Pax Hill Heritage Centre - Ballarat
The Pax Hill Heritage & Archive Centre was officially opened on November 14th 1998 thanks to the generous support of Business Victoria and the Rotary Club of Ballarat South.
Our Centre is divided into two areas of interest, Memorabilia and Archives.
Memorabilia
The memorabilia section displays scouting collectables gathered by Scouts and Leaders over many years. Some of the displays are on loan from a private collection and donations are continually received allowing the change-over and updating the exhibits.
Most Scouts like to collect District cloth badges, when attending a Jamboree they have the opportunity to swap with the Scouts they meet, however collectibles extend a great deal further than cloth badges.
In the Pax Hill Heritage Centre you will find woggles, metal badges, International and Event scarfs, Australian and International Jamboree badges, old belts and buckles, key rings, old uniforms, framed Cub, Scout and Senior Scout proficiency badges pre New Design in the early 1970s. The collection includes various Venturer Award badges since introduction in February 1973 as well as District badges worn by the Scouts of Ballarat over the past 100 years.
Displays are continually updating and there is a vast collection of Activity and Event badges including Gang Show, Job Week, Scout Christmas and Bank Badges etc. as well as Bookmarks and Pennants.
The Founder, Baden-Powell dominates part of our display with a variety of memorabilia including cloth badges, medals and medallions, and other items of interest from Baden-Powell Masonic Lodges. Recently we have received an excellent collection of framed very old pictures of Scouting.
Other highlights include extensive memorabilia from the 16th Australian Jamboree held in Ballarat in 1992, a replica of the Gateway from the 3rd Australian Jamboree held in 1948/49, with the trek cart & old Scout camping gear amongst other exciting displays.
Archives
The Archive Area is where outdated books and historical information are filed and recorded as supplied by Troops who have been part the Ballarat District, Area and Goldfields Region since the introduction of Scouting in Ballarat dating back to May 1909. With this information the Pax Hill Heritage Committee with Phil Roberts as author produced a hard cover 200 page book "Golden Century of Scouting, Ballarat and District 1909-2009". This book was launched on May 9th 2009 by The Governor/Chief Scout of Victoria, Professor David De Kretser, AC.
Visit Us
Bookings are made with Neville Cartledge on 03 5345 2571 / 0407 418 745 or email to nevillecartledge52@bigpond.com
Entry Fee: Gold Coin Donation
