Our Region Office Managers and Assistants are responsible for the administration of Scouts NSW’s 10 geographical Regions. These professional staff members play a vital role in developing the profile of Scouting and in building organisational support and membership within their Region.
Our People
Meet the teams that help our organisation thrive!
Scouts NSW has a dynamic team of Board members, volunteers and professional staff who work together to support more than 16,000 young people and adults who enjoy the daily fun, learning and adventure that is Scouting.
Together, they enhance the business of Scouting, ensuring the framework is in place for members to grow and develop through adventure and activity.
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Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KCChief Scout New South Wales Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC was invested as Chief Scout of New South Wales on Thursday 11 July 2019, following her appointment as the 39th Governor of New South Wales on 2 May. As Chief Scout, Her Excellency serves as the public face of the Scouting movement in New South Wales. Prior to her appointment as Governor, Her Excellency enjoyed a long and distinguished law career spanning 43 years, during which time she served as a role model for women in law at both the State and national level. Her Excellency brings her deep commitment to education, youth leadership, human rights and social justice to the role in service of the people of New South Wales. |
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Renee BurkinshawNon-Executive Director Renee joined the Board in 2022, bringing more than a decade of experience in HR leadership and organisational change, along with expertise in culture, diversity and inclusion, and stakeholder engagement. She has a degree in Sociology, as well as post-graduate qualifications in HR and Applied Coaching, and is a member of professional associations in these fields. Renee is pragmatic and focused on delivering solution-oriented outcomes to address organisational challenges, and to realise individual and collective strengths and opportunities. Her guiding vision and commitment is to uplift leadership capability to build safer and inclusive workplaces and communities that enable people to thrive. |
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Bernard CronanNon-Executive Director Bernard was appointed to the Scouts NSW Board in 2023 as a casual appointment, and continues this casual appointment in 2024. A qualified Chartered Accountant, his extensive professional experience includes external financial audit, management consulting, talent consulting and talent development executive roles with EY, Barclays Bank and a number of not-for-profit organisations. He was also a Non-Executive Director of a youth refuge service in NSW. Bernard started Scouts as a Cub Scout and continued through to Rover Scouts before he became an adult Leader running large-scale activities for Scouts NSW (Dragon Skin) and Scouts Australia (Jamboree). With degrees in management and certifications across technology, innovation and leadership, Bernard is a strategist at heart, a consultant by nature, an auditor by training and a Scout in values. |
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Anthea CudworthNon-Executive Director, Chair Anthea joined the Board in 2022, having volunteered for Scouts NSW as a Scout Leader and State Commissioner since 2011. She is an experienced Communications Director with a track record of delivering valued reputation advice for high profile international financial and technical businesses. With previous Board experience and professional qualifications in investment management, finance and communications, Anthea is proud of the important role Scouts plays for young people in our communities. |
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Richard HodgeNon-Executive Director Richard was first elected to the Scouts NSW Board on 17 July 2021 as Ex-Officio Under 30's representative, and elected as Non-Executive Director on 20 July 2024. He has been a member of the Finance sub-committee since July 2017. He is presently a Senior Advisor within the Policy and Budget Group of the NSW Treasury. A qualified Chartered Accountant, his professional experience also includes working as a Policy Advisor to a NSW Cabinet Minister and as a Senior Accountant within the Audit and Assurance division of KPMG. Richard has been involved in Scouting for more than 20 years as a Cub Scout, Scout, Venturer Scout and Rover Scout and wants to ensure that young Australians have the opportunity to grow and develop by experience the youth program that Scouting offers. |
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Kaylene HubbardNon-Executive Director, Deputy Chair Kaylene was appointed to the Board in July 2024. She has more than 25 years’ experience in professional services, with technical expertise in tax. She has previously served as the Managing Partner of the KPMG Greater Western Sydney office and is currently the Partner in Charge of Tax Advisory in the Enterprise practice. Kaylene also has a strong commitment to community, volunteering at grassroots sports associations, school fundraising committees and local initiatives. She also has a strong commitment to Scouting, seeing her sons thrive from Cub Scouts to Rover Scouts. She has strong appreciation for the value and history of the Scouting Movement in Australia and is keen to play her part in taking this forward and growing the reach of Scouts. |
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Stuart ThorpeNon-Executive Director, Treasurer Stuart was appointed to the Board on 14 November 2022. Stuart is a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), with extensive financial services industry experience. He is the Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary for Australian Sailing, having made a decision to transition from financial services into roles where he can make a broader social contribution in areas of lifelong interest. Stuart has fond memories of his youth progressing through the Scouting Movement and is an active community member with substantial experience coordinating and delivering youth programs at a grassroots level. |
