
Girl Guides Association (New South Wales)
t/as Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
ABN: 21 366 241 150
The liability of its members is limited GH21021 © April 2021 Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
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Girl Guides Association (New South Wales)
t/as Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
ABN: 21 366 241 150
The liability of its members is limited GH21021 © April 2021 Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
2020 was a year like no other, just as we were coming to terms with the most significant bushfires in our history we were dealt another very real threat, COVID 19. We know full well the devastation this virus has caused, and indeed continues to do, both around the world and closer to home. It has completely changed the way we go about almost all of our day to day activity. For Girl Guiding it meant that we were able to do what we do best and adapt to our situation — which we did in a big way. I like to think of it as our Year of Firsts.
We had our first online events, Great Guide Sleepover, Lark in the Park, Regatta, School Holiday Programs, and AGM which saw a combined total of over 2,000 members continue to enjoy our State events. We closed our halls but continued to deliver the Australian Guide Program to our girls in a variety of ways, including online, postal deliveries, email and home drop offs. We were one of the very few youth organisations that were able to do so. Parents were so appreciative of our Leaders who continued to volunteer to make sure girls continued to connect with their Guiding friends:
‘Guides was the only youth activity my daughter had to look forward to during COVID lockdown. Thank you’. — Siobhan, Randwick
I commend and thank each of our volunteers who, together with our staff team, worked hard to adapt to a new and mostly online world. BRAVOOO! It is no surprise that we had 243 Volunteers publicly acknowledged through community volunteer award nominations.
As we started to emerge from COVID home quarantine we moved swiftly to make sure our halls were COVID safe so they could be reopened for Guiding, and deliver COVIDsafe Guiding to our girls. For some Units this meant the Leaders ran the program twice a week to make sure all girls got to attend Guides each week due to limited allowable capacity in halls.
Of course, many of our planned events to celebrate the Centenary of Guiding in NSW had to be cancelled or postponed, but I am thrilled that our Centenary Celebration Camp is still being planned for September 2021.
The training needs of our incoming Leaders and Managers continued to be met with 90 trainees moving through training in just 4 months. The move to online learning made training more accessible, less time consuming, and has been so very successful that it will be continuing. Our new Leaders are supporting this style of training which suits their busy lifestyles and enables attendance in a timely manner.
Despite 2020 being by far our most difficult year, membership decline was minimised due to passion and dedication of our volunteers in continuing to connect girls to Guiding.
Some sound financial decisions during the year allowed us to make a small surplus to offset a difficult operational year. A commendable effort which included the sale of relinquished Guide Halls, Jobkeeper, staff moving to a four day week during lockdown, no travel being undertaken, and other operational cost savings.
The Board called for expressions of interest for the role of State Commissioner, with Emily Milton Smith being the successful candidate. I congratulate Emily and welcome her as State Commissioner for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. I collaborated with Emily both as a Director and on other projects and I am confident that Emily will work closely with the Board and our membership to implement our strategic objectives, transforming and growing Guiding.

In 2021 the Board developed our five year strategy. The objective is ‘ together we will grow Guiding and empower girls and young women for many years to come’. We will do this through transforming into a sustainable organisation ready for a rapidly changing world (see page 5).
We are at a crossroads and I acknowledge the work of the Board who spent a lot of time last year reviewing our organisation and considering how we might maintain relevance, grow membership and transform Girl Guides into a sustainable and financially viable organisation.
The Board is focusing on three pillars:
• to consistently deliver an exceptional product,
• to develop a sustainable operating model,
• to enable scale through transformation.
Every member will know that volunteering has changed, just as the world has changed. We know too that our program is fantastic and allows every girl to find a place to grow.
In imagining a world where communities continue to benefit by having Guiding available, I need to look wide. In doing so I see a world where volunteers are provided assistance and support to deliver Guiding, so that they can be free of the administration and preparation. Volunteers can then focus on what made them consider volunteering for Girl Guides: the girls and our Australian Guide Program. Currently 70% of our volunteer’s time is spent on admin
and preparation. We shall seek to alleviate administration through digital and systems infrastructure improvements and transforming the member journey. We shall start with financial consolidation and delivering a high quality relevant girl experience by simplifying and improving program delivery. We will support our volunteers and free their time to focus on offering the best possible experience to every girl, if I look wider still I see the Girl Guides Program being offered in different ways in new markets, where we can achieve our objective of increasing the number of girls reached by 50% by 2026. I ask each of you to look wide and then wider still so you too can contribute to these exciting developments in Guiding in NSW, ACT & NT.
A heartfelt thank you to each and every one of the team that makes up Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. We embrace Girl Guiding and support each other to strive to fulfil our Mission to empower girls and young women. We work together to ensure a strong and vibrant Girl Guiding experience.
Special thanks and much appreciation to retiring Board Members, Lizzie Cannon, Lauren Hansen, and Emily Milton Smith, who have been tireless in their efforts to ensure good governance and decision making for the benefit of future Guiding.
I also extend a sincere thank you to Veronica Heard who we farewelled as Region Manager of ACT & SE NSW and we welcomed Kaz Ely as the incoming Region Manager.

