SCOUTS New Zealand
Media Statement: 30 April 2019
Jenny Rodgers, the General Manager, Lower North Island and National Schools Manager sadly passed away in the crash north
of Taupo on Sunday, 28 April 2019.
Jenny’s bright smile, loud laugh and passion for life would fill the room wherever she was. Her dedication to family and
passion for Scouting was deep. Jenny’s passing is a loss for the movement on many levels.
Jenny, who started out in Scouting at 14 years of age, joining one of the first mixed gender units in the country,
proudly achieved her Queen’s Scout Award in 1984. Jenny was a dedicated volunteer taking on many leadership roles in
SCOUTS across her 30 years of service.
Jenny’s caring and selfless nature meant that she was fondly known as ‘Scout Mum’ to many. Her ability to take people
under her wing and to go out of her way to help others no matter the task was something that will be sorely missed.
Jenny lived by the Scout values and role modelled them every day.
Jenny was an ardent supporter of Gang Shows, particularly the Hutt Valley Gang Show and would spend hours perfecting
costumes that the young people could wear with pride.
Jenny was a volunteer warden at Brookfield Scout Camp for nearly 25 years. Brookfield Scout Camp was a place that held a
lot of meaning to Jenny and she loved sharing its history with others.
Jenny was also a valued staff member of SCOUTS New Zealand for over ten years and was the heart and soul of Scouting in
the National Scout Centre. The variety of roles held over this time made Jenny the “go to” person for volunteers and
staff alike. Jenny’s positive can-do attitude and commitment to Scouting values will be missed.
Jenny is survived by her husband, Andrew, also a dedicated volunteer within SCOUTS, her three daughters, granddaughter,
mother, siblings and wider family.
The family have asked that we respect their privacy while they come to terms with their loss.
SCOUTS is setting up a an online memorial page as well as a Givealittle page.
-ENDS-