Rovers (Australia)

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Rovers, formerly Rover Scouts, is the fifth and final section of Scouts Australia, and began in 1918. Rovers are aged between 17 (generally 18) and 26 years of age and are organised into Crews, which can be a part of a Scout Group or as a stand alone Crew. Crews accept anyone interested in taking up Rovering, whether or not they have been in Scouts before. The section is based on Baden Powell's book Rovering to Success and the theme of knighthood.

A Rover Crew is run by its members, lead by a committee. The committee normally consists of a Crew Leader, Deputy Crew Leader, Secretary and Treasurer but large crews may also add a Fundraiser or a Quartermaster. Rovers are adults and make their own decisions but sometimes crews wish to have input from people over 26, called Rover Advisors. These people are appointed fairly freely by members of the crew because of their previous experience. It serves as a means for some members to remain involved after they are supposed to leave.

Rovering is the most popular in Victoria. There are about 100 Crews in Victoria, with over 300 Australia wide.

While allowing District Rover Forums in some states (to organise promotions and social events only), the next step in the Rover Government ladder is the Region Rover Council (RRC). There are currently seven RRCs in Victoria, assisting the Crews in their area by: offering service, organising social functions, distributing information, assisting with training, facilitating the Baden Powell Scout Award and many other tasks. Not all states have RRCs, with the smaller states having only Crews and Branch Rover Councils.

The Branch Rover Council is run by representatives from each of the RRCs, and has representatives from its Sub Committees (for events, property, marketing and risk management). This body approves the BP Lodge Rover (Crew) Service Award and the Baden Powell Scout Award, coordinates training, liaises with other BRCs, develops polices and initiatives and encourages the further development of Rovering. The is a yearly National Rover Council (NRC) attended by representatives of each BRC held in January

Today, the Rover section owns many properties built and funded by the Rovers (including several ski lodges and the largest freehold scout park in the southern hemisphere, Mafeking Rover Park in Victoria), as well as running annual events with up to 75 years of history (Surfmoot). They actively encourage better citizens through: taking part in Scouts Australia's nationally accredited training programs, encouraging leadership, participating in outdoor activities, attending national and international events, providing service, and equipping members with life skills.

There is Also a "National Crew" Of Rovers, known as ScoutReach Lone Rovers, which accepts members from all over the country, and mostly takes its members from areas without a Rover crew or where the nearest Rover crew is further than practical travel allows.

The highest award is the Baden Powell Scout Award.

In 2008, Australian Rovers mark their 90th birthday, along with the 100th anniversary of scouting in Australia.

Australian Rovers run a Rover Moot, every three years.

On the old Khaki uniform, Rovers were distinguished by red epaulettes, but with the new uniform, Rovers are now distinguished by the red shoulder sections on the blue uniform shirts, as well as the 'knot' of five ribbons (tan for Joeys, yellow for Cubs, green for Scouts, maroon for Venturers and red for Rovers) that distinguises the Rovers from every other Section.