Australian Rover Moot

Australian Rover Moots are the major national Scouts Australia outdoor event run by Rovers Scouts.

Activities include off-site excursions, overnight hikes, and acts of service.

History

A moot is a gathering of Rover Scouts (generally called Rovers); The Old English word "moot" means assembly or gathering. It was named by Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Scouting Movement in a letter to Percy Bantock Neville who was charged with coordinating a gathering of rovers at Royal Albert Hall, London in 1926.[1] The 1928 moot in Birmingham with now-Acting Chief Rover Commissioner Neville had 1500 rovers in attendance.[2]

World moots

Main article: World Rover Moot

The first World Rover Moot was held in 1931 at Kandersteg, Switzerland. The late-1939 Third World Rover Moot in Monzie, Scotland was attended by a number of Australian rovers,[3][4] including one who had the honour of piping up the flag on the castle keep.[5]

World rover moots have also held in Melbourne, in 1961 (7th World)[6] and 1990–91 (8th World).

Inaugural Australian moots

Within Australia, various states initiated their own moots, and in time, districts within a state.

  • New South Wales – An annual moot was underway, including at Warner's Bay on the weekend of 05–06 November 1927 opening with a campfire, discussing rover structure and organisation, and a mock vigil;[7] and 26–27 October 1929 at Pennant Hills.[8]
  • Queensland – The first state moot was a camp held at Ipswich in early-May 1932, and discussed leadership, the meaning of service, and had a cross-country race.[9] A later moot was held at Samford from 11 to 13 June 1938.[10][11]
  • Victoria – First state moot commenced on 19 November 1927 for the weekend in Melbourne.[12][13][14] It was expected to have 400 state rovers in attendance, with representatives from other states, 'which will have a far-reaching significance for the entire movement in the Commonwealth' as one question sought to examine the exact role/status of a rover.[15] The October 1932 moot was held on the grounds of Scotch College, Melbourne.[16]
  • South Australia – The first moot commenced 23 April 1932, at a Stirling property in hike tents, organised by the new Assistant Commissioner for Rovers, with discussions, outdoor competitions, and a Scouts' own.[17] The September 1937 moot was known as the "Marine" Moot, with participants to supply their own tents, personal gear, and food sufficient for three meals and a supper.[18] After the 1938 moot, the first post-World War II moot was at Glenalta on 29–30 November 1947.[19]
  • Western Australia – The first state moot was held at Crawley in late 1926.[20][21]

The Frankston jamboree saw a moot opened by Lord Baden-Powell at 3.30 pm on Saturday 12 January 1935, and continued until about 3.30 pm the following afternoon.[22][23] Supplying one's own rations, reports were tabled, the meaning of rover service examined, a Rovers' own speaker, the 'future of a rover', and conference presentations from a number of Australian states and countries such as Ceylon, India, and British Malaya.[22]

A joint Victorian and South Australian "Rover Easter Moot" was held in early-1948 in the Grampians, as preparation for the Melbourne 1948–1949 Pan-Pacific Boy Scout Jamboree.[24] The moot included hikes and informal discussions.

Australian Capital Territory held a moot in mid-June 1982 at Canberry Fair, expecting up to 350 rovers (many from NSW and Victoria), to celebrate the fiftieth year of rovering in the territory.[25] An 11–13 June 1988 ACT moot expected 120 rovers, with activities including iron-man, iron-woman, campfires, and fancy-dress bush dance.[26]

National moots

National moots were established in 1951. They have since been held every three years, typically lasting from nine to eleven days each, and are run by each state on a rotating basis.

