Edition 04 | May 2013 PP 255003/00741
Program Ideas: AGP Element — People State Adviser News Upcoming Event & Training Dates The Waratah is published by Girl Guides NSW & ACT and welcomes contributions from its Members. CONTENTS FOREWORD FROM THE STATE TEAM 1 The office of Girl Guides NSW & ACT can be found at: FROM GUIDE HOUSE 2 Guide House CHIEF COMMISSIONER SAYS 2 Level 2, 55 Holt Street DISTRICT DYNAMICS 3 Surry Hills NSW 2010 BOARD ELECTIONS 3 Phone: (02) 8396 5200 AUSTRALIAN GIRL GUIDE PROMISE — AUSLAN 4 Fax: (02) 9211 5911 email: [email protected] PROGRAM ACTIVITIES: AGP ELEMENT PEOPLE 5–8 web: www.girlguides-nswact.org.au CENTENARY JOURNEY 9 Postal address: CONGRATULATIONS 9 PO Box 950 ADVISER AND CONSULTANT NEWS 10–11 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 FROM THE ARCHIVES... 12 Retail Department: COMING SOON: THE GREAT GUIDE SLEEPOVER 12 Unit 14, 77–79 Bourke Road ABBEY TOSOUNIDIS SHARES HER SANGAM EXPERIENCE 12 Alexandria NSW 2015 WHAT AN AWESOME ADVENTURE — AITG 2013 13 Phone: (02) 9317 4200 Fax: (02) 9669 6257 UPCOMING TRAINING DATES Retail postal address: PO Box 6124 Training Location Event Date Closing Date Alexandria NSW 2015 DL Update Coffs Harbour June 01 May 11 Leadership Qualification ACT June 01 May 11 We love hearing what our Members Learning Partners Connect Menai June 01 May 11 are up to, so please send your news to Training PLs Coffs Harbour June 01 May 11 [email protected]. Behavioural Management Menai June 02 May 11 Thank you for the photos and articles that are Patrol System Actioned Menai June 02 May 11 sent through each month. Program Explored Coffs Harbour June 02 May 11 Deadlines FD O6 Indoor Camping Austral June 15 May 24 FD O7 Outdoor Camping Austral June 15 May 24 If you would like to be published in the June 2013 edition of The Waratah, please send your Leadership Qualification Glengarry June 15 May 24 contribution to us no later than 10 May. Program Explored Singleton June 15 May 24 Ceremonies Singleton June 16 May 24 If you are interested in advertising in The Ceremonies + Flag Singleton June 16 May 24 Waratah, please contact Marita Dortins: Flag Singleton June 16 May 24 [email protected]. Catering Mount Keira July 20 June 28 Girl Guides NSW & ACT reserves the right to Catering + Engineering Mount Keira July 20 June 28 edit or refuse articles or advertisements from Guide Style any source. Engineering Guide Style Mount Keira July 20 June 28 Leadership Qualification Austral July 20 June 28 Minimum height of LandscapeWA1304© Logos Girl = Guides12mm NSW & ACT April 2013. Colour can not be changed from what is shown Program Explored Mount Keira July 21 June 28 Printed on 100% recycled paper created entirely from post consumer waste, using vegetable oil based inks and an alcohol-free ISO 14001 certified UPCOMING EVENT DATES printing process. Event Location Event Date Closing Date Other logos which apply to ecoStar paper Minimum width of Portrait Logos = 17mm Colour can not be changed from what is shown Nords Wharf, Way To Go Boating Mount Canobolas May 03–05 CLOSED & TBA (Sydney) Caving Weekend Wee Jasper May 17–19 CLOSED State AGM Glengarry May 25 TBA General information you may wish to use State Awards Presentation Abbotsleigh May 26 TBA G-news Innabaanya, Glengarry, Way To Go Pioneering June 21–23 May 10 ecoStar is a Forest Stewardship CouncilAre you (FSC) certified recycled paper made from 100% post consumer waste fibres.Port Macquarie, FSC is a not-for-profit organisationreceiving encouraging the the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC certificationCamp Austral is recognised as a global standardweekly in forest G-news management practices and the Chain of Custody certification processJackadgery, from Guide Glengarry, enables the final printed document can be traced back to a certified source. Callemondah, Way To Go Indoor Camping July 05–07 May 10 House? Email Mount Keira, Printed on 100% recycled [email protected] created entirely from post consumer to waste, using vegetable oil based inks and anInnabaanya, ensurealcohol-free we have ISOyour 14001current email certified address. printing process. Burrabaroo Imagine More GG NSW & Glengarry July 05–07 TBA ACT Youth Forum Araluen National Snow Week July 07–12 May 10 follow us (Jindabyne)
a-2 Edition 04 | May 2013Minimum height of Landscape Logos = 12mm Colour can not be changed from what is shown
Other logos which apply to ecoStar paper Minimum width of Portrait Logos = 17mm Colour can not be changed from what is shown
General information you may wish to use
ecoStar is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified recycled paper made from 100% post consumer waste fibres. FSC is a not-for-profit organisation encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC certification is recognised as a global standard in forest management practices and the Chain of Custody certification process enables the final printed document can be traced back to a certified source.
