Thursday, 18 August 2022

Gilwell Park Scout Camp

Ms BURNETT-WAKE (Eastern Victoria) (10:09): Gilwell Park in Gembrook has been the home of scouting in Victoria for over 100 years. Every year thousands of excited Scouts make their way to Gilwell Park. There are over 1 million Victorians who have participated in the scouting movement since its inception, and a camp at Gilwell Park has become a rite of passage. I was lucky enough to have a guided tour of Gilwell Park over the winter break with Jon McGregor, executive manager and general secretary of Scouts Victoria. Scouts Victoria has grand plans for Gilwell Park to ensure future generations can learn the same skills through scouting camps as has been done for the last 100 years. The outgoing coalition federal government awarded $5 million in funding towards the cost of the master plan thanks to the advocacy of Jason Wood MP, but the upgrades are expected to cost $10 million altogether.

Scouts Victoria is a wonderful organisation that encourages young people to challenge themselves with adventures that promote social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth alongside a range of practical life skills. These are all skills that are needed now more than ever after extensive lockdowns. Our kids’ mental health has been devastatingly impacted, and we will be talking about mental health later today in this chamber. By having upgraded facilities, Scouts Victoria will be able to continue to attract children and equip them with crucial life skills moving forward.