List of Australian Rover Moots

No. Name Location Dates Participants Notes
1 Jubilee Moot Oatley Park, Sydney, New South Wales 26 December 1951 to 1 January 1952 700[27] This was the last official function for the State of NSW's jubilee year programme.[27] Activities included open-air movie films, archery, gold-panning, cliff rescue demonstrations, decorated vehicle competition, and bush cricket matches.[28] Contingents attended from New Zealand and New Guinea.
2 2nd Australian Rover Moot Warburton, Victoria December 1957 to January 1958
3 3rd Australian Rover Moot Barney Gorge, Queensland 28 December 1959 to 2 January 1960[29] 180[29]: 6  Recent rains created challenges as the site could only be accessed by 4WD.[29]: 5  Activities including hiking the 1,358 metres (4,455 ft) Mount Barney, swimming, wide games, spear throwing and boomerang throwing, and a campfire.[29]: 10  At the conclusion of the moot, there was a supper-dance at the Brisbane City Hall, with rangers from the Girl Guides.[29]: 8, 13 
4 4th Australian Rover Moot Numinbah Valley, Queensland 28 December 1969 to January 1970[30] 269[30]: 14  Each moot group consisted of 15 rovers and one rover scouter. There were also 16 camp showers, a telephone to Moot HQ, a twelve-bed hospital, electrical power, a large waterhole floodlit at night capable of holding 300 people, and opportunities to visit the Gold Coast beaches.[30]: 14  There was also a moot scarf and every participant got two moot badges.[30]: 14 
5 5th Australian Rover Moot University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia December 1971 to January 1972 The moot was opened by the Governor-General.[31]
6 6th Australian Rover Moot Sydney, New South Wales December 1974 to January 1975
7 It's a Moot Point, 7th Australian Rover Moot YABAMAC Scout Camp, Upper Plenty, Victoria 28 December 1977 to 7 January 1978[32] Also the 1st Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.[32] YABAMAC was the Yarra-Bateman Area Memorial Activity Centre;[32] The site was destroyed in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.[33]
8 8th Australian Rover Moot Baden-Powell Park, Samford, Queensland December 1980 to January 1981 Also the 2nd Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
9 9th Australian Rover Moot Gowrie Park, Tasmania December 1983 to January 1984 Also the 4th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
10 Bound for South Australia, 10th Australian Rover Moot Woodhouse scout campsite, Piccadilly, South Australia 29 December 1986 to 9 January 1987[34] 900[35] Activities included parachuting, gliding, hiking, scuba diving, and abseiling.[35] This was also a "World Invitational" moot, with contingents included from Canada, Indonesia, Japan, New Guinea, New Zealand, and Nordic countries; who also staged cultural displays.[35]
11 Get caught in the ACT, 11th Australian Rover Moot Camp Cotter, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory December 1989 to January 1990 Also the 6th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
12 Go West and Discover, 12th Australian Rover Moot Woodman Point, Perth, Western Australia December 1992 to January 1993 Also the 7th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
13 the aNSWer, 13th Australian Rover Moot Cataract Scout Park, Appin, Sydney, New South Wales December 1995 to January 1996 Also the 8th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
14 YeaMoot, 14th Australian Rover Moot Mafeking Rover Park, Yea, Victoria December 1998 to January 1999 Also the 10th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
15 15th Australian Rover Moot Landsborough, Queensland December 2001 to January 2002 Also the 12th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot.
16 Tassiemoot, 16th Australian Rover Moot Lake Barrington, Wilmot, Tasmania December 2004 to January 2005
17 Aussiemoot, 17th Australian Rover Moot Cataract Scout Park, Appin, Sydney, New South Wales 30 December 2007 to 12 January 2008 The event included a five-day expedition, as well as on-site and off-site activities.[36]
18 Ozmoot, 18th Australian Rover Moot Woodhouse scout campsite, Piccadilly, South Australia December 2010 to January 2011
19 WAM, 19th Australian Rover Moot Western Australia December 2013 to January 2014
20 The Moot, 20th Australian Rover Moot Mafeking Rover Park, Yea, Victoria December to January 2017
21 CBR Moot, 21st Australian Rover Moot Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 30 December 2019 to 10 January 2020[37] CBR is the abbreviation of Canberra, and also stood for 'Creating Better Rovers'. Also the 13th Asia-Pacific Rover Moot. Activities included mountain biking, a Riverina experience, diving, and an Amazing Race style expedition.[37] A second part of the moot was cancelled due to uncertain fire conditions with the January bushfires (and the moot tagline quipped as "Continually Being Relocated").[38] The base fee was A$900 to attend.[37]
22 AIM (Apple Isle Moot), 22nd Australian Rover Moot Forth, Tasmania 31 December 2022 to 8 January 2023[39] 520 rovers, 80 staff[40] Activities included local food tours, 4WD tours, giant board games, disc golf course, cultural activities, Cradle Mountain hiking, and scuba diving.[40]
23 Way Out West (WOW) Moot, 23rd Australian Rover Moot[41] Woodman Point Recreation Camp, Fremantle, Western Australia 31 December 2026 to 10 January 2027 The expedition component will see participants going afar as Esperance and Broome.[41] The base fee is A$1000 to attend.

Competition

The Eastman Trophy, presented by the Eastman Rover Crew, Palmerston North, New Zealand, in January 1978, is presented to the winner of a state-versus-state competition run during a moot.

