Scouts Australia
Level 18 Help Street
Chatswood 2067
Website: www.scouts.com.au
It's appropriate that the national office of Scout Association of Australia is located in Help Street, for the first image to spring to mind for the word 'scout' is of a nine-year-old being very helpful. But if you've never been a scout, or don't have kids who are scouts, it's easy to fall into a number of misconceptions about what a scout really is.
Firstly, there are different levels within Scouts Australia corresponding with age:
Joey Scouts: 6 to 7.5 years
Cub Scouts: 7.5 to 10.5 years
Scouts: 10.5 to 14.5 years
Venturer Scouts: 14.5 to 17.5 years
Rovers: 17.5 to 26 years
– and Adult Leaders and Support Members.
Secondly, the term 'boy scout' is a stereotype, for although scouting began as an activity for boys, these days scouts are both male and female.
While there are some stereotypes that do prevail, particularly the helpful scout and the outdoorsy nature of scouting activities, scouting is more than learning to tie knots and helping old ladies cross the street.
The main aim of scouting is to encourage the sound development of youth, embracing physical, intellectual and social aspects of their lives. Respect for the community is the strong backbone of scouting lore, and this is encouraged on an individual, local, national and international level.
Scouting is an international concept that began in 1907 by a Lieutenant General in the British Army, Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell wrote the book 'Scouting for Boys', which was based on his military experience. The principles soon spread and scouting reached Australia in 1908. In 2008, Scouts Australia celebrated their centenary, which was designated Year of the Scout by the Australian government. There are now Scout associations in over 200 countries around the world.
While the national office is located in Help St, you'll find that the local groups meet at the Chatswood Scout Hall on the western side of the railway, in a park of course:
Chatswood Hall
Blue Gum Park
Kooba Avenue
Chatswood 2067