THE fire that ravaged through the historic Cleveland Scout Hall at Ormiston also destroyed memorabilia and equipment worth about $60,000.
Hiking and camping gear and other equipment were incinerated by the flames on March 11 and there is no contents insurance to recoup the loss.
Cleveland Scout Group leader Michael Jurgeneit has launched a fundraising campaign to replace the lost items.
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He said the den would be rebuilt but money, goods and services were needed to kit it out for Scout and community use.
“We are asking the Redlands community to help Cleveland Scout Group,” he said.
The 75-year-old hall was gifted to the Scouts by the American Navy after World War II.
Memorabilia lost in the fire included historic honour boards, a library, photos dating back to 1912 and newspaper articles.
Mr Jurgeneit said donations of Redlands Scouting memorabilia would be appreciated.
“It would be wonderful to have originals donated or copies,” he said.
While the group lost its age group banners these will be replaced before the Anzac Day marches thanks to a donation of $1584 made by Redland City Council last week.
Mr Jurgeneit said he hoped qualified trades people would donate their time and resources to rebuild the hall.
A kitchen, storage for Scouts and community groups and office equipment were top of the need’s list.
Making sure the hall was building compliant would also cost money, which was unlikely to be covered by the old hall’s building insurance.
Redlands Scout district commissioner Paul Tuckwood said the community support to help the Scouts after the fire had been outstanding.
He said the process to rebuild to hall would begin after the Scouts’ claim for building insurance was finalised.
“All the help has been fantastic but we need to be patient,” he said.
Mr Tuckwood said community groups that leased the hall from the Scouts would be invited to use the new facility once built.
Donations can be made to The Scout Association of Australia, Cleveland Scout Group, BSB: 034 070 / Account No: 165885.
Amounts over $2 are tax deductible.
For a tax receipt, email grouptreasurer@clevelandscouts.org.au.
Other losses
Books, craft items and other equipment stored at the hall by other community groups were also destroyed on March 11.
Redlands Floral Art Club president Val Decker said she was saddened the hall was burnt down, along with the group’s collection of books and other resources.
“We at the Floral Art Club lost everything as with the other renters but what has saddened us the most was our beautiful mobile library and floral books,” she said.
“That to us was our biggest and saddest loss.”
Redlands Bonsai Society’s Geoff Stewart said donations of secondhand pots and potting mixture were being sought to replace items they had lost.
Scout equipment destroyed
- Up to $9000 of hiking and adventurous equipment, including hiking stoves, tents and backpacks.
- About $18,000 of camping equipment, including gazebos, tables, chairs, lanterns and gas stoves.
- About $4000 of office equipment, including filing cabinets, whiteboards, printer and an AV projector.
- About $3000 of craft equipment and materials
- Commercial kitchen, valued at $25000, including oven, fridge, freezer and more.