ON a cold wet evening 1st Lifton Cubs spent time with guests from the other side of the World. Terry, Thomas and Bethany Phillips from the Yarra Valley in Melbourne, Australia, talked to the Lifton cubs recently about their way of Cub Scouting. Terry, Baloo of the 1st Greenhills, Banyule District, explained they were all feeling very cold, as when they left Australia, the temperature was 42 degrees celsius and they had had no rain of any significance for five years. However, they braved the cold and wore their Australian uniforms for the night. Terry gave an illustrated talk on how Australia is home to the world's most venomous creatures. Twenty of the world's most deadly snakes live in Australia. He explained how this affected some of the outdoor activities his cubs took part in, for instance, collecting wood for fires and going for hikes in the countryside. He said what looked like a piece of wood could be a snake, or a spider could be lurking unseen — even when weeding the pot plants you had to be very careful. The salt water crocodile is the world's largest reptile and although now a protected species, if human danger is a factor, the crocodile will be moved away. On average ten tourists a year are attacked. The group also saw and heard about the box jellyfish, which is responsible for more deaths in Australia than snakes, sharks and salt water crocodiles. Thomas and Bethany joined in various Lifton games and will be taking back what they learned to their own pack, 1st Greenhills. A challenge trophy, presented by Donald Horn, chairman of the parish council, was given to Terry to be used by his cubs in the Yarra Valley. A website for exchanging ideas, activities and challenges will be set up between the two packs. Following the exchange of gifts, Akela, Sandra Johnson, thanked Terry, Thomas and Bethany for their visit and for showing Lifton Cubs that scouting really is world wide.
