Mums share favourite places and activities that created family memories
Mother’s Day is all about the special bond. Ten mums involved in Scouts NSW share some of their favourite places and activities that have created memories for their families.
NSW
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Mother’s Day is all about the special bond.
Spending quality time, sharing laughs and creating new memories together doesn’t have to break the bank and can mean much more than a box of chocolates or some flowers.
It could mean a picnic on the water, a hike or an evening spent playing board games.
And it certainly doesn’t have to involve a screen.
We asked 10 mums involved in Scouts NSW to share some of their favourite places and activities that have created memories for their families.
Jinny Lim and Jareth, 14, Kyra, 11, and Kirsten, 10
“We love exploring National Parks in Australia. Stargazing at Mundi Mundi Plains near Broken Hill, walking on pink salt-encrusted mud flats at Murray Sunset National Park, experiencing the ancient landforms at Mungo National Park and soaking in a thermal pool in Kosciuszko are some of our highlights. As treasurer with 2nd Castle Hill Scout Group, I was once asked if scouting was still a thing? I’m rapt to say it is and a lot of the outdoor activities we undertake are an extension of things our family loves to do.”
Gai Green and granddaughter London Bunning, 9
“I’m Deputy Assistant Chief Commissioner and my granddaughter London is a Cub Scout at 1st East Gosford. My home, Scout Camp Kariong on The Central Coast, is our favourite place. My husband and I are live-in caretakers, and London loves spending time here because it’s where her parents were married. Sunday afternoon family get-togethers with soccer on the lawn and sunsets by the falls, followed by marshmallows on the campfire, always get the best smiles.”
Belinda Butcher with Ben, 17, Emily, 15, and Edward, 12
“Our family loves to kayak on the Lane Cove River. I’ve kayaked for more than 20 years, and more recently as part of 1st Tambourine Bay Sea Scouts. My youngest son Edward participated in an overnight paddle to Cockatoo Island recently and I was there as a driver of the safety boat. We regularly go camping as a family – especially in the Blue Mountains National Park. I joined Ben and Emily at last year’s weather-affected World Jamboree in South Korea. While it was great to see their resilience, typhoons and camping don’t mix.
Suzanne Leverton and Matthew, 15
“I’m assistant Group Leader at Normanhurst Scout Group and Matthew is now a Venturer Scout. Our favourite thing to do together is camping by the ocean – and Emerald Beach near Coffs Harbour is a special place for our family since Matthew was a baby. We enjoy swimming and boogie boarding and exploring the headlands. Over the years, we’ve expanded our Emerald Beach trips to include bike riding, fishing and four-wheel driving in the forest hinterland.”
Joanne Worboys and Sasha, 16
“My son Sasha is a Venturer Scout and I’m leader of 1st Maclean Scout Group. Our family shares a love of outdoor activities. We’ve walked many places on the eastern seaboard, but the Heritage Trail at the Gibraltar Range is a favourite for Sasha and me. We put in a lot of preparation and plan our hikes carefully, checking the weather and packing the right gear and plenty of snacks. I’m a keen landscape and flora photographer, so I document our trips. Sasha has now discovered surfing so maybe that’s our next shared adventure.”
Erica Dilworth and Ollie Wicks, 8
“I’m regional commissioner for diversity and inclusion for Greater Western Sydney and a District Venturer Leader for Hills and Parramatta. My son, Ollie Wicks, is a Cub Scout at 1st Balcombe Heights. Family visits to koala sanctuaries are our favourite things to do. Ollie has adopted two koalas, Howie at Port Stephens and Ruins Way Baz at Port Macquarie. Neither can live in the wild – Ruins Way Baz was severely burnt in a bushfire and Howie has lost his sight. We love going to the sanctuaries to learn how to help injured animals.”
Adele Lockman and Kaysanne, 8
“Kaysanne and I love musical theatre. She’s been at my side throughout my years producing items in the Cumberland Gang Show, the variety production written and performed every year by Scouts and Guides of Western Sydney. Kaysanne is finally old enough to join the cast this year and is a member of the junior dance team. It has been wonderful to see her rehearse each week. I look forward to watching her perform at Parramatta Riverside Theatres in July as part of Cumberland Gang Show’s 2024 production Off The Record and put her dance skills to work.”
Natt Locke and JB, 9, and Penny, 7
“Our favourite place to go is Umina on the Central Coast. We love the beach, the park and the local cafe. We love taking our dogs to the off-leash section at the northern and southern ends of the beach and collecting shells. We also love canoeing at Berrima. I was reintroduced to canoeing as a Cub Scout Leader at 1st/2nd Merrylands Scout Group when they tried it for the first time this year at our Founder’s Day Camp. I was cautious because I was in a scary capsize when I was a young scout, but JB and Penny convinced me back in a boat and we’ve been having a blast!”
Jen Adamson with Zac, 15, Ryan, 18, and Ethan, 20
“I’m the Scout section leader at Maryland Shortland Scout Group in Newcastle and my sons have all been through scouts. My youngest, Zac, and I love canyoning together in the Blue Mountains. Sharing our adventures is special when we witness each other’s achievements. Zac recently encouraged me to abseil down a 40m cliff and jump 7m into a rockpool. I ask my boys to always do their best and be their best, and I hold myself to that as well. Even though I was terrified, I did it!”
Melinda Hine and Dylan, 16
“I’m a Scout Leader with the 1st Kempsey Scout Group and Dylan is a Venturer Scout with Camden Haven Sea Scouts. Dylan and I love to camp together. Our special place is Camp Eagle Eye, at Glenreagh in the Clarence Valley. We’ve been going there regularly for six years – from when Dylan started as a Cub Scout. It’s a place to share quality time.”
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