Global InformationRovering in Victoria information
| Scouts Australia - Victorian Branch Rover Scout Section | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age range | 18–26 | ||
| Headquarters | Victorian Rover Centre | ||
| Location | Oakleigh East, Melbourne | ||
| Country | Australia | ||
| Chief Scout of Victoria | Shane Jacobson | ||
| Chief Commissioner of Victoria | Mr Rod Byrnes | ||
| State Commissioner for Rovers | Mr Peter Wotherspoon | ||
| Victorian Rover Council Chair | Vicki McKinnon | ||
| Affiliation | Scouts Australia - Victoria Branch | ||
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| Website www | |||
Rovering in Victoria is part of Scouting in Victoria and is predominantly the Rover section of Scouts Australia in Victoria, Australia, which is run by the Victorian Branch Rover Scout Council. At the 2012 Census, there were 1033 registered Rover Scouts in Victoria, in roughly 100 Rover Crews.
Rover Scouts is the fifth and final section of Scouting in Australia, and began in 1918. Rovers are aged between 18 and 26 years of age and are organised into local Crews, which are associated with a Scout Group. Rover Scout Crews accept anyone interested in taking up Rovering, whether or not they have been in Scouts 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, both as participants and staff, at national and international events, providing service to the community and generally building their life skills.
Rover Scouts are distinguished from other sections of Scouting and leaders by a red panel on the blue uniform shirt across the arms and shoulders, with green "epaulette" badges on each shoulder, and the 'shoulder knot' of five ribbons (tan for Joeys, yellow for Cubs, green for Scouts, maroon for Venturers and red for Rover Scouts) on the left shoulder, symbolising the role of the Rover Section in helping and protecting their younger brothers and sisters.
The Victorian Rover Scouts kick-started recreational skiing's popularity in Australia, at a time where they would often have to hike up the mountains after making their own skis;[citation needed] this was heavily influenced by W. F. Waters, the first Branch Commissioner for Rover Scouts in Victoria.