Scouts Australia

Scouts Australia
Headquarters Chatswood, NSW
Country Australia
Founded 1958
incorporated 1967
Founder The Boy Scouts Association (United Kingdom)
Membership
  • * 51,228 youth
    • 14,113 adults (2012)[1]
Chief Commissioner Chris "Chiefy" Bates[2]
Chief Scout of Australia Peter Cosgrove AK MC
Website
http://www.scouts.com.au

Scouts Australia, officially The Scout Association of Australia, is the largest Scouting organization in Australia. It operates programs for children and young adults from 6 to 26 years of age in Australia and Australian territories. Scouts Australia was formed in 1958, is part of the global Scouting movement and a national member organization of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. Scouts Australia's programs were opened to girls after 1971.

Despite opening participation to girls and ever younger children and Australia having a high population growth rate well above the world average, participation in the organization's programs has continued to decline. According to a 2014 media article: "Scouts Australia is hoping [to] arrest a steady decline in membership. In 1979 the organization had 114,500 youth members, today there are 52,000."[3] According to its own Annual Reports [4] membership decreased from 84,502 in 2,126 Groups in 2001 to 63,200 in 1,836 Groups in 2005 and in 2012 there were 49,181 youth, 2,587 young adult Rovers and 14,113 adult leaders and support roles in 1,486 groups.[1] This means the organization has an exceptionally high number of adults compared to its number of youth participants with a ratio of more than 1 adult : 3 youths.

History

Boy Scouts being reviewed in Canberra in 1927

For the history of Boy Scouts and the Scout Movement in Australia generally, see Scouting and Guiding in Australia.

Branches of The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom were formed in each of the Australian states. Initially each Australian state branch was directly responsible to Imperial Headquarters of The Boy Scouts Association in London. In 1922, The Boy Scouts Association formed its Australian Federal Council, consisting of nominees of its Australian state branches, to achieve co-operation and coordination at a national level. The Boy Scouts Association later appointed an Australian Commissioner. The Australian Federal Council functioned as a branch of The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom and the Australian Commissioner was appointed by the Imperial Headquarters in London. The Australian Federal Council of The Boy Scouts Association became a member of the World Scout Organisation of Scout Movements (WOSM) in 1953, rather than being represented through The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom. In 1958, The Australian Boy Scouts Association was formed and it succeeded the Australian Federal Council of The Boy Scouts Association. In 1967, The Australian Boy Scouts Association was incorporated by Royal Charter as a branch of The Scout Association of the United Kingdom.[5] Each of the Australian state branches and the Papua New Guinea branch of The Scout Association became branches of The Australian Boy Scouts Association.[6] In 1971, the association changed its name to The Scout Association of Australia. Until 1976, it admitted only British Subjects to membership and programs and other nationalities only on special conditions and approval.[7] After 1976, British subjects continued to be automatically admitted to membership while foreign subjects, including residents were still subject to special conditions and approval.[8] In 1997 the organisation adopted a new logo and the trading name Scouts Australia.[9][10] In 2015, Western Australia's biggest scout group's meeting place and hall (1st Mandurah Scouts) was bulldozed- after the City of Mandurah sold the property to supermarket giant Aldi.

Involvement in WOSM and international scout projects

The Association is a founder member of the Asia-Pacific Region of the World Organization of the Scout Movement. In the field of support and co-operation with other member countries of the Asia Pacific Region, the organisation has contributed to a number of international friendship and community development oriented projects. Over the years, Australian Scouts have supported emerging Scout Associations in the South Pacific. A twinning project with the Bangladesh Scouts, known as the "Bangladesh-Australia Child Health" (BACH) project made a dramatic impact on child health in project villages during its operation from 1986 to 1992.[11][12] The Scout Association has a twinning project with the Nepal Scouts known as NATURE Project and involves the reforestation of the Kristi Landslide.[13]

In 1988 Australia hosted the successful 16th World Scout Jamboree and the 31st World Scout Conference. Some 15,000 Scouts from 94 countries attended the Jamboree at Cataract Scout Park near Sydney. An Australian Scout Jamboree has been held every three years since 1934 except for the years of the Second World War. The scout jamboree is the largest national scout event but there is also an Australian Rover Moot and an Australian Venture are also held every three years.

