Scouting Community - Scouts Victoria

CHAIRMAN OF THE BRANCH
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
John de Wijn QC
The new high ropes
course at Gilwell Park
Having succeeded Tom Hartley as Chairman of
Scouts Victoria in December last year I would like to
acknowledge and thank Tom for his dedicated and
visionary leadership of the Branch Executive Committee.
Tom continues to remind us about the basics
of Scouting and in particular the Patrol system upon
which it is based. Tom, you have been a great leader!
One of the responsibilities of the BEC is to
provide the resources, both fi nancial and human, to
support the volunteer Leaders on whom the success
of Scouting relies. To that end we recognise the need
for a dedicated and well-trained administrative staff
to support the work we do. In the short time Martin
Thomas has been our Executive Manager he has
addressed many challenges, provided invaluable
support to the Movement, and demonstrated great
leadership of the staff at the Victorian Scout Centre.
Part of our Branch strategic plan is to ensure
that our volunteers have the appropriate physical
resources to support the Scout program. While the
maintenance of halls and campsites is essentially the
responsibility of Groups and campsite committees we
recognise that in some cases the necessary improvements
are beyond the present capacity of some
Groups. This year we have continued to implement
our Critical Infrastructure Refurbishment Program
whereby we assist viable and dynamic Groups to
upgrade their facilities. We are also undertaking a
strategic review of all our facilities and campsites to
see if they are required for Scouting purposes in the
near- to mid-term. Our focus is to ensure that Groups
and Districts are not burdened with maintaining properties
not required for Scout purposes. In the course
Operating Budget 2011 -2012
Income
$5 million
Membership Fees $2,758,018 Scout Foundation $605,548
Fundraising $427,888 Activities & Training $118,050
Expenditure
$5.3 million
of this program we have endeavoured to enhance
relationships with State Government, local councils,
and other community groups.
This year we have signifi cantly improved
the infrastructure at selected Scout camps. With
State Government assistance we have installed a
state-of-the-art high ropes course, new toilets and
showers, as well as other activity facilities at Gilwell
Park, Gembrook. Funding has also been provided
to upgrade facilities at Clifford Park (at Wonga Park)
and Treetops (Riddells Creek). We will continue to
make strategic investments in selected campsites to
support program delivery.
With the assistance of funding from the State
Government and the Victorian Scout Foundation,
we have and are continuing to improve about 65
halls. In the last 16 months we have spent more than
$1.9 million in improving our campsites and halls. To
this can be added the considerable amount spent
by Groups and campsites in cash and kind. This
Salaries etc $2,021,464 Activities & Training $623,684
Corporate Administration $713,348 Affi liation Fees $233,689
investment will continue as we complete
the fi rst round of upgrades and move into
the second round of State Government
funding.
Local and State Governments
continue to recognise the valuable role
we play in developing resilient youth. As a
result of the close relationship developed
by Scouting, Manningham Council has
recently spent more than $1 million in
developing a new Scout hall at the Ajani
Reserve, Templestowe. We should not
lose sight of the high regard with which
we and our program are held by State
and local governments and the valuable
contribution they can and do make to the
6th Melbourne
Movement. Developing these relationships
is something we must all do. We
must also blow our own trumpet to reinforce
the value of our program in developing
resilient youth to take a constructive
place in society.
Work in reviewing the constitution
of the Branch is almost complete. It is
anticipated that proposed amendments to
the constitution will be put to a meeting of
the Branch Council early next year.
Finally I would like to recognise the
dedication and work of all our Leaders
who play such a critical role in developing
our youth to take a constructive role in
society.
1st Templestowe
The following Groups were successful in
receiving a share of State Government
round 1 funding of $1,635,000 and will
receive further financial support from
Branch to bring their Hall refurbishment
projects to completion.
2011-2012
1st Mount Clear
7th Ballarat
1st Greenhills
1st West Heidelberg
1st Alphington
Donald Scouts
1st Timboon
5th Northcote
Baden Powell Park
9th Caulfi eld
1st Altona
5th Footscray
10th Footscray
Dingley Scouts
Mentone Scouts
Yet Kieu Sea Scouts
2nd Wantirna
Treetops Campsite,
Riddells Creek
1st Mansfi eld
2nd Carlton
Dromana Sea Scouts
1st Mirboo North
1st Nagambie
1st Allansford
Warrnambool
Lyndoch
Warrnambool Tooram
3rd Wodonga
1st Healesville
1st Monbulk
1st Cobden
2nd Kangaroo Flat
2012-2013
1st Churchill -
1st Emerald
Eumemmerring
Scouts
1st Noorat
4th Preston
1st Cohuna
1st Portland
1st Eaglehawk
1st Dimboola
4th Mordialloc
1st Kyneton
1st Woodend
2nd Mildura
1st Broadford
1st Cobram
1st Mooroopna
1st Nth Shepparton
5th Brunswick
1st Hawkesdale
1st Koroit
1st Kaniva
1st Hopetoun
Scouts Victoria has also provided
additional funding to the following:
1st Mont Albert Clifford Park
11th Box Hill
Campsite
1st Vermont
Frankston District –
1/8 Blackburn Keast Park
1st Mitcham
Whitehorse District
Caringal Scout
2nd Blackburn
Camp
1st Moe
2nd Malvern
1st Newborough
Gilwell Park
1st Lower
Campsite
Templestowe Marysville Project
6th Melbourne Koonung Scout
1st Tally Ho
Resource Centre
Govt Grant - Gilwell $400,000
Business Revenue (incl Gilwell) $771,534
Operating Expenses $1,350,015
Loss on Investment Porfolio $358,403
A new kitchen at Treetops
Enjoying Gilwell's fl ying fox
• Further funding is to be made available
under Round 2.