Boy Scout Christmas Camp 1916

Master Passmore in his Scout Uniform

Courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia 150645PD

Busselton Boy Scouts 1914

Courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia 025441PD

In 1916 a combined Scout camp was organised to take place at Christmas in Bunbury (reference). The event was coordinated by Reverend W W Roger, the Scoutmaster of Number 12 Troop, also known as the Wesley Troop (reference; reference). 

The camp was advertised to the Western Australian population through the medium of newspapers, including the Daily Mail, who kept the public up to date with the camp's progress (reference). In September and October 1916, the Daily News published letters and invitations by Scoutmaster Roger (reference):

"On behalf of No. 12, I desire to issue an invitation to any Perth Troops, who may contemplate camping during the Christmas vacation, to come up here, and have a good time in beautiful Bunbury. There are abundant facilities for camping, and I can offer them the use of as fine a Scouts' trooproom as they could wish to have. Fishing, swimming, boating, opportunities for field work, and splendid camping grounds, are among the attractions we can offer."

"In the matter of a big united camp at Christmas, of which I wrote you recently. I have now the honor to make some definite suggestions. First, let me report that the Mayor and councillors commend the idea, and will do anything within their power to make the proposed camp a success, such as granting facilities for camp, the use of the Recreation Ground for sports, supplying a water system, and sanitary arrangements. The following resolution was carried at the last meeting of the Traders' Association: That we invite the Scouts for the Christmas vacation, and pledge ourselves to do all we can to make their stay in the port a pleasant one. We appoint the president, vice-president and secretary as a committee to make all necessary arrangements. I may say that this association will assist in arranging sports and will use their cars and motor launches hospitably. The Donnybrook and Brunswick troops will be with us. I have therefore much pleasure in recommending that headquarters accept the very cordial invitation of the Bunbury people, and urge the Perth and suburban troops to take advantage of it."

Scoutmasters who wanted to take their boys to the camp had to notify Roger if they would attend and an approximate number of boys that they would bring to enable preparations (reference). Roger was so invested in the camp that he travelled to Perth to make arrangements and wrote letters to Scoutmasters throughout Western Australia (reference). 

Boy Scout Ambulance Training 1919

Western Mail Thu 13 Nov 191 Page 21

Photo courtesy of the National Library of Australia

The camp was under the charge of Acting Commissioner H Donaldson and Commissioner H McKail, and it was estimated that 200 Boy and Sea Scouts attended the camp (reference; reference; reference; reference). It opened on Friday 22 December for local Scout groups and visiting regional and metropolitan Scout troops arrived on Saturday 23 December, as well as the Maylands Troop Brass Band (reference; reference; reference). On Christmas Eve at 7 am, there was a Church Parade followed by a Voluntary Church Parade at 11 am (reference). That afternoon a Young people's Demonstration was held at Queen's Park, where the Scouts paraded (reference). On Christmas Day, the local Boy Scouts returned to their families to spend Christmas (reference). Boxing Day featured a picnic, with Wednesday, 27 December filled with Scout work and an afternoon swimming carnival (reference; reference). During the swimming carnival, many boys gained their rescuer and swimmer badges, with Bunbury boys doing well (reference). Friday and Saturday the 29 and 30 December were Scout workdays (reference). The Band played on New Year's Eve and New Years Day was full of sports (reference). The featured sports on the Bunbury Oval on 1 January 1917 included fire fighting, knot tying, bringing in the wounded, first aid treatment, band race, signalling, reading test, relay race, tug-of-war, boxing, potato race and an egg and spoon race (reference; reference). A campfire and concert were held on the oval that evening (reference; reference). 

The newspapers reported that "amongst the most welcome visitors to Bunbury this Yuletide season have been the bonnie little boys in khaki or navy blue (reference)." The event was summarised as "the boys from the bush and the town, drawn together in the one common bond 'Be Prepared' fraternise, and learn to know each other (reference)."