Called to Higher Service

It is with much sadness that we advise of the passing of Ian Langford-Brown AM on Tuesday 28 December 2021.

For the past 53 years, Ian has generously contributed his professional skills at Local, Branch, National, Regional and World levels of Scouting.

Ian was a Queen’s Scout as a youth member. In the late 1960s, Ian served for 3 years as the Scouts NSW Branch Treasurer and, in the mid 1970’s as District Chair of Sydney North. He went on to be Treasurer (1999-2003 and 2017-2018) and then Chairman (2003-2009) of Scouts Australia. On completing his second term as National Chairman in 2009, Ian was appointed as a Member of the Lord Baden Powell Society Committee and continued to serve faithfully until his passing. Ian was presented with the National President’s Award in 2009 and appointed Life Member of Scouts Australia in 2018.

As well as being the State Advisor, Scouts NSW, Ian served, throughout 2020 and 2021, as Vice-Chair of our Expert Panel, for the Crown Lands Stimulus Package and the COVID-19 Recovery Support Program.

Ian also made an extraordinary contribution to World Scouting. He was International Auditor of the World Scout Bureau (2009-2016) and Chief Risk Management Officer (one of two) for the World Scout Bureau (2011-2017).

Ian was also involved with the Asia-Pacific Region of World Scouting for many years and co-authored several key publications. He served as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Region Financial Resources Sub Committee (2005-2008).

In August 2018, Ian was recognised with the Bronze Wolf Award, the highest and only honour bestowed by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Ian’s Bronze Wolf citation noted his “diligence, devotion, distinction and living by the Scout Promise and Law in all aspects of his work”. He is the only non-uniformed member of Scouts Australia to have been recognised with this prestigious Award.

On 7 June 2020, Ian was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) “for significant service to youth through Scouts, and to the community of North Shore”.

Ian was one of life’s gentlemen. He will be missed by many.

Our thoughts are with Ian’s wife, Jeannie, adult children Julie, Sally and Matthew, and their grandchildren, at this difficult time.

Vale Ian Langford-Brown AM. A true Scout in every sense of the word! In the ultimate of Scouting traditions, Ian has now gone home.