Carey Park Scouts Venturer Jessica Bayley recognised for dedication

Jessica Bayley began scouts 10 years ago with the Leschenault Scout Group, switching to Carey Park Scouts in 2018 to become a venturer.

"I got into scouts initially because my friends would come to school and tell me about all the fun things they did," Bayley said.

"I enjoy it because I'm an outdoorsy person and like camping and hiking, but I also like how you can do lots of activities and events that you wouldn't normally think you could do with scouts."

Bayley's 2021 scouting achievements include a certificate II in active volunteering, a certificate II in leadership, and she is now working towards her queen scout award, which she hopes to receive in early 2022.

She said the queen scout award was the "peak" award for venturers.

"You receive it by completing participation and leadership courses in each year of scouts," Bayley said.

"The courses focus on bettering yourself and also allow you to complete special interest areas to build your own badge."

As a graduate from Australind Senior High School, Bayley also received the 2021 Forrest Medal for Community Citizenship, which specifically recognised her work in the community through scouts, including COVID-19 marshalling at a conference and visiting Rottnest Island to help clean the beaches.

Bayley also notably won a subject award from the school for geography.

"I think scouts is very good, because you can make lots of friends and go to lots of places," she said. "It also takes you out into the environment, which is really nice

"When we go hiking you see how pristine the region is and how important it is to be maintained."

For 2022, her first year out of high school, Bayley has applied to study environmental science at Curtin University.

She is currently working on a tree nursery in Narrogin, to help grow additional trees for the community.

Some of the trees will go to the Shire of Harvey to assist with the shires dune rehabilitation.