What is the Council of Achievement
The Council of Achievement is a special meeting convened by the Outpost staff to recognise and give honour to those of our Outpost who have applied themselves to moving up the advancement trail. Every Royal Ranger at Blaxland has advanced, achieved and learned this year. Each can feel proud of their achievement.

Some will be receiving badges at this time. Some are still working on their current badge. Everyone has earned one or more badges this year. There is no shame in not receiving a badge tonight. A Royal Ranger knows and understands that a job worth doing is worth finishing. A Royal Ranger isn't interested in unearned awards.

At the Council of Acheivement, we come together to recognise achievement and to motivate ourselves for further achievement and commit ourselves to living by the Ranger code afresh.

That's the purpose of the Council of Achievement.

Now I'd like to talk a little about the place of Royal Rangers in today's society.

Life in the 21st century
Life in the 21st century will be different to life in the 20th. For our children, being good at a trade or being smart won't be enough.

We are ushering in the information age. Where the basis of our economy will be the trading of knowledge and information.

Successful people of the 21st century will be capable in many diverse areas. Employers will be looking for people who understand what success is, who have a proven track record of achievement, who have developed leadership skills, who understand how to be a team player and who have a sense of purpose and direction about them.

In short employers of the 21st century will be looking to employ people with skills and character and qualities like those developed in Royal Rangers.

The Gold Medal of Acheivement
The highest level of achievement in Royal Rangers is the Gold Medal of Achievement. The Gold Medal of Achievement recognises significant application, determination and a long history of achievement.

The awarding of the Gold Medal is significant. It's peers are the Queen's Scout award (or Eagle Scout in the USA) and the Queen's Badge in Boys and Girls Brigade. Its awarding is accompanied by a portfolio of letters of congratulations from people in all stations in life. From the Prime Minister and Premier, the Superintendent of our denomination, the Ranger's Pastor, Commanders and more.

In short it is a tribute to achievement.
It is a record of determination.
It states loudly for the whole world to hear that the recipient is a man or woman of substance, a man or woman of their word, a team player, a leader, a finisher and not a quitter.

Employers of the 21st century will employ people with these kind of credentials.

There are many calls on the family budget, time and energy. I put it to you that Royal Rangers can and should be a high priority in your family.

Many of the other calls on our time and money are worthy: sport, music lessons, gym, ballet, fun clubs, etc. But in prioritising with your child their pasttimes and hobbies think about the 21st century. Think about the skills they will need to gain employment in an information age. Consider the qualities employers will be looking for.

Passion
You might have twigged that I am passionate about this program. I am passionate because I have a vision for this organisation and its place in our society. I see a Ranger program in every town in this country. An outpost in every suburb. I see a program so pervasive that every child in this country will either be a Royal Ranger or know someone who is a Royal Ranger.

Now you may have heard some say that uniformed programs for youth are yesterdays concept and are not relevant today. You may have heard some say "Look at the Scouts."

Well there is one significant distinction between the Scouts and Royal Rangers. Royal Rangers is a whole of life program. Not only covering the Physical, Mental and Social aspects of life - but also covering the Spiritual component of life.

As our nation changes its values and places Jesus as its priority - Royal Rangers will play a significant role in the history of our nation. Your children will play a significant role in our nation.