Amber's Recount: From the 30th of September to the 6th of October, I went on Sydney Jamboree. On camp I made new friends, strengthened bonds and challenged myself. The first day, Sunday, we explored the campsite, the second day we explored the world, while still being at the campsite and the third day we explored Sydney! The Wednesday and Thursday the 14-17 year olds went on many different expeditions including caving, hiking, flying planes, canyoning and more. But alas, sadly some were cancelled on the Thursday because of rain. On Friday we did friendship explore while it was raining. I made so many wonderful friends from around the world (mainly Canadian) that I will never forget. For the 1st Charleville Girl Guides unit, we are planning to go to Canada's SOAR Jamboree in 2 years. If you want to help us fundraise to get us there and back, we would really appreciate it. It can come in many different ways from ideas of fundraisers to fundraising to donating money. Even though it rained on the last three days and we got soaking wet, I enjoyed Sydney Jamboree so much and made so many friends, it was and will forever be the best Australian Jamboree I go on. |
So the trip to Sydney began at 6am on Saturday the 29th of September 2018 traveling down to Brisbane with Sam O 'Kookaburra', leader of 1st Charleville Girl Guides, Cassie O 'Cassowary', Amber 'Swift Parrot' and myself Angela 'Currawong'. The trip down was fun singing to Disney and High School Musical music when I let Amber and Cassie become in charge of music however it was fun. Got down to Brisbane and stopped the night at the Chermside Guide Hut (thank you so much Peggy), had dinner and then played some games and went to bed.
Sunday, the morning started at 5am in the morning packing up our sleeping things and then calling a taxi to take us to the Brisbane airport. We arrived at the Brisbane airport at around 6:30ish maybe earlier to meet Mandie 'Pirra' who was the Queensland continent leader for this event. All the girls started to arrived and then we all checked in with our bags and then through security to get to the plane, so we found our gate and we wanted food (haha of course) so all the Charleville girls went off to find a very healthy breakfast of KRISPY CREAME DOUNGNUTS!!!!
We then walked back to our boarding gate and waited for about an hour before boarding the plane, photos were taken and then we were ready to board the plane. So for me this was a first ,having never been on a plane before - I was scared and excited all at the same time. Kookaburra knew this and thankfully she was sitting right behind me when we boarded this plane and talked me through everything what was happening and what was going to happen (thank you so ,so much). We landed in Sydney and travelled to Olympic park (Newington Armoury) where it looked like tent city getting scanned in and then walking to our colour group (Red King Parrot Lane Cove River) meeting up with all the other leaders that were there.
So over the next few days there was so many things to do for the girls and the leaders from international markets to the trip around Sydney (which I might add my group got lost a lot!!!! Thank goodness for Google Maps) to the 14-17 year old groups going off site for 2 days to do there chosen expedition. While these girls and most of the leaders went away there was about 10 leaders left in the red camp so Wednesday and Thursday was pretty good until we got notified that there was a huge storm and wind warning coming through so we had mallets in hand and went around the whole of the red camp and double pegged all the tents and the marquees (now this may not seem like much but when your red camp alone has about 100-130 girls and the bell tents sleep 4-5 kids in them there is a lot to peg down but we did it with a smile on our face and laughed the whole way through).
Girls and leaders came back and we had the whole group back together again. Thanks to the lovely rain that had started and lasted for 2.5 days we were evacuated from red subcamp because rain was going through tents and some girls got wet, so at 1am we were moved to higher ground away from the gully and were nice and dry. Friday was a bit of a blur - everyone was tired but it was still fun.
Kookaburra and Cassie's Reflection: Sydney Jamboree was a challenging experience, but filled with loads of memories, fun and friendships. During the 2018 Sydney Jamboree, the Charleville girls were faced with many challenges. We certainly had some ups, and some downs, but overall we had a good time. The trip to Sydney to explore the city was a wonderful experience, especially seeing China Town, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. After the race around Sydney, the 14-17 groups were separated as they embarked on adventures including canoeing, hiking, flying planes, horse riding and so much more. Cassie - Personally I had chosen to do a two day hike along the Great North Walk hiking track. Aside from learning a heap we also came across another group of hikers who were doing an even harder challenge then we were. Well anyway, the learning experience was great. We had been taught a few rules that would come in handy for future group walks. I also gained ideas for my Queen's Guide from other girls and leaders and got an idea of some of the achievements I would like to earn in the future. Although two days seems like a long time, the experience seemed to fly by, and the 6 of us hiking had all gained some new friends. Kookaburra - While Cassie was trekking her way to the forest, I took a different route - by water. With over 25 Guides we paddled along the crystal clear waters to our private camping spot for the night. The return trip was a little wetter with the rain starting and the tide going out meaning we had to carry our canoes through some shallow stretches. I learned a great deal about setting up canoes for an expedition, how to water-proof all your gear for the trip and packing light. I made lots of new friends and further developed my canoeing skills. |