IT was a high tech weekend for the 1st Kilmore Scout Group when member participated in the Jamboree of the Air (JOTA) and the Jamboree of the Internet (JOTI).
With the assistance of the Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club and local radio station OKR FM, scouts from Kilmore and Seymour spoke to their counterparts on radio. Called came in from Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Tasmania, Western Australia, Tree Tops scout park in Sunbury, Mafeking Rover park, Bendigo, Castlemaine, USA, Christchurch NZ and Upper Hutt in Masterton NZ.
On JOTI through a secure chatroom on internet, the scouts chatted to fellow scouts from Malta, Mexico, Sweden, Germany, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Norway, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Egypt, England and USA
Many more nations. Some scouts enjoyed rekindling friendships in New Zealand, while others played Minecraft with other scouts from across the world. All have had a lot of air time and a lot of fun.
Another highlight from the weekend was a live broadcast from the Scout Hall by OKR FM. Scouts had a firsthand experience of learning about community radio and speaking over the airwaves to the local community about scouting.
The scouts thanked all who assisted in the jamborees and broadcast including; Graeme and Bill from Macedon Ranges Amateur Radio Club, Phillip from Scout Radio and Electronics Service Unit, , Mark from Community Radio OKR FM, and Reggie from Wallan Scouts for JOTI.
