24th Australian Scout Jamboree


Cataract Scout Park was given to the Scout Association of Australia N.S.W. Branch by The Government of New South Wales in 1978. The Minister for Lands, The Hon. Bill Crabtree declared 103 Hectares of Wedderburn State Forest to be a reserve for Scouts for a permanent Jamboree site.

Additions in 1985 increased the total area to 160 hectares.

Cataract Scout Park was dedicated to the Youth of Australia by The Hon. Frank Walker, Q.C., M.P., Minister for Youth & Community Services on 11th May 1985.

  • Australian Jamborees Held at Cataract Scout Park:
  • 14th Australian Jamboree held in 1985-1986
  • 19th Australian Jamboree held in 2001
  • 22nd Australian Jamboree held in 2010
  • 24th Australian Jamboree held in 2016
  • World Jamborees Held at Cataract Scout Park:
  • 16th World Jamboree held in 1987-1988
AJ2016 Report 04.01.2016

Our very own reporter Dung Beetle on the job...!! #aj2016 #dungbeetle #AJ2016QLD

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Sunday, 3 January 2016
AJ2016 Report (2) 04.01.2016

Dung Beetle's 2nd report for Monday the 4th of January 2016. #aj2016 #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Sunday, 3 January 2016
AJ2016 Leap Into Adventure

Who says you need fine weather to have fun? Members of Ashmore Scout Group leaping into adventure. #aj2016

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Monday, 4 January 2016
AJ2016 Day 4

AJ2016 Video Update 05.01.2016: Our roving reporter Dung Beetle is back!! #aj2016 #dungbeetle #AJ2016QLD

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Monday, 4 January 2016
AJ2016 Day Five

AJ2016 Video Update 06.01.2016 Dung Beetle and Koala perform a good deed for Troop D734! #AJ2016 #AJ2016QLD #DungBeetle #AshmoreScouts

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Tuesday, 5 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 07.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 07.01.2016 Dung Beetle is live from Botany Bay! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Wednesday, 6 January 2016


AJ2016 with Dung Beetle:

The journey began early at the Gold Coast Airport; we all meet up nervous and a little excited. All the hard work and preparation was finally coming together (this is what the scouts and leaders were thinking). The parents were excited to see the scouts go away for this opportunity and get all the early morning BBQ fundraising monies put to good use.

We all left the Gold Coast as one massive excited troop not knowing what we are all in for or what we had signed up for.

When we arrived at Sydney Airport we were met by an old Ashmore Cub Leader, Grasshopper (Ben to the parents). Ben was most of the Scouts' Cub Leader when they were Cubs back in the day. Ben directed us to our bus where there were other Scouts from all around Australia; great time to start to mingle.

We arrived at Cataract Park with the sun shining and we drive into this massive man made city. After driving for over 15 minutes in the park, we get to our Sub Camp drop off. We all jump out, still a little nervous, (me just as much as the Scouts). After a short walk to our campsite we get our first real look at our home for the next 10 days.

After meeting some of our new troop of 36 we continued to build our campsite and make new friends.

Sunday was the Opening Ceremony. This was the first time we all got to see the amount of scouts that were at AJ2016 - all in the same area. It was massive. With over 8000 scouts and over 2000 Leaders, Venturers and Rovers - all in a man made pop up city built by Scouts for 2 weeks. I realised how true it is – Scouts, we can do anything.

We got to see where all these people had come from, not just Australia but all over the world. After all the official opening ceremony was over, we got to party! We all got to experience a massive fireworks display then we had Justice Crew perform on stage live, just for the Scouts.

We were straight into our activities the next day. From water parks to adventures into the bush to navigating our way around the big city of Sydney, we were all having heaps of fun.

The first 4 days rained. The rain didn’t stop our Troop, we dug trenches and hung our wet clothes out to dry, I even made a dash to Wollongong with Koala to do some washing (and I may have snuck a lunch in at Maccas!)

When the sun came out on the 5th day, the entire AJ campsite cheered!

On Super Saturday, we had visitors from the Gold Coast and even as far as Carins, this was interesting for some of us, it even made a few of us (ok me) homesick. But this was a good test for the Scouts, good time to give your mate a pat on the back and say “Hey, we are nearly home!”

