He’s a good Scout

By EMMA SUN
WHEN it comes to Scouting, few people know it better than Barry Kennedy.
And his recent 40-year leadership award for his time at the Mount Evelyn Scout Group was proof of it.
Mr Kennedy said he was very proud to receive the award, although he knew he was going to get it before the club presented it to him.
“I knew the award was coming because you get a badge to wear on your uniform for the 40 years and that badge came first,” he said,
“I’m quite pleased about it – it doesn’t feel like it’s been that long and I’m actually surprised that it’s been that long.”
Mr Kennedy joined Scouts at the age of 10 in Dingley and has been involved ever since.
He moved to Mount Evelyn about 30 years ago and held various roles in the club, including Venturer leader, District leader, Scout leader and Cub leader, which he said he enjoyed the most.
“When my children went into Scouts I became a Cub leader and didn’t move up when they did because I enjoy that section the most,” he said.
“I find the children in that group a lot easier to handle and entertain and you don’t have to be as sophisticated with activities.”
While he was working as an IT manager a few years ago, Scouting would fit in well with Mr Kennedy’s schedule and he would attend meetings and camps.
However, he has owned the newsagency in Coldstream for the last three years, which sees him working seven days a week.
He said it has forced him to make some sacrifices, such as going on camps with the Cubs.
But it was something he intended on changing.
“Right now I’m ready to sell the newsagency so I can chill out a bit and maybe go to Ireland to visit my daughter,” he said.
“I’ll still keep up my Scouting, I do it because I enjoy it and I think when I don’t enjoy it I’ll stop but not at this stage, because it’s been a big part of my life.”