Scouts district commissioner Gerard White tells Jennifer Pittorino about his work in the local government and his involvement in Scouts.
Tell us a bit about you and what you do?
I am the overall commissioner in charge of the district. There are seven groups in the district and each one has a group leader. The district is a support to the groups and also a conduit to our Victorian branch office. I don’t run a program for the children.
Can you tell us any more about your new role as District Commissioner Kariwara?
I have a district team that is responsible for a different section of our youth program. The district team is here to support the groups, help train and mentor leaders, and coordinate the district. Scouting happens at the group level with our youth, and we want to make sure they have fun, we have helped shape and develop our future citizens. It is very rewarding. My daughter has been involved since she was seven and is now a Venturer who is working towards her King’s Scout award. The scouting movement has had a significant impact on her development. It takes more than a child’s parents to raise a child and scouting can be so pivotal for a child to understand service and develop their leadership and life skills.
Tell us about your work in local government.
I was a councillor with the City of Maribyrnong from 1997 till the end of 2005. I was the mayor in 2000 and 2003.
Why did you choose to run as a councillor for Maribyrnong?
I was involved in the Labor Party, and when democracy was returning to local government in 1997, I put my hand up to run. It was another way to be involved and influence outcomes in the community I have lived in all my life.
How did you find that experience?
It was challenging at times but extremely rewarding to get the issues out there for discussion and then move forward. I enjoyed attending many community events to engage with all parts of the community.
What’s your connection to Maribyrnong-Hobsons Bay?
I grew up in Yarraville and now live in Kingsville and I went to local schools and studied at Victoria University. I also trained as a nurse at Footscray Hospital in the 1980’s.
What do you like about where you live?
I don’t know anything different. It has always been an area that has changed over the years with being considered very working class. It is now a very popular area, which is reflected in the housing prices, here are also lots of parks and we are so close to the city.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
Not much. Fewer trucks, but I hope to see this change in the next few years.
Where is your favourite local place to spend time?
We love the Sun Theatre and different places to eat in Yarraville. We also enjoy Williamstown. We have a great park to walk in (Cruikshank Park)
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
People are still surprised to know that I am a nurse. I don’t nurse now. Also, I am so local, my family have been in the inner west for generations.
