Gav McGrath
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IT has been 19 years since the Creswick 1st Scout Group has had a Queen's Scout, the Scouting movement's highest youth award.
But be prepared for more to follow Padraig Doyle's example.
On Saturday "Paddy" was presented with Queen's Scout badge at the Creswick Scout Hall during a ceremony in front of his family and fellow venturer scouts.
He will be presented with his Queen's Scout certificate by the Governor of Victoria on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II at Government House on October 4.
The honour was the culmination of 300 hours of service, a remarkable achievement given Paddy is undertaking year 11.
During those 300 hours he had to attain badges across a range of categories including: the outdoors, service, leadership, lifestyles and pursuits.
His progress was documented along the way and evaluated by people approved by his venturer zone.
"The most difficult part was the writing," Paddy admitted. "The outdoor stuff was relatively easy, although not that easy."
The Queen's Scout (formerly King's Scout) award was established by the Scouting movement's founder Robert Baden-Powell with approval by King Edward VII, for scouts who had demonstrated high levels of community service and "scoutcraft".
It now also covers community involvement and personal development.
Becoming a Queen's Scout has become a family tradition.
Paddy's mother Verena, who is Creswick's Venturer leader, was a Queen's Guide while his three uncles were Queen's Scouts.
"I am extremely proud," Mrs Doyle said. "It is not an easy thing for a young person to commit to and a lot can't finish it."
Having completed his Queen's Scout badge, Paddy will spend little more time as a Venturer, which is limited to Scouts aged 14-17. Having turned 18 he will shortly move into Rover Scouts, the final youth stage of Scouts Australia.
However, with the Creswick 1st Scout Group undergoing a revival, there are three more scouts starting out on the path to becoming Queen's Scouts: Courtney Apps, Darcy Joynson and Jack Dwyer. With perseverance it will not be 19 years before Creswick has another Queen's Scout.