Celebrating the Heart of Scouting: Our Volunteers

 Celebrating the Heart of Scouting: Our Volunteers

Behind every campfire story, every badge earned, and every young person discovering their confidence, there’s a Scout volunteer making it happen.

Volunteers are the heart of Scouting. They are the leaders who give up their evenings to plan engaging programs, the adults who give up weekends to run camps, and the mentors who quietly support young people through both success and struggle. They do it not for recognition, but because they believe in something bigger — a future shaped by confident, capable, and compassionate young people.

From Joeys to Rovers, Scout volunteers walk beside our youth every step of the way. They build shelters in the rain, cheer the loudest when a Scout overcomes a fear, and are often the last ones packing up at the end of a long event. Their dedication, patience, and creativity help create the safe, adventurous, and supportive environment where Scouts thrive.

Many of our volunteers are balancing careers, studies, families, and other commitments — and yet, they continue to show up. Week after week. Year after year. Their impact is lasting. A kind word from a Leader can stay with a young person for life. A well-timed challenge can unlock a future passion. A badge earned can spark confidence that reaches far beyond Scouts.

To every Leader, committee member, parent helper, and behind-the-scenes organiser: thank you. You are not only building better Scouts — you’re helping build better communities.

This week, and every week, we honour and celebrate you. 

Leaders of Kennedy Region Scouts were invited to share their stories about their experiences with volunteering. Meet some of our wonderful Leaders.

Meet Anita "Llama" Drew – A Life Shaped by Scouting, Fueled by Passion

Anita Drew, known to Scouts as “Llama,” has been part of the Scouting movement for most of her life — and her impact runs deep through the Pimlico Mundingburra Scout Group, where she now serves as Group Leader and Scout Leader.

Anita's journey started at just 10 years old, when she joined Taringa Milton Toowong Scout Group in Brisbane. But her passion for outdoor adventure and community building began even earlier, as an 8-year-old Guide at St Lucia. Over the years, her Scouting story has evolved through many stages — from a young Scout to a Venturer in Kirwan, then to Rovers at Florence Bay, and now as a dedicated adult leader who continues to give back.

During her time as a Rover, Anita wasn’t just a participant — she was a leader, advocate, and representative. She held regional positions on the Queensland Branch Rover Council (QBRC) for six out of her eight years in Rovers, and had the honour of representing Queensland as a delegate at the Australian Rover Conference. Whether as Crew Leader or fulfilling roles like Assistant Crew Leader and Secretary, Anita’s contributions were always guided by a strong sense of purpose and community.

With her qualifications as a Horse Riding Guide — the first in Queensland — and a Bushwalking Guide, Anita brings adventurous skills and confidence to her Scout leadership. She’s recently completed the Tech Proficiency Course in Pioneering, and holds Wilderness First Aid certification. Her proudest milestone? Achieving her Baden-Powell Award in 2018, a testament to her dedication and personal growth through Rovers.

Outside of the uniform, Anita leads a life as dynamic as her Scouting one. She’s a veterinarian and dog trainer, balancing her profession with a host of hobbies including pony club instruction, horse riding, dance, basketball, and of course, more Scouting! When she’s not mentoring young people, she’s walking her dogs or running community-based training sessions.

Scouting runs in the family — her dad, sister, uncles, and cousins were all involved — but Anita is the one who remains deeply embedded in the youth program. Her sister now serves as an abseiling guide in Brisbane, but it’s Anita who carries forward the legacy as a hands-on leader for the next generation.

When asked what keeps her motivated, Anita says:

“To see youth grow in ways that can’t be taught in a classroom.”

She lives by the timeless motto:

“Be prepared.” – Baden-Powell

With her deep roots in the movement, her passion for learning, and her drive to see young people thrive, Anita continues to lead by example — showing that Scouting isn't just an activity, it’s a lifelong journey.

Meet Alastair "Ibis" Horne – Building Confidence, One Cub at a Time

At Bluewater Scout Group, there’s a leader who brings both heart and a touch of tech-savvy to his Cub Pack. Meet Alastair Horne, known in the Scouting world as "Ibis", who has been proudly serving as a Cub Scout Leader for the past four years.

Alastair’s Scouting journey is a family affair. His wife and three children are all involved in the movement — with two Cubs, one Joey, and the eldest moving into the Scout section in Term 3. It's a full household of adventurous minds and shared experiences, making Scouting not just a weekly activity, but a lifestyle woven into their family rhythm.

By profession, Alastair works in cybersecurity, and his love for problem-solving carries over into his hobbies, which include tabletop role-playing games — a creative passion that complements his leadership style with imagination and strategic thinking.

Within Scouts, Alastair has developed skills in Pioneering and is steadily working toward earning his Wood Beads, a milestone he hopes to achieve by the end of next year. His commitment to learning and growth is mirrored in the way he encourages his Cubs to push past obstacles and believe in themselves.

His leadership philosophy is simple but powerful:

"Never give up. Keep trying."

And he reminds others with a quote that has guided his own journey:

“If you wait until you know how to do it, you'll never do it.” – Bob Proctor

For Alastair, the reward comes in the small moments — watching young people try something new, gain confidence, and work as a team.

“What motivates me is helping the kids,” he says. “Seeing them grow, solve problems, and support each other — that’s what it’s all about.”

From leading Cubs through outdoor adventures to encouraging quiet confidence in new challenges, Alastair continues to be a guiding force — not just in his Scout group, but in his family and community as well.

If you would like to discuss the various opportunities within scouting please contact Kennedy Region Scouts - contact@kennedy.scoutsqld.com.au