Guiding News
A GIRL GUIDES NSW, ACT & NT NEWSLETTER
A Note from the Editor
Welcome to the final edition of Guiding News for 2024!
As the year draws to a close, it’s a moment to celebrate the incredible achievements, growth, and resilience within our Guiding community. From milestones in leadership transitions to exciting upcoming events and initiatives, this edition reflects the heart and soul of what makes Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT extraordinary.
In this issue, you’ll find stories of dedication and welcome new appointees, whose fresh perspectives promise a bright future for their roles.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to embrace opportunities for growth, whether through transformative events like the Oars & Roars Regatta or strategic initiatives like our awareness campaign, “We Exist Because Girls Do.” With tools, resources, and a renewed commitment to empowering girls and young women, we’re setting the stage for a year of connection, innovation, and impact.
As always, our success stems from the collective efforts of our incredible Members, Volunteers, Staff, and the broader Guiding family. Thank you for your passion, perseverance, and generosity throughout 2024. Let’s carry this momentum into a new year filled with prom ise and purpose.
Wishing you all a joyous holiday season and an inspiring start to 2025.
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,
This time of year, is always so busy and I thank you for all you have done for Girl Guides this year. I hope you all enjoy a break in which you can refill your cup with love, laughter, family, and friendship.
A very special mention to Kerry Rymer who has completed her term on the Water Activities Committee as chair. Kerry has given so much of herself and continues to do so to not only the water activities but to the Way To Go program, empowering many young women on expeditions, and outdoor training. Kerry has been working with Girl Guides Victoria to help deliver training, driving down and back with a boat trailer behind her. Thank you, Kerry, Bravo. Simone Lafferty has been appointed as the new Chair. Thanks also goes to Mary Nunan who completed her term on the Water Activities Committee.
Letitia Baldwin is an inspiring woman who inspires and supports our Members in the Northern Territory and has been their Region Manager. Letitia’s term comes to an end in early January. Thank you for your commitment and hard work, and all the time and energy you give to our organisation. Letitia has joined the Member Strategy Committee continuing to share her valuable skills and knowledge.
Congratulations to Samantha Ashmore on her appointment as Region Manager of Northern Territory. Samantha has been working with Letitia as her Assistant Region Manager and has a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of the Region.
Bethany Greenaway is representing us at the Girl Guides Australia Young Women’s Forum in January. We look forward to hearing from Bethany about a whole range of topics discussed on that weekend.
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Congratulations Ros Garlick on being named Kingsford Smith Volunteer of the Year and your community service award.
I understand purchasing uniform has been difficult due to short supply and I have been informed Noone should be restocked by the end of January.
Girl Guides Australia have announced Her Excellency, the Honourable Samantha Mostyn, AC, Governor General has accepted the role as Patron for Girl Guides Australia (see page 18). Our Patron Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley, AC KC, Governor of New South Wales extends her best wishes for the Christmas season and New Year to Members.
Embracing the spirit of the holiday season and Looking to a Bright 2025
As we approach the festive season, I find myself reflecting on the transformative power of Guiding—a journey that began for many of us, myself included, at a young age. For me, joining Girl Guides at age seven was the beginning of a lifelong adventure, one that shaped my confidence, instilled strong values, and fostered skills that have guided me through life.
This holiday season, I am reminded of what makes our Guiding community so extraordinary: a shared sense of belonging, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to empowering girls and young women to reach their fullest potential. It’s a community where inclusivity, empowerment, and mutual support thrive. These are the bonds and values that light up our lives and inspire us to give so generously of our time and energy.
As Leaders, volunteers, and members, we are role models, teaching young girls not just skills but life lessons: teamwork, respect, resilience, and self-care. And in return, we witness the joy and growth of each Guide as they discover their strengths, form lasting friendships, and step into the best versions of themselves. These moments remind us of the profound impact we have in shaping the future.
Looking ahead to 2025, let us carry this shared spirit forward. Let us work together to grow our membership, strengthen our programs, and shine a light on the invaluable role Girl Guides plays in our communities. Each of us has the power to inspire and lead, and together, we can ensure that the magic of Guiding continues to thrive for generations to come.
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May this season of giving and gratitude fill your hearts with joy, and may the year ahead bring new opportunities for adventure, learning, and making a difference. Thank you for everything you do to make Guiding a beacon of hope, strength, and unity.
Celebrate the Spirit of Guiding – Click Here!
Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a bright, prosperous 2025.
