By Jed Lanyon
Healesville Scouts are celebrating upgrades to their scout hall as they prepare to move back to onsite activities as Covid-19 restrictions ease.
Some upgrades at the 1st Healesville Scout Hall are now complete as the project sees the hall receive updated signage, resealing of floorboards and line marking, new lighting, a new oven and stove installed replacing an external door and upgrading door hardware, and the reconfiguration of the stormwater guttering system.
Secretary Ros Kane said the upgrades would be a welcome addition, not just for the Scouts, but for the wider community groups who access the hall.
“I think they’re all kind of looking forward to coming back and having a sleepover in here and starting to get back into the proper scouting stuff. They’ve done Zooms and been chatting with each other online, but to actually get back face-to-face will be really exciting for them.”
The project has seen a large monument rock installed in honour of David Blair, a strong supporter of the Scouts, who tragically lost his life in a skiing accident in 2019.
“He was heavily involved for a number of years and was really respected in the scouting community overall. Not just within Healesville.
“It’s been really important for people who have been involved with Healesville Scouts for a really long time to make sure that his legacy is remembered and that’s why we’re doing this special project here in the garden.”
The club plans to hold a working bee to overhaul their garden and outdoor area. An activity that has been postponed twice now due to Covid-19 outbreaks.
“We had plants ready and people ready and then everything got locked down. Now we’re back to having to weed again and start all over.
“It will be a nice area with more of a native garden and a nice area for the Scouts to come out here with their fire pit, so they will appreciate that.”
The State Government provided $7500 towards the upgrades at Healesville Scout Hall as part of a $5.5 million investment in Scouts infrastructure across Victoria.
Minister for Youth Ros Spence said, “An investment in our scouting programs is an investment in our future young leaders – and we’re providing opportunities for young people to develop their skills, participate in their communities, and make friends for life.”
