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What began as a routine canoe trip quickly turned into a dramatic rescue mission, testing the courage and quick thinking of two local Rover Scouts. Their bravery has now been formally recognised.
On Saturday, Andrew MacCormick and Cameron Phelps were awarded the Scouts Australia Gilt Cross for Gallantry, one of the organisation’s highest honours, at a ceremony held at Government House. The medals were presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Chief Scout of NSW.
Andrew MacCormick, from the Hawkesbury River Rover Scout Unit, also received his Baden-Powell Scout Award, the highest achievement for Rover Scouts.
What began as a routine canoe trip quickly turned into a dramatic rescue mission, testing the courage and quick thinking of two local Rover Scouts. Their bravery has now been formally recognised.
Last month Andrew MacCormick and Cameron Phelps were awarded the Scouts Australia Gilt Cross for Gallantry, one of the organisation’s highest honours, at a ceremony held at Government House. The medals were presented by Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Chief Scout of NSW.
Andrew MacCormick, from the Hawkesbury River Rover Scout Unit, also received his Baden-Powell Scout Award, the highest achievement for Rover Scouts.
The act of courage took place in April 2024, during a multi-day whitewater canoeing trip on the Clarence River near Lilydale Riverside Camping Reserve at Winegrove, north-west of Grafton.
While Andrew, Cameron and their fellow Scouts Scott MacCormick and Emma Bonwick were relaxing at their campsite, they noticed a family paddling downstream: a father and his three young children. Within moments, the calm scene turned to chaos as one of the children, a little girl, was swept sideways toward overhanging trees and entangled branches.
Without hesitation, Andrew and Cameron jumped into action. Grabbing a canoe, both still wearing their personal flotation devices but without helmets or proper footwear, they launched into the fast-moving current.
“We didn’t think twice,” Cameron later recalled. “We just saw she was in trouble and went.”
The current proved treacherous. Their canoe struck a submerged branch, throwing the pair off balance. Andrew’s leg became caught between the boat and the tree trunk as the river forced against it.
“It was one of those moments where everything slows down,” Cameron said. “I made sure Andrew was clear first, then went for the girl.”
Fighting against the current, Cameron reached the child, who was still clinging to her capsized kayak. He managed to lift her clear and guide her to a small island mid-river, where her father was desperately trying to reach her.
Andrew, freed from the obstruction, followed soon after, helping stabilise the canoe and get everyone to safety.
Once the immediate danger had passed, the Scouts checked everyone for injuries and comforted the shaken family. Their canoe was badly damaged, leaving them stranded on the riverbank.
True to their training, the group worked together to find a spot with mobile reception to call for transport and later reported the incident to police, ensuring full accountability and adherence to Scouting protocol.
Natasha Lette, from the 2nd Castle Hill Rover Scout Unit, was similarly recognised with her Baden-Powell Award for her dedication, leadership, and commitment to Scouting.
Additionally, Oliver Hunt, of the 1st Cherrybrook Scout Group, received the King’s Scout Award, a prestigious milestone acknowledging personal development, community service, and adventure.
The ceremony celebrated not only the courage of MacCormick and Phelps but also the dedication of young people across New South Wales to leadership, service, and adventure. Their achievements are a source of pride for the local community and a testament to the values Scouting instills, including courage, teamwork, and the willingness to help others in times of need.
Acknowledgement: Scouts NSW and Scouts Australia news releases.