Yours in Guiding
Jo Tonon (she/her)
State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Board Chair from the
From the Board Chair
Thank you to our CEO, Guide House Staff & Contractors; Senior Volunteers & Members; Volunteers & Trefoil Guilds
As we wind down for 2024, I wanted to give a shout out to our CEO Mark Stedfut and his Staff and Contractors for the work they have achieved in 2025. To our State Team, State Leads, Committees, Members and Volunteers, and Trefoil Guilds – thank you for all your contributions and for the many hours of service to Guiding in 2024.
It has been a year of immense change, consolidation and some significant projects partly delivered. The Financial Transformation Project (FTP) and the first part of e-Learning have been a huge deliverable from the Staff and Contractors, with several Member stakeholders also involved in reviewing processes and procedures to ensure we “got it right” by working collaboratively together.
What our Members and Volunteers quite often don’t see is the behind the scenes infrastructure and processes that help build capability. I quite often say to people when their default behaviour is to whinge, to think about alternative ways of doing things and come up with some suggestion or solutions as well.
Jo Tonon our State Commissioner and I see us as all as one team – everyone brings their own views and attitudes to Guiding. Volunteers are our fuel, and staff are the engine room making sure that processes and systems are working in the office to support them. If a process isn’t working, then let us know.
It has been wonderful to catch up with the Region Manager cohort when they have met in Parramatta for their quarterly meetings. A few members of the Board took the opportunity to meet with the RM’s and some ARM’s and hear from them first-hand the challenges they are managing with their teams in their local areas. We have such diversity amongst us, but we also need to recognise opportunities to invite new people to be involved. As I grew up regionally as a Guide, I enjoy finding out about the
activities that Leaders and their Guides have been involved with and what impact they have had in their local communities.
New State Treasurer
We have been working through the process to select our new State Treasurer and are down to the final two applicants! We hope to announce the successful candida te in early January.
Resignation of two Co-opted Board Directors
Both Catherine Jewell and Tracy Marshall have resigned as co-opted Directors from the Board, and we thank them most sincerely for their service to Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT this year. Both Catherine and Tracy brought different ways of thinking to the Board, and we thank them for their insight and generosity in sharing their skills. The Board wishes them every success in the future as both have taken on some exciting new challenges in their work and professional lives.
Co-opted Board Director Vacancies
We have received resumes from some very talented people wanting to offer their services to the organisation and have been working through their resumes for the past month. We will continue this activity during January and are specifically looking for people with risk and investment skills to complement the current Board skill set.
Just like Leaders and Managers, we need to continue to build our expertise and knowledge across diverse areas. It’s important that we have the right mix of people at governance level with a wide variety of experience, viewpoints, skills and insights.
Current State of Not for Profits in Australia – trends from the Australian Government
Here is some light holiday reading for you all!
Every year Volunteering Australia puts out a report to share the indicators affecting volunteering and how Not For Profit (NFPs) organisations are planning for the future.
Some key takeaways from the report:
• Younger people are not volunteering in the same capacity as those 45 years old and over.
• There is declining membership in NFPs (not just in Guiding in Australia).
• Cost of living is a driving factor.
• Post Covid pandemic – changing attitudes of adults.
• Diversity in cultures in Australia.
If younger adults want to dip in and out of volunteering at a time and place that suits them – it may be once or twice a year or once a term!
So, how does that affect the future of organisations like Girl Guides?
How flexible are we or can we be to ensure our ongoing viability as an organisation? Food for thought for us all.
Source : Volunteers - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
This web article also has two further links to the Australia Bureau of Statistics General Social Survey and to Volunteering Australia.
Final sign off for 2024
Let’s come back refreshed and enthusiastic to get some further big wins in 2025.
If you are catching up with family and friends over the festive season – enjoy that precious time together.
The Directors and I wish you all a safe and joyous holiday season and look forward to catching up with you at events and meetings in 2025.
Sue Belling (she/her)
Board Chair
boardchair@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Statement from the Board
In good faith the Board issues the following statements:
Statement 1:
The Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Board (the Board) has reviewed the decisions taken in February 2024 with respect to the cancellation or suspension (as relevant) of the memberships of Elizabeth Baker, Renée Bianchi, Rosemary Derwin, Rachael Hatton, Sally Thornton and Joanne Kitchener.
The Board engaged an independent third party to conduct a review of decision-making and processes concerning membership suspensions and cancellations.
In consequence of that review process, the Board has determined that each of Elizabeth Baker, Renée Bianchi, Rosemary Derwin, Rachael Hatton, Sally Thornton and Joanne Kitchener have actually retained their Membership throughout this time.
