NSW Scouts supporting the community during the King’s Coronation in London

Scouts on a global stage supporting the community at the Kings Coronation in London

Two Scouts NSW Rovers, Jenny Riley and Toby Chandiok, joined a special Scouts Australia envoy to the King’s Coronation on 6 May. Jenny’s attendance takes on even more importance as she will be one of only two Scouts from Australia with a formal role in the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

As part of their trip, Jenny and Toby travelled with four others members from Scouts Australia, and met with hundreds of Scouts from across the Commonwealth including nations such as India, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, and of course the UK. The Scouts camped at the famous Gilwell Park – the home of the first ever Scout leadership camp.

Scouts supported the overall community for several days in the lead up to the main event, helping to provide directions and general support on the streets of London. In a testament to the community spirit fostered within the Scouting Movement, all Scouts present were proud to be able to help in any way they could.

The connection to the Royal Family on the Scouting Movement is immeasurable. Jenny and Toby have achieved Peak Awards, the highest award for a Scout which was previously known as the Queen’s Scout Award. On ascending to the throne in 1952, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II became Patron of The Scout Association and gave her name to its highest training award – The Queen’s Scout Award. After the coronation in the UK, Prince William, Princess Catherine, and their three children even visited 3rd Upton Scout Group!

This trip emphasised the truly boundless nature of experiences that are possible as a Scout. Whether hiking, paddling, developing leadership skills, or helping the community, Scouts opens up a world of possibility. 

“I’m honoured to be attending the Coronation as a representative of Scouts in Australia,” said Jenny. “I was born and grew up in in Australia, however as a dual-citizen with extended family in the UK, the Coronation takes on even more meaning. I am proud to be representing Scouts Australia and Scouts NSW in a significant global event that will be watched by millions.”

Jenny began her Scouting journey in 2017 as a Scout at 1^st Hornsby Heights before progressing through Venturer Scouts and then to Rover Scout at 2^nd Gordon Rovers. Jenny completed the challenging requirements for Scouts NSW’s Peak Award this year, hiking Tasmania’s Overland Track for the award’s adventurous activity component. As a Venturer Scout, her accomplishments include chairing The State Youth Council, and finishing 12^th in Dragonskin, the premier hiking event in the NSW Venturer Scout calendar involving up to one thousand participants.

“I’m passionate about the diverse experiences Scouts has to offer, including the leadership and advocacy opportunities,” said Jenny, who is studying Nursing at university and working part-time as a hospital Wardsperson. “Being an active member of a local Scout group is a fun experience and I feel it is important to continue to be involved at a local level whilst also pursuing unique opportunities such as this.”

Toby Chandiok, a member of 1^st Epping Rovers, was among those recently acknowledged by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales, with a Peak Award. For the Peak Award, Toby completed his Adventurous Journey in the Australian Alps. “I enjoy the learning by doing approach of life skills and experiences which are mostly exclusive to our Movement,” said Toby. “The Peak Award represents one of the peaks in terms of personal growth, leadership, service, and adventure – the experiences of which are invaluable. To be recognised as one of the few whom have been awarded so is an honour and privilege.”