Printed on 100% recycled paper created entirely from post consumer waste, using vegetable oil based inks and an alcohol-free ISO 14001 certified printing process. As you read this month’s edition of the Waratah, you I very much enjoyed chatting to so many of you at will be inspired by the possibilities Guiding offers you and Adventure in the Garden. There was an amazing buzz the youth members. On the inside front cover you can throughout the day as girls challenged themselves and had see the variety of upcoming Training courses available for such fun with their friends — all because they are Guides. you to increase your Guiding skills. Consider travelling to Thank you Leaders for bringing your girls, many of you a location outside your Region to extend your network travelled a long way to join in the Guiding spirit. We look of Guide Leaders and see more of NSW & ACT. The forward to seeing you again at events later in the year. Learning and Development review enters the next phase Joanne visited Scouts Dragon Skin — wow, what an event. with Leader of Adult roles now being looked into. Congratulations to the Guide teams who all finished in As well as the Training courses in May, Northern Sydney, the top 35 of 166 teams. In May, Caving is sold out again, Central West and North West Inland are holding Region always a popular activity thanks to Pam Bedford and her Conferences and the State Trefoil Guild Gathering will take team of helpers. The Way to Go camps and activities are place at Stanwell Tops. It is always inspiring to attend proving to be very popular and a great way for Leaders Girl Guide adult events and meet women from other as well as girls to gain outdoor skills. There are many more during the year to look forward to whether it is Districts and ages. One of the advantages of Guiding is it is FROM THE STATE TEAM intergenerational and we can all learn from each other. camping or boating, pioneering or campfire, you will have fun and meet women you may not already know. The Girl Guides NSW & ACT Annual General Meeting is to May will finish with the State Awards Presentation. It is be held at Glengarry on Saturday 25 May at the new time always a highlight on the Guiding calendar, a day when of 11:30am. Emily Smith, Leader at North Epping, is the we celebrate with Leaders, parents and friends the Guides guest speaker. Emily represented Girl Guides Australia, in and Senior Guides who have achieved the BP Award, Violet the WAGGGS delegation at the United Nations Commission Skills and Focus Awards. It is inspiring to hear the variety of for the Status of Women in March. Do come and hear challenges the girls have undertaken. How they have set from Emily the impact Guides have at the UN. It is a time personal goals and achieved them. In this edition of The to farewell and thank three retiring Board members – Pam Waratah, the program team have put together four pages of Bedford, Lauren Brincat and Fiona Langford, and welcome suggestions for you with lots of web links for easy access to our incoming Board members. Voting papers have been sent material to help you facilitate the Unit planning for term 2. to all adult Members. Please take the time to vote in the FOREWORD Board election and for the required Constitutional change We very much enjoy hearing from you, look forward to ensure our Constitution reflects the current wording of to meeting up with many of you during May. the Promise and Law. The wording of the Promise and Law was updated and ratified by WAGGGS in 2012. This change is to bring our Constitution in-line with the change. It is important that this change is supported by you. Belinda Allen
THAT the Constitution of Girl Guides Association (New Purpose of the amendment South Wales) be amended by: Members will be aware that (1) deleting in their entirety the headings “The Promise” following the ratification by WAGGGS of the new Promise and “The Law” and the text that accompanies each and the new Law for Australia, these now apply to Guiding where appearing; and throughout Australia. (2) replacing them with the following: The constitution contains the superseded wording for both “The Girl Guides Association (New South Wales) adopts the Promise and the Law. While the new wording applies as the Promise and the Law for Guiding in New South to Guiding in New South Wales and the ACT, irrespective Wales and the Australian Capital Territory the terms of of whether the constitution is amended to reflect the the Promise and the Law as approved for Guiding in change, the Board considers that it is highly desirable to Australia from time to time by the World Association have the current wording of the Promise and the Law in the for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts". constitution. Until changed in accordance with the foregoing, the Effect of amendment Promise and the Law are as follows: The Guide Promise If the resolution is passed, the new Promise and the new I promise that I will do my best Law will be stated in the constitution. In addition, the To be true to myself and develop my beliefs proposed amendment is designed to ensure that if at any To serve my community and Australia time in the future the Promise and the Law were to be And live by the Guide Law. changed and ratified by WAGGGS, that formulation would The Guide Law be taken to be the new Promise and the new Law in the • As a Guide I will strive to: constitution, without the necessity for a further amendment • Respect myself and others to the constitution. • Be considerate, honest and trustworthy Points against the amendment • Be friendly to others Voting against the amendment will not alter the fact that • Make choices for a better world the Promise and the Law are as ratified by WAGGGS. If • Use my time and abilities wisely the resolution is not passed, the only consequence is that • Be thoughtful and optimistic the constitution will not correctly reflect the terms of the
• Live with courage and strength”. Promise and the Law. CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT: RESOLUTION — THE PROMISE AND LAW
Edition 04 | May 2013 1 Welcome to this edition of The Waratah. April was a busy be a positive improvement. Recruitment is underway and I month with some great events taking place — thank you will keep you updated as to our progress. to those who have been involved in organising such great opportunities for our girls to experience all that Girl Guides We do have a highly skilled and incredibly committed team has to offer. of Staff at Guide House, all here to support our organisation in achieving its objectives. In future editions of The Waratah Guide House has been a flurry of activity — with some we will be introducing a section that introduces our teams staff changes that I am delighted to share with you. With and their roles. In the meantime, please continue to contact a Bachelor of Communications and Diploma in Journalism, us if there is anything we can assist with. Ortenzia Borre has joined us as our Public Relations and Media Officer. Ortenzia brings with her a wealth of Finally, published below is a further update on the Royal experience and is already working hard to help us build our Commission, and on the Ballot papers you have received profile within the community. by post; you will find your invitation to our Annual General Meeting on May 25th 2013. I strongly encourage as many of On review of the level of Customer Service we are currently you as possible to come along to the AGM. I certainly look providing to our Members and workload for our staff, forward to meeting those of you that I haven’t already. For we have also determined the need for us to introduce a additional information about the constitutional change please dedicated Reception role into Guide House. We receive a see page 1; go online; or contact us at Guide House. significant number of calls daily and it is imperative that we can effectively respond to our Members. We also recognise Until then — Peta. that a significant number of our Members work during the Peta Gillies ...FROM GUIDE HOUSE GUIDE ...FROM day — so it’s not always possible to phone us between State Executive Officer 9:00am and 5:00pm. Therefore, when our new Receptionist [email protected] commences, we will extend the Guide House access hours to be between 8:00am and 6:00pm. I hope that you find this to The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse opened in Melbourne on 04 April 2013. The purpose of this bulletin is to update you on the ongoing work of Girl Guides Australia and all State Girl I hope you had a good Easter and were able to enjoy time Guiding Organisations in relation to the deliberations with family and friends. Over Easter, 15 young people of the Royal Commission and keep you informed of attended ‘Leading Edge’ in Victoria. ‘Leading Edge’ is a activity. week-long leadership development opportunity for Guides Girl Guides Australia notes that, Girl Guides were aged between 16 and 20. The positive feedback was specifically named in the opening address of the Royal overwhelming and everyone had a great time learning about commission. Girl Guides Australia and all State Girl personalities, leadership development, problem solving, time Guiding Organisations want to reassure all parents and guardians that at this point in time we have no management and project management. Congratulations to evidence that would indicate Girl Guides will be the Penny Ferris and her team for delivering such a successful subject of any investigation by the Royal Commission. event. The participants will now be working on personal projects allowing them to practice some of their new skills. As you are aware from our previous bulletin Girl Guides across Australia are engaging in the process In early April, over 800 NSW & ACT Guides attended and assisting the Commission where possible and ‘Adventure in the Garden’ at the Australian Botanic Garden, relevant. We have met with members of the Mount Annan. The girls were given the opportunity to do Commission on the process to describe the work that has already underway. everything from yoga to water activities and a great deal of fun was had by everyone. The State Government provided Detailed information on the Royal Commission can be free train travel which was certainly appreciated. found by going to www.childabuseroyalcommission. gov.au/and if you have any queries about this bulletin Review these two events and with what Guiding has offered please feel free to contact Belinda Allen at Guide over the last 12 months, there is no doubt we continue House on (02) 8396 5200 or email sc@girlguides- nswact.org.au. to provide a diverse range of wonderful activities for girls UPDATE FROM GGA ON THE ROYAL COMMISSION and young women. We are fortunate to have Leaders and supporters willing to give their time to ensure these types of activities and events continue. There will be TV advertising and marketing materials supporting the sale of the biscuits. In the coming months National Executive Officer Kit McMahon and I will be visiting each State Girl Guide Organisation to I hope you continue to enjoy your Guiding journey and eating the biscuits.
