By Taylah Eastwell
Over 50 joeys, cubs and scouts from the 1st Croydon Hills Scout Group recently embarked on a hike to raise money to replace the Mafeking Plaque that was stolen from Lilydale’s Melba Park last year.
The 120-year-old plaque was a commemoration of the Boer War siege and was bolted to the iron-guard surrounding the Mafeking Tree in Melba Park. The theft of the plaque sparked outcry from historians and the local community after a passer-by noticed it missing in September last year.
The plaque was the oldest war memorial plaque in the Yarra Ranges, leaving the Lilydale RSL and historians saddened and appalled by the senseless damage to the old and most sacred war memorial in our region and one of the oldest in Victoria.
The Mafeking Tree was planted in Lilydale in 1900 to commemorate the relief of Mafeking, South Africa. The defence at Mafeking was overseen by Lord Baden Powell, who, following this campaign, wrote ‘Scouting for Boys’ which started the world scout movement.
Cub Leader at the 1st Croydon Hills Scout Group, Ben Gillson said the joeys, cubs & scouts embarked on the hike in celebration of Lord Baden Powell’s birthday, which is marked by scouts all over the world as ‘Founders Day’, on February 22.
The group hiked from Lilydale Lake to Melba Park on Tuesday 23 February and were greeted by President of Lilydale and District Historical Society Sue Thompson and Yarra Ranges Council arborist Nick Magree upon arrival at the park.
Ms Thompson spoke to the fascinated group about the history of the Boer War, before handing over to Mr Magree who explained the history of the tree.
“Your contribution to help recreate the plaque that was stolen is really important to help tell the story and we thank you for becoming a part of that history now,” Mr Magree told the group.
The scout group raised over $280, bringing tears to Ms Thompson’s eyes as she was presented with the funds at the conclusion of the hike on Tuesday 23 February.
“I’m overcome. Most kids don’t care about heritage, and for them to turn up and do this is just wonderful. They are our historians of the future, they are the people who are going to look after our history when we are gone,” Ms Thompson said.
The remainder of funds for the plaque will be met by Yarra Ranges Council, with the new plaque set to be embedded into a large rock in order to keep it safe and ensure it remains at Melba Park.
