CHIEF COMMISSIONER Bob Taylor We began 2012 by reviewing the <strong>Victoria</strong>n Strategic Plan of 2009-2011 and refreshing it for the 2012-2014 triennium while retaining all the existing key priorities to achieve our vision of All <strong>Victoria</strong>n enjoying <strong>Scouting</strong>. Six years of growth The five Youth Sections: 2006-2012 We have continued to strive for: 2012 Silver Kangaroos Marge Currie DLD Boroondara Lindsay Fry AL Patrol Activity Camps Jon Peart RC Western Peter Rutley OAM RC Plenty Valley Andrew Taylor GL 1 st Fitzroy Doug Wright ASL 1 st Maroondah 2012 National President's Award Stephen Chew VSC Corporate Services John Evans DPC Convenor Bayside Don Leeson Australian Scout magazine contributor Kel McMeekin Chairman, Scout Heritage Jo Rutley Secretary, Warrigal Camp Rod Savage BL Vic Scout Band Margaret Turner Treasurer, Cardinia • Youth membership growth through promotion of high quality program delivery • Effective, trained, passionate and supported Leaders and Adults to deliver the program • <strong>Community</strong> recognition as relevant and contemporary by developing new partnerships • Clear internal and external communications using all forms of modern media • Contemporary and effective management and governance within all of our formations • Robust and sustainable financial support to our Groups to implement these priorities Youth membership has continued to grow since 2006 with 2909 more members registered by 2012, a growth of 22.8% in six years. Participation in major events is one of key drivers of growth such as the Australian Venture in Tasmania in January where <strong>Victoria</strong>n Venturers and their Leaders were major participants as well as the 2nd <strong>Victoria</strong>n Kangaree for Joeys in April at Lardner Park in Gippsland resulting in a 9% increase in Joey membership this year. Leader membership has risen 4.6% in the last 12 months along with a 19% increase in Adult Helpers and 10% in the Australian Scout Fellowship as well as increases in lay Offi ce Bearers and members registered in our renamed Group Support Committees. The passion and commitment of our Leaders and Supporters are refl ected by the 233 members who received the peer-nominated Adult Recognition Awards in August 2012 with a record six Silver Kangaroos to Leaders and seven National President’s Awards to Supporters for their Eminent Achievement and Meritorious Service in their respective roles since their last award. Signifi cant Long Service Awards for 50, 55 and 60 years of Adult and membership have been presented to 23 members since October 1 2011, a tribute to their long commitment to the Movement in various roles, all of whom have received major Adult Recognition Awards in their Leader and or Supporter roles. In the last 12 months the Branch Team has met many community, business, local and State Government leaders as we seek to build partnerships to continue to grow <strong>Scouting</strong> with a particular focus on the new growth corridors of outer Melbourne where there are lots of young people but limited accommodation to deliver our week-night programs. These partnerships have been initiated and monitored by the Strategic Development Advisory Committee composed of community members drawn from business, education and the not-for-profi t youth sector chaired by our President John Ralph and facilitated by Rob Charlesworth. It has completed its objectives and the implementation of the identifi ed strategies will now be the responsibility of the Branch Team in conjunction with the identifi ed community partners. Our MyScout initiative to develop a members-only component of the <strong>Victoria</strong>n website is being complemented by the National Scoutcentral members-only repository of programs, resources and guidelines for Australia-wide use. We are conscious of the use of new social media such as Facebook and Twitter by some of our members and we plan to blend these into our communication with our own members and the wider community. Australian Scout magazine continues to give a high quality monthly insight into <strong>Scouting</strong> for Leaders and Supporters with special editions in February, May and November going to all <strong>Victoria</strong>n <strong>Scouting</strong> families. Group Committees have been renamed Group Support Committees all over Australia to ensure that the members who are appointed by the Group Leader clearly understand their role in the governance of Scout Groups. Region Commissioners have agreed to end the experimental Region Advisory Councils which replaced Region Executives when we reshaped the Metropolitan regions two years ago. The functions and personnel of the Advisory Councils will be integrated into the Region Councils chaired by Region Commissioner s with lay members appointed to serve along with Assistant Region Commissioners in roles that are locally determined. Thank you to the 4186 voluntary Leaders and Supporters who have helped to deliver the Scout youth program to our 15,654 youth members, and to the spouses and families who gave them the time to participate. It has been a signifi cant community service to <strong>Victoria</strong>n youth. 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Trend 2006-12 Joey 861 996 1010 1053 1215 1199 1308 51.92% Cub 4842 5195 5558 5584 6039 6047 6028 24.49% Scout 4843 4866 5015 5498 5274 5499 5686 17.41% Venturer 1306 1384 1456 1477 1516 1590 1602 22.66% Youth Helper 15 15 8 12 12 14 27 80% Rover 878 937 911 947 931 1038 1003 14.24% Sub-total YOUTH 12745 13393 13958 14571 14987 15387 15654 22.82% Leader not Rover 3155 3145 3087 3144 3109 3076 3217 1.97% Hon Commissioner 33 31 30 39 45 49 53 60.61% Fellowship 342 407 332 349 481 479 528 54.39% Adult Helper 193 174 169 141 252 326 388 101.04% Sub-total ADULT 568 612 531 529 778 854 969 70.60% TOTAL 16468 17150 17576 18244 18874 19317 19840 20.48% Participation in major events is a key driver of growth 60 Years Long Service Alwyn Blackwell Vice Chairman, Geelong Region Barry Tatham Scout Heritage Trevor Dagley Hon. Commissioner Graham Farley Hon. Commissioner Harold Gardiner Hon. Commissioner Max Grubb Hon. Commissioner Neil Westaway Vice President, <strong>Victoria</strong>n Branch David Jefferson Hon. Commissioner 55 Years Long Service Margaret Turner Treasurer, Cardinia Janice Danaher OAM, GL 1 st Hastings Brian Jones Treasurer, Djerriwarrh John Douglas OAM, Hon. Commissioner Tom Hartley immediate past Chairman BEC Albert Mattingley ASF Geelong Rivers Jack Maver OAM, Hon Commissioner 50 Years Long Service Sally Steward Badge Secretary, Frankston Beryl Bradshaw Chairman, Djerriwarrh John Dowdle GL 3rd Templestowe George Todeschini OAM, Hon. Commissioner Ray Beebe Treasurer, Strzelecki Graeme Cumbrae- Stewart OAM, Vice Chair BEC Shirley Harding Hon. Commissioner Aline Thomson BC Scout Heritage