Australian Boy Scout Uniforms: 1977

Figure 1.--Australian Scouts, Cubs, and Brownies during a Royal visit, I think in the 1980s. Notice the distictive hats worn by the Cubs. Many of the Scouts still wear the old "lemon-squeezer" hats.

The National Executive Committee adopted new uniforms for all members and decided effective Oct 1, 1977 that these should be phased in over a three year period. Consequently, until 30th September 1980, members of the Movement may wear either the new or old uniforms described below but not a combination of the two.

In a subsequent decision, the National Executive Committee resolved that members of the Sea and Air Branches be permitted to wear their distinctive uniforms as a permissable alternative to the (new) common uniform for a period of 5 years (from 1st October 1977), the position to be reviewed at the expiry of that time.

With the exception of Rule 120, the rules in Part VII of this POR will continue to apply to both existing and new uniforms. Optional items in respect of the new uniform are included in this appendix.

Headgear, as described in the following "old uniform" rules, ceased to be part of the approved uniform as from 1st October 1977 for all members except those members of the Sea and Air Branches, other than Venturer Scouts, who choose to continue to wear the existing uniform. The official Scout uniform hat is was made the "Johnson" hat (a style similar to traditional Australian "Akubra" hats--what Crocodile Dundee wears but with a plaited brown leather band instead of crocodile teeth!)

The new uniforms are as follows:

Kea Scouts: The official uniform for Kea Scouts shall be the Group scarf worn with the official Kea Woggle. Kea Leaders and Assistant Kea Leaders will wear either the uniform as for Kea Scouts or one of the approved uniforms for Adult Leaders. Kea Instructors who are Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Guides or Ranger Guides may wear their Scout or Guide uniform whilst engaged in Kea activities. All Kea Instructors may wear the official uniform prescribed for Kea Scouts. The Group scarf and woggle may only be'worn with those alternative uniforms which include a scarf.

Cub Scouts: The official uniform for Cub Scouts shall be either: a teal jersey (sweater) or shirt, beige shorts, beige walk socks, Group scarf, and black or brown shoes. It is desirable, but not mandatory, that all Cub Scouts in any particular pack are similarly clad in either jerseys or shirts. On appropriate summer occasions the Group Leader may permit Cub Scouts to wear brown sandals in place of shoes and walk socks. In exceptional circumstances only, the District Commissioner may give approval for all Cub Scouts in a particular pack to wear other than official shorts and walk socks provided: all Cubs are similarly clad, shorts and socks are the same color.

Figure 2.--Australian Scouts on parade in a photograph probably taken in the 1980s. These Scouts are still wearing the old "lemon-squeezer" hats.

Scouts: . Scouts: The official uniform for Scouts shall be either a teal jersey (sweater) or shirt, beige shorts, beige walk socks, Group scarf, and black or brown shoes. Scouts over the age of 13 1/2, and in special circumstances with the approval of the Group Leader, any other Scout, may wear long beige trousers, with official belt, and oatmeal ankle socks, as an alternative to beige shorts and walk socks. It is desirable, but not mandatory, that all Scouts in any particular troop are similarly clad in either jerseys or shirts. On appropriate summer occasions the Group Leader may permit Scouts to wear 'brown sandals in place of shoes and walk socks. In exceptional circumstances only, the District Commissioner may give approval for all Scouts in a particular troop to wear other than official shorts and walk socks, or trousers and ankle socks, provided: all Scouts are similarly clad and the garments referred to are the same color.

Venturer Scouts (male): The official uniform for male Venturer Scouts shall be: (1-2) either a teal jersey (sweater) or shirt, beige trousers, official belt, oatmeal ankle socks, Venturer scarf, black or brown shoes. Alternatively the Venture Scouts can wear (3) a teal shirt, beige shorts, beige walk socks, Venturer scarf, and black or brown shoes. Another option is (4) an oatmeal shirt, beige trousers, official belt, oatmeal ankle socks, Venturer tie, and black or brown shoes. The last alternative is provided for those social and other occasions when the wearing of any of the other alternatives is not appropriate. Such occasions shall be decided by the Venturer Adviser who may not over-ride any specific instructions as to the type of uniform to be worn (e.g. Jamboree contingents, formal parades, Queen's Scout Reception, etc.). All male members of any particular Unit shall, as far as possible, be similarly clad in one of the alternative uniforms. On appropriate summer occasions the Group Leader or in the case of a District Unit, the District Commissioner, may permit Venturer Scouts to wear brown sandals in place of shoes and walk socks. (This applies only to the third alternative.) The wearing of other than approved shorts or trousers is not permitted.