The Board has notified all six Members of this determination and of its view that they are each Members of good standing in the organisation and have always been so.
The Board sincerely regrets this situation and apologises.
The Board further acknowledges the significant contribution each of these women have made over many decades to Girl Guiding and welcomes their continued involvement and commitment.
The Board looks forward to working with these Members early in 2025 to facilitate their continued contribution to Girl Guiding moving forward.
Statement 2:
The Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Board (the Board) has reviewed the decision taken in December 2023 with respect to the cancellation of the Membership of Gaye Wilson.
The Board engaged an independent third party to conduct a review of decision-making and processes concerning the Membership cancellation.
As a result of that review, Gaye was found to be completely innocent of all charges against her. Her membership was reinstated in August 2024, and she continues to be a member in good standing.
The Board regrets the actions taken against Gaye and offers her a full apology.
Resumed General Meeting, 16 December
We would like to extend sincere apologies for any confusion or inconvenience experienced during the Resumed General Meeting. We appreciate your understanding and participation, and we regret if any of the following arrangements were unclear in advance:
• Chat functionality was disabled for the meeting.
• Attendee cameras and microphones were automatically off upon joining the webinar.
• Questions from the floor were not permitted during this session.
Please note that this Resumed General Meeting was a continuation of the Member-Called General Meeting, originally adjourned on 23 May 2024. The primary purpose of this session was to address the remaining business, specifically responding to questions for whi ch prior notice had been given.
We are grateful for your engagement and commitment to our community and regret any oversight in communicating these protocols more clearly before the event. Moving forward, we will take steps to ensure that all meeting guidelines and arrangements are communicated more effectively in advance.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at guides@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
CEO from the
From the CEO
With 2024 drawing to a close it is an opportunity to reflect on the year that was and the year that is coming.
For the team at Guide House it has been a year to listen to our Members, gather feedback and information, and identify the priorities for the organisation to ensure we continue to support the Guide Program. We continue to work closely with the State Commissioner and her team, the Board, and all of the Region Managers to ensure we stay focused on what is important to you.
2025 will be a year of consolidation and delivery for us, with the focus on making sure we get the fundamentals right and finalise some of the projects that have been underway or promised for some time now. Our discussions have identified that there is not an appetite for revolutionary change at this point, but there is a need for evolutionary change, so that’s what we are focused on.
You will have already heard about the introduction of pay-by-the-month membership fees in response to the clear message that some families need assistance, the changes to the Guide Support Fund to ensure it is fair and equitable to all, the current review of our entire property portfolio to ensure all of our facilities are fit for purpose and reflective of Girl Guides, and the updates to our internal systems and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose. We are also continuing to review all of our areas of expenditure to ensure we utilise our resources efficiently and effectively. One key area of focus, and one of our biggest areas of expenditure, is insurance – for activities, properties, equipment, and liability – and we will continue driving this matter at all levels, up to and including engagement with the Federal Government, to get reform in this area.
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Communication will be a priority for us in 2025, ensuring that you are kept informed about what we are working on and when you can expect to see the outcomes. We have made a start in this during 2024 and will continue this into the new year and beyond.
The team at Guide House is here to support you and we always welcome your feedback, suggestions, and engagement.
On behalf of the team I would like to wish you all a safe and joyful holiday season and a truly wonderful 2025.
Mark Stedfut (he/him) CEO
ceo@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Girl Guides Updates Screening Process for Safer, Friendlier Guiding
Girl Guiding in Australia (GGiA) is committed to being Child Safe Child Friendly (CSCF), ensuring girls feel welcome and safe during all activities.
To streamline our process and enhance safety, we’ve updated the screening process for Adult Members, Volunteers, and Employees (collectively, Adults in Guiding or AIG). Effective immediately, new Adult Members will gain instant access to the CSCF AIG module in GGL, which must be completed as part of their screening.
This improvement reduces administrative workload for Supervisors in Guiding (SIG) while reinforcing GGiA’s commitment to a safer, more compliant environment for all.
My GuideBook Maintenance
During the summer holidays the Guide House Team will be performing some maintenance on My GuideBook, the Members’ area of our website.
Many of the forms that Members and Volunteers access for administrative purposes, such as resignations, changes, and qualifications updates, etc. are set to close on 31 December and will reopen from 7 January, 2025. If you need to make a request during this time, email guides@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au for the team to action in January.
Some older out-of-date information will be removed or shifted to an archive and still be accessible.
