Guiding News
A GIRL GUIDES NSW, ACT & NT NEWSLETTER
A Note from the Editor
Welcome to edition two of our revamped organisational newsletter for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. With no clear winner in the poll we opened for a name for this newsletter, we’re still publishing under the banner of Guiding News: a Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT newsletter. I still stand by what I wrote last month—the name isn’t that important, the content is!
Off the back of our 11 page launch edition, we’ve got a much bigger bumper edition for you this month featuring words from our new State Commissioner and some exclusive news about her deputies!
Contributions have come in from all corners of Guiding reinforcing the premise that authors and length of newsletter will vary from edition to edition depending on what important news there is to share with our audience— Adult Members, Uniformed Volunteers, Trefoil Guild Members, the Staff Team, up-and-coming Junior Leader Youth Members and the Guides that sit on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC), the next-gen of Guiding governance who ensure that girl-ledness and the voice of the Girl Guide is fed all the way up to the Board.
We received feedback that the Guide blue & black on light turquoise pages last month were not the best contrast for some of our readers, so that combo has been ditched this month. We’ve also heard that the square flipbook pages aren’t the best on all devices. One top tip if you’re reading on a phone, double tap your finger right here and you’ll zoom on in. We’ll also include links to read some bits and pieces online in a different format so that, much like Guiding, the experience will be unique to the individual whose life it’s enriching.
Thanks again for being a part of our Guiding community, and happy reading!
Jamie Shepheard (he/him)
Senior Manager, Digital, Marketing & Communication jamie@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From the State Commissioner
State Commissioner from the
The excited laughter of Guides and Leaders at the Great Guide Sleepover was fantastic to participate in. Thank you to Kelly Harris and her team for organising a wonderful experience for our girls. As I lay in my swag and looked at the beautiful harbour, I considered how fortunate we are to have partnerships with organisations such as Taronga Zoo.
Thank you, Sarah Neill AM for all your efforts as Acting State Commissioner and supporting my transition into my new role. I am happy to announce my State Commissioner’s Team! Kirstyn Taylor and Rachel Fife who are both dedicated leaders.
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Kirstyn is from Coastal Valleys Region, where she has been the District Manager for Toronto District for 15 years. The Assistant Region Manager for Coastal Valleys from 2019-2023, Kirstyn has also been a Trainer since 2016. She puts the Girls and Leaders first and foremost in all she does, ensuring the Member experience through the Australian Guide Program is the best it can be.
Kirstyn has been a Guide since she was 7 years old and is passionate, enthusiastic, and holds the Promise and Law as her core values in life. She is a secondary school History Teacher in the Newcastle area and has been teaching for 19 years. She has considerable experience in working with teenage girls as a year advisor, supporting their social and emotional wellbeing as they navigate high school.
Blossom
Jo Tonon, Kelly Harris, Sally Woodhouse
Kirstyn is forthright, honest, dedicated, compassionate and hard working. She knows the gruelling effort required to achieve long term goals having completed marathons and a half Ironman triathlon this year.
Rachel Fife ( Kingfisher )
Rachel has been an active Member of the Girl Guide movement from the age of 10. She has spent 25 years as a Leader of Youth, where she has played a fundamental role in helping young girls grow and develop leadership skills and has experience across all Guiding age groups from Pre- Junior Guides to Senior Guides. In addition to this role, she is a Mentor and District Manager and has previously served as a member on the NSW State Public Relations Board and National Communications Board as well as leading and assisting in the planning, organising and implementation of significant events such as Adventure Days and NSW Regattas.
Rachel holds degrees in law and environmental science and has specialised in property, planning and environmental law. Rachel currently manages a real estate investment portfolio and an agricultural enterprise. She also dedicates
her time in volunteering in other roles including school boards, sporting clubs and philanthropic organisations.
