The young people of 1st Dubbo Scouts will have an air-conditioned hall to look forward to when COVID-19 restrictions ease, thanks to a grant from the NSW Government.
Power will also be connected to the storage shed at the Scout Hall at Welchman Street, thanks to $11,280 secured by Member for the Dubbo Electorate Dugald Saunders through the Community Building Partnerships (CBP) fund.
“When you think of scouting, you think of camping, hiking and jamborees – all activities that are quite limited right now,” Mr Saunders said.
“This funding will ensure that, when the 1st Dubbo Scouts are able to return to their facility, they’ll be returning to a hall that’s more comfortable – we all know what it’s like to endure a hot Dubbo summer – and a shed that’s much more versatile.”
It has been an exciting couple of months for the 1st Dubbo Scouts, with the group also securing more than $290,000 from the Stronger Country Communities Fund to renovate the facilities at their Minnamurra property near Narromine.
Cubs and Joeys Leader Vaughn Simmons said the NSW Government support was “wonderful”.
“A lot of our youth have wanted us to do these buildings up for them so we can use it as a training facility for these kids,” Mr Simmons said of the two projects.
Scouts’ activities have been significantly hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, Mr Simmons said, but the leaders have been using Microsoft Teams to maintain social connections between scouts, while still encouraging them to get outside.
“True to form, Scouts have been extremely resourceful throughout this pandemic – things like leaving out bits of rope for the kids to collect from the hall then using online platforms to teach them different knots,” Mr Saunders said.
“Vaughn and the team have done a great job keeping the kids engaged, encouraging them to get outside and most importantly, providing them with that social outlet.”
Applications for the 2020 round of Community Building Partnerships are now open. For more information visit www.nsw.gov.au/cbp