By Romy Stephens and Sarah Booth
A handful of Scout leaders from the 1st Mount Evelyn Scout Group have been recognised for their many years of exceptional service to scouting.
Jillian McCulloch, John Parker and Georgina Bennett all received 2019 Scouts Australia Adult Recognition Awards on 1 August.
Ms Bennett was recognised for making a noteworthy contribution for more than three years with the Special Service Award.
But her time at the 1st Mount Evelyn Scouts goes back much further than a few years.
Ms Bennett has been involved at the club for about 19 years, starting out as a Cub when she was seven-years-old.
Over the years, scouting has seen her travel to many places including countries such as New Zealand, America and Iceland.
She also said scouting helped influence her to become a teacher and has significantly changed her life.
“It has always played a huge part in my life and I’m very grateful for the experiences and the leaders who have been part of my journey,” she said.
“It’s made me always want to give back to scouting.”
Mr Parker received one of the highest scouting accolades, the Silver Koala, which is awarded to those who have displayed distinguished service for at least 14 to 16 years.
Mr Parker has looked after Cubs at Mount Evelyn for 26 years and said he has learnt important life skills since starting Scouts as a child.
“Scouting as a whole changes people’s lives, it makes a better person out of them,” he said.
“You learn to associate with other people, to get on and not have too many issues being able to go along with other peoples ideas.
“I think it’s just the friendships, bits and pieces of people you meet from different walks of life.”
Meanwhile, Ms McCulloch was awarded the Meritorious Service Award which recognises leaders who have provided excellent service to scouting for six to eight years.
She said the most rewarding part of being a Scout Leader is helping children grow throughout life.
“Seeing the kids come through the door as these anxious, sort of shy little cubs or straight off the street…and seeing them work through, grow and get confidence is amazing,” she said.
Ms Bennett added that the medals received were a nice acknowledgement of the work leaders put into Scouts.
“We don’t actually get to wear them very often,” she said.
“But it’s nice to know that it’s always there, it’s always hanging up and it’s a nice little thank you.”
She encouraged “anyone and everyone” to try and get involved in scouting whether that be as a kid or adult.
“You get to have as much fun as the kids do and we’re always looking for new leaders,” she said.
“We have people from all walks of life that are leaders and they all have experience and expertise to share.
“if it’s only two hours a week that you can contribute that’s fantastic.”
The 1st Mount Evelyn Scout Group claims to be the largest of its kind in the Yarra Ranges District and one of the most vibrant and active in the Mt Dandenong Region.
Scouts is a youth-led, adult supported organisation which is made up of 47 million members worldwide.
To find out more about scouting in Victoria and how you can join, visit scoutsvictoria.com.au.
