Soroptimist International of Helena

At our November Planning meeting we decided we will focus in 2023 on Education in all its forms and climate issues.

We will continue with our monthly Mahjong afternoons, raising small amounts at a time towards our bursary commitments for 2023/24, which are a Transition Bursary for a young girl going from Clayton View Primary School to high school, a Drama and Dance student in Year 11 and the continuing student in Year 12 at Swan View Senior High School. Members attended Clayton View PS in early December to present the Certificate to the school’s nominated student for this year.

We have supported Swan City Youth Services Hub with a voucher for them to buy suitable food packs for their youth, over the Christmas period. We have also donated a Bee Hotel to a local school.

Some of Helena members met with a Soroptimist from Geelong, whose family live here in the hills, and enjoyed exchanging ideas and information.

Our last meeting of the year was on December 7th at a member’s house, and we will meet again on 1st February for our AGM at Dome in Forrestfield where we will be joined by our new member.

Sadly, we recently lost one of our oldest and longest serving members (60 years) Delores Caboche, a member of SI Perth club who, in her time, has been club and region President as well as Federation President. She will be remembered as the ‘timekeeper” at meetings in recent years.

Should you wish to know more about us and our organisation, please do not hesitate to contact us either by phone or email. 9293 4108 or sihelena@siswp.org

Berenice Ritchie Helena Publicity

Joey Scouts ages 5-8

Cub Scouts ages 8-11 Scouts ages 11-14

Venturer Scouts ages 14-18

Rover Scouts ages 18-25

Adult Volunteers ages 18+

Scouting began in Australia well over 100 years ago, and while much has changed in this time, the core values have remained and we continue to provide opportunities for young people to learn new skills, develop friendships, challenge themselves and learn to become better global citizens.

A new year, a new challenge?

Do you know any young people that might be interested in joining Darlington Scouts? Scouts provides fun youth development activities, building resilient and confident boys and girls aged five to 25 in the Joey Scout, Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout Sections. We also welcome adult volunteer Scout Leaders. Scouts has opportunities for the whole family to be involved.

Friendship - Scouts is a great chance to make new friends outside of school. Spending time camping or hiking with others your own age is a fun way to get to know people. You can take up opportunities of joining Scouts from all over the state in larger events, and one day soon, we might get the chance to travel again to other parts of Australia or even another part of the world through Scout Jamborees. Scout families are welcome to get involved too, with lots of opportunities for the whole family to make new friends and feel part of the community.

Adventure - Action is at the core of all Scouting activities. Whether they are tackling a river in a kayak or learning how to set up a tent, our program ensures that our Scouts never stand still. At your weekly meetings you’ll learn the skills you need to plan, prepare and go on adventures, and by the time you’ve been a Scout for a few years, you’ll find yourself being able to take yourself on solo hiking and camping activities.

Leadership - At Scouts you’ll become a member of a Scout Patrol with approximately five other Scouts. Your Patrol will work with other Patrols to form a larger Scout Troop. Together you’ll make important decisions, set critical goals, and depend on each other to succeed. Scouting is youth-led, adult-supported. As a Scout, you get to choose what you want to do, and your Leaders are there to support and advise.

We’re always looking for people that want to contribute to the development of young people in the community.

Do you have skills that you’d like to share with young people? Our groups are a mix of boys and girls, and range in age from six to 17. Our volunteer leaders are always looking for ways to incorporate in their weekly programs helping young people learn new skills.

You could come along to a session and share some knowledge, and even better if there is a practical activity for youth to try. You may be in service (police officer, paramedic), a volunteer (wildlife, care agency) or have skill that you’d like to share (craft, trade skills). Our leaders will manage the session and the group, and assist with activities. It could be a one-off, or across a few nights to different age groups – we’d be happy to have a chat with you.

All Scout units around the state are gearing up for a HUGE event coming in April 2023; OneCamp Eclipse, which will be open to Scouts of all ages from our Joeys aged five, through to Rovers at 18+. An opportunity for all to participate in adventurous, fun, challenging and inclusive activities with different set of program elements for the varying age groups. OneCamp will be held from 11-19 April in the Swan Valley, with expeditions and offsite activities being held across WA. Applications close mid-February, so it’s not too late to join Scouts to have the opportunity!

Joey Scouts (age 5-8)

Scouts (age 11-14)

Cub Scouts (age 8-11)

Venturer Scouts (Age 14-18)

The sections usually meet at the Kathleen Skipsey Hall on Glen Road, Darlington, in a lovely bush setting on the creek line, with a fire pit and ample opportunity for getting amongst nature.

The Scouts meet weekly during school terms, there are often extended weekend and school holidays camps, hikes and other activities on offer. If you have a child that is interested in coming along, you can have a few trial visits before making a commitment. We ask parents to take turns in helping with activities, and this may be at their weekly session, or it may be helping with a camp or other weekend activity.

Contact membership@darlingtonscouts.com, or www.darlingtonscouts.com, or find our Facebook page.