Scouts and Girl Guides Awards

I begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the lands that we meet on today – the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people – and pay my respects to their Elders, past and present.

It’s a pleasure to welcome you all to Government House.

For 150 years, this House has hosted ceremonies to recognise the contributions of outstanding Victorians.

The building’s grand design not only reflected Victoria’s colonial ambition, but also a desire to provide a space fitting to celebrate the achievements of its citizens.

These annual awards are an opportunity to recognise one of our youngest cohorts.

We gather in the same place where, in 1912, the founder of scouting, Lord Robert Baden-Powell, met with some of the first members of the movement here in Victoria.

A famed war hero, Baden-Powell created the scout motto of ‘Be Prepared’ – a philosophy mirroring his own initials, and one which still stands today.

It is a sentiment echoed in the third point of the original Scout’s Law: to be useful and to help others.

Baden-Powell wrote that:

‘When in difficulty to know which of two things to do, [scouts] must ask [themselves], "Which is my duty?" that is, "Which is best for other people?" – and do that one.’

When he wrote those words, early in the 20th century, the world was on edge with growing tensions and militarism across Europe.

And when he stood here and inspected Victorian scouts back in 1912, it is likely he did so with concerns about the demands of serving in a possible future conflict.

We strive to ensure that is no longer a world we should expect.

Many of the founding principles of scouting – of personal responsibility, civic duty, and mutual support – are values for communities to live well together.

These values are important today.

The contemporary challenges differ from those that were before Baden-Powell over a century ago.

But our own trying times are no less real, and our challenges are still significant.

Recently, we have seen the devastating consequences of natural disasters, which are becoming more dangerous and persistent.

We are living in increasingly polarised times, where constructive conversations can seem more difficult to achieve.

Though we are more interconnected than ever before, technological advancements risk making us more isolated from one another.

Within all these issues, the guiding principles of scouting can make a real difference.

As I travel across the State as Governor, I see firsthand the impact that individual resourcefulness and community spirit can have during times of difficulty.

We often talk about the great asset of volunteerism in our State.

But it is one thing to lend your hand to something that is of personal interest and concern to you, and another thing entirely to give your time for a cause where your community needs you.

It is these contributions to community that prepare us all for collectively responding to the challenges we face.

To be here today as a recipient, you have already proven yourselves to be capable and willing.

You have demonstrated ambition to set goals, and the discipline necessary to achieve them.

It is true that today’s ceremony is an acknowledgment of that achievement, and of your personal growth.

But it also represents something greater – that is, your opportunity to carry it into the future.

Your experience as a scout should become a base for action.

It should instill in you the values that influence the choices you make.

And it should prepare you to take the actions and make the choices that your community needs of you.

That is what ‘being prepared’ means now.

In fostering that spirit of service and leadership so early in your lives, your contributions have the potential to benefit countless others in the years to come.

And while serving others is not something you do for awards or accolades, perhaps one day you will return here to Government House – at any one of the other ceremonies we host – to be recognised for your ongoing contributions to our State.

As Patron of Scouts Victoria and President of Girl Guides Victoria, I congratulate every recipient here today and wish you all the very best for your futures.

Thank you.