Jack started his Scouting career in 1934 as a Cub with 1st Victoria Sea Scouts. After serving with the RAN during the 2nd World War, he returned to the Troop, subsequently becoming a King’s Scout and a Rover before being appointed a Scout Master in 1947.
He moved to Canberra in 1955, and was appointed Scout Master at 4th Canberra before becoming District Commissioner Canberra South from 1958 to 1961. From 1961 to 1969 Jack filled the roles of Rover Leader, Assistant Area Commissioner (Training) and District Commissioner Woden Valley as well as Group Scout Master and Senior Scout Master, Lake Burley Griffin Sea Scout Group which he had played a leading part in establishing. In 1969 he was appointed Area Commissioner of then Canberra Monaro Area.
In 1977 he resigned his appointment as Area Commissioner, becoming an Honorary Commissioner and in 1978, accepted the appointment of Area Chairman. He was an architect of the ACT Branch and became its inaugural chairman, a position he held for 6 years. This appointment also entailed being a member of the National Executive Committee. In 1995, he acted as interim National Secretary for several months, and for several years was the ACT Branch Secretary, in an honorary capacity.
In addition to all the foregoing, Jack was a trainer of Scout Leaders, whom he inspired to a greater commitment than they envisaged. Through his commitment to the growth of young people and his unswerving belief in the benefits of Scouting in their lives he not only imparted knowledge and skills but, importantly, he influenced the formation of the appropriate attitudes among new Leaders to strengthen their belief in Scouting.
Jack received numerous Scouting awards, culminating in the award of the Silver Kangaroo in 1987.