Farewell for Scout volunteer

1st Trafalgar Scout Group recently farewelled Tom Beauchamp of Drouin who has volunteered with the group for the past two years.

Tom has stood down volunteering with Scouts Australia to increase the time he volunteers with Walhalla Goldfields Railway and seek new opportunities to volunteer with Puffing Billy Railway.

His enjoyment of railways was celebrated on his final scout night with a train ride to Traralgon with the Venturer Scouts youth members.

Tom was grateful to the Venturers for being friendly and supportive during his time as a leader.

The 1st Trafalgar Venturers planned a railway themed night including travel on an evening V/Line Gippsland service and playing games both on the platform and on board the train.

“I am so lucky to have come across such wonderful and amazing people,” he said.

Present for the train ride was Scouts Australia Gippsland Region Commissioner Cliff Dent of Warragul and Scouts Victoria State Commissioner Diversity and Inclusion David ‘Wombat’ Lyons.

Mr Lyons said “Tom will be missed as a volunteer in the first Trafalgar Scout group. He has been a key support to Venturer Scouts as they have worked towards their goals. In Venturers, young people plan the program and need the support of committed volunteers like Tom for adult guidance and supervision.”

“Tom, who has an intellectual disability, has broken down the stereotypes around disability and brought many skills to his role at 1st Trafalgar that young people have in turn benefited from.

“Scouting depends on having volunteers like Tom who give of their time to support young people in contributing to the community,” he said.

Venturers surprised Tom with a certificate of appreciation, boxes of chocolates and reflections on favourite activities from Tom’s time with the unit including the 2017 Anything Goes camp at Lardner Park, the group Christmas barbecue night and Tom’s provision of Tim Tams at many scout nights.

During the train ride, the Venturers also drew and shared on social media messages of Inclusions, inspired by the #IDAHOBIT event. “Scouting is for all and our youth members wanted to highlight in Scouting we live by the Scout Laws that include the value of respect,” Mr Lyons said.

The messages created by the venturers highlighted the benefits of acknowledging the diversity in our community including gender, cultural and disabilities.

1st Trafalgar Venturers meet in Trafalgar at the Scout Hall on Wednesday nights for youth aged 14 to 18 and are seeking adult volunteers. For more information contact David Lyons 0409 015 662.