A HISTORY OF SCOUTING IN THE BALD HILLS AREA



(Including West Bracken Ridge)





1907, 31st July to 9th August - Robert Baden-Powell takes a group of boys on an experimental camp to test his ideas in his book "Scouting for Boys" on Brownsea Island, a 500-acre, windswept tract in Poole Harbour off England's southern coast.


Brownsea Island was chosen for the camp because it was off the beaten track and was difficult to get to. Due to Baden-Powell being a very public figure, he wanted to avoid the Press finding out of his plans as it would have been difficult to keep reporters away. Baden-Powell needed to ensure that the experimental camp was given a fair trial out of the public gaze.



1908, August - Scouting came to Queensland, when four young men started Patrols of Scouts. They were Charles Smethurst Snow (Kangaroo Point), Lesleigh John Williams (Bowen Hills, later New Farm), Leonard Lovejoy (Ashgrove) and Septimus Davies (Toowong). All men were involved in boys’ clubs or Sunday Schools at their local church, and the members of the first Patrols came from these groups. In the beginning, these four men operated their Patrols in isolation, but in 1909 came together to establish a State organisation.


1910, 20th July - a letter was sent by the Australian League of Boy Scouts, Queensland Section, to Boy Scout Headquarters London, stating that “[they] are desirous of affiliating with the Home Headquarters.” The letter goes on to say that “the Council was formed in October 1909 . . . so far as can be ascertained the Council have 45 Troops and 950 Scouts”.


1910, 2nd July - a letter was sent from Boy Scout Headquarters London to Septimus Davies stating “the Headquarters Council have great pleasure in affiliating your Council with the Home Headquarters. The names of the Council will be duly gazetted”. The name of the movement in Queensland was changed to “League of Baden-Powell Scouts, Queensland Section”.



1910, 2nd July - a letter was sent from Boy Scout Headquarters London to Septimus Davies stating “the Headquarters Council have great pleasure in affiliating your Council with the Home Headquarters. The names of the Council will be duly gazetted”. The name of the movement in Queensland was changed to “League of Baden-Powell Scouts, Queensland Section”.


1910, 13th September - a formal constitution was adopted and printed. This provided regulations for the conduct of Scout Troops, uniform to be worn, qualifications of the Scoutmasters and such like matters.


Charles S Snow was the first Chief Scoutmaster (now Commissioner).


King George V arranged a prize of a silk Union Jack on which was the Royal Crown and the Scout Badge, for the Scout Troop with no less than 24 members who had the greatest number of King Scouts by 30th September 1911. This honour went to the 1st Gympie Troop, who had the most King Scouts of any Troop in Australia.



1916 - The Wolf Cubs Section commences (now known as Cub Scouts). 1923 - The Rover Section is officially established in Queensland.


1928, 15th October - Queensland adopted the “Group” system. Sections and Leaders of a particular locale became a Group. However, it wasn't until the 1930s that this system was fully implemented.


By 1960 there were 330 Groups in Queensland and by 1985 this had increased to 409.



1945, 7th September - The 1st Bald Hills Scout Group holds its first investitures.


1945, 25th September - The 1st Bald Hills Scout Group officially commences. The adults were E. J. Carseldine (Group Scout Master), Charles C Baines (Scout Master), E. W. Collins (Assistant Scout Master), Jack Parker (Assistant Scout Master) and Keith Fischle (Troop Leader).


The Scouts were Clive Boyce, Ivan Boyce, Len Chilcott, Dave Doo, Robert (Rob) Ferguson, Cecil Flynn, Tom Gould, Ken Gould, Derek Perkins, Graham Perkins and Merv Williamson.



The first meetings of the 1st Bald Hills Scout Group were held in the amenities block of John Fischle and Sons Jam Factory in Roghan Road, Bald Hills and thence under the house of Mr Bert Davies at Bald Hills, who was the local timber contractor.


Owing to the incompletion of the Den, the final meetings were held in the barn at the back of the home of Mr Hal Taylor, where St Paul's School now stands.


1946 - Senior Scouts commence in Queensland.



1952, 28th April - Owing to lack of public support (no formal committee), the 1st Bald Hills Scout Group closes.


1952 - The 2nd Bald Hills Scout Group commences.


