The Victorian Branch of the Scout Association of Australia has awarded Helen Chick the Silver Emu for sustained and exceptional service. Helen is a member of the Glenroy Ward of the Australia Melbourne Deer Park Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The honour was bestowed by Mr Reg Williams, Chief Commissioner of Scouts Australia, at the recent annual Good Service Awards ceremony held at Gilwell Park Scout camp, east of Melbourne.
Over 200 leaders were recognized for their service. Helen was one of two recipients of the celebrated Silver Emu.
The Silver Emu requires at least twenty years service as a Scout leader.
Helen Chick's more than twenty-nine years as a Scout leader add up to many months of living in a tent. In addition, she says, "I have trudged, canoed and cycled nearly two thousand kilometres; stood on a beach with scouts silhouetted by the rising sun and marvelled at the beauty of creation; and been thanked by young people and parents for making a difference in their life."
She gains deep satisfaction from the significant personal achievements of the youth she mentors. Over their years in Scouting, she sees them grow in confidence, capacity and the ability to lead.
I can discuss values and decisions with them," she says. I can help them learn to accept themselves as they are and realize they do not have to follow the crowd."
She has had the reward of seeing some of her scouts return to the program as leaders. Because of her Church membership, other scout leaders often ask her for help with parts of the program that have religious aspects, such as "Duty to God".
Helen began her Scout service in Tasmania with a Church sponsored Cub Scout den. For the past thirteen years she has worked in the 17th Essendon Scout Group in Melbourne.