2025 King's Birthday Honours Scouts NSW recipients

Congratulations to the eight incredible individuals who have been recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours list.

The Order of Australia recognises Australians who have demonstrated outstanding service or exceptional achievement.

This year, the eight recipients were made up of both current and former Scouts NSW members, with two recipients appointed Members of the Order of Australia (AM), while six were awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Chief Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen praised those whose achievements were recognised on this year’s Honours list.

“Our organisation depends on the service of our passionate volunteers to provide the fun, adventurous, challenging and inclusive program that we offer to our youth,” he said.

“I am proud of our Scouting members who have had their dedication acknowledged today.

“From weekends at camps and events to evenings in the Scout hall, their commitment to not only our Movement but their communities is deserving of this recognition.

“Congratulations to our recipients and thank you to their families and friends for supporting them in their dedication to Scouts.”

Member of the Order of Australia

Neville Tomkins OAM – For significant service to youth through leadership roles in the Scouting Movement, and to the community

The former Chief Commissioner of Scouts NSW was recognised for his life of service to the Scouting Movement. Neville has not only made an impact on Scouting in NSW, but also nationally and in World Scouting, including in the Asia Pacific Region.

While Neville served in NSW from 2016 to 2023, he was a passionate leader of our volunteers, a firm advocate for our youth and willing to step up where needed. He was a member of the State Finance Committee from 2016-2023, and in 2017 helped establish the Family Support Fund, which subsidises registration fees for Scouting families in hardship.

With Scouts Australia, Neville has undertaken many roles, including within the National Executive Committee, the National Operations Committee and numerous sub-committees.

In the Asia Pacific Region, Neville has been the Chair of the Taskforce on Strategy for Scouting (Beyond 2023), and was involved in the inauguration of three Scouting Associations – Myanmar, Timor-Leste, and the Solomon Islands.

Finally, Neville has become more involved with the World Organization of the Scout Movement in recent years, and is currently a member of the Strategy and Coordination Team.

Neville was most recently the President of Scouts ACT, and was their Chief Commissioner from 2002 to 2010. 

Dr Henry Gardiner – For significant service to the community through a range of organisations, and to education

Henry has been a dedicated volunteer of numerous organisations since the late 1960s/early 1970s, with a particular focus to Rotary, the Wagga Wagga and District Historical Society, and many academic institutions, including Charles Sturt University. He was a District Leader with Scouts from the 1960s to the 1970s.

Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)

Allan Staples – For service to the community of Castle Hill

1st Castle Hill Scout Group have every reason to be proud of their Group Leader, who has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia. Allan has been part of the Group since 1987, when he started as a Cub Scout Leader, before moving up as a Scout Leader five years later. He puts his 56 years of experience in the insurance industry to good use as a member of the Scouts NSW Insurance Committee.

Allan was recognised with a Silver Kangaroo (one of the highest accolades in Scouts) from Scouts Australia in 2018.

Brian Jackson – For service to youth through Scouts

Brian has been a member of the Baden-Powell Guild of NSW for more than 60 years. The Guild is an organisation of adults who have previously been youth members or Leaders in the Scouts or Guide Movement. The NSW Branch is a member of the Baden-Powell Guild of Australia, which is aligned to the International Scout and Guide Fellowship. Members of the Guild aim to support current youth members, by raising funds in support of projects, such as attendance at Jamborees.

Brian was a former State Guild Master for NSW, and was the Australian Guild Master for about six years.

Dorothy Crabb – For service to speleology, and to the community

Dorothy was the former secretary and volunteer in the Green Valley District. She was also a Job Week Coordinator for Hume Region, and a volunteer with Liverpool Scout Group. She received the Silver Arrowhead Award in 2001.

Other OAMs

• Jennifer Ross (Kelly) – For service to the community of Blackheath
• Arnold Thurling – For service to dance promotion and instruction
• Juris Turmanis – For service to the Latvian community, and to sporting and charitable organisations.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn today announced the Honours and Awards for 830 Australians, including awards in the Order of Australia (General and Military Divisions), meritorious awards and recognition for distinguished and conspicuous service. This represents an increase of awardees of almost 30 per cent since the Australia Day 2025 list.

“I am delighted to congratulate all those recognised in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours List,” Ms Mostyn said.

“These honours recognise the selfless service, integrity, achievement, creativity, and care that flourish across our country.

“As your Governor-General, I see the values of care, kindness and respect in the many Australians who are honoured today, and in those who have been recognised throughout the 50-year history of our Australian honours system.

“Every day, and all across the country, Australians are doing extraordinary things with passion, generosity, energy, and resolve. To all who are being recognised in the King’s Birthday 2025 Honours list, I want to offer my congratulations and gratitude to all that you have given to Australia – and I look forward to meeting many of you at the investiture of your awards.”

Our Scouts NSW recipients were among the 16 members of Scouts Australia recognised in today’s Honours list. To view the list across all Scouts Australia branches, click here.