About the Longreach Scout Group

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The Longreach Scout Group formed in central-western Queensland (Australia) in 1913, only six years after Lord Baden Powell founded Scouting in the United Kingdom in 1907. It is now part of the largest youth organisation in the World covering 163 countries with a membership of 32 million members.

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Mr John Palmer OAM is the current Longreach Scout Master who has faithfully served the Scouting community of Longreach for 50+ years. John started his Scouting career in 1963 in Cub Section when he was eight (8) years old. He became a Scout leader when he was 23 years old. He is the recipient of the highest Scouting award for adult leaders in Scouts Australia, the Silver Kangaroo, awarded for eminent achievement and meritorious service to the Association. John is also the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia which he was awarded in 2009 for his services to youth, particularly with athletics and scouts.

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The Longreach Scout Group has a vibrant youth population with 40 youth aged between 7 and 22 years and 7 leaders aged between 25-28. Throughout their Scout service, these youth are learning valuable life skills that will enable them to be confident in accepting challenges, initiating problem-solving, and understanding the importance of community involvement to become our leaders of tomorrow.

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Over the years there have been many notable members of the Longreach Scout community who also served in the Australian military, particularly with the 26th Battalion. In November 1913, Thomas Arnold Davies was issued with a Scout Warrant to begin the Longreach Boy Scouts movement. He also served as a bugler in the Kennedy Regiment, the first Australian Infantry unit mobilized for service at the outbreak of World War1.