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.Large sepia photograph of a 1st Kew Scout in uniform. Given that it is a large-sized studio photograph that had been framed and kept for decades, it is likely to be one of the founders of the Scout Troop, perhaps Captain Peowrie. Like many of the early Scout Troops, a man with a military background initially led 1st Kew. Having joined the Scout Troop in 1911 or early 1912, Captain Peowrie went on to serve in the Army during the First World War, rejoining the Scout Troop at war’s end. He went on to be the Scout Leader and later Group Leader up until 1930, whilst also serving as acting District Commissioner for Kew and Deputy Chief Commissioner of Victoria.1st kew scouts, scout master 1920s, scout master in uniform 1920s

Photo sourced from J. Sinclair reproduced on p61 of The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H. Edwards, Shire of Diamond Valley 1979. "During the 1920s Diamond Creek had the only mounted scouts in Australia and only one other troop since, at Alice Springs in the 1940s, has ever used horses. Scoutmaster McWiggan is second from right with his brother first on right." Edward Hibbert McWiggan was Scout Master for the Hurstbridge and Diamond Creek chapters of the Boy Scouts. Michele Cook in an email (7 Sep. 2026) advised from what she can determine from the Hurstbridge Advertiser in 1922, Edward established the Hurstbridge chapter. His brother in the photo is his younger brother William Hibbert McWiggan. Edward published reports on the Hurstbridge Scout Group in the Hurstbridge Advertiser (available on Trove) on the 23rd June 1922 and 10th November 1922 supporting the above.Black and white copy of photo printed on glossy photographic paper 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch); image size approx. 18.5 x 28 cmdiamond creek mounted scouts, diamond valley story, groups, horse, scoutmaster mcwiggan, scouts, william hibbert mcwiggan, edward hibbert mcwiggan, hurstbridge scout group