Shining a spotlight on our adult volunteers
Published Sat 01 Aug 2026
Every year, World Scout Day gives us the opportunity to reflect and recognise the incredible work our volunteers contribute to Scouting.
The Scouts Australia Adult Recognition Awards recognise not just longevity of service, but the quality of leadership – going above and beyond. All adults in Scouting are eligible for the award – adult helpers, committee members, staff and Leaders.
This year in NSW, 491 adult volunteers received an ARA, including three Stan Bales Rover Scout Service Award recipients.
Each one of our ARA recipients’ stories are unique – there is no one way to be a volunteer in Scouts and no one way to be recognised with an ARA. Read on for just a few of our exceptional recipients, as written by those who nominated them.
*Appointments are accurate as at the time of the award nomination
HIGHLIGHTING OUR RECIPIENTS
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Special Service Award |
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Shaun Anderson, Adult Helper, Cumberland Gang Show Since joining the Lighting team at Cumberland Gang Show in 2013, Shaun has developed significant technical skill and experience, becoming a knowledgeable and dependable member of the technical team, and led to his appointment as Lighting Leader from 2022. |
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David Birtles, Leader, 1st Gundaroo Scout Group A passionate outdoorsman and skilled Leader, David has shared his practical life skills and deep love of nature with countless young people in Gundaroo over the past eight years. His programs reflect a man who doesn’t just teach Scouting – he lives it, bringing the outdoors to life for young people in ways that stay with them long after their Scout years are behind them. |
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Zoe Cowen, Region Leader (Activities), Greater Western Sydney Region Since joining the Rock Activity Team as a Trainee Leader in 2022, Zoe has made rapid progress into the role of Abseiling Coordinator. Her calm and encouraging presence at the top of an abseil tower or on a cliff edge has helped countless young people overcome fears and discover new confidence. |
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Gemma Curran, Adult Helper, 1st Mosman Scout Group A naturally warm, enthusiastic, and kind person who gets stuck in with gusto, Gemma quickly became an asset to the Group since her stepson Oliver joined as a Cub Scout in 2022. She’s the one who puts her hand up, not just for a small role here and there, but for the big back-end support tasks that free up the trained Leaders. |
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Tracey Doman, Assistant Venturer Scout Leader, 1st Frenchs Forest Scout Group Tracey played a pivotal role in re-establishing the Venturer Scout Unit, which had been inactive for more than 20 years. Tracey originally stepped into leadership to support her youngest son, who users a walker and wheelchair. In doing so, she helped the Group embrace inclusion, resilience, and a genuine “can-do” attitude. |
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Tamara Dudfield, Rover Council, 2nd Normanhurst Rover Unit From the beginning of her term as Unit Leader, Tamara continually sought out opportunities to get the Unit up to speed and delivering a program that aligned with the Scouts Australia framework. After stepping up as Sydney North Region Rover Council Chair, her influence has been felt across the Region, supporting the formation of three new Units. |
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Mitchell Gallagher, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Kings Langley Scout Group A highly respected and dedicated member of Scouting, Mitchell has grown through the Movement from a Joey Scout into a capable and committed Leader. His clear instruction, positive attitude, and focus on safety has helped provide rewarding experiences for hundreds of Scouts annually at the NSW State Water Activities Centre (SWASH). |
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Virginia Gilbert, Joey Scout Leader, 3rd Orange Scout Group Virginia volunteered to help out the organising committee for The Golden West’s Region all sections camp by putting together an activity pack for all youth to use on the way to camp. She made 165 bags herself and coordinated with others to pack the bags over six weeks. The feat was appreciated to keep the youth entertained for the 8-11 bus/train trip to Broken Hill. |
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Judith Gunner, Adult Helper, Cumberland Gang Show Throughout her 32 years of service to Cumberland Gang Show, Judith has worked predominantly with handprops, where her creativity, craftmanship and attention to detail have had a lasting impact on the quality of the show. She doesn’t just manage them – she creates them, producing items that are not only functional, but beautifully made an thoughtfully designed. |
