SCENIC Park and the Scouts Reserve in Warragul were transformed into a World War I training and education ground by Warragul’s Scouts and Guides on Saturday.
Above: Scouts in the trenches: Jarrod Grigg, Shae Van Dam, Regan Sultana, Brad Makers, Josh Watson and Piper Hobson at Saturday's event.
First published in the 24 April 2015 edition of the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen. Pick up your copy from retailers across Baw Baw today!
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Featuring war memorabilia and historic displays, a recreated hospital tent and trenches, bush cooking, a commando course designed and constructed by Venturers and many more activities, the
“A Day to Remember” community event invited the public to look back to the conditions and history of soldiers in World War I.
As well as members of the Scouts and Guides from across the region, the general public, members of the RSL, the Guides chief and regional commissioners and politicians attended the free event.
Warragul Rover Brad Akers was on the organising committee and told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen the event had been in preparation for almost half a year.
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“We started in late November,” he said.
“A lot of planning, a lot of effort, and a lot of commitment [has come] from the committee members.
“There’s been a few Venturers and a few Scouts who have really put a lot of effort in, a lot of time, and got a lot of the props you see about the place set up and have been here in the early hours of the morning.”
Brad said the group had learnt a lot of the history of the ANZAC forces through putting the event together.
“I’ve learnt a lot just about the history of the Anzacs and also [about being on a] committee and getting a community event up and running,” he said.
“It’s been really good, I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Warragul Scout Group leader Geoff Chilver said all those involved had learnt a lot through putting on the event.
“We’ve been talking about it for months now and a lot of the activities and the manning of the stalls was all down to our youth members,” he told the Warragul & Baw Baw Citizen.
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“They get a lot out of it.”
Mr Chilver said the public had responded well to the event, which was helped by good weather.
“We’re pretty pleased with how things went,” he said.
“We were always up against it with the weather but everything just fell into place and the weather held off nicely for us.
“We’ve had a great response, and I think people like to see a community event.
“They’re hard to get up and they’re hard to get the logistics right, but when everyone sees it happening [they enjoy it.]
“Everyone enjoys a local community that can come together like this.”
A grant from the federal government helped the groups put the event on.
While the focus of the day was on the divisive activity of war, preparations brought the Scouts and Guides together for the first time in a while.
“It’s great to have a strong committee, the Guides and the Scouts came together on this which was the first time we’ve done that for some time and it worked really well,” Mr Chilver said.
The youth involved also met war veterans from local Returned Services Leagues.
“I think there was about 12 of the local RSL members here, which was great,” Mr Chilber said.
“Of course our drill sergeant Matthew Bailey, who has been an army cadet and army reservist and he had our youth members all whipped into shape.”
Mr Chilver thanked those who volunteered to help put the event together.
A good way to teach some local history in a practical way – great idea Warragul Scouts