Independent Australian Scouts, known as Scouts of Australia from 1992 to 2001, is a Scouting organisation operating as a central umbrella organization for independent local scout clubs or associations. Independent Australian Scouts is a member of the Order of World Scouts and became an affiliate and successor to British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association in Australia. Independent Australian Scouts emphasizes scouting as a simple, experiential, outdoor activity emulating frontier scouts in being self-reliant, thrifty and resourceful and useful and helpful. The association views the Scout Movement as part of the wider Woodcraft Movement. The association eschews the cult-like idolization of Baden-Powell, "family scouting", the unnecessary connection of scouting with later juvenile Wolf Cub schemes and the adult over-organization of scouting and its monopolization and manipulation as a commercial product.
History
Independent Australian Scouts began as the Independent Scouts of Australia in 1986. The founding members were all former Queen's Scouts, with years of experience as scout leaders who were dissatisfied with the direction, costs and claims of The Scout Association of Australia. The association registered the name Independent Scouts of Australia Incorporated in 1988. After contact in 1991 with the British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association, Scouts of Australia joined the Order of World Scouts. In 1992, the organisation was incorporated nationally and renamed Scouts of Australia. Scouts of Australia successfully defended legal claims by The Scout Association of Australia to the exclusive right to use the name "scout" and the fleur de lisscout emblem but the corporate name was changed to the present title in 2001 Independent Australian Scouts operated under the name Scouts of Australia from 1992 and registered the business nameScouts Australia. Independent Australian Scouts adopted a logo consisting of a fleur de lis with a five starsouthern cross constellation above the word "Scouts" and applied for registration of a trademark in 1993. Independent Australian Scouts offered a very simple organization structure.
