This photograph shows members of the 1st Kew Scout Troop proudly displaying a competition trophy. While the original photo does not have a title, it is most likely the Cohen Shield for the best Victorian Scout Troop, which the 1st Kew Troop won in 1926. The location of where the photograph was taken has not been identified.See accompanying letter (image 3)1st kew boy scouts, cohen shield

A Volunteer Fire Brigade was established in Kew in 1879 and a fire station established in Walton Street, Kew. The Brigade was formally disbanded by the Fire Brigade Act of 1890 and the volunteers replaced by a unit of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in 1891. The building shown in this rare photograph was constructed in 1893. In the background can be seen a house on the corner of Walton and Peel Streets, one of two, built in 1893 for firemen of the Brigade. An article in The Weekly Times (1 April 1911) records that: "Kew Troop - A,S.M. Williams reports:- The troop under S.M. Kellett. marched to the Kew Fire Brigade station, to receive instruction in fire drill from Mr Gross, the officer in charge, but as he was unexpectedly called away, the S.M. S and A.S.M had to instruct the Troop. Every boy was taught how to sink the hydrant, and how to couple and uncouple the hose. The hose reel was then brought into action, and the boys were divided into sets of six, each division taking its turn in pulling the reel up a hill to the water plug, where the hydrant was quickly sunk by one Scout, two more uncoupling the hose and coupling it on to the hydrant. We have gained four recruits during the last week, and are expecting two more next week."This is a fine, original photograph, probably taken by a commercial photographer, showing the 1st Kew Scouts in front of the old Kew Fire Brigade building in Walton Street in 1911. The building, constructed in 1893 was later demolished in 1941. This is a rare historic photograph of the Station. Unfortunately the name of the photographer is unrecorded.1st Kew Scouts undertaking a fire drill in front of the old Kew Fire Station in Walton Street, Kew. The reverse details the names and addresses of the Scouts featured in the photograph. An integral part of the Scout program is service to others and working with the fire brigade would have been just one of many such training activities enthusiastically undertaken by the Scouts. The Kew Fire Brigade had hand-drawn fire appliances up until 1919 when a motorised vehicle was purchased. The fire station was replaced by the Belford Road station in 1941 and subsequently demolished. Front: "First Kew Scouts - Fire Drill - In front of Kew Fire Station - Walton St. Kew" Reverse: "Walton St Kew / Kew Fire Station / Mr Gross o/c Fire Station / Bert Gundy Clark, part-time fireman / Allan Sewell Gellibrand St. / Clappy Williams Hawthorn ? / Allan Barrett Cobden St / Allan Woollard High St"kew fire brigade - walton street, scout groups --- kew (vic), 1st kew boy scouts

The 1st Kew Scouts was one of the first Scout Troops in Victoria, being formed in 1909. From 1927 they met in a magnificent Scout Hall in Disraeli Street, Kew until it was demolished in 1993. Still operating (in 2020) from their new Scout Hall on the corner of Kilby Road and Kellett Grove, Kew.A Scout Troop is divided into smaller teams called ‘patrols’. At this time the Scout in charge of a patrol was called a patrol leader (‘PL’) and his assistant a ‘second’ (‘Sec’). Each patrol of boys would chose a patrol name, often an Australian animal or bird. Other 1st Kew patrols called themselves the Kookaburra Patrol, the Kangaroo Patrol and so forth. The shield the Emu patrol is proudly displaying is possibly the trophy for being the ‘Champion Victorian Patrol’. Some of the Scouts pictured are identified on the mount of the photograph.Back row left and centre: "Pettinger, Evans" Front row left to right: "J. Edwards, R Craven [PL], R.T. Timms [Sec], P. Bennett scouts - kew, 1st kew scouts, kew fire brigade - walton street

The ‘Cubs’ was for younger boys and they wore a cap (whereas the older ‘Scouts’ wore a hat). The Disraeli Street Scout Hall was built in 1927 and remained the home of the Scout Group up until 1991. The Group now meets in a purpose-built Scout Hall (built 1993) at the corner of Willsmere Road and Kellett Grove, Kew. The new Scout Hall, currently being refurbished, proudly includes a series of solid, dark stained roof beams that came from the old hall in Disraeli Street.1st Kew Cub Pack, taken on the steps of the Disraeli Street Scout Hall. The photograph shows 24 Cubs, 3 adult leaders (who would have been 1st Kew Rovers). Nildisraeli street - kew (vic), scouts - kew (vic), 1st kew cubs

The 1st Kew Scouts was one of the first Scout Troops in Victoria, being formed in 1909. From 1927 they met in a magnificent Scout Hall in Disraeli Street, Kew until it was demolished in 1993. Still operating (in 2020) from their new Scout Hall on the corner of Kilby Road and Kellett Grove, Kew.1st Kew 'Scout Group', showing cubs (wearing the caps in the front rows) as well as scouts and their leaders (wearing hats) in 1926.Inscription front: "1st Kew B.S.A. 1926". Reverse: " KH-286. Donated by Mr Heward".boy scouts (kew), cubs (kew), scouts (kew)