Guiding News
A GIRL GUIDES NSW, ACT & NT NEWSLETTER
A Note from the Editor
Welcome to edition four of the Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT newsletter for all Adult Members, Trefoil Guild Members, Staff, Junior Leaders, and Youth Advisory Committee Members of our Association. Last edition we published in a format to fit most smartphone screens. It wasn’t the success we had hoped for, and we’ve discovered that the flipbook isn’t great wi th some screen readers.
For this edition, we’ve reverted to a square version, with a different pixel ratio, in search for a format that hits a sweet spot for our wonderfully diverse readership. If a PDF is more your style look for the download button (pictured right) in the tool bar at the bottom of the reader window in Issuu.
This publication’s mission of only delivering news, updates, and articles that matter to our audience is important to us and we’re striving to be 100% ‘fluff’ free. The richness and diversity that is a really special defining feature of the Guiding community can make this a challenge and if there are things that you would like to read less or more about , drop me an email.
And on that note, if you have a Guiding good news story to tell, I’d love to learn more about it! Get in contact on my email below.
Next edition we will have a bit of a focus on promoting Guiding in our communities as we look to a New Year. This will include more detail about Guiding’s identity in Australia following on from the article in this edition about the release of Girl Guides Australia’s communication platform for the identity of Guiding in Australia: we exist because girls do, on page 18.
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
State Commissioner from the
From the State Commissioner
Hello Sisters in Guiding,
There are so many positive things happening within our Guiding community that make our Guiding light shine bright.
Congratulations to Girl Guides Tennant Creek on being recognised for raising disability awareness in the community with the Leaders and Members and having inclusive activities for all young people. They were recognised in the Northern Territory Inclusive and Accessible Community Awards. A huge Bravo to the Leaders and the supporting team for delivering such great Guiding to the communities and for well-deserved recognition.
Holsworthy Guide Leaders received a community volunteer award earlier this year along with Mikayla Harris who received a young volunteer of the year award in her council electorate. They were selected from these awards to attend a special luncheon. I had the honour to be invited to join them at the Premier’s lunch in Parramatta for the visit of his Majesty King Charles and her Majesty Queen Camilla. It was a very warm day, and we had the opportunities to speak briefly to Queen Camilla about Guiding and represent Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. It certainly was a special opportunity for us. Thank you to the team who put on a wonderful day for Dolphin Day. The smiles in the photos tell us what a fabulous day it was.
A special thank you to Margaret Rudwick for chairing the Awards Committee. Her term has finished, and we are very grateful for her contributions. The chair position is currently vacant and there is an EOI included in this newsletter in this communication.
I attended the State Commissioner’s forum where we had a very energised day with Girl Guides Australia Board and CEOs. We are continuing to work on several projects which will roll out in 2025 to support the Australian Guide Program (AGP), Leaders and Members .
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As you read further on, you will see that there are opportunities in a variety of roles. Please feel welcome to contact me through email if you would like further i nformation on any of these roles.
Please encourage members to register for Jamboree 2025. The location and program offer fun and exciting adventure, and there’s still time to register with early bird discount if registered and paid in full this month.
This weekend Region Managers and State Leads are having their quarterly catch-up prepping for 2025. We are on the downhill run for the year and I hope you all enjoy the end of year celebrations with your Units, Districts and Regions.
Yours in Guiding
Jo Tonon (she/her)
State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Board Chair from the
From the Board Chair
The Board wish to advise that two suspended and four terminated Members have had their memberships reactivated in the past week. They can resume norma l Guiding activities.
In 2025 there will be some workshop opportunities for Managers & Leaders to upskill in a number of areas, so keep an eye out for the communications about these. We look forward to your participation.
We are actively recruiting for Co-opted Directors vacancies for the Board. We held off on this activity till after the strategy day in October. We identified the skill set we were looking for, to join our Board to take Guiding forward.
We will commence interviews over the next few weeks for applica tions that have been received.
