After 20 years of service, David has decided to relax at home instead of "enjoying" the biting cold of the Emerald breeze and mists atop the abseiling tower.

David has worked within the Emerald Scout group in many different positions with Cubs, Group Leader, Activity Leader and fundraiser.

David and Colin Nunn together instigated the push to build an abseiling tower ten years ago. They arranged the engineering permits and fundraising then followed the project through to completion. Thousands of Scout members have enjoyed the "FEAT" of abseiling with First Emerald Abseiling Team under David's management.

In their honour, the tower has been renamed to the David R. Wilson and Colin Nunn Abseiling Tower - the "Wilson & Nunn Tower" for short. Signage shall be adjusted in the near future.

For the last twelve months David has helped me transition into the role of managing FEAT and I'm highly greatful for his support and assistance during that time.

David has joined the fellowship so is still an active member of our Scouting family at 1st Emerald.

On Saturday 27^th June David was brought to the hall by his family for a surprise retirement afternoon tea where he has presented with a plaque thanking him for his enourmous efforts over the last 20 years. The average leader only lasts five years within the movement so David has demonstrated he is far from average.

Thank you David.

After two years of service to our group, Andrew Smith has retired from the Group Leader role. Andrew and Bronwyn (Mrs Group Leader!) contributed highly to the operation of our group. We thank Andrew and Bronwyn for their contribution during this time.

Scout Leader Paul Pavlinovich has assumed the Leader-in-Charge role for the purposes of administration and operations.

The group is seeking a new GL from the community - ideally this person would be a parent of a current youth member but this is not essential.

If you are interested then please contact either myself ah 5968 2572 mob 0407 537 674 or Jeff Latter 0419 899 446 for more information.

The position description is at https://www.vicscouts.asn.au/Training/Forms/Docs/GroupLeader.pdf

The time commitment ranges from one to four hours per week of effort and includes attendance at several meetings both within the group and at district level. Some computer skills are highly desirable as all Scout administration is done online through the internet.

Six weekends of training is necessary within the first year to reach the minimum acceptable standard for the position. You are encouraged to complete the full "wood badge" course of twelve weekends spaced over three years.

We serve the township of Emerald situated in the Dandenong Ranges East of Melbourne in Victoria.

Our Group concists of the following sections

• Joey Scouts (6 - 8 years)
• Cub Scouts (7 to 11 years)
• Scouts (11 to 15 years)
• F.E.A.T. - First Emerald Abseiling Team and the tower.

And has strong affiliation with

• Foresters & Jets Venturer Scouts (14.5 to 18 years)
• Ogilvy Rovers (17 years to 26 years)