SEVENTEEN-year-old Meaghan Smith of Windsor Downs has achieved a Queen’s Scout award - the highest honour that can be earned by a Venturer-level Scout.
Her mum, Rose Smith, said it was rare for a Venturer to achieve the award at such a young age; most get to that level just before their eighteenth birthday but Meaghan was only sixteen-and-a-half when she qualified.
“She was presented her award on 20th November 2016 at the 1st Oakville Scout Hall and will now attend a formal function at Government House in April next year to be presented by the Governor General,” said Mrs Smith.
Meaghan’s list of achievements in the Scout world is impressive, and includes more than hiking and tying knots.
In order to achieve her Queen’s Scout award she was required to complete seventeen ‘badges’ - thirteen of which involved a minimum of ten hours and four of which required a minimum of 30 hours over a six-month period.
She hiked, road and cared for horses, worked with children, learnt to waterski, kneeboard and wakeboard, and got involved in the community.
She also got a boat license, completed a first aid course, and got her driver’s license and attended a defensive driving course.
“It took me heaps of time on the weekends, and even during the week working late at night doing homework and then doing Scout stuff,” Meaghan told the Gazette.
In order to gain her Queen’s Scout award, Meaghan was required to complete a Venturer Level hike - a 30-kilometre trek from Loftus to Heathcote over two nights in May last year. She lead a group of five other Venturers - aged 15 and 16 years old.
Each individual was required to carry a 12-kilogram bag of necessary items including food, water, clothes, a tent, cooking utensils and a first aid bag.
“You have to find your own way by the map, use a compass and a GPS. At night when you get to the stop you need to set up your tent, make your own fire, and make your food on the fire,” said Meaghan.
While on the hike, Meaghan and her group came across some lost overseas tourists who were unprepared for a cold night out in the bush. They called the police who in turn hiked in and retrieved them.
“They went to Waterfall station thinking it was a waterfall. One had high-heel shoes on. We knew we couldn’t let them leave and walk in the dark. We had to give the police the coordinates of where we were,” said Meaghan.
Meaghan began her scout journey at six years old, as a Joey at 1st Oakville Scout Group. She is currently the longest-serving youth member of the group. Her older brother and sister are also involved in Scouts, and one is a Venturer leader.
Meaghan has the option to do Rovers and become a leader herself, however for the time being she’ll remain a Venturer until her 18th birthday.
A former student at Bede Polding College, Meaghan is now a trainee at Golden Valley Children’s Learning Centre in Glossodia, and is working towards gaining a Certificate III in childcare.
She said practical experience gained during her Scout journey - completing a Youth Helper award and working with Oakville’s youngest scouts, called Joeys, aged six to eight - helped her along the way.
“When I was little I always wanted to be with kids and look after them. It’s always been my dream to work in childcare, and that experience really cemented that’s what I want to do,” she said.
