Scouts in Casey Cardinia

Cora Lynn Scouts, c. 1947.

Image: Rouse Family collection.

2008 is the Centenary of the Scouting movement in Australia. The Scouting movement was established in England, in 1907, by Robert Baden Powell, who was created Lord Baden Powell of Gilwell in 1929. By 1908 the movement had spread to Australia, Belgium, Gibraltar, Ireland, Malta, New Zealand and South Africa. Casey Cardinia has a number of Scout camps. Gilwell Park, at Gembrook, was established in the 1920s, though Scouts had been camping at Gembrook since 1910. The land for Gilwell Park was donated by the Russell family of Swallowfield , Gembrook. Cecil and Alice Russell had arrived in Gembrook in 1907. They had three sons, Bill, Tom and Jack. Tom Russell became a Scout Commissioner. The G.W S Anderson Park at Officer was purchased in 1928. It was named after George William Strachan Anderson, who held various positions in the Scouting Movement and was Chief Commissioner of the Scouts from 1937 until 1951. There is also the Dallas Brooks Scout Park in Beaconsfield Upper. Sir Dallas Brooks was the Governor of Victoria from 1949-1963 and Chief Scout from 1948 until 1963. Many small towns in the area had their own Scout, Cubs and Guides troop. Narre Warren North Cubs from1957. The Leader is Mrs Nell Schneider.

Narre Warren North Cubs from1957. The Leader is Mrs Nell Schneider.