Her commitment to Girl Guides is driven by her passion for ensuring a bright and exciting future for Australian Guiding. Rachel is dedicated to the ethos of empowering girls and young women to use their initiative, to be adventurous and develop strong principles and skills which in turn they can use to give back to their communities and those around them.
We are looking to ensure we have a full team to support great Guiding, please have a look online at the opportunities available. I encourage you to let your Guiding Light Shine and have fun as you deliver the Australian Guide Program this Spring. I hope you are planning a myriad of fun outdoor activities in the warming weather.
Jo Tonon State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Get ready for the Planned 2-Week Training Break - Mark it on your Calendar - Finish eGuiding modules - we are getting close!!
This month we are saying ‘goodbye’ to eGuiding, and ‘hello’ to Girl Guides Learning. You’ll be able to access your online learning – anywhere, anytime and on any device. Content is shorter, and more engaging including test and learn modules, videos and podcasts. You can even earn digital badges for each activity you complete! Watch out for more updates on email and our social pages.
As part of the transition to Girl Guides Learning, we require a 2-Week Training Break for all online learning in eGuiding, here is what you need to know;
• Mark the Training Break on your calendar from Monday 16 September to Sunday 29 September
• Finish any outstanding eGuiding modules by Sunday 15 September
• Don’t start any new modules in eGuiding unless you can complete them by Sunday 15 September
We can’t wait to open up Girl Guides Learning to you all at the end of the month!
Got a question? Email the Girl Guides Learning team at nswactnt@girlguideslearning.org.au.
Australian Jamboree 2025 – Bush 2 Beach
We are super excited that applications have been open now for over one month. We have had over 200 applications during this time!
The Leadership team have begun putting together an amazing program with activities focusing on the bush, beach, adventure, creative, stem/sustainability, and World as well as exciting opportunities just for 10-13 Guides and overnight expedition for 14+ Guides.
And of course, the 18+ Leaders, Olaves, and Adult Members will have the opportunity to be on a sub camp with youth or be part of the program team, to help with first aid, or one of the many other roles required to make a memorable Australian Jamboree 2025 – Bush 2 Beach experience!
With just over 12 months till Jamboree 2025 begins, we will soon start seeing details of the 14+ expeditions being released, 10-13 Sea World and
Outback Spectacular details, and information about the Pre-Jamboree Challenges.
Don’t forget, all youth participants must have Camping Trefoil 2 and a minimum of six nights under canvas before attending Jamboree.
Make sure you keep up to date on the Jamboree website including the FAQ page, Payment options as well as the Facebook and Instagram pages.
If you have any questions, please contact the Jamboree team at jamboree@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au .
So, don’t forget, applications are open and we look forward to welcoming you in Murwillumbah next September!
From Girl Guides Australia
Share the Dignity—Its in the bag campaign
Olave Program Members across Australia are called to participate in Share the Dignity’s ‘It’s in the Bag Campaign’ in 2024. Girl Guides Australia’s participation in this campaign in 2023 was immensely successful. We hope to eclipse last year’s contribution and meet a goal of donating 600 bags.
This campaign is an annual appeal for donations of bags filled with essential sanitary items to donate to people in need. Donations are distributed to over 3,000 charities nationwide to spread a little bit of love, dignity and comfort over the holiday season.
Whilst Olave Program Members are encouraged to spearhead this campaign in their local Guiding communities, all Members and Units are encouraged to participate and contribute where local Olave Program Members are unavailable to do so.
Items to be donated:
Please assemble bags which are suitable for one of the below three categories. The bags are to be tagged with a tag/ ribbon of the noted colour, to indicate who the bag is for:
• • Adult (no tag or ribbon needed)
• • Teen ( yellow tag or ribbon)
• • Mum and bub ( purple tag or ribbon)
You can find a detailed list of items to be donated here and in the attachment to this document.
Collection points will open at Bunnings nationwide from Nov 15 - Dec 1, 2024
Tracking the number of bags donated to this initiative is key to tracking our collective impact and supporting future initiatives. Please record the number of bags you are donating in this online form
If you have any difficulty accessing this form, you can alternatively email the information to Emily Logan at olave@guides.org.au . Please also direct any enquiries to Emily.
