On one hot Saturday afternoon in October, just a few days before my final exams, I headed down to Berwick to have my first contact with Boys’ Brigade Australia. It came in the form of a Cart Derby – an event where self assembled hand-carts are used to race in various categories, from setting up to the race itself. It was held in conjunction with the 125th Anniversary of the Boys’ Brigade since it founding in 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland. 
I’ve always wanted to link up with one of the Aussie companies and it’s been one of my regrets doing so this late. However, my experience was… mixed.
There are significant differences with the Brigades in Malaysia and Australia. One of the main differences in both Brigades is obvious in it’s culture, both with it’s sets of pros and cons. BB in it’s core focuses on discipline and religion – the mix between the military and spiritual concepts passed down by Sir William Alexander Smith who was a Rifle Volunteer and a Sunday School teacher resulted in an unlikely evangelical movement once it reached the shores of Malaysia. BB is an arm of the church to reach out to those who have not heard the good news in schools. Apart from that, the activities offered by BB promotes the “Advancement of Christ Kingdom among Boys’ and the promotion of habits of obedience, reverence, discipline, self-respect and all that tends to a true Christian manliness – BB Object”, a component to build up good characters in young men.
So how different can it be?
In Malaysia, BB is a uniform group (this statement sounds a little weird being mentioned this way). Emphasis on protocol, mixed with traditional Asian perspectives and views of necessary physical punishmen and “verbal abuse” is highly effective and appreciated, even by the person receiving it. Our culture in Malaysia is very much rooted in the company’s history and traditions. Companies that do well are a result of strong bonds, heavy forms of activities and a great amount of time spent together. This “bond” is known as espirit de corp.
Essentially, Boys remain in BB for the programmes and fellowship. They join BB knowing of it’s strict order and discipline. The sense in loyalty is a result of espirit de corp – seeing themselves as one. The same reason why World War veterans and Singaporean men love reminice of the past while they were in National Service.
BB Australia’s different and special in it’s own way. It’s Activities have moved on from the emphasis of traditional military format of drill and bands (although parades are still conducted) to a more “club” format, where games and team building activities are given more emphasis. The core program of worship and bible studies are still intact. I’m not sure if they have badgework anymore though.. may be worth a second visit.
In part, one of the difference is the “social contract” – the older ones aren’t allowed to punish their members. Physical contact of any sort is also prohibited to prevent sexual inappropriateness (other organisations had records of molestation) and officers and volunteers need a “Child History” check to clear them of any criminal record dealing with juevinilles. A probably shift in culture also may have caseud this change, labelling uniform groups as dorky and uncool looking, even worst so for BB which can have the impression of a religions dork.
This challenges have cause BB Autralia (and New Zealand) to change from military to adventure club. Unfortunately for me, that makes BB Australia way too different for my taste, and the Australia legal system has handicapped the Brigades effectiveness. To a certain extent, Australian culture makes it difficult as well because they focus one “good things”. For instance, the parents forbid anything “unfun” and harsh.
To me, to achieve certain good things some amount of suffering is necessary. Heard of the term good things don’t come easy?
In other words, I feel that the Brigade in Australia is suffering because the Australian culture has limited it pontential.. simply because of pampering.
I love the uniform. I like the way how the military hierarchy promotes leadership, obedience and espirit de corp. I like how we spend time, like 6-7 hours excluding overtime, in each others company working towards a certain goal. It’s a culture that promotes commitment and sacrifice. Perhaps some day BB Asia will become more like our Western counterparts.. and hopefully we’ll all have a solution towards change. BB in the Western world is in decline. Perhaps change is necessary – but Sir William Alexander never intended certain things to be compromised. We might not see why right now, but a few years down the road those things will become clear.
There is a silver lining which I must acknowledge. The one very thing I love about BB Australia is that it still allows Boys to be Boys, something BB Malaysia is loosing. Being at the Derby, you can just smell the testosterone! Although both Brigade as pretty different, the main concepts are there – we want Boys’ to become men of tomorrow, and above all, we want Boys’ to put Christ first and make Him the champion of their lives.
I had no regrets making my visit.. despite not making a single contact. Hopefully some day, I can get to know BB Australia in a more personal way.
Note: Not many pictures of the Cart Derby are posted because my hard-disk crashed – again.
