After more than two years of isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, 61 Port Dickson's Council met for the first time to conduct its Annual General Meeting, elect new council members, discuss and confirm its financial position, the budget and direction for its Youth Programme and key priorities.

Newly elected Council members and Adult Leaders led by our patron, Dato' Sri Dr. Prushotman Ragawan and chairperson Madam Ananthi T. Sambandan, discussed the feasibility of small groups, face-to-face, Scouting activities starting April 2022 to coincide with the new school term. Scouting activities at 61 Port Dickson since 2020 has fully migrated online.

Despite this limitation, membership growth has been positive and increased in the past two years. Key priorities discussed included the emphasis on governance, transparency, accountability and formal adoption of a “no straws, no plastic, no polystyrene” policy in support of efforts to counter climate change. “As useful as plastic is, we have seen that its excessive compounded by ineffective waste management has led to plastic rapidly becoming a widespread pollutant on our planet. We can see its negative effect at our school, our beaches and sea,” said Madam Ananthi. 61 Port Dickson is located merely 15.1km to the shore, facing the Straits of Malacca.

61 Port Dickson has formally aligned its direction with the vision and mission of its NSO, Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia and WOSM. “Our direction and six key initiatives are clearly linked to achieve the mission and vision of Scouting, while reflecting our unique cultural values and preserving our heritage,” she said.

The occasion also saw the passing of the leadership baton from Mr. Kugeneswaran Tamilmany to Madam Logeswary Konasegry, the first female Adult Leader, who now will oversee the transformation of 61 Port Dickson to include new membership sections like Bee Scouts (ages 4 to 6), physically disabled Cub Scouts (ages 10 to 12) and community Scouting (ages 13 to 26). “We are answering calls from our community to be a much inclusive and gender neutral Group, with greater awareness concerning UN Sustainable Development Goals and care to lessen our environmental impact. Plus, we are going to have lots of fun and exciting activities for everyone,” she said, thanking past efforts by Mr. Kugeneswaran Tamilmany who was elected by the majority and now serves as Council Secretary.

An oath taking ceremony following by an induction session took place following the AGM held at SJK (T) Bandar Springhill on February 26, 2022, attended by 29 Council members and Adult Leaders.