Scouts honour the Anzacs

The spirit was alive within Newman Scout Group as they paid their respects to commemorate and honour the Anzacs last week.

The group, which consists of Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Scouts and Venturers, conducted a 12-hour night vigil and stood guard to protect the Newman War Memorial until the service the following morning.

The Joeys, aged between six and eight years, stood guard from 6pm to 7pm, the Cubs, aged eight-10 years, stood guard from 7pm to 9pm, and the Scouts and Venturers in the Year 11 and above stood guard from 6pm through to 6am.

Newman Scout group leader Suzy Fletcher Oldham praised the local police, parents and community for their involvement to ensure the event could go ahead.

“The police came down three or four times during the night to give the kids a boost and make sure they felt safe,” she said. “They even brought them cake and lollies.

She said the scouts’ involvement in the Anzac commemorations was a vital lesson in pride and community spirit.

Ms Fletcher Oldham said during the night and into the early hours of the morning, Scouts sat through the challenges of endurance, stamina and poor weather conditions.

“The Scouts definitely felt the community spirit, with everyone who popped down to support them.

“It reminds them of the sacrifices the soldiers made — hiding in trenches for weeks.

“We are very proud of them all,” she said.

Two of the group’s Scouts arrived back in Newman last week after a trip to America for the Leave No Trace camp, where they participated in a number of activities, including canoeing and camping. The next big event for the scouts is the Joey Leap on May 6, a national event run through Scouts WA.