Carlton Scout Hall
+ Add to ItineraryDescription
Carlton Scout Hall on Wurundjeri country was built in 1931. Designed by architect Henry James, the unusual design is a well-preserved example of late neo-Baroque styling that holds significance socially and historically for its role as a public gathering place. This purpose-built home for the First Carlton Troop (now known as Carlton Scout Group) was a substantial investment by the local community in a still-young youth movement, and was built with multiple uses in mind.
The stage, framed with a substantial proscenium arch, provided a source of income in the group's early years by facilitating weekly social dances and other events that brought the community together. One of the oldest purpose-built Scout halls still in use in Victoria, the groups that have met here have witnessed—and been influenced by—how the community has changed through waves of workers cottages, slum clearances, community action and the more recent gentrification of the area.
What's On
Many walk past our hall and miss it, while others see an open door and peek inside. Today we invite you in to explore our hall in all its glory. Located on tiny Shakespeare Street, the vast interior of the hall will take you by surprise. We’ll use that space to share stories with you of the nearly 100-year-old hall, as well as the street it lives on and park it faces. Each has fascinating histories all of their own. We’ll also tell stories of other incredible Scout halls across Victoria, with many architectural masterpieces coming out of the early years of the Scout Movement. But of course, we’re Scouts—and what do we do best? There’ll be plenty of activities for children and young people, a fundraising BBQ, and some musical performances on our stage. We can’t wait to share these stories with you.
Children's Activities
Children are why our hall is here, and we want to share it with them! We’ll have a bouldering wall onsite, scavenger hunts to explore our exhibits, pioneering activities like building with poles and ropes, a fundraising BBQ and musical performances to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
In Collaboration With:
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Scouts is one of Australia’s longest running activities for young people, and here in Carlton we continue to offer activities for five- to 25-year-olds that get us outdoors, in the community, learning new things and getting creative. Overseen by a team of enthusiastic volunteers, we’ve been building the next generation of leaders for over 100 years.
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Our collection provides an insight into the history of Scouting in Victoria and of the youth and adult members who have strived to deliver and facilitate the highest quality educational & developmental programs for youth since 1908.Â
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The Victorian Scout Band offers an opportunity for players of any concert band instrument to gain experience from playing with a well-disciplined and well-rehearsed band.
Images: (1) Detail of façade. (2) Façade, Carlton Scout Hall. (3-4) Interior of Carlton Scout hall during Scouting activities. (5) Scouts building a campfire in Shakespeare St Park, opposite Carlton Scout Hall. All photos: Annie Asquith.
Important Details
Tour/event summary information
Saturday 26 July
Open access 10am-4pm
BBQ fundraiser for Scout group 11am-2pm
Victorian Scout Band 12-12:30pm + 1-1:30pm
Sunday 27 July
Open access 10am-4pm
BBQ fundraiser for Scout group 11am-2pm
Bookings
No bookings required
Meeting Point
Look after our neighbours and help keep our little street safe—please avoid driving down or parking in Shakespeare Street. It’s a single-lane, two-way street, and our activity will be taking place on either side of the street. Our hall is very accessible by public transport (stop #116 on routes 1 or 6), bike (there are bike hoops in the park opposite our hall), or foot.
If you need to drive, the best parking is on Lygon Street alongside Melbourne General Cemetery, about 100m from our hall. Please be careful crossing Lygon Street!
Accessibility
Accessible bathroom, Partially wheelchair accessible
Unfortunately our building is old and the tiny street it's on is even older. The footpath is very narrow (less than a metre wide), with a small step from the cobblestone gutter to the bluestone-edged, asphalt footpath. From the footpath to the hall there are two steep concrete steps into the hall, but the doorway is very wide. This can be seen on Google Streetview; we will attempt to keep the public carpark spot directly outside the hall door clear on the day to allow better access. Due to the height of the steps and the short distance between the footpath and the road, a ramp into the hall unfortunately isn't possible. We will make an alternative access via the back entrance of the hall available on the day, with only a very small single step into the hall, but access to this entrance is via about 100m of cobblestone laneway. Once inside the hall, most spaces are on the same level and easily accessed, and an accessible bathroom is available.
