Dandenong diesel mechanic Daniel McCormack clocked up 400 hours of effort on his way to receiving the Queen’s Scout Award.By Glen Atwell
WHEN Daniel McCormack was awarded Scouting’s most prized possession, the Queen’s Scout Award, it was well worth the 400 hours of work he had put into it.
The diesel mechanic from FRH in Dandenong received the award at Government House in Melbourne and said it was the highest award a Scout could earn.
“It is a prestigious award, it took a lot of effort and hard work to achieve,” he said.
The Queen’s Scout Award is made up of different components that the Scout must successfully complete to be considered for the award.
For the lifestyle component, Daniel played football for Cora Lynn, and then reported back to his Koo Wee Rup Scouts about his experiences.
“Playing football was a great part of going for the award, I was captain for a year as well,” he said.
But the expedition component did not go as smoothly as Daniel had planned.
“There were five Scouts and we went camping to Mitchell River for two nights.
“We were lost at one point, luckily we could read maps and managed to get back on track,” Daniel said.
The badge is the highest award that a teenager can achieve in the venturer section of the Scouting movement and represents the movement’s allegiance to the Queen.
Daniel said he often puts his Scouting skills to use across all aspects of life, including work.
“It has helped develop my leadership and initiative skills, which help in the workplace.
“If you want something done, get out and do it yourself,” Daniel said.
Only 50 Scouts in Victoria were recognised as a Queen’s Scout, a testament to the challenge.
“It was hard, and I had to do it all before I turned 18, but receiving it made it all worthwhile,” Daniel said.
