About 1st Benoni Sea Scout Group
A brief history
The First Benoni Scout Troop was founded on 1 June 1909 by Mr. Mabley who became the Scout Master in the same year.
On 2 November 1917 a Wolf Cub Pack was formed.
The first record of a female Scouter becoming involved in the Group was with the registration of Miss Florence Annie Warren as Acting Assistant Cub Mistress on 15 June 1938.
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On 20th May 1948, the Troop recorded its highest number of members at 60 Cubs and Scouts under the guidance of 4 Scouters; Mr. F. James, Mr. P. Byrne, Mr. R. Robins, and Mr. H. Horn.
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What is most astounding is that Benoni was established in 1907 and merely 2 years later the 1st Benoni Scout Troop was officially registered.
Founding
According to our records, only two years after the inception of the Boy Scouts, W. H. Mabley registered the then “Dove Patrol” on the 1st June 1909. This was to become the first Benoni Troop with Mr. Mabley recorded as its first scout master by the end of the year.
Little is known of the early days of this first Troop but it seems to have been formed through the Sons of England Society and held their parades at the Benoni Municipal grounds. In 1917 with the formation of the Wolf Cub Pack the 1st Benoni HQ was listed as 207 Elston Ave, Benoni. It seems that this is where the Troop and Pack met in those early days.
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An article appears in the “Reveille” The Transvaal Boy Scouts Magazine – Vol 3, Dated December 1918 sent in by W de la Hunt, 1st Benoni Scoutmaster. Our first photo of the 1st Benoni Troop also appears.
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The First Benoni Scout Troop was founded on 1 June 1909 by Mr. Mabley who became the Scout Master in the same year.
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On the 2nd November 1917, 1st Benoni Wolf Cub Pack was registered by Mr Clarence Yallop, barely a year after its inception in England in 1916.
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The first record of a female Scouter becoming involved in the Group was with the registration of Miss Florence Annie Warren as Acting Assistant Cub Mistress on 15 June 1938.
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On 20th May 1948, the Troop recorded its highest number of members at 60 Cubs and Scouts under the guidance of 4 Scouters; Mr. F. James, Mr. P. Byrne, Mr. R. Robins, and Mr. H. Horn.
The 70's
Up to this point the 1st Benoni Troop had been meeting at the Sons of England Hall in Harpur Ave, next to the fire station. Unfortunately in August 1973 the lease expired and The Benoni municipality bought the property for the extension of the Benoni Fire Station.
The Scouts had to find new premises and according to Scout Master Mr. T O’Kelly the Group moved out to a hall at New Modder which unfortunately did not work out.
By 1976 the Group moved into the old Abattoir on Railway Street and remained there until the early 80’s.
Unfortunately this was an old building and in a state of disrepair. By this time it became evident that a permanent hall was needed and the idea of a Scout Hall began.
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It was at this time that the Benoni Sailing club was built next to Arrowe Park and a few Scout parents were members. It was this interest that steered the group into becoming a Sea Scout Group.
On the 27thSeptember 1971 an application was approved and the 1st Benoni Troop became 1st Benoni Sea Scout Group. Meetings at this time alternated between the Old Abattoir and Homestead Dam.
Present
Presently the Troop is strong with a fully functional Committee and strong parent support. The Troop currently has many Warranted Scouters and also Uniformed Adult Helpers.
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Pack and Troop meetings are well supported. The Group has more than 30 invested Scouts and more than 25 invested Cubs. Our Meerkat den has about 15 Meerkats. The strength of the Meerkat and Cub pack has helped to grow the numbers in the Troop, with all Meerkats going up to Cubs and then the Cubs going up to Scouts staying in the Troop.
There were more than 90 members at the 2024 census...
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Apart from a fair stock of pioneering and camping equipment the Group has a well stocked boat shed consisting of various indian canoes, flat water and white water canoes, hydrabats for canoe polo, 3 plastic moulded Whaler Dinghies, several Mirrors and Dabchicks, Two Lasers, Many Gypseys, a Fireball, and Three Gigs. The Group also has a good stock of paddles, life jackets and canoe helmets.