Asia-Pacific Region Scouting
Thank you Elston for your service and dedication
Scouts Australia congratulates Elston Hynd AM for his contribution to the Asia – Pacific Region Committee from 2017 to 2025, serving an additional year due to the COVID pandemic. His service and dedication has benefited 37 million Scouts in the region, including those 70,000+ across Australia. Elston concludes his term on the Region Committee having achieved a great deal, including, most recently, supporting the 28th Asia-Pacific Region (APR) Conference in Taiwan as Facilitator and as Conference Vice Chair.
As a Member of the APR Scout Committee, Elston made a significant contribution to the business of each meeting, to the careful management of strategic matters, and to improved governance. He quickly gained, and maintained throughout his extended term, the respect of the whole Committee, Sub-Committee Chairs, and the APR and Global Support Centres.
Elston initiated a number of important constitutional and Conference Rules of Procedure changes, proposed Under 30 election processes for Regional Scout Conferences, and introduced the Regional Scout Committee appraisal system. His impact on the future of Scouting across the APR has been both profound and long lasting.
In addition to the multiple APR Committee meetings, Elston committed himself to bettering Scouting across the Region by working with National Scout Organisations and individuals through many other meetings, workshops, forums and conferences, both in person and online, always pushing for a better experience for all members and Scouting more broadly.
To highlight his commitment and dedication to young people of the Region, Elston served as Advisor to the APR Programme Sub-Committee 2018-2022 and Governance Sub-Committee 2022 – 2025 and was appointed as an Assessor with of the Safe from Harm Assessment Regional Panel.
He was a facilitator for the Solomon Islands WOSM Readiness Taskforce 2020-2021, 27th APR Scout Conference 2022, APR Induction Training 2022, 11th APR Scout Leaders’ Summit 2024 and the Kyrgyzstan WOSM Readiness Taskforce 2024. Additionally, he has also spoken on various topics at the APR Adults in Scouting Workshop 2019, the 10th APR Scout Youth Forum and the APR Course for Leader Trainers.
Throughout it all, Elston held roles in Australian Scouting including National Commissioner for Adult Training and Development, Deputy Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia and now National Advisor. His professional approach, considered deliberations, and sage advice have been appreciated by all. Additionally, his support and mentorship of young people and those new to their role is deeply valued by all who seek his counsel, along with his deep and genuine commitment to Safe from Harm.
Thank you, Elston. We are so proud to call you a member of Scouts Australia!
