Supporting communities  |  26 Mar 2019

Being recognised with a Community Service Award is a badge of honour for a Halswell Cub Leader.

Jo Burt, 50, who also works with young adults with special needs, has been involved with the Scout movement for nearly 35 years.

Her remarkable service and commitment to volunteer work was acknowledged with a Christchurch City Council Community Service Award last year.

This year, she is helping to promote the awards, which are now open for nominations.

Community Service Award recipient and Cub Leader Jo Burt.

Community Service Award recipient and Cub Leader Jo Burt.

For Mrs Burt, the award “felt like I was appreciated for all the hours I have put in”, especially behind the scenes.

She also loved meeting other recipients and learning about their impressive achievements at the special awards ceremony.

However, she points out that “you do not do things for awards, you do it because you want to”.

“My Dad was a Group Leader at Scouts. I went to Brownies, Guides, back to Brownies as a Junior Leader and then into Cubs as a Leader,” Mrs Burt says.

“I have been a Cub Leader for 33 years, a Kea Leader (while still doing the Cubs role) for five years, Assistant Group Leader (while holding my regular position) for 12 years, and District Cub Leader for five years.”

During that time, Mrs Burt, who has helped “hundreds” of youngsters, has volunteered with the St Nicholas Scout Group for 18 years and the Halswell Scout Group for a further 15 years.

“And I will continue to be involved for as long as I can,” she says.

“The youngsters learn so much – working as a team, knotting, compass, cooking, camping, and a lot of badge work achievements.

“Moving through the sections, they can achieve Chief Scout, Queen Scout and Duke of Edinburgh awards, which can help when applying for jobs.”

Mrs Burt also organises the annual group camp, which attracts more than 120 youngsters, leaders and parents, and at least two fundraisers each year.

She acts as mentor to many, runs training sessions and dedicates each Friday to all her extra administration work.

Mrs Burt aims to lay the foundations for young people who will contribute to their area and, eventually, the wider community.

She believes that volunteering changes everyone for the better.

Community Service Awards nominations close on 12 April.