Hay Scouts produce two State champions
Hay Scouts Emma Johnston and Daniel Green have won the NSW Scout of the Year titles for 2022 in their respective age groups.
The Scout of the Year Award celebrates youth members who have contributed to Scouting and made a difference in their wider community.
Daniel’s award recognised his efforts to combine what he loves with helping others - running long distances to raise funds for charities.
He ran an incredible 79km over four days across the Hay Plains from Booligal to Hay raising funds for Angel Flight.
He then ran another 150km to raise funds for the Fred Hollows Foundation and in the process restoring sight to 153 people.
Finally, Daniel travelled 500km to run the Dubbo Stampede which raises funds for women’s refuge housing.
The distances run by Daniel and the thoughtfulness to help out others go above and beyond what you would expect from an 11-year-old, and he is committed to continuing to run and supporting more causes in the future.
Daniel won the award over other Cub Scout finalists who had undertaken activities including volunteering for Ronald McDonald House, coordinating Cub Scout food drives and donating books to flood affected communities.
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“I was really surprised and excited when they called my name,” Daniel said.
“Thank you to everyone who has been supporting me,” Daniel told The Riverine Grazier.
Daniel is the son of Tara and Nathan Green who are understandably very proud of their son.
“He started running for himself and has used it to benefit many,” Dad Nathan said.
Inspired by a genuine interest in helping others; her love of art, sport and her culture; and an interest in bringing the benefits of Scouting to the broader youth community, Emma’s receipt of the Venturer Scout of the Year Award recognised her significant contribution to several community projects and her emergence as a natural youth leader.
In addition to being the current Unit Leader of Hay Venturers, Emma established a Mental Health Support Facebook page for teenagers and the broader Hay community, has coached young netballers and led and empowered emerging artists through youth workshops.
She has advocated for inclusion and other youth issues, and has been a champion of her indigenous culture and sustainable land management through Landcare.
Emma’s nomination was supported by letters from a number of Hay organisations, highlighting the broad and positive impact she has had on the community.
Her advocacy has helped deliver improved mental health support for teenagers; she has provided opportunities for youth artistic expression and is helping ensure the indigenous art of dot painting is passed to the next generation; and she has contributed to the physical and social development of young netballers and the growth of the sport in Hay.
As a youth representative, Emma gives a voice to a broader section of the community and serves as a powerful role model for the younger generation.
“I was super excited and didn’t expect it. I really couldn’t have done it without the help of my Scout leaders an all my other mentors in Hay,” Emma said.
Emma is the daughter of Shayne and Michelle Johnston.
“Every day Emma makes me proud to be her mum and moments like this just make the proud tears spill over,” reflected Michelle. “Watching my children shine reminds me I created something good in this world.”
The awards ceremony was held in Sydney on Saturday, but with uncertainty around flooding and road closures over the last few weeks, both Daniel and Emma’s families were unable to attend. Instead, Daniel and Emma joined the presentation ceremony virtually in the company of family, friends and Scouting supporters who became very vocal when the local winners were announced over the Scouts NSW livestream.
Daniel and Emma were presented with their awards by Mayor Carol Oataway and their Scouting leaders.
But Hay’s success didn’t stop there.
Despite the Hay community having to split its vote between the two local finalists, Daniel and Emma were both named as two of the three finalists in the People’s Choice category.
Hay Scout Leaders James Caughey and Kylie Brettschneider commented on the incredible achievements of Emma and Daniel.
“Hay Scouts makes up less than 0.5 per cent of the total NSW Scouting population, so for Hay Scouts to win two out of the five NSW Scout of the Year Award categories makes us exceptionally proud,” James said.
“While these awards reflect the personal drive and achievements of Daniel and Emma, they are also testament to the close and positive links we have between our Scouting youth members and the Hay community.
“Scouts wouldn’t exist in Hay without the support of various community groups and individuals, and we strive for the Scouts to give back.
“Daniel and Emma have gone above and beyond to do that, and the People’s Choice vote reflects the Hay community’s appreciation for their efforts.”
“Daniel and Emma are two shining examples of what young people can achieve when they set their minds to something,” Kylie added.
“I’m sure they will inspire more of our youth to pursue their passions and get involved in the community, as you never know what extraordinary places combining those two things can lead you to.”
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