By BRIDGET COOK
A PAIR of Hampton Park siblings went above and beyond the challenging requirements when they recently completed one of the highest Scouting honors.
Elliot and Bellinda Luke have both received a Queen’s Scout Award in the past 12 months, under the age of 18.
The Queen’s Scout Award, which is the highest award in the Venturer Scout Section, saw the siblings spend more than 500 hours each completing the task required to achieve the accolade.
The pair has been involved with the Scouting movement since 2002 and are both members of Narre Warren Scout Group and Kalora Park Venture unit.
To achieve a Queen’s Scout Award, a Venturer Scout must set a goal, plan their progress towards that goal, organise themselves and other and maintain the determination to complete the task while overcoming setbacks and difficulties.
Participants must complete requirements for four Queen’s Scout Award activities under the areas of leadership development, outdoor activities, personal growth and community involvement.
Elliot, 18, received the award last year after putting in 560 hours to the process.
Some of the activities both Elliott and Bellinda completed included attending a local council meeting and fire station, participating in working bees, completing a first-aid course and planning and completing a two-day hike for a group of Venturers.
Both participated in a deep thought course where they had discussions on the effects of drugs, alcohol, self-worth, personal relationships and issues of sexuality.
The pair were also members of the Hampton Park Secondary College School Band and Chelsea Concert Band, with Elliot playing the alto saxophone and Bellinda the trumpet.
Elliot said he was thrilled to achieve the award.
“I wanted to challenge myself and try new things,” he said.
“I am very proud of myself for getting this award.
“I have enjoyed everything about scouting – friendship, adventure and learning new things.”
Bellinda,17, said there was a bit of sibling rivalry for her when it came to completing the award.
“I always like to beat Elliott in everything in some way possible,” she said.
“I wanted to get it at age 16.”
Bellinda said she was proud of herself for doing exactly that.
“I am so proud of the fact that I was able to complete one of my long-term goals, and especially before my 17th birthday, it made me feel amazing,” she said.
“I wanted to challenge and extend myself as a person, also to learn and develop many new skills and values.”
City of Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon and councillor Wayne Smith presented the pair with a certificate of congratulations at a council meeting last month.
“They should be commended for their community spirit,” Cr Smith said.
“We are presenting them with this certificate from city of Casey to recognise this outstanding effort.”
