KOROIT’S Jimmy Smith and actor Shane Jacobson share a common bond in helping modernise Scouting and inspiring a revival in the movement, which began in 1908.
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Both started as juniors learning the traditional skills of tying knots, camping and community volunteering before progressing through to leadership.
The 23-year-old Koroit tradesman was among several hundred Scouting leaders on Sunday who received an ambassador’s scarf from Jacobson, who is Victoria’s new Chief Scout.
Bree Billing, 13,of Koroit was also honoured as an ambassador.
Jacobson, who stars in a soon-to-be-released movie centred around Warrnambool’s penguin population, was in the movement for 18 years and credits it as shaping his acting career.
Mr Smith began as a boy in Cubs, progressing through until he was 15 before taking a break and returning at 19 to take on leadership and mentoring roles in the district and higher levels.
“I wanted to put back into the movement because I got so much out of it when I was younger,” he said.
“Scouting gets kids out and about away from the TV and computers.
“You learn a lot about leadership, helping people, self-reliance and resilience. It’s learning by doing. Getting out and having a go.”
On Sunday more than 8000 Victorian Scouts were involved in a world-first game, following SMS clues on their mobile phones and taking selfies at new street art.
Among the leaders was Warrnambool’s Peter Newell who started as a junior and is now regional commissioner.
“Scouting continues to exist because it remains contemporary and moves with the times,” he said.
“It’s not about tying knots — it’s about the bigger picture of learning to lead and team spirit.
“In the past the chief Scout was always the governor, but now that’s changed with Shane Jacobson being given that role and the governor becoming patron.
“In the UK they’ve got Bear Grylls as chief Scout.”
