Perth committee rejects scout sponsorship

by Keira Swayn

April 30, 2008

A $10,000 dollar sponsorship to Scouts Australia’s next big event was rejected by Perth City Council’s marketing and sponsorship committee on April 29.

An event called Unearth Perth is set to commemorate 100 years of scouting in Australia. It expects to draw 2000-3000 scouts to Perth’s Esplanade Reserve between May 31 and June 2.

There will be 100 destinations around inner Perth for the scouts to explore during the day. Local bands, amateur stage performances, and outdoor cinemas will energise the Esplanade at night.

Committee chair, Eleni Evangel stood by the vote, saying the proposed sponsorship did not fit in with her council’s policy, so waiving camping fees for the scouts would be considered instead.

 “We are using taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money, so we really need to be sure it’s going to bounce back on everybody,” Cr Evangel said. “It’s all in line with council policy.

“Our sponsorships are to attract and create vitality in our city by adding vibrance to it.”

When eMU News told the scouts’ chief commissioner about the vote, she was not too disappointed.

 “We are really appreciative of the City of Perth for having the site available,” Sue Mitchell said. “The sponsorship would have been nice, but it’s not a significant thing for the event.”