Rovers (Australia)

Rovers (Australia)

Scouting portal

Rover Scouts, or "Rovers" is the fifth and final youth section of Scouts Australia, and began in 1918. Rover Scouts are young adults aged between 18 and 25 years of age and are organised into local Crews, which can be associated with a Scout Group or operate as a stand-alone Crew. Crews accept anyone interested in taking up Rovering, whether or not they have been in Scouting before. The section is based on Baden-Powell's book Rovering to Success and the theme of knighthood. Rover Scouts are actively encouraged to become better citizens through taking part in Scouts Australia's nationally accredited training programs, developing leadership skills, participating in outdoor activities, attending national and international events, providing service to the community and generally building their life skills.

The Rover Scout Section is organised from a National level down, however the day-to-day running of the section is organised at a Branch (state) level. The larger states (Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland) are split into Regions, which in turn are made up of Crews. Victoria has the largest Rover Scout population, with around 1200 Rovers Crews and there are around 250 Crews Australia-wide.

Australian Rovers run an Australian Rover Moot every three years which is open to Rover Scouts and Senior Scouts from around the world over the age of 18. The next Australian Rover Moot will be held in Perth, Western Australia in January 2014.

Rover Scouts are distinguished by a red shoulder panel on the blue Scout uniform shirt, with green badges on each shoulder if the wearer is a fully invested/knighted member, as well as the traditional 'knot' of five ribbons (tan for Joeys, yellow for Cubs, green for Scouts, maroon for Venturers and red for Rover Scouts) - this distinguishes Rovers from every other section.

During 2005 and 2006, the Centenary of Scouting Peace Boomerang completed a journey of over 18,000 km around Australia spreading a message of peace and unity leading up to the Scouting 2007 Centenary. Australian Rovers developed the boomerang as a Gift for Peace project that would involve Rovers, Scouts and the general public, and raise awareness and generate discussions amongst young people about peace.