Hope for upgrade

The Warragul Scouts recently hosted a visit from Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing to tour the hall and view the proposed plans for an upgrade to the Bowen St site.

Each week 120 scouts attend meetings, which group leader Chris Berkery said was a significant reason they hoped to see an upgrade soon.

“We want to turn this into the Warragul scout and community hall. We use this most nights, but during the day it’s sitting idle so others could utilise it. We have been trying to get government grants and hopefully we can get something along those lines,” Mr Berkery said.

The group hopes to add in a community building to go alongside the hall, giving them the opportunity to service more community groups as well as generate financial help.

“It allows for us to grow and the community to use the hall, while also promoting us and financial gain so we can help make scouting cheaper,” Mr Berkery said.

With more people moving into the region,

Mr Berkery said the upgrade would go a long way in helping the organisation’s ability to host more members.

Alongside the advocation for the new facilities, the organisation hopes to raise $10,000 to help subsidise camps and other events for group members and leaders.

Visiting the site recently, Ms Shing was greeted by some of the Warragul scout leaders and committee before a tour of the hall and viewing plans of the proposed upgrade, saying the group was one that was vital to the region.

“We know that scouts, cubs, venturers and rovers play a significant and positive role in the West Gippsland community for participants and volunteers.

“I’m really looking forward to continuing the advocacy that the scout group has done already for the state of the facility I’ve seen over the years become more dilapidated. I will be as persistent and positive as I can be to secure the funding that’s necessary for the facility that this community deserves,” she said.