Memories created at Scouts go beyond learning how to tie knots and build fires as close friendships form and skills learnt to last a lifetime.
This was on display on Thursday evening as the Kepnock Scout Group had a special guest join them for the annual report presentation.
Chief Commissioner of Scouts Queensland Daryl Scott was invited to attend the annual event and said he was excited to meet the young Kepnock Scouts.
Two scouts just as excited with a chance to meet the Chief were mates Cooper Mylrea, 11, and Kaidyn Belford,10.
Before the evening got under way the pair said they had responsibilities on their shoulders, and Keidyn said he was “a little nervous” as he was speaking to the Chief first.
But for Cooper he wanted to make his parents and grandfather proud.
“My dad is the scout leader, or as we call him Kwasin,” Cooper said.
“My pop is the groundsman and we call him Captain Chaos and my mum is on the committee too.”
Cooper said he had about scout 40 badges and one day hoped to follow in his father's footsteps and become a leader.
When Cooper joined the Scouts
Cooper joined the Kepnock Scouts about four years ago and said he wouldn’t look back.
“Dad said he had a surprise for me one afternoon,” Cooper said.
“Then he brought me here and I was scared at first as I didn’t know anyone.
“But it helped me overcome my fear of not knowing anyone.”
The Woongarra State School student said he would recommend joining the scouts to any other student in Bundaberg.
“I love it, it’s so interesting,” Cooper said.
“We cook on fires, build tents and go canoeing, hiking and swimming.
“It’s a really good place to socialise.”
Chief Commissioner's visit to Kepnock Scouts?
Chief Scott said scouts were as relevant today as they were 100 years ago.
He went along to the annual meeting after receiving the invitation from the Kepnock Scout Group and said he tried to visit all of the 13 regions across Queensland.
“We have 232 Scout groups across Queensland and I haven’t been to the Kepnock Scout Group before,” Chief Scott said.
“We have 9500 youth members and 3600 volunteering adults.
“These adults put in 750,000 hours per annum of volunteering hours – it is wonderful and I get around.”
Chief Scott said scouts had played an integral part in developing the skills of many youth and adults for over 100 years.
“I have three children all in their mid 20s and all have jobs with significant leadership requirements and that comes from their scouting past,” he said.
“Scouts are great for resilience, so why not?”
Bundaberg Regional Councillor Judy Peter also attended the evening and said having the Chief Commissioner attend was a credit to the Kepnock Scouts group.
“To have the Chief Commission of Scouts Queensland here is a reflection of the good work the Scout groups across the region do,” Cr Peters said.
“The Kepnock Scouts were impacted severely by storms and had gone through hard times in the last few years.
“Now look at them and where they have come – it really reflects the group and the leaders; it’s great to see.”
A little more about Chief Scott
When Chief Scott was a scout he had a chance to present to former Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen; it’s just one of his fond memories shared on this clip.
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