Investiture Ceremony and Afternoon Tea for the Chief Commissioner of Scouts Queensland

Chief Commissioner of The Scout Association of Australia, Mr Phil Harrison; Scouts Queensland Chief Commissioner, Mr Geoff Doo; Branch President, the Honourable Jane Prentice; Vice-Presidents, Major General Professor John Pearn AO RFD and Mrs Kirsty Brown AM; Branch Chairman, Mr Gavin Brady, Past Chief Commissioners and Deputy Chief Commissioners; General Manager Mr Dougal Mayor and the Scouts Queensland Branch Team, members and supporters; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respect to Elders, past, present, and emerging. I extend that respect to any First Nations people here with us today.

It has not been so very long since I myself had the pleasure of being invested as Chief Scout, and it is a role that I assume with pride.

The Scouting movement is one of the foremost youth organisations in the world, and it has had a profound influence on youth development for generations. I am proud to continue the tradition of Vice-Regal Patronage, a tradition that has endured throughout the 114 years of Scouting in Queensland.

To take over the helm as Chief Commissioner is a very great responsibility, and I commend and thank Mr Geoff Doo for accepting the role.

I would also like to acknowledge the enormous contribution of immediate Past Chief Commissioner, Mr Daryl Scott, over his six-year term, and applaud him on his leadership through what I’m sure would have been an intensely challenging period, given COVID and the widespread flooding experienced across our State.

It takes a very special kind of person to willingly shoulder such responsibility, especially coming, as it does in Geoff’s case, so swiftly on the heels of a 40-year career in financial services.

My admiration goes out to his wife, Anne, as well, because if she was hoping that her husband’s retirement would lead to a quieter season of life, I suspect she is destined to be disappointed! I give my warm thanks to them both for their willingness to embark upon this new journey.

Geoff is well-placed to be an exceptional Chief Commissioner, given the nature of his background in Scouting. Not only has he been a member of the Scouting movement since he was eight years old, being a Cub Scout, Venturer Scout, Rover Scout, Joey Leader and District Leader, he has been an integral part of delivering the Brisbane Gang Show. 

For many people, both inside and outside the Scouting movement, the Gang Show is eagerly anticipated every year, and its productions are worthy of professional companies. It is a wonderful, nurturing ground for all of those who are fortunate to be involved in one capacity or another, whether it be behind the scenes or sparkling in the spotlight. 

The lessons learned from having overseen the establishment of the Branch Performing Arts Team will stand Geoff in good stead as he takes on the challenge of overseeing the three-and-a-half thousand adults and nine-and-a-half thousand youth who make up the body of Scouts Queensland.

On behalf of everyone in Scouting, and as Scouts Queensland Chief Scout, I wish him all the very best as Chief Commissioner. Thank you.