Sue Belling (she/her) Board Chair boardchair@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION (NEW SOUTH WALES)
Notice of Resumed General Meeting Requested by Members
6 pm, Monday 16 December 2024 Virtual
NOTICE is hereby given of a Resumed General Meeting of the Girl Guides Association (New South Wales) requested by the Members and paused on 23 May 2024 which is to be held on Monday 16 December 2024 commencing at 6 pm virtual and online via Teams. As agreement has not yet been reached, the purpose of this Resumed General Meeting (GM) is to provide responses to the remaining Questions that were not answered prior to the Member requested General Meeting being suspended on 23 May, 2024.
Business of the Resumed GM
1. Welcome and Declaration of Quorum
2. Acknowledgement of Country
3. Apologies
4. To provide responses to the remaining questions that were not answered prior to the Member requested General Meeting being suspended on 23 May, 2024.
5. Close of GM.
Quorum
In accordance with clause 6.9.1 of the Constitution at least 20 Adult Members must be present (in person, by electronic means or by proxy) for the whole meeting.
Members may attend the GM by Teams webinar link which will be p rovided when registering online .
Australian Jamboree 2025 – Bush 2 Beach
With only 11 Months till we hit Murwillumbah for the Australian Jamboree 2025 – Bush 2 Beach we are seeing registrations come from all over Australia.
A reminder to all Leaders to encourage their girls (and adults) to register and pay in full before 30 November to receive the early bird discount. Any registration not paid will revert to the regular price on 1 December.
We still have some committee member spots to fill:
Why not join the Jamboree Program Team? Are you a creative individual (or two) who can take on the Opening and Closing Ceremony organisation?
Or, is becoming a Leader in Charge (LIC) of a 14+ Expedition more your style?
Maybe making sure participants are well fed is more your choice? Join the Catering Team and make food a highlight of the Bush 2 Beach Australian Jamboree e xperience!
Lastly the Medical Team are looking for an Administrator to assist with running the First Aid Admin jobs. Have a medical and organised mind? Maybe this role is the one for you.
Submit your Expression of Interest for any of the above positions online by tapping or clicking here .
Exciting Opportunities to Shape the Future of Girl Guides
NSW, ACT & NT!
Vacant Leadership Positions with Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
Are you ready to step up, lead, and make a lasting impact in Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT? We have key leadership position opportunities offering you the chance to play a pivotal role in shaping our future. These leadership roles are your opportunity to inspire, support, and make a real difference in the lives of girls and young women across the State.
We are currently seeking passionate and committed individuals to fill the following leadership roles:
• Young Women Lead (for members aged between 18 and 30);
• Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead;
• Northern Territory Region Manager;
• Chair of the Awards Committee;
• Water Activities Coordinator; and
• Jamboree Contingent Leader
Vital to the success of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, and a unique opportunity to hone your leadership skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact, State Commissioner Jo Tonon welcomes an email from anyone wishing to learn more about these roles.
Join Jo and her team today and help shape the future of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT! Together, we can inspire the next generation of confident, capable, and empow ered women.
Gone Home
Deeann Green 1995-2024.
We express our condolences and grieve for Deeann Green. She was and still will be a wonderful and valuable Member of Baulkham Hills Olaves, Girl Guides Australia, WAGGGS, and the greater community.
Sitting on the Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Reference Panel, Deeann was a hardworking and caring person who sought to bring about inclusivity and safety for neurodiverse and disabled people within our organisation.
Outside of Guiding, Deeann’s values of justice, safety and inclusivity were reflected in her employment within the NDIS. Her job as a support coordinator meant she visited and supported those who needed help the most. Deeann cared greatly for the people around her and did her best to help deliver them a greater quality of life. No matter how many challenges she faced in her life, she was still determined to stick to her values and never give up.
Deeann used her experience in a wheelchair to spread a visibility message. Her social media page Rolling with Lola , the name she had given her wheelchair, helped show people activities that were accessible by wheelchair, ranging from travel abroad to polling on election days.
