On Saturday, October 19th, Rover Matthew Vella was presented with the prestigious Baden Powell Scout Award, the highest honour in Scouting for his age group.
The award ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Mayor Greg Williamson and Region Commissioner Dougal McWhinney, who both commended Matthew for his well-deserved achievements.
Mayor Williamson even recalled presenting Matthew with his Queen Scout Award as a Venturer in 2019, highlighting his ongoing commitment to Scouting.
Matthew, supported by his family, received his award from Joanne Hamilton, with Rover Unit Chair Kat Allen outlining the significant work involved in achieving this accomplishment. The Baden Powell Scout Award requires completing six challenging elements, each demanding at least 18 hours of effort, along with a personal development course, an adventurous journey, and proficiency in outdoor adventure skills.
Since joining Rovers in 2019, Matthew demonstrated a remarkable work ethic, quickly setting his sights on the award. He earned a Certificate II in Outdoor Recreation, provided service to younger Scouts and took on leadership roles in large Scouting events. His passion for the outdoors extended beyond Scouting, as he also completed a Diploma of Outdoor Leadership.
One of Matthew’s personal achievements has been mastering Greenland-style rolling for sea kayaking, a difficult skill that requires intense practice. He can now execute seven consecutive rolls and sometimes adds an eighth for fun. This passion for kayaking will continue, as Matthew has accepted the challenge of coordinating the water base for the Australian Scout Jamboree (AJ2025) in Maryborough, where 9,000 Scouts will participate in water-based activities over 10 days.
As part of his personal development, Matthew earned his Wood Badge and a Certificate IV in Leadership and Management. His adventurous journey involved a 5-day sea kayaking expedition around the Keppel Bay Islands, covering 88.4 km and visiting nine islands.
In his speech, Matthew reflected on his Scouting journey and encouraged others to embrace the opportunities Scouting offers.
“Scouting offers opportunities you can’t even begin to imagine. It challenges you to grow, to explore, and to lead. So, when life presents you with a new opportunity, take it.
“Step into the unknown, because that’s where growth happens…You never know what doors it will open or where it might lead, but I can promise you this—it will lead to something extraordinary.”
Pictured with Mayor Greg Williamson and Joanne Hamilton, Matthew celebrated this milestone alongside his family and fellow Scouts. Photos supplied
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