From the Chief Commissioner
Hi everyone, hope you are having a great month!
![Centenary-gympie group photo](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Centenary-gympie-group-photo.jpg)
Centenary-Gympie Grey Wolf Award
Last month I had the opportunity to travel to Centenary-Gympie Scout Group to attend a Grey Wolf Award ceremony. Whilst there I met with the Cub Scout Unit, and they told me they had been working on a “Messengers of Peace” badge through creating boxes of items to provide to families and children who have been impacted by Domestic & Family Violence. What a great initiative and well-done Centenary–Gympie Cub Scouts.
![Kit Elliot O'Brien jamboree photo](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Kit-Elliot-OBrien-jamboree-photo.jpeg)
Austrian Jamboree- Kit Elliot O’Brien
Kit Elliott–O’Brien sent me an email and some photos from the recent Austrian Jamboree and I thought this would be of interest:
“I’ve just attended the Upper Austrian Scout Jamboree ‘Together 2023’ as an IST working in the international tent. I thought I’d share some photos and words from the camp. I was the sole Aussie there, so I got to wave our flag on the stage!
My role at the camp was to share all the international opportunities Scouts have within Europe and around the world. It was fantastic playing games with the cubs (and struggling with my lack of German), to having serious conversations with the Venturer and Rover aged Scouts about where life will take them next. I too learnt a lot about international scouting and I’m excited to attend more jamborees in the future.”
![Ekka photo for newletter cropped to catherine's liking](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ekka-photo-for-newletter-cropped-to-catherines-liking.jpg)
Our stand at the Royal Exhibition this year focused on celebrating and recognising 100 Years of Rover Scouts in Queensland.
Thanks to the Rover Scouts and other volunteers who have put this stand together. The team achieved 2 first prizes, 1 second prize and 1 third prize across the various categories of judging. A great way to continue to promote Scouting! BRAVO to all.
World Scout Jamboree
By now all our World Scout Jamboree participants should be home. Welcome back and I trust you had the adventure of a lifetime – even given the challenges you faced.
![Dougie farewell cropped to catherines liking again again](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Dougie-farewell-cropped-to-catherines-liking-again-again-scaled.jpg)
Scouts Queensland General Manager
This month we said farewell to Dougal Mayor our General Manager. Dougal has been a great support to both Daryl Scott and me, in the role of Chief Commissioner. Dougal is heading off to become the Executive Manager of Scouts Western Australia, whilst remaining in his current volunteer role as National Commissioner Adult Training and Development. We take this opportunity to thank Dougal for his support, dedication and commitment to Scouts Queensland and wish him every success in the future.
I have also spent time this month introducing our new General Manager to the world of Scouting in Queensland. Ross has formally commenced in his role and is keen to understand our organisation and meet as many people as possible. Welcome aboard Ross.
We have made a submission for an Outdoors Queensland Award and have nominated Agoonoree in the category of Outdoor Recreation. Finalists are announced in September with winners announced in late October. Scouts Queensland has been successful over many years in these awards – so stay tuned!
![St George's ball with geoff to cropped to catherines liking](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/St-Georges-ball-with-geoff-to-cropped-to-catherines-liking-.jpg)
St George’s Ball
I had the pleasure of attending St George’s Ball to celebrate and recognise 100 Years of Rover Scouts in Queensland.
![Adult recognition cropped](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adult-recognition-cropped.jpg)
Adult and Youth Recognition Award
In August we had the Annual Adult and Youth Recognition Awards Ceremony at Baden-Powell Park to present the Australian Scout Award, Australian Scout Medallion and Adult Recognition Awards. The Chief Scout, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Governor of Queensland, was in attendance to present the Queen’s Scout Awards, Baden-Powell Awards and Silver Kangaroo Awards. It was a wonderful weekend to celebrate with our young people and adult volunteers.
![Award ceremony - ASM- cropped](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Award-ceremony-ASM-cropped.jpg)
Member interaction
This month I also took the opportunity to remind everyone of how important our behaviour is and the way we interact with each other as members and volunteers.
I also want to take this opportunity to advise we have a clear mandate to treat each other with respect, to be accepting of different views and perspectives. That approach should be in the way we speak to each other either verbally or in writing. We all committed to live by the Scout Promise and Law so let’s ensure we are all living up to that commitment.
![AJ2025 logo](https://scoutsqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/AJ2025-logo.jpg)
AJ2025
Can I highlight the opportunity of AJ2025. EOIs for the Jamboree are now open and we would love for you and your young person to consider expressing interest in attending what will be a great event, now only 16 months away. As I have indicated previously it is critically important that we encourage as many youth members and adults as possible to attend. The intent is to provide the opportunity at Jamboree for those who missed out in 2022 by extending the invitation to Venturer Scouts to 16 years of age to attend as participants or support workers.
It is also important that our youth members understand that the next Jamboree is not until 2029. So please encourage your unit to consider how they can participate in this wonderful Scouting event.
Have a great month and good Scouting!