As we replace and update content you may notice some items move around and we’ll be working on making it less cluttered and easier to find key resources.
If you would like to contribute some feedback about the Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT website and/or MyGuideBook you can complete our User Experience feedback survey here !
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.
Endorsement of canoe/kayak etc qualifications that have become inactive: after discussion with our GGA Adult Coordinator, there is now a process for some members to endorse their inactive qualifications. If the qualifications have been inactive for 3 years or less, the member may present a log demonstrating they have completed 10hours of canoeing within the past 12months and delivered the event for which they are endorsed. eg taken youth canoeing; instructed and assessed an adult or group of adults etc.
Risk Assessments. RAs (and what to include) have been evolving as the types of activities and the organisations used to deliver activities also evolve. RAs tell the story of an activity, and are not a ‘one size fits all’.
OUT01s: It is important to include the name of adults who are part of your ratio count. This allows whoever is approving your activity to have a complete over view of it. If any names change before the activity, unless it is the LiC, you can advise your ROAC of the changes by email.
I hope everyone has a wonderful break, and I’ll see you back in the outdoors in 2025.Virginia Brown
Virginia Brown (she/her)
Outdoor Lead
outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
from the
From the Property Manager
property Manager
It has recently been announced that the next Community Building Partnership grant round will open on 28 January 2025. At this stage the grant guidelines and any further details have not been released. Usually grant applications are due within 4 weeks of the grant round opening.
Once the grant guidelines have been released, further information will be provided by email to Region Managers for distribution to District Managers. If you are a District Manager or other property support person and would like to receive the information directly, please email propertyadmin@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au and we will keep your details on a mailing list.
Broadly speaking, grant applications will be prioritised for those properties recommended to be retained and invested in following the Progroup inspections.
Barbara Cuthbert (she/her) Property
Manager
barbara@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
In Event News
Event News
JOTA-JOTI
Mardi Gras Fair Day
Mardi Gras Fair Day is right around the corner and we need your help! Expressions of Interest for shifts at our stall are now open. Can you spare 2 hours? Join us in celebrating and connecting with our community on this vibrant day!
Oars & Roars Regatta 2025
Get your animal safari team ready! Registrations are open for your wild water adventure! Pre-regatta challenge coming soon.
Junior Jumble in the Jungle
Calling all Pre-Junior & Junior Guides! Are you brave enough to take on Jumble in the Jungle? Register now for an unforgettable adventure. Day tickets available.
Fun Leadership for Youth (FLY)
Soar to new heights with this fun leadership development weekend for Senior Guides and Junior Leaders. Please note, there will only be one FLY event in 2025. Registrations now open!
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Quick Tip: Using the Age Groups Filter
Want to see only the events available for your Unit? From the What’s on page, click ‘Events’ and then select the Age Group/s in the filter list. Scroll down and expand all the months to see the full list. It’s time to start planning your next adventure!
Thank You
A big thank you to our Event Leadership Teams and State Trainers for all their hard work in 2024 and beyond. We appreciate your continued dedication and enthusiasm in all you do for our Youth Members and the Guiding Community. BRAVO!
Lydia Morris (she/her)
Event Manager
events@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Magic Beach – Enter to WIN!
To celebrate the launch of Robert Connolly’s Magic Beach, a film that reimagines one of Australia’s most beloved illustrated books on the big screen, we are giving away ten tickets for our Members to enjoy a screening of their choice.
Entering is easy! Simply provide your name, member number, email address, and share your favourite memory of the beach and why it’s special to you. Members are allowed one entry per person and can enter via the link below.
More about the film:
Alison Lester’s much-loved illustrated children’s book is reimagined for the screen through a unique mix of live action entwined with extraordinary, animated stories from ten leading Australian animators.
Take a trip with the ones you love through a unique mix of live action, entwined with extraordinary, animated adventures that bring you to a dreamy seaside world where anything is possible. Featuring timeless characters, MAGIC BEACH is a captivating blend of reality and fantasy that inspires people of all ages to
feel the sand beneath their toes and find wonder in the world around them.
DIRECTOR: Robert Connolly
ANIMATORS: Emma Kelly, Pierce
Davison, Simon Rippingale, Marieka Walsh, Lee Whitmore, Kathy Sarpi, Susan Danta, Eddie White, Jake Duczynski, Amthony Lucas
PRODUCERS: Kate Laurie, Liz Kearney, Chloe Brugale, Robert Connolly
LANGUAGE: English
CLASSIFICATION: TBC
RUNNING TIME: 76 mins
RELEASE DATE: January 16, 2025
Terms and Conditions
This competition is for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Youth and Adult Members only. One entry per Member. Winners will be chosen at random and notified via email. Winners must respond with their chosen delivery address within one week of being notified before the ticket is allocated to another Member.
