Part of an account of the V. I. Scouts’ participation in Australia.
e had the last march past for the closing of the jamboree on
the arena. Lord Baden Powell made an interesting speech. Later
the Scouts formed spokes of a wheel with the World Chief Scout
in the centre which he called the "Wheel of Friendship". He said
that although the weather was bad he was glad to see us smile;
then he spoke about the Boomerang. He explained that as the Boomerang
would return to the hand of the thrower so it is with Friendship,
and the Fear of God, which come back to those who cultivate it.
After this he gave a boomerang to each Leader of the Contingents.
He also said that he had the King's Message printed, at his own
expense, for us. The Scouts gave him three cheers.
After the closing of the Jamboree the Malayan Scouts remained at Frankston, taking part in the daily excursions which had been arranged for those who did not go on the hikes. Out excursions were to Dandenong and Melbourne. We visited the factories, the countryside and other places of interest. After the excursions we said "Good-Bye" to the Malayan Camp at Frankston. Wherever we went - to Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Sydney, or Brisbane - we were welcomed by the kind Australians who invited us either to tea, dinner, or to stay in their homes for a day or two.
We had the most wonderful time in Australia. We saw the big buildings, the parks, the magnificent Sydney Harbour Bridge and the natural sea beaches and had fine views of the City. At Taronga Park, the world famous Zoological Gardens, Mr. Turner, the representative of the Boy Scouts Association, was with us. What a place it was! It was marvelous. All these memories we have brought back with us from Australia and they can never be forgotten. Adieu to Australia!
On our return journey we touched at Macassar - a land of wondrous beauty, mystery and charm - nine days' voyage from Australia. We were welcomed with "Isakas" from the Girl Guides, who directed us to their headquarters, an old fort, where we were invited to the Camp Fire at night. A line of buses waited to take us sightseeing. We visited the Tombs of the ancient local kings, the magnificent resting house of a rich Chinese Towkay and many other beautiful sights of the town. We had a good trip home, for the ship, the Nieuw Zeeland, was very steady, and so none of us got sea sick. On board we had scout and drawing-room games daily, and campfires nightly. In Java we touched at Sourabaya, Samarang, and Tanjong Priok, the port of Batavia, and lastly, Singapore, the Lion City of the East.
There is no doubt we have all benefited by this trip to Australia. We have made new friends, gained much in experience, acquired practical knowledge of places and things of which we had read in our geography books about the land of the Southern Cross. Last but not least, it made us determined to become better Scouts, so as to be worthy of being a member of that Great Movement which was founded by our Chief, Lord Baden Powell.
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