ON Saturday Liam Barnes from the 1st Scone Scout Group became the third generation of his family to receive the prestigious Queen's Scout Award.
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The 18-year-old joined over 30 Venturer Scouts from across New South Wales who were presented with the award by the Governor of New South Wales at Government House, Sydney.
Liam, a Denman local who has been involved with Scouting since he started as a Cub at age seven, said he was proud to stand up and receive the award.
"I'm the third generation on Dad's side to earn the Queen's Scout," he said.
"Dad got his Queen's Scout and my Pop got his King's Scout in the 50s, which is the same thing but he got it when The King was on the throne."
Liam, who now attends university in Newcastle, is the 29th Scone Queen's Scout, with the last Scone Queen's Scout awarded in 1991.
Prior to 1953 the award was called the King's Scout badge and locally only three Scone King's Scouts are known of, namely Stuart Saunders, who's shirt is in the Scone Museum, Dennis Shaw in 1921 and Lionel (Des) Brown, a rare Air King's Scout, in 1943.
The award is actually conferred by the monarch via Royal Warrant and has remained the peak scouting award since the first ones were presented in 1911.
It is the pinnacle award for the Venturer Section, which runs from ages 15 to 18.
To earn the Queen's Scout Award, a Venturer Scout is required to set a series of goals, organise themselves and others and maintain the determination to overcome challenges.
They are also required to meet the necessary requirements in all four award activity areas including; Leadership Development, Outdoors Activities, Personal Growth and Community Involvement.
Liam said the application process was thorough and required completing all your badgework for the Venturer section.
"You also have to send in an application, then you've got to have a meeting and prove that you're a good person and you deserve your Queen's Scout," he said.
The Queen's Scout Award is a significant undertaking, with most venturers dedicating over 300 hours of work on top of school, work and other commitments.
To earn his Queen's Scout Award, Liam organised a navigation Easter egg hunt and improved his confidence as bass guitarist for his School musical performance.
He was also a STEM finalist for the 2018 HYBMA and developed practical skills by building a farm buggy from the remains of a competition fourwheel-drive.
State Commissioner for Venturer Scouts David Jacobs said the Queen's Scout Award is an incredible achievement that recognises a Venturer's commitment to personal growth and development, as well as community service.
"Venturers who have taken up the challenge have worked hard to complete various activities, which are designed to test self-initiative, management and leadership skills," he said.
"They should all be very proud of their achievements."
Completion of the Queen's Scout Award is a major milestone in a Venturer's Scouting journey and carries an outstanding reputation within Scouting and the wider community.
Liam is now transitioning to a Rover Scout, which runs from age 18 to 26, and is aiming towards the Baden-Powell Scout Award, which is the highest Scouting award available to youth in Australia.