New home for scouts
Published on 30 March 2022
The sounds of cooking, laughter and dancing can once again be heard from the 3rd Heathmont Scout hall, which has reopened following $450,000 refurbishment.
On Thursday 24 March, Cr Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah, and the Hon. Michael Sukkar, Federal member for Deakin, officially opened the refurbished hall. Maroondah Councillors, Scouts Victoria members, Jamie’s Academy of Dance and members of the community were also in attendance.
The $450,000 project was undertaken by Council, with $50,000 of funding from the Australian Government.
Cr Mike Symon, Mayor of Maroondah, and Councillor for the Jubilee Ward, in which the scout hall resides, is proud of Maroondah’s ongoing partnership with the Australian Government to create state-of-the-art facilities for the community.
“It is always great for Council to work in partnership with the Australian Government to get excellent outcomes for the Maroondah community.
“The improvements look great and have brought new life to this much-loved hall,” Cr Symon said.
Beginning redevelopment in September 2021, the major improvements included an acoustic ceiling in the main hall, fully accessible amenities, kitchen, mirrors, dancing bars and three new meeting rooms.
Along with repainting all internal areas, the timber floors have been resurfaced and LED lights and split system air-conditioning have been added throughout the building.
Externally, the hall underwent a new paint job, additional ramping was added, the grounds were resurfaced, and a new veranda is being installed.
For the 3rd Heathmont Scout Group, they now have a home they can be proud of. Terri Verberne, Scout District Leader is overjoyed with the improvements.
“As we emerge from COVID lockdowns, I am being swamped with enquiries from parents wishing for their kids to give Scouts a try.
“Maroondah City Council has been outstanding in the process of creating a substantially better community facility that we can all enjoy,” she said.
Between their outdoor camps and activities, the Scouts run weekly group programs and indoor activities that the hall is integral to.
But for Terri and the rest of the Scouts, they can’t wait to experience the great outdoors once again.
“We've all been stuck inside for 2 years, so we can’t wait to get out and enjoy the outdoors. We are so fortunate in Maroondah to be surrounded by outdoor spaces: parks, walking tracks and great sporting and community facilities,” she said.
Along with the 3rd Heathmont Scout group, the hall is also home to Jamie’s Academy of Dance.
“Our students will be so excited with the modern new look and how clean and fresh it is. I am sure they will be very inspired,” she said.
The 3rd Heathmont Scout Hall is located in the HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont Road, Heathmont.