ADJOURNMENT

Mr WOOD (La Trobe) (19:49): I begin tonight by paying tribute to an outstanding leader in our community, Rod Byrnes, chief commissioner of Scouts Victoria, who will be concluding his remarkable term in February next year. Rod has led the state leadership team with his vision and integrity, comprising the deputy and five assistant chief commissioners. His deep passion for the venturer scout section, where he previously served as state commissioner, has shaped a generation of young leaders.

Rod has represented Scouts Victoria at numerous national and international events, including the first Australian KISC visit, the New Zealand Venture 2019 and the World Scout Jamboree in that same year. His leadership of those contingent management teams exemplifies his commitment to youth development and global engagement. Rod's vision has always been clear: to grow scouting in Victoria, to place youth at the centre of everything we do and to foster a culture where we bring our best selves to scouting every time.

During the COVID pandemic, Rod led the organisation's response to COVID. He was instrumental in taking a significant decision, which was to waive membership fees for all young people at the cost of foregoing $8 million in fees. He also moved all programs online at no cost so young scouts could continue participating in programs and stay connected with friends at a time when everyone was under lockdown.

In his professional life, Rod is a change manager, and it's no surprise that his impact on scouting has been transformative. Rod, thank you for your immense service. You leave behind an incredible legacy of inclusion and excellence and also, can I say, the upgrade of Gilwell Park.

I had the great privilege of actually being invited by Chief Commissioner Rod Byrnes to go up to Gilwell Park recently to congratulate the over 200 leaders who were receiving awards. To my surprise, I was presented the chief commissioner award by Rod Byrnes himself. I believe it was the only one that had been handed out for some time—a number of years.

It was to recognise my longstanding support for scouting and my work with the community to secure funding for vital infrastructure and building upgrades to scout halls right across Australia. I must let the cat out of the bag here. When John Howard was the Prime Minister, we called him the boss.

I took a proposal to him to upgrade Ferny Creek Scout Hall to get some water tanks. The boss, as we know him and love him, couldn't hear from one of his ears—I forget which one—and he actually misheard what I said. He thought I said to upgrade the scout hall water tanks right across the country.

So there we were at the centenary of scouting, where we made the announcement, and, just before the announcement, the boss said to me: 'Jason, I think we've got a problem. If we just give them water tanks, the scouts aren't going to have enough money to put in the guttering and the connecting pipes.' Just at the time, I'd put in guttering at my place, and I said, 'Boss, it costs $2,000.' So we quickly worked out how many scout halls were across the country and how much the cost would be for putting in the guttering at $2,000 and the water tanks, and we quickly made a $17 million announcement.

I was very pleased with that. I was also very honoured in a previous Liberal government to secure $5 million for the investment of Gilwell Park, the Victorian home of scouting. I will also thank and acknowledge Jon McGregor.

He has done a fantastic job. The new toilet block and shower block are due for completion in six weeks. There are new huts to accommodate an additional 120 beds for community groups so the scouts can actually make money from other groups coming in to keep the facilities at the highest nature.

There is a ninja warrior course, archery facilities and canoe-making stations to inspire adventure and skill building. There is the restoration—and this is so important—of the heritage listed Hoadley Hall, which will soon feature a 200-seat dining hall and commercial kitchen. These upgrades will make sure that Gilwell Park will continue to serve the community right into the future.

Finally, as a former Queen's Scout myself—and that's why I get the honour of going to so many scouting events—I understand with parents how difficult it is when it comes to fees, but I encourage them, when it comes to the scouts and the guides, to stick with them for the boys and girls, because it's a great way of building our leaders of the future. It gives them strength of character and leadership skills, and it helps get jobs for our young people.