21/09/2026
Earlier in the month we had our September Working Bee! This was our first ‘open’ working bee since the fire in January and it was amazing to see Rovers and ex Rovers back onsite contributing to the Park!
Highlights:
- A new waterline was installed from the bore pump to the Northern Region Toilets
- We started the thrilling task of clearing glass, nails and other rubbish from former building locations (There is still a lot to go!)
- The Northern Region toilets were given a much needed clean (it barely made a difference)
- We made a start at burning off some of the smaller burn piles.
- Joe almost donated a mower and a whipper snipper to Mafeking but then had to take them both home again to fix (he claims that Mafeking is cursed and they were working fine when he left!)
The Mafeking Rover Crew had an incredibly productive weekend that included:
- Repairs to Deano’s Shelter (see below)
- Installing 3 new wooden benches at Mt Quafftumbla and Spring Dam
- Revitalising wood from the Whittington Shelter for a new picnic table!
- Fixing the damaged ‘Welcome to Mafeking Rover Park’ sign on the main drive!
It was wonderful to see the Rover Crew up at the Park again and we appreciate everything they did over the weekend!
Thank you so much to all who attended the September working bee! We will put out a post in the next few days about the October Working Bee from the 9th to the 10th of October!
“Deano’s Shelter”:
Ex Rovers of the Mafeking Rover Crew undertook significant repairs to “Deano’s Shelter”- the picnic shelter at Lake Surfmoot- that they originally built in memory of their friend, Dean Parkinson. Dean’s nephews, Liam and Callum, also came up to the Park to help out.
Dean was an active Evans Rover and member of the Mafeking Committee of Management. In recognition of his commitment and outstanding contribution to the Park, Dean was later invested as a member of the Mafeking Rover Crew. Sadly, Dean lost his battle with cancer in 2008. Upon his death, Dean once again demonstrated his passion for the Park and Rovering through leaving a bequest to Mafeking. These funds, along with numerous donations, were put towards building “Deano’s Shelter” in memory of Dean.
Here are some photos from the weekend, including some that have been shared to the ‘Friends of Mafeking’ page. There is also a photo of an article titled ‘Remembering Dean’ that was featured in the Australian Scout Magazine in February 2011. This provides a small insight into the story behind the shelter and the time, effort and dedication Dean put into Mafeking.
