Updated: Monday 24 June 2013