|
|
|
|
4TH WILLIAMSTOWN SEA SCOUT GROUP HISTORY OF OUR SCOUT GROUP
On Friday evening, October 29, 1926 a meeting was called to form a Troop of Boy Scouts at St. Bartholomew's Church Hall, Kororoit Creek Road, Williamstown. St. Bartholomew's was a branch of the Holy Trinity Church of England, Nelson Place, to which the 2nd Williamstown Troop was attached. It was originally agreed that the new Troop be part of 2nd Williamstown and wear their uniform and scarf. Victorian Scout Headquarters however decreed that a new Troop be formed and accordingly it was registered as 4th Williamstown. To 2nd Williamstown's scarf of black with green band was added the distinctive colour of red, which apart from the scarf badge is still proudly worn today. Mr. M. Nicholas was our first Scoutmaster and his son Matt. was appointed as Senior Patrol Leader. Two patrols, the Lions and Tigers, were formed with Jack Turton and Allan Temple as Patrol Leaders. Subscriptions were set at 3d. per week. A test camp was held in the Church grounds in Park Crescent and the first real camp was held at Seaford. Later in the year a Cub Pack was formed and Troop Leader Matt. Nicholas became acting Cubmaster. At its peak the Troop Band consisted of a Bass Drum, 2 Side Drums, 4 Kettle Drums and 8 Bugles. What a sight and sound it would be today! A Rover Scout Patrol was formed in 1927, but because of members' night school commitments it had a short life. On July 14, 1927 a Parent's Committee was formed. Ever since a loyal band of parents and supporters has given the Group invaluable service in many ways. In 1929 there was a feeling of unrest at St. Bartholomew's in that several members of the congregation felt that the Troop was devoting too much time to other activities and not enough to those connected with the Church. It was decided to amalgamate with 2nd Williamstown back at Holy Trinity, however Scout H.Q. decided that as 4th Williamstown had the leaders the Group would be known as 4th Williamstown (Holy Trinity). The Cub Pack alone numbered 72 boys. Also in Williamstown at this time were two Sea Scout Troops, the 4th and 5th Victorian. A disused Canadian surfboat was purchased and named the 'Scout'. She rowed easily but sailed badly. She was fitted with a false keel and rudder at the Hobson's Bay Yacht Club where the Troop was granted a membership for yarding and slipping. Boat Gear was stowed in a room at the rear of the Holy Trinity Church Parish Hall. 4th and 5th Victorian Sea Scouts went out of existence and 4th Victorian's Cutter, which was in bad repair, was acquired and the name, 'Defender' changed to 'James L. Breaks'. In 1936 the Troop officially changed to Sea Scouts. The first two Patrols were the Seagulls and Seahawks under P.L.'s Kenneth Kuhn and Frank Ironside with Victor Nicholas as Troop Leader. Three Troops, 1st Victorian, 1st Ivanhoe and ourselves competed on Albert Park Lake for the Admiral Napier Cup. We won and held the Cup for 3 years in succession. The next boat acquired was the 'Cub' and then the S.S. Edina's double-ended life-boat which was named the 'Rover' and used by the Rover Crew. The 'Scout' was fitted with a 1916 Charon car engine and 2-blade propeller and later with a Dodge car engine and 3-blade propeller. During the 2nd World War the Troop gave up its bugles and tents to help the allied war effort. The foregoing is only a relatively short account of its early history. Since its foundation, hundreds of local boys and girls, led by many dedicated leaders, have enjoyed all that Scouting has had to offer and that certain something extra that we are privileged to know as Sea Scouting. Here is a photo of our Scout Troop in 1932. The boat is called "The Scout" The man at the stern of the boat is our First Scout Master of 4th Williamstown Sea Scout Group Mr Matt Nicholas. The other Assistant Scout Master is his son Matt . The boat is tied up at Ferguson Street pier Williamstown
4th Williamstown Sea Scout Troop 1932
To have a look at some old scout group photos click on the below link Norm Shaw Retired Rover Crew Leader
|
|
Send mail to rcave@optusnet.com.au
with questions or comments about this web site. |
