Mt Colah Scout & Guide Hall IS Officially Opened!

It’s been almost seven years in coming, but the day Mt Colah Scouts and Guides have all waited so patiently for, has finally arrived. The new Mt Colah Scout and Guide Hall was officially declared open by recently retired State Member for Hornsby, Judy Hopwood, on Sunday the 1st of May 2011.

The opening ceremony was attended by almost 200 people, including the deputy Mayor, Mr Michael Hutchence and the new State Member for Hornsby, Mr Matthew Kean. The “top brass” from both the Guide and Scout Associations were also well represented, with the State Executive Officer for Guides, Mrs Linda Latham, and the State Commissioner for Scouts, Mr Doug Menzies in attendance.

All speakers at the ceremony recognised the efforts of the Reconstruction Committee in delivering such an impressive facility:

• Greg McKinnon – Chairperson and Scout Group Leader
• Carol Moy – Guide District Leader
• Peter Dudfield – Scout Support Committee Chairperson
• Sue Tickell – Guide Region Leader
• Peter Waite OAM – Treasurer, Project Manager and Scout Honoury Commissioner
• Rob Tickell – Site Manager

The Chairperson for the Reconstruction Committee, Greg McKinnon, in turn recognised the great number of individuals and organisations that had, in true Scouting style, done whatever they could at that time. Greg pointed out that these people had complied with Baden-Powell’s dying challenge to us all of trying to make the world a little better than the way we found it.

In particular, Mr McKinnon identified the following people for special recognition. These individuals have contributed so much more than anyone could possibly have asked of them.

• Peter Waite – Who contributed so much on a financial, time &  political level.
• Bill Lovelock – Who was the original architect for the new facility.
• Peter Dudfield – Who took over as architect & also completed the structural design.
• Ray Becchio – Who was the driving force behind the construction phase of the project, and worked so generously with the reconstruction committee to maximise the value obtained from the very tight budget.
• Judy Hopwood – Who resolved crucial political impasses on a number of occasions and provided that all-important background support for the project.

Mr McKinnon also recognised the efforts of the Uniformed Leaders of the Groups. These people have ensured the on-going vitality of the Group during this difficult time, making sure that membership stayed strong to make use of the new facility.

The new facility includes two large halls, one of which is fitted out for high energy activities and one of which is for quiet activities. A large kitchen sits between the two halls, along with male, female and disabled facilities. Leader’s dens, a Rover / Venturer den and a meeting room is also provided. The lower level of the facility provides ample storage for equipment and program resources.

The new facility will be in use almost every evening of the week as both Scout and Guide sections enjoy this new home within their community.