At an age where their peers spend weekends playing video games – and seeing an animal in its natural habitat is exotic for an Australian kid – the Third Sutherland Greek Scout Group is preparing its youngest members to experience the world around them, to feel nature, to seek for adventure, to get rid of the cotton wool the majority of parents wrap their children with. As soon as Friday comes around and school is finished for the week, members of the Sutherland Greek Scout Group get ready for their Scouts meeting, looking forward to new adventures and new skills.
The same goes for Nick De Polignol, who runs the Third Sutherland Greek Scout Group. With experience in scouting, dating back to his days in his native Egypt, in 2005 Nick was approached by George James Papadimitriou, the commissioner for Greek scouts at the time, with the idea of starting a Greek scout group based at Saint Stylianos Greek Orthodox Church in Gymea.
“Under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and in conjunction with Scouts Australia, Greek Scouts started as a sponsored group,” Mr De Polignol tells Neos Kosmos.
“We now have three groups of Greek scouts in Sydney – one in Sutherland, attached to St Stylianos parish in Gymea, another in Bankstown – attached to St Euphemia parish, and in Belmore – attached to All Saints Parish,” the group leader says.
Being a good citizen, having good physical and mental development, discipline, and useful life skills are all taught through the Scouts, as seen in the example of group leader Nick De Polignol, who gained these skills growing up as a scout in Egypt. He progressed through all scout levels – Cubs, Scouts and Rovers – before coming to Australia at the age of 16.
Scouting, the first and biggest youth organisation in the world, has shaped the development of young people and adults since its founding in 1907. Scouts provide the opportunity for personal growth through challenges, expanding members’ horizons, teaching them how to look after themselves through important survival skills. Children are encouraged to become independent thinkers with an emphasis on initiative and problem solving.
“Scouting encourages hobbies, interests and skills and helps to develop leadership and a sense of achievement. It gives children foundations to play a constructive role in the future of the society and act as responsible citizens,” Mr De Polignol explains.
Everything is done under the banner of the Australian scouts. Apart from all these benefits, the benefits of Greek scouts are doubled, with the addition of the parallel Greek Orthodox cultural program.
“Besides giving members scouting experience – canoeing, building a raft, rock climbing and many others – the aim of Greek scouts is to provide them with the knowledge of their historical roots, customs and religion. We give them the opportunity to practice their knowledge of the Greek Orthodox culture and Greek language. The Greek flag is raised along with the Australian one, we march on 25 March, 28 October, as well as on Australia’s national day,” Nick De Polignol says.
In every scout group, trained leaders and assistants volunteer their time to run Scout Troops. Well, that’s what the Third Sutherland Greek Scouts Group is struggling with at the moment.
Nick De Polignol wishes that some of this community spirit will inspire adults, now that this group of Greek scouts is in need of volunteers to take on group leader roles.
“In this job, as in any other, you must have an assistant. Every group has a scout leader and a cub leader. People help as much as they can, but they don’t want to proceed to the next step of committing themselves. And that’s what has to be done to be in charge of the kids, you have to go through a training.”
“Volunteering comes from the heart – I run my own business and work from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. But every Friday, when I finish work, I have a quick nap, I put on my uniform and by 7.30 pm I’m at Sutherland,” Mr De Polignol describes.
“The role of the Leader is to manage the process, to enrich our children’s lives with the values and mission of the scouting movement. It is a challenging but rewarding thing to do. Scouting makes you a better person,” he adds.
And for the volunteer position of group leader, Mr De Polignol says everyone is welcome – regardless of gender. “All they have to do is a bit of training with Scouts Australia,” he says.
Nick De Polignol has also called on Greek Australians to help Greek scouts and leaders fundraise for much needed resources.
To enrol your children in a Greek Scout group or to become a volunteer group leader, contact Nick De Polignol, on 02 9579 3888 or 0419 486 855, or visit Third Sutherland Scout Group, at Greek Orthodox Parish St Styianos, 806-808 The Kingsway Gymea, NSW 2227. Meeting time is every Friday, from 6.30 pm to 8.00 pm.