Fifteen-year-old Kyabram Venturer Scouts Ethan Murgatroyd and Xavier Gullan were on board more than 1000 buses that transported the scouts from Saemangeum (on the south western coastline of South Korea) to the country’s captial Seoul after the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast that Typhoon Khanun was on track to hit the town.
The pair was among 36,000 scouts from 158 countries that were evacuated from the jamboree site with the potential arrival of gale force winds and torrential rainfall.
They were less than a week into the 10-day adventure, which started on August 1, when the alarm was raised that winds as strong as 118 to 154 kilometres an hour were heading their way.
As it turns out Russia and Japan saw the worst of the powerful and erratic cyclone, with 220,000 homes losing power in Okinawa, Japan, and 5000 homes flooded in Russia.
Typhoon Khanun wreaked havoc in Japan, with three people killed and more than 70 injured.
By the time Typhoon Khanun made land in South Korea (on Thursday, August 10) the winds had dissipated to 85/kmph and all attendees of the 25th World Scout Jambouree had been safely relocated to hotels and accommodation in Seoul.
Ethan attends St Joseph’s College in Echuca and Xavier is at Kyabram P-12 College, where they have only just returned to share the story of their experience.
The pair left for South Koreo on Friday, July 28, and returned home on Sunday, August 13.
There were four nights and five days of the jamboree remaining when the scouts were relocated.
Extreme weather events surrounded the jamboree, the Kyabam boys welcomed by a sweltering heatwave before South Korea event organisers informed Australian scouting officials they may be affected by the weather system
In the days before the scouts arrived at the jamboree campsite, Australian leaders witnessed a rain event that caused significant flooding and tent collapses.
Lloyd Nurthern, Australia’s deputy contingent leader, was reported as saying “given the first-hand experience, and the impending weather threat, it becomes paramount for us to prioritise the safety of our contingent above all else”.
Held every four years the World Scout Jamboree was plagued with challenges, including reports of disorganisation, inadequate sanitation and shade infrastructure.
Hundreds of teenagers were treated for sunburn and heat-related illnesses and the South Korean Government deployed resources to assist participants and respond to requests for improvements.
Young people and volunteers from 158 countries, including more than 900 scouts from Australia, attended the event.
Temperatures reached up to 36 degrees and the scouts faced humidity levels of 95 per cent, similar to the weather experienced last year when a national event was held at the Elmore Field Days site.
• This was the first-hand account provided to the Free Press by Ethan Murgatroyd of his South Korean World Jamboree experience:
“On July 28 the Australian contingent and I departed to Incheon, South Korea. After a gruelling nine-hour flight and a layover in Taiwan I was finally on the plane to Korea. Three hours later and I had made it. We checked out of the airport and my journey began.
“The first thing I noticed when I arrived was the heat. It was just like being in Australia but the heat was dry and there was no breeze (most likely because of the city but there was no breeze in Saemangeum either).
“My expectations were blown away. I expected a pretty city, but instead I got a beautiful city and country. From the green rolling hills of Saemangeum to the bustling and bright streets of Seoul. All of the sights made up for the heat and typhoon.
“On my trip I made a lot of new friends, but the ones who stood out to me were two who were in my patrol.
“The biggest challenge I faced was the never-ending heat. It was dry and merciless. All day and all night it was averaging from 27 degrees at night and 39 degrees during the day.
“My favourite souvenir was the friends I made, but if I had to pick something else I’d have to go with all the manga I bought.
“I’d like to go back again when there wasn’t a heatwave or typhoon. Don’t go when there’s a heatwave or typhoon (it sucks)
“My best memory of the trip was when I went into the haunted house at LOTTE world and was brave enough to be the first in line. I was proud of myself that I kept my head up no matter what challenges I faced.
“I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to experience it.’’
