Mr MATT KEAN (Hornsby) [12.26 p.m.]: As a young member of Parliament I take a particular interest in recognising the achievements of young people. Today, with so many impressive young women in the gallery for the Women in Leadership Forum, it is fitting that I recognise two female leaders from my community in Hornsby—Ms Erin Stanfield of Normanhurst Scout Group and Ms Rebecca Mabbott of the 1st Hornsby Heights Scout Group, both of whom have achieved and have recently been awarded Queen's Scout awards.
The Queen's Scout Award is the highest award that can be bestowed on a scout in any country. The Scouting movement is one of the greatest youth initiatives in the world. Scouts Australia alone has more than 73,000 members. Since Robert Baden-Powell first founded Scouts in 1907, young people from Hornsby Heights to the United States of America, the Scouting movement is strong in Campbelltown. I note the interest of the member for Campbelltown in this important matter. In those communities young people have been provided with opportunities to learn and develop important life skills that lead to personal and community development. The movement enables young people to realise their potential and the importance of community service. The skills developed in Scouts can be applied in all walks of life. Queen's Scout awards are presented to a select few. Erin and Rebecca from my community have thrived in the movement for the betterment of our local Scouts as well as society as a whole. Earning a Queen's Scout Award is an extraordinary feat, particularly for two individuals so young. I know that Rebecca has achieved the rare feat of being awarded a Queen's Scout Award before she finished high school and she is to be congratulated on that. In order to receive this award a Scout must complete a host of leadership, personal, outdoor and community service challenges within a three-year period.
Over the course of many years Erin and Rebecca have embodied and practised the Scouting movement's core values: service, determination and leadership. Erin and Rebecca are not ordinary people; they are leaders. Through their commitment to leadership development, personal growth, outdoor activities and community involvement, they have advanced the values and philosophy of the Scouting movement in their community and beyond. Other Scouts have benefited as a result of Erin and Rebecca's leadership and energy, and the local community is grateful for their significant service. It is imperative that the Scouting movement remains strong, and I am confident that as long as individuals such as Erin and Rebecca join the movement, Scouts will have a promising future. I urge Erin and Rebecca to continue practising the values that have earned them this award. They have promising futures and are leaders amongst their peers. Their success and determination are an inspiration to the Scouting movement and to the local community. I thank them for their significant efforts in achieving this award.
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