about us
Our Mission
Our mission is to give young boys the experiences, resources, skills, feedback, and mentors to grow into good Christian men. We do this through our holistic weekly programs which combines social, educational, spiritual, and physical elements. These weekly programs are augmented by our weekend activities which include everything from social events to camping and hiking. We run out of local churches of varying denomination and location, exclusively by volunteers who are passionate about our mission.
The Object of the Boys’ Brigade
“The advancement of Christ’s Kingdom amongst boys and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect, and all that tends toward a true Christian manliness”
The Motto of the Boys’ Brigade
“Sure and Stedfast” – Hebrews 6:19
Boys’ Brigade History
Boys’ Brigade was formed to solve a problem within the United Kingdom’s culture in the 1880’s. Our founder, Sir William Alexander Smith, through founding Boys’ Brigade, combined two of his most important influences; being an army officer from the Lankarshire Rifle Volunteers, and being a Sunday school teacher at his local church. He noticed a need for the boys in his local church to learn important skills of discipline, obedience, self-respect, and reverence, and conceived the Boys’ Brigade to realise that goal.
Boys’ Brigade in Victoria
The first Boys’ Brigade in Australia was 1st Fitzroy, founded in 1890, only 7 years after the first ever Boys’ Brigade was founded in Glasgow. While there were Brigades being formed around Australia (including Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne), it wasn’t until after the 2nd World War that our numbers grew.
A pioneer of Boys’ Brigade Victoria, Roy Fraser OAM, formed 1st Melbourne Company in 1928 (at 21 years of age), the only company to last through World War 2. After World War 2, Roy Fraser not only founded another Company and played a vital role at encouraging and supporting many subsequent Brigade Companies but he was directly responsible for liaising with BB UK and giving Australia’s Brigades our own independence in 1958. He also founded Boys’ Brigade Australia and became its first president in 1961.
Our large number of companies throughout the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s exposed thousands of boys to our program, and spurred many of them on to do many amazing works for the glory of God’s Kingdom.
Anchors
Prep – Gr.2
The Anchor’s section is characterised by having fun, forming friendships, and learning new things. With lots of creative play in either games or craft, our Anchors have a great time exploring the world around them. A normal night of anchors includes playing games with friends, doing a craft or learning a new skill, spending time with friends, and participating in a bible lesson.
Juniors
Prep – Gr.2
Catering to the upper range of primary school aged boys, the Juniors section typically runs later than the anchors program. A normal night of Juniors includes playing games, doing crafts or learning a new skill, spending time with friends and participating in a devotion. Juniors also have an increase in extra events outside of company nights, including several state-wide day events and a weekend state camp. Each company will also run special Junior’s events on weekends throughout the year.
Seniors
Gr.7- Gr.12
In the seniors program, we maintain an emphasis on our four-sided program (educational, spiritual, social, physical) but allow for more leadership experiences and personal development opportunity as the boys age towards adulthood. Boys are offered opportunities to run games from around year 8, and to become a squad leaders around grade 10, which gives them additional responsibility within the weekly program. This responsibility encourages them to grow in their capacity as boys and take ownership of themselves and the program.
company camps
Each individual company may participate in a company camp each year, and most will be held in Yarra Junction at Camp McLaren. Company camps are a great time for boys from different sections to interact with one another, and many also allow dads or male relatives to attend. Camp activities may include use of the campsite facilities (flying fox, low ropes course, basketball court) or other activities may be organised by company leadership.
Special Activity Nights
Companies may hold special activity nights during their regular term. These nights help to promote the social aspects of Boys’ Brigade and allow easier invitation to those who are interested in visiting.
Hiking
Senior sections at each company are encouraged to participate in outdoor recreation numerous times a year. Attendance at hikes or camps are a Brigade staple. Hiking trips vary by difficulty depending on the age range of boys attending. Common locations for hiking around Victoria include; the Cathedral Ranges, Wilson’ Prom, the Yarra Ranges National Park, the Grampians National Park, and the Alpine National Park.
Canoeing Day
Every year, we spend a morning out on the water at Lysterfield Lake. Participants are sorted into groups and rotate between canoeing, games, and either a walk around the lake or some mountain biking. This event is open to all ages, from Anchors to Seniors.
Athletics Day
Athletics day occurs every second year. We rent out an athletics track and the boys compete in their age groups against other companies. They get points for their efforts, and help to contribute to their companies chance at winning the trophy! Events include; long distance running, short distance running, long jump, shotput, tug of war, relays and discus.
Senior Indoor Sports
After the sport is announced, companies have 6 months to organise their teams to submit to the indoor sports competition. Typically run in a tournament format, each year highlights a new sport and challenges our senior boys to learn new skills, learn to work as a part of a team, and learn sportsmanship behavior.
Juniors State Camp
Held over the course of a weekend in November, Juniors State Camp is jam packed full of adventure, delicious food, and fun games. From Friday night to Sunday afternoon. Typical activities include; flying fox, low ropes course, archery, and crafts.
Seniors State Camp
Seniors State Camp takes place in the January summer holidays and typically goes for 8 days/7 nights. For high school aged boys, this camp offers the opportunity for some summer fun, adventure, and excitement. With activities like hiking, canoeing, wide games, beach trips, devotions, worship, and squad activities, there’s a lot to look forward to!
State Youth Games
State Youth Games (SYG) is an annual event run for church groups and youth organisations all over the state. It has been running since 1990. SYG combines a casual community atmosphere with sporting activities and evening programs and events. State Youth Games uses sport, social interaction, and evening events to provide many valuable opportunities for ministry with young people. Boys’ Brigade has been attending in partnership with Girls’ Brigade since 2022.
Introductory Leadership
This course takes a look at what it means to be a leader, how to be a leader, and how you can be a leader in your own life, in Boys’ Brigade, and at school. Learn how to run practical sessions, like running games, and get some hands-on experience doing so. Learn how to work effectively with others and practical ways you can take on responsibility at your company.
Squad Leadership
This course examines how to run activities for small groups, including running interactive and engaging discussions. It covers how to be an effect leader and work collaboratively with a wide range of people. Squad Leadership also provides you with modules on teaching others skills and learning interview techniques.
Company Leadership
Company leadership covers three main areas; practical planning skills, organising events, and spiritual development. This leaves boys with new skills in logistics, organsational management, and structuring activities which help their companies run weekly and special events. It also allows boys to understand the foundations of their faith, and to learn how to explain and express that faith to others.
Team Leadership
Through this course boys gain an understanding on what it means to be a leader from a Christian perspective. By completing team building exercises, boys receive valuable feedback on the strengths and weaknesses they exhibit as a team and are given opportunities to grow and develop alongside each other. Systematic problem solving, goal setting and achievement strategies, and communication skills are all important skills that are promoted and taught throughout this course.
Personal Development
Personal Development aims to get boys to dive deeper into their faith and explore themselves, their relationships with those around them, and what they want out of their futures. These explorations are initially done in a group setting, but times of isolated reflection and self-examination are factored into the course also. The pinnacle of this course is a 3 day ‘solo’ (three days of solo camping out in a National Park), where the participants have time to journal, pray, think about the topics and sessions run on course prior.