Mary joined Neville Tomkins, Chief Commissioner Scouts Australia, ACT Branch, recently in turning the first sod for the rebuilding of Stromlo Forest Scout Hall in Duffy that was destroyed in the 2003 Canberra bushfires.
“The rebuilding of the Hall represents yet another important step forward for both the community and Canberra’s strong scouting movement, both of which were setback with the loss of the Hall,” Mary said.
Mary also presented a cheque for $5,000 on behalf of the ACT Government in support of the Scouts Gala Benefit Dinner and Auction which Mary will attend.
She also paid tribute to the ongoing hard work of Neville Tomkins and the many other scouting leaders in the Territory, in continuing to provide their activities in the face of such setbacks.
“This is another step in a process of restoration that has been ongoing since the 2003 firestorm, not only for the local scout group but for the whole community,” Mary stated.
The ACT Government and the Scouting Association also worked together to rebuild other Scouting facilities lost in the bushfires, and in 2008 the ACT Government provided over $200,000 to help the Scouts rebuild Camp Cottermouth.
Gallery 2010 Image 16
