Scouts honoured with peak awards at Government House

Hard work, dedication, perseverance and resilience – these attributes are all shown in the 26 Venturer and Rover Scouts who received their peak awards on Saturday 26 August.

Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Chief Scout of NSW, presented 24 Venturer Scouts with their Queen’s Scout Awards and two Rover Scouts with Baden-Powell Scout Awards at a ceremony at Government House.

See the full list of QSA recipients here and BPSA recipients here

The Queen’s Scout Award is the peak milestone of a Venturer Scout’s journey. Designed to be challenging and encouraging, the award broadens the interests and knowledge of participating Venturer Scouts (aged 14-17) and encourages them to “look wide”. 

The Queen’s Scout Award is the embodiment of the key characteristics of a Scout – contributing to community, building resilience, overcoming challenges and following passions, all whilst developing leadership skills and making friendships. 

To achieve this prestigious award, a Venturer Scout must be able to set a goal; plan progress towards that goal; organise themselves and others; and maintain the determination to overcome difficulties and complete the task. They must also have achieved the Venturing Skills Award and completed the requirements in four award areas: Adventurous Activities, Community Involvement, Leadership Development, and Personal Growth. 

Queen’s Scout Award recipients work independently and collectively to achieve great personal development and contribute positively to their communities. As such, the Queen’s Scout Award is highly regarded, with recipients qualifying for additional Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) adjustment factor points through some universities.

“Completion of the Queen’s Scout Award is a major milestone in a Venturer Scout’s journey and carries a deservedly outstanding reputation, not just within Scouting but across the wider community,” Scouts NSW Assistant Chief Commissioner – Program Niamh Hitchman said.

“Balancing the work required to achieve this award with the competing demands of the finalisation of their schooling career – such as taking the HSC, starting apprenticeships or transitioning more fully into the workforce – is commendable.

"On behalf of Scouts NSW, I congratulate our Queen’s Scout Award recipients and look forward to them continuing with their local Scouting communities, helping to inspire younger Scouts.”

Rover Scouts reach their peak

The Baden-Powell Scout Award (BPSA) is the peak award for the Rover Scout section (aged 18-25). Like the Queen’s Scout Award, the BPSA carries an outstanding reputation within Scouting and the community.

“The extremely challenging nature of this award combined with our Rover Scouts’ increased focus on their non-Scouting life – many of whom are commencing full-time work, pursuing tertiary education, embarking on apprenticeships or seeking other new adventures – means that the tremendous achievement of receiving the Baden-Powell Scout Award cannot be understated,” Ms Hitchman said.

“My congratulations to the recipients on their awards. Your commitment to Scouting and the work you have been doing in your wider communities and Groups is truly inspirational.”

Sign-up, volunteer, and join today: scoutsnsw.com.au/enquiry

Spotlight on our QSA recipients

Grace Aldrich – Ettamogah Venturer Scout Unit

Grace started her Scouting life as a Cub Scout at 2nd Albury Scout Group in January 2015. Scouting was a family affair, with her parents, siblings, cousins and grandparents all part of the Scouting Movement, making it an activity they could all enjoy. Grace feels a huge sense of achievement for completing her Queen’s Scout Award.

“Being recognised for this achievement is so significant as it shows the younger generations how much of an accomplishment it is,” she said. “The COVID-19 had a huge impact on my pursuit towards my QSA, (but it) did bring out the best in our unit as everyone became more creative with the weekly activities. Though with the circumstances I found it difficult to complete sections of my QSA, as I drew closer to the end of my QSA journey I became more committed to completing the award.”

Grace planned her Adventurous Journey around a long-held desire to complete a hike with different activities on each day. She led her fellow Venturer Scouts down more than 500 stairs at Woolshed Falls, took them mountain biking from Beechworth to Allans Flat, as well as canoeing around Lake Sambell. Despite all the hard work, they were all rewarded with cool swims at their destinations each day.

While performing arts is not typically associated with Scouts, Grace has been a part of Albury Gang Show for three years. “It has been so rewarding as I make new friends and grow as a person and develop my confidence,” she said. “I decided to get involved as I had been watching the show since before I was a Scout and I had always wanted to join. Once you are on stage performing there is a rush of adrenaline through your body. As you’re singing and dancing up on stage, I am having the most amazing time and enjoying every minute of it.”

