Jeanie recognised for musical contributions

Jeanie Wood’s above and beyond service and dedication to Scouting was recognised when she was awarded the Alan Overton AM Award earlier this month.

The Group Leader of 1st/2nd Merrylands (St Anne’s) Scout Group received the award for her outstanding and sustained contribution to Scouting and the Cumberland Gang Show within the Greater Western Sydney Region for more than 40 years.

Jeanie said she did not know for certain she was receiving the award, but had a sneaking suspicion after being told she had to attend the Region’s Annual Report Presentation.

“I said to our Region Commissioner I don’t think I can come because there’s a Bunnings barbecue for Scouts and I don’t think I have enough people to come, and he said you have to come,” she said.

“I had also been asked for some information about myself that I had provided. There’s a whole lot of other really deserving people in the Region, I didn’t think I would get it just by somebody nominating me. Then when (Region Commissioner) Tony (Dent) said that, I thought ok.

“I’m absolutely delighted about it. I knew Alan through Scouts, he was such a wonderful person and it’s just great. It was really emotional, because I’ve been doing it for so long and done so much. The young man who presented it to me (Matt Thompson) had been a Venturer Scout with our Group, he’d been in Gang Show, and he was my music student and went through to a Certificate in Music with me, then took over as Musical Director.”

Jeanie’s involvement with the Cumberland Gang Show started in 1984, initially assisting with painting sets and supporting the dressing room team, before contributing to costume making, songwriting and rehearsal accompaniment as a pianist. From 1987 onwards, she served as a rehearsal pianist and orchestra member, before adding Assistant Musical Director in 1989 and ultimately Musical Director in 1994, which she held for two decades.

As Musical Director, Jeanie led the development of about 20 new songs each year, produced piano scores and orchestrations, trained others in musical arrangement, and implemented standards for junior cast material. Beyond her musical contributions, Jeanie also produced valuable resources, including original songbooks, rehearsal and performance recordings and authored significant historical works. She also demonstrated exemplary leadership by mentoring her successor, ensuring the continuity of creative excellence within the Gang Show.

Within the broader Scouting community, Jeanie’s leadership journey began as a volunteer with Cub Scouts in the mid-1980s. In 1987, she became Group President, and in 1988 was appointed as a Cub Scout Leader, growing her Unit from six to 36 members through her energy and commitment. Over the years, she transitioned to the role of Assistant Venture Scout Leader and worked extensively on the Australian Jamboree.

Since 2007, Jeanie has served as the Group Leader of 1st/2nd Merrylands (St Anne’s) Scout Group, where she has provided critical support to youth members and Leaders alike, overseeing the Group’s development, mentoring new Leaders and ensuring continued strength and growth of Scouting in the community.