Official Opening of the Cleveland Scout Hall

State Member for Oodgeroo, Dr Mark Robinson MP; Federal Member for Bowman, Mr Andrew Laming MP; Mayor, Redland City Council, Cr Karen Williams; Acting Chief Commissioner, Mrs Jean Clifford; Australian President, Major General John Pearn; Cleveland Group Leader, Mr Andy Hall; senior representatives of the Scout Association of Australia, and the Queensland branch of which I am proud Patron; distinguished guests; boys and girls. I am delighted to join you today for this very special ceremony.

The re-building of the Cleveland Scout Den – now the Scout Hall – is a story of inspirational triumph over adversity, and the power of community.

The destruction by fire of the previous hall was a blow to Cleveland Scouts and the wider community. 

A precious piece of local history was lost with the destruction of a building gifted to the Scouts over seven decades ago, through the generosity of the United States Navy.

Important memorabilia were also lost. 

But, Scouts being Scouts, and the Cleveland community being just that – a strong community – the setback was never going to be taken lying down. 

Community generosity ensured that interim accommodation was soon found and a temporary building was up and running on this site within a year.  

This marvellous new building, an updated and larger version of the original, will provide Scouts and the wider community with a worthy hub for their activities.  

The new Hall enables Scouts to better carry out their important and continuing role in encouraging young people to hone their problem-solving and leadership skills, to take on challenges with confidence, to learn the value of teamwork, to engage with community.

It takes little consideration to realise how important these values are to the well-being and future of the young people involved, and to the broader local community.

The new building is a wonderful testament to the spirit, dedication and hard work of the Scouts Association Queensland, the Scouts of Cleveland, supported by other Scouts, Girl Guides and Sea Scouts, and the people of Cleveland, including businesses, organisations, local government, and individuals.

No better symbol could be imagined of the great respect in which the work of Scouts Queensland is held in this community.

As Governor and Queensland Chief Scout, I am immensely proud of the great resilience and the embodiment of the spirit of Scouting represented in the rebirth of this building.

I thank most sincerely the long list of all those involved in reaching this milestone. Your generosity is cause for great personal and community pride.  

I look forward to unveiling a commemorative plaque shortly, and to presenting a Queen’s Scout Badge, but for now it is with the greatest of pleasure that I declare the new Cleveland Scout Hall officially open. Thank you.