Casey scouts raise the bar

CASEY scouts have set a new fundraising high as they try to get themselves to the 21st Australian Jamboree early next year.
More than $37,000 has been raised through the annual monster raffle involving the 1st Berwick, 1st Cranbourne, 1st Devon Meadows, 7th Doveton, 1st Endeavour Hills, 1st Hampton Park, 1st Narre Warren North and Narre Warren groups in Casey District.
Casey District scouts raised $37,672, the highest of any area.
The 1st Narre Warren North group raised more than $11,000 and 1st Devon Meadows raised $8560, putting the two among the top five groups in Victoria.
State chief commissioner Alston Park said the statewide figure of $350,000 was a record result for the scouts’ annual raffle.
However, he said the lessons learned by the young people would be just as valuable.
“Thousands of these scouts attending the Jamboree in January will be there because they have helped earn their own way.
“Through efforts like the Victorian Monster Raffle, and local efforts like sausage sizzles and other events, scouts learn how to set goals and achieve them.
“The learning-for-life philosophy of the scout program encourages young people toward independence.
“Raising their own funds, planning their own activities, cooking for themselves and, on a two-week event like the jamboree, even washing their own clothes.”
The 21st Australian Jamboree will be held at Elmore, near Bendigo, from 2 to 13 January.
More than 12,000 scouts and leaders from around Australia and overseas will attend the $11 million event.