The 16th World Scout Jamboree, held from December 30, 1987, to January 7, 1988, at Cataract Scout Park near Sydney, Australia, was a historic event, marking the first time a World Scout Jamboree was hosted in the Southern Hemisphere. The theme “Bringing the World Together” was embodied by the 14,434 Scouts from 84 countries who participated, with an additional 13,000 visitors attending on the designated visiting day.
This Jamboree was particularly notable for its timing; the opening ceremony at midnight on December 31, 1987, was the first official event of Australia’s Bicentennial celebrations. The event featured various activities, including the Challenge Valley obstacle course and the Great Aussie Surf Carnival, which saw Scouts transported to Thirroul Beach for a day of coastal activities.
The Jamboree also marked a significant moment for inclusion, with 18 Ranger Guides from the UK participating, the first time members of The Guide Association were officially part of a World Scout Jamboree. Additionally, the event had strong ties to the Scouting legacy, with Betty Clay, daughter of Scouting’s founder Robert Baden-Powell, attending alongside eleven members of the Baden-Powell family.
The Jamboree’s location in the Australian bush added an adventurous edge, with the vast, specially constructed tent city providing a fitting backdrop for this global gathering.
