History

The Phoenix Rover crew was founded in 1988. The Rover Crew’s name came about after the 4th Benoni Vagabond Rover Crew’s den burnt down in 1972. The den was rebuilt but the crew disbanded. In 1985 the Assistant District Commissioner for Scouts, Edie Sydie, tried to start the Rover Crew again but unfortunately a new Crew was not formed.

Opening of the re-vamped Rover den on the 15 June 1985

From Left: Frank Mason (ex-Vagabond Crew and after whom the den is named), Sandy Black (ex-Vagabond Crew), Councilor Sam Grolman (Mayor of Benoni)

In 1988 Alex Limpitlaw took it apon himself to rebuild the Rover Crew. He rounded up a few eligible youngsters to take part the annual District Night Hike. By the end of the hike the potential crew had bonded and they decided to call themselves the Phoenix Rover Crew as their new Rover den had risen from the ashes as a Phoenix would.

Under the sponsorship of the North Western Crew, the Phoenix Squires were put through their paces and Alex was invested as the RSL.

Extract from: VELD LORE – Spring 1988 – No. 120

A week later, the first three Rovers were invested on the 14 August 1988, and so the Phoenix Rover Crew became the Benoni District Rover Crew.

Investiture of the first Phoenix Rovers

From Right: Jean Limpitlaw, Tanya Billington, Alex Limitlaw(RSL), Ricardo Alfonso, Daniel Limitlaw, Kevin Tweehuisen Mark Bidwell (RSL North West RC), other members of North West Rover Crew

Fortunately, members of the old Vagabond Crew, presented the new Crew with their sword, lathe and jug. These treasured items, which date back to the 1940s, are still in use today at the formal ceremonies.