New youth-led Scouting venture

SCOUT’S honour, Ballarat has a new group of young adventurers.

Under the Australian flag, the Eureka Venturer Scout Unit launched earlier in the month on the parade grounds of the Pax Hill Activity Centre.

Founding members made their Scout promise and were welcomed into the fold by state Venturer commissioner Duncan McColl and regional Venturer commissioner Andrew Hubbard.

Eureka and Ballarat district Venturer leader Kirstyn Hall said the local Scouting community has grown in the last 18 months.

“Venturer youth are leading the way… drawn to the companionship, adventure, exploration and diverse opportunities that Scouting offers,” she said.

“Venturer Scouts are… dedicated to fun, adventure and serving the community. They focus on friendship and personal growth, while picking up valuable life skills along the way.

“Scouting youth have come together from different local Scout groups to create a new combined unit that embodies the spirit of Eureka; a unit that holds mateship, trust and support at the very core of its values.”

Aged between 14 and 18 years old, the Eureka Venturer Scouts chose their own unit name, to acknowledge place, heritage and history, the legacy of the Stockade and 1850s mining, the spirit of mateship, and innovation.

Alongside participating in adventurous physical activities like abseiling and mountain-climbing, and mindfulness for good mental health, members of the unit will have opportunities to travel around Australia, and potentially the world.

Outstanding Australian Venturer Scouts are presented with the prestigious Queen’s Scout Award.