Scouts Australia Policy and Rules defines Members in section P3.1 and Supporters in section P3.2. These definitions are shown below.
Membership of Scouts Australia is open to all people who live by the values of the Association. Members are those who are invested as Scouts by accepting the commitment of the Scout Promise and are current members of a Branch according to Branch rules.
There are three categories of membership:
Youth Members: Young people for whom the Youth Program is provided, within the age range defined for Scouts Australia.
Young Adult Members – Rover Scouts (Rovers): young adults from their 18th to their 26th birthdays. The Rover Scout Program is the final element of the Youth Program. Rover Scouts may also serve as Adult Leaders/Commissioners/Advisers.
Adult Members: Persons over the age of 18 in the following membership categories:
Those persons who support the Purpose and Principles of Scouts Australia but have not made the commitment of the Scout Promise. These may include:
Award Name | Criterion | Medal | Cloth Emblem | Approved by | Awarded By |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members (Rover Scouts), Adult Members and Supporters for the successful support, development or management of a Section or Formation, or for an intense contribution over a period of at least 12 months to the success of a major event or major activity. ‘Special Service’ is defined as making a noteworthy contribution in their role. This Award can be made in the first three year assignment / period of service. | Bronze medallion, depicting “Scouts Australia logo worn around the neck on a white ribbon | white and green knot on a blue background | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Meritorious Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members (Rover Scouts), Adult Members and Supporters for meritorious or praiseworthy service to Scouts Australia for a period of around six to eight years. ‘Meritorious Service’ is defined as performing to a higher standard for longer or more intensely, than would be reasonably expected. | Silver medallion depicting the “Scouts Australia” logo worn around the neck on a yellow ribbon | yellow knot on a blue background | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Silver Wattle* ^ | Awarded for outstanding service to Scouts Australia as an Adult Member in an active Leadership role, for a period of around ten to twelve years. ‘Outstanding service’ is defined as a performance at a consistently high standard, normally over a number of assignments, all of which have provided positive outcomes for Scouting. This person’s contribution to Scouting clearly stands out from that of his / her peer group. | Silver medallion depicting a ‘Wattle Flower” worn around the neck on a green ribbon | green knot on a blue background | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Silver Koala* ^ | Awarded for distinguished service to Scouts Australia as an Adult Member in an active Leadership role, for a period of around 14 to 16 years. It is expected that such distinguished service is at a consistently high level, normally over a number of assignments, resulting in a significant contribution to the wellbeing of Scouting and that the recipient is respected and highly regarded throughout the District / Region / Branch or Nationally. | Silver Medallion depicting a “Koala” worn around the neck on an orange ribbon | orange knot on a blue background | Chief Commissioner of Australia | Chief Scout of Australia |
Silver Emu* ^ | Awarded for further distinguished service to Scouts Australia by an Adult Member in an active Leadership role, for a period of at least four or five years since the Award of the Silver Koala. It is expected that such further distinguished service is at a consistently high level, over a number of assignments and at a number of levels within a Branch or at a National level, resulting in further significant contributions to the wellbeing of Scouting. | Silver medallion depicting an “Emu” worn around the neck on a purple ribbon | purple knot on a blue background | Chief Commissioner of Australia | Chief Scout of Australia |
Silver Kangaroo* ^ # | Awarded for eminent achievement and exceptional service to Scouts Australia by an Adult Member in an active Leadership role, over a long period, in a number of roles at various levels within the organisation, or for a unique and highly valued contribution to the wellbeing of Scouting. | Silver medallion depicting a “Kangaroo” worn around the neck on a gold ribbon with two green stripes | gold knot on a dark green background | Chief Commissioner of Australia | Chief Scout of Australia |
* To be nominated for an Award, a Leader must have completed the mandatory Scouting Preliminary of “Child Safe Scouting” and “WHS for Scouting”.
^ A Leader nominated for an Award of Silver Wattle and above, is required to have completed a Wood Badge and if not relevant to their current role, then Leadership training (formerly referred to as “Advanced Training”) aligned to their appointment.
