1st Picton
Status: Closed
Registered: 16/4/31
Closed: Transferred to South Metropolitan Area August 1947
Hall: Old Methodist Hall (1931)
History
Shire Hall (1947)
Scarf: Royal blue base with ½ in black border, no gap, ½ in white stripe
Gold base with ½ in white border, no gap, ½ in black stripe
Camden News 31/7/1924 said 2 Patrols had been formed at Picton by Eric Lipscombe Acting ASM Camden. Scouts from Picton attended District parade August 1924 and district Rallies in October 1924 and October 1925. Won Junior Tug of War at 1935 Rally. In January 1926 electric light installed in hall and to purchase side drum. In February 1926 presented with Union Jack, B Thomas was SM, Rev F Hall who had been SM died. Attended June 1926 District Athletics meeting.
Picton Post 23/1/1929, 13/2/1929, 20/2/1929 said Troop which had petered out was about to be revived, meeting to be held on 15/2/1929, 18 boys at meeting at Rectory, 3 Patrols formed, Rector to give use of large room at rear of Rectory, Cubs to start next Friday and Edward Braybrook to be SM. In October 1929 seeking a Scoutmaster. Campbelltown News 13/3/1931 said meeting to restart Troop held on 2/3/1931 at Church of England Sunday School hall, Group committee formed, Mr McKenzie proposed SM. Picton Post 12/8/1931 said Troop started 13/3/1931, Mr Woodwell ASM, Miss Kiely LCM took over Cubs in April 1931, in August 1931 had 13 Cubs/16 Scouts and received £19/2 from District being funds from Troop that had closed 4-5 years ago. Troop registered 16/4/1931 and met at Old Methodist Hall with early leaders E Thornton SM, A Low ASM. Had first Troop camp at Douglas Park in February 1932. Miss Dulcie Kiely resigned May 1932 as leaving town. Scouts had built own camp site on land owned by Mr Ashcroft but 1st camp there (at Easter) had been flooded out / had been at District camp at Camden October 1932.
Must have closed as Picton Post 23/5/1935 said ‘likely to reform”. Public meeting at Town Hall on 27/3/1936 decided to reform Troop/ form Group Committee. Picton Post 22/4/1936 said free use of Methodist Church building at Lower Picton obtained and had good enrolment. Picton Post 27/5/1936 said E H Thornton of Main Southern Garage was SM, had 14 Scouts and a few Cubs. Picton Post 1/7/1936 said met at Methodist church building Colden St and a Ladies Auxiliary had been formed. Picton Post 9/9/1936 said held fancy dress cricket match as fundraising and that brick building recently vacated by Picton Post likely to be purchased as Scout hall (but appears it wasn’t). In December 1936 Group asked Council if they could rent old power house as a hall and council said yes at rent of 1 shilling p.a.
Public meeting held 18/2/1947 at Picton Shire Hall to form Troop to be called 1st Wollondilly, Group Committee elected, Pat Mahady appointed SM/ George Young ASM/ Mr Hacker CM and will shortly form a Cub Pack. Picton Post 6/3/1947 reported was newly formed Troop and included 6 boys from Tahmoor, 3 from Thirlmere and 1 from Buxton and 1st outing was to be to Mt Keira Camp / a former Lone Scout Tony Morrice was to be Troop Leader and former Lone Neil Miller to be PL. Second meeting of Group Committee (late March 1947) decided to change name from 1st Wollondilly to 1st Picton and by then Troop had 43 members (had been 29 at 1st meeting). Twenty Scouts invested May 1947 and 10 in June. In June 1947 gained use of a long-closed building 1-mile other side of Mineral Springs, were to clean it up and build bunks to use for camps. In August 1947 SM, 2 ASMs and 39 Scouts went to Port Kembla for weekend, had 46 Scouts and Annual Meeting said Cub Pack to be formed. Cubs ”recently formed” in November 1947.
Troop reregistered 15/5/1947 and met at Shire Hall with T Mahady appointed SM May 19470. In 1948 moved from South Coast Area to South West Metropolitan Area. Had 46 Scouts/3 Leaders in 1947, 50 Scouts/2 Leaders in 1948,16S in 1950. Group deregistered October 1963. Troop reregistered September 1964 (J Huggett SM), Venturer Unit deregistered 26/7/1978 & July 1991, Joey Mob registered July 1994 with Kay Mullock JL/ went into recess June 1997.
In 1971 hall in Hume Reserve/Oval, Downing St, Picton and Picton Rotary were helping develop a camp site at Mermaid Pool, Tahmoor. Joey mob registered 13/7/1998. In 2005 joeys visited Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital where they met Harry aged 103 who had been a Scout in 1911 and had been presented a flag by Lord Baden Powell. In 2005-06 celebrated 75th birthday and opening of new white ant proof hall as previous hall found to be severely damaged by white ants and had to be rebuilt. Group deregistered 22/2/2018.
Previous leaders
1925 - ? · F. C. Hall · Scout Master
1931 - ? · E. Thornton · Scout Master
1931 - ? · A. Low · Assistant Scout Master
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