Youth Involvement in Decision Making

In response to World and Regional Scout Conferences held prior to 2000, Scouts Australia established a National Youth Council to engage youth members in national operations and to provide opportunities for these representatives:

Positions were first advertised at the 19th Australian Jamboree held at Cataract Scout Park in Sydney in January 2001 and by April of that same year, the first 30 Scouts, Venturers, Rovers and Young Leaders had been chosen to represent the youth population of Scouts Australia. The Council held its first meeting on 4–6 May 2001.[14] Today, there are 25 members on the Council from all branches of Scouts Australia. The only non-youth member of the Council is the Adviser who does not have any voting rights. The Council meets face to face twice a year and works in patrols and meets using online collaborative tools throughout the rest of the year. The Chair of the National Youth Council is a full member of the Scouts Australia National Council and therefore has voting rights on the National Operations Committee and National Executive Committee.[15]

Scouts Australia Institute of Training

In 2003 Scouts Australia became a Registered Training Organisation, trading as the Scouts Australia Institute of Training (SAIT). Scouts Australia's adult Leader Training program now leads Adults and Rover Scouts to a Certificate IV in Business Frontline Management and a Certificate IV in Leadership, as well as the Scouting Woodbadge qualification. Woodbadged Leaders and Rovers can then undertake the Diploma of Leadership/Diploma of Management qualifications through SAIT.[16]

In 2011, Scouts Australia Institute of Training added a number of the SIS10 Qualifications to its scope, and changes are occurring in the individual State branches to allow Adventurous Activity Leader training to also lead to the Certificate IV in Outdoor Recreation.[17] Adventurous Activities Leaders are Leaders who specialise in the running of advanced adventurous activities, such as Abseiling, Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving and Mountain Biking, as opposed to the everyday running of a Scout Group and more basic activities such as camping and hiking.[18]

Structure

Scouts Australia is a council consisting of a majority of members elected by the council itself, office bearers appointed by the council or its Executive Committee, state and territory office bearers appointed by the National Executive Committee and a smaller number of representatives from state and territory branch councils which are similarly not elected by or representative of the scouts, the adults in scouting or scout groups. The National Council usually meets just once a year. Its National Executive Committee seeks to achieve co-operation and coordination of the state and territory branches.

The current Chief Scout of The Scout Association of Australia is Sir Peter Cosgrove, who is the Governor-General of Australia,.[19] The Chief Scout of each state branch has usually been the Governor of the state. In 1942, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson, the Governor of Queensland, resigned as The Boy Scouts Association's Chief Scout of Queensland due to the failure of the Queensland Branch to respond to his call for reforms to its centralization effort that led to the severance of the Mount Morgan Blue Boy Scouts.[20]

Branches

Scouts Australia has eight state and territory branch corporations.

The New South Wales, Victorian and Tasmanian state branches are incorporated under special Acts of the state parliaments.[21] while the Western Australian, South Australian, Queensland, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory branches are incorporated by registration under the ordinary Associations Incorporation Acts. Each state or territory branch maintains its own structure and operational methodologies and rules. However, all branches operate programs for children and young adults under a common uniform and common award scheme structure.

Training Sections

Scouts hiking in the Blue Mountains National Park in New South Wales.

Youth training in Scouts Australia is divided into several age group stages. The age groups overlap and encourage movement through the sections as the youth member matures. The youngest section is Joey Scouts (6 - 8 Years). Joeys is about activities to help develop a child's sense of personal identity and sharing. This is demonstrated by the Joey law A Joey cares, a Joey shares. Joeys "Hop hop hop." Cub Scouts (7.5 - 11), formerly Wolf Cubs, aims to develop a sense of adventure and achievement and a chance to grow their character. Cubs "Dyb dyb dyb." The Scouts Section (10.5 - 15) promotes understanding of campcraft and the environment, whilst developing team skills and organisational abilities. Venturer Scouts (14.5 - 18) use the skills learnt in the later years of scouting through a system of self-governance. Rovers (18 - 26) is all about developing the social connections gained in earlier years in scouting and serving the community and the organisation.[22]

Uniform

Throughout its history the Scouting Movement has been clearly identified by its uniform. Over the years much goodwill has been received by the Scout Movement and the uniform serves as a focus for the support of the community.

