Over New Year I had the privilege of being part of the Hawke contingent to the 28th National Sea Scout regatta at Onepoto Bay, Porirua.
One of 19 groups attending your representatives did Hawke proud. Whoever you talked to Hawke got favourable mentions for their willingness to be involved and to help. The head chef saying to us that he preferred Hawke helpers as they were willing to work and showed initiative in doing the work.
Good examples of the scouting philosophy. One that was reciprocated for us with Venturers and Rovers from other groups helping us pitch camp on the first day, and then to strike camp in a rush on the last night with winds and rain gusting over 40 knots and up to 100 knots predicted over night. A final night we spent in the “comfort” of a classroom.
Typical of that attitude was a special award made to one young scout who was winning her swim leg of the Ironman. Seeing another competitor apparently in trouble she went back and helped her to shore, responding to questions with the answer “that’s what scouting is about”.
Hawke also achieved “fame” building an Emotional Safety box/haven from our packing cardboard. A project that caught the eye of the camp organisers, was the subject of a special inspection from the camp CEO and received a mention in the final night Prizegiving guest speaker’s (Murray Inglis, double amputee mountain climber including Everest) address.
The groups attending included groups with 40 – 50 representatives so our mere 15 was well out numbered. Despite that successes for our group included:-
- – an Admirals Award for camp standards, the highest award, on the last day as a result of continuedimprovement through the week in the group’s efforts each day.
- – a composite (with Owairaka) intermediate rowing team making the intermediate finals.
- – our junior rowing team winning the Plate final.
- – swimming saw all the Juniors take part with good performances individually and in the relay.
- – our intermediate Ironman team making the Plate finals.
- – Hawke juniors attending the evening parade at Pukeahu War Memorial with Liam lowering thecolours as part of the Army colour party.
- – Amy appearing on the Catwalk in her own design recycled ground sheet outfit for the New YearsEve World of Wearable Art themed Talent Quest.
- – the group coming 12th in the over all standing s for the Regatta. A massive achievement given the months of training undertaken and serious efforts put in by some groups, and when a lot of the qualifying points for the standings coming from numbers participating in the various activities!The biggest reward for our Group being how much everyone enjoyed the week!
And a recognition for the whole group’s achievements through the year with Hawke being awarded 1 of 12 Naval Recognition announced at the final prizegiving night. An award sponsored by the Royal New Zealand Navy granted to those groups meeting the highest standards of Sea Scouting and seamanship.
Don Thomas