For the 2019–2020 CBR Moot, activities started with a scavenger hunt on opening night.[42]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Rover Moot". The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton). No. 19, 317. Queensland, Australia. 17 July 1926. p. 13. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ "Boy Scouts". The Queenslander Illustrated Weekly. Queensland, Australia. 11 October 1928. p. 57. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. ^ "World Rover Moot". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 31, 549. New South Wales, Australia. 11 February 1939. p. 22. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ^ "Boy Scouts International". The Mercury. Vol. CL, no. 21, 376. Tasmania, Australia. 1 June 1939. p. 3. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ^ "Attended rover moot". The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate. No. 4499. New South Wales, Australia. 1 November 1939. p. 7. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ^ "Irresponsible lighting of fires". The Broadford Courier. Victoria, Australia. 19 January 1962. p. 4. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. ^ "Boy Scouts". The Newcastle Sun. No. 3096. New South Wales, Australia. 7 November 1927. p. 3. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. ^ ""Rover Moot"". Sunday Times. No. 2353. New South Wales, Australia. 29 September 1929. p. 7 (Coloured comic section). Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ "Rover Moot". Queensland Times. Vol. LXXII, no. 14, 392. Queensland, Australia. 3 May 1932. p. 6 (Daily). Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ^ "The Rover Moot". Queensland Times. Vol. LXXVIII, no. 16, 060. Queensland, Australia. 13 May 1938. p. 11 (Daily). Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. ^ "Rover Moot Camp Site Inspected". The Queenslander Illustrated Weekly. Queensland, Australia. 18 May 1938. p. 41. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. ^ "Rover Scouts Moot". The Australasian. Vol. CXXIII, no. 4, 116. Victoria, Australia. 26 November 1927. p. 66. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. ^ "Rover moot". The Age. No. 22, 660. Victoria, Australia. 21 November 1927. p. 12. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. ^ "Rover Scouts Moot – Empty Police Barracks". The Herald. No. 15, 758. Victoria, Australia. 19 November 1927. p. 32. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ^ "Scouts and guides. Great rover rally". The Age. No. 22, 632. Victoria, Australia. 19 October 1927. p. 13. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. ^ "Boy Scouts". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 26, 893. Victoria, Australia. 25 October 1932. p. 5. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. ^ "First Rover Moot". The News (Adelaide). Vol. XVIII, no. 2, 713. South Australia. 30 March 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  18. ^ "Boy Scouts Association". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 22 September 1937. p. 14. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  19. ^ "Boy Scout Notes". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 6 November 1947. p. 11. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  20. ^ "News and notes". The West Australian. Vol. XLII, no. 7, 651. Western Australia. 8 December 1926. p. 8. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  21. ^ "They conducted the first Rover "Moot" in Western Australia: Rovers (Senior Boy Scouts) who recently went into private camp at Crawley, where, in the Governor's presence, they were presented and attested as rovers". Western Mail (Western Australia). Vol. XLII, no. 2, 133. Western Australia. 16 December 1926. p. 6. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  22. ^ a b "Rover Moot". The Age. No. 24, 881. Victoria, Australia. 11 January 1935. p. 9. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "Scenes at the Rover Moot". The Age. No. 24, 883. Victoria, Australia. 14 January 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  24. ^ "Prelude to Jamboree". The Age. No. 28997. Victoria, Australia. 3 April 1948. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  25. ^ "What's on". The Canberra Times. Vol. 56, no. 17, 061. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 14 June 1982. p. 7. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  26. ^ "Local briefs". The Canberra Times. Vol. 62, no. 19, 230. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 31 May 1988. p. 8. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ^ a b "First nation-wide rover moot". South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus. Vol. LI, no. 99. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1951. p. 24. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  28. ^ "Jubilee Rover Moot". The Propeller. Vol. XLI, no. 2125. New South Wales, Australia. 20 December 1951. p. 1. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  29. ^ a b c d e "The Totem". State Library of Australia, Journal, Totem. Boy Scouts' Association, Queensland Branch. January 1960. p. 16. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  30. ^ a b c d "Scouting in Queensland (Vol. 8, No. 11)". State Library of Australia, Journal, Scouting in Queensland. Boy Scouts' Association, Queensland Branch. December 1969. p. 16. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Vice-Regal". The Canberra Times. Vol. 46, no. 13, 005. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 30 December 1971. p. 2. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  32. ^ a b c "Briefly". Jamboree Daily. Victoria, Australia. 5 January 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  33. ^ "The Upper Plenty History Exhibition". Upper Plenty Community Victoria Australia. 11 November 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2025. (1980–2014 PDF)
  34. ^ "Goolwa Scouts". Victor Harbour Times. Vol. 74, no. 3, 472. South Australia. 5 December 1986. p. 26. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  35. ^ a b c "Many attend Rover's moot at Woodhouse". Hills Messenger. No. 686. South Australia. 21 January 1987. p. 5. Retrieved 18 August 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
  36. ^ "Australian Rover Moot". ScoutWiki Network. 19 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  37. ^ a b c "CBR Moot". CBR Moot. Scouts ACT. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  38. ^ "2020 Annual Report" (PDF). Scouts ACT. July 2021. p. 28. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  39. ^ "Apple Isle Moot". Apple Isle Moot, Tasmania 2023 - 22nd Australian Rover Moot. Scouts Tasmania. 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  40. ^ a b "22nd National Rover Moot". Scouts Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  41. ^ a b "Way Out West Moot (WOW 27)". Way Out West Moot. Scouts Western Australia. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  42. ^ "CBR Moot documentation". CBR Moot. Scouts ACT. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
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