Scouts Queensland Agoonoree Camp Visit

Scouts Queensland Chief Commissioner, Mr Daryl Scott; Branch President, the Honourable Jane Prentice and Vice President, Mrs Kirsty Brown AM; Branch Chairman, Mr Gavin Brady; Deputy Chief Commissioner and Chief Commissioner Elect, Mr Geoff Doo; Agoonoree Camp Chief Shaun Sandilands; Agoonoree Deputy Camp Chief (Girl Guides Qld) Ms Amanda Nicholls, distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys.

I would like to begin by acknowledging the original custodians of the lands on which we are gathered, and pay my respects to Elders, past, present and emerging.

As Chief Scout of Scouts Queensland, I am glad I could be here today after what has been a challenging week for us all, as we continue to mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. I know many of you were shocked – as was I – to wake up to news that the Queen had passed away on September 8.

As our Queen for the past 70 years, she had been a constant in all our lives ­– deeply respected and admired for her strength, devotion to duty, and unwavering commitment to us here in Queensland, and loved for her warmth, kindness and quick sense of humour.

She was an inspirational leader, and of course a much-loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and I know she will be greatly missed by many of us here today.

I am always heartened to see how the Scout movement continues to embrace its own sense of duty, and its important traditions, along with a spirit of adventure, regardless of the challenges we face in life.

Resilience is a word we often hear attributed to Scouting, just as it was to The Queen herself. Likewise, the Scout movement’s long history of participation in community activities — whether times are difficult or celebratory — should make you all very proud, as it does me. 

So, too, should your participation in the Agoonoree camp, which celebrates the can-do spirit of the entire movement. After all, as your website proudly states, Agoonoree is about ability, not disability.

I wish to congratulate all those involved in making Agoonoree happen, from the Troop Leaders, to the Venturer Scouts, Guides and Rover Scouts, and of course the participants. I am constantly impressed by the calibre and character of the young Scouts I meet as I travel around Queensland, and this event is no exception.

I wish you all a safe and memorable camp experience, and I look forward to seeing some of you progressing through Scouting and Guiding and eventually returning as leaders at this wonderful event.