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Daniel (Jia Yi) Jin, Group Registrar, North St Ives Scout Group Since taking on the role in February 2024, Daniel has approached the challenge of remediating member records, being the first point of contact for many new members, and directly supporting the onboarding of 30-50 youth members across all sections. His streamlined process has resulted in an improved experience for new families. |
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Leigh Jonassen, State Commissioner – Rover Scouts, 1st Figtree Rover Unit Leigh has provided clear direction, strong advocacy, and a deep commitment to strengthening the Rover Scout program across NSW. She has a focus on sustainability through succession planning, investing in developing new leaders to ensure they were prepared and confident to step into key roles. |
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Zsofia Kennedy, Group Grant Coordinator/Treasurer, 1st Byattunga Scout Group Zsofia has advocated passionately on behalf of the Group, securing multiple grants that directly improved facilities and resources, including the renovation of the Group’s kitchen, installation of insulation in the hall roof, and the purchase of vital equipment. As Treasurer, she has met with all sections to ensure their needs are met and budgeted for. |
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Bree Kurtz, Unit Leader, Seddon Park Rover Unit At just 18, Bree took on the challenge of establishing a new Rover Unit, after recognising that local Venturer Scouts faced long distances to attend Rover Scout meetings. She completed her training, secured a hall for the Unit to meet in, recruited members, and navigated the administrative requirements to formally establish the Unit. |
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Navpreet Singh, Assistant Cub Scout Leader, 1st Elanora Heights Scout Group Navpreet’s contributions extend beyond the Cub Scout section, adopting a comprehensive and forward-thinking approach to growing and developing Scouting, with an emphasis on the enhancement of the Cub Scout program and engagement with families through social media. He delivers a diverse and inclusive program, include themed adventure nights, STEM-based challenges and hands-on skills workshops. |
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Campbell Wilson, Assistant Scout Leader, 1st Bangor Scout Group Campbell’s contributions span event innovation, youth mentorship, and inter-sectional collaboration. He has developed a streamlined base design template to simplify the planning process for Rover Units at Dragon Skin. In his Group, he works to hold joint activities between sections, enhancing youth retention and progression. |
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Meritorious Service Award |
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Sarah Berlecky, Assistant Venturer Leader, 1st Yaralla Scout Group Sarah is acutely aware of mental health issues in the youth of today and related child safety issues. She was an early achiever of the Youth Mental Health First Aid qualification and actively promotes Know It. Live It. Log It. to our members to ensure safety for all youth in Scouting. This has been part of her Wood Badge project that she continues to work towards. |
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Rolf Cetinski, Leader – Air, Scouts NSW Air Activity Centre For the past few years, Rolf has planned and run Flight Experience Camps during the school holidays, with responsibility for planning, corresponding with interested Venturer Scouts and adults, and ensuring all relevant documentation including Civil Aviation Safety Authority legislative requirements are met. He also holds a Grade 3 Instructor rating, allowing him to teach Scouts NSW members how to fly at no cost to them for his time. |
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Andrew Cottam, Scout Leader, Seaham Scout Group Andrew’s knowledge has come in handy at the Australian Jamboree in 2019 and 2025. At Tailem Bend, he used his drill to get members under canvas and out of the dust, with the last sleeping tent finished as others returned from the Opening Ceremony. In Maryborough, the battle was the mud and rain, teaching Scouts how to keep water out of tents and use trenches safely. |
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Darren Heath, Cub Scout Leader, 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group Darren is always ready to support others, is mindful of families’ diverse needs and limitations, and actively works to make Scouting accessible to all. He looks for opportunities to increase visibility and engagement and humble accepted his nomination for the 2025 Westfield Local Hero award, recognising the potential to promote Scouting more broadly. |
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Ahmad Mustafa, Venturer Scout Leader, 1st Wattle Grove Scout Group Ahmad inspires his Venturer Scouts to broaden their horizons, encouraging them to attend events across Regions and pursue opportunities that enrich their Scouting journey. His support ensures that young people experience Scouting in a positive, empowering, and adventurous way. He has also contributed significantly to the South Metropolitan Region Adventurous Activities Team, leading all members to gain qualifications and confidence in adventurous pursuits. |
