Pride of New Zealand: Dad steps up to preserve Scouts

Stewart Sutton has been the leading light of local Scouting for 30 years. Photo / Katee Shanks

What started as a step into the breach has turned into almost three decades of involvement with Scouts New Zealand for Stewart Sutton.

Mr Sutton has been nominated in the Lifetime Achievement category of the Pride of New Zealand Awards.

In 1986, Mr Sutton's son was attending Cubs in Edgecumbe in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

At that time the incumbent Scout leader was leaving and if there was no one to take the group it would have been the end of Scouts for the town.

"John wanted to advance to Scouts so I took on the role," Mr Sutton said. He remained a Scout leader until John advanced to Venturers three years later and, in that time, he trained new Scout leaders for Edgecumbe. When his son was a Venturer there was a need for a new Cub leader so Mr Sutton left Scouts in the hands of his newly trained leaders and began leading Edgecumbe Cubs.

He remained in the role until 2005 when he moved to Whakatane. As a Cub leader Mr Sutton also spent a year running Awakeri Cubs and enjoyed another stint at Kawerau. While running the three groups, he was training new leaders and working full time.

His wife jokes she had to make an appointment to see him during that time.

Through his 30 years of involvement, Mr Sutton has led all levels on Scouting. He has trained at least 25 adult leaders, has attended four Jamborees (he led a contingent for one of them) and has kept Scouts running in four rural towns. He organises involvement in Anzac commemorations each year and continues to help other groups while still running the Kingsley Keas group.

"It's fair to say my time with Scouts has resulted in some great adventures," Mr Sutton said. "I still believe Scouting gives young ones a window to the outside world, a world where they learn a different skill set like aspects of bush craft and cooking over an open fire."

He said the involvement had helped his own self-confidence. "Once I was happy to remain at the back of the queue but now I'm not frightened to step up and take the lead."

One of the legacies Mr Sutton is happy to leave, is the annual campfire and sing-along held at the Scout Hall.

"I'd always wanted to have an overnight camp and it's now a reality each year."