Miriam Beeby is congratulated by Hastings MP Neale Burgess on the bench she made as part of the Baden Powell Award. By Sarah Schwager
IT’S all in a week’s work for Hampton Park’s Miriam Beeby who has achieved the highest scouts’ honour on top of a 60-hour working week.
Ms Beeby, 24, was recently presented with her Baden Powell Award for completing two years’ worth of projects through Devon Meadows Scout Group – the first ever in the group to receive the award.
To become one of the few to receive the notable distinction, Ms Beeby served a year as a cub leader, ran 10 scoutcraft camps and two service camps for venturers, participated in the MudBash, did two four-wheel-drive trips and made a wooden sign and bench complete with plaques to be placed outside the Devon Meadows club.
The only girl and the oldest in her crew, Ms Beeby has been an integral part of the Ashanti-Kyeema Rover crew, while also working busily on Eastlink driving machinery.
Ms Beeby has moved through the ranks after starting in cubs as a youngster. She went on to be awarded the Gold Boomerang Award through cubs, Premier’s Scout Award through scouts and Queen’s Scout Award through venturers.
She will now look at finishing the rest of her training to become a head cub leader.
Ms Beeby said scouts had been a rock that kept her going through her persuasive years.
She encouraged other young people aged 18 to 26 to consider joining rovers.
Some activities rovers participate in include go-karting, Four Wheel Driving, camping, social nights, bundy and bingo nights and car racing in a car with roll cage and harnesses.
“We find it really helps the younger drivers because they can drive silly on the track instead of driving like hoons on the road,” Ms Beeby said.
Other activities include a three- to four-day camp at Anglesea where participants can surf, skydive and ride horses, go on gourmet wine tours and listen to live bands.
“If you like outdoors it’s a bonus. But it’s up to the individual in scouts if they want to do the various courses or just have fun.”
Ms Beeby is also vice chairwoman on the Surfmoot committee, which sees rovers from all over Victoria and interstate meet for a big bash.
To join the Devon Meadows Scout Group or for more information, call group leader Sandey Landers on 5978 5396.
The Scout Hall is located on Finsbury Road, Devon Meadows.