1957 - The 2nd Bald Hills Scout Group opens its new Den at 36 Dickson Street, Bald Hills Village.


1964 - The number designation of Groups in Queensland was dropped. The 2nd Bald Hills Scout Group becomes known as the Bald Hills Scout Group.



About us.



1964, September - Bald Hills Scout Den at Dickson Street, Bald Hills extension is officially opened by Governor Sir Henry Able-Smith.


1967/1968, 26th December - 6th January - Queensland stages its first Jamboree, the 8th Australian Jamboree at Jindalee. More than 15,300 Scouts from 19 Asian and Pacific countries as well as all Australian states and territories participated.


1973 - Senior Scouts become Venturer Scouts.


1975 - Rover Crews and Venturer Units are permitted to accept female members.



1981, October - As a consequence of Bracken Ridge Scout Group having large waiting lists for Cub Scouts and no available nights to run another Cub Pack, the District Commissioner at the time made the decision to form West Bracken Ridge Scout Group.


A community meeting was held at Norris State School hall where around 25 Cub Scouts signed up on the first night. Two Cub Scout Leaders from Bracken Ridge Group elected to move to take on the new Cubs, so West Bracken Ridge Scout Group was formed.


The Group initially met in the school hall for Section Meetings before moving to "the Green House", which was located on the grounds where Bracken Ridge TAFEs carpark is now located on Norris Road.


The Group had for many years spent time fundraising to build a Den of their own. In the mid 1980s the Group found itself without a 'home' when the TAFE announced they would be demolishing "the Green House" to extend their carpark.


The local Member offered the West Bracken Ridge Scout Group the land at 508 Bracken Ridge Road, Bald Hills to build on.



1987 - West Bracken Ridge completed the build of their new Den and took possession of it.


1987, November - A few months following the opening of their Den, West Bracken Ridge Scout Group formed its first Rover Crew.


1988 - Girls are admitted to the Cub Scouts and Scouts Sections in Australia.


1989 - West Bracken Ridge Scout Group Rover Crew entered its first car into the 'Banana Bash'.


Mid to late 1980s - When the Bald Hills Scout Group Den was opened in 1957, there were few houses in the street. However, by the late 1980s the Group had outgrown the suburban street house block. They were unable to grow further or accomodate the entire Group at one time, let alone host District events.


They often had complaints from the neighbours, and this coupled with the lack of space saw the Group looking at options to relocate.


The Group had been fundraising for years in preparation for the relocation and had many discussions with Council, State Government and Scouts Queensland regarding the issue.



In the late 1980s the Group had plans drawn up to build a new Den in Canterbury Park, Bald Hills based on discussions with their local Member. However, when the approval process went through the Group were knocked back due to the area's flood risk.


Scouts Queensland gave the Group the option to either merge with West Bracken Ridge Scout Group or remain at Dickson Street. The Group put the options to their members to vote on, and the option for the merger was passed.


However, there were many members who wanted the Group to remain on the western side of the highway.



1990 - The Joey Scout Section was formed.


1991 - Bald Hills and West Bracken Ridge Scout Groups merge, with Bald Hills Scout Group moving to the Den at 508 Bracken Ridge Road, Bald Hills.


1994, 1st February - The Bald Hills Scout Group Den building on Dickson Street is transported to the its new Dayboro site. From February 1994 until April 1996, the building was refurbished and the ground floor added.


The building was formally opened as the Dayboro Scout Group Den on the 27th April 1996 by Her Excellency Mrs Leneen Forde, A.C. Governor of Queensland.



2009 - The Bald Hills West Bracken Ridge Rover Crew disbanded.


2015 - The Bald Hills West Bracken Ridge Scout Group name is shortened to the Bald Hills Scout Group.


2015 - Bald Hills Scout Group celebrates 70 years of Scouting in the Bald Hills/West Bracken Ridge area.



Scouts QLD




Today's Scouts can take part in an extraordinary variety of outdoor activities, from 'traditional Scouting skills' such as camping and bushcraft, through to more extreme challenges such as abseiling, overnight hiking, rafting, canoeing, canyoning, snow activities, rock climbing, sailing . . . even flying!




Home
About
Policy & Rules
Chief's
Newsletter
Scouts
QLD
Scouts
Australia
International
Scouting
Scout
Shop