Youth Commissioner Team

Welcome to Youth Commissioner Team

Be prepared for Adventure

The Youth Commissioner Team (YCT) is the youth leadership body of Scouts SA — a team of young people aged 15–25 who hold real decision-making authority, represent Scouting across South Australia, and drive initiatives that improve the experience of every young person in the organisation.

What we do

We exist because young people know what young people need – and because that knowledge should translate into real power. As Youth Commissioners, we sit at the branch leadership table. We vote on policy. We represent the organisation at government and community events. And we deliver projects that create measurable change for many Scouts across South Australia.

Our work spans three portfolios:

Representation & Engagement
Social Impact
Youth Initiatives

Each owned and driven by our team members. Every portfolio produces real outcomes: events run, positions published, initiatives launched, voices heard.

This isn’t about titles. It’s about using our position to meaningfully shape the future of Scouting in South Australia.

What we stand for

Authentic Voice

We speak from a genuine youth perspective, not filtered through adult expectations or institutional caution.

Real Authority

We hold genuine decision making power. We’re not here to advise, we’re here to decide.

Tangible Impact

We measure what we do. Every initiative, event, and report is tied to outcomes that improve the youth experience.

Accountability

We own our portfolios, deliver on our commitments, and report back to the people we represent.

Our team

Meet the 2026 Youth Commissioner Team — 17 Scouts from across South Australia, each bringing their own skills, backgrounds, and drive to make Scouting better for everyone.

Jackson Pawelski
Assistant Chief Commissioner – Youth

Lincoln Rieger
Assistant Chief Commissioner – Youth

Our portfolios

The YCT organises its work across three portfolios. Every Youth Commissioner co-owns a home portfolio – it’s their responsibility to report on it, drive it, and deliver results.

Representation and Engagement

What this portfolio is about

The YCT doesn’t just work internally – we show up. This portfolio is responsible for making sure Youth Commissioners are present at the right tables: government forums, community events, Scouting milestones, and public engagements across South Australia. We manage our event calendar, prepare briefing materials so commissioners can walk into any room ready, and capture what we learn along the way.

Events and engagements

2026

MCing the 2026 Scouts SA Annual General Meeting
Chief Commissioner’s Garden Party at Woodhouse Activity Centre
Fullarton Scout Group 100-year birthday celebration

2025

Super Splash 2025 at Camp Illawonga
Roonka Camp 2025 – Welcome to the Fun House (Joeys and Cubs)
Cuboree 2025: Journey to Adventure at Woodhouse Activity Centre
Cohen Cup 2025 – Outback Extravaganza
ANZAC Day commemorations across South Australia (April 25)
Wood Badge Training Program volunteer recognition

Ongoing

Engagement with local, state, and federal government representatives on youth issues
Representing Scouts SA at SA Youth Week events
Attendance at Scouts SA branch-level meetings and leadership forums

Social Impact

What this portfolio is about

If we don’t measure it, it didn’t happen. The Social Impact portfolio exists to make sure the work of the YCT and Scouts SA is visible, credible, and backed by evidence. We collect data on what we do, build case studies that tell the real stories behind the numbers, and communicate our work back to the Scouting membership and beyond. This portfolio also supports the team’s broader advocacy work – giving our voice the substance it needs to be taken seriously.

Youth Initiatives

What this portfolio is about

This is where ideas become reality. The Youth Initiatives portfolio leads the YCT’s active projects – the things we’re building, launching, and running for young people in Scouting. Commissioners in this portfolio own 1–2 initiatives at a time, coordinate consultation across the membership, track progress against clear goals, and report outcomes. Past and current work includes developing bin posters for halls, making a safeguarding activity to teach about protecting our young people, developing a youth recognition platform and other projects that directly improve how young people experience Scouting in SA. Click here for resources.