Olave Members are encouraged to spearhead Guides participation in the campaign by:
• Participating in the drive as a Peer Group.
• Linking in with local Girl Guide Districts and facilitating Unit meetings where Guides can participate in the program. Reach out to the District and Unit Leaders now to get involved in their term 4 planning (this campaign will be running early term 4).
• Reach out to the local Trefoil Guild Members and collaborate on the project by meeting up for a packing day or offering to transport the Trefoil Guild’s Members’ donations to Bunnings.
• Find out what events are already planned in your local Guiding community and connect with the LIC to see how you can collaborate with them to incorporate this campaign. For example, can you add a donation to the campaign for each Guide’s kit list for camp and then attend to collect and pack the donations into bags?
Good Service Awards
First
Name Last Name Award
Reintroduction of Automatic Membership
Milestone
Recognition
We are pleased to announce the reintroduction of the automatic recognition for 1- and 3-year Membership milestones, beginning in October 2024.
From 2021, these awards were only issued upon request by the Regions. Moving forward, all eligible Members will automatically receive their milestone recognition. This means that anyone who has been a Member for 1 or 3 years since 2021, is still an active Member, and has not yet received their award, will now be recognised.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to Girl Guides and the empowerment of girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world. We look forward to celebrating your achievements!
Bronwyn Weatherstone Boronia Marcia Andrews Emu
Clarification on Participation in ScoutLed Events and Activities
We would like to provide some important clarification regarding participation in Scoutorganised events and activities. While Girl Guides may receive invitations to events from Scouts, please be aware that this does not mean these activities are automatically approved for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Members.
If you wish to participate in any Scout event or activity, it must be conducted in accordance with Girl Guide policies and procedures, and receive approval from our Outdoor Lead. This ensures that all activities meet our safety, risk management, and supervision standards.
For Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Members to participate in a Scouts event, the following must be completed and submitted for approval to the Outdoor Lead:
1. Proposal for the appointment of a Girl Guides Leader in Charge (LiC) to oversee the event from the Girl Guides’ side.
2. Approval of the activity at the State level, which requires submission of an OUT.01 form and a comprehensive Girl Guides Risk Assessment.
3. Adherence to Child Safe Child Friendly (CSCF) rules, including appropriate ratios, supervision, sleeping arrangements, venue approvals, and other safety considerations.
Some common Scout events and activities include Dragon Skin, Rat Skin, Scout Hike, JOTA/ JOTI, Gang Show, and Gang Show Camps, among others.
Once participation is approved, information will be provided to Members and their families about how to register with both Girl Guides and the event organisers
Thank you for ensuring that all activities we participate in continue to follow our high standards of safety and Member care
Great Guide Sleepover 2024 A Night to Remember!
Over 500 of our amazing Members recently gathered at Taronga Zoo Sydney for the highly anticipated annual Great Guide Sleepover–a stand out event on the Guiding calendar. It was heart-warming to see our community come together, travelling from near and far, for a night that truly embodies the spirit of Girl Guiding. From shared laughter to unforgettable moments, lasting friendships were certainly made. Highlights of the evening included the ever-popular Guide Shop (a massive thank you to Carol, Julie, Alex, and Aimee!), the popcorn machine, the rambunctious wavy girl, a lively dance party with breathtaking views, the bird-show turned dingo-show and, of course, the much-loved hot chocolate!
If you attended, thank you - we loved having you!
These amazing events would not have been possible without an incredible Leadership Team, outstanding Volunteers, and brilliant Leaders working together for our community. We would like to offer our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who was involved in any capacity, your contributions are so, very appreciated.
