The 1st Australian Pan-Pacific Jamboree was held in Frankston (Victoria, Australia) between 27th December, 1934 and 13th January, 1935. This Jamboree was the first international gathering of Scouts outside Europe and the only Australian Jamboree attended by Lord Baden-Powell.

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2nd - 5th January 1935 (Display Arena)
During the afternoons, cultural and historical displays took place. The pageants, presented by the different contingents, were diverse: some serious, others hilarious and ingenious. The variety is illustrated by the following selection.

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Mass formation and movement by the entire New South Wales contingent (nearly 2,000 Scouts) depicted different aspects of Scout work. Each group performed their act and then moved around the arena so that their display was presented to a different audience. This pageant included a traditional Yorkshire sword dance. Its intricate and rhythmic movements were executed magnificently. The performance ended with a spectacular mass formation.
The eleven Nauruans, in their striking lava-lavas, performed some of their native dances and songs. They clustered round their drum, chanting softly in unison until three of their number leapt out to beat time with their heels and wave their arms in a swinging rhythm. The tempo increased to a frenzy and culminated in a final joyous yell.
Northcote and Preston District acknowledged Melbourne's centenary: "Batman purchases the site of Melbourne". Pageant organisers carefully researched this event and, also, the corroboree dances of the aboriginal people. The first part of the enactment portrayed a meeting, at the corroboree ground, between Batman's party and the aborigines. The bright red scarves of the explorers were in stark contrast with the black bodies of the lithe aborigines. The second act depicted the sale of land to white man. Batman met the Chiefs and read the deed of sale. All signed. The aborigines rejoiced on receipt of their gifts.
The Indians gave a display of chekar-wheel and lathi swinging. Both Hindu and Mohammedan dances were given interspersed with singing. Lathi and sword, two lathis at once, and even swinging the lathi while standing on stilts, seemed nothing to these polished performers.

Bendigo's colourful history was portrayed in their enactment, "early mining days". The discovery of gold by prospectors and the hasty erection of shops were just the beginning. The noise, the bustle and the frequent quarrels were all faithfully reproduced. Excitement reached fever pitch with the hold-up of a Cobb and Co. coach and the subsequent pursuit of the bushrangers.
The New Zealand contingent of 200 Scouts depicted scenes from traditional Maori life - complete with broadcast commentary. The men hunted for meas and pigs; the women were involved with various crafts and "tangi" (feast) preparations. The hunters returned with their spoils and were greeted by the women. They all helped with preparations for the feast. The sudden appearance of a rival tribe illustrated another side of Maori life. War hakas took place and a tribal battle ensued. After the return of the victors more hakas and songs were enacted.
The Malayan contingent of 48 Scouts reproduced a village scene. The act centred round a "Singkeh" or newcomer. The story relayed his experiences with the local people as he rode around the village in a rickshaw. In order to present a faithful reproduction, the Malayans brought with them rickshaws, four types of hawkers' stalls, palm and bamboo huts and native costumes.

Caulfield District, as part of their act, presented a "Frankston Jamboree Steeplechase". The participants carried out the part of highly trained racehorses. The event concluded with the presentation of a gold-mounted whip to the winner.
Gippsland presented "Cavalcade of Transport". The parade commenced with aboriginal hunters, pioneers and prospectors - some on foot, some on horseback. The dray, Cobb and Co. coach, horsemen and a lady riding sidesaddle came later. Next came a daring young man on a motor-bike. A lovely lady rode in the side-car. It is hard to believe that he deliberately ejected her from the pillion seat! Finally came Colonel Cohen's Rolls Royce! (Col. Cohen was the President of the Victorian Branch of the Boy Scout's Association).

With the passage of time, the Jamboree site has become part of suburban Melbourne. However, some evidence of this historic event remains. For those visiting the area, Melways directory references are included in parenthesis.

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1. Corner of Overport Road and Yuille Street (102D6) is the location of the main Jamboree gateway. The large eucalypts sited in the gardens of 2, 12 and 12A Overport Road are believed to have been planted alongside the main entrance prior to the commencement of the Jamboree.


2. Pratt Reserve - South corner of Yuille Street and Pratt Avenue (102C7). This was the site of the Playing Field.

3. Frankston Jamboree Park is located at the end of The Heights, off The Spur (102C6). This amphitheatre, was the site of the main campfire hollow. The area is surrounded on three sides by steep rises - six to eight metres in height.

The hollow was set up with a platform and flood-lights. Public admission was available on numerous occasions during the Jamboree. One such occasion was the evening of Thursday, 3rd January, 1935. The following extract, taken from The Herald, 4th January, 1935, describes the atmosphere at one of these gatherings.

