A RESEARCHER has volunteered to put together memorabilia for a display about the historic Cleveland Scout Hall that burned down last year.
Griffith University heritage researcher Jessica Stroja has asked for photographs and other material to memorialise the hall at Ormiston.
"This hall was far more than a building," Ms Stroja said. "It was an integral part of the community fabric and a community gathering place in the Redlands.
"Children and young people from the surrounding area gathered here, numerous interest groups were based at the site and memories abounded for the many Redlands community members who came here for friendship, laughter and the sense of community spirit that epitomises the area."
The memorabilia will be installed as a permanent display in the new hall which is expected to be complete by August.
The original hall was gifted to the Scouts by the American Navy following World War II.
Ms Stroja said she would help project manager Doug Ross and the Ormiston community to enshrine a piece of history that meant so much to many.
"Following the announcement of the new hall, it was quickly realised the replacement building does not hold the same meaning for the community as the previous building," Ms Stroja said.
"To compound the tragedy, the collection of photographs and historic memorabilia held at the hall were completely destroyed in the fire."
Ms Stroja was guest editor of a special issue of Queensland Review in December that focused on heritage, community engagement and the importance of heritage for communities.
"Drawing on the Queensland Review special issue and the heritage-related aspects of my thesis, I am working with the Scouts to identify as many photographs and other materials relating to the hall as possible to develop a connection between the heritage of the destroyed hall and its new replacement," Ms Stroja said.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the Cleveland Scout Hall memorial project should email Ms Stroja at jessica.stroja@griffithuni.edu.au.
