Welcome to new Scouts NSW Board
Published Fri 31 Jul 2026
Scouts NSW has a new-look Board, following the election of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday, 18 July.
About 100 people attended the meeting at Baden-Powell Activity Centre, Pennant Hills, or dialled in online. Business of the day included Branch Councillors electing the new Board and the presentation of the Annual Review and Financial Statements. Five youth members also spoke on behalf of their sections, with many in attendance impressed by their achievements.
Long Service Awards were also presented at a separate ceremony on the same day, with the first official meeting of the new State Volunteer Team held in the afternoon.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
“There was a whole lot of new energy at Baden-Powell Activity Centre over the weekend,” Chief Commissioner Bel Howell said.
“Thanks to the new State Volunteer Team for attending the AGM and for celebrating 365 years of leadership at the Long Service Awards. Thank you also for the enthusiasm and commitment you demonstrated at our first face-to-face meeting for the new team. I’m excited to see what we can achieve to support Scouting in NSW.”
New Board of Directors
The Scouts NSW Board consists of 12 Directors elected for a three-year term. They are:
• Kaylene Hubbard – Non-Executive Director and Chair
• Philip Cooper OAM – Ex-Officio Director and Deputy Chair
• Jeffrey Butler* – Ex-Officio Director
• Steve Donohue* – Non-Executive Director
• Gai Green* – Ex-Officio Director
• Cassandra Hammond – Ex-Officio Director
• Benjamin Hendriks – Non-Executive Director
• Bel Howell – Ex-Officio Director
• Rebekah Morgan* – Non-Executive Director and Treasurer
• Katie Peters – Non-Executive Director
• Jenny Ronald* – Non-Executive Director.
The Ex-Officio Director (Under-30s representative) position remains vacant. *Denotes newly elected Directors.
 |
 |
 |
Welcome and thank you to our new and continuing Board Directors.
At the AGM, Kerryn Boland PSM was also elected to the position of Branch Council President. She had served as Vice President since 2022 – the first woman to hold that office – and previously served as a Non-Executive Director for five years from 2017.
We sadly said farewell to Board Directors Stuart Thorpe (Treasurer), Bernard Cronan, Niamh Hitchman, Brett Grimmond, and Lachie Page.
Former Chief Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen was also recognised for his service, with former Deputy Chief Commissioner Niamh Hitchman reflecting on his tenure and the impact he had on her and others throughout the past three years.
Youth members reflect on year
Five youth members stepped up to share about their experiences over the past 12 months, giving members of the Branch Council an insight into life as a Scout in NSW.
 |
Leon – BLIA Sydney – Kogarah Scout Group – Joey Scout Joey Scout Leon – who presented his entire speech from memory! – reflected on all the exciting first experiences a Joey Scout can have, from first camp, to first bushwalk, to first time in a canoe, or lighting a campfire. One of his favourite activities for the year was leading his team through the course at Treetops Adventure. “Everyone was brave, encouraged each other, and nobody gave up. Seeing my friends overcome their fears made me feel proud to be part of the team.” Joey Scouts also celebrated 35 years in 2025. |
 |
Matilda – 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group – Cub Scout It has been a year of celebrations for Cub Scout Matilda, with her Group hitting 60 years, while Cub Scouts across Australia celebrated 110 years in 2026. Matilda has had a year of achieving her goals – paddling from Crosslands for a canoe hike for her Grey Wolf Award Adventurous Journey and challenging herself to learn how to use chopsticks for a Special Interest Area project. She is now looking forward to Cuboree next April.
|
 |
Kazuya – 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group – Scout One of the most memorable and exciting events for Scout Kazuya was the Meet Camp for the World Scout Jamboree, which is happening in Poland next year. The camp allowed him to make new friends from across NSW who he will be spending time with at this adventure of a lifetime. Kazuya also acknowledged the many opportunities for Scouts to have fun together, develop their skills and lead Patrols, including at ScoutHike, where 800 Scouts challenged themselves in Belanglo State Forest.
|
 |
Jasmine – 2nd Gymea Scout Group – Venturer Scout As an Adventurous Activities enthusiast, Jasmine has had a year of saying yes to experiences that pushed her outside her comfort zone. From caving, to canyoning, to abseiling, Jasmine loves it all. But she did not just push herself with activities – she also started helping as a Youth Helper for her Group’s Cub Scout section. This incredibly rewarding role has allowed her to pass on the skills and encouragement that older Scouts once gave her.
|
 |
Leigh – 1st Figtree Rover Unit – Rover Scout As State Commissioner for Rover Scouts and the State Rover Council Chair has given Leigh so many opportunities to attend and run some amazing events. From Greater Western Sydney’s Lord of the Moots to South Coast and Tablelands’ Grey’s Anatomoot. Not to mention heading to Western Australia to experience SandMoot in Bunbury, where she met the Rover Scouts who will be part of the National moot – Way Out West – in January 2027. “We have also been giving back to our communities. Just recently, NSW and Queensland’s State Rover Councils organised a State of Origin Blood Drive where the state that had the largest per cent of their Rovers donating, won!”
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
