STORE MANAGER

As a certified gear junkie, Darren began his love of the outdoors roaming around the outskirts of Broken Hill where he grew up. During these years his appreciation for the Australian Outback, the native wildlife and immense landscapes grew stronger over time. He moved to Adelaide in the early nineties and was introduced to the Scout Outdoor Centre by a friend, where amazed by the range of cool outdoor gear that the Scout Shop offered.

With the help of his addiction to all things lightweight and techy, he ventured into the realm of multi-day bushwalking some years ago and has not looked back. From the spectacular landscapes of Tasmania’s Overland Track, coastal vistas around Victoria’s Wilson Promontory to the dramatic coastal terrain of South Australia’s own Kangaroo Island, Australia has everything to inspire his imagination – and the wildlife is pretty awesome as well.

Christine was born in Port Augusta in the mid north and lived there for the first few years of her life. In 1973 her father received a job as the Town Manager of an Aboriginal settlement called Nepabunna approximately (599km from Adelaide) for approximately 3 years. In 1976 she moved to Adelaide with her family. Christine became involved with scouting when her oldest went and watched a theatre production ‘Adelaide Gang’ and she has never looked back. Christine is now involved in a number of theatre productions that perform in Adelaide ‘Comedy Capers’ and the youth theatre programe ‘Scout Shouts’, and she has also been involved as a Cub Leader at Northfield and then a Committee Chairperson of Northridge Para Vista. Christine loves spending time with her children who are growing up too fast, with her eldest being 23 and her youngest now having just turned 16.

SOCIAL MEDIA GURU

Juanita grew up in Mount Gambier, the lower South East, helping on her parent’s farm from a young child. Juanita was always into sports, community activities and being outside on the farm growing up in a country town. She followed her family to the big smoke (Adelaide) in her early 20s. Juanita had various employment roles over the years but was lucky to be employed by an outdoor retailer where over 7 years she progressed to become a Store Manager. Juanita left her role as a manager to work at the Scout Outdoor Centre as a Senior Sales Assistant, as she considered this to be the premium store for outdoor retail in Adelaide. Juanita loves her role in the store, as she is now thriving in her new role as Social Media Co-ordinator but also loves talking to customers on the shop floor, being inspired by them and inspiring them.

This was the perfect job as she loves camping, fishing, kayaking, walking – anything outdoors. Juanita really found her passion for hiking in her 40s. Juanita does a lot of day hiking around Adelaide or throughout South Australia. She has done the Overland Track with a group and was lucky to do The Wilderness Trail on Kangaroo Island the year before the bushfires, solo. This was one of her greater challenges being a woman and alone, but gave her mountains of experience and enhanced her confidence as a person and a hiker.

ANNAPURNA

Melanie grew up in rural South Australia on the family sheep and grain farm.  It was not until later in life, that she realised it was these memories which have instilled in her a sence of adventure and the love she has of the great outdoors.

Melanie then travelled and worked with her now husband, throughout Darwin, Cairns, the Whitsunday Islands and Noosa.

Eventually settling in Adelaide, having two children and sustaining a fun and fulfilling career in retail management, buying and sales has seen her succeed in all roles. Melanie has successfully managed the Annapurna Outdoor Shop since 2013.

She enjoys being active but especially loves multi-day hiking, cycling and hot yoga.

ANNAPURNA

Neil immigrated from England in 1964 and grew up in what was then known as little England (Elizabeth). Never one to sit still for too long, he left school in 1976 and began what has become a considerable career in retail.

From 1976 to 1986 he worked in the footwear industry. However in 1986 an opportunity arose for Neil to work for a company within the outdoor industry. He had always had a keen interest in the outdoors and began rock climbing. In 1987 he headed to New Zealand to take part in a technical mountaineering course, this followed on with his first trip to Nepal in 1990.

In 2009, Neil joined the crew at Scouts and also met Geoff Simpson from Peregrine Travel. Geoff gave him the opportunity to lead a number of treks to Nepal which he found to be an absolute privilege. He has also trekked Kokoda, the Kimberly as well as numerous other walks across Oz.

Neil’s most recent trip was to Poland where his son now resides. They walked in the Tatra Mountains on Poland’s southern border – a place which he hopes to visit again sometime soon.

His other interest in his spare time is weightlifting and is now training to enter The Masters Games in October 2022 in the powerlifting division for his age and weight category.

Alex lived in both Queensland and Victoria before settling in South Australia in 2001. She has a degree in astrophysics from the University of Adelaide and is currently studying a Master of Teaching to become a physics and mathematics teacher and inspire a new generation of scientists and outdoor connoisseurs. With six years in the Scouts under her belt, she has now worked for Scouts SA since 2018. In her free time, she loves to learn about other languages and cultures and explore the hiking trails of South Australia’s national parks – to put her favourite outdoor brands (Icebreaker, Patagonia and The North Face) to the test.

Bodhi is originally from the Adelaide Hills, however, spent a large chunk of his childhood traveling around Europe, Asia and Canada. Through his gap-year he spent three months at an American summer camp teaching video game design and going on many adventures. Since joining the Scouts/Annapurna team in 2017 Bodhi has been kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and many other camping experiences. Mostly a man of leisure, Bodhi specialises in high quality customer service with a focus on customer satisfaction using his skills gained from working in support work. Also studying a Bachelor of Communications, Bodhi loves to talk about any musical request any customers may have – or just about the state of the world.

