Latest Uniform Developments

16/12/03

In an email of 5 August, individual opinions were sought on standardising the lower part of the uniform following introduction of the new shirt and belt. We took these steps after many comments indicated that there was insufficient input into the new uniform, and to give members of the ACT Branch some ownership of any subsequent decisions on uniform issues.

The whole matter, apart from being overtaken by higher priority issues, has now become overly contentious and time consuming, and to put further effort into the issue is considered to be nugatory. Under the circumstances, therefore, it has been decided to follow the original line, i.e:

- The style and colour of “below-the-waist” wear will be individual choice for normal activities. No doubt Section Leaders will have some ideas on what is considered appropriate, and will convey those feelings to youth members.

- For special formal events such as ANZAC Day marches, Queen’s Scout or BP Award presentations, the event organiser will specify the colour and an appropriate style;

- The (new) official uniform belt is to be worn as appropriate to the occasion and other dress requirements.

The choice of footwear will also be left to the individual, but should again be appropriate to the occasion. The choice of headwear for activities will also be left to the individual, unless otherwise specified by the activity leader.

We will continue to pursue the issue of a suitable jacket and the possibility of introducing a long-sleeved shirt. Further advice will be provided on these aspects as it comes to hand.

As you are probably aware, there have been some minor changes to the new uniform shirt, confined to the placement of badges. Final details of placement of badges will be advised as they come to hand, but you will be interested to learn that the Australian Flag badge has been restored to the list of official badges on the new uniform shirt for all Sections and adults.

The new shirt and belt will now be introduced over a five-year period commencing on 1 July 2004 and should be available at Snowgum from then.

Although I am more than happy to discuss specific issues with individuals, I can see no benefit in stretching this out any further, and I am, therefore, drawing a line under the matter of introduction of the new uniform.

John Boyle

ACT Commissioner

Brindabella Region

(Note: the above was considered and endorsed by the Branch Operations Committee at its meeting of 4 Dec 2003)

Reply by Greg Kovacs dated 16/12/03

Hi John,

Cc: Crowajingalong Group.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to input into this discussion. I did not reply to your email dated 5 August as a decision had not been made to my knowledge to implement the proposed uniform changes and any comment in support of these preposterous changes would have been redundant.

The issue of below the belt which is part of the extremely poorly thought out changes that have been mismanaged by National is a considerable one. We really will look like a bunch of clowns all wearing different pants, socks and shoes (along with each section wearing varying shirts and the leaders wearing something completely different). To retract the association from the mess of disorganisation and disunity that it is spiralling into, a ‘uniform’ must be mandated by National that encompasses the lower half of the member.

And what about this statement “For special formal events such as ANZAC Day marches, Queen’s Scout or BP Award presentations, the event organiser will specify the colour and an appropriate style” so at every event youth members will have to buy another set of pants to accommodate the whims of the event organiser. What about if they want tie-die pants, which is about the only thing that will suit the shirts proposed?

The issue of headwear is another significant issue, and not for appearance sakes. We live in a country that has escalating occurrences of skin cancers, and as such we should be teaching our youth to cover up. What are the liability consequences if a member sues in the future for cancer as a result of standing on parade on ANZAC day and the Association did not mandate them to wear a hat? There must be a level of a duty of care to the youth.

From a bystander’s view of the changes to the uniform it appears that the membership has been railroaded into change that they necessarily did not want or need, especially into a poorly designed reform that does not entail any of the designs of a ‘uniform’. That is that it is not uniform, each section is different and the leaders are disassociated from their youth members (how does this create unity in the association?).

The internal survey that was supposedly given to all members was a fas. This survey did not address the real question and was designed to manipulate the answer of the respondent to choose an option given, of which there was not status quos. The member opinion was overwhelmingly against the changes and to my knowledge, against all advise, the ACT Branch Commissioner voted to change the uniform. If this is not the case I would like the see the evidence and I will retract this statement.

There are many arguments against the methods used to implement the changes, including the lack of information to justify the change. When this change affects thousands of members why wasn’t the market research published to let everyone see why the changes need to take place? I tell you why, as with every piece of market research it can be disproved and every researcher knows that you can make market research conclude what you want it to.

Either way, I can go on about the underhanded and manipulative methods that have been perceived by the members to instigate the changes, but I shall not waste any more of yours and my time on an issue that has always fallen on deaf ears. The changes are a joke and make the association look less than professional by virtue of the style of the clothes and the manor in which they were implemented.

On a more optimistic note, I am glad to hear that the Australian Scout badge has been restored (some sense is shining through), however I stipulate that we must wear our world membership badge close to our hearts always!... and not on our shoulder. What about the Venturer and Rover Epilates? How does a rover display their BP award? And there are myriads of badge questions like chords etc? again poorly thought out and poorly executed!

Regards

Greg Kovacs

If you would like to comment further on the uniform issue then please complete our uniform survey or send an email directly to Neville Tomkins, Cheif Commisioner ACT at neville.tomkins@health.gov.au