Local leader off to celebrate Founders Day in Wellington

Whanganui Scout leader Bill Charnock is off to Wellington for a celebration at Government House.

A familiar face will be missing from the Wanganui Chronicle front desk as Bill Charnock has been summoned to Government House in Wellington.

Thursday is Founder's Day - an international celebration marking the birth date of Scouting movement founder Robert Baden-Powell and Mr Charnock, as a zone leader was invited to the Scouts New Zealand 2018 Founders Day by the Governor General of New Zealand Dame Patsy Reddy and her husband Sir David Gascoigne.

As Governor General, Dame Patsy is also the Chief Scout of New Zealand and she has invited members of the movement to join her in celebrating Scouting.

The occasion also marks 110 years of Scouting in New Zealand and the Governor General will launch the Scouting Opportunity Fund which will support more Kiwi kids in joining Scouts.

Mr Charnock has been in Scouts for 47 years and in 2016, he was awarded a Silver Tui which is the highest Scout award for services of an outstanding character.

"I'm looking forward to going to Wellington for the day and attending the celebration at Government House in the evening," he said.

A Whanganui celebration will be held at Scoutlands in Kaitoke Rd on Saturday.