Scout Leader David McCallum's Life With 32nd Greenock Scouts
David McCallum at the 32nd Scout Hall in Bank Street, Greenock - Image courtesy of George Munro/Newsquest.
A scouting stalwart who has helped Greenock youngsters discover the spirit of adventure over the last four decades said his first ever leader inspired him to get to where he is today.
David McCallum has been a volunteer with 32nd Greenock and District Scout Group for 42 years, and holds the title of longest-serving District Commissioner since the 1960s.
The dad-of-three started as a Cub when he was just eight and said after the first meeting, he knew he wanted the Scouts to be a big part of his life.
David has no doubt that his first Scout leader, James Hardie, helped to instil in him the love of the movement.
David, 60, added: "I've never left the 32nd - it's where it all started for me. I was hooked after the first meeting.
"James was an inspirational leader and hopefully I take my enthusiasm from him. I always focus on the positive rather than the negative."
David, who lives in Inverkip, said his biggest achievement as part of the 32nd so far has been securing the group's new premises in Bank Street, Greenock, which they took on in 2020.
He led the charge which helped the group raise £500,000 to turn the former care home into a Scout base and a community hub.
The team have added features including a climbing wall, a huge hall, and spaces which local groups can use, and will formally unveil the facility in the first part of 2025.
David said he's thrilled the group now has the building for the next generation of Scouts in advance of the troupe's 110th birthday next year.
He added: "This is our third home and it is a phenomenal place.
"We're transforming the premises into a top-class facility for our young people and the community, and securing the future of the group for the generations of young people to come."
David attended St Patrick's Primary and Notre Dame High School, and has been a civil servant with the Scottish Government for 40 years.
He's married to Carol, who has also been part of the 32nd for 40 years, and the couple have three children and three grandchildren.
David served as District Commissioner from 2005 to 2013, and said his biggest achievement was saving Everton Scout camp from a housing development in 2003.
He helped to double movement numbers from 800 to 1,600, and opened five new groups from Wemyss Bay to Quarriers Village.
David led the movement locally through its centenary year in 2007, with a parade and service at Greenock Town Hall, an exhibition at the McLean Museum, and a garden party at the palace of Holyroodhouse.
As a volunteer with the 32nd, he supported 40 Queen and King Scouts, and attended 15 annual reviews at Windsor Castle.
In 1996, David received the Chief Scouts commendation for good service and was given the Medal of Merit for outstanding service in 2002.
He received the Silver Acorn for specially distinguished service in 2007, and the Bar to the Silver Acorn for further specially distinguished service in 2018.
In 2010, he and his wife Carol attended a reception in the House of Commons and Downing Street in 2010 where they met the then Prime Minister Gordon Brown and spoke about Scouting success in Inverclyde.
The 32nd received the Queens Award for Voluntary service in 2016 - the last one to be issued by the monarch and the only one to be given to a group in Scotland.
David said he's very proud that a lot of young people who have been part of the group have gone on to do great things.
He highlighted one particular Scout who has gone on to represent Inverclyde in the UK Parliament.
David added: "One of my favourites is Martin McCluskey MP. He started as a Cub scout in the group when my wife carol ran the Cubs at the time.
"Martin has gone from a wee boy from Dunlop Street to our new representative in the UK Parliament, and I still have a friendship with him after all these years."
David said the group has a great partnership with St Patrick's and Whinhill primaries, and with local families from Ukraine and Sudan.
He added: "There is a massive Ukrainian influence here, and they are great people. They've arrived here through real adversity, and are adapting to what we do.
"Families are really getting to know people and the language, and learning about customs and traditions. That's what Scouting is about - togetherness, fun and adventure.
"We welcome them. Scouting is a big family. We have 150 people who are part of the group at the moment, but there's always room for more."
David said what inspired him when he joined the Scouts when he was a boy is still at the heart of the movement today.
He added: "It's not just the activities themselves, the crafts, maps, and knots. It's really about people getting together.
"I just loved the spirit of adventure and that continues today in the form of skills for life for this generation.
"I love passing on skills that our leaders passed onto us from their leaders. That's what a movement does; we're carrying on a tradition.
"My role is to support the young people and new leaders coming through, and anyone else who needs it. Giving something back to the community is a great feeling."
Bowman Rebecchi is a proud supporter of the 32nd Greenock & District Scouts and we wish David, Carol and the team continued success.
This article appeared in The Greenock Telegraph.