By Danielle Kutchel
Scouts from the Narre Warren South Scout Group are among the first in the country to receive a new badge, in collaboration with the SES.
The Scouts Australia SES Badge was adopted nationally in 2019, and aims to increase youth members’ awareness of, and practical skills in, disaster resilience.
The first scouting group to receive the badge was in WA.
Narre Warren South scouts are the first in Victoria to sport the badge on their sleeve, after an official presentation on Friday 26 March.
Damian Burns, SES Narre Warren controller, helped present the new badges to the scouting cohort on the night.
He said SES volunteers attended the presentation and provided a demonstration of their equipment and skills.
“It’s exciting for us as it builds recognition of our service, but also the scouts become aware of the SES, how we help them and their family, and the role we play in the emergency services landscape,” he said.
Tracy Radley, Narre Warren South Cub Scouts leader, said the group had come away from the night with “a new appreciation of another emergency service”.
Prior to the visit, the scouts went to work learning all about the SES, from the phone number to call, to what constitutes an emergency and how to make an emergency plan.
Scouts also learned to use some power tools and put their skills to use making billy carts.
It’s hoped that some of the badge recipients will be inspired to volunteer with the SES when they are old enough.
“It’s a natural segway. We share some of their values,” Mr Burns explained.
“It would be great for some of those young scouts to join us as junior members … and continue to be community minded.”
The badge is now an ongoing part of the scouting program.
“I think they’ll be wearing them with some pride,” Ms Radley said.
