our place
Life should always be an adventure ... Scouting is one of life’s great adventures and scout groups have been so the New Lynn Sea Scout Group is committed to successful in recent times and exploring the adventure playground that the West it was a sad day for Bronwyn provides. Colman and Trish Anderson While the underlying aim of scouting is all about when they closed the doors the personal and life skill development of its of the scout hall in Atkinson members, the foremost thought for the youth (and Road. the big kids who take on the opportunity to become In its heyday the Titirangi leaders) is usually about all the new experiences, the Air Scouts had more than 40 fun and the challenges that playing in the outdoors cubs (now down to five) and brings. up to 25 scouts (now about For the New Lynn group, a typical programme A senior member of New Lynn Sea Scouts takes some of the 13) but numbers have been will encompass both land-based activities such as younger members in tow. falling in recent years and tramping, camping, rock climbing, caving, and pioneering as well as with difficulties finding volunteers to help run it, Bronwyn and Trish water-based activities. Swimming, rafting, rowing, canoeing and sailing thought it was time to put the group into recess. are all available as is canyoning (when the opportunity presents itself) “Scouting is such a wonderful thing to do and we had so much fun,” which brings both land and water together. says Bronwyn of her 52 years with the group. “We taught important These experiences are often capped off with a once-in-a-lifetime life, outdoor, first aid, rope and survival skills. We taught the young opportunity such as the National Scout Jamboree, held over last people how to take care of themselves, look after their health and how New Year at Mystery Creek. About 4,000 Scouts from New Zealand to cook,” she says. and further afield came together for a 10-day camp to explore other There were hiking, camping and orienteering trips and visits to cultures and live with others from different backgrounds while trying islands like Waiheke new challenges. and Kawau and One would think that a 10-day camp would be enough adventure for they took pride in some, but no sooner had the New Lynn scouts returned from Jamboree community service than some headed off for a week canoeing down the Whanganui such as beach cleanRiver while others headed for a five-day sail around the Hauraki Gulf ups. And high on camping on various islands. It is with these sea-based expeditions that the learning scale the benefits of scouting are so easily seen as these are not activities was teamwork, that are simply laid on for the scouts. Rather, they have learned camaraderie and the technical skills to sail and navigate, plan and execute their own friendship. adventure. Trish has been For this coming year, a key focus for the older sections will be the with the group for 46 Senior members of New Lynn Sea Scouts awaiting opportunity to test their skills against their peers at the National years, volunteering the race countdown for the Auckland Anniversary Scout Regatta to be held alongside Bronwyn Day Regatta on the Hauraki Gulf. in Picton next Christmas. to plan, organise and lead events. Bronwyn’s two adult children, Wayne For some it will be just and Sarah also contributed, putting in 25 and 22 years respectively. about the journey and Other long-time leaders were Phil Freeman (30 years) and Laingholm the experience while fire fighter, Arie Litherland (eight years). for others the drive is Over the years life within scouts changed according to Trish and to recapture the national Bronwyn. Health and safety regulations and police vetting made title after coming second things harder, volunteer numbers dwindled as life took on a busyness in Wellington two years never known before and young people took an increasing interest in ago. (New Lynn had computers, sports and school and community events. won the three previous It was time for Bronwyn and Trish to call it a day ... and what a great triennial events.) last day for the group it was. The Titirangi scout hall at the top of Atkinson Continued on page 14 >> However, not all local Road. The group is in recess.
Your Local MPs Hon Carmel Sepuloni
Dr Deborah Russell
Kelston Electorate Office
New Lynn Electorate Office
MP for Kelston
200C West Coast Road, Glen Eden 09 818 4131 kelston.eo@parliament.govt.nz
MP for New Lynn
1885 Great North Rd, Avondale 09 820 6245 newlynnmp@parliament.govt.nz
Authorised by Carmel Sepuloni MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
6
The Fringe FEBRUARY 2020
advertise with the fringe & reach 70,000+ readers