A Leader who has recently changed roles (i.e., within the last 12 months) may be nominated for an award of the Silver Wattle and above without completing Leadership training aligned to their current appointment, as long as they hold a Wood badge and Leadership training relevant to their immediate previous role
Award Name | Criterion | Medal | Cloth Emblem | Approved by | Awarded By |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Special Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members (Rover Scouts), Adult Members and Supporters for the successful support, development or management of a Section or Formation, or for an intense contribution over a period of at least 12 months to the success of a major event or major activity. ‘Special Service’ is defined as making a noteworthy contribution in their role. This Award can be made in the first three year assignment / period of service. | Bronze medallion depicting the “Scouts Australia” logo worn around the neck on a white ribbon | white and green knot on a blue background | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Meritorious Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members (Rover Scouts), Adult Members and Supporters for meritorious or praiseworthy service to Scouts Australia for a period of around six to eight years. ‘Meritorious Service’ is defined as performing to a higher standard for longer or more intensely, than would be reasonably expected. | Silver medallion depicting the “Scouts Australia” logo worn around the neck on a yellow ribbon | yellow knot on a blue background | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Rover Service Award | The Rover Scout Service Award is awarded by Branch Rover Councils on the recommendation of a Unit, Region Rover Council, or the Branch Rover Council itself to Rover Scouts, Rover Advisers, other uniformed members of the Scout Movement, and / or non-uniformed people, who give outstanding service to the Rover Scout Section. Minimum period of outstanding service to the Rover Section: a) 5 Years for Rovers Scouts, or b) 10 Years for Uniformed Members/Supporters Note: Consult the NRC By-Laws (National Rover Service Award) for further details In accordance with P&R Rule 13.5.10 the Rover Service Award may be given at any time during the year. | Silver medallion depicting a red background “Scouts Australia” logo worn around the neck on a red and white striped ribbon | red and white on a navy background | Branch Rover Council, Branch Chief Scout, or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch). | Branch Rover Council, Branch Chief Scout, or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch). |
* To be nominated for an Award, a Young Adult Member (Rover Scout), must have completed the mandatory Scouting Preliminary of “Child Safe Scouting” and “WHS for Scouting”.
Award Name | Criterion | Ribbon | Approved by | Awarded By |
---|---|---|---|---|
Special Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members, Adult Members and Supporters for the successful support, development or management of a Section or Formation, or for an intense contribution over a period of at least 12 months to the success of a major event or major activity. ‘Special Service’ is defined as making a noteworthy contribution in their role. This Award can be made in the first three year assignment / period of service. | worn around the neck on a white ribbon | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Meritorious Service Award* | Awarded to Young Adult Members, Adult Members and Supporters for meritorious or praiseworthy service to Scouts Australia for a period of around six to eight years. ‘Meritorious Service’ is defined as performing to a higher standard for longer or more intensely, than would be reasonably expected. | worn around the neck on a yellow ribbon | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Outstanding Service Award* | Awarded for outstanding service to Scouts Australia for a period of at least twelve years, to non-uniformed Members and Supporters. | worn around the neck on a green ribbon | Branch Chief Commissioner | Branch Chief Scout or Chief Scout of Australia (according to the practice of the Branch) |
Distinguished Service Award* | Awarded for distinguished service to Scouts Australia as an Adult Member or Supporter for a period of around 18 to 20 years. It is expected that such distinguished service is at a consistently high level, providing significant and valuable support to a Group or higher Formation and that the recipient is respected and highly regarded throughout the District / Region / Branch or Nationally. | worn around the neck on an orange ribbon | Chief Commissioner of Australia | Chief Scout of Australia |
National President's Award* + | Awarded for eminent achievement and exceptional service to Scouts Australia by Adult Members and Supporters, over a long period in a number of significant roles within the organisation, or for a unique and highly valued contribution to the wellbeing of Scouting. | worn around the neck on a red ribbon | Chief Commissioner of Australia | National President |
* To be nominated for an Award an “Other Member” as defined in Scouts Australia Policy and Rules P3.1 must have completed the mandatory Scouting Preliminary “Child Safe Scouting” and “WHS for Scouting”. To be nominated for an Award a “Supporter” as defined in Scouts Australia Policy and Rules P3.2 does not need to have completed the mandatory Scouting Preliminary “Child Safe Scouting” and “WHS for Scouting”.
The Chief Scout of Australia, on the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner of Australia, may make an award under the Scouts Australia Adult Recognition Awards scheme to a member of a Scout Association affiliated with the World Organisation of the Scout Movement. Where such an award should be considered, Branch Members are invited to write to the Chief Commissioner of Australia detailing the level of Award and reasons why c/- National Office at aras@scouts.com.au. Applications will only be considered where the nominee’s contribution has had a direct benefit to Scouts Australia.