Enter here!
Girl Guides Australia is delighted to announce that Her Excellency the Honourable
Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, has agreed to serve as Patron of Girl Australia.
Girl Guides Australia - New Patron
Girl Guides Australia is delighted to announce that Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, has agreed to serve as Patron of Girl Guides Australia (GGA).
Her Excellency has decades of experience in business and community leadership with a focus on advocating for women and community organisations.
Her Excellency has decades of experience in both business and community leadership with a strong focus on advocating for women and community organisations.
REQUIRED ACTION
Helen Reid, Chief Commissioner GGA, said ‘Girl Guides Australia is excited that the Governor General has accepted our invitation to be Patron, and we look forward to working with her to support the work of empowering girls and young women across Australia. We anticipate inviting Her Excellency to many events offering the opportunity for her to meet Girl Guides and Volunteers and hear of the difference they are making in their communities.’
Helen Reid, Chief Commissioner GGA, said ‘Girl AustraliaisexcitedthattheGovernorGeneral acceptedourinvitationtobePatron, andwe forwardtoworkingwithhertosupportthework empoweringgirlsandyoungwomenacross WeanticipateinvitingHerExcellencytomany offeringtheopportunityforhertomeetGirlGuides Volunteersandhearofthedifferencetheyare intheircommunities.
Welcome to the first edition our newsletter, Changemaker!
This newsletter spotlights the incredible stories of the Girl Guiding movement for all to know and be inspired by. It’s the dose of good news your inbox didn’ t know it needed.
Dear {#party.Informal},
Girl Guides is a community of over 8.8 million girls and women from over 153 countries; from Fiji and Indonesia in the Asia Pacific to Zimbabwe, Tanzania and across Africa.
For more than 100 years, Girl Guides have been empowering girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world.
Since before the World Wars, Girl Guides have made positive changes in their own lives, as well as the lives of many others in their communities and countries. Their impact is real, tangible, and ongoing, especially now as the world evolves to value more connection, more kindness, and more empowerment – particularly of women.
There’s never been a more important community of girls and women.
But while many can identify a sash of badges, a proudly worn neck scarf, or even a trefoil as uniquely Girl Guides, little is known about the many elements that make up the Guiding movement. From girls advocating for change, innovative programs, and community projects, to the female volunteers leading and mentoring for a better, brighter future.
We look forward to sharing more news, stories and inspiration with you.
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
You are part of our Guiding community
We are thrilled to be launching a new newsletter in Term One of 2025.
Changemaker will be a dedicated space to celebrate the remarkable stories, achievements, and initiatives of the Girl Guiding movement.
An email newsletter, Changemaker will be sent to an external audience to Guiding. Folks can join the mailing list by:
• Signing up in the pop-up window when going to our website girlguides-nswactnt. org.au;
• Asking to join the mailing list when filling out an enquiry form (youth or adult);
• Or, by signing up to the list at JoinGuides. com.au and/or VolunteerAtGuides.com.au
This is your go-to source for uplifting stories that spotlight the power of connection, kindness, and empowerment within our global community.
Awareness Initiatives in 2025
Last edition we introduced Guiding in Australia’s new communication platform: Girl Guides Australia: We exist because girls do.
We’ve been busy in Guide House preparing for awareness activities in 2025, and working out ways we can make the experience less taxing on all of us. Stay tuned for information to follow in coming editions and as we step into 2025, we’ll start to unveil new templates and resources and ways that Guide House can empower our Districts with the tools, resources, and flexibility to connect meaningfully with their communities while maintaining the integrity of the Girl Guides brand.
We understand that social media is not the only channel we need to use to grow Guiding, and projects are underway to work smarter and collaboratively towards reclaiming ‘GirlGuides’ as a household name.
A Strategy for Growth in 2025 and Beyond
Collaborating on awareness with Districts is more than just a plan; it’s a pathway to greater connection, growth, and visibility. By combining the strength of centralised branding with the power of localised storytelling, we’re setting every District up for success.
We can’t wait to see how you use these tools and resources to share the amazing work happening in your District. Let’s make 2025 a year of growth, engagement, and celebration for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Stay tuned for resources to help you get started. Together, we’ll build stronger communities—online and offline.
Jamie Shepheard (he/him)
Senior Manager, Digital, Marketing & Communication jamie@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.