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Steven Shephard, Assistant Venturer Scout Leader, 1st Mudgee Scout Group Through extraordinary dedication, leadership, and vision in service to the Rover Scout section – both nationally and internationally – Steven shows a commitment to supporting young adults and strengthening Scouting’s global connections. He has twice served as Contingent Leader to major international events, most recently the 16th World Scout Moot in Portugal, demanding not only logistical expertise, but resilience and empathy. |
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Elizabeth Vanderjagt, SWASH Lead Volunteer, Scouts Water Activities Centre SWASH is run incredibly effectively, with hundreds of members attending and enjoying a mix of canoeing, powerboating and sailing each year. Liz has done a fantastic job of helping volunteers at the centre understand training requirements in the Scouting system and gain qualifications to build a strong core team of 40 people. |
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Silver Wattle |
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David Bannon, Region Commissioner – Rover Scouts, Greater Western Sydney Region Through regular engagement with the Region Rover Council and attendance at Region Council meetings, Dave has helped strengthen the connection between Rover Scouts and the wider Scouting community. His leadership ensures Rover Scouts have a voice in Region discussions while maintaining strong relationships with other sections of the Movement. |
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Sean Budge, District Commissioner, Liverpool District A significant milestone in Sean’s development has been his transition into district leadership. The role requires strategic oversight, strong communication and the ability to support and guide multiple Groups. His willingness to take on two Districts – Liverpool and Fairfield – demonstrates not only his capacity, but the trust and confidence placed in him by the wider Scouting community. |
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Simone Despoges, Assistant Cub Scout Leader, 2nd Sutherland (ARMCO) Scout Group Simone delivers a supportive, engaging, and youth-focused Cub Scout program and is highly regarded for her calm leadership, reliability and commitment to the development of young people. As a ScoutHub Champion, she played an important role in supporting the rollout of the new system across the state, and continues to offer practical support to Leaders. |
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Catherine Foley, Joey Scout Leader, North St Ives Scout Group Under Cathy’s leadership, the Joey Scout Unit has catered for fluctuating membership levels. Cathy is particularly noted for her ability to bring learning to life. From local bushwalks and community explorations, attending Joey camps and District campfires, science-based activities and hands-on creativity, ensuring Joey Scouts remain Scoutly curious, engaged and enthusiastic. Cathy was also appointed Vice President of Scouts Australia in December 2024, when she completed her term as the Chief Scientist of Australia. |
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Michael Gross, Venturer Scout Leader, 1st Cobargo Scout Group With a passion for electronics, Michael has transformed this interest into a major asset for Scouting, spending countless hours designing original electronic kits specifically tailored for use at events such as JOTA-JOTI and the South Coast and Tablelands Jamborette. These kits are designed to be engaging, educational, and suitable for a wide range of age groups. He also sources and assembles all required components. |
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Kerry-Sue Pascoe, Joey Scout Leader, 3rd Broken Hill Scout Group Kerry-Sue has become far more than a Leader – she has become its heartbeat. Her service is defined not only by the hours she gives, but by the care, strength, and perseverance with which she gives them. She consistently places the needs of others first, often arriving before anyone else at meetings and events, and staying long after. Through fundraising, leadership, and endless behind-the-scenes support, Kerry-Sue has become the glue that holds the Group together. |
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Mary-Anne Townsend, Assistant Cub Scout Leader, 1st Warners Bay Scout Group A highlight of Mary-Anne’s program are her cooking-based activities, where she teaches not only practical life skills, but fosters teamwork, confidence, and a sense of achievement. A Cub Scout favourite is the “pizza sandwich” and “marshmallow crackles”, with leftovers always taken home at the end of the night, as the siblings don’t mind taste-testing either. |
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Stuart Warren, Group Leader, 1st North Sydney Scout Group Stuart is deeply committed to helping youth members achieve their full potential in Scouting. He actively encourages and supports them on their journeys to achieving peak awards. Having achieved the Baden-Powell Scout Award himself as a youth member, Stuart brings a unique empathy and understanding to the process. |
