Eight Wyndham Scout volunteers have been honoured with national awards.
Michael Collins, Anthony Harris and Peter Washington, of the 1st Point Cook Scout Group, and Alan Strachan and Brad Woollam, of the 2nd Werribee group, received special service awards earlier this month on World Scout Day.
Mick Packer, of 2nd Werribee Scouts, received a meritorious service award; Dwayne Bicknell, of Werribee Plain District, won a silver wattle award; and Laurel Freeman, of 1st Hoppers Crossing Scouts, received a silver koala award.
They were among 244 Scout Victoria volunteers given awards by Australian Chief Scout and Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.
Mr Woollam joined the Scouts when he was eight and has worked his way up to being an assistant joey Scout leader for the 2nd Werribee group.
“It was fun as a kid – I got a lot out of it,” he said. “When I turned 18 I wanted to be there like the leaders were there for me and make a difference for the kids.
“It’s been really great – I get as much out of it as they do.”
The 23-year-old Werribee resident said he was surprised and pleased with his award.
“It felt good knowing someone out there has seen the hard work I’ve put in,” he said.
Scouts Victoria chief commissioner Brendan Watson said Scout volunteers gave an average of about 300 hours of their time each year.
“Their contribution to their local community is literally changing lives, delivering adventure and life skills, fun and friendship, while developing young people in leadership and resilience,” Mr Watson said.
“They are building the leaders of tomorrow.”