Within the Movement the adult uniform enables the leaders to be closely identified with those they lead. The uniform also expresses the basic values that are involved in being an Adult Leader. For an Adult Leader, the uniform expresses the fact that all are equal before the task in hand. Common ideals are shared by recognising the roles of other leaders by the insignia on their uniforms.

The core uniform is a dark blue shirt with the relevant youth Section colour across the sleeves, yoke and collar; a blue or moss-green belt (white for sea scouts); scarf and woggle.

These colours are the official ones for the youth sections. The colour for the leaders' shirt is dark blue.

Lone Scouts

The Lone Scout Group is for the youth unable to attend or find a local Scout group. Lones include people with disabilities and are therefore unable to attend regular group meetings, people who are constant travellers or go to places at which they are unable to attend a group i.e. boarding school or isolated communities.[23]

Religion in Scouts Australia

Youth members at a Scouts' Own, an informal act of worship, at a Scout campsite.

To become a member of the Scout movement you are required to make the Scout Promise. (Policy P7.3 - Membership)[24] The unique wording in the Australian Scout Promise of “do my best to do my duty to my God" allows some flexibility and the movement is open to people of all religious faiths that can make this promise. However, those who choose not to make this promise cannot become members.

Historically, Scouting in Australia was rooted in Christianity as that was the world view of Scouts founder, Lord Baden-Powell.[25] Although Britain is now a majority non-religious nation[26] Christianity was the dominant faith in both Britain and Australia in Scouting's early days.

More recently, members have come from many faiths and although the majority of Scout Groups promote an interfaith approach to religion (Open Groups) many Scout Groups have been formed within existing communities and specific religions (Sponsored Groups),[27] such as Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Islamic, Judean, etc.

Scouts Australia elsewhere

Non-sovereign territories with Scouting run by Scouts Australia include

Two Scout Troops in Singapore are affiliated with Scouts Australia.[28]

Award Scheme

The Award Scheme in Australian Scouting consists of Awards for Proficiency in an Adventurous Activity, participation in Major Events, recognition of service, Gallantry and Meritorious Service, and for the practice of scouting[29] (Queen's Scout, Baden-Powell Award, etc.).

Adult Recognition Awards

Adult Recognition Awards (formerly Good Service Awards) are presented each year by the Chief Scout of each Branch and are presented for service to Scouting over and above what is expected for someone who is simply carrying out the duties of their position. These awards can be nominated by anyone affiliated with Scouts Australia.

Adult Recognition Awards for Adult Members
Award Minimum Time in Service Description
Certificate of Merit 3 years Certificate
Badge: White and Green knot on blue background
Silver Arrowhead 7 – 8 years Silver Medallion depicting the logo of Scouts Australia on a yellow ribbon
Badge: Yellow knot on blue background
Silver Wattle 12 years Silver medallion depicting a wattle on a green ribbon
Badge: Green knot on blue background
Silver Koala 16 years Silver medallion depicting a koala on an orange ribbon
Badge: orange knot on blue background
Silver Emu 20 years Silver Medallion depicting an emu on a purple ribbon
Badge: Purple knot on blue background
Silver Kangaroo 20 years
Also presented to members of other WOSM organisations		 Silver medallion depicting a kangaroo on a green and gold ribbon
Badge: Gold knot on blue background
Adult Recognition Awards for Supporters and Lay Members
Award Minimum Time in Service Description
Certificate of Merit 3 years Certificate
Silver Arrowhead 7 – 8 years Silver Medallion depicting the logo of Scouts Australia on a yellow ribbon
Outstanding Service Award 12 years Silver medallion on a green ribbon
Distinguished Service Award 16 years Silver medallion on an orange ribbon
National President's Award 20 years
Also presented to members of other WOSM organisations		 Silver medallion on a red ribbon
Adult Recognition Award for service to the Rover Scout Section
Award Minimum Time in Service Description
Rover Scout Service Award 5 years service to the Rover Section by a Rover
10 years service to the Rover Section by an Adult Member / Supporter		 Silver and red medallion on a red and white ribbon
Badge: Red and White knot on blue background

[30][31]

Awards for Gallantry

Awards for Gallantry are made by the Chief Scout of Australia for actions involving risk, for example for saving someone from a burning building, to individual members or groups.