A special thank you to the Sydney Event Leadership Team , the Committee behind GGS Sydney:
Kelly Harris, Leader in Charge
Jo Tonon, 2IC
Jessica Lai, First Aid
Sally Woodhouse, Wellbeing
Nicole King, Catering
Tess Thomas, Catering
Mikayla Harris, Volunteer Coordinator
Lydia Morris, Event Manager
There were dozens of volunteers who dedicated various measures of time and resources.
Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!
Fundraising
Although a presentation of top fundraisers was displayed on the night, it’s so important to thank each individual for their amazing efforts—there were dozens of girls and Units who raised large amounts of money for the Corroboree Frog!
Collectively we raised $14,749 for Taronga Conservation Society and the Corroboree Frog! Congratulations for your amazing efforts!
A special congratulations and BRAVO to the girls who raised amazing amounts of money for the Great Guide Sleepover 2024 supported animal, the Corroboree Frog and a special mention to Elizabeth & Josephine Streitberger-Sams, Maggie Gillis, and Layla Sumskis who each earned more than $250 but whose names were omitted from the presentation on the night in error. We are so sorry to these four amazing Guides!
Participants who raised over $50 and were awarded a Corroboree Frog Plush toy:
Ally Chan, Chatswood District
Amelie Doherty, Mosman District
Ariel Chiu, Chatswood District
Aurora Gilhooly, Queanbeyan District
Autumn Speziali, Mosman District
Aven Briscoe, Mosman District
Bree-anna Shephard, Nowra District
Caitlyn Provost, Cessnock District
Cayleigh Cocks, Woden Valley District
Clementine Carpenter, Bowral District
Cora Briscoe, Mosman District
Daisy Treherne, Mosman District
Emilia Wells, Mosman District
Emily Collett, Grafton District
Emmy Chaplin, Chatswood District
Fiona Russell, Mosman District
Grace Arthur, Mosman District
Hannah Nagle, Mittagong District
Isabella Bull, Mittagong District
Isabella Griffin, Mosman District
Ivy Bull, Mosman District
Kymberlee Jensson, North Nowra District
Mabel Carpenter, Bowral District
Margaret Shapiro-Lee, Chatswood District
Matilda Brophy, Chatswood District
Meagan Hayes, Eastwood District
Olivia Natal, Mosman District
Pamela Stewart, Mosman District
Phoebe Walton, Camden-Oakdale District
Quinn Chan, Mosman District
Ruby Ellerm, Mosman District
Samantha Brookes, Mittagong District
Scout Simpson, Mosman District
Sienna Harris, Camden-Oakdale District
Zara Prentice, Queanbeyan District
Participants who raised over $150 and were awarded a Taronga Prize Pack:
Aniya Parker, Lane Cove District
Ava Brookes, Mittagong District
Chelsea Brookes, Mittagong District
Constance Cumpston, Black Mountain District
Elodie Johnson, Ginninderra District
Emily Love, Nowra District
Emily Reeson, Tuggeranong District
Evalyn Pasierbek, Forster-Tuncurry District
Layla Eades, Forster-Tuncurry District
Samantha Jones, Baulkham Hills District
Siobhan Whitehead, Brisbane Water Division
Participants who raised over $250 and were awarded a Taronga Prize Pack:
Ashlyn Ferguson, Lane Cove District
Eleanor Challoner, Mittagong District
Elizabeth Streitberger-Sams, Cessnock District
Josephine Streitberger-Sams, Cessnock District
Layla Sumskis, Grafton District
Maggie Gillis, Maitland District
Participant who raised over $500 and was awarded a Taronga VIP Prize Pack:
Brooklyn King
Unit with highest total fundraising amount: Mosman Guides (1st)
Upcoming Calendar of Events Changes
We would like to inform you of several important changes to our upcoming events:
Greenlight 4 Girls (g4g) Event – Removed
The Greenlight 4 Girls event that we had anticipated hosting once again in Canberra has been removed from our calendar and will no longer be taking place.
Caving Event – Indefinitely Postponed
Due to unforeseen circumstances, our planned caving event has been postponed indefinitely. We will notify you as soon as we have further updates.