CHIEF COMMISSIONER SAYS talk with Board members, key volunteers and staff. The aim is to allow Girl Guides Australia to better plan for the “All the statistics in the world can’t measure the warmth of future and establish stronger links between all parties. I look a smile” – Chris Hart forward to reporting key outcomes in a future newsletter. Helen Geard The 2013 biscuit campaign is about to begin! Biscuits are a Chief Commissioner great opportunity to promote Guiding within our community. [email protected]
2 Edition 04 | May 2013 RETENTION of our MEMBER VOLUNTEERS To ensure volunteering is an enjoyable experience for Firstly I would like to give a big thank you to all our Leaders everyone, as Leaders we need to support each other and for the time, energy and commitment that you give as encourage all volunteers that we work with. volunteers to Guiding. Research tells us that we volunteer to The Girl Guides have a wonderful set of values and help others and to help our community. as Members we need to strive to live up to the ideals Why do we volunteer to be Members of Girl Guides NSW embedded in them: & ACT? • Empower — we support and encourage the people we work with to be the best they can be. Your answers will be varied, but I would hope that they • Work together — we include others, cooperate and would reflect our mission statement “to enable girls and share information to get to a better outcome together. young women to grow into confident self-respecting, responsible community members”. • Respect — we value the similarities and differences that others bring and recognise their good intentions. This year we will be sending out a survey to our Leaders • Passion — we conduct ourselves in everything we do seeking feedback on the reasons why you volunteer; what with pride, enthusiasm and belief. We see answers, not you enjoy; what you find challenging; and how best as an problems. organisation we can support you. • Initiative — we are not afraid to accept new ideas and take responsibility to make them a reality. I would like you to think about your commitment as a DISTRICT DYNAMICS Leader and to remember we are role models to our youth Happy and motivated Leaders encourage both membership members; their parents and carers; to other Leaders; and to growth and more importantly retention of our members. your local community. Thanks for enjoying Guiding and supporting all our Leaders! There have been significant changes to our regulations. At all meetings and gatherings the behaviour and conversations we Gillian Garsia have with each other reflect the same high standard as you Membership Development Adviser would conduct in a work place environment. [email protected]
By now, each of you should have received your Board Testimonial from Amanda Doxatt-Pratt in support of (Jean) Election Ballot Papers, presented again in a simple to use Anne Kerle: format. Remember — for your vote to count your adult Anne would bring a wealth of experience both from the membership needs to be valid as of the date of the AGM, work place and Guiding as a Leader of Youth & Resource May 25, 2013. Leader for many years. She has extensive experience in strategic and forward planning through her work as Having read the Ballot Paper, you will be familiar with an ecologist and recent experience of governance as a what our candidates pledge to offer to Guiding, and also member of the Board of the Central West CMA. She is a their positions held as adult Members of Girl Guides NSW country leader and is passionate about encouraging girls & ACT. Below you will find testimonials for each candidate, to learn about the natural environment. I feel she would written by the nominating Member as part of the candidate be a great asset to the Board of NSW & ACT. nomination process. Testimonial from Bev Orr in support of Katrina Nash: Testimonial from Joanne Muller in support of Susanna Matters: Katrina is an enthusiastic and passionate member of Girl Guides NSW-ACT. She grew up through Guiding and has Susie has a long history with guiding as a Leader with filled multiple roles as an adult. She is well regarded Lindfield Junior Guides, represented GGA as a member of in her employment for her media communications a WAGGGS contingent to a UN CSW meeting, attended a management skills and has demonstrated her leadership, WAGGGS advocacy session at Sangam and a member of management and strategic thinking through both her the GG NSW & ACT International Committee. Susie is also a work and Guiding roles. These skills and her most recent primary school teacher and puts her Guide advocacy in to Sangam experience make Katrina a very good candidate action through the charity she started in Kenya, "Goods for for a Board position and I commend her to you. Girls". BOARD ELECTIONS
Edition 04 | May 2013 3 I promise that I will do my best
Point towards chest Start with pointer Extend pointer finger Place fist, palm Extend thumbs from fists. First hand finger extended and upwards from fist, in, on chest. is horizontal the other vertical, with fingertip touching and hook sideways thumb pointing upwards. Start with chest near opposite towards face. Slide horizontal thumb a small distance shoulder. Draw a pointer finger tip behind other thumb. Move this hand small cross. down the side of forward so that it brushes across the face. top of the vertical thumb. To be true to myself and develop my beliefs
SOURCES: DEAF SOCIETY NSW www.deafsocietynsw.org.au AUSLAN SIGNBANK www.auslan.org.au SIGN LANGUAGE DICTIONARY www.signplanet.net
With fore fingers extended, Hold both hands bent in Place fist, palm in, on Hold both hands one hand just behind the front of you at sides, so chest. flat, fingertips other, move both hands that fingertips face each upright, palms forward other. Simultaneously together in front of move both hands forward. you and tilt hands (thumbs may be held up or in) downwards twice.
To serve my community and Australia
S K O O B L L With one hand flat, palm upwards and Start with first hand flat, palm out, In front of sides, form a circle with A fingertips facing forward; hold other fingertips upwards; and other hand middle finger and thumb on both hand bent so that palms face each bent, palm towards you and fingertips hands, spread other fingers apart, other and fingertips rest on the palm touching. Move hands from in front palms face down. Move hands up, of first hand. Together, move hands of first shoulder to other shoulder, forward then downwards, flicking all forward in front of stomach rotating hands so that flat hand fingers out spread in front of you. becomes bent and bent flat. And live by the Guide Law
Hold both hands bent in front of you With pointer, middle and ring fingers at sides, so that fingertips face each pointing forward (slightly downwards), other. Simultaneously move both hands Three fingered Girl Guide salute thumbs holding little fingers to palms, forward. (thumbs may be held up or in) hands in front of side at chest height and palms facing each other; move
AUSTRALIAN GIRL GUIDE PROMISE — AUSLAN (AUSTRALIAN SIGN LANGUAGE) SIGN AUSTRALIAN GIRL GUIDE PROMISE — AUSLAN (AUSTRALIAN hands forward and down in an arc.
