The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch

The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch, commonly referred to as Scouts Victoria, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing scouting programs throughout the state of Victoria, Australia. It operates as the regional branch of Scouts Australia, serving youth and adult members and promoting the values and activities of the international Scout Movement.

History

Scouting in Victoria dates back to 1907 when independent Boy Scout patrols and troops began forming locally. By the end of 1908, eleven Scout Troops had been established in Victoria, inspired by the early experimental camps in England. In 1923, The Boy Scouts Association of the United Kingdom formally created a Victorian branch, which was incorporated in 1932 as The Boy Scouts Association Victorian Branch. With the formation of The Scout Association of Australia in 1958, the Victorian branch became part of the new national organization, evolving into what is now known as Scouts Victoria[1][2][5].

Structure and Membership

Scouts Victoria delivers its programs to children and youth aged from 6 to 26 across the state. The branch is divided into eleven regions: Bays, Eastern, Gippsland, Lerderderg, Loddon Mallee, Melbourne, Mt Dandenong, Northern, West Coast, and Western. As of 2018, Scouts Victoria had a membership comprising approximately 18,592 youth members and 5,316 adult leaders[2].

Programs and Activities

Scouts Victoria offers a wide range of scouting activities, including outdoor adventures, leadership development, community service, and cultural engagement. Some scout groups within the branch cater specifically to ethnic communities, such as the 6th Box Hill group (Greek heritage) and the 5th Melbourne/1st Latvian Scout Group, which maintains connections with the Latvian Scouts organization while being registered with Scouts Australia[2].

Heritage and Legacy

The Victorian branch maintains a strong appreciation for its historical roots in the Scout Movement. It oversees the Victorian Scout Heritage Centre, which preserves and showcases the history of scouting in Victoria. The branch also played a notable role in hosting major events, such as the Australian Scout Jamboree in 2007, which celebrated 100 years of scouting worldwide[3][5].

Affiliation

Scouts Victoria is an official branch of Scouts Australia, which was established nationally in 1958 as the Australian Boy Scouts Association and later renamed the Scout Association of Australia. The national organization is a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, upholding the global scouting principles and programs[4].

Summary

The Scout Association of Australia Victorian Branch is a key regional entity supporting and advancing scouting in Victoria. With over a century of history, a broad membership base, and a commitment to youth development and community involvement, Scouts Victoria continues to be a vibrant part of the Australian and international scouting community.

Abbreviation: ABN 39662387026RR0001
Official Website: scoutsvictoria.com.au

[1] https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/about-us/history/ [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouting_and_Guiding_in_Victoria [3] https://scoutsvictoria.com.au/activities-events/activity-teams/heritage/victorian-scout-history/ [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scouts_Australia [5] https://en.scoutwiki.org/Scouting_in_Victoria