Scouts in Mowbray

SCOUTS IN MOWBRAY PARK

The environs of Mowbray Park have been a home for scouts since 1929 and records indicate the existence of Sea Scouts and Cubs in these early days of Scouting in Queensland. On 29 April 1929, at a Scouts and Cubs Grand Rally at Paddington, Mowbray Park Cubs won first place in many competitions. At this time, Sea Scouts were meeting in the Park.

In August 1931 a recommendation was made to the Brisbane City Council from the Scout Association that space in Mowbray Park be allocated for the erection of a hall for Boy Scouts. Approval was given and a parcel of land in the Park was allocated. On 19 November 1932 the Governor and Chief Scout, Sir Leslie Wilson, opened a fete described as “Sea Scouts A Joyous Fete”. In addressing the crowd assembled on the allocated land, His Excellency said that there were few places in the world that offered better opportunities than did Brisbane for the training of Sea Scouts and Mowbray Park with its river frontage was ideal.

A den was built and a very strong Scout Group was formed which incorporated a Sea Scout Patrol. Unfortunately in 1948 the hut was burnt to the ground and the contents were lost. A very enthusiastic band of scouting and committee members got to work and built another den. The guidelines were that it had to be an asset to the Park; one which could be built by novices; and for which the cost of materials would not be too high. It was an L shaped building, the “L” part hopefully to house the proposed boat; constructed on ground level of cavity bricks. A machine for making the bricks was obtained and these were made on-site by members of the group. Numerous fetes were held in Mowbray Park to raise funds and this den was opened on 4 September 1954 by Ald. Frank Roberts.

For the next 20 years 1^st Mowbray was a strong and successful Group and used the Park for many pursuits. The Group closed in 1974 but the Den was then used and even extended to accommodate Eastern Hills District Activity Centre and later, elements of the Brisbane Gang Show who built and stored sets there.

The Brisbane City Council resumed the Lease and the den was bulldozed during the late 1990s to make way for the Mowbray Park Ferry Terminal.

SCOUTS IN MOWBRAY PHOTO

Scouters in the Western suburbs c 1953

Left to right –

Back row – Assistant District Commissioner Ernie Yates, Brisbane East District; County Commissioner

Ernest Weller, Brisbane South County; District Commissioner Bob Roseneder, Brisbane East District; Scout Leader John Menzies (Mowbray Park Group) Group Leader Alec Fraser (Mowbray Park Group).

Front row – Cub Leader Betty Long; Supporter Mrs Lambourne; Assistant Cub Leader Pat Hallinan (Mrs Dryden) – all Mowbray Park Group,

This photograph was taken on the occasion of the presentation of the Wood Badge to Pat Hallinan.