Amongst the many, many losses in the Longwood fire are structures at one of Victoria’s largest Scouting campsites.
Mafeking Rover Park, situated at Caveat in the Central Highlands, was hit by the Longwood fire on Friday morning with a loss of most buildings on site.
The 320-acre site was established more than 30 years ago to support the oldest Section of Scouting, Rover Scouts, and has since become a well-used and loved facility of the whole Victorian Scouting community ranging from Joey Scouts to Leaders.
It has been a place that has shaped leadership, service and connection for generations of young adults and volunteers.
The Victorian Rover Scout Council confirmed today that the site has lost at least eight structures including its main Hall, cabins, a toilet block, sheds and training centre, as well as significant environmental impact to flora and fauna.
Support for surrounding communities
Chair of the Victorian Rover Council, Kira Miles, said that whilst the Scouting community is mourning the loss of buildings in the park, it is also acutely aware of the much greater losses facing Caveat residents and beyond, including Scouting families who have lost homes or structures.
“The Mafeking Park Management Group is already in discussions with the Caveat/Highlands community about what we can do to support recovery,” said Kira.
“We would not be able to run the park without the support of the local community, and we want to in turn support them as much as possible. We’ve been told some lost cattle are already making good use of our unburnt areas, which is great.
“Once the park is safe to use, we’ve offered it for any use that might be needed like storage for donated fodder, our remaining toilet blocks for volunteer use or anything else we can do to assist.”
Recovery
Chair of the Mafeking Park management group, Douglas Ahearn, said his team would take its time in planning the recovery of the park, with a focus on both Scouting and non-Scouting users.
He said that while the park structures are insured, it would only go part of the way towards covering costs. “Fundraising will also be a major part of our recovery,” he said.
“Mafeking has been a great resource in the past, and we hope it will be again.
“We and the local community know how special the Caveat location is, and we are keen to share it with future generations of young people learning skills for life,” he said.
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