Thanks also extend to Jodie Chilvers who completed her term as Youth Recognition and Awards Liaison, and we welcomed Shae Rigney to that role. Thank you to Sally Woodhouse who completed her term as State Olave Program Consultant and we welcomed Aimee Watkins. Vacant roles were also filled, Inclusion Support Consultant by Tierney Marey and Youth Leadership Development Liaison by Cassie Talbot.
I thank Helen White, our CEO who continues to work to invigorate Guiding and looking for best outcomes for our future, moving us into a strong position for what lies ahead as we look to the horizon.
Lastly, I offer my thanks and gratitude to Deputy State Commissioners Larissa Saywell and Kate Conroy, as well as to Carol Simpson, Deputy State Commissioner in 2016 for their wise counsel, unswerving support and good humour during our time together.
As my term draws to a close at the 2021 AGM I have been reflecting on the last five years and am so very pleased to have been a part of such positive developments including the merger with Northern Territory, the North West Sydney Project, Youth Forum, improvement in the financial sustainability of our Association, operational automation
including online learning, a new 2021 – 2026 strategy (see opposite), and the 2018 Sydney Jamboree which was a real highlight. It has been an honour to have been the 19th State Commissioner for Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.
I commend the 2020 Annual Report to you and trust you will find the information included a pertinent snapshot of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.


Sarah Neill Board Chair & State Commissioner

strategic objective Strategic goals
Together, we will grow Guiding and empower girls and young women for many years to come. We will do this through transforming into a sustainable organisation ready for a rapidly changing world.
1. Maintain relevance and grow membership, including adults; increase the number of girls reached by Guiding by 50% by 2026
2. Transform Girl Guides into a sustainable and financially viable organisation
Consistently delivering an exceptional product
Delivering a high-quality relevant girl experience through a consistent development pathway KEY FOCUS AREAS
Modern & Relevant Templated Program
Simplified and Improved delivery Best practice Leader development pathway
Developing a Sustainable operating model
Transforming the member journey enabling pricing to reflect value KEY FOCUS AREAS
Financial Consolidation: One Fee
Flexible Access to Guiding Increased pricing via clarity of proposition
Positively impacting more girls and young women by enabling change and alleviating administration
KEY FOCUS AREAS
Identify and enter new markets
I present the audited financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
This financial year posed significant challenges for the Association. Restrictions associated with COVID 19 had a significant impact on our ability to deliver Guiding activities and events. This in turn decreased member numbers and lowered our income from all core activities.
We undertook a number of actions in response to these challenges, including reducing expenditure across all areas. Ultimately, we managed to preserve our financial position, maintaining Total Accumulated Funds and Reserves of $33 million at 31 December 2020. This represents an overall surplus of $0.11 million for the year. A deficit from core activities of $0.59 million and a decline in investment value by $1.06 million were offset by property sales and bequests of $1.77 million.
Membership income represented 23% of total revenue from core activities, a decline of 5% from 2019. Investment income, which declined by 46% from 2019, represented 20% of core income in 2020. Government support, including JobKeeper payments and Grants, represented 42% of core income in 2020.
While our financial position will likely improve as our community overcomes COVID 19, we will require continued focus on our financial sustainability to allow us to deliver the Guiding program to future generations of members.
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT only exists because of the hard work and enduring commitment of hundreds of volunteers. These hours do not appear in the financial statements, but they can be seen in the way that thousands of girls and young women continue to benefit from our programs.
Thank you to the volunteer members of the Finance Management Committee; Sarah Neill, Karen Lui, Lisa Walters, Lizzie Cannon, Cecily Zhu and Sonja Freeman for their expertise, enthusiasm and commitment. Thank you in particular to Sarah and Lizzie, who are leaving the Committee this year after having served for long periods of time. They have all made enormous contributions to the financial sustainability of our organisation and their input will be missed.
Finally, thank you to Helen White, our Chief Executive Officer, and her team. The external audit of our financial statements resulted in no internal control findings or recommendations for a second consecutive year, a testament to the dedicated work of our finance team. Helen and her team have been adaptable, resilient and responsive in 2020, and despite a difficult year they have continued to progress and improve our delivery of the Guiding program.