Mentor Training – Deferred
Mentor Training has been deferred and will now be part of Phase 2 of the Girl Guides Learning roll-out. More information about the new schedule will be provided closer to the Phase 2 launch.
We apologise for any inconvenience these changes may cause and appreciate your understanding as we adjust the calendar. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email to events@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
From The Leadership Lead
Leadership Lead from the
Your Commitment as a Guide Leader
Girl Guides Australia’s mission is: ‘ empowering girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world .’
As a Leader you bring unique knowledge and skills to pass onto your Guides and enable them to gain maximum benefit from the Australian Guide Program. Your support for the girls and young women in your care is pivotal in giving then the confidence to always be their best and to grasp new challenges.
Becoming a Leader is not a step to take lightly. You are responsible for the care and safety of the girls in your Unit. You are required to facilitate a program which develops their life skills, decisionmaking capabilities, and leadership qualities. You are a friend and confidante to them and will become part of their life for the time they are with you, and often for the rest of their lives.
Girl Guide Leaders play an important role in their communities, and you will be respected for the time you commit, your passion for the Guiding
movement and the contributions you make to the lives and families of your Guides.
Every Member, whether youth or adult, is asked to make the Girl Guide Promise, work towards making the Promise, or accept the principles of Guiding. As a Leader you are required to make the Promise.
You may have already made the commitment to the Guide Promise if you were a Youth Member, or you may have done this many years ago when you first became a Leader. It may be something you have just done, or you may be looking forward to making the Guide Promise for the first time or renewing it as you move from being a Youth Member to an Adult Member.
Commitment to the Promise means you will try to do your best and help Guides to do their best as well. The Guide Promise is not just a one-off exercise; it sets out a direction to live by and embodies the principles of Guiding as set out by Robert Baden-Powell.
The Guide Law is a practical explanation of the Promise and provides a broad guideline for living today. As you participate in the Australian Guide Program you will develop a deeper understanding of what the Promise and Law means to you.
Kristina Teodorovic Leadership Lead leadership@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au The Guide Promise
I promise that I will do my best
To be true to myself and develop my beliefs
To serve my community and Australia
And Live by the Guide Law
Interim outdoor Lead from the
From The Interim Outdoor Lead
When submitting an OUT03 or Log for the endorsement of a qualification, the following information needs to be provided in your email:
• Your Name
• The Qualification requiring endorsement
• The new endorsement date for your Qualification
Providing this information will ensure your profile is able to be updated as quickly as practicable.
Virginia Brown
Interim Outdoor Lead
outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Treasurer
Positions Vacant
The Board wishes to thank our previous Treasurer Lisa Walters for her service to Girl Guides NSW ACT & NT as Treasurer. Lisa recently resigned and we are calling for expressions of interest for this vital role, both internally and externally.
If you are interested and have the required skills, please refer to the Position Description on the following link:
FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY
Young Women Lead
Are you passionate about elevating the experience and opportunities for young women in Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT? If so, this Young Women’s lead is the role for you!
The Young Women Lead will enable the leadership and empowerment of young women through different programs and strategies. The Young Women Lead will also investigate and promote leadership pathways for young women to amplify our Mission.
FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY
Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead
Manage a dedicated team, and collaborate across Regions to enhance program delivery and align with the State Strategic Plan and national Guiding objectives. Apply for the impactful role of AGP Lead! FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY
Learning & Development Coordinator
Do you have what it takes to oversee and drive training initiatives, manage trainers, and promote leadership development within Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, while aligning with the State Strategic Plan and national Guiding goals? Then you may be our State Learning & Development Coordinator!
FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY
Outdoor Lead
Are you passionate about the outdoors, with a comprehensive understanding of Guiding, and the ability to innovate and lead change? Yes? The Outdoor Lead is the role for you!
FIND OUT MORE OR APPLY
Thanks for reading!
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.