Chief Commissioner of Scouts NSW was honoured last November with Life Membership of Scouts Australia.
“Through the exceptional quality of all that he does, Neville has had an extraordinary impact on Scouting in Australia, and Scouting internationally”, Dennis Green AM, former Chair of Scouts Australia, said.
In accepting his Life Member appointment, Neville indicated he was proud to be a “product” of the Scout Movement.
“My Akela in the 1st Stanthorpe Scout Group, Queensland, from 1966, taught me life skills that helped me pursue a successful career”, Neville said. “Most of all, Scouting taught me the value of giving back to our Movement and to our local community, especially those less fortunate than ourselves.”
“Scouting helped me set my moral compass”, he added.
Whilst saying it was a privilege to serve Scouting at local, Branch, National and International levels for the past 20 years, Neville believed that the recognition should go to others – those many Scouting teams he has had the privilege of leading, his mentors and colleagues from whom he learned so much, the youth who have been the true inspiration for him, and his family – his wife, Jenny and adult children, Katy, Sarah and Matt, all whom he described as his true heroes.
“Our world needs Scouting more than ever, and I remain committed to serving our new generations of youth, to support them with their hopes, dreams and aspirations”, Neville concluded.
To be eligible for Life Membership, a person must have given a minimum of 20 years of distinguished service to Scouting, at least 10 of which must be to the National Council or one of its committees. There can be no more than 20 Life Members at any one time across Australia.
