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I have now been in my role as Chair of the
National Executive Committee for just nine
months and I continue to “learn by doing”.
I am in awe of the 67 years of Scouting
experience which my predecessor David
Jones has achieved. He continues
to make very valuable contributions
through our Finance Committee, the
Lord Baden-Powell Society and overseas
as a member of the World Scouting
Finance Committee. Thank you David for
what you have delivered for Scouting and
for your ongoing contributions.
As a new set of eyes in the organisation, I
have been very impressed with the fellowship,
teamwork and dedication which are evident at
every Scouting activity I attend. That includes
the Scout Group in Canberra where I was
invested, and major events such as the 2016
Jamboree and the Asia-Pacific Region Scout
Conference in South Korea.
As part of those World Scout Foundation
activities in Melbourne, I was very impressed
with the Victorian Branch focus on growing
the number of Scouts at Baloo’s picnic held
at the Melbourne Zoo. Over 900 new Cub
Scouts joined Scouts Australia on a single day.
This result came from lots of work by Cub
Scouts and their Leaders from across Victoria.
Well done to all involved. Could your Branch,
District or Group do something like that to
grow Scouting?
The Report by the Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
is challenging reading, and exposes the harm
that has been done across our nation to
young people in the care of adults in many
organisations, including Scouts Australia. We
are working with Governments and the Royal
Commission to deliver a nationally consistent
system of redress for all those who have been
harmed. This system will focus on the needs of
the survivors of the harm.
The budget for the Financial Year 2015/16
was planned to deliver a deficit of $299,000.
During the year, with the drop in the
sharemarket, the actual vs budgeted revenue
from our investment portfolio decreased by
$170,000. To overcome this, the National
Team has worked hard to reduce their planned
expenditure in line with this decrease. Our
Honorary Treasurer has done some outstanding
work with the National Accounts Team to
improve the transparency of income and
expenditure for each of the budget holders.
The Financial Year 2016/17 will be even
more challenging with further reductions in
investment income anticipated. A deficit of
$300,000 for the Financial Year is proposed.
The National Executive Committee recognises
that these deficits are not sustainable and the
focus of the National Team is to balance the
budget in future years and expand Scouting
through the Youth Program Review.
Thank you to all those volunteers and paid staff
who contribute their valuable time and energy
to making Scouting successful in Australia. You
are playing a vital part in developing skills and
experience for young people so that they can
be valuable members of their community.
I look forward to a challenging year, where
the focus of the National Executive Committee
will be to develop a road map for the future
growth of this great organisation.
My best wishes for your success in Scouting.
Dennis Green am
Chair, National
Executive Committee
Over 900 new Cub
Scouts joined Scouts
Australia on a single
day. This result came
from lots of work by
Cub Scouts and their
Leaders from across
Victoria. Well done
to all involved. Could
your Branch, District or
Group do something like
that to grow Scouting?
SCOUTS AUSTRALIA
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE NATION 2016
4