Deeann became a Girl Guide in 2007 and became an Olave and Adult Member within Northern Sydney Region and South Coast and Highlands Region. She was the third generation of women in her family to be involved in the organisation.
outdoor Lead from the
From the Outdoor Lead
Should you have any questions or concerns about the information below, please email outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
If you have any questions on outdoor and/or adventure based activities, contact your Region Outdoors Co-Coordinator. They are extremely knowledgeable and always willing to help. Each Region has a generic Girl Guide email address that is used when submitting an OUT01 or if you have a question. The format of the email address is: outdoors [region initials]@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au eg OutdoorsACTSENSW@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
When planning a camp, confirm the campsite you are planning on using is Girl Guide approved. If the campsite isn’t approved, your camp won’t be approved. Campsite approvals may be submitted electronically and are current for three years from the date approved by the Property Team.
Virginia Brown
Outdoor Lead
outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
property Manager from the
From the Property Manager
Grants
Still no announcement on the NSW Community Building Partnership Grant (CBP) for 2024. As it is getting so late in the year, there may not be a CBP grant round this year.
Aside from CBP grants, if they open in the coming weeks, State office won’t be supporting any further grant applications for the remainder of 2024. The Property Team is focusing on getting the Progroup building reports reviewed and sent out, and renewal of insurance for 2025. A reminder that all grant applications $5,000 and above must be submitted by State office as per policy.
Indoor/outdoor approvals
Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks before your event for approval of Guides and non-Guides properties for indoor and outdoor overnight stays/camps. If forms are submitted in less than this timeframe, the Property team cannot guarantee they will be approved in time. Often we have to come back asking for further information and photos, so please allow plenty of time for this.
A reminder that you can check if a property has a current or expired (or no) approval for overnight stays by checking in the Property Management section of My GuideBook .
Approvals remain in place for 3 years.
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Progroup building condition reports
Building condition reports have been sent to Districts, and Region summaries have been sent to Region Managers, for ACT & SE NSW, Central West, Twin Rivers, Northern Territory, Northern Sydney and South Coast & Highlands. The Property Team are currently reviewing the reports for Southern Sydney Rivers and Coastal Valleys, and will be sending these ou t in the next two weeks.
We have not yet received reports for Greater Rivers, Cumberland Plains and North Pacific Coast.
Detailed information is being provided to Region Managers at the RM Conference 15–17 November about the reports and next steps from here, and they will be able to share this information with Districts and Support Groups.
There are a number of widespread issues arising from the reports that we will need to work on a collaborative, organisational response for. For example, there are many roofs and gutters that are in urgent need of cleaning and repair – and we know that roof problems caused by lack of maintenance lead to storm damage that is often not covered by insurance. We do not want volunteers working at heights for safety reasons, and we will need to work collaboratively with Regions and Districts to have this work done safely by appropriate service providers.
Barbara Cuthbert (she/her) Property Manager
barbara@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
In Event News
Event News
JOTA-JOTI
Exciting Events Ahead for 2025!
All Events for our 2025 Events Calendar will be listed on the What’s On page before the end of the year, so keep an eye out for it! We already have a range of events and courses open for registration, along with Save the Date information for those eager to start planning.
Mardi Gras Fair Day
Mardi Gras Fair Day is right around the corner, and we’re currently accepting Expressions of Interest for shifts at our stall. Join us in celebrating and connecting with our community on this vibrant day!
Pre-Junior & Junior Guide Adventure Camp – Jumble in the Jungle
We’re thrilled to announce our Pre-Junior & Junior Guide Adventure Camp, coming up in March.
Are you brave enough to take on Jumble in the Jungle? This adventure promises an unforgettable experience for our young Guides, and we can’t wait to see you t here!
2025 Training Plans for Leaders and Managers in Training
For Leaders and Managers in Training, Save the Date information is now available for 2025 GGA training. Plan ahead to make the most of the training opportunities and enhance your skills in the new year.
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Quick Tip: Confirming Your Course or Event Registration
Wondering if your registration was successful? On your My GuideBook landing page , scroll down to find the “My Registrations” section (pictured below). Here, you’ll see a list of all upcoming courses and events you’re registered for, keeping you on track and read y for your next adventure!
