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 established 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”. The RRC intends this award to 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. See their story here.

Ash Williams from Forest Rovers was the 2024 awardee, and undertook the Camino Inglés pilgrimage hike in northern Spain in September. Read of her experiences here.

Josie Butler from Platabeen Rovers is the 2025 awardee, and will be undertaking an almost 1,300km cycle ride along the Danube, from the Black Forest in Germany to Budapest in Hungary.

Applications for 2026 will be opened later this year. For reference, all Award details including the 2025 application form can be seen at sydneynorthscouts.com/warawara-award_2025

For any queries, please reach out to Tamara Dudfield (RRC Chair), Elyse Versace (RC-Rovers), or Nick Buchner (former RC-Rovers & current Warawara Trustee).

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