A statement from Mafeking Rover Park
We know many of you are keen to see what’s gone on at Mafeking Rover Park in the wake of the Longwood fire, and to know what’s happening now.
An email with lots of information has now gone out to all registered Rovers in Victoria – please check your inbox if you haven’t seen it.
Linked below are a range of photos thanks to CFA volunteers who have been able to get to the site while we can’t. We’re very grateful for their help.
You can see that many structures on the site have been destroyed or damaged, although a couple remain standing.
Please, please, please, DO NOT attempt to visit the site yet. We’ll let you know when it’s safe to do so.
We understand lots of people are wanting to help. At the moment, the best thing to do is fill out the form below so we know where your interest lies, and we can let you know when we need support. We have a challenge ahead of us, and we really appreciate your support, your care, and your passion for Mafeking.
Scouts Victoria has opened a donation page to support Mafeking as we move into recovery and rebuilding. This is a chance for our Scouting community to give back to a place that has shaped leaders, friendships, and lifelong memories.
Mafeking Rover Park Recovery Updates
Update: 16/02/2026
We wanted to provide an update on the progress at Mafeking following the recent bushfires, and to share how recovery efforts are tracking across operations, fundraising and the next stages of the rebuild.
Operations
Whilst local roads are still closed to the general public, property owners have now been allowed back into bushfire-affected areas.
This means we’ve been able to have a qualified arborist on site this week to do an initial assessment. They also completed some urgent work on trees threatening our remaining buildings.
The arborist is preparing a quote for the remaining tree work, and we are now looking at quotes for clean-up, which needs to be done safely.
After that, focus will shift to getting the park back to a state where we can restore it for camping. Planning / consultation will also begin for longer-term projects.
Fundraising
Our Shout for Good fundraising campaign is now well over $80,000 and we deeply appreciate this support, coming from all parts of the Scouting community.
The Scout Shop has sold out of its first run of 4000 Mafeking Bushfire Fundraiser badges and has now ordered another 2000, also an amazing effort. We are deeply grateful to Zoe Herrera, a Victorian Rover and our valued MRP Planning Patrol Leader, for designing the badge!
We have also launched dedicated barcodes so supporters can donate the refund from their cans and bottles directly to Mafeking. Below you will find the barcode for the North and East CDS Zone and the barcode for the West CDS Zone. Funds are already being generated, which is a fantastic start. Thank you to everyone who has jumped on board.
All funds raised through these initiatives will go directly towards our efforts to reopen the site.
Grant funding and insurance proceeds will be allocated to the larger, long-term rebuild projects to ensure Mafeking returns stronger and more sustainable for the future.
How you can help!
Other than fundraising, if you’d like to be part of the rebuild, the best way is to register your interest to help via our Help Form.
We have over 300 responses now, and the Mafeking team is working through them to sort out who can help with different projects.
While we are waiting to get safe access to the park, many Rovers and ex-Rovers are volunteering with local communities as well. Keep an eye out for these opportunities if you’re keen.
More Information
If you have a query or need more information, you can contact us at community@mafekingroverpark.com.
In the meantime, thank you for standing with Mafeking.
Yours in Scouting,
Douglas Ahearn – Chair, Mafeking Rover Park Management Group
Kira Miles – Chair, Victorian Rover Council
Welcome to Mafeking Rover Park
Mafeking Rover Park is a Scouts Australia property which is owned and operated by the Victorian Rovers. It is located in Caveat, near Yea and Seymour, and is approximately 1.5-2 hours north of Melbourne. Mafeking Rover Park is over 130 hectares (320 acres) and offers a diverse landscape of open land, scrub and bush, providing a variety of camping opportunities and areas to explore for all members of Scouting and the wider community.
