Friday 18 January 2013

Everything Must Go!

AJ2013 Clearance Sale 19 January 2013 - Everything Must Go!
So the show is over and now we have a huge amount of equipment, gear, materials and supplies that are available to be purchased adn everything must go!.
If you are looking for some amazing bargains on a huge range of items come along to the Clearance Sale on Saturday 19 January 2013 from 9.00am to 3.00pm at the Maryborough Showgrounds, Bruce Highway Maryborough (entry will only be possible from the main entrance on the Bruce Highway.  Some sections of the showgrounds site will be closed on this day for security and safety reasons).
The Clearance is open to the general public and will work like a garage sale (not an auction).  No registration process is required to attend the Clearance and purchase items.  All items will be marked with their sale price and sales will be conducted on a ‘first in – best dressed’ basis.
Items for sale at the Clearance Sale will include:
  • Camping supplies
  • Catering equipment
  • Electrical appliances and whitegoods
  • Safety gear (including water safety)
  • Building, construction and plumbing materials
  • Fencing supplies and tools
  • Outdoor and office furniture
  • Assorted hardware and tools
  • Office supplies and equipment

Download the full list of items for sale at the Clearance.
All items must be paid for and removed on the day. Cash, EFTPOS and Credit Card facilities are available.
Gates will not open before 9.00am and a BBQ breakfast and lunch will be available for purchase throughout the day.
Any enquiries should be directed to the AJ2013 Clearance Manager at clearance@aj2013.scouts.com.au.

Saturday 12 January 2013

Goodbye from AJ2013




These words have been flashing up on the main road all day. It is a sign that all things must come to an end.

As much as it is hard to imagine, 11 days on excitement, challenges, meeting new people and just pure fun have been had here at AJ2013.

Where else can you find over 8,000 youth members all gathered and being looked after by 3,000+ leaders and helpers. The spirit was huge, the days were long but all in all there was a smile on everyones face each and everyday.

This Jamboree has been a success in so many ways and if it weren't for those that gave up their time to be with all those tremendous kids this would never happen. Three years of planning all comes down to two weeks of amazing fun and joy.

The memories of things that have come to pass will long remain in the minds of those that attended. If every Scout and Leader goes home with at least two magical moments then our job as leaders and organisers have been achieved.

For some that attend it will be their first and last Jamboree, others will move on to the Venturer Section and experience new and exciting things as they continue their Scouting lives. For those that leave us, we know that what you have attained here in these two weeks will provide you with a strong core of values and understanding of others. You should all be very proud of what you have achieved  Look back and see how you started Jamboree and then look at what you did by the end of it. Are you different? You certainly are.

We wish you all well for the coming years and hope to see your faces at the 24th Australian Scout Jamboree in 2016 at Cataract Park, NSW.


Goodbye from Fraser Coast Regional Council


On behalf of Council and the Fraser Coast Community, I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the 2013 Australian Scout Jamboree.

The jamboree was the first large scale youth event that we have hosted here on the Fraser Coast, and the site of the Maryborough Showgrounds transformed into a virtual ‘scout city’ truly had to be seen to be believed.

In addition, it was a real privilege to see so many scouts, scout leaders and volunteers, enjoying all the Fraser Coast has to offer, from the brilliant blue water of Hervey Bay to the beautiful, heritage streetscapes of Maryborough.

While our region is no doubt reaping the benefits of the 2013 Australian Scout Jamboree, the feedback I have received from all parts of the Fraser Coast community has been nothing short of overwhelming.

On behalf of the entire region I congratulate all the participants at AJ2013 and extend a warm welcome for you to return.

Now you have experienced our little piece of paradise, why not make your next holiday on the Fraser Coast.

Simply click here for a list of fantastic Fraser Coast holiday deals available exclusively to Scouts and their families. 

I look forward to seeing you again soon.

Gerard O’Connell
Fraser Coast Mayor

Love AJ2013 - Where can you do this again?

So you loved AJ2013? Want to do this sort of an event again? So what are my options?

The 16th Australian Venture (AV2015 SA Heaps Good) will be held at Woodhouse Activity Centre, Adelaide, South Australia from 2nd to 13th January 2015.

An Australian Venture is the major National youth event for the Venturer section (14 - 18 years old) of Scouts Australia. You get to meet other Venturers and Guides from all over Australia and around the world.









Closing Ceremony

So how do you end AJ2013 - with a bang!

The crowds were rolling in around 6:30 to the Ergon Energy Arena waiting to see the show that would close out AJ2013 and prepare the way for AJ2016 in Sydney.



To start the evening we were entertained by the Flaming Phoenix Fire Dancers. They were a special group who were spinning and twisting with fire sticks. Very entertaining.







Once the Closing Ceremony started it we kicked off with the Brisbane Gang Show coming on and getting us in the mood to party.


Then we were wowed by Justice Crew who got the spirit of the evening really fired up. The Scouts moved forward and they really enjoyed the dancing and singing.
  



We then had the official parties come on and than the crowd, Maryborough and those that have helped put this show together. It has been wonderful.

Justice Crew came out one more time, the flag of friendship was handed to Sydney for 2016 and then the Mayor of Fraser Coast Regional Council - Gerard O'Connell officially closed the event.

Once done the fireworks began and the Scouts were left to party the night away until the first buses roll out at 11pm.













The Sites & Services Team

So where would we be with out the Sites & Service Team. These people really get the crappy jobs - yes  they are the toilet cleaners, general maintenance, rubbish removalists and many more jobs that need to get done.

