A Sydenham scout troop run by Catholic Regional College has made Australian scouting history with 11 Venturers elevated to the ranks of Queen’s Scouts.
The scouts, aged between 14 and 18, received their accolades earlier this month, topping off a busy 12 months that included a trip to Timor Leste.
Mariam Ayad, Rebecca Cassar, Isabella Di Giacomo, Bethany Lapsley, Gwen Lawrence, Stuart Mayor, Janrhio Octura, Rembrandt Soler, Jenny Tran, Aidan Williams and Lily Wood received their badges at the school on September 9 in front of 200 people.
“It’s a great achievement. The average is usually one or two a year,” Venturer scout leader Julie Gunn OAM said.
To achieve the Queen’s Scout award, the Venturers had to complete a minimum of 270 hours of strategic and physical activities – this group tackled canoeing and kayaking along the Maribyrnong River and abseiling cliffs at Staughton Vale.
The troop also worked with a Timor Leste scout association to build an important fence around its training centre there, to keep roaming animals out and to grow vegetables.
“They also visited several scout troops in Dili to assist with the promotion of scouting,” Mrs Gunn said.
The scouts also researched various religious beliefs, and have been involved in replanting at Organ Pipes National Park.
Catholic Regional College Sydenham also produced nine Queen’s Scout award winners last year, a result of their successful Scouting in Schools pilot program.
Parchments signed by The Queen will be presented to the group at Government House on October 8 by the Governor of Victoria.
