2019 Scouts Queensland Awards Presentation

Chief Commissioner, Mr Daryl Scott; President, Ms Jane Prentice; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Scouts, Venturers, Rovers, girls and boys.

I begin by acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands on which we are gathered and pay my respects to Elders past and present, and emerging leaders also.

I am delighted to be here today for this wonderful event celebrating scouting in Queensland, and in particular the achievements of those receiving awards.

Just last week, I had the wonderful opportunity to be welcomed to the Mount Isa Scout Den and I had a marvellous time!

What strikes me is that Scouts everywhere have an affinity for adventure, for working together, for embracing challenges and for having fun.

As a former Scout myself, and now Chief Scout in Queensland, I extend my congratulations to Scouts Queensland, a wonderful community organisation. How marvellous that you continue to attract new members and ensure those wishing to adhere to the scouting way of life are active in their pursuits.

Indeed, Scouts Queensland continues to flourish with 232 scout groups across 39 districts in the state. There were more than 9,000 youth members and 2,000 adult members as at the close of last financial year, and over a third of Scouts are women and girls.

The purpose of scouting is to encourage the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they may take a constructive place in society.

Today we are here to recognise and celebrate those in this community who have excelled at embodying that mission.

We celebrate some of the highest awards in the Scouts order including the Queen’s Scout, the Baden-Powell Scout, the Silver Kangaroo and the National President’s Awards.

May I congratulate all those who are here as what I am sure must be proud recipients of awards – well done. 

Many of you who have attended these awards before know that they are usually held at Government House. Today we meet at the home ground of the Scouts Queensland movement, the Baden Powell Park, and it is wonderful to be at this historic site and remember the long tradition of Scouts in Queensland and Australia.

Before I finish, I would like to say that I am always impressed by the wonderful Scouts and former Scouts I meet in my duties as Governor. I say to our younger Scouts here today that the mark of a Scout lasts well beyond childhood; you will always carry yourselves as Scouts and proudly do your best, stay true to your beliefs, contribute to your community, help others and live by Scout Law. Thank you.