Newsletter #03 | January 2026
- Jan 31
- 6 min read
AJ BADGE?
LOGO REVEAL
Last month we shared three sample badges for AJ2028 and three proposed slogans.
These came from the ideas of readers of our first newsletter.
Nearly 1000 people have now had their say.
And the winner is …
The slogan “Feel the freedom” was the clear winner, but what does it mean?
Ask anyone who’s been to a Jamboree.
It’s two weeks of freedom that will change your life.
You’re free to be you.
Not like school, where you might keep a low profile.
At Scouts, you can just be yourself.
But at a Jamboree, it’s bigger and better.
The real you! With real friends.
Friendships grow strong and they last.
Self-confidence grows too.
Another difference is safety.
At home you don’t walk the streets alone at night.
But the Jamboree is a friendly and secure site that you’re free to explore.
Walking home after night entertainment at the arena, or heading out for an early shower, you’ll meet random Scouts and Leaders on the track and enjoy great chats.
Of course, freedom also comes with responsibility.
To listen to your PL.
To let your Leaders know where you are.
To do your share of cooking and cleaning.
MERCH
LIMITED EDITION PRE-MERCH
It’s a world-first!
An exclusive range of AJ2028 merch that will be on sale briefly then never again.
It’s Scout merch, but wearable.
Stuff you’ll actually wear.
Low-key Scout. High-key comfy. Not just for camp.
Be an early adopter, be an influencer.
Wear your AJ2028 pre-merch for 18 months before everyone else.
(The very-different official range of merch will come out in late 2027.)
This could be bigger than Taylor Swift tickets.
Order fast through our next newletter!
MONEY MONEY MONEY...
(YOU KNOW THE LYRICS)
Last newsletter we asked for more fundraising ideas for AJ2028 and here are some of them:
Nathan B, Scout, Carlisle, WA: Some of my fundraising ideas include.
Getting a permit and busking
Selling old toys at the local Rotary market
Setting up a lawn care business for people going on holiday
Millie G, Scout, 2nd Orange, NSW:
Bunnings BBQs
Trivia nights
Firewood raffle
Other raffle
Car wash
Cake stall
Bigger Better more (getting good prizes to sell or use in raffle/trivia)
Silent disco night
For country Scouts, buying two farm animals, breeding them and then selling them.
Oscar K, Cub, Mt Lofty, SA:
My fundraising idea is to collect free pallettes and wooden crates from local businesses like Mitre10 and Bunnings, break them down into pieces and bundle them as kindling and sell them in bags, maybe in a local shop or at the front of my house. (Great idea, Oscar. Just be careful with wood that’s been chemically treated. Bad fumes!)
Matilda J, Port Clinton, SA:
Matilda is saving for the World Scout Jamboree in Poland and AJ2028. She’s combining her commitment to recycling and her love of the outdoors. She rips up donated newspapers, soaks and pulps them, then adds food dye in Christmas colours to make decorations. She then uses cookie cutters to push the damp paper into shapes like angels and stars, and scatters 10-15 seeds on before they dry. Matilda then approached local businesses to display her Christmas decorations with an honesty box, selling them for $1 each. Over the next year she is looking to make denim angels, recycled old beaded necklaces (for the heads) and jeans.
Hayley L, West Traralgon Venturers, Vic:
I went to AJ2025 as a Scout. My Scout Group held a sausage sizzle at Bunnings, sold paracord bracelets at the Traralgon Farmers Market, collected 10-cent cans, and shoveled sheep poo and sold it.
Carly J, Scout, Caroline Springs, Vic:
I'm a new Scout and I'm going to recycle bottles to save money up for AJ.
Gillian L:
I’m doing a sausage sizzle and dog walking and also selling old stuff.
Stuart H, Leongatha, Vic:
Bunnings BBQ!
Team Hopkins:
Some ideas from a Scout parent who has been to many Jamborees before!
