23/12/2021
Scouting tribute to DAVID JOHN DOWNIE
It is with extreme sadness we advise that Deputy Region Commissioner Hunter & Coastal Region, David John Downie, was called to Higher Service on the 21st December 2021.
David was aged 63 years.
David had been a leader for 39 years. He commenced as a leader in 1st Toronto Scout Group on 24 November 1982, and was a leader for 11 years before being District Scout Leader, West Lake Macquarie District for a further 3 years and Region Leader Scouts or 2 years. David was appointed Regional Commissioner (Adult Training & Development) on 13 July 1998, a position which was without doubt his passion. He absolutely loved being a leader trainer.
David held the Adult Training & Development position in Hunter & Coastal Region for 18 years. Just an extraordinary time frame and commitment; literally hundreds of hours. His forte was the Scout section and he was known to be the benchmark for other leader trainers to aspire to.
At the invitation of the Region Commissioner, David was appointed Deputy Region Commissioner Hunter & Coastal on 29 February 2016, specifically for Adults in Scouting. He held this position until being called today to Higher Service.
David was an absolute gentleman. Everybody loved, admired and respected David Downie. He made people at ease and comfortable and very approachable and his time was always Scouting’s time. He had a very impish personality, totally unpretentious and down to earth as they come. He was loyal to a fault and, quite frankly, a better man never walked the planet. So much was he loved and respected by all.
David attended 7 Australian Jamborees, holding Troop Leader positions on more than one occasion.
Thousands of leaders have been trained by David Downie and no doubt David’s enthusiastic outlook and Scouting passion influenced them immensely and positively on their respective Scouting journeys
