From the Chief Commissioner

Hi everyone, hope you are having a great month!  

This is the last Scouting Family News for 2024. 

As we head into the summer break it is an opportunity for everyone to complete some of those small administrative tasks that we may not have had time to attend to over the year. 

One of those is to ensure that all your young person’s personal records are current. That could be within your Group and their Operoo profile. 

If you have someone heading to AJ2025 your details within the AJ2025 system are important particularly for any changes or amendments to medical records to ensure everyone has a safe and fantastic experience.

So please take time to ensure all your details are accurately recorded.

The Australian Jamboree is now well and truly in our sights with the Opening Ceremony now less than 30 days away. There are teams of people on site right now preparing for the arrival of participants from 5 January 2025. It is going to be a wonderful experience for all those who attend and participate in activities that are Adventurous, Fun, Challenging and Inclusive. 

This is a huge opportunity to Scouting in Queensland to shine to the rest of Australia and the World!  

I am very excited and looking forward to meeting many of our youth members, leaders and adult members who are attending. 

Make sure your young person gets to chat with the Camp Chief!  

 

I approved the wearing of the AJ2025 Jamboree Badge as an event badge on the Scout Uniform in Queensland. This badge can be worn from 1 December 2024 through to end of February 2025. It should be worn on the top right-hand side of the uniform. 

I wanted to again highlight where our Youth Membership is sitting as you read this newsletter – currently just on 9000, which is a great result over this year with an increase of 692 youth or 8.3 % growth. We have some great things planned for 2025 which you and your young person will hear about in early 2025, which will encourage current members to stay in Scouting whilst attracting more young people to experience what we have to offer.  Stay tuned! 

Our membership fees for 2025/26 have been approved by Branch Executive Committee. This year following a review of our fee structure we have made some changes that we think will again make life easier for Groups and families. But we do need to acknowledge the continuing increases we are seeing in our cost base. 

Further we have taken the opportunity to include the Public Liability Insurance cost within the Membership Fee. That will save Groups on charging this cost or reduce the fundraising requirements to meet this cost in May yearly.  

All groups received a memo distributed earlier this week that outlines our fees which are effective from 1 April 2025. 

In summary: – 

We are removing the joining fee – this has been a challenge particularly for new members who have indicated they see the current joining fee as a monthly cost of Scouting. Accordingly, it has been removed. 

It will be replaced by a pro rata membership fee of $22.50 per month through to either April/October, when the half yearly invoice will be issued. 

  • Youth Member Fees for 2025/26 will be $270 per annum invoiced half yearly @$135.00. 
  • Leader Fees for 2025/26 will be $90 per annum invoiced half yearly @$45.00. 
  • Adult Member Fees for 2025/26 will be $60 per annum invoiced half yearly @ $30.00. 

We continue to have our members recognised for their contribution to their communities. This week David Reed, Group Leader at Samford was awarded the Adult Volunteer Award by the Samford Progress Association. BRAVO David! 

I need to thank several people as we head to the holiday season: – 

To Elise and Catherine for their wonderful support in the production of these videos across the year – many thanks. 

To all the staff at the Branch Support Office my sincere thanks for all your work and effort over 2024.

To the 3000 + Leaders and Adult Members who support the delivery of our program each and every week or through Training, Events and special activities my heartfelt thanks and appreciation and that of our 9000 + youth members. 

To you the families and carers who support your young person and our groups in allowing us to deliver our program – Thank you. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.  

If you celebrate Christmas, may it be festive and merry for you and those you celebrate with. 

To all Scouting families in Queensland take the time to have a break, refresh and spend some quality time with, friends and loved ones.

Have a great month and good Scouting!