Tom Miles has been honoured for his decades-long devotion to NSW Scouts
Retirement for many might mean more time for sleep, extra golf games or travel adventures. Not so for Tom Miles, 61, from Balgowlah, who says retirement has meant he can commit more time to his work with the NSW Scouts, for which he received a Northern Beaches Council Australia Day Outstanding Community Service Award in January.
Tom has mentored hundreds of children over the last 23 years as a group leader at 1st Balgowlah Scouts and as the Garigal group leader overseeing nine scout groups. He also organises numerous community activities such as ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day and Clean up Australia Day.
“I’m keeping busy,” Tom says. “People say that you need to have a purpose (when you retire) and the nine scout groups and the different questions and issues that come up keep me busy and entertained.”
Tom grew up in Balgowlah, joining 2nd Balgowlah Scouts as a boy. Years later he took his eight-year-old son (now 31) to a scout hall to sign up as a cub and was asked if he wanted to be a leader.
“Twenty-three years later, (my son is) my scout leader and I’m still the group leader!” laughs Tom.
There are about 70 children at 1st Balgowlah Scouts and about 1,000 across the nine groups in the Garigal district. It’s Tom’s role to ensure the Balgowlah group has everything they need to get the most from scouting, with activities such as canoeing, abseiling, bushwalking or archery.
As the district leader, he ensures the nine groups have the right leaders with training in place, and that parent volunteers have working with children checks.
Scouts are grouped into age brackets: Joeys (5 to 8 years), Cubs (8 to 11 years) and Scouts (11 to 14 years). They meet weekly and have opportunities to get involved in various activities at the weekends.
Tom says that the Manly area used to have six scout groups, but even though there’s only one now, it’s still very popular and the scouts get a lot out of it.
“Scouting gives (children) the opportunity to participate in outdoor activities and is an inclusive and diverse community,” says Tom. “There’s a place for everybody in scouting.”
“We’re very big on leadership at the moment – putting our junior members from the age of eight through leadership courses and getting them to understand how to be a better member of society, a leader in our community.”
Tom travels overseas to international scout events and admits to being ‘a bit of a jamboree junkie.’ A jamboree is a large national 11-day camp for scouts aged 11 to 14 years with expeditions, entertainment and camping.
Tom has been to Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Taiwan and says it’s a great opportunity to travel and meet lots of different people.
Back in Balgowlah, Tom tries to go for a daily swim, but he also finds the time to volunteer at the Balgowlah RSL and to make 160 cheeseburgers every Thursday in the canteen at Balgowlah Boys High School, where he and his son both attended.
Tom says he was honoured to be recognised by the community recently and encourages everyone to volunteer, whether it is with scouts or another organisation.
“Many hands make light work,” he says. “There are so many opportunities to volunteer, but you’ve really got to find something you enjoy. The personal satisfaction you get is a good thing.”