4 Edition 04 | May 2013 AGP ELEMENT PEOPLE — MAKING FRIENDS AND DEVELOPING LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIPS; DEVELOPING AN UNDERSTANDING AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS Last month we explored the Physical element of the handbooks. This month we consider People. These ideas demonstrate how the table on pages 43-46 of the Leader's Handbook can kick-start some ideas for your program. The big challenge is to provide age and stage appropriate guidance, while allowing the girls to have an increasing hand in their program development.
B GIRLS DEVELOP OO ACTIVITIES K 2 THAT ENCOURAGE : EXPRESSING FEELINGS OR EMPATHY: 7 HEALTHY Set up an obstacle course in the Hall. Have one – 9 girl in each pair blindfolded. The other person leads her blindfolded partner through the obstacle course, using Y RELATIONSHIPS verbal directions. Partners may not touch each other during E A this activity. Swap roles. Debrief — how did it feel to have to trust R 2–14 your partner to lead you through. Could you understand her directions? : 1 S 4 For those that went second, did your experience while blindfolded help K you give better directions when it was your turn to help your partner? O ACTIVITIES O FOCUS ON FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNICATION: B AND GAMES THAT FOCUS ON Try playing changing the leader using the simpler version first and then moving POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE to the more complex version as they become better at reading non-verbal ASPECTS OF RELATIONSHIPS: communication: www.creativekidsathome.com/games/changing_the_leader. Use the Dove resource “A Girls Guide to shtml#more the Digital World” to develop a discussion Hidden object — have the girls sit in pairs facing each other in two lines. Walk about how we apply the Guide Law when behind one row, showing each girl facing you one object from a pillowcase communicating with friends through various of objects. She then tries to describe it to her partner who can’t see it, forms of technology: http://www.dove.us/ without saying the object’s name. Use a different object for each pair. docs/pdf/A_Girls_Guide_to_the_Digital_ Repeat in the opposite direction. Debrief — Was it easy or hard, why? World.pdf ACTIVITIES AND GAMES THAT FOCUS ON POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF RELATIONSHIPS: A quick game of Popcorn will get everyone cooperating and working together: www. ACTIVITIES creativekidsathome.com/games/ S AND GAMES THAT popcorn.shtml K FOCUS ON POSITIVE AND B O NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF RELATIONSHIPS: O O O GUEST SPEAKERS ON RELATIONSHIPS — Lauren CARING AND BEING K B 1 L Brincat, a Senior Guide Leader and school counsellor, HELPFUL: : L offers this advice when seeking a guest speaker. WAGGGS Talk about Good Turns, then get the girls 5 A and GGA work with organisations such as “Dove” and to write or draw a Good Turn in each of the – “Butterfly Foundation”. Government funded programs are also hands on page 53 of Guide Handbook 1. 7 good options. There is no specific accreditation in this area. Some Read Charlotte and the Ants on pages 17–22. programs on relationship can be found by contacting Relationships Do the activity on page 23 of Handbook 1 either Australia, Headspace, Kids Help Line or Lifeline, the Mind Matters verbally, in writing or with pictures. program or Senseability. Lauren directs her girls to the list of programs ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE EXPRESSING FEELINGS available at: www.mindmatters.edu.au/resources_and_downloads/ OR EMPATHY: links/health_links.html. Introduce the friendship circle described on page PROMISE AND LAW ACTIVITIES: 36 of Handbook 1. if you aren’t already doing it, Try the Promise and law activities in the pertinent age group handbook. make up a unit tradition together where you sing Download the New version of Up Up and Away from the Promise and a song while doing the friendship circle. When the Law activities for younger girls on: http://www.girlguides.org.au/ song stops, the girl who was squeezed last takes the news-events/news-coverage/promise-and-law/promise-and- squeeze or Unit Guide doll home and starts the circle law-resources.html Work through it with girls about to make or next week. renew their promise. Get the girls to do the activity on page 37 of Handbook 1 and show the Unit their picture. Try the activities on our GGA website: www. girlguides.org.au/news-events/news- FOCUS ON FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNICATION coverage/promise-and-law/promise- “I am your friend” game — instructions: http:// and-law-resources.html www.ehow.com/way_5512570_ friendship-games-kids-play.html
Edition 04 | May 2013 5 GIRLS PROMOTE COOPERATION AND TEAM BUILDING
OOK 4 : 12 BO B –1 OK 4 2 : SIMPLE, SIMPLE, 7 NON-THREATENING NON-THREATENING AND –9 AND NON-COMPETITIVE NON-COMPETITIVE GAMES: Y GAMES: E Try the balloon activities at: www. A Try playing “Back to Back” http:// wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/ R dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/games/ gamesballoons.html S cooperative_games/cooperative_ games.htm (some of the other PARTICIPATE IN THE AGP PROCESS: games on this site could be Make sure you have a Unit Business Meeting to plan your adapted for this age group). next term’s program and any service projects with the girls.
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE TURN TAKING, COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK: BOOK Pip, Squeak and Charlie is a great introduction to 5 : team work and the water variation is great for a 1 really hot day: http://dragon.sleepdeprived.ca/ SIMPLE, 4 – games/30sec_1/30sec_1_28.htm NON-THREATENING AND 1 NON-COMPETITIVE GAMES 7 Use the AGP process to plan your next term program together. Make sure you take time to evaluate your program, the final step in the process.
PARTICIPATE IN SELF-GOVERNMENT Has everyone got a role in the unit — have you elected an advocacy officer, an events coordinator, a service officer, a unit catering officer (someone has to make sure there is plenty of chocolate!)? The roles are only limited by your collective imaginations. Read pages 78–83 in Handbook 5 for more ideas and information about Unit-in-Council.
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE TURN TAKING, COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK: Design and screen print a unit t-shirt for Regatta Attend the State Youth Leadership weekend or a youth leadership BO seminar run by another organisation. O PARTICIPATE K Organising events: Offer to help with your Support Group IN THE AGP PROCESS 1 or District Management Team’s next fundraiser. : Perhaps you could do Way to Go Campfire Practice using the example on Page 29 5 of Handbook 1. Get the girls to develop a new – training then offer to organise a District 7 campfire for Chain of Campfires challenge, then hold that challenge on a “bring a friend night”.