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Lloyd NurthenChief Commissioner Lloyd became Chief Commissioner of Scouts NSW on 7 April 2023. Lloyd has been an active member of Scouts for more than 17 years, starting as a youth member and progressing through various leadership roles including the first Youth Commissioner for Scouts NSW, Assistant Group Leader at his local group, State Commissioner International, and Deputy Contingent Leader for the 25th World Jamboree in South Korea. He was a member of the Youth Program Review team in 2015-2017, and currently serves on the Public Fund Committee. Lloyd attributes his success in his professional career in part to the skills first developed through Scouts, including leadership, teamwork, resilience and community involvement. |
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Philip CooperEx-Officio Director Along with his experience as the Region Chair and Region Commissioner (Major Events) for Sydney North Region, Phil also currently serves on the Scouts NSW Insurance sub-committee. He began his adult Scouting life in Cheltenham in 1997, holding various Group, District and Region roles. |
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Brett GrimmondEx-Officio Director Brett has volunteered for Scouts for many years, serving as past Region Commissioner for the North West Region for six years and a member of the NW Region Executive since 2007. He is recently retired, having served six years as a Sailor in the Royal Australian Navy and 35 years as a Senior Communications Officer in the NSW Police Force. Brett has lived a life of service, as a member of the Volunteer Rescue Association, State Emergency Service and St Johns Ambulance, and assisting the Cancer Council as a volunteer driver. |
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Niamh HitchmanEx-Officio Director Niamh has been a member of Scouts NSW since 2019, starting as an Assistant Venturer Scout Leader and subsequently taking on a number of different roles such as Youth Safe Advocate, and a member of several working groups and initatives. She was appointed Assistant Chief Commissioner for Program in June 2023 and later took on her current role. Additionally, she holds an appointment as an Assistant Leader Trainer. Professionally, Niamh is an Operations Manager with a background in IT management, cybersecurity, change and risk management and corporate governance. Before her tenure with Scouts NSW, she volunteered with the Red Cross, managing large teams of volunteers delivering harm minimisation at major music festivals. Niamh leverages the skills and values from her professional and volunteer experiences to maintain and enhance Scouts NSW's mission and impact. |
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Lachie PageEx-Officio Director (Under 30s Representative) Lachie has been a member of Scouts NSW for the last 20 years, both as a youth member and a member of the senior volunteer leadership team. His Scouting journey and experience have ensured that he follows the values and principles that the movement represents. Currently, Lachie is the Assistant Chief Commissioner - Program, a member of the National Program Team and the State Asset Committee, as well as an active Rover Scout with 1st Figtree Rover Unit, and brings a wealth of experiences to this role of Director. In his professional life, Lachie is a Civil Engineer managing a large contract with Sydney Water where he balances technical expertise, finance and people management skills. |
The Scouts NSW State Team is made up of Scouting specialists and experts from different professional fields, responsible for working at a State or Region level to assist Region and District teams and to support Groups across NSW to deliver on the Scout promise of an exciting program and development opportunities. Rolling out the Youth Program and providing young people with opportunities to achieve is a key focus, along with making sure our activity program is accessible and inclusive. Child safety, training and Member support are other important functions. Guiding the "business of Scouting" is a critical part of what we do – including strategic planning, partnerships, stakeholder engagement and culture.
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Lloyd NurthenChief Commissioner |
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Niamh HitchmanDeputy Chief Commissioner Niamh has been a member of Scouts NSW since 2019, starting as an Assistant Venturer Scout Leader and subsequently taking on a number of different roles such as Youth Safe Advocate, and a member of several working groups and initatives. She was appointed Assistant Chief Commissioner for Program in June 2023 and later took on her current role. Additionally, she holds an appointment as an Assistant Leader Trainer. Professionally, Niamh is an Operations Manager with a background in IT management, cybersecurity, change and risk management and corporate governance. Before her tenure with Scouts NSW, she volunteered with the Red Cross, managing large teams of volunteers delivering harm minimisation at major music festivals. Niamh leverages the skills and values from her professional and volunteer experiences to maintain and enhance Scouts NSW's mission and impact. |
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Phil CrutchleyAssistant Chief Commissioner - Program Support Leaders He is the holder of 3 Wood Badges (Cub Scouts, Scouts and Leader of Adults) and is a Youth Safe Advocate and Mental Health First Aid accredited. He has attended 6 National Jamborees in various senior management roles and managed the strategic implementation of our mental health first aid program and many other projects across the Branch. Professionally his career has been in heavy industry and local government working across a range of senior management roles. |
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Hayley JarickAssistant Chief Commissioner - People Outside of Scouting Hayley is the CEO and Company Secretary of the Supply Chain Sustainability School Limited, Director of Responsible Steel, Founder and Managing Director of Maat Resolution, as well as volunteer roles with Planet Ark's Australian Circular Economy Hub and WWF's Material Embodied Carbon Leadership Alliance (MECLA). |
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Gai GreenAssistant Chief Commissioner - Adults in Scouting & Training |
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Toby ChandiokAssistant Chief Commissioner - Youth Toby has been Scouting for a decade as a Youth Member in Sydney North, and was appointed Assistant Chief Commissioner on 26 June 2023 to advocate for the interest of Young People by empowering a Youth-Led, Adult-Supported Movement.
