Air Scouts Canberra

Air Scouts group has closed - Can it be reopened?

SCOUTS IN DEAKIN – COMMUNITY BBQ & CENTENARY GATHERING December 2025

December 2025 marks 100 years since the Scout Group at La Trobe Park was founded as 2nd Canberra. With the Group now considering its future, former members, families, supporters and anyone interested in Scouting came together on Sat 20 December 2025 in the La Trobe Park Scout Hall, Deakin to reconnect, reflect and explore options for continuing Scouting in Deakin.
There was

discussion by former Scouts, leaders and families
reflection on the Group’s history and contribution
presentations by Branch Commissioners and discussion of options for the Group’s continuation
consideration of community support for the Hall as a local resource

Notwithstanding the initiative on the day of a group to investigate ways to reestablish the Air Scouts Group

Scout Groups from across Canberra were invited to collect items that could be useful for their programs, including camping equipment, tents, kitchen equipment, activity resources, camp cooking gear, heaters, a projector screen and a range of other equipment accumulated by the Group over many years.

the purpose of this clean-out was to prepare the hall for hiring and community use, not Scouting.
all other contents were placed in a skip
the Group's remaining substantial financial assets have passed to the Scouts ACT
and options for re-establishing youth scouting activities.
- The Group substantial funds built up over many years through prudent management and hall hire income.

For that reason, I was disappointed to learn of this action after the event and without consultation with those who have maintained a long-standing interest in the Group and its future. The removal and redistribution of equipment will make it even more difficult to recruit leaders and re-establish the Group.

I have asked Scouts ACT to keep me informed of future developments and letting arrangements, particularly in my capacity as President of the Deakin Residents Association and as a long-serving Scout Leader associated with the Group.

The hall remains an important asset, not only for Deakin but for the wider community. It was built and maintained through the efforts of generations of Scouts, leaders, parents and supporters. I will pass on any further information as it becomes available.

Here are pages from the web site when the Group was fuctioning

At Air Scouts Canberra we focus on FUN and exciting experiences! Air Scouts Canberra adds air and space to traditional scouting activities, so our program focuses on planes, helicopters, hot air ballooning and astronomy as well as the usual Scouting activities of camping, canoeing, bush skills, map reading and more. Just look around our website to check out all the exciting things the boys and girls in Air Scouts get up to!

Scouting is open to all young people, boys or girls of whatever faith or interest. The movement is designed to teach good values and life skills and to take our young and show them the world.

Scouts get to meet new friends, overcome new challenges and set out to meet the world head on. Adventure and extending the individual are the keys to personal growth. Most scouts get to do things they otherwise would never get the opportunity to do.

Scouting is a community based, volunteer led movement that reaches out to other communities, states and even internationally. Scouting teaches values and skills and encourages participants to discover how much more they can do.

Along with weekly meetings during school term there are periodic camps and weekend activities. Every three years there are major jamborees where large groups of scouts get to meet people from all around the world while having lots of fun, getting absolutely filthy, exhausted and breaking out of everyday life.

Joeys

Cubs

Scouts

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