Hinterland Grapevine - Maleny Scouts celebrate 88th birthday

Former Prime Minister John Howard declared 2008 to be the Year of the Scout to mark Scouts Australia’s Centenary. About 60,000 Australians currently participate in Australian Scouting, while another two million have been part of the nation’s largest youth development organisation over the past 100 years, he said.

Photo above: The oldest scout, Tim Allen-Waters and the youngest Joey Scout - Teychenne Brooks, cut the birthday cake.

Mr Howard said Australia was one of the first countries in the world to adopt Scouting, which is 100 years old in 2008.

The Maleny Scout Group reaches 88 years old and celebrated with an “open day” at the Maleny Historical Village last Sunday, May 25th.   It is fitting that the Maleny Scout Group has found a new home at the Maleny Historical Village.   This village came through a bequest from the Bryce sisters, Phyllis and Isabelle who made it possible to use the land and the house was the original Bryce home.

Both Phyllis and Isabelle worked to provide for the Maleny Scout Group over many years before their death.   Mr. Harvey Bryce, himself a former Maleny Scout member and a relative of the Bryce sisters said, "They (The Bryce Sisters) would be very happy to see that their "loved" organisation has now found a home in this location on land that they made available to the community."

On this occasion the Maleny Scout Group was officially handed their Scouting Charter.   This is in recognition of the group reaching all the milestones required to reach this stage.

Scouting is a very traditional type of organisation but has changed over the years as societal issues have changed.   Once it was the birth-right and expectation that all yound boys would join a scout group, but today this is not so.

Scout-leaders Wayne Greasley (Goanna) said, "In days gone by there was an eagerness for adventure and camping in the bush.   Today is a digital world so there are other forms of entertainment and camping is much easier today and many families go bush more easily so the boys do not look to scouting to the same extent as they once did."

Scouting, along with other youth groups help in building team spirit but being able to operate independently when required.   This is an important function for younger people who are abvout to enter a new style of lifestyle.

It is also a very enjoyable way for the youngsters to keep fit and active and healthier.

Photo Above: Maleny Scout Group 2008 at the Maleny Scout 88th birthday.

Not only was this the occasion of the 88th birthday of the group but it was the occasion on which the Scouting Chief Commissioner for Queensland - Maurice Law, AM. presented the group with the official Scout Charter Certicication. This Certificate is a "coming of age" for any scouting group.

Photo Left:

Scout-leaders Wayne Greasley (Goanna) Cub Scout Leader, Margaret Greasley (Emu) receive their “charter” scarves from the Scouting Chief Commissioner for Queensland - Maurice Law, AM.

The maroon scarf replaces the traditional green one to indicate that the group is chartered”

Photo above
Scouts enjoy their team building exercises along with showing their ropeing skills.
The suspension rope bridge demonstrates basic ropoeing techniques.

Along with present day scouts numbers of scouts from down the years of scouting in Maleny attend the birthday celebration. The oldest, Mr. Tim Allen-Waters and Allan Lawley were present to see the younger members continue the tradition.

Ironically Mr. Alan Lawley's.grandfather built one of the original houses now on the site. This house was stood on the top of Teak Street hill for many decades before being shifted to the Maleny Historical Village site. It is being restored to its former glory.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 May 2008 )

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