Awards for Gallantry of Scouts Australia
Award For Description
Certificate of Gallantry Actions involving limited risk Certificate
Badge: Blue and White knot on blue background
Gilt Cross Gallantry involving limited risk A Gilt Cross on a Red and Blue ribbon
Badge: Blue and Red knot on blue background
Silver Cross Gallantry involving considerable risk A Silver Cross on a Blue ribbon
Badge: Blue knot on blue background
Bronze Cross Special heroism or extreme risk A Bronze Cross on Red ribbon
Badge: Red knot on blue background

Awards for Meritorious Service

Awards for meritorious conduct are awarded for actions that may not have involved risking of life but still display courage, endurance, initiative or devotion to duty, often under suffering. As with Awards for Gallantry, these awards are made by the Chief Scout of Australia to individuals or groups depending on the circumstances.

Awards for Meritorious Service of Scouts Australia
Award For Description
Certificate of Meritourious Conduct Actions involving limited risk Certificate
Badge: Green and Blue knot on blue background
Medal for Meritorious Conduct Gallantry involving limited risk A medallion on green ribbon with a vertical red stripe
Badge: Green and Red knot on blue background

Scouts Australia New South Wales Branch

Scouts Australia - New South Wales Branch
Headquarters 102 Bennelong Parkway, Homebush Bay
Country Australia
Founded 1914
Founder The Boy Scouts Association (United Kingdom)
Membership
  • 14,018 youth members
  • 4,237 adult members (2015)[32]
Chief Scout His Excellency, David Hurley AC, DSC
Chief Commissioner Doug Menzies
Affiliation Scouts Australia
Website
www.nsw.scouts.com.au

The Boy Scouts Association was formed in the United Kingdom 1910 and established a branch in New South Wales in 1914. The Boy Scouts Association New South Wales Branch changed its name to The Australian Boy Scouts Association, New South Wales Branch and then to The Scout Association of Australia New South Wales Branch and operates under the name Scouts Australia NSW. The 2010 annual census indicated that there were 19,673 uniformed members of Scouts Australia in NSW, 15,313 of whom were youth members.[33]

Scouts Australia NSW has 10 Regions. These are North West, Golden West, Greater Western Sydney, Hume, Riverina, South Coast and Tablelands, North Coast, Sydney North, South Metropolitan and Hunter and Coastal. The "country" Regions have a larger area in general. Within these 10 Regions, there are a total of 66 Districts and 464 Groups. New South Wales has all Australian youth Scouting sections, from Joeys to Rovers.

The Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia in NSW in 2004, Graeme Fordham, discussed the future for Australian Scouting on radio.[34]

Scouts Australia is open to young people from all religious faiths. The wording in the Scout Promise of "do my best to do my duty to my God" allows flexibility and the movement is open to all who can make this promise. Those unwilling to make this promise would be excluded from membership. In NSW atheists are actively excluded from Leadership, as 'Scouts Australia NSW' "insists that leaders have a faith, a belief in God.", with God being defined as "One who is; a Supreme Being – a Creator – a Ruler of the Universe". [25]

NSW Activity Centres

The NSW Branch operates six key activity centres:

Air Activity Centre

Opened in 1971, the Air Activity Centre is located at Camden Airport, Camden, 65 kilometres (40 mi) south-west of Sydney and has 3 Cessna 172's. The centre provides flying experiences, gliding and a flying school for pilot training.

Alpine Activity Centre

The Alpine Activity Centre is located at Jindabyne, 457 kilometres (284 mi) km south-west of Sydney and consists of the Tony Balthasar Lodge and the Kanangra & Bluegum cottages. During the winter it is the centre for all snow related activities. It remains open during summer for all outdoor activities.

Baden-Powell Scout Centre

The Baden-Powell Scout Centre was officially opened in February 1929 and was visited by Lord and Lady Baden-Powell in 1931. It is a 36-hectare (89-acre) site located in Pennant Hills adjoining Lane Cove National Park. Much of the early development work was done by the unemployed, who camped there during the Depression. There are extensive accommodation and training facilities.

Cataract Scout Park

This 160-hectare (400-acre) park is located near Appin 71 kilometres (44 mi) south-west of Sydney and was given to the Scout Association by the Government of New South Wales in 1978. It has hosted three Australian Jamborees and the 16th World Scout Jamboree in 1987-1988. From 2010, the Australian Jamborees were held at Cataract Scout Park every six years. It can provide camping, bunk accommodation, and activities such as water slides, ropes courses, hiking, orienteering and an obstacle course.

