National Report October 2018

As I write this newsletter, we are on the eve of the Sydney Jamboree. We are expecting more than 1,000 girls, including 200 Guides from overseas. I am counting the sleeps and imagining many girls around Australia and our visitors are also counting the sleeps! There will be many girls (and Leaders) sharing the fun and friendship that Guiding is so well known for. A Jamboree is an unforgettable experience. Defined as a large celebration often in the outdoors – Girl Guides do them well. So, expect those Guides and Leaders back in your Districts and Regions to be eager to share their experiences. Please make sure you ask them about their adventure, the Jamboree song (maybe they will share some dance moves), their Group song, badges they may have collected, and don’t forget to look at their photos! A huge thanks goes out to every volunteer who has supported the Jamboree in any way – from local Leaders who have helped Guides prepare, to Leaders who have taken annual leave from their employment to camp with the Guides, to non-members who have given willingly, to the organising team who have worked tirelessly for many months. A special thanks goes to Jo Tonon (Leader in Charge, Site and Services), Kylie Gray (Leader in Charge, Program and Camping), and Helen Eggleton (Event Convenor) for the mammoth commitment. Thank you Girl Guides NSW & ACT for hosting the Jamboree.

Girl Guides Australia are pleased to announce that Marcia Andrews has commenced as National Trefoil Guild Adviser. Marcia brings to the role wide Guiding experience gained from a variety of roles, including many years in managing Districts and as a member of the Region team. Thanks and congratulations are extended to Barbara Fairbairn as she finishes a three-year term as Australian Trefoil Guild Adviser. Barbara’s commitment to Guiding in Australia and, in particular, the Trefoil Guild has been acknowledged with the award of the Grey Kangaroo.

Thursday 11 October is a special day – it is marked by the United Nations as the International Day of the Girl Child.  The aim is to focus attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and to promote girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. This is what we do in Girl Guides every day! Each year WAGGGS celebrates #TeamGirl with a different theme. This year the focus is on the POWER and POTENTIAL of girls. WAGGGS has created a great valuable online resource to help us encourage superheroes. We know that girls are already powerful, but sometimes they just need a helping hand to reach their fullest potential. That’s where Girl Guides comes in – it’s time for Guides to be their own superheroes and use their power to change the world! Download the activity pack, share with your Guides and JOIN #TEAMGIRL!

 

Rosemary Derwin
Acting Chief Commissioner
Girl Guides Australia

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