FRANK Moore, 51, has been involved with Scouts since he was eight, and says it’s the organisation’s values that keep him interested.
‘‘People ask where values are being taught in the community these days, it’s all there in the Scouts,’’ he says.
Along with earning a lifetime’s worth of Scout badges and working his way through the ranks, Moore is now the Glen Eira-Stonnington District Commissioner.
He is also president of the Etz Chayim Progressive Synagogue in Bentleigh and a self-described ‘‘Moorabbin boy for life’’.
Ever humble in his approach and manner, Moore was quietly chuffed to receive the Glen Eira Citizen of the Year award at this year’s Australia Day breakfast, held last Friday.
Glen Eira mayor Jamie Hyams presented Moore with his award and also announced the Young Citizen of the Year winner, Daniel Gregg-Mantle, who was recognised for his work with the Botswana Orphan Project. Gregg-Mantle raised $15,000 towards building materials and local labour and travelled to Botswana to help build the orphanage. The Glen Eira Chinese Senior Citizens Club won the Community Group of the Year award.
Moore has been involved in the Scouts at a local, regional and state level but can easily point to his favourite role – leading the 10- to 14-year-old groups. He says it is the age when children start to mature and develop skills that create strong adults.
‘‘I’ve seen it in my own children, the Scouts gives teenagers chances they would never otherwise have, it’s quite unique.’’
His two daughters, Jade, 21, and Amber, 19, were both heavily involved from a young age – ‘‘I don’t think they had much of a choice,’’ Moore laughs – and Jade is now a Scout leader.
Moore’s current role involves coordinating 19 Scout groups, but he stands out in the organisation for his ability to train and mentor new leaders.
Moore cannot speak highly enough of the Scout movement and says he has enjoyed moving up and down the ranks from management roles back into team leader positions.
‘‘The numbers were dropping for a few years but Scouts is enjoying a revival,’’ he says. ‘‘I can’t think of any other organisation where you would have a 20-year-old organising a 15-day camp for 1000 members all by themselves.’’
He believes a grounding in Scouts leadership has also helped his contribution to the synagogue. He has helped boost membership and community involvement while also improving the synagogue’s finances.
Moore says the synagogue faces the same challenges as many other religious congregations in maintaining young people’s interest.
He says the curriculum and values taught are still the same, but the community has embraced a more modern and accessible approach which has piqued the interest of children and young adults, encouraging their return each week.
‘‘The stalwarts, people who have been here for years like my mum and dad, will keep coming back but we really needed to find new ways to make coming to synagogue more appealing for younger people, and while it’s taken time it’s good to see how enthusiastic they are.’’
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