PARTICIPATE IN SELF-GOVERNMENT In your Unit sharing time (1st stage of self-government) develop a ‘talking sign’ to show that someone wants to speak. In your sharing time decide which friendship activity they would like to do next week: • Make a warm fuzzy for a friend — page 80 of Handbook 1 • Make a friendship bracelet for a friend — page 39 of Handbook 1 • Make a new friends pin — www.dltk-kids.com/scouts/ mgirlscoutpin.htm
GAMES AND ACTIVITIES THAT REQUIRE TURN TAKING, COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK Cats game: www.youthgroupgames.co.uk/games-for- infants-47-yrs-old.html
6 Edition 04 | May 2013 YEARS GIRLS THINK AND ACT INCLUSIVELY –7 5 : WORLD 1 GUIDING ACTIVITIES: K Play World Badge Beetle: O www.lobguides.org.uk/assets/ S Create O Uploads/pdfs/Promise-Activities- K and run a Guides Own B games.pdf (page 3 under “Paper O reflecting on the theme of Inclusion Chase” variation). O B Invite friends to a night at your unit. L Make a circle of paper doll friends L Audit your hall to see how you could adapt it for a vision from around the world: www. A impaired Guide joining your Unit. Check the new resource for makingfriends.com/friends/f_ assistance in thinking this through: specialneedsgirlguides.com. circle.htm au/. This site is also great for Junior Leaders in helping them work with Guides with special needs in their units.
WORLD GUIDING ACTIVITIES: 2–14 Learn how to wrap a sari: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxyyplADV5o : 1 PARTICIPATE IN DISTRICT, REGION AND STATE EVENTS: 4 Book in to take your unit to Dolphin Day in November or encourage K PARTICIPATE them to take their Dads to Dads’ Day in September. O IN DISTRICT, REGION O AND STATE EVENTS: Join the rest of your District or Region for a Chain of Campfires B campfire and give the participants the 2013 badge. Take a patrol of girls to Way Book into the Hike Day at Glengarry — there is a special short to Go Camping Indoors, Way to hike for smaller legs and a longer, more challenging hike Go Camping Outdoors or Way for Senior Guides. to Go Pioneering. LEARN BY WATCHING LEADERS: Participate in Region Camp Enough said!
17 4– WORLD 1 GUIDING ACTIVITIES: –11 : : 9 5 Research Rangoli and/or Mehendi 3 K (sometimes spelled mehndi), try doing your own. K PARTICIPATE B O O OO O Learn about Sangham, consider volunteering there for a IN DISTRICT, REGION K B week or month (read the article about one of our Guides who O AND STATE EVENTS: 1 recently volunteered at Sangam on p 12 of this edition of The B Take a patrol of girls to Way : Waratah) see international opportunities on GGNSW&ACT website — 5 several are from age 16 years up). to Go Camping Indoors, Way to – Go Camping Outdoors or Way 7 EXCURSIONS THAT ALLOW FOR MANY & VARIED SOCIAL & CULTURAL SITUATIONS to Go Pioneering. Visit your local places of worship and explore beliefs that are different from Participate in Region your own. Camp Organise to participate in a walk or talk with one of the traditional owners of your area. Find out how they used the plants and animals for medicine, technology, food, ceremonies. Attend a cultural festival in your local community.
ACTIVITIES, GUEST SPEAKERS, SIMULATION GAMES THAT RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS Invite one of the Guides who have visited a WAGGGS World Centre or represented Girl Guides at the UN to speak of their work to your unit.
Check out the Facebook page of the Youth Delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Edition 04 | May 2013 7 BOO K 4 ALL BO : OK IDENTIFY 1 S 2 EXPLORING ISSUES IN THE – COMMUNITY AND TAKE 1 THE COMMUNITY AND ACTION 4 COMMUNITY HELPERS Are you providing opportunities in the With the girls, choose whether to visit the program for girls who wish to do their BP Police, Fire or Ambulance Station; or invite a to run a campfire or organise a Guides Own? representative to visit you. Older girls might like to research the service before their visit. Post Box: See pages 58–59 of Handbook 4. Visit the community library and find out how people borrow SERVICE PROJECTS books. Those that are already members can borrow a book. The questions on page 49 of Handbook 4 will help the Patrol Leaders IDENTIFY ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY AND TAKE ACTION Council come up with some Use the AGP Process to choose an age appropriate advocacy great unit service and/or service project that you can make a difference with. projects Post Box: Apply to the Post Box Secretary for a Guiding BOO Pen Pal from Australia or around the world K 5 : PARTICIPATE 14 IN THE GIRL RECOGNITION – SYSTEM 1 7 Does your Unit in Council offer plenty of recognition to unit members who are achieving and participating? Consider Discover a Challenge (Gemstones), Trefoil 3’s, Duke of Edinburgh Award and Queens Guide: the peak achievement for your age group.
INTERNATIONAL EVENTS, SEMINARS AND CAMPS GIRLS ARE
Keep track of International opportunities by checking the CONNECTED International page of the Girl Guides NSW & ACT website. TO THEIR Investigate the two MDGs featured for World Thinking Day this year. How can you make a difference in these (MDG 4 Reduce COMMUNITY, child mortality, MDG 5 Improve maternal health).
Read the pages in Guide Handbook 5 on Advocacy. Use LOCALLY AND the AGP Process to develop an advocacy project. GLOBALLY JOTA/JOTI: Learn radio skills so that you are able to help run a radio station.
BOOK 3 : 9 BOOK PARTICIPATE – 1 1 : 5 IN THE GIRL 1 SERVICE –7 RECOGNITION SYSTEM TO THE COMMUNITY Girls aged 7–11 might work toward the service flash and make sure you For great Service ideas suitable reward their efforts if the requirements for younger children, visit www. are met. kidactivities.net/post/Community- Service-Ideas-for-Kids.aspx SERVICE PROJECTS PARTICIPATE IN THE GIRL RECOGNITION Use the suggestions on page 50 of SYSTEM Handbook 3 to help you choose a service project or p 54 of Get the girls started on their Discover Handbook 3 to create an a Challenge. Provide lots of smiles Advocacy Project. and “well done” comments as they work through it.