David Van Gogh Treasurer


6,662
Total Members
4,874
Total number of our Youth members (aged 5–17) who found a place to grow in Guiding as of 31 Dec 2020
73% of our Members continued to find A Place To Grow with Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT from 2019
That's 4888 girls and women continuing to be inspired and empowered, and to empower and inspire others
2,903
NSW Government Active Kids Vouchers were redeemed with Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT in 2020
31%
Increase in NT Sports Vouchers redeemed in 2020
1,612 New Members
This is a positive indication of our program continuing to empower girls and young women, during the COVID-19 pandemic
2020 Youth Members by age as %
100 New Leaders and District Managers qualified via online training in 2020
13
New Units opened
53.5%
Increase in new Adult Member enquiries
2020 was a year where the world—and Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT—had to adapt in the face of COVID 19. Despite the COVID enforced social distancing and remote working, the passion of our volunteers, girls and staff for the mission and vision of Guiding was evident. We worked together as an organisation to ensure that Guiding continued during this difficult period. Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT was one of few youth organisations that was able to be fully active during COVID lockdown. This is not to be underestimated, and the commitment of our volunteers, staff, parents and Guides must be acknowledged. Thank you.
• In 2020 Girl Guides membership overall declined by 11% due predominantly to a lack of new members joining during the height of the COVID 19 Pandemic. However, post July 2020 new members joining each month was higher than in 2019.
• Overall Membership renewals declined by 5.7% compared to 2019.
• COVID Hardship fund supported over 229 renewing members in 2020.
• Almost all Units moved to online Guiding in different formats within Office 365 or Zoom during COVID.
• Over 243 adult volunteers were acknowledged or received a Local Volunteer of the Year award
• North West Sydney Schools Pilot and Community Guiding were successfully launched (see pages 12 and 13).
• 13 new Units opened which indicates the fundamental need of empowering girls and young women in our COVID affected community.
• 80 new Leaders and 10 District Managers qualified via the new online L&D qualification program, developed during COVID.
Due to Covid 19, in 2020 all adult learning was required to move online. L&D developed an online Australian Learning and Qualification Program (ALQP) training course which incorporated the eGuiding course already developed. This was very well received and thanks go to volunteers and staff who put this together during COVID.
eGuiding in 2020 was very well utilised with 1,073 enrolments, in contrast to 331 in 2019. The ALQP leadership course, 185 enrolments, and the new Management Qualification had 31 enrolments from October 2020. Adult members from all states and territories embraced the opportunity to participate in online learning.

• $20,000 Multicultural NSW grant achieved to fund development of Guiding in the Community in the Wagga Wagga area
• $1 million Revitalisation Grant received from NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to fund Crownlands properties capital expenditure projects. These monies funded 39 property projects between June and December 2020, including a new Archives Space in Northbridge (see page 14).


