7,000 scouts, volunteers and leaders gather for Victorian jamboree

More than 7,000 children and adults are currently taking part in the 11-day Scouts Victoria jamboree at the Elmore Events Centre north of Bendigo.

Despite the challenges of the Coronavirus and Victoria’s current high temperatures, organisers are continuing with the $5.5 million event having managed to meet all COVID safety requirements after years of preparation and near cancellations.

As reported by ABC Central Victoria, the site for the 11-day jamboree, which runs until 8th January, is set up like a small town and includes its own supermarket, daily newspaper and radio station for the scouts, volunteers and leaders.

Jon McGregor, Executive Manager for event organiser Scouts Victoria, told the ABC “we're essentially building a town the size of Kyneton in the Macedon Ranges.

"It's the equivalent of 200 school camps all happening on the same site at the same time, so we've had to build infrastructure, including recycling, a medical centre, a radio station, nightly concerts and lots of activities."

For many of the school-aged participants, the event is a welcome relief after almost two-years of online learning and lockdowns.

Scouts Victoria Deputy Chief Commissioner, Daniella Taglieri commented “the vibe is amazingly positive and a little bit chaotic, but that's the fun part.

"So many kids are excited to be somewhere that's not their house."

Organisers spent three years planning for the event which was meant to be a national jamboree for 10,000 people.

However, it was not until late November that Scouts Victorian finally decided to push ahead as a Victorian event.

The site was visited by the state's Deputy Chief Health Officer last week who reviewed the COVID safety plan.

McGregor went on to say that without the help of more than 1,000 volunteers, the event would cost somewhere around $30 million.

Images: Sport climbing on a wall made of shipping containers (top), with the jamboree including a range of physical (middle) and fun events (below). Images credit: Scouts Victoria/Facebook.