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Silver Koala |
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Matthew Brownlie, Leader-in-Charge, 1st Balmoral Scout Group Matthew has taken a strategic, long-term view to membership and concentrated on developing the younger sections to provide an ongoing supply of youth members. He developed the Cub Scout section and once it was operating smoothly, opened a new Joey Scout section with a new batch of Trainee Joey Scout Leaders. |
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Malcolm Campbell, Leader-in-Charge, 1st Braidwood Scout Group When Malcolm moved to Braidwood in 2016, he was a key part of the leadership team that restarted the Group, which had been in recess since 2009. He has continued the long history and traditions that are synonymous with the Group, always puts the youth members first, and is ready to support all the Leaders and adult helpers. |
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Cassandra Donald, Region Commissioner Adult Training and Development, Sydney North Region Cassandra played a key role in building and developing a strong Region team focused on delivering the Scout program. By fostering positive relationships with adult volunteers and supporters across the Region, as well as providing ongoing coaching and mentoring to Leaders, Cassandra effectively helped to stabilise membership numbers during challenging periods. |
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Tristan Flores, Region Leader Activities, Greater Western Sydney Region Following a period of transition, Tristan recognised the need to rebuild and modernise the Region’s bushwalking program. With enthusiasm and professional insight, he re-energised the program by designing a structured series of graded walks that has successfully engaged a new generation of Scouts. |
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Mitchell Rath, Region Commissioner Scouts, Sydney North Region Mitchell draws together a large and diverse team to organise and coordinate one of the largest events in NSW – ScoutHike. This is a mammoth role, requiring coordination of the activities over the three days, as well as the lead up and compliance requirements for event manuals, risk assessments, coordinating Sleep Points and activities, liaising with regulatory authorities and more. |
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Damien "Dink" Ryan, Region Leader, South Metropolitan Region Dink has provided 25 years of continuous service to Dragon Skin. Since 2018, he has served as Chief Director. His calm leadership, logistical expertise and ability to manage large, complex operations ensure the event remains safe, challenging and highly regarded. |
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Dinh Tran, District Commissioner, Fairfield District After six years serving as Group Leader at 1st Canley Heights Scout Group, she was appointed District Commissioner, allowing others to step forward into new roles. She provides clear guidance and strong support to Group Leaders across the District, fostering collaboration, confidence, and good governance. She has also been instrumental in the establishment of the Bach Hop Scout Fellowship in 2019, and 1st Fairfield Heights LAC HONG Scout Group in 2025. |
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Silver Emu |
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Lynne Adams, Cub Scout Leader, 1st Frenchs Forest Scout Group For nearly 34 years, Lynne has been a cornerstone of the Group. She is the person who quietly steps in when Leader numbers are low; who shows up every time, whether it is to assist with fundraising, organise catering for camps, coordinate logistics, or take on essential tasks like hall clean-ups, working bees, or tip runs. She is widely respected for the time she willingly gives to others. |
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Philip Cooper OAM, Region Chair, Sydney North Region Philip’s commitment to Scouting is evident through his active participation across a variety of forums and leadership bodies. Hi is a regular contributor to the Branch Council, Chief Commissioner’s Council, and the Region Commissioner’s Forum, where his insights and experience consistently help guide discussions and decision-making. As a Scouts NSW Board Director, Philip brings a considered and strategic perspective to the table, drawing upon years of hands-on involvement and a genuine passion for youth development. |
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Gai Green, Assistant Chief Commissioner Adults in Scouting and Training, Scouts NSW Throughout her service, Gai has brought clarity, structure, and professionalism to complex systems affecting adult Leaders, including training, appointments, and compliance. Rather than treating these as administrative requirements, Gai approaches them as critical foundations for safe, effective, and values-based Scouting. Her work ensures adult Leaders are well prepared, appropriately supported, and accountable, strengthening trust across the organisation and reinforcing confidence in Scouting’s leadership framework. |