Pack up was a massive day. It was hot and tiring. After sleeping under the stars on the last night and up early on the 14th of January, we were ready to go home. For some reason, the flight was so fast! It felt like a 10 min flight for me as I slept all the way and so did most of the Scouts.

After a 12 day adventure, we were all home, safe and sound, into our family's arms at the airport.

It was fun and I had a ball! I would take Ashmore Scouts away anywhere in the world again with no problem.

Thank you Ashmore AJ2016 Campers I had heaps of fun; are we doing WSJ 2019?

Dung Beetle

AJ2016 Video Update 08.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 08.01.2016 Dung Beetle's video update direct from The Mall. Video 'bombing' by members of his own Troop D734, plus some international visitors! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Thursday, 7 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 08.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 08.01.2016 Dung Beetle has a 'Scout Free' day today, and has seized the opportunity to explore the local area!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle #nannynap

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Thursday, 7 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 09.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 09.01.2016 Dung Beetle live from #SuperSaturday Market Day. #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Friday, 8 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update (2) 09.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update (2) 09.01.2016 Dung Beetle reporting live from D734! Today's topic is very important, considering the weather over the first few days of this Jamboree. #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Saturday, 9 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 10.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 10.01.2016 BUSTED!! See, Scouts can do the shopping!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Saturday, 9 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 11.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 11.01.2016 Dung Beetle is back, this time with the now infamous Zayden!! This young man sure gets around; however he doesn't say much!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle #ZayAJ2016

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Sunday, 10 January 2016


AJ2016 with Jake:

To sum up AJ in 3 words it would be: again, again, AGAIN!

AJ2016 was one of the best experience of our lives. We all had so much fun and with over 60 activities we were hardly ever in camp.
Ashmore scouts arrived in Sydney at 1 o’clock and from there it was go, go, go, before we new it we were at Cataract Park and had set up camp. The first night brought the Opening Ceremony and Justice Crew!

Over the next 10 days The scouts we involved in 4 offsite activities: city sights, water activities, Jamberoo and endurance. The favourites were definitely city sights and Jamberoo water park.

There were even night activities too!!, some headlining acts were: Justice Crew, Samantha Jade, Cyrus, Shane Jacobson and Sammy J. Many of the Scouts went to the main arena, but some went to the mini arena which held much more entertainment such as, Jamboree idol, Movies and dance parties.

AJ2016 was an amazing experience for all of us, making new friendships that will last a life time.

Now it’s time to gear up of AJ2019 in Adelaide.

Jake

AJ2016 Video Update (2) 11.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update (2) 11.01.2016 Dung Beetle out and about in Sydney, attempting to enjoy the peace and tranquillity. Unfortunately there is Scouts everywhere!! DISCLAIMER: Dung Beetle has let his guard down...watch out for the one use of the word 'bloody'. Fortunately his Scouts still love him, as do we at Ashmore Scout Group!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle #firstswearwordalljamboree

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Sunday, 10 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update (3) 11.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update (3) 11.01.2016 Carnival Night is in full swing!! Dung Beetle reporting live from the middle of the action!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Monday, 11 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update 12.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update 12.01.2016 DB is at the Jamberoo Action Park today with 1000's of Scouts and he is trying everything! #AJ2016 #AJ2016Qld #DungBeetle #Jamberoo

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Monday, 11 January 2016
AJ2016 Video Update (2) 12.01.2016

AJ2016 Video Update (2) 12.01.2016 Dung Beetle providing a first hand view of the giant coaster at Jamberoo Action Park. You can just hear his running commentary over the sound of the tracks!! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD #dungbeetle

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Monday, 11 January 2016
Dung Beetle's Last AJ2016 Video

#DungBeetle's last #AJ2016 video at Sydney Airport! #HomewardBound

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Wednesday, 13 January 2016
What do you miss from home?

Troop D734 Video! #aj2016 #AJ2016QLD

Posted by Ashmore Scout Group on Tuesday, 12 January 2016


The 25th Australian Scout Jamboree will be held at Tailem Bend Motorsport Park, South Australia, in January 2019. See our Events Calendar for further information.


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