General News
7 December, 2023
$3k donation to send local scouts abroad
Helping local youth develop crucial skills, the Freemasons Foundation has donated over $3000 to Maryborough’s scouting organisation — with the funding set to be used towards a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”. The First Maryborough Scouts...
Helping local youth develop crucial skills, the Freemasons Foundation has donated over $3000 to Maryborough’s scouting organisation — with the funding set to be used towards a “once-in-a-lifetime experience”.
The First Maryborough Scouts Group is sending six of its young members and three leaders, who are part of the wider Australian Contingent, to the 23rd New Zealand Jamboree — a program that will offer a mix of outdoor adventure and cultural immersion to all attendees.
With the trip costing $5000 per person, the group has been working on sourcing appropriate funding for the international visit and their efforts have paid off.
Maryborough Masonic Lodge, along with the support of other lodges in the district and the Freemasons Foundation, which is the charitable arm of Freemasons Victoria, has made a contribution of $3300 towards the expenses of the trip.
“While being only 10 percent of the cost of the delegation to attend the Jamboree, hopefully this will inspire other donors to support these young people in the experience of a lifetime,” Loddon District Freemasons philanthropic officer, Ken Calder said.
“[We] are very active in supporting the Scouting movement [around the region].”
Donations like these are very important for the club — with more than 50 members, and limited funding, the group relies on the community’s help according to the Maryborough Scouts’ group leader Rachael Hulls.
“Since we’re a low socio-economic community, there’s not a lot of cash floating around,” Ms Hulls said.
“So it’s important for us to be able to raise money and support families to give kids these opportunities to do incredible things and help them have experiences they wouldn’t otherwise be able to have.
“There’s so many lessons to be learnt through these experiences. They’re all about team building, leadership skills, increased outdoor awareness, the list is endless.
“If we didn’t have the support of the community we wouldn’t be able to organise any of those experiences so we really appreciate any and all support we receive.”
The local Scouts will join hundreds of others from across Australia, New Zealand and beyond for the Jamboree, running from December 28 to January 7, followed by a post-tour until January 14.