Caleb moved from England in 2007 and has loved living in the Adelaide Hills since. He discovered his love for hiking when he completed the Larapinta Trail (the first of two times) with his dad in 2017, and decided to pursue a career in the outdoors following this experience.

Caleb has just finished his first year at university, studying a Bachelor of Sport, Health and Physical Education, majoring in Outdoor Recreation, and has started leading with his local scout group. When he’s not hiking, you’ll find Caleb editing his hiking YouTube videos (please check them out!), slacklining, climbing at the crag, or simply talking about climbing. He also enjoys wildlife and landscape photography, and has a beautiful pet python.

Chris was born in Queensland and moved to Cambodia when he was two. He lived there for six years before moving to Adelaide with his family.

A love for adventure at a young age and joining Cub Scouts aged 11 created a passion for the outdoors. Since then, his hobbies have grown to include hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and rogaining. He finished a Bachelor of Science mid-2021, majoring in Ecology. Being outdoors now combines his passion for the environment and adventure.

Some of Chris’ notable expeditions include trekking to Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal, trekking the Larapinta Trail and the Great Ocean Walk, going on winter trips to the Bogong High Plains in Victoria, and multiple bush-walks in Tasmania.

Chris started work at the Scout Outdoor Centre in 2019, and enjoys sharing his experiences and the knowledge he’s gained with customers.

A consummate dabbler, Fleur likes to try her hand at a bunch of different things, getting a feel for activities and subcultures. These include hiking, camping, snorkelling, a spot of climbing, trying to surf, and walking really quietly. She once took a Learn to Sail course twice, and her scooter nickname is Catfeet. She was the winner of the 2017-18 International Corn Off, growing some very fine cobs.

Fleur’s childhood was filled with trips along the SA coast and weekends in the garden. These fostered a love of wildness and the outside. She is currently studying environmental science and has a degree in creative writing. Along with protecting and celebrating the environment, she loves yoga, coffee, sunshine and the wind. The ocean is her ultimate muse – along with her friend Jonny.

Fleur has worked at the Scout Outdoor Centre / Exurbia for a little over 3 years. She loves chatting with customers about their adventures and helping them choose the ultimate gear for their needs.

James lives and breaths the Outdoors. James is into many sporting activities, and loves going on spontaneous adventures. He has been traveling around the world with family, doing adventures activities like motorbike riding, whitewater rafting, zip ling through rainforests and hiking.

Some of James’ hobbies include rock-climbing, bushwalking, kayaking, surfing and dancing. One of James goals is to paddle the Bass Strait to Tasmania. James is also an avid surfer who loves to travel around the country to surf different spots. A fun fact about James is he has been dancing in all styles of dance for 10 years now. He was going to travel around the world as a professional dancer but chose to pursue his love for the Outdoor Environment.

James has been working as an Outdoor Education Instructor with various schools for 4 years now. He has worked with the senior school students, taking them to multiple location around South Australia participating in different activities. James is a qualified instructor in school camp activities which allows him to help students succeed in the activities. He is passionate about making a difference in the student’s life no matter how small the outcome is. You can make someone’s day by just having a conversation with them.

Luke’s first outdoor adventure was a camping trip before turning 1 year old and he hasn’t stopped since. He developed his great love for the outdoors through camping trips with his parents, taking 12 months to travel around Australia in 2005 and many other school holidays spent driving to amazing locations to explore and admire.  He started Scouts in 2008 and participated for 10 years. Scouting allowed him to travel to a lot of great places and experience things he might not have had the opportunity to otherwise. He also gained his Queen’s Scout Award.

After finishing school he studied a Dual Diploma of Outdoor Recreation, Travel and Tourism Management at TAFESA. Participating in this course allowed him to develop skills and qualifications which now allow him to work as an Outdoor Instructor with school groups on their camps and members of the public.

Some of  his hobbies include bushwalking, rock-climbing and mountain biking. His life goal is to complete the Big 7 which is to summit the highest peak in every continent with his mate. He also aims to reach the North and South Poles.

Luke loves being able to help people out with quality gear to help them enjoy themselves on their adventures – wherever the trail takes them!

Marcus was born in Texas and spent his schools years between Florida and Brazil. When he finished high school he moved to Hawaii and spent time traveling in Southeast Asia landing in Australia about 10 years ago.  He spreads his time between work, study and his children, using the time left over to climb, surf, trail run and reclaim scrap wood into various projects.

Ryan Gaskon is originally from Central Australia. He grew up living in remote National Parks, developing his love for the outdoors. He is fortunate to have travelled all over Australia pursuing his passion for the outdoors since graduating high school.

He is a qualified Climbing and Hiking Guide and has done many iconic Australian walks – including the Larapinta Trail, the Great South West walk in Victoria and the Carnarvon Gorge Great Walk in Queensland.

Rock climbing is Ryan’s true passion and has been climbing for half of his life, in any and every style – from Trad at Moonarie, to Sport in the Blue Mountains and a series of hard First Ascents in my home of Central Australia. He has competed in climbing at a high level, both locally and internationally, with multiple Junior titles and Open Podiums to his name.

Ryan’s other passions include writing science fiction novels and caring for his pet snakes in his spare time.

He’s been with the Scout Outdoor Centre/Exurbia team for a little over a year. He is one of our climbing gear specialists and loves nothing more than sharing his passion with like-minded customers.