On 7 September 2019 Wood Badge holder from Gauteng joined together at Gilwell in Florida to celebrate 100 years of the Wood Badge. In attendance were five Scouters who have achieved the “Grand Slam” of Scouting, that is the highest award for each level of Scouting during their career, a phenomenal achievement. This means the…
Written by Dorothy Berry In the early days, boys formed their own Scout Patrols and asked a man they knew if he would be their Scoutmaster. Many of these men probably knew nothing of the outdoors and adventure, having been brought up in decorous Victorian and Edwardian drawing rooms where young people were seen and…
Message from Chief Scout Brendon Hausberger I am sure you all know the story behind the Wood Badge symbol of an axe in a log as originating from the frequent use of these on the original training camps. As is often the case other stories have grown over time to romanticise this. My favourite is…
By Prof Brian Figaji, Chairman of the Scout Board The global Scouting community has been celebrating the centenary of their advanced adult leadership training, the Wood Badge. Given the increase in xenophobia and the high prevalence rate of abuse against women and children I find myself reflecting on the relevance and value of the Wood Badge…
Wood Badge holder Andrew Stoltz is an Electronics Engineer and lives in Olivedale, Randburg with his wife. He is the proud father of a Springbok Scout. This is his Scouting story: “I joined 6th Benoni Scout Group in 1967 because my brother was a Scout. I did my Springbok there and volunteered as an Assistant…
Meerkat Ambassador and Wood badge holder Sherley Southworth was born in Scotland and grew up in the south of England. She trained as a nursery nurse and worked as a nursery school and primary school teacher. She married a diplomat and they lived in Pakistan, Nigeria, Thailand, England and France. In 1987 they came to…
Wood Badge holder Jenny Duncan lives in Edenvale and joined the Scout Movement over 38 years ago. For the past 22 years she has been running the Gauteng Regional Office. Jenny has three sons and in June 2019 she celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary! Here is her Scouting story: “I joined the Scout Movement when…
Wood Badge holder Jill A Rainier-Pope lives in Newlands in Cape Town. She moved back to Cape Town in 1995 after living in Vereeniging for 30 years with her three sons and late husband of 55.5 years, Chris Rainier-Pope. This is her Scouting story: “I hail from Cape Town and was a Brownie and a Guide…
Lisa Avery is a Wood Badge holder from Orange Grove in Johannesburg. Her son Nicholas is married with three sons Ryan (10), Liam (6) and Kyle (2) and lives in Amanzimtoti, Durban. Her daughter Michayla has one son Raiden (6). She met her partner Alan, who has two adult sons, through Scouting. Lisa works for…
Wood Badge holder Dorothy Berry has been living in Airfield Benoni since she came to South Africa 48 years ago. She is a widow with family all around the world. Dorothy has been retired for twelve years, but spent the larger part of her career working with an international ball & roller bearing company where…