National AGM 2025
National Council creates ‘Scouts Australia-Operations Branch’
The National Council approved the creation of Scouts Australia-Operations Branch (SA-OB) at its National Annual General Meeting on Saturday November 22, 2025. The National Council endorsed the plan with a significant majority of those in attendance in favour (over 90%).
This is a major milestone for Scouts Australia. We now have a plan to keep Scouting strong in every part of Australia, and a pathway to improve and simplify our operations.
As previously communicated, SA-OB gives branches the option (not an obligation) to join this new entity, merge their operations, and work together more closely. This is about preparing for the future – putting a plan in place so that if a Branch cannot sustainably continue as a standalone entity, Scouting will nonetheless continue. It also offers significant opportunities for lower costs, better operations, and streamlined systems.
Toby Phillips, National Executive Council (NEC) Chair, reflected on Saturday evening, “Our movement, Scouting, is a game. It is a method of developing young people through adventure and experience… our Branches, constitutions and executive committees are just the tools that help us play the game. Tonight, we have added a new tool to the toolkit”. This decision will enable members across Australia to continue to enjoy Scouting, no matter what happens.
Going forward, the NEC’s focus will move towards implementation. The new entity, Scouts Australia – Operations Branch, will remain dormant until one or more Branches join it. The joining process will take time, and interested Branches will be discussing their options and opportunities with their members.
Rest assured, nothing changes immediately. The National Council decision has given a clear direction but there are still many details to be resolved. As Toby Phillips said to the National Council, “my commitment is that the NEC will continue to work openly, transparently and in good faith with all branches and members.”
Scouts Australia would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this project – it has been a significant team effort over many years. More updates will be shared as the process moves forward.
For more information, visit scouts.com.au/sa-ob. or for further questions, please speak with your local Branch leadership team or email sa-ob@scouts.com.au.