Continuing to support Rovers for an adventure…

We are pleased to announce the introduction of a new annual award, made possible by a very generous benefactor, and to be known as the “Warawara Award“

Tony Balthasar was Rover Adviser at 1st East Roseville during the 1960s, when Dick Smith was a member of that Crew. Tony passed away in 1979 and some years later, Dick donated a generous sum to create the Tony Balthasar Achievement Award fund. Its intent was to provide the sort of adventurous opportunities for a Rover that Tony assisted with and encouraged during his time at 1st East Roseville. In 2021 after 36 years, and a total of 27 Rover adventures, the fund was finally exhausted. Therefore, no more Balthasar Award. Details of many of the adventures undertaken can be seen here.

Subsequently, the Sydney North Region Rover Council developed plans to establish a new award that would continue to enable an adventurous activity for an individual or group of Rovers, within Australia or overseas.

The Warawara Award is named for a word in the local Dharug language that means “far away”. It is the RRC’s hope that this award will be a worthy successor to the Balthasar, and continue to provide opportunities for Sydney North Rovers to go explore the world and undertake adventurous expeditions.

Valued at up to around $5,000, all Rovers in Sydney North are encouraged to consider this fantastic opportunity, unique to our Region. Please note applications must be endorsed by the Crew/s from which the applicants are from by way of a specially held Crew meeting and must be received by the RRC before its meeting in February each year.

The inaugural Warawara Awardees were announced in 2023. Daniel Atkinson and Emily Marsden from Forest Rovers undertook the Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal in October 2024. Ash Williams from Forest Rovers is the 2024 awardee, and undertook the Camino Inglés Pilgrimage hike in northern Spain in September this year. Both their stories COMING SOON!

Applications for 2025 are now open, and will close at the first RRC meeting for 2025, in early February. All the details including the application form are available at sydneynorthscouts.com/warawara-award_2025

For any queries, please reach out to Aaron Kew (RRC Chair), Nick Buchner (Asst RC-Rovers & Warawara Trustee), or Elyse Versace (RC-Rovers).

Established with similar basic principles to the Balthasar and Warawara Awards, the Dick & Pip Smith Leadership Through Adventure Fund offers another funding opportunity for Rovers to undertake adventurous activities. This is open to members of all youth sections nationally. Find out more here