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Brett Grimmond, Region Chair, North West Region Brett has given loyal and exceptional service to Scouting, with no challenge to great, diligently tackling all his assignment with focus, energy and a steely resolve. He has displayed a consistent commitment to strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and values-aligned decision-making. His forward-focused mindset, at both Region and Branch levels, has ensured that Scouting in NSW remains adaptable, principled and positioned for long-term sustainability. |
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Silver Kangaroo |
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Michael Apthorpe, Group Leader, 1st Greystanes Scout Group Michael has provided a unique and highly valued contribution in the entertainment areas of Scouts with his technical expertise, which was evident in Michael stepping up to manage the arena for the 2024 Governor-General’s Camp. At very short notice, he arranged the technical deliverables for the entertainment in the arena at the camp in Canberra, arranging the staging, audio and video installation, and a live stream for the opening and closing ceremonies. His technical contribution was highly regarded for the benefit of all the Scouts attending as well as the parents watching online. |
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Deborah Durrant, District Leader, North West Region For more than 45 years, Deb has lived a Scouting life and is a valuable and integral part of the North West Region. Most recently, she has been vital to helping the Cub Scout section run at the newly formed 1st Gunnedah Scout Group. Her knowledge, skills, enthusiasm and bottomless well of games and activities keeps the youth members on the hop. Deb shows up, assists, leads, advises, supports, nurtures, directs, and then quietly goes on her way. Scouting is full of such people and they are often lost in the noise of others. |
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Lyn "Mokee" Mann, Joey Scout Leader, 1st East Ryde Scout Group “Mokee” has been devoted to the Joey Scout section for 35 years, describing the age section as “the engine room of a successful Group”. With a two-year stint as Region Commissioner Joey Scouts, she created the first Region Joey Campfire, which became the prototype for many more. Her 10-year tenure as State Commissioner Joey Scouts saw Lyn lead the Joey Council to develop and deliver innovative and inclusive programs. As an acknowledged Joey Scout section expert, Lyn has been a source of inspiration, advice and guidance to countless new and existing Leaders. |
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Joanne Tola, Honorary Commissioner, Hume Region A central legacy of Joanne’s more than 50 years of service is her leadership in the development and establishment of Berrima Scout Camp as Hume Region’s dedicated environmental campsite. Through extensive collaboration with local councils, landcare organisations, community stakeholders, and Scouting personnel, Joanne helped secure funding and deliver long-term environmental projects that transformed the site into an asset for the Region. |
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Stan Bales Rover Scout Service Award |
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Aaron Kew, Forest Rover Scout Unit, Sydney North Region Aaron simultaneously served on the Sydney North Region Rover Council Executive as both NSW State Rover Council Delegate and Youth Liaison Officer, where he actively strengthened connections between Rover Scouts and younger sections. From 2022-2024, he continued as NSWSRC Delegate, evolving into a mentor for newer delegates and taking on the unofficial role of lead delegate. In 2024, Aaron was elected SNRRC Chair, where he set out to elevate the Rovering experience across the Region, reintroducing major events, expanding training opportunities and empowering more Rover Scouts to participate in adventurous activities. |
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Claire Stafford, Gymea Rover Scout Unit, South Metropolitan Region Claire has served in numerous roles in her time as a Rover Scout, including as Vice Chair of the Region Rover Council in 2025. She led the Project Patrol that formed a Standard Operating Procedure that would update and then replace the existing RRC constitution. This reshaped the way in which the RRC operates and ensures there is clarity around the governance of the council. She mad ethe RRC a simpler, clearer governing body that is more accessible to newer Rover Scouts or Units that previously had not engaged heavily with the RRC. |
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Sophie Warner, Flat Gorge Rover Scout Unit, North West Region Sophie has taken on the informal, but vital, role of Venturer Scout Retention Officer, personally contacting all 17+ Venturer Scouts in the Region, encouraging their transition into Rover Scouts, and supporting those moving away to remain connected to the Movement. Her commitment to youth development and continuity has strengthened the Region’s Rover pathway. Sophie also served as Secretary of the National Rover Council in 2025, contributing to the organisation of online meetings and national conferences. |
