Den renovation or replacement (hall)
www.stjohnswoodscouts.org.au
Overview and Wirra Birra Den
St Johns Wood Scouts moved to the current site in 1958 and erected a kit shed which has lasted 65 years. The building has a leaking roof, which council won't allow Scouts to replace. There is some discussion that a new building, or a new site, is required, but years of discussions with council and our local councillor have not found a solution. Scouts needs a solution to continue to deliver their program to local youth. Planning, consultation and fundraising have taken two decades and a replacement roof, which is a substantial project and cost, is achievable, subject to council approval and grant funding (obtained).
The main "Wirra Birra" den is being maintained to ensure it can continue to serve Scouting needs for the coming decades including painting outside in May 2023. Wirra Birra provides the large activity space required for the young sections from age 5 to 15, which is the bulk of Scout membership.
Progress is reported regularly in our SJW Scouts Newsletter.
Venturer Den News
The Venturer (top) den has been renovated with about $60k of work completed in 2020/2021, including a new roof, ceiling, many internal walls, new toilets, solar panels, floor sanded and coated, and external path. Some more work to be completed, with current focus on the "main" Wirra Birra den (above).
Rover Den News
The Rover(top) den, where the 18-25 year old youth meet, has been renovated by the Rovers themselves in 2021 with a new kitchen and painting and looks fabulous.
It was built in 1981 by enclosing the undercover area of the Venturer den to convert wasted space into a useful meeting area to give the growing Rover Unit more space for their activities.