AFOFSAG

On Sunday 26th October 2008 the National Joint Council changes States. This happens each three years when a new committee is formed to take responsibility as the exectutive body of AFOFSAG. The Queensland committee will travel to Pennant Hills Scout centre in New South Wales for the Annual General Meeting. The new chairman will be Brian, Australian Baden Powell Guildmaster; vice-chaiman Wendy, Australian Trefoil Guild Adviser; plus two BPG representatives and two TG representatives.

The out going committee wishes the new committee a happy and successful term and thank members for their support whilst the NJC was based in Queensland.

Australians are wearing yellow and green at the back! 

Seventeen Australians attended the World Conference held in Vienna, Austria 21-26 2008.

Accommodations were spread over a number of hotels giving everyone an opportunity to discover the efficiency of the Vienna Underground.

 Sessions were held at the University with mid day meals provided in the Town Hall Cellar restaurants. The evenings allowed participants to enjoy dinners with a flare!

 The Lord Mayor’s Reception was memorable primarily for the sumptuous surroundings – murals and magnificent chandeliers.

The Austrian Dinner Show allowed us to enjoy the costumed dancers and tunes from The White Horse Inn and Merry Widow.

On Sunday afternoon were excursions with the choice of exploring Vienna, the Danube Wine Region, the castles of Marchfield or the Swampy Jungle near the Slovakian border.

 The business sessions kept every one busy, especially the delegates. The program included Group discussions on creating an “Action Plan” for the next 3 year; reports of various descriptions including financial; reports from WOSM and WAGGGS; information on the Ambassadors’ Guild and the European Region; and the report from the ISGF President.

 Candidates for the World Committee were introduced and voted upon and some countries were admitted to Associate or full membership. The lengthiest discussion and voting session was on alterations to the Constitution.

 On a lighter note was the “World Market” where countries who had brought goods could sell same, while others provided ‘samples’ such as drink, food and even hats. All was interspersed with singing and dancing from delegations celebrating their local customs.

 There were some tired Australians who left Vienna on Tuesday morning for an extended tour of Austria or to join a plane for that long journey back home.