8 Edition 04 | May 2013 Thanks to State Program Adviser Kerry Rymer for this month’s content! AL L BOO 2013 – CENTENARY OF CANBERRA CELEBRATIONS Applications close: 05 August 2013 K ACT and South East NSW Region invites you to celebrate S This includes all food from Saturday afternoon, all activities, Canberra’s birthday year. Join the Region to celebrate at a bag and a special Region badge for participation at the “The Centenary Journey” camp from 19-20 October, 2013. event. All you need to bring is your personal kit list, and Guides aged 5-18 years and their Leaders are invited to your birthday party clothes for Saturday night. BYO lunch on enjoy the weekend. Activities include a Scavenger Hunt, Saturday a variety of activities to suit different age groups, and Contact LIC – Karen Williams for an application form culminating on Saturday night with a big birthday party. [email protected] Cost of the camp is: Units are encouraged to consider this camp and share in $70 for girls ($30 deposit by 05 August, balance by the Centenary of Canberra. Halls will be available for people 27 September) wanting to travel on Friday night. $65 early bird for girls (fully paid by 05 August) Note: This is a Region event and not a State event. $30 for leaders CENTENARY JOURNEY
Congratulations to these recent award recipients: Julie Smith; Katrina Nash;Sonia Johnson; Jeanette Abrams; Star of Merit — Alannah Krix; Dianne Scroope; and Julie Neill Emu — Helen Eggleton; 10 years — Anne Haydon; Margaret Whiteman; Lesley Boronia — Elaine Bell & Jane Cordina Hudson; Kerrey Williams; Dorothy Hamilton; Tara Cordina; Jennifer Vella; Kelly Higgins; Cheryl Hofman; Gillian May's listing of newly qualified Leaders whom we must Weatherall; and Nicola MacGee congratulate is: 15 years — Yvonne (Helen) Kingdon; Leisa Evans; Erica Joanne Bailey Amy Lenson Jackal; Elizabeth Sharpe; Jan Ward; Meredith Wilson; and Wendy Stankovic Megan O'Brien Kate Williams Stephanie Ellis Nicole Smith 20 years — Marie Towers; Rosemary Graham; Helen Kirstyn Taylor Sue McDougal Freeland; Susan Bell; Kylie Gray; and Belinda Allen Anna Bryan-Ellis Bronwyn Silver 25 years — Mary Carey; Christine Hawkins; Christine Bray; Julie Mitchell; Wendy Scriven; Cheryl Scott; and Caroline Emily Baynham Karen Goode Gauld Nicola Blumer Kylie Webster 30 years — Wendy Douglas; Julie Deacon; Karin Hogan; Nor Idris Melanie Sargent Marie Macdonald; and Sylvia Quinell Megan Hamblin Cassandra Rolls 35 years — Shareeka Murphy; Ruth Hacking; and Caroline Blamires ... and finally, a testament to the dedication of our many 40 years — Alma Simpson; Eleanor Eakins; Patricia Jones; volunteers and members sees this May have a bumper list Robyn Mumford; and Susan Costello of long service milestones: Five years — Barbara Borrow; Michelle O'Hare; Norma 45 years — Judy Cowell; (Ann) Ronnie Essam; and O'Hare; Geoff Peebles; Sylvia Hamblin; Lisa Waite; Ronnie Shirley Moss Joyce; Dixie Hunter; Jill Norburn; Vicki Hill; Susan Davis; 65 years — Gwen Platt CONGRATULATIONS...
Edition 04 | May 2013 9 Regatta, Dragon Skin, Clean Up Australia Day, Olave Challenge and Olave Pathways will be Adventure in the Park — it's all been happening! uploaded shortly. If you have any questions regarding Congratulations to those Members who participated in these awards, please contact the committee. the events mentioned above. Whether you where a participant, facilitator or organiser. I trust you spread Committee News: your Guiding spirit in whatever role you played. The AGP-OP link badge and certificate are now available. Congratulations to Lisa Smith from Northern Sydney National News: who will be the first recipient of this award. We hope Congratulations to Cale Johnstone from ACT-SE who to award several more over the coming months! participated in Leading Edge in Victoria. We look forward to supporting Cale with her project and We were pleased to award Sally Hare her OBP award. OLAVE PROGRAM can’t wait to hear all about her experience. Sally has worked tirelessly on this award over the past six years — congratulations Sally. The committee has received Congratulations must also go to our National Manager OBP plans from three other Members which is fantastic. It Renee Bianchi who married her partner Richard in April. would be great to have many more Members working on We wish you both a long and happy marriage together. the OBP award — check out the syllabus on the website. Renee will also complete her term as National OP Manager this month as she reaches the milestone of turning 30. The committee has decided that a goal this year is to The Olave Program certainly wouldn’t be what it is today focus more on service. If you or your peer group have without the tireless work that Renee has contributed over any great service ideas or service projects that you her many years of being involved in the program — BRAVO! currently participate in the committee would love to hear from you. As OP’s we aim to serve, support, succeed. An expression of interest advertisement appeared in Let’s really focus on the service component for 2013! the April edition of the Waratah for the Peer Education Program. If you have an interest in joining the project Yours in Guiding, team please contact Renee on [email protected] Sam Chenney State Olave Program Consultant Keep an eye on the website as the Olave Program [email protected] awards section is updated. The syllabuses for the Olave Program NSW & ACT (Facebook)
Welcome to Alannah Krix, our newly appointed Junior Leader The Way to Go program is well and truly underway, with the Liaison. Over the next months Junior Leaders, hosting Leaders first two parts of Way to Go Hiking completed and Way to Go and Senior Guide Leaders will be hearing from Alannah as we Boating on the first weekend in May. Next event is Way to increase the support to both the Junior Leaders and their host Go Pioneering, a challenging program learning how to make Leaders. These young women are often working towards all those structures that are such fun to use — everything their Trefoil 3 Leadership and Leadership Focus which from ballistas to bridges and more. This event is for the older
PROGRAM provides substantial RPL in the new Learning Pathways. girls (aged 12–17) and their Leaders. Bring a Patrol of older It is up to all of us to make sure that they have a rich and girls to a Way to Go Pioneering near you. rewarding time in the Junior Leader Program, gaining the skills that ready them for leadership throughout their life. Senior Guides and Olave Program members also should be gearing up for Imagine More, The State Youth Forum in July. It’s time to get those fires burning for our 2013 Chain of Let’s aim for at least one young woman from each and every Campfires. There is a fantastic new badge that will soon Senior Guide Unit and Peer Group. As we head towards our be available from the Guide Shop for Units participating. Australian Program Review, this input from our youth and We have also posted some ideas and challenges to link younger adult Members is vital. our campfires for 2013 through the Events pages on the Website. Older girls (aged 12–17) may wish to attend Way To Go Campfire with their Leaders and put into action their Kerry Rymer newfound knowledge and skills. State Program Adviser [email protected]
