Everyone belongs at Scouts NSW

Harmony Week sees Australians recognising and celebrating the diversity that brings us all together. With this year’s theme “everyone belongs”, we took a look at some of the different cultures that make up Scouts NSW.

One of the things that makes Scouts special is the many different backgrounds and cultures we come from. Many Scouts were born overseas or raised by parents who’ve retained traditions from other countries.

In fact, after Australia, the next 10 nationalities our members most closely identify with are:

Our Scouts also come from a variety of belief systems, including Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

We understand that people, particularly when moving to a new place, seek solace in familiar customs. Over the past 100 years, this has seen culturally-aligned Scout Groups formed in particular areas to provide spaces for like-minded people to meet and retain community, while providing a strong tie between those cultures and Scouting values. These Groups are not exclusive to people from their backgrounds – every Scout Group is inclusive of all people, regardless of nationality or beliefs.

We spoke to Leaders from some of our Buddhist, Vietnamese and Jewish Groups, about their traditions and how they intertwine them with Scouting values.

Tell me about your culture

Wan Jing Fan, Venturer Scout Leader, BLIA Sydney – Kogarah Scout Group: BLIA, or Buddha’s Light International Association, is an organisation for adults, young people, and families, who follow Humanistic Buddhism. We do things like charity, talks about being good, and helping others to make the world a better place.

Van Ho, Leader-in-Charge, 2nd Bankstown (LD Bach Vietnam) Scout Group: Vietnamese culture places strong emphasis on family, respect for parents, elders and teachers. Children are taught early to listen, observe and learn from those older than them. Leadership is valued, but leaders are expected to guide with care and moral example. We place the community over the individual – helping others and maintaining harmony is more important than standing out. Cultural traditions are also important, with several significant ceremonies observed throughout the year, the most important of which is Tết, the Lunar New Year, which falls on the first day of the Lunar calendar. It is the longest public holiday in Vietnam, typically lasting from a week to 10 days and is a time for family reunions, cultural traditions and spiritual reflection.

Leon Waxman, Group Leader, 3rd Rose Bay (Judean) Scout Group: The Jewish religion, Judaism, is the oldest monotheistic Abrahamic religion, origination more than 3500 years ago. It includes religious rituals and beliefs along with a code of ethical behaviour, incorporating the ancient history of the Jews in its rituals, ceremonies and celebrations. Jews of today include people of every race and most nations. 

How does it link with the Scouting program?

Jing: BLIA mixes with Scouting by running special Scout Groups that add Buddhist values. We do camping, hiking and games, but also teach about the Three Acts of Goodness – Do Good Deeds, Say Good Words and Think Good Thoughts. 

Van: Qualities such as friendliness, kindness, helpfulness, and service to the community are core values expected of a Scout. These mirror the values of respect, duty, loyalty and service which already exist strongly in Vietnamese culture. Our Scout Group often incorporate cultural greets alongside Scout salutes; bilingual commands or explanations; and Vietnamese songs sung alongside Traditional Scout songs. Our Leaders, often called Anh or Chị (older brother/sister) act as mentors, not authority figures. Community service is also strongly emphasised, which fits seamlessly with Scout service requirements.

Leon: Jewish life revolves around the Holy Days set aside in the Torah (the first five books of the Bible and the foundation of Judaism) and festivals that celebrate historical events in the life of the Jewish people. Our weekly programs, whilst incorporating regular Scouting themes, will also acknowledge themes of Jewish festivals as they occur.

What does it mean for your members to be able to access Groups that support both culture and Scouting values?

Jing: If you join BLIA Scout Group, members get awesome adventures like canoeing, camping and meditation all in one. It’s great for families who like Buddhist values because it teaches being kind and helpful, while earning Scout badges and making friends.

Van: Vietnamese parents in our local community are very supportive of the Scouting Movement. They believe that Scouts provides a positive and structured environment that helps their children develop life skills, confidence and leadership qualities. It also provides cultural safety and belonging, as well as stronger engagement, as children are more likely to stay in Scouting when they hear familiar language and see cultural customs respected. Vietnamese Scout Groups act as cultural bridges between generations, with elders feeling valued rather than disconnected, and Scouts grow up proud of being both Vietnamese and Australian.

Leon: It is important that Jewish youth have an opportunity to join a Judean Scout Group particularly if they are observant of all the customs. Our Judean Group observes the dietary laws (Kosher) and does not hold activities on the prescribed Holy Days. At Jamborees, our Judean Scout attendees eat Kosher cooked meals. Their Jamboree Unit experiences the customs of a Friday night Sabbath dinner, where all are welcome to join in.

What is the history of your Group with Scouts?

Jing: Buddha’s Light Scouts started in Taiwan in 2000 and now there are Groups in Australia like in Sydney that started in 2018. In Australia, it’s the first organisation that mixes the camping fun with the Three Acts of Goodness which helps build character.

Van: Historically, the Scouting Movement was introduced to Vietnam during the French colonial period. Vietnamese Scouting was effectively established in 1930 in Hanoi. Post-war migration to Australia in the 1970s to 1990s saw many Vietnamese Scouting Groups formed here. Families wanted structured, positive environments for their children, as well as a way to preserve culture in a Movement that was already familiar to them, while acting as a stepping stone into Australian society.

Leon: Jewish Scouting in Sydney began with the formation of the first Jewish Patrol of Boy Scouts on Sunday, 25 October 1908, at the rear of the Great Synagogue. They later registered as 1st Sydney (Judean) Scouts attached to the Great Synagogue, and remained active until the late 1930s. During the 1960s and mid-1980s, the Judean Scouting scene was thriving with five active Judean Scout Groups. Today, we are the last remaining Judean Scout Group.

Do you find Scouting values are in alignment with your traditions and beliefs?

Jing: BLIA Scouts teaches kids cultural respect through fun activities and uniting everyone like a big family.

Van: The continued growth of the 2nd Bankstown Scout Group, now one of the largest Groups in the South Metropolitan Region, demonstrates that Scouting values and Vietnamese cultural values complement one another effectively.

Leon: Jewish values focus on ethical living, community responsibility, and repairing the world (Tikkun Olam), through actions rather than just belief. Core tenets include loving-kindness (Chesed), justice (Tzedek), peace (Shalom), and respect (Kavod). Scouting values focus on developing responsible, active citizens through core principles of integrity, respect, care, belief, and cooperation. It is my belief that both values perfectly align, with the focus on our youth developing into good citizens, quality leadership and confidence to make our world a better place.

Do you need to be Buddhist, Vietnames or Jewish to join your Groups?

Jing: No, you do not need to be in BLIA or a Buddhist to join us. We are an inclusive Scout Group. We welcome everyone to join our fun Scout activities.

Van: No, anyone can join, our membership is open to all backgrounds. What matters most is a willingness to respect cultural practices, learn and participate, and uphold Scout values. It also creates benefits for non-Vietnamese members through exposure to another culture, different leadership styles and multilingual environments. While culture is celebrated, Scouting values always come first, and diversity is seen as a strength, not a barrier.

Leon: 3rd Rose Bay (Judean) Scout Group is not a religious institution and does not enforce any level of observance. Whilst a Jewish Scout Group, it is open to youth of all faiths.

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