Grace is now ready to tackle the challenge of the Baden-Powell Scout Award.

Holly Consadine – 1st Mudgee Venturer Scout Unit

Holly has been a dedicated member of 1st Mudgee Scout Group since she was a Joey Scout. On entering the 1st Mudgee Venturer Scout Unit, she discovered there were only two Venturer Scouts, making planning activities more challenging. But as the Unit grew, she was able to support and pass on her knowledge to others.

Holly’s Adventurous Journey was not without its challenges – heavy rainfall in the area caused a river to flood overnight. However, Holly was able to put into action her emergency plan and lead her Patrol to safety. The river was also responsible for a funny memory from the trek. “On the second night, we got to the campsite near a river and I was setting up my tent as the others were getting the fire ready. As they were trying to light the fire, we all remembered that river rocks existed, which led us to rethink where the fire was located!”

The skills Holly has gained through her time at Scouts have helped her develop and build confidence in her non-Scouting life, particularly her communication skills. She grew in confidence at the Australian Scout Jamboree in 2019, allowing her to get a job, apply for awards at school (a feat she would never have attempted before) and take every opportunity that comes her way.

“Scouts has allowed me to become a more confident and better version of myself,” Holly said.

Blair Crowther – 1st Bayview Venturer Scout Unit

A little sibling rivalry was a great motivator for Blair Crowther to achieve his Queen’s Scout Award. With his brother having also been awarded his QSA, it challenged Blair to push hard and achieve it for himself.

For Blair’s Special Interest Areas, he chose to explore areas his was interested in. “I like computing, so I decided to research and build my own PC and once I’d done that I decided to use the computer to learn 3D modelling,” he said. “I decided to develop my artistic skills in sculpting using polymer clay and made sculptures to give to family and friends. I also learnt how to create perspective drawings and drew futuristic drawings of flying machines.”

But the most life-changing part of his QSA was deciding he wanted to learn to fly. From first attending the Scout Air Activity Centre at Camden as a Scout, Blair loved flying and was excited to learn he could participate in a multiday camp and learn to fly as a Venturer Scout. Of course, he took that opportunity to take six flying lessons in Scouts NSW’s Cessna. “At first it was a bit daunting, but the instructors were very good. It was such an amazing experience to be able to take the controls of the plane! After a few lessons, I was taking off and on the sixth flight I was able to land the plane too.”

Blair is now determined to pursue a career in aviation, starting with an intent to join the Royal Australian Air Force.

Hunter Jackson – 1st Allambie Heights Venturer Scout Unit

For Hunter, the best part about being a Scout are the social connections he can make both within his Unit and at big events. It was this connection that helped make his Adventurous Journey an enjoyable one, despite its challenges.

Hunter completed his Adventurous Journey leading a hike on the Lower Caples Track in New Zealand. He also supported his Unit to complete the Milford Track, a combined journey of seven days walking. “Our card games after long days of walking was a real highlight for me,” he said. “Completing my QSA was a long journey with ups and downs, so it is definitely a good feeling to get a certificate for my achievements that I can keep for the rest of my life.”

Along with enjoying some of the big events, such as Dragon Skin and helping run events like ScoutHike and State Rally for the younger Scouts, Hunter enjoyed performing with the Hornsby Gang Show.

Through it all, he credits his Leaders Nick and Michael for helping him achieve his goals.

“They have been leading me all the way through my Venturing journey and have shown me the qualities of good leadership and helped me grow as a person.”

Nicolas McCoy – Canterbury Vale District Venturer Scout Unit

Nicolas has endeavoured to challenge himself in every way possible. His decided to pursue his Queen’s Scout Award after receiving both the bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards. “I’m so happy I was able to achieve the award and experience the hardship because I feel that it all shaped me to be the person I am today,” he said.

Nicolas and his Patrol undertook a four-day hike of the Six-Foot Track in the Blue Mountains. “It was challenging on the third day because we had a massive increase in altitude to overcome, which took us eight hours,” he said. “Other than that, it was all good fun and good laughs. We were constantly chatting and exchanging banter.”

