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Early records show that meetings were held in various local premises, until in 1925 the present Group Headquarters at Essex Street was completed (at a cost of 695 Pounds). This building, with several extensions and modifications, has continued in use since that date; originally, the land extended to the corner of Oxford Street. With changes in local population, Group numbers rose and fell in the following years, with numbers between 20 and 200 recorded (although section configurations were different). The Group assisted the formation of additional Groups in the District: 2nd Epping (1924-27 and 1948-60), 3rd Epping (1938-48), 1st North Epping (1961- ), 1st West Epping (1947 - ), and 1st North Carlingford (1945 - ) (amalgamated with 2nd West Epping to form 1st Roselea). Having introduced a Sea Scout Section in 1934, the Group was fortunate to obtain in 1939 a boatshed site at Meadowbank, when AWA handed over their jetty, previously used for transport to the Homebush transmitter site. The original shed was built under wartime restrictions, rebuilt in the 1950s, and finally replaced with the present brick structure in 1977. Boating activities have been a feature of the Group’s program, although the Sea Scout section was merged with the General Troop in 1987 to consolidate training. An Air Scouts section also operated from 1960 to 1987, and a few members have obtained flying qualifications through the Scout Air Base, now at Camden. In 1990, Female membership was extended to the Cub and Scout sections, and has improved training as well as the opportunities for families with children of both sexes to support a single youth activity. The Group takes pride in its record
of service to the community, and youth training standards, which have
produced no fewer than 37 Queen Scout Awards since 1953. Former leaders from
the Group have served in senior positions in the Movement, including the
present Chief Commissioner and two Branch Commissioners.”
In 1926, one lone Rover Scout was registered, none in 1927 and four in 1928. 1929 was a nil return again, but 1930 shows eight. The next three years saw a fluctuation between nil and four, and the Rovers lapsed. In April 1949, a Rover Scout Crew was registered with 14 members and Mr. C. Rose as Rover Scout Leader. 1955 saw the Crew reduced to four officially, although the actual number was greater, including some that held Warrants in the Association. The Old Boys reunion of 1955 records eleven members plus the Rover Scout Leader, Group Scoutmaster and twelve visitors. 1957 saw the demise of the Crew, due apparently to the marriage of several of the members, and the new requirements that the Rover Scout age limit be 24 years. With a Senior Scout Troop having been commenced in 1959, there was a need for a Rover Crew to cater for the older boys. And in March 1960, Mr. Fred Gilmore transferred his Warrant from Scoutmaster (senior) to Rover Scout Leader, concurrent with an application for registration of the Rover Scout Crew. With four members increasing to six in 1961, nine in 1962, fifteen in 1963, thirteen in 1964, whilst this years census showed fifteen. With a strong Senior Troop feeding, it is hoped the Crew is now firmly established, and indeed the Group would miss the work done by the Crew – apart from the benefit derived by the individual members from belonging to an organisation which is training to be of service to others. With a motto of service, the Crew over the years has endeavoured to give Service. 1929 saw the opening of the State Training Camp at Pennant Hills, and the Group established a campsite there. The Rovers of that period were active in the clearing and preparation of the site, and records show that a considerable time was spent on this activity. Assisting with the conducting of the Scout Troops and testing at competitions have been a time-honoured job of Rover Scouts, and 1st Epping has been no exception. In the 1950s the Crew only met monthly, but in addition had at various times a “Fleur de Lays” Club, which was a Social Club, and a Rover Tennis Club. Since the formation of the present Crew, formal meetings have been held weekly, with activities most weekends and on other nights in the weekend. Activities over the past five years have covered a wide variety of subjects – hiking, caving, rock climbing, sailing and rowing, canoeing, skiing, tobogganing, ice skating, squash and of course motoring. Cultural pursuits included picture and theatre evenings, musicals and St. George Day Services. Service jobs carried out by the Crew over the last five years are far to numerous to mention, but covered:
Co-operation with the other Sections of the Group is excellent, and the Rover Scouts participate in all Group functions. A real Service job of course is the publication month after month of the Group magazine “Durian”. Anyone who has tried to obtain articles each moth for such a magazine will appreciate the job. In 1963 the Crew won the trophy for the Camp Fire item at the Area Rover Moot and finished third in the Tourney. Just to show their versatility they won the award for the best decorated table at the State Rover-Ranger Ball.” (Reference: Durian, Jubilee Edition, November 1965)
Some of the activities written of in the logbook are as follows. Caving
Social
Moots
Service
Hikes
Canyoning
The first moot I attended was Lostock Dam 1975. During this year, most of the older members resigned or just stopped turning up. In this transition period one of the remaining older Rovers, Phil Daly became Rover Mate (today: Crew Leader) and new Crew Leaders, Cliff and Dorothy Coddington were appointed in late 1975. The youth of the Crew clashed badly with the older views of the Coddington’s, and they resigned as Leaders in 1977. 1976 saw the big outback expedition. We drove from Sydney to Broken Hill, Port Augusta, Kulgera, Ayres Rock, Alice Springs, Tenant Creek, Mout. Isa, Bourke then back to Sydney. We climbed the Rock (not known as Uluru at the time), and Mout. Olga. A great experience when you consider we drove 5000 km of which 2/3 was corrugated dirt! Service was an important part of the Crew, and I attended many service projects, including grassing the parade ground of Pennant Hills Camp. Some of the other popular activities included:
I resigned at the end of 1978 to continue my role as assistant Cub Leader of the “A” Pack, and also as a protest to the new design for Rovers with which I vehemently disagreed at the time. I also disagreed with the behaviour of some members’ particularly the couples in the Crew. How things have changed, I find myself in agreement with the new design today.” (Reference: Andrew Davis, Rovers – A Brief History – 1974 to 1978, February 1998)
The late 70’s saw activities like:
Then there is a large blank with regards to log entries until the canyoning trip down The Grand Canyon near Blackheath in March 1982. Wine tasting appeared to be a popular past time with two such activities in 1982. Regular camps and moots were attended, such as Wollondilly River Camp and numerous Elizabeth Beach weekends. A week long Snow trip at Falls Creek in July 1983 was well attended and enjoyed. In 1984, some members attended the 1st Asia Pacific 19th Australian Rover Moot in Tasmania. The Crew also won the “Service” and “Most organised campfire award” at the North Metropolitan Area Moot, “Hooray for Hollywood”. Another major event of this period was the “Epping Snow Bus” which due to lack of snow headed north instead of south. The Group celebrated its 70th year and the Crew commemorated this with a dinner at an Italian restaurant. Service in this period included work at Cataract Scout Camp, door knocking for a National Parks and Wildlife Appeal, collection of toys for Christmas, and joint activities with other sections. David Simpson wrote a log entry titled “1983 - THE YEAR of THE CREW”. It is an important insight into the Crew of the time and something that everyone should read.
The Africa Trip took place in 1992 and was attended by a small but enthusiastic group of Rovers. The trip was a holiday and a service project. Some reached the peak of Mount Kilimajnaro after a long and difficult walk in low O2 air. Some of the other activities included:
Some members of the Crew attended the ‘95-’96 OzMoot held at Cataract Scout Camp. The Crew also did a lot of service, winning the Baden-Powell Lodge Bannerette for Service in 1990. (Partial Reference: Lynda Pilgrim February 1998)
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