Celebrating our 2025 Life Members
Shirley Mary Harding
64 Years of Service to Scouting
Shirley is a Cub Leader ‘through and through,’ devoting her services to many Groups and formations over the years. She commenced as a Probationary Cub Leader at 1st Geelong in 1953 and moved to an Assistant Cub Leader after completing her training. Taking her many cubbing skills to Manifold Heights in 1955, she moved to 2nd Castlemaine in 1966, before again moving to 11th Waverley and 1st Mulgrave in the early 1970s.
She was drawn back to Manifold Heights in 1974 before taking the role of District Leader – Cub Scouts in Moorabool District in 1975. Her career took her to Tasmania for two years before returning to the fold at 1st Mulgrave, followed by a District role in Glen Waverley District in 1983.
Her talents and services to Cub Scouts were evident when she was appointed to Area (and later Region) roles in Somers and South Metro from 1988 to 2010.
Shirley was appointed an Honorary Commissioner (Victorian Branch) in 2011 for her extraordinary long service to Cub Scouts. She was also an Associate member of the Victorian Scout Foundation.
Shirley was an active participant in the 16th Australian Jamboree in 1992 in Ballarat and held an organising role in four Cuborees in 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2005. As well as a host of conferences and training courses as a helper, she held Wood Badges in Cub Scouts and as a Group Leader and participated in a host of specialist courses.
In recognition of her long and dedicated service she was awarded the Medal of Merit, the Silver Acorn, Silver Emu and the highest award, the Silver Kangaroo in 2006.
Shirley Harding is an exceptional individual whose lifelong commitment, leadership, and passion have enriched in lives of countless Cub Scouts and Leaders through her vision of bringing to life the Jungle Book and teaching basic skills to the Cub section at many levels. She is a truly a worthy recipient of Scouts Victoria Life Membership.
Graham Geoffrey Lawrence
55.5 Years of Service to Scouting
Graham began his distinguished journey in Scouting as a member of the 13th Camberwell Group, earning the King’s Scout Award in 1948. This accomplishment marked the beginning of an extensive and impactful career within the Scouting Movement, during which he contributed significantly in various capacities, sharing his expertise and guidance with both youth and adult members.
His leadership roles commenced as Assistant Scout Master at 1st Mornington and progressed to Scout Master in 1967. Subsequent appointments included service at 1st Korumburra in 1969 and later as Group Scout Master at 2nd Maryborough during 1969 – 1970, illustrating his commitment to developing Scouting across Victoria.
Graham later established his base in West Waverley District, where he served as Group Scout Master for the 5th West Waverley Scout Group, before advancing to District Scout Leader and District Commissioner in 1981. His dedication and proficiency led to further appointments as Assistant Area Commissioner in Somers Area and subsequently as ARC (Resources) for South Metro Region until 2008.
Beyond his direct leadership roles, Graham contributed as a member of the Bay Park Committee, frequently participating in Working Bees. He was among the founding members of the Victorian Scout Foundation from 1982, and later held positions as Committee Member for the Australian Scout Fellowship and ASF event coordinator from 2013 to 2023.
Graham’s legacy includes notable involvement with the Formula Bike event at Sandown Racecourse, where Scouts, Venturers, and Rovers participated in 24-hour cycling competitions supported by dedicated parents and leaders who provided refreshments, sleeping accommodation and bike repairs.
In his later years, Graham served as an Activity Leader with Scout Heritage Victoria from 2008 until his retirement in 2024. In recognition of his outstanding service, he was awarded Life Membership by Scout Heritage Victoria.
He holds both Group Leader and Commissioner Wood Badges and served as a committed Training Team Helper.
Graham’s exemplary service has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Medal of Merit (1982), Bar to the Medal of Merit (1992), Silver Emus (1998), and the prestigious Silver Kangaroo (2025). His event participation is equally impressive:
- 16th Australian Jamboree (1992)
- Bay Camporee 7 (1999)
- Bay Camporee 6 (1997), Bay Camporee 5 (1994), Jamborella (1990)
- 21st Australian Jamboree (2007), as part of the Heritage Activity Team
- Anniversary Jamborette (1948–1949) and Yarra Brae Jamboree (2009)
Currently, Graham resides at Ferndale Gardens Nursing Home, Bayswater, while his wife Gwen is accommodated elsewhere within the facility.