Just like the Logistics people they are hard at work behind the scenes doing the jobs that most just don;t want to know about. It is their level of care that makes our lives that much easier on site.


Thank you all for the hard work that you have put in. We are truly grateful that you are there to do the jobs that no one wants to talk about. Seal of approval to you!
 
 

JAM Communications Team

So I suppose it is time to say a very big thank yo to everyone that has come along and read the blog posts on AJ2013. My team of Quinton Stanley and Mathew Bromley and myself, Stephen Hughes, have had the greatest pleasure in being able to bring it all home to you all.

We hope that your Scouts come hoe and fill you in on all that has happened, and provide other details that we just have not been able to bring due to the large numbers here.

Thank you all again for joining us on this journey. We  have certainly 'Dreamed It and  Lived It'


Final Day

Today is the final day. The place is slowly coming down. most of the Camp ground will be down by this afternoon. The Troops will likely be sleeping under the stars tonight as they all ready for the journey;s home.

The first buses will leave at 11pm tonight and the final bus will leave sometime after 12pm on Sunday, Jan 13.

This is the day when it all gets real that our 12 days of fun, are coming to a close. The raw emotion will pour out this evening once the Closing Ceremony is done. This will be a difficult time as those with new friendships from other states or around the world, realise they will not see each other again for awhile.

However, how many new friends will be created via Facebook after this fantastic and very memoriable camp.

As we here at JAM Communications help dig in and pack up we will go silent today, but will be back later tonight to close out and p[rovide information onthe closing ceremony and the special guests that are arriving. The buzz is certainly on as it has leaked out who it will be. Unfortunately you will have to wait until later before we can reveal it to you.

Cactus Dinner - D10

D10 have been busy. They have a Cactus as their mascot and they have discovered another troop has a Cactus as a mailbox. As a jester of friendship they joined forces to have a nice dinner and to share the common points about cacti!





That's the spirit!

This is John Morrision, he is heavily involved in the Heritage area of Scouting QLD. When the call came in that he had down something very special to a Scout who had lost all his badges, he came to the Scouts rescue and provided a bag full of swap badges from his own collection.


As John said "He doesn't like to see Scouts upset and it is all about them isn't it!"

The father of Scout was so impressed with John's selflessness that they returned to present John with a badge as gratitude for being so generous.

Thank you John, you are true Scout and you have a very big heart!


Jamborites!

Yes I know this is not a real word, but what do you call a person who has been to many Jamborees for the love of it- a Jamborite??? It may stick who knows!

Here are a couple of the Jamborites that were up with the Heritage and Badge Club displays

John McCormack

How many Jamboree's has John McCormack attended - 29. This includes three World Jamborees - Holland, Chile and Thailand.


John's first Jamboree was in 1960 and he says this has been a good Jamboree, but the Scouts are definitely a lot cheekier these days than years ago. 

John is very pleased to be able to attend this Jamboree as his grandson is attending. This may not seem significant but when you add in that his grandson lives in China and is a Lone Scouts - one that does scouting on their own. It is a huge moment for them both.

His best moments of any Jamboree has been to attend the Wold Jamboree in Holland with his children, and then to attend the one in Chile with his wife. 

John is an avid badge collector and has been here with the badge club for the entire time of AJ2013

Ann Taylor


Ann Taylor is an avid badge collector and has been involved in the club since in 1976 when the Club officially opened. 

Ann likes to tell that she is the only Guide that is now a member of the Scouts Fellowship. She has been to 13 Jamborees - nice timing seeing it is 2013 this year. 

The heat has been difficult to handle here this time, but at least it is not raining.

The display of badges Ann has is very impressive and was very proud to advise that some of the badges have real value. One is worth $1,500 to a collector, for a novice collecotr it is a real eye opener to know that it ca pay returns in time. 

Thank you Ann for your dedication to the Badge Club and for attending AJ2013.


Logistics walk out in protest

There was drama at the The Shed yesterday when the Logistics staff marched up AJ2013 Drive in protest for 'more work and less pay!' In an odd twist in workers rights, these members of the Logistics team must have been suffering from insomnia, exhaustion and dehydration.



The protest did turn slightly violent when the team crashed through the security barricades, knocking down the only security guard on duty at the time. The strangest thing was it all happened outside the police station onsite, and the police just turned away. Maybe they realised if they got involved they might not get fed again!




The Logistics marched all the way to the Stables, where the service leaders are fed each night. They took their complaints to the catering team to see it their lousy conditions could be worsened . To their surprise they were granted their demands. They all left happy knowing they had won their cause.


From there they marched down the mall chanting - Logistics Rule, they were showered by the fire fighters in a sign of acceptance and then demanded the radio station interview then to advocate workers rights.




OK - in all seriousness, they did actually demand an extra couple of zeros to their pay! This was actually granted also!

Ok Ok, enough silly stuff - to the Logistics team, you have worked extremely hard, in difficult conditions - heat, long day and very hard work. You have been the backbone to the this Jamboree, it does not matter if we are in the troop lines or in the offices or out on activities, if we don't get fed the hospitals would be continually busy and no one would have any fun. There will never be enough thank you's to express our gratitude for the immense efforts the Team Leader -Tim and the crew have done to make it all happen.

B-R-A-V-O.



To the kitchen staff of the service leaders area. Your food has  been wonderful, you have pout in every effort to us fed and the long hours you have also pulled are very much appreciated. Well done and you all deserve a big pat on the back.