Historical information
These items were regular elements of a Scout Master's equipment. The hat badge and the woggle were specifically part of the Leader's uniform and differed from similar uniform items of younger or more junior scouts.
The first proposal to form a Scouts Corps in Wodonga was raised at a public meeting in Wodonga in November 1909. One of their earliest activities in January 1910 was a march from Wodonga to Bright and return with Scouts from Albury. This first Troop was probably called the 1st Belvoir Scouts. Several other attempts were made to form Scout Troops in Wodonga over the ensuing years. In 1929 the Boy Scout Movement was taken up seriously at Wodonga by approximately 40 boys, together with 30 Cubs (juniors). However this was short-lived. Over the following decade several Scout Troops were formed but lapsed and several Wodonga boys joined the Albury Scout Troop.
In 1939 Mr Ray Foster, with eight members put the Scouts on a more enduring basis. Their meeting place was a room below the Water Tower. During the early 1940s the 1st Wodonga Scouts struggled for Leaders to run the activities because so many people were caught up in the Second World War (either overseas or domestically).
Mr David Mann gathered together all the small scouting groups in the Wodonga area and turned them from disorganised and disconnected groups into one scouting unit. He led the Scouts in their formative years and went on to become the 1st Wodonga Scouts first King's Scout. He had a long association with the 1st Wodonga Scouts and all the district scouting troops over the following decades. David Mann was also instrumental in the late 1940s in working for a Scout Hall to be built in Reid Street, Wodonga to secure a permanent home.
These items were donated by a former member of the 1st Wodonga Scout Group who shared positive memories of the leadership of David Mann and the lessons learned in the Scouting Movement.
Significance
These items are significant because they are representative of an important local, national and international organisation.
Physical description
A set of Scout uniform equipment including a Scout Master's Hat Badge, a whistle and a knotted leather woggle.
Inscriptions & markings
On badge" Scout Symbol above "BE PREPARED"
Engraved on Whistle - Fleur de Lis symbol
