Achieving the highest honour, Toby Stone, 18, was also studying for his HSC and dodging the pandemic last year while spending countless hours fulfilling his Queen’s Scout Award challenges.
“This award involves completing many service opportunities in categories such as personal development, leadership, outdoors, environment and citizenship,” Scouts Australia State Leader (Arts & Literatures) Adele Lockman said.
“It is a remarkable achievement and he is now training to be a Joey Scout Leader.”
The three NSW Scout of the Year Award finalists were Kaysanne Lockman, 6, in Joey Scouts, and Ashleigh Southam, 18 and TJ Furness, 17, in Venturer Scouts, with Kaysanne and TJ winning their categories.
Kaysanne spent 20 hours skipping to raise over $500 for Jump Rope for Heart.
She also raised funds for the Heart Foundation in memory of her Granddad, who passed away from heart disease when she was a baby.
TJ designed and constructed a Hydroponic Sustainable Garden to educate his Scout Group on the importance of sustainable gardening.
Ashleigh has organised Clean Up Australia Days, is a Bushcare volunteer, was a mentor to students from non-English speaking backgrounds and is a member of the First Aid team during Relay for Life.
“Kaysanne, TJ and Ashleigh are now Ambassadors for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and we look forward to seeing more of their good works in the future,” Lockman said.
To find out more, call Merrylands Group Leader Jeanie Wood on 0448 447 174.
Achieve top honour, ‘Scout of Year’ wins
THERE’S a lot to celebrate at 1st/2nd Merrylands Scout Group this week after one member was awarded a prestigious Queen’s Scout Award and three others made the State finals with two of them winning NSW Scout of the Year Awards.