Top honour for Raechel
Throughout her Scouting career Raechel O’donnell has achieved at the highest level.
In Joey Scouts she was awarded the highest badge possible – the Promise Challenge Badge.
She repeated that feat as a Cub Scout when she was presented with the Grey Wolf Award, and as a Scout she earned the prestigious Australian Scout Medallion.
Raechel’s latest achievement is the Queen’s Scout Award, a badge recognising the best and most dedicated Venturer Scouts.
She was presented with the award at a ceremony at Government House in Melbourne in October.
To attain the award, Raechel, 17, participated in a range of personal development, leadership, community and outdoor activities.
She developed a passion for caving, completing expeditions at the Buchan Caves in East Gippsland and in New Zealand.
She took up ballroom dancing, participated in group talks about multiculturalism, attended Horsham Rural City Council meetings, went abseiling and everything in between.
Her mother Kim O’donnell said Raechel had shown incredible commitment, working towards the award for three years after moving up to Venturers from Scouts.
She said Raechel had enjoyed the entire experience, with one minor exception.
“She went on a bike hike in Mansfield which she hated,” Ms O’donnell said.
“She said she’d never get on a bike again.”
Raechel is one of two Horsham Venturers to earn the Queen’s Scout Award this year – Matt Ough also received the award.
Ms O’donnell said Raechel planned to continue participating in the Scouting movement as a Rover after she turned 18.