4 / 24
Our report this year is themed ‘Imagine
the Possibilities’ as Scouts Australia works
towards our goal of developing an even
more engaging program for Australia’s
young people. Based on two years of
research we have opened our imaginations
and explored how to create the world’s best
program for developing youth.
In 2015 Scouts Australia adopted a new
Purpose in line with the World Organisation of
the Scout Movement (WOSM), which has the
goal of 100 million Scouts by 2023.
Our Youth Program Review continues to
develop a program to meet the needs of the
next generation of young people. Teams of
young people have been laying the framework
for Scouts Australia to ‘imagine the possibilities’
of what our new program could look like.
This work has been mindful of WOSM’s youth
involvement policy and its basic principle
“Scouting is a Movement of young people,
supported by adults; it is not a Movement for
young people managed by adults only.”
Scouting recognises that a young person’s
potential for contributing to society is
enormous when given opportunities. Youth
involvement in decision-making not only
develops the young person and fulfils the
Scout Mission and Purpose, but also makes our
organisation more democratic and dynamic.
With this in mind, Scouts Australia has created
a new role to be held by a youth member,
National Commissioner, Youth Empowerment.
This role will advocate for a youth-led, adult-
supported organisation, and inclusion of young
people in decision-making.
Scouts Australia’s Training area has undergone
significant transformation over the past year.
The task has been immense and required
significant teamwork from our National and
Branch teams. We have introduced new
qualifications and Adventurous Activities
modules to eLearning, making these available
to both youth and adult members. Our
training program is now more flexible and
accessible than ever before.
Scouts Australia has made significant gains
in our International Program with a record
number of Australian contingent members at
the World Jamboree in Japan, and our largest
ever overseas contingent to the New Zealand
Venture. I congratulate Paul Parkinson who was
appointed Chair of the Asia-Pacific Region of
WOSM in November, and the many members
of Scouts Australia who were appointed to APR
and WOSM committees.
I extend thanks and congratulations to the
Victorian Branch who hosted the World Scout
Foundation Event in March this year on behalf
of Scouts Australia. The event saw high profile
members of the World Scouting community,
including His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf of
Sweden (Honorary Chairman of the World
Scout Foundation), visit Australia to observe
features of our Scout Program, and foster more
support for Scouting worldwide.
Finally I recognise and thank the NSW Branch
for organising and hosting an extremely
successful Australian Jamboree. This mammoth
event for 11,000+ Scouts and Leaders
provided a dynamic environment for them
to consolidate the resilience, teamwork,
leadership, independence and other outcomes
of the program.
As you read of our achievements this year you
will see how our volunteer Commissioners,
Leaders, supporters and staff are working on
innovative and effective ways of delivering
Scouting to 55,000 young Australians.
As WOSM reminds us, we are building
young people’s potential to contribute to
our whole community.
Chris Bates
Chief Commissioner
of Australia
SCOUTS AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION 2016
3
Youth involvement in
decision-making not
only develops the young
person and fulfils the
Scout Mission and
Purpose, but also makes
our organisation
more democratic
and dynamic.