Trafalgar resident Wombat Lyons has added an international role to his Scouting volunteer work.
He has been appointed "subject expert" on mental health and children and young people with special needs for the world scout movement's Asia Pacific region that has 30 members including Australia.
Wombat said his new role, additional to other commitments to the scouting movement throughout Gippsland and Victoria, would continue until October next year.
He said the use of digital technologies would enable him to carry out the position while continuing to live at Trafalgar where he is employed as student welfare manager at Trafalgar High school.
Wombat will continue as cub scout leader for 1st Newborough Scout Group, group leader for 2nd Korumburra, District Commissioner for both South Gippsland (covering Bass Coast and South Gippsland Shires) and Eastern Rivers (covers Wellington and East Gippsland Shires), acting Region Commissioner for Gippsland while also holding the state role of Assistant Chief Commissioner - Program Support Leaders.
Past employment in residential care in a disability setting in Melbourne and in social services had been relevant to his latest scouting appointment."I've been proud to support Scouts Victoria with its approaches to diversity and inclusion and to now take on an international experience is exciting."
"Scouting in Gippsland is fantastic at fostering an inclusive and diverse Scouting community and it will be amazing to share this with other 'experts' from across the 30 member organisations of the Asia Pacific region.
"I've always encouraged our youth members to seek international opportunities that Scouting offers, and it's nice to accept an opportunity for myself, taking advantage of my career and volunteering experience," he said.