Following a campaign by the group Friends of Alexandria Scouts to have the abandoned Scout hall on Henderson Road Alexandria reopened, Alexandria Scouts are now registering expressions of interest for families eager to become involved.
The open day will be held at the recently restored hall, which has been empty for over a decade and exhibits a number of its original features and early Scout memorabilia.
On the day, trainee leaders will showcase the activities planned for the Scouts and the Scouts Regional Administration will conduct an investiture ceremony. There will be opportunities for interested people to get to know the committee and leaders and to meet other potential members.
Founder of Friends of Alexandria Scouts, Scott Lyall, encourages both children and parents to become involved, with parents able to volunteer either as helpers or trained leaders. “Scouts offers old-school learning by doing, outdoor adventure and leadership skills. Kids have a great time and parents can join in too. So many people enjoyed Cubs and Scouts as kids, and now want to share that with their children. Volunteering at the local Scout hall means they can,” he said.
The re-launch comes at a time when the decline in the number of families living in the inner city area has reversed. There are now enough leaders and interested participants to reopen the hall and maintain an active troop. Currently the next closest Scout troop is located in Paddington.
The venture is supported by the wider South Metropolitan Region Scouts organisation, which is currently maintaining the hall and funding the training for the next generation of leaders.
The Alexandria Scouts website is expected to launch the first week of October and will be taking expressions of interest online.
