Scouts Australia Annual Report 2018 1 ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION 2018 SCOUTS AUSTRALIA 2 Executive Reports As part of the new youth program, Scouting will encourage We remain committed to our Strategic Vision. all members to make ‘adventurous journeys’. These are journeys for pushing limits, exploring what one is capable Through shared values, by 2023 Scouting will be the of, and putting into practice the things they have learned in leading youth development Movement in Australia, Scouting. empowering 100,000 young people and adults to be resilient, self-fulfilled positive change makers in their The adventurous journey should present a real adventure – community. something new and exciting that helps set the scene for the experiences to come, and ensures Scouts connect with nature We invite you to see the steps we have taken over the and the outdoors. past 12 months towards our five strategic Goals that are moving us towards realising that Vision. At the end of their journey, Scouts will be able to review and reflect on what they have achieved. Scouting, throughout its 111 years, takes its own Life without adventure ‘adventurous journeys’ with the goal of maintaining our relevancy and benefits to ongoing generations of young people. In turn, these young people find ways to create would be deadly dull a better world. Robert Baden-Powell. Contents Executive Reports .......................................................... 2 Strategic Goal 5 ............................................................ 14 Scouts Australia 2017/2018 ........................................... 4 Office Bearers ............................................................... 16 Our Impact ..................................................................... 5 Recognition .................................................................. 18 Strategic Goal 1 .............................................................. 6 2018 Adult Recognition Awards .................................... 19 Strategic Goal 2 .............................................................. 8 Our Supporters ............................................................. 20 Strategic Goal 3 ............................................................ 10 An Adventurous Journey: ............................................. 21 Strategic Goal 4 ............................................................ 12 This Report covers the period 1 September 2017 to 31 August 2018. Scouts Australia Annual Report 2018 1 What is Scouting? Scouting provides young people aged 5 to 25 with fun and challenging opportunities to grow through adventure. We provide an experience Scouts Australia is one of the largest youth development that is all about: organisations in Australia. What makes us unique is our diverse range of activities that develop skills in young people such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving • Connecting with the outdoors and communication from the age of 5 years old. • Building new and existing The Purpose of the Scout Movement is to contribute to the education of young people in achieving their friendships full physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials as individuals, as responsible • Learning new skills citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. • Helping to create a better world In 2018 The World Organisation of the Scout Movement conducted a pilot study of the impacts of Scouting and found that compared to non-Scouts, Scouts scored: 20.2% Physical Activity 6% Problem Solving 7.2% Resilience 16.2% Life Skills & Employability 11.4% Emotionally Intelligent 13.7% Responsibility & trustworthiness 9.5% Curious about the world 9.3% Diversity 12% Team work 12.8% Pro-Environmental 9.2% Belonging 12.0% Leadership 16.6% Active Citizenship Source - WORLD ORGANIZATION OF THE SCOUT MOVEMENT: Measuring Scouting’s Impact on the Development of Young People Pilot impact study results for Kenya, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. March 2018 2 Executive Reports Executive Reports Left to right Phil Harrison Dennis Green AM Cathy Morcom It is with pride I present to you the ‘Adventurous Journey’ earning the Australian Scout Medallion increased by 6.6% that Scouts Australia has undertaken over the past 12 and Venturer Scouts earning the Queen’s Scout Award months. The concept of an adventurous journey is an increased by 12.1%. These awards require perseverance exciting part of our new youth program, the opportunity and determination, qualities that have been shown to lead for our youth members to consolidate and practise their to success in a young person’s life. Scouting skills in challenging outdoor environments. On the worldwide stage, Scouts recorded 1 billion service In many ways Scouts Australia has been on its own hours in Messengers of Peace projects, an incredible adventurous journey, none more so, than in the area achievement and testament to how together, we are of our youth program. Since 2012, dedicated teams of creating a better world. volunteers have reviewed, revised and developed ways to make Scouting better for young Australians. This year Globally, Scouting is celebrating the Centenary of the we had an overwhelming response from Scout Groups young adult section of Scouting, Rover Scouts. As I eager to participate as program ‘Pioneers’. These groups know all too well, members of this Section not only gain implemented the concepts developed from the initial skills, friends and experience life changing adventures, ‘Groundbreaker’ trial groups from 2017. I’ve been inspired but many contribute significantly to Scouting and support by the passion and enthusiasm of volunteers prepared other Sections. Congratulations all current and past Rover to take on extra responsibilities. I was thrilled when all Scouts everywhere! Branches voted to adopt the new youth program, with the I wish to thank all the National Commissioners and Branch launch approved for the Australian Jamboree in January Commissioners, each of who spend countless hours 2019. Thanks to all Group, Branch and National teams working with each other and supporting the many teams who have worked tirelessly towards this great result. of volunteers who strive to continue to improve the delivery All Scout Groups took part in ‘The Adventure Begins’. of Scouting in Australia. This initiative ensured that all members understand and It has been an honour and a privilege to serve the Scouting correctly implement the Fundamentals of Scouting, so they Movement, which I joined as a Cub Scout over 40 years can build on these as the new program is introduced. ago. I recognise the key to our success is the dedication Other developments include the extension of our age of our tens of thousands of volunteer adults, parents ranges to include children aged 5 years into the Joey who support their children’s Scouting, and the young Scout Section, allowing many more young people to people themselves who play an active part in making this benefit from Scouting. organisation better and better each year. I was truly pleased to see many youth members achieve Phil Harrison Section peak awards this year. The number of Scouts Chief Commissioner of Australia Scouts Australia Annual Report 2018 3 This year has seen some significant discussions and The National Support Team has focused on providing decisions by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the systems, processes and policies required for an Scouts Australia. organisation preparing itself for major change. National Support Team members have played a significant role in The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to the preparation of resources for the new youth program Child Sexual Abuse handed down its recommendations in trials and The Adventure Begins initiative, as well as behind December 2017. Scouts Australia fully supports the Royal the scenes project management and communications Commission’s recommendations that will make Australia to the Movement. New human resources tools align our safer for children. The NEC launched its National Child volunteer and paid staff roles with Scouts Australia’s Protection Policy in 2016, and a set of proposed updates strategic goals, the WOSM Global Self Assessment Toolkit is currently under review. In addition to our long standing and behavioural expectations. requirements for adults to have police checks and Working with Children Checks, all adults in Scouting must now We have worked closely with National Commissioners, undertake mandatory child safety training and update this National Committees and Scouts Australia Branches on every three years. the Royal Commission and National Redress Scheme. Scouts Australia welcomed the launch of the The Scout Central Digital platform has seen a threefold Commonwealth Redress Scheme. We have been working increase in patronage since its launch as Leaders use closely with the Federal Government on the Scheme, the system to program and record youth members’ which will deliver a nationally consistent approach for achievements online. Our Scout Shop continues to grow all survivors of child sexual abuse. All Branches and as a reliable and effective channel for uniform and other National have agreed to be part of the Scheme. This has Scout supplies which returns a royalty to Scouts Australia involved a significant amount of research, discussion and and its Branches. consideration. While nothing can adequately recompense the harm which has been done to some youth members in Organising travel to an overseas Scouting event or our care over the