This is the second appointment of provincial branches after Western Province took up the first initiative to re-establish Scouting in the provincial centres. Shona Fafale was appointed as the National Growth Coordinator. Frank Samui was appointed as the Scout Commissioner for Temotu Province, while Robert Au was appointed as the National Secretary to the Scout Council. Shona, a local Artist and a graduate in Tourism Hospitality, was inducted into her role with the Asia Pacific Regional Office in Manilla last year and will now continue her work in the Solomon Islands Scout Association.
Frank Samui of Temotu Province is a legal counsel appointed as the Provincial Commissioner responsible for the development of the Temotu provincial Scout Branch.
Robert Au is a former Scout Leader and present General Secretary of the Solomon Islands Public Service Employees Union.
Chief Commissioner of Scout Joe Billy Oge welcomed the new commissioners to the world brotherhood of scouting, saying:
Scouting membership as of December 2021 is 525 inclusive of young people and adults. We want to double our growth and provide more attractive programs to young people across the Solomon Islands. We are still convinced and believe that scouting has a place in the processes of our children and young people’s development.
Newly appointed International Commissioner of the Scout Movement in the Solomon Islands, Thomas Coward, said:
I have been in this Scouts for over 30 years. I know the huge value that being in the scouts can have for young people. It can help kids learn, develop and grow.
Shona Fafale, who joined the Scout movement as Growth Coordinator, said:
My immediate task now is to ensure that our numbers grow annually by reaching out to young people in our communities and schools across the country to join the Scout movement. I know it will be challenging but we are getting there when we work together.
The office of the Chief Commissioner administered the Oath of Office ceremony before the President of the Scout Council, Mr Wilson Mamae, assisted by the Chairman of the Scout Council, Mr William Barile and National Commissioner for Training, Mr Edward James Anisi.
The appointments were approved by the Scouts Council and signed by His Excellency the Governor General and Chief Scout of Solomon Islands, Sir David Vunagi.
The Solomon Islands Scout Association was accepted as a Member Organisation of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM) with voting rights on 30 March 2021. It became the 172-member organisation of WOSM on 30 June 2021.
