Unite, Thrive and Grow is definitely what members of the Girl Guides Australia delegation did at the Asia Pacific Regional Conference. There were 22 member countries present in Taiwan sharing, learning, and working to strengthen Girl Guiding in the Region into the future. You can read and learn more about the Conference in our daily blog.
Congratulations to Bronwyn Hughes on her election to and appointment as Vice Chair of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee for 2019-2022 and we look forward to continuing to see the Region thrive in the next triennium.
Congratulations also to Susan Campbell who was awarded an Asia Pacific Region Appreciation Award, at the Conference. This is the highest award given by the Asia Pacific Region and honours individuals and organisations who have given outstanding service and contribution to the development of Girl Guiding/Girl Scouting in the Region. The award is only presented to recipients once every three years. Girl Guides Australia acknowledge Susan’s contribution to Guiding both within Australia and globally. A special thank you and additional acknowledgement of Susan’s significant and long-term contribution to Australian Guiding as Susan finishes at the end of September as the Assistant International Manager for Girl Guides Australia.
Unite, Thrive and Grow was also the theme of the Leadership Development in Girl Guiding in Australia weekend held in Queensland in August. State Commissioners, L&D Managers, and other L&D personnel joined together to refresh, strengthen, and focus on the L&D offering in Girl Guiding in Australia. A special thank you to Linda Elezovich for facilitating the weekend.
Thank you to Girl Guides NSW & ACT for driving the development of an online learning platform that can be shared by Guide Leaders around Australia. Congratulations on the launch of eGuiding. This platform will provide an opportunity for flexible learning, will enable Leaders to build valuable skills in their own time, and will support the Australian Leadership Qualification Program. Initially five modules are available, including Girl Guide Orientation.
Governance and Girl Guides Australia
Following a period of transition and transformation, I am pleased to be able to share that the Governance Framework of GGA has been updated to improve the effectiveness of the delivery of Girl Guiding in Australia and elevate the voice of girls and young women. The updated framework presents more opportunities for Guiding members to work in a national role. Young women are encouraged to consider the new opportunities. There will be a transition to the updated framework over the next six months and roles will be advertised at different intervals.
The first roles to be advertised are two Assistant Chief Commissioner positions. These roles will work closely with me to lead Girl Guiding in Australia (GGiA). Each of the Assistant Chief Commissioner roles has a specific focus within the GGA Governance Framework. One of these roles has a primary focus on elevating the voice of Young Women in decision making and the other a focus on WAGGGS.
Members of State Girl Guide organisations who are looking for a new challenge are encouraged to apply and join the GGA team of volunteers focussed on enabling girls around Australia to experience and grow through Girl Guiding.
Happy Guiding,
Rosemary Derwin
Chief Commissioner
