Scouts Australia Media Release
MEDIA Release 2 pages 21st April 09
SCOUTS HONOUR 75 YEARS OF ROVERS ANZAC EVE VIGIL
The Scout Association of Australia Western Australia Branch this year celebrates and honours the 75th anniversary of the Rovers ANZAC Eve vigil around the State War Memorial in Kings Park. The vigil sees teams of 5 Scouts (Rovers) maintain half hour shifts to guard the memorial from sundown on ANZAC eve to the start of the dawn service. This allows for up to 120 Rovers to be involved in the vigil. The Rovers will then form an honour guard for the wreath bearers at the dawn service.
In 1933, it was decided that Rover Scouts (young men & women aged 17 25) would conduct an overnight vigil on the eve of ANZAC day, and despite needing assistance from younger Scouts during the 2nd World War from 1940 to 1947; Rover Scouts have dutifully maintained their vigil every year since. Todays Rovers are proud and honoured to be continuing a tradition that been part of WAs ANZAC Day commemorations for seventy five years. Scouts WA Chief Commissioner Peter Walton said the Rovers ANZAC Eve vigil was a symbol of the enduring legacy of service that generations of young Australians have given to the nation in times of war and peace.
WA Rover Council Chairperson Ayden Mackenzie said, Rover Scouts are the same age as many of the young men and women who served in our military over the past 75 years. For that reason, the Scout Association treats the vigil as a very solemn occasion. It is an opportunity to honour and remember those young servicemen and women who didnt get a chance to grow old, and to show our respect and admiration to those who did.
Later in the day, teams of Scouts and Venturer Scouts will assist the RSL with the colour party and service conducted at The Esplanade. Across the state, hundreds of Scouts aged between 6 and 25 will participate in Dawn Service and ANZAC Day services in their local communities.
Scouts first commenced mounting a vigil around the State War Memorial in 1931. Former WA Governor Lt General Sir Talbot Hobbs, the architect who designed the State War Memorial, was also Chief Scout of Western Australia and played an instrumental role in establishing the vigil. The Rover vigil has occasionally been involved in controversy. During the 1970s, vigilant Rovers prevented demonstrators who were protesting against Australias involvement in the Vietnam War from vandalising the State war memorial with cans of red paint.
The Scouting Movement is a growing worldwide movement with over 28 million members in 216 countries and territories. Based on the principles of youth development and leadership the Scout movement delivers the Scout Program to young people aged 6 to 26 throughout Australia and is committed to providing activities that are intellectually and physically stimulating, combined with fun and adventure and that the Members are recognised for their achievements. The Scout Program give Scouts the opportunity to acquire values, skills and lasting friendships that make them good citizens and adults who make a positive contribution to our society. Famous Scouts include Dick Smith, Jamie Drury, Rove McManus, Geoff Gallop, Peter Garrett and Dr Brendan Nelson.
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For general media enquiries please contact Julia Day PR Officer Mobile: 560 or Office or Email: jday@scoutswa.com.au For more information on Scouting please contact Scouts Australia, WA Branch Headquarters at Scouts Australia Western Australian Branch 581 Murray Street West Perth WA 6005 Postal address: PO Box 467 West Perth WA 6872 Tel: Fax: +Website: www.scoutswa.com.au.