A very inspiring morning as the Special Needs Online details contact Rosalind on behalf of Eastern Creek Trefoil Leader Support Resource Program was launched at NSW Guild (see email address below). Parliament House by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO and the Minister for To all those Trefoil Guild Members attending the State Disability Services, the Hon. Andrew Constance MP. To see Gathering in May, please accept my good wishes for an the enthusiasm of the Guides was very humbling and very enjoyable time. TREFOIL special. Take Care. Eastern Creek Trefoil Guild are holding a Car Rally on Rosalind Farley Sunday, 2nd. June and all are welcome. Lots of laughs are State Trefoil Guild Adviser guaranteed! We would love to see you there. For further [email protected]
10 Edition 04 | May 2013 oating ndoor ioneering camping
Ebitia perum hil mo te verio di sunture seque cor sument eaturepreiur sapiet quam nobitatiam nonseq- Way To Go Boating is the next event in our exciting WaY to go series of skill Ebitia perum hil mo te verio di sunture seque cor sument eaturepreiur sapiet quam nobitatiam nonseq- uis et lati temquunt. uis et lati temquunt. development outings. Osapid quo bea conseque ea venducienda quundae nus as re solo ommo totatium estius doluptat. Osapid quo bea conseque ea venducienda quundae nus as re solo ommo totatium estius doluptat. COMING SOON — CHECKOlum diatusTHE mi, tem listiam faccabo remoloribus.STATE CALENDAR FOR MORE INFO Learn about water safety, boating equipment and of course, boating itself — all under Olum diatus mi, tem listiam faccabo remoloribus. Deligniste suntiis dipiciis ratiis id magnihil ius, ullabo. Nem quatiis sed eum que omni ommolores max- the watchful eye of the course convenor Kath Follers. Deligniste suntiis dipiciis ratiis id magnihil ius, ullabo. Nem quatiis sed eum que omni ommolores max- imusdae serumquatem conemquo venihilla quatur, cumquos dolorpore aut re cum id qui autem eost, imusdae serumquatem conemquo venihilla quatur, cumquos dolorpore aut re cum id qui autem eost, simodio con plaut ea ari tem quo quaspe nihitist aut imilit occuptibus milita none eneceptate et pration simodio con plaut ea ari tem quo quaspe nihitist aut imilit occuptibus milita none eneceptate et pration WHAT? Way To Go: Boating es ilit, sequos etur ab inctio volore verume nist, offic tendess imolum facculliqui adis ipsum sit, abor es ilit, sequos etur ab inctio volore verume nist, offic tendess imolum facculliqui adis ipsum sit, abor sinctibus dent rem hillo everit prerfernam dentur? Qui volor res eumquatia nectur? WHEN? 04–05 May 2013 sinctibus dent rem hillo everit prerfernam dentur? Qui volor res eumquatia nectur? 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COST? $80 — all meals provided Enemquostios et fugia comnimagnim di conseque doluptaqui venti istem illigeniae repudit velit lissimus Enemquostios et fugia comnimagnim di conseque doluptaqui venti istem illigeniae repudit velit lissimus niat ut pro odis untotatum quiaspitem sime sam, ut facilic ilibus sent omnis mi, eicia dendem aperi- *Guides without Leaders welcomed — let us know when applying and we will try to match you in with niat ut pro odis untotatum quiaspitem sime sam, ut facilic ilibus sent omnis mi, eicia dendem aperi- one excerrunt, exereicias ent ipiet qui dentias ditin non pori doluptatis debitatianda nihitem alisci derit another patrol. are well tested and equipmentone excerrunt,is provided, exereicias ent ipiet qui dentias ditininstructions non pori doluptatis debitatianda nihitem given alisci derit pliquia testion rem audaeruptas enimus. pliquia testion rem audaeruptas enimus. For more information or to apply please contact Jessica Manifold: 02 83965200; Luptatis rerum voluptae perem dolo eatius dit, sunt ium conseque pra autecum fugit dolorer cipsuntius Dragon Skin is an annual State Venturer Scout activity, held Luptatis rerum voluptae perem dolo eatius dit, sunt ium conseque pra autecum fugit dolorer cipsuntius et lam quo volorrovit optati odi ut invelib usdaero int et fugiatur magnam, illoria custrum net et, sim [email protected]; or go online — www.girlguides-nswact.org.au/new_events and in many cases, supervisorset lam presentquo volorrovit optati odi ut toinvelib usdaerohelp. int et fugiatur Everything magnam, illoria custrum net et, sim is over four days each Easter in a State Forest within three done for you! All you have to do, to give your girls another hours travel from Central railway station. Teams of Venturer chance at experiencing the outdoors, is come along. Scouts and Guides from the eastern States and the ACT participate in a variety of bush activities that allow them to Don’t wait until next year — bookings are still open for Way OUTDOORS test their initiative, leadership, teamworkEV1316 and technical skills to Go Hiking; Way To Go Boating; National Snow Week; against members of other Units. If you missed Dragon Skin — Glengarry Hike Day; and the Great Guide Sleepover at you will have to wait until next year. Taronga Zoo. Attending any of these will certainly add to your outdoor component and you only have to collect the Adventure in the Garden saw Guides of all ages travel free fees and forms and plan the travel to the event. What could to the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan to partake be better? in a wide variety of outdoor experiences like canoeing; rock climbing; hoola hooping; yoga; cooking with an Life is great outdoors, so get out there. understanding of sustainability; crafting with natural objects; and sleeping under the stars... If you missed attending Carol Meiklejohn State Outdoors, Environment & Earth Education Consultant Adventure in the Garden then you will have to wait until [email protected] next year.
Our first term of training is now complete. It has been a means new Leaders will work through the Leadership journey of preparation and adjustment for our NSW & ACT Learning Passport and Guiding Assistants will move Trainers. I thank them for the time, patience and effort they into the role that is appropriate for them. Appraisals have put into these weekends. completed by June 30 and those due for appraisal after then will be completing a review of their appointment. Very soon we will be taking applications for the Qualification There will more about this soon. Certificate — an exciting time. Please ensure that the new • All Leaders will maintain a “leaning log” of what Leader receives this certificate and Leader Bar with some learning took place and when, and how it is fuss made over her achievement. implemented in the role. Regional Training Advisors Our District Leaders have also been very busy. Many have (RTAs) can assist with this log. been to the District Leader Update training where they • Some District Leaders/Development Coordinators/ reviewed some areas of their role; heard explanations of Region Leaders will be interviewed to gain an insight the latest changes to Learning and Development; and were into the tasks and responsibilities associated with their the trial recipients of the Risk Management training. I thank role. This will lead to the development of a Learning them for their evaluations and comments which assists us to Passport for them to be trialed later in the year on new cover the needs for District Leaders. District Leaders.
