Student delighted with award
Invercargill student AJ Matheson has won the Commonwealth’s highest youth award in scouts.
Matheson was told recently he had won the Queen’s Scout Award for qualities shown in four years of working on leadership and planning programmes in the venturers section.
‘‘I’d been working on it since 2014 and finished it at Easter,’’ he said.
The only time Matheson had doubts about completing it came in March last year, when he dislocated a knee cap in a push bike accident. His enthusiasm to continue with the programmes waned but encouragement from his family and friends prompted him to keep going.
He did planning for tramps in different areas of Southland, Otago and Stewart island. Other organising included indoor and outdoor games, water sports and public speaking.
Speaking to a gathering of young scouts was a bit of a challenge.
‘‘It got me out of my comfort zone and it did help my confidence,’’ Matheson, 18, said.
‘‘I used to hold back from doing things . . . I still do it now but I’m not as bad as I used to be.’’
A member of the Waverley Scout Group, Matheson will be presented the award by the governor general Patsy Reddy in Dunedin later in the year.
Since 1948, 7600 Queen’s Scout Awards have been presented to New Zealanders, with 72 received by Southlanders.
Waverley Scout Group committee member Andy Whelan said Matheson thoroughly deserved the award.
‘‘AJ has worked incredibly hard for this award, including lots of community service and leadership within Waverley scout group.’’