NAIDOC WEEK SPOTLIGHT

Pollyanna Smith

What is your name?
Pollyanna Smith

Who’s your mob?
Wiradjuri & Yorta Yorta

What is your Guiding name if you have one?
Waffles

What is your role in Guiding?
I am a Unit Leader  and the First Nations lead for the Inclusion and Diversity Team with Girl Guides Victoria.

Where do you do Guiding?
Bendigo

How long have you been involved in Guiding?
15 years – two as an adult.

What is your favourite thing about Guiding?
The people – the friendships I have had the opportunity to make.

What is your favourite Guiding memory?
I have two – my first Jamboree which was the Sydney Jamboree in 2018 – the day we went exploring Sydney. The second was participating in the birdman rally this year, I was the team pilot so it was my role to jump into the Yarra.

What is your least favourite Guiding memory?
I think attending the Lady Stradbroke Cup in I think it was 2016 – it was the first and last time I have attended this camp the weather made it very interesting, it was incredibly windy, wet and muddy which resulted in damaged tents and gazebo’s, everything getting wet and sleeping in a big shed. While the leaders did a great job in keeping things fun, it was a long, wet, cold weekend.

Who inspires you?
My mum

What are you most proud of yourself for, in and out of Guiding?
In Guiding, achieving in my Queens Guide. Outside of Guiding,  I was awarded a youth award for excellence in leadership from the City of Greater Bendigo and then awarded the Young Citizen of the Year Award or 2025 in Bendigo.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Take every opportunity given to you.

NAIDOC Week runs from 6-13 July. To learn more about the meaning and celebrations of NAIDOC Week, including this year’s theme “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy”, visit the official NAIDOC website, which is a space to explore First Nations excellence, history, and how you can get involved.