General News
12 June, 2023
Scouting centenary - Troop members celebrate rich Rainbow heritage
By Les Graetz and Claire Roll A century not out was celebrated on Sunday in Rainbow – and there wasn't so much as a single cricket ball or bat in sight. About 70 people gathered to honour 100 years of Scouting in Rainbow. The festivities began...
By Les Graetz and Claire Roll
A century not out was celebrated on Sunday in Rainbow – and there wasn't so much as a single cricket ball or bat in sight.
About 70 people gathered to honour 100 years of Scouting in Rainbow.
The festivities began with a service at the Anglican Church led by the Bishop of Ballarat, Gary Weatherill.
Local Scouts took part in the service, during which the Reverend Barry Wells spoke about his 50-plus years of involvement in the movement.
In his sermon, Bishop Weatherill shared his own experiences as a chaplain at a Scout camp.
"Scouting helps you to get on with the wider community,” he said.
Peter Solly and Kevin Wallis gave a presentation on the life of Reverend Padre Leslie Cula, a leader of 1st Rainbow Scout Troop in 1929.
The Scouts then marched up King Street to the Rainbow Scout Hall for morning tea and a barbecue.
For Edison Stasinowsky the day was extra-special, as he received his Grey Wolf Award, the highest achievement for a Cub Scout.
[CROSSHEAD]A worldwide community
Scouting in Rainbow is part of a worldwide youth organisation that continues to grow and provide the values of the past in the present-day.
In 1908, 11 troops were founded throughout the state but it wasn’t until 1923 that the earliest version of Scouts Victoria was formed under the auspices of the British Boy Scouts.
Scout troops were sponsored by churches in the earliest days.
Rainbow was quick off the mark in the inaugural year: 1st St Pauls Rainbow Scout Troop was registered on June 1 1923.
Reverend William Tone-Holms was the first Scout master and 14 boys were invested.
Later that year Roy Smith became assistant Scout master and another three boys joined.
Cub Scouts started 12 months later, with the first leader registered on November 1 1924, Cub master Dorethea Holms.
Two more assistant Cub masters joined her in 1930: assistant Cub masters Doris and Mollie Etherton.
It was during this time that 2nd St Pauls Scout Troop started, with registered Scout master Leslie Cula, on November 1 1929.
Cubs had begun in Rainbow on July 1 of that year under Cub master Gertie Dicker.
At that time the pack comprised of 43 youth members.
They met at the Mechanics Institute, although in some minutes of their meetings there is a reference to hiring the Fire Brigade Hall.
Surviving records show 2nd St Pauls Scout Troop closed on August 6 1934.
Current members consider themselves lucky to have that troop's flag in their collection today.
* Do you have a story to share about your own involvement with the Scouts in Rainbow? We'd love to publish more of the troop's history in coming weeks.