GREATER Dandenong's Scouting fraternity is mourning the loss of its matriarch, Nanette Wheatland, who died last Sunday week, aged 75.

One of the first female Scouts district commissioners in Victoria, Ms Wheatland lived and breathed the Scouting movement.

She began at the 2nd Springvale Scout Group when her son Andrew transferred from Cubs in Mildura. Her roles included secretary and assistant Cub Scout leader before moving on to assistant and then commissioner of the district.

Ms Wheatland was appointed assistant district commissioner of Springvale District in 1981.

She continued in this role when Springvale and Noble Park Districts merged to become City of Springvale District, before being appointed district commissioner of Greater Dandenong District in 1995.

During her 38 years of involvement, she received a number of Scouting awards and also organised Scout debutante balls in Springvale.

Current district commissioner Ian Viney said she had battled ill health, but was stoic to the end.

"I've been in my role, which was a role she had previously, for three years, and she had been secretary for that time. I found her a tremendous support and resource for advice and information and that was very typical of what she gave to everyone she came across."

Greater Dandenong councillor Roz Blades said: "Scouts isn't Scouts without Nanette".

"She basically epitomised Scouting. She was ill several years ago, but she is an indomitable force and fought her way back from that illness. Unfortunately this one was too much for her.

"The energy she put into Scouting will be sadly missed. There won't be another Nanette Wheatland."

Ms Wheatland's funeral was held at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery last Thursday.