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Our Communities
Australia is the land of opportunity.
It’s also a land rich in diversity. We have abundant natural resources, our climate ranges from cool to maritime to sub-tropical and we have extraordinary native plants and animals.
Some of us like Vegemite on toast and some of us don’t. Millions of us watch the footy or Game of Thrones, and millions don’t. Some of us have Australian ancestry dating back to the beginning of the Dreaming, and some of us are the first in our families to live here.
The one thing we all share is that Australia is our home.
Through fun and friendship, Scouts will inspire and create resilient young people and adults, by developing skills for life and contributing to our community.
Our Scouts NSW mission is about building a better world where young people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.
While the majority of young people at Scouts don’t get a say on the big decisions made by our politicians – and Scouts Australia doesn’t take sides in politics - we encourage our youth members to actively explore how they can help their communities and the wider world.
Young people are growing up with a much greater understanding of the world than the generations before them. They are connected to every corner of the globe through social media and the internet.
We also know that when they’re given the opportunity for active citizenship, they jump at the chance. We see young people looking after their local environments, creating and signing online petitions and finding ways to get their voices heard.
That’s why it’s important for us to foster inclusivity and respect in our Scout Halls, our campsites and our Activity Centres. We can help drive sustainable changes to attitudes and behaviours that positively impact social cohesion.
We have such an important role to play in supporting and facilitating personal growth in our youth members throughout their Scouting journey. We can make a huge impact by giving them a sense of belonging, identity and shared values.
Our Promise and Law
Sometimes it’s timely to think deeply about what unites us.
The Promise and Law is a fundamental part of the Scout Method. It bonds all Scouting members under a single commitment. All members promise to live by the same Scout Law, and share the same values of respect, doing what is right, and believing in oneself.
It’s a personal commitment that can serve to unify all those who volunteer, work and support Scouts NSW and Scouting across Australia.
The Scout Law is based on the values that Australians, Scouting and non-Scouting, consider important to our communities.
I try to take a moment every now and again to stop and reflect on the activities and experiences we deliver at Scouts – our amazing programs, events and adventures. Do you?
How easy is it to focus not on yourself but on the world and people around you?
How do you assess whether you’ve done your best, in Scouting and in your daily life?
I encourage you to take time to reflect on the amazing contribution we make to offer a voluntary, non-political educational movement for young people, open to all without distinction of origin, race or creed. Every day, as a Scouting volunteer, we are celebrating the cultural diversity across our community. We are encouraging participation by our youngest members within their communities to they understand the importance of building harmony and making connections.
We should never take for granted the bountiful gifts of our great State. As Scouts, we don’t take harmony and prosperity for granted. We know that by standing together, whatever our differences, we can help nourish stronger, more cohesive and prosperous communities that continue to make Australia the best country in the world in which to live.
Yours in Scouting,
Neville Tomkins OAM JP
Chief Commissioner
Scouts Australia (NSW Branch)
Child Safety in Scouting
Scouts Australia NSW is committed to operating as a child safe organisation and implementing child safe policies and practices in accordance with the elements of a child safe institution outlined by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse report entitled Creating Child Safe Institutions.
Remember
All suspicions, concerns or allegations about criminal matters or child protection matters should be reported directly to the Chief Commissioner, the Deputy Chief Commissioner (Youth Safety, Compliance and Support), the CEO or the Child Protection Officer at the NSW State Office.
To make a report use the online child protection form, call 02 9735 9000 or email childprotection@nsw.scouts.com.au.
Imminent Danger
If a young person is in imminent danger, the matter should be reported directly and immediately to NSW Police on 131 444.
Where a report is made to the police, you should also subsequently notify the NSW State Office.
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