Scouts signal for community fund

THE grounds of Pax Hill Scout Camp were opened up to the public over the weekend as part of a support drive from the region’s district scouting group.

Members of the Ballarat Scouting community held an open day on Sunday afternoon with the aim of attracting financial backing from local businesses.

With abseiling, archery and other activities on display, Shane Hall, Scouts Victoria’s district commissioner for the region said it was important for visitors to see the importance of what the organisation does.

“The idea is for visitors to understand how they can help us in terms of our youth and actually progressing them in building leadership and resilient skills,” he said.

“Seventy years ago, we actually had the business community starting to build Pax Hill and in recent times, there’s a lot of things that need to be fixed or amended.

“This is our first major callout in a number of years. The only revenue we normally generate here is through the scouts.”

Mr Hall said a high priority for Ballarat Scouting is upgrading their archery range which is estimated to cost $2000, while $3000 would go towards maintaining the abseiling tower that’s set to be overhauled at a cost of $30,000.

The Pax Hill site is one of three Victorian scout camps with a permanent abseiling facility.

Other upgrades include replacing 12 canoes at the group’s water activity centre at Lake Wendouree as well as repairing Pax Hill’s the entrance gate.

Nigel Russell is one of about eight venture leaders running programs with 3rd Ballarat Scouts and been involved with the movement for about 10 years.

He said upgrading the facilities at Pax Hill to allow the organisation to continue supporting young people.

“If we can get the abseiling tower going and probably the flying fox and also the upkeep of Pax Hill, that will definitely help,” he said.

“Our equipment does wear out after a while so we want to get the community involved.”

Ballarat Scouting is made up of about 70 committee and adult helpers, 60 leaders and 420 scouts aged between five and 24 years old, with the district stretching towards Ararat.

Stella has been a scout for four years and said she’s learned some valuable skills through her time with Ballarat Scouting.

“With scouts I’ve been camping, walking, abseiling. I’ve learned how to tie knots and how to light a fire,” she said.

“I’ve gotten lots of fun experiences with this that I probably wouldn’t have got otherwise.”