• Learning Partner training sessions will be planned and & DEVELOPMENT LEARNING Attending a training/workshop on Risk Management has implemented across NSW and the ACT. Those wishing to become vital and all Leaders are urged to attend. As of be a Learning Partner need to discuss with their District March 2013 it has become a compulsory requirement to Leader their suitability for the role. If deemed suitable, complete risk assessment plans for all activities. Leaders who one of these training sessions will need to be attended. attended the trial Risk Management training (mentioned above) will have it recorded on the database as having Each week there is something new added to our list. Please attended. Risk Management training sessions — two hours keep up to date by reading G-news. Keep asking questions each — will be held in all Regions over the next six months. and make sure that at Region and District meetings; Learning and Development is part of the agenda. The following changes to Learning and Development are planned for next few months: Sue Carr OAM • All Leaders working in Units will train as part of the State Learning and Development Adviser Australian Learning and Qualification Program. This [email protected]
Edition 04 | May 2013 11 Sheila Blackmore formed a Company (we now call them The Events Team and The Great Guide Units) of handicapped Girl Guides in 1956 and became Sleepover committee have eagerly launched Extension Adviser in 1966. into preparations for the annual Great Guide Sleepover at Taronga Zoo. Sheila had suffered with polio and multiple disabilities Launching soon, watch this space for more following a severe car accident. information and to meet this year's fun new Through her close association with girls with disabilities, mascot. she went on to form a registered charity NADOW which Some very important information for this year's helped many throughout Australia learn work skills to then event: in addition to the sponsorship scheme be equipped to hold jobs. 2013 will see the introduction of a nominal booking fee — due to the popularity of the Sheila also organised special camps for the Guides so they event and the logistics surrounding the number could enjoy all the activities open to Guides throughout the of Girls who want to attend and the number of world. Girls who miss out. FROM THE ARCHIVES... Sheila's commitment to Guides and NADOW has been The booking fee will guarantee attendance and honoured by naming a street in the new Canberra suburb girls will no longer have to raise the minimum
of Coombs — Blackmore Street. COMING SOON: THE GREAT GUIDE SLEEPOVER 2013 sponsorship amount to guarantee their place.
What is the Community Program? from Canada. Our days started the same way every day Sangam (one of the World Association for Girl Guides and – breakfast, followed usually by a quick check we had Girl Scouts’ four World Centres, located in Pune, India) offers everything for the day before we walked to the rickshaw two forms of the Community Program, one spanning 12 stand and started our ride to work. After about 20 minutes weeks and the other four weeks. Both programs offer the we arrived in Magarpatta and after a short walk we were in opportunity to volunteer with one of Sangam’s Community the construction site where the Mobile Crèche was situated. Partner organisations and live at Sangam in the company The crèche is a concrete building with brightly painted of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from across the world! walls, outside there is fresh drinking water and the children Participants in this programme are known as “Tare”, after are provided with three meals a day. The rooms are split the Hindi word for “stars”. into three sections – we TRIED to keep them separate which My Experience sometimes proved challenging. There were babies in one room, toddlers in another and a school children’s room I arrived in Mumbai at 11pm ready for the four hour drive where we spent the most time. to Pune, India. What an adventure! People always tell you about the traffic and noise of India but until you get there, In the morning we would have great fun trying to teach the you have no idea. school children basic English. This was by far the hardest part of the job. After the school children left we would have I arrived at Sangam and was met by Sarah, the Community the younger kids for about an hour before lunch then the Relations intern. After filling out some paperwork, it was toddlers after lunch which was always entertaining. There straight off to bed for a good night’s rest. was a lot of singing, dancing and just general fun.
In the morning I met my roommate and the other four We volunteered at our site for four days a week and on week Tare, before we headed off to meet the 12 Week Tare Wednesdays we would learn about Indian culture, have a who had already been at Sangam for four weeks and were Hindi lesson and we would go out on outing to different a great insight into India and our Community Partners. community partner and sites around Pune. Weekends we had to ourselves to go shopping, see temples, catch up on I had been asked about which Community Partner I would emails and most importantly, SLEEP IN! like to work with before I left for India and at the top of my list was the TARE Mobile Crèche. This is where I volunteered I applied and received the Amy Bush Bursary before I left the next four weeks. for Sangam. The bursary paid for the cost of the Community Program which included all my food and clean drinking Mobile Crèches was founded by Meera Mahadevan in water as well as all of the activities ran by Sangam. There 1969 in Delhi with the belief that every child has the was a small administration fee when I got to India and fundamental right to security, education, health care and of course my flights but receiving the bursary made it protection. A housewife at the time, she was passing a financially possible for me to go to Sangam. construction site when she was struck by the sight of a baby lying unattended and exposed to the harsh heat. The next I would highly recommend that everyone makes the trip day, she set up a tent, hired some help and started the first to Sangam at least once, it is an amazing opportunity Mobile Crèche. and I would like to thank the staff at Sangam – you were welcoming, fun and helped make my experience I volunteered with two other ladies — Meg, a very
ABBEY TOSOUNIDIS SHARES HER SANGAM EXPERIENCE... memorable. mature and kind 19 year old; and Leanne, a lovely lady
12 Edition 04 | May 2013 We were promised rain, wind and thunderstorms as night for a great sing song before settling down to sleep in hundreds of Girl Guides across the state prepared for their front of our very own moonlit cinema screening The Lorax. trip to Adventure in the Garden 2013. Big thanks to everyone who supported, supervised and Against all odds, the sun peaked through the clouds and attended the day — we all had a wonderful time and could lit up the fantastic Australian Botanic Gardens at 8:30am not have done it without you. for kick off of one of our largest State Events of the year! The Event team is looking forward to 2014. We are After a lovely opening ceremony — hundreds of Guides planning some new and exciting activities to complement launched their attack on over 55 activities with a mix some of the favourites. of action, intrigue and education. Whether you were playing with the giant inflatable Cricket NSW set; cooking Bravo to those who've already submitted their review at the Bowden Centre; sailing with the boating team; forms, your feedback is very much appreciated! We trampolining; rock climbing; or relaxing with some hula collected many review forms on the day, but you can still hooping and yoga, we hope you all had a wonderful have your say and send your review in to Guide House. day at The Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan. The Help us improve and diversify for the 2014 event. We are overnight team had a ball from 4:00pm dancing out every preparing for next year with eagerness and a desire for last drop of energy at disco time, before having tasty innovation, fun and Guiding good times. Think outside the burgers to close off the evening. The night action started box — do bouncing castles, Velcro Walls and Inflatable with a the massive campfire constructed by The Australian Sumo Suit Wrestling Rings tickle your fancy? Brilliant and Botanic Gardens, Mount Annan team, which lit up the inspirational feedback wanted! Go on line and let us have it: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CCW6CB2. WHAT AN AWESOME ADVENTURE — IN THE GARDEN 2013
Edition 04 | May 2013 13 NatioNal S N ow w eek 7–12 July 2013 i araluen lodge, Jindabyne
2013 Snow Week is open to all members of Girl Guides Australia aged 9–17 years. Transport to and from airports and billeting can be arranged if required. Accommodation will be in the Girl Guide Property Araluen Lodge, in the NSW Snowy Mountains.
Applications close and deposit due by 10 May 2013. All Balances are to be paid by 14 June 2013.
Application forms and Snow Week Information Packs are available online: www.girlguides-nswact.org.au/new_events