A photograph of the Longwarry Scout Hall in Collett St c1969.
The town once had a prolific scout pack, producing no less than five Queen Scouts. However, it is the story of the community banding together to build this scout hall which stands out.
Longwarry's first scout pack was formed in 1950, with Tom Maskell serving as scout master. Meetings were likely held in the public hall.
In later years, Ken Beechey took over as scout master, and it was decided the pack needed a hall of their own.
Mrs Brasher, secretary at the time, served as a tireless fundraiser. Bottle drives, clearing sales (garage sales), dances and "bob-a-job" works were all used to raise funds for the new scout hall.
Mr Collett donated a plot of land and Petersen Brothers of Modella lent $800 to the group, and progress moved forward apace.
The timber for the building was cut by Mr Proposch one Saturday morning from logs donated in part by Bill Bowman. The roof trusses were carted free by Harry Russell. Mr G. Little and Bob Frigo gave up their time with the build, and local sparky Ron Hale wired the hall and supplied the clock. The hall committee polished the floors and Mr Beechey as scout master was instrumental in arranging donations of sand and materials for the build.
When Petersen Brothers declined to take back half of the borrowed money, the scout committee decided to buy the remainder of the block - then five acres.
The site was enhanced further when the factory chimney was blown down, and the bricks used as a driveway to the building. The bricks were carted from the factory to the hall by volunteers.
The building was officially opened on October 14, 1967 by Victorian assistant chief scout Mr A. O. Lawrence.
A Longwarry Queen Scouts honour board lists: D. Proposch (1966), P. Malinoski (1968), T. Damon (1968), G. Little (1968), S. Reid (1986) and K. Radford (1988).
The scout hall still stands today at the end of Collett St.
Photograph and information courtesy of Longwarry and District History Group and booklet "Level Crossing Fraser Siding Longwarry".