Pair receive top Scouting honour

TEESDALE’S Molly D’Elia and Bannockburn’s Summer Lehmann have been presented with the highest Venturer Scout honour in Australia, the Queen’s Scout Award.

Both members of the Geelong Rivers Venturer Unit, the 17 year olds have supported each other to achieve 13 lower level, and four green level badges, covering the areas of leadership and unit management, physical activity, their own hobbies and beyond, over many hours.

They’re particularly proud of Indigenous gardening and artistic bollard trail projects they contributed to at the Eumeralla Scout Camp in Anglesea

Molly entered Scouting for the social aspect, but other endeavours have kept her involved for years.

“I was really driven to go into leadership roles, do things to help the community; things I am passionate about, like feeding the homeless, and providing blankets to people in Geelong,” she said.

“We can use our Scouting skills learnt, like leadership and unit management, outside of Venturers, and our award will help us when we apply for university.

“The amount of hours Summer and I together completing the badges has been so rewarding.”

Summer said she was determined to achieve as much as possible within her Queen’s Scout Award journey and go “above and beyond.”

“It’s so much more than a social activity, and more of a personal challenge. It’s been one hell of a process, and I’m glad we did it before year 12 because it was such a big commitment,” she said.

“I feel great knowing we’ve put in all this effort. I’m certainly glad I completed it, that I gained these life and leadership skills, and I’m proud of both of us.

“The Award is recognised globally, so wherever we go, we will always have connections.”

Summer and Molly said they were most grateful for the volunteer Geelong Rivers Venturer Unit leaders who have supported them along the way.

“They are amazing, the centre point of Scouting, and if we didn’t have them putting in the efforts, we wouldn’t have these opportunities,” Summer said.