Kira Ryan, 19, is a lifelong Werribee resident and a member of the 1st Werribee Scout Group. This year she was named a Queen’s Scout, the highest youth award achievable in the Scouting movement. She talks to Charlene Macaulay.
When did you join the 1st Werribee Scout Group?
When I was 10, in the Scout section. I’m not too sure why I joined, I just remember they were down at the outdoor swimming pool and I thought it looked pretty cool. It’s great hanging around with like-minded people. We all have the same ideas about the environment, and trying to do your best. It caters for everyone.
I’m in Rovers at the moment, and I’m a Joey leader, looking after little five-year-olds. They call me bilby – I don’t know how I feel about that, because bilbys are cute but annoying.
You were awarded Queen’s Scout this year – what did that mean for you?
It was a massive achievement. I left it until the last minute and did it in an impossible time frame. Every weekend I had a camp or a course. I had to complete 250 hours plus of work, get 17 badges, and do reports.
What are some of your other hobbies?
I’ve been doing a lot of photography. I’ve been doing band photos and I’ve just launched my own photography business, Kira Ryan Photography. It came so randomly, because I never went out saying I was a photographer.
People would see my work and it has snowballed. I’ve started booking in appointments, and I’m assisting in a wedding, which is so exciting.
What do you want to do once you graduate?
I want to keep doing Scouts. I like having my own business, I like being able to be a bit of a leader and I like being a role model. Even in high school, I was house captain and school captain.
What do you like about living in this area?
I think people don’t really appreciate it. The Werribee River is amazing, and we’re not that far from the beach, or great camping sites. I love Werribee Mansion, I always go down there. Where I live has a good community feel and is not far from the shops.
