Articles - Ashgrove History

TAYLOR RANGE DISTRICT SCOUTS - A BRIEF HISTORY

Scout Districts in Australia are groups of varying numbers of Scout Groups, set to a geographic area. Taylor Range geographic area comprises the north western edge of Brisbane CBD to the Taylor Range mountain range on the western edge of Brisbane which forms its western boundary.

 Taylor Range District was formed in 1955 it is the oldest scout district in Brisbane North Region. The second oldest district in the region is Charles S Snow District which started 1958.

Taylor Range district was formed following the closing in 1955 of Brisbane North West District which had been operating since 1934. When Brisbane North West District closed in 1955 it comprised of the following scout groups.

 2^nd Valley and New Farm Spastic moved to Brisbane North District. Oakleigh Scout Group was originally part of Brisbane North District. Oakleigh was moved across to Taylor Range District during this time of redefining District Boundaries.

 The original foundation groups of Taylor Range District are listed below. 

 Scout Groups that have contributed to Taylor Range District history are listed below;

• 1^st Bardon – Bee St, Bardon - formed 30 June 1935 to Present
• St Johns Wood – via the Gresham St bridge - formed 9 March 1945 to Present
• Oakleigh - 15 High Street, Ashgrove - formed 20 June 1950 to Present 
• The Gap - Grenoble Street, The Gap - formed 10 October 1950 to Present 
• Ashgrove – Gilbert Part, Fulcher Road, Ithaca - formed 1933 closed 1991 
• Dorrington - Dorrington Park off Frasers Road - formed 25 September 1953 closed 1970.
• Jubilee (2^nd Bardon) – Jubilee Park, Cecil Rd, Bardon - formed 1954 closed 1971
• Turaubal – Cnr School & Waterworks, The Gap - formed 1966 closed & merged with Gap 1973
• St Marks Church - Kullaroo Street, The Gap - formed 1984 closed 2000
• Mount Mirrimbul - Riaweena Street, The Gap - formed 1968 closed 2003

Historical documents show Ashgrove commencing in 1908, after three years it went out of existence in 1911 and then reformed again in 1933.  A similar situation had occurred with 1^st Bardon it commenced in 1924, after nine years it went out of existence in 1933 then reformed again in 1935.  It appears both groups had a similar issue, they lacked a stable meeting place or firm home.  

 In 1968 The Gap scout group was considered too large, it was a split into two groups The Gap and Mt Murrimbal. A new district was created for the area called Mt Cootha. Mt Cootha District had a very short life span as it closed in 1971. The groups in the short lived Mt Cootha District were The Gap, Mount Mirrumbal, Turaubal. 

 Historical District Commissioners

A district commissioner manages the district with other district representatives. The functions of the District Commissioner is generally to be responsible to the Region Commissioner for the welfare, progress and training of the Movement’s members and for the maintenance of the policy, organisation, and rules of the Association.

Previous historical Taylor Range District Commissioners are listed below;

 2017- Acknowledgements and References;

• Mark Cavanagh – Researcher - Bardon Scouts Archivist 2010 – 2017
• Rob Bruce – Ex St Johns Wood Scout & St Johns Wood Scout Group Historian
• Mike Preston – Ex Taylor Range District Commissioner – 1993 to 2016
• Ross Wieckhorst – Ex Bardon Scout / Bardon & District Uniformed Leader - 1960 to 2005

• David Teufel – Qld Branch Commissioner Heritage

• Ashgrove Historical Society – Cliff Farmer 2005 – Scouting in Ashgrove

• QBSI Section 1.5District - 06/2016

 (from Mark Cavanagh)