Memorabilia Centre

The Scout Heritage Centre Workshop is located at Belfield. It is responsible for the display and preservation of Scouting heritage.

Water Activities Centre

The Water Activities Centre was opened in Woolwich in 1973. It runs General Days, to allow members to experience canoeing, sailing and power boating and qualification courses for canoeing, sailing and power boating. The centre is qualified to run courses for NSW Boat Licenses.

Several centres are also run by the Regions, such as Camp Ku-Ring-Gai Activity Centre, Ingleside Scout Camp, Camp Kurrajong, Camps Coutts, J. Harold Kaye Training Centre and Bundilla Scout Training Centre.

NSW Gang Shows and other theatrical experiences

There are a number of Gang Shows put on in NSW. A Gang Show is a Scout variety show.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Scouts Australia: Annual Report to the Nation 2013" (PDF). Scouts Australia. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
  2. ↑ Chief Commissioner
  3. ↑ Sunday Telegraph November 2, 2014 page 25
  4. ↑ Scouts Australia Annual Reports
  5. ↑ Scout Association Act - amendments to 2003 Accessed 14 December 2006
  6. ↑ Royal Charter of Incorporation of The Australian Boy Scouts Association, 1967, Australian Boy Scouts Association, 1969
  7. ↑ Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Boy Scouts Association, 1959 Rule 24; POR of The Australian Boy Scouts Association, 1969 Rules 2/3 & 2/4; POR of The Scout Association of Australia, 1976 Rules 2/3 & 2/4
  8. ↑ Policy, Organisation and Rules of The Scout Association of Australia 1981 Rules 2/3 & 2/4; POR of The Scout Association of Australia 1993 (in effect until 1996), Rules 2/3/& 2/4
  9. ↑ http://www.sa.scouts.com.au/aboutthelogo
  10. ↑ http://www.scoutreach.com.au/pr/about.php
  11. ↑ Bangladesh Scouts Home page Accessed 14 December 2006
  12. ↑ Paper on Project Accessed 14 December 2006
  13. ↑ Submission to inquiry into Charitable and Related Organisations by Scouts Australia, 2003.
  14. ↑ National Youth Council Operations Manual, Scouts Australia, May 2010
  15. ↑ Annual Report To The Nation 2010, Scouts Australia, June 2010, p14
  16. ↑ Scouts Australia Institute of Training Accessed 14 December 2006
  17. ↑ Training.gov.au - Scouts Australia Institute of Training
  18. ↑ Scouts Australia NSW Branch
  19. ↑ Chief Scout Accessed, 14 December 2006
  20. ↑ Young, Keith; Robert Campbell (1996). "Mt. Morgan Boy Scouts: Governor Resigns as Chief Scout". Scouts of Australia. The British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  21. ↑ New South Wales: Scout Association of Australia (New South Wales Branch) Incorporation Act 1928; Victoria: Scout Association Act 1932
  22. ↑ Report to the Nation 2006 Scouts Australia, Accessed 24/6/7
  23. ↑ Lone Scouts South Australia Accessed 7 February 2007
  24. ↑ Policy and Rules of The Scout Association of Australia 2008)
  25. 1 2 Leader Support Guide Number 35
  26. ↑ The Guardian - Religion. Respecting the minority
  27. ↑ Joining Scouts
  28. ↑ ANZA Scouts
  29. ↑ Policy and Rules of the Scout Association of Australia 2008. (Rule 13)]
  30. ↑ . Rovers Australia http://www.rovers.com.au/awards/rover-service-awards. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ↑ Policy and Rules of the Scout Association of Australia 2012. (Rule 9.5 and 13.5)
  32. ↑ "Scouts NSW Annual Report 2015" (PDF). Scouts Australia - NSW Branch. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  33. ↑ "Annual Review 2009-2010". Scouts NSW. 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
  34. ↑ Fordham, Graeme (12 November 2004). "What Future for Australian Scouting?" (transcript). ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
  35. ↑ Kirrawee Gang Show
  36. ↑ Albury Gang Show
  37. ↑ Cumberland Gang Show
  38. ↑ Hornsby Gang Show
  39. ↑ Korimul Gang Show
  40. ↑ Central Coast Gang Show

External links

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