Singleton Scout Group

Est. 1917

Celebrating 100 years

On the 20^th June 2017, Singleton Scout Group celebrated 100years since being officially registered.

Only 10 years earlier, Baden-Powell conducted an experimental camp in 1907 on Brownsea Island off the Dorset coast of the UK. With some 20 boys from all walks of life and suitable adult leaders, Baden-Powell taught the boys what he meant by Scouting. The 1st August 1907 is regarded as the beginning of the Scout Movement worldwide.

Meanwhile Scouting spread to Australia in 1908 and many other countries followed shortly after.

In Singleton between 1917 and 1923, the first meetings were held at the Presbyterian Church in the Grounds of the St Elizabeth’s Girls Home. Meetings were held in a building where All Saints Court now stands in High St. Rev Davis was Troop Leader and Mr H Clark Assistant Scout Master.

The Mission of Scouting is to contribute to the education of young people, through a value system based on the Scout Promise and Law, to help build a better world where people are self-fulfilled as individuals and play a constructive role in society.

In 1920, Lord Baden-Powell was proclaimed World Chief Scout at the first Jamboree at Olympia in the UK.

In 1925, the Scout Troop moved to the All Saints Parish Church Hall. The original troop flag was donated by the Dangar family.

In 1926, the Troops new home was officially opened by the Commissioner of Scouts, Mr Rodd, in the Club Rooms on the corner of George and John Streets.

In 1926, the frames verse, ‘The Royal Path of life’, was donated to the Scout Troop, by Mr H.Wright. The plaque from this frame was recovered following the 1955 floods, where items , put in stage at private homes were lost in the flood. The verse was re-produced and the plaque re-fitted and presented back to the Scout Group by the Wright family. Today this framed verse still proudly hangs in the hall???TBC

The Group system of Cub Scouts, Scouts and Rover Scouts under the leadership of the Group Scoutmaster was established in 1927, Sea Scouts in 1928, Air Scouts in 1941 and Senior Scouts in 1946 (now known as Venturer Scouts).

In 1929, the Scouts moved again to the ‘Old Elite Hall’ in John St, the location of Evidence Surf Shop. The Group temporarily closed from this location in 1947.

Baden-Powell was raised to the peerage (given the title of Lord) in 1929 and was awarded the order of Merit in the Coronation Orders in 1937. He travelled widely, encouraging Scouting in every country he visited. He came to Australia three times, in 1912, 1931 and to the first Australian Jamboree in 1934-35.

Sometime in this period, the Scouts used a building at the present day location of the Car Wash on George St. The former Patron and Singletons oldest Scout, Harrold (Doug) Hobden, recalls his Scouting days at this location in the mid 1930s. The troop travelled to a Jamboree by train and this was possibly The first Australian Jamboree, in 1934, and was held in Frankston, Victoria and was attended by the World Chief Scout, Robert Baden-Powell.

In 1936, Singleton Scout Group reflected in Glory as 3 of their members were awarded ‘Kings Scouts’.

In 1947, Cub Scouts were added to the Troop with the induction of female Cub Scout Masters. In Singleton Mrs Medicott was inducted, and she served for many years.

In 1949, the Group re-opened in the ‘Old Drill Hall’ in William St, where the Bowling Club stands today. They remained at this location until 1952 when it had to be vacated. This building was sold by the Military and demolished in 1959.

In 1952, the Scout again trooped across town to new quarters, this time to the use of a building in the Show Grounds.

In 1955, there was another move to the old ‘St Luke’s Parish Hall’ in Albert St, just up the road from the present day Edwards St hall. They stayed here for nearly 18 years, their second longest home in 100 years! The Venturer second had been formed some time earlier and continued on at Albert St.

In 1973, a hall was donated in Carrington St, the site of the present day caravan park in Glenridding. The hall was donated by Mr George Wyatt and was named as such. For the Scout Group, this was the first true hall of their own. The Carrington St hall site was to be resumed in 1977 and the Singleton Scout Group was forced to move again.

In 1976, the new modern Edwards St Scout Hall was built through generous support of the community in Apex Park.

In 1990, Joey Scouts began in Australia, and soon after Singleton had a Mob. Singleton Scout Group now had four active sections catering for youth from 6 to 18 years of age.

From its English origins Scouting struck an enthusiastic chord among boys in so many countries that it is now coordinated globally by the World Organisation of the Scout Movement (WOSM). From its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the WOSM provides unity amongst the 155 national Scouting organisations (representing a Scout membership of over 28 million).

Today, 100 years on the Singleton Scout Group enjoys a long term lease until 2023 in Edward St, and has over 80 members. Scouting fosters, the physical, intellectual, social and spiritual development of youth, through the ‘Scouting Method’ and the series of hall, the community support and especially the thousands of individuals who have made Scouting happen in Singleton must be thanked for this.