It was a momentous occasion for a small scout group in Donnybrook last Thursday as the group was officially recognised for 100 years of existence.
Sufficient evidence from a newspaper clipping proves that the group formed on June 27 in 1916.
The special guest at the belated celebration on December 8 was South West Scouts regional chief commissioner Neil McPherson, who presented Donnybrook Scout group leader Debbie Bourke with a certificate.
In attendance were the current crop of scouts – who have been dubbed “The Centenary Scout Group” – along with their parents, scout leaders, and prominent people of Donnybrook.
Despite a couple of closures, due to wars, Donnybrook Scouts has operated continuously since 1963.
It was originally troop number 71 in Australia, but after it restarted from the 1960s on with a new hall it became troop number 247.
The tight-knit troop consists of four leaders, 15 scouts, and a cub pack of 12.
We will be out and about next year and letting people know that we are going strong after 100 years.
- Debbie Bourke
Donnybrook Scout group will open a Venturer Scouts section next year for the older scouts.
Scout leader Mark Davies received a silver wattle for 10 years of service.
Donnybrook Scouts’ centenary coincides with the cub scouts’ 100th year of existence in Australia.
The leaders have opened a competition to scouts, past or present, to design a centenary badge to wear on their uniforms.