Encompass Issue 52 – May 2013 - Kawana Scouts

Deputy Chief Commissioner Special DutiesIain Furbydcc.specialdues@scoutsqld.com.auGreat love has no-one, except the one who gives up their own lifefor their friends. Aer having aended several Anzac Daycommemoraons, I have had cause to reflect on those who gavetheir lives in order that we might enjoy a life of relave freedomand peace.There was once a bridge which spanned a large river. During mostof the day the bridge sat with its length running up and down theriver paralleled with the banks, allowing ships to pass throughfreely on both sides of the bridge.At certain mes each day, a train would come along and the bridgewould be turned sideways across the river, allowing a train to crossit. A switchman sat in a small shack on one side of the river wherehe operated the controls to turn the bridge and lock it into place asthe train crossed.One evening, as the switchman was waing for the last train of theday to come, he looked off into the distance through the dimmingtwilight and caught sight of the train lights. He stepped to thecontrol and waited unl the train was within a prescribed distancewhen he was to turn the bridge. He turned the bridge into posionbut, to his horror, he found the locking control did not work.If the bridge was not securely in posion it would wobble back andforth at the ends when the train came onto it, causing the train tojump the track and go crashing into the river. This would be apassenger train with many people aboard.He le the bridge, turned across the river and hurried across thebridge to the other side of the river where there was a lever switchhe could hold to operate the lock manually.He would have to hold the lever back firmly as the train crossed. Hecould hear the rumble of the train now, and he took hold of thelever and leaned backward to apply his weight to it, locking thebridge. He kept applying the pressure to keep the mechanismlocked. Many lives depended on this man’s strength.Then, coming across the bridge from the direcon of his controlshack, he heard a sound that made his blood run cold. “Daddy,where are you?” His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge tolook for him.His first impulse was to cry out to the child, “Run! Run!” But thetrain was too close; the ny legs would never make it across thebridge in me. The man almost le his lever to run and snatch uphis son and carry him to safety. But he realized that he could notget back to the lever.Either the people on the train or his lile son must die. He took amoment to make his decision.The train sped safely and swily on its way, and no one aboard waseven aware of the ny broken body thrown mercilessly into theriver by the on rushing train. Nor were they aware of the pifulfigure of the sobbing man, sll clinging ghtly to the locking leverlong aer the train had passed.They did not see him walking home more slowly than he had everwalked: to tell his wife how their son had brutally died.If we comprehend the emoons this man felt, we can only begin tounderstand the feelings of those whose families have been affectedby warfare. Those who gave up their lives in service of theircountry, those whose sacrifice has given you and me the freedomto live the lives we live.Lest we forget(Continued from page 11)ROVER RED AND WHITE POLO SHIRTSThe famous RED and WHITE Rover polo shirtsare back in stock aer losses during theJanuary floods.Orders for shirts can be sent tomerchandise@qldrovers.org.auHAVE YOU OR YOUR CREW JOINED THE QLD ROVER WEBSITEIf you have not joined the Queensland Rover Website, it’s easy tojoin, just log onto the Qld Rover Website and follow the simpleinstrucons. If you have any problems logging on or aren’t receivingemails, contact communicaons@qldrovers.org.auQBRE CONTACTSChairman Patrick Tileychair@qldrovers.org.auDeputy Chairman Libby Smith deputy@qldrovers.org.auBC Rovers bc.rovers@qldhq.scouts.com.au 0419 704 729Rover Website www.qldrovers.org.auThe Australian Model Railway Associaon Queensland BranchIncA not for profit Associaon Incorporated inQueensland PresentsModel Trains of all types & sizes•Large range of train shops and layouts•Steam trains for your backyard•Interacve displays for children•Thomas ride on train for children•Demonstraons on “How to”•Lego train layouts and salesTo be held at a new venue, Doomben Racecourse, Entry via Gate5, Hampden Street, Ascot, Brisbane.1 st Weekend May 2013 -Saturday 4th May 9am-5pm, Sunday 5th May 9am-4pmAdults $13; Concession $10; Children (5-15) $6FREE PARKING – WHEELCHAIR ACCESS, HOT & COLD FOOD &DRINKS, More informaon on our website:-www.brisbanemodeltrainshow.com.au20