1st Inverloch Scout Group
Jordan CRUGNALE (Bass) (16:36): It was a joy to attend the 1st Inverloch Scout Group annual report and presentation evening. The group is a vibrant example of scouting in our local community, with Cubs, Scouts and Venturers in attendance along with their families and friends. It was such a great example of young people learning through doing, getting involved in their community and developing their life and leadership skills. Scouting is the world’s largest non-formal education movement, with over 60 million members, including 22,000 in Victoria. These young people plan and lead their weekly program and have had many adventures this past year, with activities such as a 10-day Australian jamboree in Maryborough, Queensland and camping, hiking, skiing and performing arts programs. A new committee was welcomed and many milestones were celebrated, with group leader Mark Withers honoured for 25 years of service with a loud applause, followed by a cheer to the 10-member volunteer team for over 80 years of combined service. Youth members achieved peak awards in their sections. Massive congratulations to them and also to Felicity Ogden for attaining the King’s Scout Award. It is very impressive that so many young people are active leaders, both within scouting and beyond, being involved in a myriad of programs and events including the Inverloch Equinox Festival, Anzac Day and the LifeChanger youth advisory council. This group values community. We see this exemplified in their strong connections with the Inverloch RSL, men’s shed and Lions, just to name a few. We are all the better as a town, community and society with Scouts and scouting.