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.
The Jamboree Badge was designed by Levi Molineux, Scoutmaster for the 11th Hawthorn Troop. The kangaroo and the boomerang are both Australian icons.
The Frankston Jamboree was attended by Scouts from all Australian states and the territories, together with Scouts from Belgium, Canada, Ceylon, England, Fiji, France, Holland - East Indies, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Ireland, Java, Japan, Malaya, Nauru, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America, and Wales.
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Click on Event Name for more information about an event. (Opens in a new window.)
Event Name | Time/Date | Location |
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Official Opening | 2.45 pm, Saturday, 29th December, 1934 | Display Arena |
Scouts' Own Thanksgiving Service | 3pm, Sunday, 30th December, 1934 | Display Arena |
General Campfire | 8 pm, Sunday, 30th December, 1934 | The Main Campfire Hollow |
Wolf Cub and Brownie Parade | 2.30 pm, Monday, 31st December, 1934 | Display Arena |
The Great International Pageant | 2.30 pm, Tuesday, 1st January, 1935 | Display Arena |
Farewell Gathering | Sunday, 6th January, 1935 | Main Arena |
The Rover Moot | 12th-13th January, 1935 |
Click on Activity for more information. (New window.)
Beach Activities |
Excursions |
The Hikes |
Broadcasts |
"Talkies" |
Gilwell Park is a 160 hectare bushland property adjoining Gembrook State Forest. It is the main leader-training centre for Victoria. Now, as then, it offers Scouts quality camping.
On 10th January, 1935, those who had taken part in the Jamboree hike program, camped overnight at Gilwell. During the evening, the boys met at the Campfire Circle in the Boys' Field.
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.
Written on the verandah of the Warden's Lodge at Gilwell Park, Gembrook after the completion of the Jamboree hikes - 11th January, 1935.
A Scout from the 1st Tyabb Troop recorded his impressions of the Jamboree.
The personal diary of a 19 year-old Rover who grew up in Frankston, and subsequently became an eminent author.
The support and assistance of The Frankston and Hastings Shire Council has been well documented. Lord Baden-Powell, himself, when making his first site inspection, asked the State President, Colonel Harold Cohen, to convey to the Council his appreciation of the site; the Frankston Councilors in recommending the campsite at Frankston had, he felt, shown foresight. "In my opinion" he said, "it is the nearest approach to an ideal jamboree ground that I have yet seen" (Frankston and Somerville Standard, 4th January, 1935).
Not Even the President Could Crash The Gate!
A Rolls Royce drew up at the Overport Gates yesterday afternoon. It had the official Jamboree pennant on the radiator cap; indeed, it was the car of the President (Colonel Harold Cohen, M.L.C.). But it was refused admission!
The trouble was that the President did not have a pass for his car, and the Rovers on duty knew their duty well. No car without a pass must go through. So in spite of protestations, the President had to leave his car and hike the rest of the way. But he has a pass now - all nicely signed by the Jamboree Organising Secretary.
-The Jamboree Daily, 28th December, 1934
Aerial view of part of sub-camp 1, and the Chief's residence
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.
The official Jamboree program