The prestigious award is scouting’s top honour and takes people three years to complete. The Second Horsham Venturer Unit member said he was thrilled to achieve the milestone. 

“It felt really good to achieve this – it was three years of hard work that paid off,” he said.

“You have at least four base badges to complete before you get your Queen’s Scout Award. You also have to complete the Venturer Award first, which is 13 base badges.

“I did about 300 hours just for my Endeavour Award, which is another badge on top of the Venturers and Queen’s awards. 

“I went on camps, hikes and other outdoor activities; I also participated in courses for leadership and management.

“Another badge was for expression, so I attended performances at the Horsham Town Hall. For all of them I had to write about what was good and bad about each experience.”

Matt has been a Scout at Second Horsham Scouts since 2008.

“Dad took me to a meeting one night and I really liked it so decided to stay with it. I like meeting new people, going on the camps and travelling around. It’s pretty good fun,” he said.

Part of the Queen’s Scout Award also called for volunteer work, with Matt choosing to volunteer at his Scout unit as assistant leader for the cubs, and at the Horsham Showgrounds, where he is on the committee.

“I haven’t been on the committee for that long, but I do offer some ideas,” he said.

“I’m currently the youngest, but there are a few people who are in their early 20s.”

One of the challenges Matt faced while completing the Personal Growth part of the award was his decision to restore on old motorcycle.

“That took me more than 60 hours to complete. I was away on a camp and when I came back, dad had picked up these bikes. I made costings for what everything was going to cost me to fix, then I completely stripped it down,” he said.

“When I was pulling it apart, I made plans about what went where. It was a pretty big challenge.

“I’ve also made my own paddock buggy. I used parts from an old car that was just sitting in the shed; I chopped it up and made my own custom frame.”

The 17-year-old student is currently finishing his Year 11 studies at St Brigid's College, Horsham.

“The subjects I’ve picked for next year are Business Management, Visual Communications, Mathematical Methods, English and Physics,” he said.

“Becoming a marine technician in the Navy is my first pick; I completed my Certificate II in Engineering at Longerenong College this year.”

Along with Scouts, Matt’s passions include swimming and football.

“I made country states in swimming this year, so I go to all the country meets over the summer,” he said.

“Last year I picked up footy umpiring. I used to do boundary for the Wimmera league’s under 17s and seniors, then this year I started picking up 17s field umpiring in the district league.”

Once a Scout turns 18, they move from the Venturers group into the Rovers.

Matt said he was not sure how long he would stay involved with Scouts.

“I’ll probably end up heading into Rovers down in Ballarat because there’s no Rover unit here,” he said.

Matt was presented with his Queen’s Scout Award on October 13 at Taylor’s Lake Community Hall. 

Guests at the presentation included members and leaders of both the Second Horsham Venturer Unit and The Arch Venturer Unit.

Victorian Governor Linda Dessau officially presented Matt with the award in Melbourne at the weekend, along with 124 other Scouts and Guides from around the state.

Matt’s mum Jenny Ough said she was very proud of her son.

“It’s a huge achievement. He’s always love Scouts because there’s always something to do,” she said.

“Matt has been very dedicated to all his badge work, but he has also learned so much along the way with the things he’s had to do.

“It’s an award that is recognition of character – to be able to stick to it for so long shows your passion and dedication.”