He serves Scouts Australia as a Member of the Internal Governance Sub-Committee, and was a Member of the National Council. Beyond Scouting, Toby is currently studying Economics at university.
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Kenton JurgsAssistant Chief Commissioner - Adventure His passion for adventure spans both his Scouting and personal experiences. He holds a Diploma in Outdoor Leadership and is an Adventurous Activity Guide. He’s active in the outdoors - he is a scuba diver, bushwalker, abseiler, canyoner and mountain biker. Scuba diving around the world including wrecks in Southeast Asia, icebergs in Antarctica and volcanic vents in Iceland. Guiding abseiling and canyons in the Blue Mountains. Walking and cycling across Scotland and Australia including climbing the Cuillin Range in Skye. He brings his risk management skills, organisation, decision making and planning from his professional career, including being a pilot in the Air Force and an Information Technology Consultant to the role. |
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Lachie PageAssistant Chief Commissioner - Program Professionally, Lachie is a Civil Engineer, currently working in developing and maintaining Sydney's water and wastewater network. He is also heavily involved with the NSW Rural Fire Service, where he is a Deputy Captain of his brigade. |
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Ruby MavorAssistant Chief Commissioner - International |
Led by the Chief Executive Officer, the professional staff at Scouts NSW State Service Centre are responsible for supporting the business of Scouting, ensuring the framework and processes are in place for thousands of Australians to participate in the Scouting program.
The key business functions at State Service Centre are listed below.
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Carolyn CampbellChief Executive Officer (CEO) Carolyn joined Scouts NSW as CEO in January 2022. She brings more than 25 years’ experience at executive level roles to the position. She was a visionary leader for 15 years at Netball NSW where she grew the appeal of netball at both grassroots and elite levels. Under her guidance, Netball NSW saw exceptional growth in membership and participation. More recently, she was Interim CEO of Basketball Australia. Her depth of experience with Not-for-Profit organisation and outdoor recreation is also reflected in her position as Chair of Sport NSW |
Chief Executive’s Office
The Chief Executive’s Office is responsible for supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Commissioner of Scouts NSW. The Office coordinates State-level events including the Annual General Meeting, Chief Commissioner’s Council and Commissioner’s Conference, and is responsible for management of the State Service Centre.
Youth Protection & Historic Matters
The Child Protection Department coordinates Child Protection and Behavioural Management Issues and develops and champions the Scouts NSW Child Safety Policy and Procedures.
Operations
The Executive Manager Operations, Community & Growth is responsible for the operational service delivery of Scouts NSW.
Member Experience
The Member Experience team coordinates membership awards, membership invoicing, forms and membership data processing, and is responsible for travel, hotel and vehicle bookings. Within that, the Member Experience team also overseas training services and is responsible for the management of training records, administration of leader training, wood badges, e-learning, and Adventurous Activity training. The team also manages accredited qualifications, as well as administering the Youth Safe Advocate training.
Marketing and Communications
Marketing and Communications is responsible for the management and coordination of marketing, corporate communications, brand, media, digital media, publications and events.
State Activity Centres
Scouts NSW owns and manages 3 commercial Activity Centres: Cataract Activity Centre, Baden-Powell Activity Centre and Alpine Activity Centre.
Operations, Compliance and Risk
The WHS/Risk Department coordinates compliance, incident and hazard reports, asbestos management, WHS site audits, support for volunteer ScoutSafe Team and Risk Management.
Finance
Finance is responsible for the strategic and operational aspects of financial planning and management, including insurance, procurement, budgeting, taxation, audit, payroll, and financial accounting.
Grants
Grants is responsible for the administration of government and philanthropic grants for Scouts NSW and Scout Groups, including the Community Building Partnership Grants.
Property
Property is responsible for the high-level management of, and input to, the procedural practice and strategic direction of the State property portfolio.
IT
The IT team provides IT and admin support to members of Scouts NSW, including assistance with Office365, ScoutHub access and email registration and functionalities.
