Tell 'em all I said hi!

Words by Tyler 'Crash' Stark

“There's like 10,000 of you, but that's chill!”

**Photo: Damian Hughes** | Amy Shark was blown away by the size of the crowd at the 26th Australian Jamboree Opening Ceremony.

When Amy Shark took to the Main Arena Stage, following the AJ2025 Opening Ceremony, she was met with a wave of cheers and screams as enthusiastic Scouts surged forwards, ready to party.

“I always wanted to be a Scout,” Amy said between songs. “I wanted a scarf and to learn how to start a fire with twigs.”

While the energy our Scouts brought to the performance was quite different to the crowds at Coachella, Amy was enthralled with the idea of joining the movement.

“Is it too late for me to become a Scout?” she asked.

“Please be my Leader!” One Scout shouted back.

Some of Mary Poppins magic must have been lingering around the stage, because Amy's wish was granted when Alice, one of our Opening Ceremony MC's, presented Amy with her very own AJ2025 event scarf.

**Photo: Andrew Tremain** | Amy Shark asked if it was too late for her to become a Scout and was officially presented with an AJ2025 event scarf at the end of her performance.

But Amy wasn't the only one who had their dreams come true last night.

Mathew, FC019, is still reeling from meeting his idol. He caught her attention with his sign that declared 'I am better than Shane Billings!', in reference to Amy's husband.

“I've always loved her,” he said after the show. “The moment I saw her come on stage I knew I had to do something.”

**Photo: Andrew McGrail** | Mathew, FC019, moments before his dream of meeting Amy Shark came true.

As Amy was ushered off stage – still wearing her new scarf – Mathew's friends helped lift him near the barricade so that he could hold his sign high enough, and it worked! She saw the sign and laughed, meeting Mathew's eyes and shouting “Yes!”

“We're going to be so happy together,” Mathew joked. “I'm not going to be one of those creepy stalkers, I respect her space. I just can't believe I actually met her!”

They say that good things come in three's, as was the case for Oliver, T018, who designed the AJ2025 event shirt and logo. Oliver and his Patrol won the VIP treatment, which included their own private meet and greet with Amy Shark after the show.

While Mathew's friends optimistically plan his impending nuptials, Amy is no doubt preparing for her Scouting Investiture so that she can join us on the ziplines at the next Jamboree. Dreams really do come true at AJ2025.