Welcome to Girl Guiding in 2018!
I am excited to be the Acting Chief Commissioner for Girl Guides Australia for 2018.
The beginning of the year is often a time of comings and goings and this year is no exception for Girl Guides Australia.
Many thanks to Helen Geard for her leadership as Acting Chief Commissioner and to Miranda Cummings for all she has done in her role of Assistant Chief Commissioner during 2017. You have both certainly given countless hours, significant wisdom and tremendous dedication to Girl Guiding in Australia.
Congratulations is also extended to Miranda Cummings on her appointment to the WAGGGS Growth and Retention Strategies Working Group. You will no doubt make a very valuable contribution to global Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting.
Girl Guides Australia farewelled their Chief Executive Officer, Karen Bevan, in January. Thanks to Karen for her leadership and professionalism during 2017. We wish Karen well in all that the future holds. The Board has commenced the recruitment of a replacement CEO.
We commence the year with three new directors on the Girl Guides Australia Board. Welcome to: Sarah Neil as the Girl Guides NSW & ACT appointed director from 1 January and to Katherine Raskob and Tara Waniganayaka who commenced on 1 January as Appointed Directors.
22nd of February will see Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all around the world celebrating World Thinking Day. This year we celebrate the IMPACT that the Movement has on the lives of our members and their communities. I am sure each of us can list many ways Guiding impacts us and the communities in which we live. I encourage Leaders to explore this in your units and districts and share your thoughts on your IMPACT with the parents of our guides, your community and your State Girl Guide organisation. You can even earn the World Thinking Day Badge in three simple steps: Go Outside, Make an Impact and Leave your Mark.
AND don’t forget: the World Thinking Day fund gives us the chance to help provide more life changing opportunities for girls everywhere. There are ideas on how to raise funds in the Activity Pack. Please send any funds you raise to your State office.
September will see girls from all around Australia gather in Sydney for the 2018 Sydney Jamboree. We are excited as we will have Guides sharing in this Jamboree from a number of other countries. Those attending will enjoy some great activities together and will make lifelong memories. It is not too late to lock in your chance to enjoy the fun – applications close 31 March!
Wishing you all a wonderful year, filled with exciting Guiding opportunities.
Rosemary Derwin
Acting Chief Commissioner
