Nearly four years after its hall was burnt down by an arsonist, the 1st Laverton Scouts Group is still without its own building.
The arsonist was released from jail after serving just half of his four-year sentence for starting five fives, but the scout group has been told it can’t get a new hall unless its numbers increase.
After the fire, the group’s numbers dropped from about 20 to less than 10.
Group leader Colin Price said the group was currently using a council building next door to the site of the destroyed building.
“It’s not helping with that hall because through the winter we lost some kids because it’s too cold,” he said.
“There’s no heating, no cooling, nothing in the hall. It’s not adequate.”
In a bid to increase the number of both young participants and leaders, the group is holding an open day at its site, opposite the Laverton Community Hub in Railway Avenue.
Mr Price said the day aimed to let the community know the group was determined to rebuild after a string of bad luck.
“We had a tandem trailer that got knocked off,” he said. “The group had that for 30 years.”
“There’s been a few break-ins, a bit of equipment taken. Then the hall got burnt down.
“Now we’ve got to get some more kids in and hopefully the scouting association will come up with some buildings.”
The open day, from 10am-4pm on Saturday, October 8, will feature market stalls, a sausage sizzle and jumping castle and scouting activities such as learning rope knots and basic first aid, as well as teamwork games, plaster painting and sponge throwing.
Scouts Victoria executive manager Dougal Mayor said having a place to call home was important for all 410 scout groups across Victoria.
For any inquiries about the day or to become a member, call Colin Price on 0412 997 244.
