Words by Freya Hellstrom and Sarah Leahy
Just five kilometres up the hill from the Jamboree site is the historical town of Maryborough, currently playing host to a wide range of activities available to our youth members. The gorgeous little gem of a city is home to a wealth of cafes, historical architecture and antiquities and curiosity shops. They have welcomed the visiting Scouts enthusiastically, some even going so far as to have welcome signs, offer discounts and have window and badge displays.
Scouts were invited on one of four trails around Maryborough. The Discovery trail, Military History, Maryborough Art, and Trainz and Engineering, which took Scouts through different areas of Maryborough including the Mary Ann Train, Military History and ANZAC trail, train experience and whistle stop and a Maryborough Monopoly course.
One of the many activities Scouts visited was the bell tower, where you could go to learn about it’s interesting history, and even get a chance to ring the bells yourself! When you needed a chance to chill out, Scouts could sit below the tower in the free book library and some lucky even met Ruth who has been working at the bells since 9th of Feb 1984!
Next stop was the train museum across the road, filled with old relics of the railway and even some model trains! Here the highlight for Thomas (C047) was “going to the goods shed and being able to go on push trollies [handcar].” You could also go to Downer Trains, where you could explore the current and future trains of Queensland.
Stationed within the gorgeous landscape of the historical Queens Park, amongst the towering figs, military sculptures, and mini train track, were activities promoting teamwork and learning. Crowd favourites included Shark Tank, go-carting, and working together to get a ball across PVC pipes to a bucket. Nestled just out of sight, right next to the wharf, was the Mary Ann Steam Engine, taking Scouts on rides all around the park.
Finally, within the majestic town hall resides what many claimed was their favourite activity of the day – the flash mob! Or perhaps, better described as flash mob preparation. Inside, Scouts learnt the moves to a dance which will be played onsite, where everyone who knows the moves are encouraged to join in.
When crossing the roads of Maryborough you’ll notice their pedestrian lights are a little different…they are Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Mary Poppins herself guides you safely across the streets with the help of her umbrella. Author of the Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers, was born in Maryborough in the apartment above the Australian Joint Stock Bank in 1899, where her father was the manager. The building has been restored and is now a museum called The Story Bank, dedicated to Travers and local story telling. A statue of Travers stands outside the museum and many Scouts were seen taking photos with the statue or counting the number of painted charismatic mice on the walls around the museum.
A huge thank you to all the Leaders, Service Venturers, and volunteers from the town for creating a memorable experience, and to the Maryborough community for being so incredibly welcoming.
