At just 18 years of age, and having recently graduated high school, Amelia Taylor has joined a select group of people who have earned one of the highest accolades in Scouting – The King’s Scout.
Although named as a peak award in the Venturer section of Scouting, the honour is unique in that it is conferred upon an individual via Royal Warrant, not awarded.
To be a King’s Scout is to be recognised across a broad spectrum of areas designed to not only challenge the Scout as an individual, but also to grow them as a leader and a role model within the community.
Amelia’s Venturer Leader, Shanae Findlay, a Queen’s Scout, knows what it takes.
“To achieve this award, Amelia had to participate in 60 activities, assist other venturers, scouts or leaders in running nine activities and she herself had to plan seven activities for her peers to be involved in,” Shanae said.
“More than that, by working towards this goal each individual is developed across the physical, intellectual, emotional, social and spiritual potentials that shapes our Scout movement.”
An example offered by Shanae was that Amelia spent her 18th birthday at a campsite in Brisbane, assisting youth with disabilities to experience some of the aspects of Scouting like camping, abseiling and other adventurous activities.
Instead of celebrating her birthday, Amelia revelled in the joy and friendship of the guests and other Scouts and Girl Guides attending the weeklong ‘Agoonoree’.
For Queensland’s newest King’s Scout, the award represents three years of effort and dedication, overcoming fears and embracing new experiences.
“Anyone is capable of achieving this award if you have the drive and the passion,” Amelia said.
“But for me it was because of the fun adventures and my friends that encouraged me to go for it.
“I overcame my fear of abseiling, experienced indoor skydiving, surfing, caving and more – all because of the opportunities that Scouting offers.”
Amelia was presented with a badge, that she can wear on her uniform for as long as she is involved in Scouting, by her father and Assistant Venturer Leader Michael Taylor at an intimate ceremony.
Invited guests included her fellow Venturers from across different parts of the state, Scouting and Bundaberg community leaders, Mayor Helen Blackburn and State Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith.
