Permanent home for Narre Warren South scouts

Gary Maas MP (Centre) with Narre Warren South scout leaders and scouts. 263084_01 Picture: SUPPLIED

Narre Warren South Scouts will soon enjoy new, modern facilities thanks to $650,000 in funding from the State Government.

State Member for Narre Warren South Gary Maas MP represented the Hon Ros Spence MP, Minister for Youth, at the official sod turn to mark the start of construction of the new Narre Warren South Scout Hall.

The new hall will be built on the grounds of Oakgrove Community Centre and is the first time Narre Warren South Scouts Group will have a place to call their own.

The government has provided the $650,000 as part of its 2018 election commitment of $5.5 million over four years to build, upgrade or refurbish scout halls across Victoria.

Funding is matched by Scouts Victoria, bringing the total investment to $11 million.

The City of Casey contributed $350,000 and the land.

Minister Maas was excited on the Scouts’ Group behalf.

“The Narre Warren South Scouts will soon have their own space to call home and it’s fantastic to see this funding take effect, which will help the group’s growing numbers to continue their important work,” Minister Maas said.

“Giving young people a space in which they can expand and learn new skills is so important to their development and wellbeing.”

The new, permanent location will ensure the group can offer more activities to its members to learn and thrive as a community.

The construction of the new hall will help meet the demand from Narre Warren South Scouts’ growing numbers.

Scouts Victoria is one of the state’s biggest youth organisations and has a membership base of over 20,000 young people and 9,000 adult volunteers.

The number of young people involved in scouting has grown by 30 per cent in the last 10 years.