Our History
The "new" 1st Eagles Scout Group was officially formed during 2002, after it was decided it was in the best interests for the continuity of scouting in Krugersdorp / Western Roodepoort area that last 2 remaining groups (1st Pioneers and Three Ways) of the former Far West Rand district. The official opening ceremony of the group was held on Saturday 2 November 2002.
Three Ways group was formed in 1972, and initially meetings were held in the Witpoortjie tennis clubhouse. The group later obtained a property on land adjacent to the tennis club, where they build their scout hall. This is still today the site of the 1st Eagles group
1st Pioneers was officially formed in 1974 after an amalgamation of then 1st Lewisham group and 1st West Rand Cons group. During 1997, the group also absorbed the last remaining scouts from the 1st District Township and 3rd Krugersdorp Groups after those groups could no longer function due to insufficient members or lack available leaders. The group had always used an old "pumphouse" scouthall in Johan Jonker drive, Krugersdorp as its headquarters during all these years.
Both groups bear a proud history of having produced a large number of boys who obtained the highest Scouting award, the Springbok Scout badge, over the years and stood their part in many district competitions. This trend still continues today as the group now forms part of the newly formed West Rand District - formed after the merging of the former Far West Rand and Near West Rand districts.
It was also decided that in order to create a total new identity, it was essenial to discontinue any direct name links to both groups and the new name selected was "1st Eagle Scout Group". This name mainly comes from the fact that the groups headquarters is situated in Witpoortjie close to the Witpoortjie falls, in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (Formerly the Witwatersrand Botanical Gardens), home of the now world famous black eagles, believed to be the only known pair in the world to be breeding in an urban area.
The new West Rand District has also selected the Black Eagle as its district emblem for the same reasons.
While a number of members of the former ThreeWays and Pioneers troop exchanged their scarves to the new Purple, Black and White Eagles scarf during the official opening ceremony held on 2 November 2002, officially the first new scout to be invested as an "Eagle" was Edmund Knipe.
During 2004, Debra Bryden joined the troop and was invested as the first female troop scouter, and the troop officially become a MIXED GENDER troop, when Melanie Hoenselaar was invested as the first Girl Scout in April 2004.
During 2005, the cub pack also officially opened its doors to girls and during May 2005, Michaela Berrington and Nicole Hoenselaar were invested as the first girl cubs in the pack.
The troop immediately established itself as a force to be reckoned with, a mere three months after its official birth, by taking second place at (Gauteng) Kontiki 2003 and winning both Kontiki 2004 and 2005, becoming the first troop ever to win this event for two successive years. In 2006 the troop ended in 3rd third place, 2007 with a large group of young scouts 8th place and in 2008 they came in at a very closely contested 5th Place.
1st Eagles also won the Kontiki chairmans challenge at their first attempt during 2003, and again doing so in 2004, 2005, 2006 and again in 2007.
Also during 2004, Warren Anderson become 1st Eagles first recipient of South Africa's highest scouting award, the Springbok Scout award, followed by Hennie Visser a few month later.
In June 2007 the Rover Crew was established with Mr Mark Pollock taking on the responsibility of Rover Scout Leader (RSL) and Hennie Visser being voted as the first crew chair-person.