Stay Tuned
Be sure to keep checking the What’s On page as new and exciting events for 2025 will continue to be added. We look forward to seeing you at an event or course soon !
Lydia Morris (she/her)
Event Manager
events@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Update CSCF: Element 10.15 Street Collections and Activities in Public Spaces
Child Safe Child Friendly Framework - Element 10.15 has been updated.
15. Street Collections and Activities in Public Spaces
Guides may only participate in Street Collections in limited circumstances. Door knocking is not supported by Girl Guides Australia.
Guides may assist in street collections on behalf of other organisations which comply with state ordinances and with the approval of the Unit Leader and the District or Region Manager.
State laws must be adhered to with relation to the age of the girls participating.
In the interest of the safety of the girls, all girls involved in any street collection or Public Activity must work in groups of at least two. They must be accompanied by two or more adults and adhere to the requirements of Clause 1 Supervision Ratios above. Youth members must be in sight of the Adult in Guiding. One Ongoing Volunteer must be female.
Youth Members are not to enter any premises or house.
All Guides, Leaders and Managers must wear uniform and carry an d show identification.
This process applies to all Girl Guide activities in Public Spaces.
The update is supported by two new definitions:
Public Activity
Public Spaces
Any Girl Guide event which takes place in Public Spaces. Examples include Bunnings BBQ, fundraising cake stand at local event.
A space which is open and accessible to the general public at the time of the Girl Guide activity. Examples include local parks, shopping centres, local halls or activity centres.
National Girls Survey
Girl Guides Australia (GGA) Research Initiative: National Girls Survey - Launched 11 October 2024
This years International Day of the girl (IDG) theme was "Girls' Vision for the Future". This theme emphasises the urgent need for action and the persistent hope driven by the power of girls' voices and their vision for a better world.
Aligned with the theme, GGA are elevating the voices of girls, by launching the National Girls Survey. This is the first national survey into ‘what it is to be a girl or young woman in Australia’ (aged 12-17yrs).
GGA have invested in this survey to investigate the attitudes Australian girls have regarding safety on and offline, violence, bullying, technology, environment, image, influences, family, culture, future opportunities and personal wellbeing and development.
In partnership with YouthInsight, GGA have developed a 10-15min survey for all Girls (Girl Guides and non-Girl Guides) to complete.
The survey closes 22 November. Girl Guides (Youth Members) were given an opportunity to participate in the survey by email, on 11 October, from Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.
Non-Girl Guides are being sought through YouthInsight who is managing the survey on our behalf and has access to validated participants.
Modibodi is also extending the survey reach to non-Girl Guides.
Australian Research Association for Children and Youth is indirectly extending the survey to non-Girl Guides.
We have not circulated a survey link on social media or generically so that we can be sure the integrity of the survey data is maintained. We don’t want bogus data from non-girls in the cohort we are looking for or survey hackers going wild with fake responses.
GGA would value any support from Adults in Guiding to encourage Girl Guides to look for the email from Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT and to complete the survey.
Girl Guides Australia Exist
Because Girls Do
GGA Awareness Initiative: Because Girls Do - Launched 11th October 2024
Tap the image below to view the video that Girl Guides Australia (GGA) launched on 11 October to explain to the world just how much Girl Guiding can benefit girl s and young women in Australia.
Social Impacts of Girl Guiding on Girls in Australia
• Girls 8-11yrs have increased life skills, particularly the abil ity to self-regulate emotions.
• Girl Guides 8-11yrs have a significant positive shift in attitude, confidence, & interpersonal skills.
• Girl Guides 8-17yrs have greater engagement in the outdoors, with new experiences increasing their wellbeing.
• Teenage Girl Guides see an 18%+ increase in both Life Skills an d Resilience.
• 12% of Girl Guides experience an increase in purpose & 13% incr ease in leadership.
GGA invites all Members to view the video and to celebrate the fantastic role Guiding plays in supporting girls through Girlhood to become empowered leaders of their world.
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please se nd an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
