Boy Scouts and Girl Guides

On Saturday I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Northern Region of the Boy Scouts.  The Scouts’ Northern Region encompasses the entirety of my seat of Bradfield – and extends well beyond it.  It was a privilege to be invited.

Talking to one of the scout leaders at morning tea after the AGM, I learned that in his area – which extends from Willoughby up to Lindfield – there are some 600 boys engaged in scouting.  Even more noteworthy in my view, there are over 30 adult leaders. 

This seems to be a peak period for youth group AGMs – last week I attended the Girl Guides’ NSW Annual General Meeting.  At both meetings, I was struck by the number of people who voluntarily give their time to lead, educate and befriend boys and girls, and young men and women. 

I spoke about the Girl Guides in the Parliament last week, and I make the same observation about the Boy Scouts.  These are extremely worthwhile organisations, and it is really heartening to see that they remain as strong and relevant as ever in 2011.