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

Local and statewide significance to the history of Scouts (&Cubs) in Victoria.Combined inner original [1959] and outer newer [1981] wooden shield(s) with nickel plate (sic) shields listing 31 Kew Cub group winners of swimming competitions from 1959 to 1994 [missing shield for 1983] of the Kew District Wolf Cubs.Engraved: 'Kew District Wolf Cubs / Jubilee Sports Trophy 1958 / Presented by Willsmere Lodge". scouts - trophies, cubs - trophies, wolf cubs -- kew (vic), swimming trophies

Group photograph of thirty-four Scouts, a leader (probably R.J. Poewrie) and an unknown male dignitary in their uniforms, lined up in front of a huge Union Jack. All of the Scouts are wearing the trademark Scout Hat – which given its four dimples were colloquially known as ‘lemon squeezers’. The leader is wearing a military-style uniform, which was not uncommon during this early period of Scouting. Placed in front of the Scouts are two drums and three bugles. At this time, it was not unusual for a Scout Troop to have a small ‘bugle band’, which would have led the Scouts when on parade or marching.scouts - kew (vic), 1st kew scout troop, bugle band

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 ‘Group Committee’ was a body of parents and supporters who raised funds to support the Scout Group. Dances were a regular fundraiser, initially to pay off a loan to build the Hall. The old Scout Hall had a barred ticket office window near the front door on the verandah. G.S.M. is an abbreviation used by the Group Scout Master. Dance entrée card. Invitation by 1st Kew Group Committee to a dance at the Disraeli Street Scout Hall. 1st Kew Group Committee will hold A Dance at Scout Hall, Disraeili Street, Kew on Saturday, 3rd April, 1948 / Admission - 2/6 (payable at door) / D.A.Evans, G.S.M. scouts - kew (vic), 1st kew scouts, dance entree card

The Kookaburra Magazine of the First Kew Troop was mostly written by and for the Scouts themselves, with details of troop and patrol camps and activities, jokes, poems, etc. The magazine was roneoed locally.14-page magazine with a kookaburra on the front cover. Signature [unidentified], "? Jan 1925"scouts - kew (vic), 1st kew scouts, kookaburra magazine

The Kookaburra Magazine of the First Kew Troop was mostly written by and for the Scouts themselves, with details of troop and patrol camps and activities, jokes, poems, etc. The magazine was roneoed locally.20-page magazine with a kookaburra on the front cover. 1st kew scouts, scouts - kew (vic), kookaburra magazine

The Kookaburra Magazine of the First Kew Troop was mostly written by and for the Scouts themselves, with details of troop and patrol camps and activities, jokes, poems, etc. This edition of the Kookaburra Magazine featured a new style cover and was printed by the ‘Kew Advertiser’ newspaper.20-page magazine with a kookaburra on the front cover. 1st kew scouts, scouts - kew (vic), kookaburra magazine

The ‘Court of Honour’ was a regular meeting of the ‘Patrol Leaders’ (PLs) - the Scouts in charge of a team of around six Scouts, and the adult Scout Leaders - then known as Scout Masters (SM) or Assistant Scout Masters (ASMs). A typical meeting agenda dealt with a report of the activities of each patrol, discipline matters and organisation of Troop meetings, outings and camps.1st Kew Court of Honour Minute Book. Fabric-covered exercise book with meeting minutes. First entry 12 April 1953, last entry 15 April 1956. Also rough notes at back and instructions for a number of games. Nil on cover.1st kew scouts, scouts - kew (vic), scout minute book