CLIFFORD PARK IN SCOUT HISTORY

Clifford Park was once part of the original thousand acre grazing property known as Yarra Brae Farm which bordered the Yarra River at Wonga Park and had been available to scouts by courtesy of the various owners since the 1920's.

Lord Clifford became the owner of the farm in 1942. In 1948 he offered the use of approximately 480 acres to Scouts Australia for the 3rd Pan Pacific Jamboree. Referred to as "Yarra Brae Jamboree", it was the first post-war international scout gathering and attracted 11,000 scouts and scouters from around the world.

Again in 1955, Lord Clifford offered the property to Scouts Australia for the 5th Pan Pacific Jamboree. Known this time as the "Clifford Park Jamboree" and remembered as the "Mudboree", the event attracted 16,000 participants from 25 countries.

1955-1956 Jamboree Gateway

In 1962, the farm was the site for the 7th World Rover Moot the first world scouting event ever to be held in Australia. The World Rover Moot was attended by more than 1000 Rover Scouts from across the globe.

Many other major State, Region and District activities were also held at the farm property with the encouragement of Lord and Lady Clifford.

Following the death of Lord Clifford, Yarra Brae Farm was sold at auction in 1967. The new owners continued to allow scouts the continuing use of the area surrounding the old parade ground along the river.

The first subdivision of the farm was approved in 1983 and Scouts Australia, Victorian Branch was able to purchase freehold the present 50 acre site which became known as "Clifford Park". At around the same time, the Victorian Government resumed the whole Yarra River frontage to become part of the Warrandyte State Park.

1955-1956 Looking towards Jamboree Stage

Clifford Park, honouring the late Lord Clifford, is perhaps the most significant scouting site in Australia, having been the location of two Jamborees and the World Rover Moot.

After purchase by Scouts Australia in 1983, the site was used mainly at weekends as a scout camping and activity venue. In an effort to be more proactive in the community the Committee of Management decided to sponsor a new organisation, The Friends of Clifford Park and open the property not just to scouts, but to the wider public as the "Clifford Park Activity Centre". With the support of Manningham City Council, both Federal and State governments and TAFE institutes at Box Hill, Swinburne and Holmesglen, the Friends have helped transform the park into a place of adventure, excitement and passive recreation --a centre that can accommodate the needs of both scouting and non-scouting communities and one of which the whole community can justly be proud.

The scout-owned site, a mere 35 kilometers from the city of Melbourne, is surrounded by hundreds of hectares of Warrandyte State Park skirting the Yarra River. With full catering being available, Clifford Park also offers seminar facilities for government, local government, education and corporate entities who wish to conduct programs or staff development activities.

All developments to this stage have been carried out according to a master plan approved by the City of Manningham, which emphasizes the values of environment, activities for youth and scouting heritage.