He is also dedicated to serving others and making a difference in his community with his active work with the State Emergency Service (SES). Nicolas now intends to pursue his Baden-Powell Scout Award as a Rover Scout – once he has completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

Jenny Riley – 1st Hornsby Heights Venturer Scout Unit

Jenny began her Scouting journey in 2017 as a Scout at 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Unit, before becoming a Venturer Scout in August 2019. She has always been deeply passionate about Scouting and decided to pursue her Queen’s Scout Award as the next logical step after achieving her Australian Scout Medallion. 

“You can’t achieve your Queen’s Scout Award on your own,” she said. “To achieve the award, you need to work in teams, learn from others, and be an active part of your Scouting community. It feels incredible to have been supported by so many Leaders, mentors, friends and fellow Scouts, by my family and beyond. This award is very special, as it celebrates the memories, lessons and journeys we have all had along the way.”

Jenny’s Adventurous Journey – hiking the Overland Track in Tasmania for seven days – received the generous support of the Dick and Pip Smith Leadership through Adventure Fund, which helped to sponsor her Patrol to complete the Journey. “The Fund helped to make everything a little bit easier,” she said.

“We organised a few fundraisers to make this hike happen, so having the LTAF money helped us because we could spend more time preparing for the hike.”

In 2021, Jenny became a member of the NSW State Youth Council (SYC). As the SYC’s Secretary and Chair in her two-year term, she has been further able to give back to the Scouting community by leading the SYC in their endeavours to increase youth voice and involvement with Scouts NSW.

“I’ve always been someone who loves to create positive change, and I was curious to see how I could make a difference at a higher level,” she said. “Being on the SYC was an awesome experience and it’s even taken me across the world to the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla and now into my role as Co-Assistant Chief Commissioner – Youth that I share with Toby Chandiok.”

Being a part of Scouts has truly prepared Jenny for anything, helping her become more resilient, independent and resourceful than she would have been otherwise. She has had unique Leadership opportunities, as well as experience working in teams and supporting others. “Beyond tying knots, knowing how to get down a mountain and how to set up any kind of tent, Scouting has helped me to develop time management and organisational skills to help with my uni work, I’ve grown better people and leadership skills to help me with work, and the resilience and independence to know that I can overcome pretty much anything if I put my mind to it.”

Jenny has already started work on her Baden-Powell Scout Award.

BPSA recipient focused on leadership

Daniel Hose – 2nd Normanhurst Rover Scout Unit

Daniel’s journey to achieve his Baden-Powell Scout Award differs to those who will come after him. As he had made significant progress towards his award under the previous achievement system, it was decided he could complete it in this fashion, rather than changing to the new system. “I like to challenge myself and the BPSA is a way to push myself to try and do new things and get the most out of my time as a Rover Scout,” he said. “Both my father and mother achieved their BPSAs and I wanted to follow in their footsteps as they have inspired me throughout my life.”

To achieve his BPSA, Daniel completed many projects that benefited the Scouting community, such as installing a jockey wheel on the Unit’s trailer and completing major maintenance work on it, to building a new Cub Scout kitchen shelter at Camp Windeyer at Galston. Daniel said the camp warden Cameron Jessep was hugely supportive and needed someone to manage the program, as funding had already been secured.

“Challenges included organising helpers to come and do the work as it required multiple different people on multiple days to come dig out the area, compact it, set up the formwork and build the actual shelter,” he said. “It’s also not an easily accessible campsite, as you need to boat across to it. One of the huge challenges was how we got the concrete over the creek to the camp. Luckly we were able to get a concrete truck to park as close to the bank as possible to pump it over with long hoses floated on canoes to get it across, but it was a big day to get it all set up and pumped across.”

Daniel has gone above and beyond what is expected of him as a Leader, by obtaining his Wood Badge and creating a list of online activities to be completed while Scouting Units were in lockdown. He decided to become a Leader to give back to the Movement that has given him so much and to walk in his father’s shoes once again. “My father also did the same and he has been a huge, inspirational role model throughout my life, plus as a bonus it was something we could continue to do together and share our passion and enjoyment of Scouting,” he said. “Through Leading I have gained a whole group of friends in my fellow Leaders and it makes turning up so easy when we all have just as much fun together as the youth members do at the weekly nights and camps. It is also such a rewarding experience teaching and helping these kids and watching them learn from you. The feeling you get watching one of the shy, unsure 11-year-old Scouts turn into that perfect 15-year-old Patrol Leader who is confident is amazing.”