"FRANKSTON. Friday -Ten thousand Scouts and hundreds of public visitors were virtually carried across the seas to many countries last night. They spent a few moments on the peaceful little island of Nauru, they were lulled by the twanging guitars of sunny Fiji, and their pulses throbbed to the bizarre chants of white-robed Indian natives.

New Zealand had them for a moment for a flesh-creeping haka, by which Te Rasparaha, the famous old chief, led his Ngatiawa tribe to war, and then they travelled over the green seas to the rhythm of the sailors' hornpipe.

All this happened in the Jamboree camp's great amphitheatre, where the ceiling was the stars on a dewy night and where a glowing camp fire sent up spirals of dazzling sparks.

The hearth extended for a quarter of a mile around. It was covered by a sea of young faces that showed, even in the pallid glare of the floodlights, the joy that the night was bringing them. And at this hearth sat Lord Baden-Powell. He sat there singing and clapping and cheering and laughing, a campfire blanket slung loosely about his shoulders.

Lady Baden-Powell joined in, and so did the Honorable Betty and the Honorable Heather Baden-Powell. They were nestled in blue blankets near their parents.

Torches held by thousands of hands showed the size of the multitude. The torches linked all around and up to the hillsides, where moving, cloaked figures were silhouetted against the skyline!"

4. A plaque commemorating this Jamboree was unveiled at Frankston Jamboree Park on March 14, 2004.


5. The house on the northern corner of the Range and Kars Street (102B6). During the Jamboree, this property was The Chief Scout's residence. Located near the top of the Kars Street hill, it commands magnificent views over the bay.

Victorian Chief Commissioner, Mr C. A. Hoadley, and Lord Baden-Powell, at the Kars Street residence.

6. The low lying ground between The Spur & Jasper Terrace (102C6) was the Display Arena.
There were two large grandstands erected by the arena and, in addition, open-air seats for 7,000. The grandstand near Jasper Terrace was 190 feet long, and had seven tiers of seats. It held at least 1000 persons. The larger, erected at the other side of the oval, along the side of what is now the Spur, seated 1400.
An aerial view of the Display Arena - the Opening Ceremony

7. Frankston South Community and Recreation Centre - Towerhill Road (102D7). A reunion was held at this venue on 17th November, 1984. The occasion marked the fifty-year anniversary of the 1934-35 Jamboree. In recognition of this event, a commemorative badge was produced and two bronze plaques struck. One of the plaques may be viewed at the Scout Heritage Centre, Como, and the other at the Police, Citizens and Youth Centre, Frankston.


8. A water-supply easement or pipetrack is accessible between Yuille Street and Poinciana Street (102C7-D8). At the Jamboree, this track, which traversed the site, was known as Sweetwater Road and Kiwi Street.
In order to increase pressure, water was pumped from the main into tanks with a capacity of 54,000 gallons and subsequently reticulated in two and a half miles of 4 inch and 6 inch mains, and one mile of two inch piping. These supplied 250 showers, 300 taps for washing purposes and 192 taps for cooking purposes.

9. Beauty Park (102C3). A civic reception was held in the park on the afternoon of Friday, 8th January. This function was held in honour of Lord Baden-Powell, Scout leaders and other distinguished guests. The World Chief Scout was accompanied by his daughters. The acting President of the Shire of Frankston and Hastings (Councillor Phillip Montague) received Lord Baden-Powell. A souvenir booklet of Frankston, bound in morocco leather, was presented to him. It contained a leaflet with a message which acknowledged Lord Baden-Powell's Scouting achievements and his contribution to world peace.

10. The grandstand at Frankston Park - corner Kars & High Streets (102C3) - was moved to this site after the Jamboree. However, in February 2008, it was burnt down. Thanks to the Heritage Centre, who had kept the original plans, the replacement grandstand was substantially influenced by the original design (see picture below). You may enter the football ground from High Street, opposite the Uniting Church. The new grandstand is immediately on your right.



Street Names
A number of the local street names remind us of the Jamboree. Apart from the obvious, Baden Powell Drive (102A9) and Jamboree Avenue (102C6), we have:
11.. Hoadley Avenue (102A6), named after the State Chief Commissioner, Mr. C.A. Hoadley.
12. Harcourt Avenue (102A7), named after the Jamboree organising Secretary, Major H.G. Harcourt.
13. Pratt Avenue, (102C7), named after Frankston Shire Councillor on the Jamboree Council, and honorary Scout Commissioner, Councillor J.L. Pratt.

This website has been created for
Frankston District Scouts
by Ann & John Scholes

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