Scouts return to Gunnedah
Published Mon 25 Aug 2025
For the first time in 14 years there is a Scout Group in Gunnedah.
The 1st Gunnedah Scout Group was officially relaunched on Sunday, with 19 youth members aged five to 14 invested. The Group was restarted by Leader Gail Paddison, who moved to the area in 2019, and felt it was the perfect location for Scouts.
“It’s a very friendly and welcoming town and I thought it was a shame we don’t have Scouts here. Turns out they’ve been here on and off since about 1911,” she said.
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“We did an information session last August and had about 20 different families turn up. I thought this is good, it’s enough to start doing a bit of work on getting the Group going.
“We’re rebuilding our gear slowly – we’ve had donations from other Groups, including canoes from 1st Mosman Scout Group. We’re also thankful to Santos for their $2500 grant to help us buy some tents and camp lighting, as well as cover some Leader training costs.
“We’ve also had a lot of support from Gunnedah Mayor Colleen Fuller and Cr Rob Hook. Rob was terrific in the beginning in steering me to who to talk to, and Colleen has been very supportive and said whatever you need, just shout out. They’re good people to have on board.”
The Group has been running as a trial since Term 1, with Joey Scouts, Cub Scouts and Scouts all meeting on a Tuesday at 5.30pm. Gail said the Scouts had even already been to a couple of camps, including their first competition camp where they earn points based on how they complete various activities, teamwork, and how they set up and look after their campsite.
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“They were thrown in with members from Inverell Scout Group and came third overall and first in camping standards,” Gail said.
“That recognition of the stuff they learnt and put into practice – they were very chuffed. They also got to see the wider Scout family in the North West Region.”
Sarah Wise’s two children Zoe and Brayden are both Scouts in the Group. She said she enrolled the pair as she thought “it would be good for both of them to learn some life skills and have a bit of fun while doing it”.
“There’s not really a lot to do in Gunnedah other than weekend sports,” she said.
“Zoe is not much of an outdoorsy, sporty person, whereas Brayden is the opposite and loves anything outside.
“They’ve absolutely loved it. Each week the section tries to do something a little bit different, but they are learning things that could possibly be useful later in life.”
Zoe, 12, said she really enjoyed going caving at Timor.
“There were some really muddy parts and really dry parts, plus some cute little bats,” she said.
“I really like meeting new people and getting to know them.”
Brayden, 11, also enjoyed the caving and going on camps.
“I like that you can go to different places and meet new friends. You also learn different things each time,” he said.
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The Group is seeking more adults to sign on as Leaders to help deliver the program to the youth members. Currently, Leaders from other Groups in the Region are coming each week to help run the program and support the trainee Leaders, with some travelling an hour each way to help the Group get established.
“It’s been a real group venture, with lots of people helping in lots of different ways. Tom Kay, who’s the Region Commissioner for Scouts for the North West Region, comes from Narrabri every week and brings Carol Davis to help with the Cub Scouts so we have qualified Leaders to help run the programs,” Gail said.
“When the kids bounce in the door ready to go, you can feel the energy coming in and it makes it all worthwhile.”
Gail was involved in Scouting for about 17 years across Shellharbour and Tamworth when she felt it was time to move on. Now, a decade later, she is surprised to have taken on the monumental task of restarting a Scout Group.
“I didn’t think rejoining Scouts was something I’d want to revisit, but when you see kids roaring with laughter doing something they’ve never done before, it makes it so worthwhile,” she said.
“Talking with Deb, our Cub Scout Leader (who was part of the former 1st Werris Creek Scout Group), she didn’t think she missed Scouts – she was a District Leader and not going weekly. She said she might come once in a blue moon, but has been coming nearly ever week.
“Our trainee Scout Leader Timothy Leong was a Leader in Malaysia, but the way they do Scouts is different to Australia – it’s more disciplined and militarised. He’s learning the program and says we’re more fun.
“We’re working hard each week to teach the youth members about the Patrol system and buddies and why we do the things we do. It will take a few years to embed all the values and traditions into the Group so when newer kids come, we’ll be a well-formed Group with solid traditions and values in play.
“It’s exhausting, but it’s worth it.”
