For 10 days at the start of January, 10,000 scouts from across Australia and 30 other countries converged at Tailem Bend, South Australia for the 25th Australian Jamboree. For these 10 days, the site was the 9th biggest town in South Australia boasting a police station, hospital, radio station and mall. 16 semi-trailers were required each day to feed the scouts and volunteers.
Twelve 5th Brunswick Scouts made the journey overnight by bus from Melbourne. The event started with fireworks and live performers at an opening ceremony.
There were almost 300 absolutely fantastic activities on offer at stations both on and off site. Definitely enough to please everyone.
In between activities, scouts camped in tents, prepared meals for each other and washed their own clothes. A mall was set up which traded in the currency of Jambucks, with scouts selling their wares. A huge live stage provided entertainment every evening.
The scouts showed amazing resilience in hot, windy and dusty conditions. Despite the conditions, the scouts came homing having had a great experience and with a new found send of independence. They were tired and filthy, coated in a fine red dust, but as for past scouts who have attended Jamborees, this will go down as an experience of a lifetime.
The next Jamboree will be in 2022. Congratulations to all of the 5th Brunswick Scouts participants and well done to leaders.