In July 2025, the Scout Heritage Team visited to present him with a Certificate of Appreciation marking his retirement from Scout Heritage Victoria. During this visit, Graham engaged in a warm and animated discussion with the team.
The award of Life Membership by Scouts Victoria is a fitting tribute to Graham’s lifelong contribution and dedication to Scouting.
John Leonard Coulson
61 years Service to Scouting
He then joined the Victorian Branch for nine years, before becoming an Honorary Commissioner from 1997 to 2004, and this appointment continues today.
Although John eventually retired his uniform, his commitment endured through various lay positions. His legendary service at Clifford Park is notable; he chaired the Camp Committee from 2006 to 2016 and remains an active committee member in 2025. Additionally, he led Mt. Dandenong Region as Chair for 12 years until 2022, skilfully guiding the Region Executive and representing it on the Branch Council, further enriching Victorian Scouting with his wisdom.
John’s dedication was inspired in part by his three sons and daughter, who all joined Scouting as youth members.
He participated in significant events such as the 7th Australian Jamboree in Dandenong (1964/65), the 11th Australian Jamboree (1976/77) at Rossmoyne Park, Dandenong, and contributed to the Victorian subcamp at the 16th World Jamboree at Cataract Park (1988). His involvement extended to the 11th Australian Venture at Anglesea in 2000 and the Anniversary Jamborette at Yarra Brae, now known as Clifford Park in honour of Lord Clifford, the landowner, where two Australian Jamboree were held.
Throughout the 1980s, John supported new leader training and fostered many lasting friendships wherever his Scouting travels took him. In recognition of his outstanding and loyal service, he received the Medal of Merit (1985), the Silver Acorn (1993), the Silver Emu (2002), and the prestigious Silver Kangaroo (2009).
John’s impact on Scouting is considerable, and his pride in Clifford Park is well-founded. A kind-hearted man, he is respected by all and truly deserving of Life Membership of Scouts Victoria.
Donald John Barry OAM
63 Years of Service to Scouting
Don Barry’s remarkable Scouting journey began in 1947 as a nine-year-old Cub with the 9th Melbourne Scout Group.
His adult Scouting service commenced at 5th Northcote, where he served as an Assistant Scout Leader before moving to 1st Laverton in 1963 to take up the role of Group Scout Master, a position he would later return to in 1968.
In 1969, Don became the District Senior Scout Leader in Footscray, later serving as Assistant District Commissioner in Gellibrand District. A few years later, he joined 1st Broadmeadows as an Assistant Venturer Leader for three years, followed by a non-warranted role in Hoadley Area. His time away from Victorian Scouting was marked by service in other Branches across Australia.
By 1978, Don was serving as District Scout Leader in the Djerriwarrh District, a position he held for four years before transferring to 3rd Melton as an Assistant Venturer Leader in 1981. He later became Group Leader in 1986. These Melton years coincided with his sons’ achievements, Malcolm earning his Queen’s Scout Award in 1981 and Andrew in 1988.
The variety of Don’s Scouting roles and locations over 23 years can be explained by his vocation a dedicated member of the Royal Australian Air Force. Each new posting brought a new Scout Group to serve, as he humorously noted: “When they found out I was in Scouting, a position would suddenly open up someone had just left, and they needed a new Scout or Venturer Leader!”
After his active leadership years, Don continued his service through the Australian Scout Fellowship and Scout Heritage Victoria, where he has been the Insignia Custodian for over 21 years. Supported by his wife Sandra, who carefully washes donated scarves, Don meticulously irons, folds, and catalogues them into the collection, preserving Scouting’s rich heritage. Don was a part of the Heritage Team at the 21st Australian Jamboree at Elmore in 2007.
Throughout his time in Scouting, Don has completed Scout, Venturer, and Commissioner Wood Badges, and contributed to countless training courses. His dedicated service has been recognised with the Certificate of Good Service, Medal of Merit, Silver Koala, Silver Emu, and the National President’s Award (2014).
In 2017, Don was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for “service to youth through Scouts, and to the community.”
Don Barry is an outstanding individual whose lifelong commitment, leadership, and passion have enriched both Scouting and his community. His dedication to heritage, training, and youth development makes him a truly worthy recipient of Scouts Victoria Life Membership.