The journey of Scouting in Moe/Newborough began on Wednesday evening, September 9, 1925. Despite it being “picture night” in town, eleven eager local boys gathered in the Church of England Kindergarten School-room to discuss forming Moe’s very first scout troop. The movement was set in motion by the Rev. T. H. Watts, who was capably assisted by Mr. A. Mitchell and Mr. F. Lucas.

Recognising the value of the initiative, the Church of England Guardians generously granted the boys ongoing use of the Kindergarten room, and serious training officially commenced the following Thursday.

By October 1925, community interest had surged. Every Thursday night, between 18 and 20 boys filled the Kindergarten Room. These pioneering scouts busied themselves mastering intricate practical skills—such as tying bow-lines, fisherman’s knots, and sheet-bends—along with learning the history and proper etiquette of flying the Union Jack.

Establishing a Dedicated Home

As the group expanded, so did its logistical needs. In July 1926, Rev. Watts successfully applied to the Narracan Shire Council for permission to use local civic infrastructure. The council warmly supported the youth movement,

passing a motion to lease the old Shire Hall building at Moe to the Boy Scouts Troop for one night per week at a nominal peppercorn rental. The scouts, in return, took responsibility for providing their own lighting and keeping the facility meticulously clean.

he final months of 1926 were defined by massive preparations for the troop’s future. Groundwork began for a combined camp of Gippsland Scouts. Showing immense local backing, a resident named Mr. D. Beck generously offered a portion of his property to serve as the site for the upcoming January 1927 camp, while a local named Mrs. Purvis provided a critical financial boost with a donation of £2/2/-. To foster a love for reading, the leaders also established the very first Troop Library during this time.

A Legacy of Self-Reliance

From its very inception, the group was built on the core scout principle of self-reliance—encouraging youth to actively work for and earn their troop funds rather than relying purely on handouts.

Though face-to-face leadership naturally shifted at the end of 1926 when Rev. Watts prepared to leave the district, the firm structural and moral foundation laid down by those original 11 boys in a small kindergarten room secured a century-long legacy of adventure and character-building for the youth of Moe.

As the group continued to flourish through the 1930s, the dream of owning a dedicated, purpose-built headquarters became a reality. Moving on from temporary meeting rooms, the 1st Moe Troop undertook an ambitious hands-on building project

In April 1938, the scouts officially completed construction on a magnificent, authentic Log Cabin. The structure quickly captured the imagination of the broader scouting community. State Scout officials widely praised it at the time, describing it as “the Scoutiest in Victoria” and a massive credit to the resourcefulness and work ethic of the Moe boys.

The Post-War Boom & Community Support

Following the Second World War, Moe experienced rapid population growth and housing development. The Scouting movement expanded right alongside the town, outgrowing the original log cabin infrastructure.

The local community wrapped its arms around the group to help fund a larger, more modern home. Notably, in the financial year of 1957–58, the Rotary Club of Moe hosted a massive community Jumble Sale, raising £213 (a significant sum at the time), which was completely donated to the Moe Scouts to kickstart their next building chapter.

With funds secured and a growing registry of youth, construction on the modern Moe Scout Hall officially took place across 1958 and 1959.

A Modern Legacy

For decades, the physical presence at Apex Park has stood as a landmark of youth development in Moe. From the early days of the raw log cabin built by the scouts’ own hands to the brick-and-mortar hall erected in the late 1950s, these walls have hosted generations of badge presentations, flag ceremonies, and life-skill training.

The local community wrapped its arms around the group to help fund a larger, more modern home. Notably, in the financial year of 1957–58, the Rotary Club of Moe hosted a massive community Jumble Sale, raising £213 (a significant sum at the time), which was completely donated to the Moe Scouts to kickstart their next building chapter.

With funds secured and a growing registry of youth, construction on the modern Moe Scout Hall officially took place across 1958 and 1959.

Planting the Seeds

The vibrant story of the Mountain Rivers section began with a dedicated team of leaders focused on providing local children with their first taste of scouting adventure. The section was originally founded under the foundational leadership of Jacqui Dejonelli, who served as the inaugural Cub Leader, and Des Dowie, who guided the section’s early trajectory as Group Leader. Together, they established a fun, structured, and welcoming environment for the Cubs to learn essential life skills.

A New Era of Continuity

When Des Dowie concluded his impactful tenure as Group Leader, the mantle of leadership was passed to Ian Naughton, who took over as Group Leader to steer the group’s administrative and strategic future.

Around this same time, the leadership pipeline within the Cub pack strengthened further. Carol Asbock joined the ranks, serving diligently as the Assistant Cub Leader alongside Jacqui. This partnership ensured the Cub section remained thriving and dynamic. When Jacqui eventually moved on from the role, Carol Asbock seamlessly transitioned to become the new Cub Leader, continuing the proud tradition of strong, community-minded leadership for the next generation of youth.

As the new millennium dawned, the section grew and required additional leadership to support the youth progressing through the ranks. In 2000, Steve Asbock was recruited into the group, stepping up into the vital role of Scout Leader to guide the older youth into deeper outdoor adventures and pioneering.

A New Direction and Strategic Merger

The year 2024 marked the beginning of a transformative new chapter for Scouting in the region. To unify local resources and strengthen the scouting pathway, the District officially initiated the merger of Mountain Rivers and the historic 1st Moe Scout Group.

To lead this monumental transition, the District tasked Stacey Cook (then Group Leader of Mountain Rivers) with the critical new role of Group Leader of Moe Rivers—the newly formed, combined group. This strategic move gave the group a vibrant new direction. Stacey spearheaded the merger with the vital mentorship and unwavering support of Steve Asbock (District Commissioner) and Carol Asbock (District Leader – Cub Scouts).

A Period of Dynamic Growth

The latter half of 2024 and 2025 brought fresh faces and exciting growth to the leadership team. In late 2024, Aaron Falzon joined the group as an Assistant Cub Leader, playing a key role in growing and energizing the Cub Scout section.

In 2025, Michelle Dodkins joined the leadership team after relocating to the local area. Around this time, after years of dedicated service, the Mitchell family made the decision to take a well-deserved break from Scouting.

To prepare the group for an anticipated surge in youth membership over the next 12 to 24 months, Aaron Falzon was asked to take on the pivotal role of Scout Leader in Charge, focusing his efforts on expanding and developing the Scout section.

As the new group took shape, a dedicated team stepped up to manage the sections:

• The Scout Section: Fiona Mitchell stepped in as the Scout Leader in Charge, anchoring the section with the hands-on support of Brad Mitchell and Brad Monday.
• The Cub Scout Section: To ensure stability for the younger youth during the transition period, Stacey Cook, along with the continued support of Carol Asbock, directly ran the Cub Scout section.