Talk to your local bakery about a discount deal on hot cross buns and do a hot cross bun drive
Hold a trivia and games night for your Group or extended family: there are lots of trivia questions packs you can find online
Ask your grandparents or family for a list of spring cleaning jobs which amounts against each task. On your holidays or weekends work through one or two at a time
Collect succulent offshoots to pot and sell
James W, Venturer, 1st Point Cook:
Convince their parents to take out a second mortgage on their house if they have one or if not they should sell a kidney.
WINNERS?
And the winners of this month’s competition (who each get a $50 Scout Shop voucher) are:
Nathan B, Scout, Carlisle, WA
Millie G, Scout, 2nd Orange, NSW
Oscar K, Cub, Mt Lofty, SA
With thanks to everyone else who sent ideas!
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WHO
TREVOR - DEPUTY CHIEF DIRECTOR (OPERATIONS)
Trevor Howlett has unique experience at major Scouting events across Australia and several decades. From leading his Scouts, to performing on stage, to feeding thousands, and even a memorable failed attempt to give away excess frozen fish to Venturers boarding buses as they headed off on their Expeditions from the 1981-82 Venture at Nunawading, Victoria.
Your Jamboree life?
I’ve done 12 Jamborees.
I started by visiting my Dad at Dandenong in 1964-65, Ipswich in 1971, NZ 1972 as a Scout, then I did AJSL and Entertainment at Dandenong in 1977, Entertainment at Ballarat 1992, then JSL for 1995 and 1998, was the QM for Vic Contingent/Sub Camp in 2001, 2004, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. My biggest jobs were Catering Manager at AJ2007 at Elmore, and Supply Manager at VicJam in 2022 (Victoria’s state Jamboree).
Other major events?
Too many … at least three Kangarees, nine Cuborees, the Venture, and a World Moot … that seems about right! Not counting JOTAs, Stradbroke Cups, and the smaller “major events”.
Highlights?
Living at Elmore for three months to help make AJ2007 happen was a great way to use up some Long Service Leave!! Then successfully feeding the masses for 12 days.
Lowlights?
Performing with two mates in between serious rock bands, including Ol’ 55, at Dandenong in1977 Helping make VicJam happen in January 2022 in such a short timeframe with COVID always threatening. Actually, there are no lowlights at Jamborees, just challenges – lots and lots of challenges – allowing us the opportunity to Get Stuff Done.
You’re a long-time Scout Leader, now State Quartermaster in Victoria. What does a “State QM” do?
As State QM I coordinate a team of around 25 volunteers, including retired (from employment) Leaders to supply resources to Major Events and Units, as well as receiving donations from companies and then distributing these to Groups. We have around $5 million in gear and a big 1200 m 2 warehouse in Dandenong South which is owned by Scouts Victoria – the only one of its kind in Australia. Forklifts, trailers, refrigerated trailer, diesel tanker trailer, hike packs, catering gear, tents, hike tents, Trangias, gazebos, road traffic signs, bollards, etc are just some of the equipment we have in stock!
What’s your personal aim for AJ2028?
We know the kids will have fun and life-changing growth and experiences – I hope that all of the supporting adults will have very few issues in our Operations Division of Sites, Services, Transport and Catering. All done as economically and sustainably as possible.
Why did you join Scouting, was back in 1965? How has it changed your life?
Scouting has been a family affair since I was a Cub. My older brothers Andrew and Gordon were Scouts through to Rovers and my dad Chris was District Commissioner. For many years he was known locally as “Christ” Howlett, after a small typo in Australian Scout magazine (thanks AT). He seemed to enjoy it.
Gordon was Scout Leader when I became a Rover and asked me to look after the Troop while he went on his honeymoon – 50 years later I’m still waiting for him to come back!
Scouting has given me lots of opportunities from Leadership and in the Performing Arts. Whilst I get immense enjoyment from all of this, it is the smiles on the youth that makes all of the challenges worthwhile. Meeting ex-Scouts many years later and sharing their memories of camps, Jamborees, shows, etc is simply a joy. Their realisation of their personal growth and fun that they had is an absolute pleasure.
