Scout leader wasn't prepared for honour

Jeffrey George Percival's mention in the New Year Honours list came as "quite a surprise" for the Scout leader.

Mr Percival has been awarded the Queen's Service Medal for services to Scouting after being involved with the movement for half a century.

"It's quite humbling really -- I know it takes a lot to get awarded one of these and it takes a community to get in behind whoever felt I deserved an award."

Mr Percival has been involved with Scouting in West Auckland since he was 8. Slightly disillusioned with the youth organisation at first, he left but returned a few years later to make it more appealing with fun camps and interesting activities.

Over the years he has dedicated his time to build the reputation, resources and membership of the Motu Moana Green Bay Scout Group in Auckland, now one of the biggest Scout groups in New Zealand.

He's been zone leader of the Moana Rua Zone and helped build two Scout halls, and was involved in the development of the 5.6ha Upper North Island Motu Moana Campsite, assisted as a volunteer and helped establish a Scout group in the Balmoral area. "It took many years and hard work to achieve what we've done," he said.

"It's been satisfying to see the youth progress and achieve their badges. It's important youth get taught life skills that may be relevant down the track. If there was a disaster of some sort they know how to set themselves up to survive. Being able to exist is pretty important, especially after the Christchurch disaster, and it's especially important to have a good time while learning these skills."

Mr Percival has organised and led a number of outdoor trips and international contingents to overseas jamborees. The highlight of which has been taking a contingent of 20 Scouts safely to Sweden to join 40,000 other Scouts from around the world considering it "quite a privilege being involved".

This year Mr Percival and his wife Janice moved to Rotorua to operate Springwaters Lodge, in Hamurana. The building contractor had been a regular weekend visitor for many years and said it was logical to move here "for a change of lifestyle".

"Devoting weekends and four nights a week was a huge commitment, but by putting in that time we achieved the biggest Scout group in New Zealand."

Unfortunately he isn't able to continue as the hours of a bed and breakfast business are not conducive to Scouting. He won't be hanging up his Scout uniform just yet and is "happy to help out with projects as they arise".