With COVID restrictions, online resources were developed including the Guides@Home Leader online program resources and Leader and Manager resources.
COVID communications were frequently updated throughout the period due to changing restrictions in different states and territories.
The 2020 Annual General Meeting, Lark in the Park and Great Guide Sleepover weekend were all moved to online events which attracted over 2,000 attendees.
Centenary Celebrations were forced to be delayed due to cancellation of multiple events and the Association’s response to COVID.
During 2020 the Board held a number of online strategy meetings and worked to develop our 2021 – 2026 Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT strategy (see page 5). The focus of this strategy is to empower girls and young women for many years to come by transforming into an organisation which is sustainable and ready for our rapidly changing world. We seek to be financially sustainable, maintain relevance and increase the number of girls reached by Guiding by 50% in the next five years. This is a pivotal strategy which will ensure that we are the leading organisation for girls and young women in our states and territories into the future.
We will do this by improving our program, our delivery and training. We will do this by alleviating the volunteer administration hours via systems transformation, financial consolidation and automation. We will do this by focusing on simplifying and adding value to the member journey and ensuring that all girls and young women are empowered through being part of the Australian Guide Program. It is an exciting time for girls and young women and through this strategy, Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT will be at the forefront, driving this generational change.
Finally I would like to thank my team and all volunteers who, despite the challenges that COVID 19 brought, stepped up and navigated our organisation through 2020 and have put us in a strong position moving forward.

Helen White Chief Executive Officer
In 2019 the Board funded a strategic project to pilot both a ‘Guides in Schools’ and a ‘Community Guiding model’. Community Development Officer, Paris Hambridge, was engaged to work with Greater Rivers Region volunteers to develop these projects. Initially she attended youth forums, community events and met with the local schools to identify a school to pilot the ‘Guides in Schools Program’. Paris also worked with Community Groups in the Ropes Crossing area, a newer suburb without a Guides District, to seek to start Guiding in this area through community involvement. Despite COVID-19 constraints, both pilots were successful.

Quakers Hill High School agreed to pilot the ‘Guides in Schools’ program in early 2020, just pre COVID and the first 12 girls joined the program. The Community Development Officer, with an existing Leader as her Learning Partner ran the Group during school time and it was really popular. Paris is now a qualified Leader. Quakers Hill High School has now extended the program to a paid program, funded by the school, to 15 year 7 girls, and has two teachers who have trained as Leaders. Guides in Schools will now be replicated in other schools in the area.

Guides has taught me to be aware and valuable life socially skills
AMELIE ALLEN, AGE 17


By working with local community groups, a new Guides District was opened in 2020 (during COVID) in Ropes Crossing. Paris, together with Region volunteers, held a local community meeting from which resulted in attracting new adult members who volunteered to be Leaders, A letterbox drop by local Guides from other Districts and a social media campaign kicked off the launch of this new District. There are now 32 Guides across one Junior Guide Unit and one Guide Unit with 3 Leaders and 1 District Manager. The Units meet in the local Community Centre. This successful project will be replicated in other Regions in the organisation.

In 2019 Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT won a ‘My Community Project’ grant through the Riverstone electorate which provided the funding to purchase a mobile Guiding van. This was delivered in 2020 during COVID. Since restrictions have been lifted the van has been present in many regional and local community events. This vehicle is a valuable recruitment asset for the organisation and we would like to thank the Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly MP and the Riverstone Community for voting for this project.


In June 2020 Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT received a $1 million grant from the NSW Government to maintain and improve our Crown Lands properties in our NSW portfolio. The grant was provided as part of the NSW Government’s Stimulus Package to support regional economies recover from the pandemic and in recognition of the significant number of Crown reserves under management by Girl Guides.
A total of 39 Guide halls in 10 of our Regions benefited from the program. Compliance, repairs and maintenance issues were a priority, along with other identified improvements. The grant provided much needed stimulus to our regional economies by engaging local contractors who undertook maintenance and improvement projects on Crown Land. We thank all those involved for their efforts in managing our Crown reserve assets and supporting our Guiding community. The effort and commitment of our volunteer community in this project was significant.

How and why did you get involved with Girl Guides?
18½ years ago the District Leader of Cranebrook District, where my daughters attended Junior Guides and Guides, retired I was approached by a past Leader in the District who said “Kerrey, you would make a great District Leader! You would have to become a Girl Guide”. All I heard was Girl Guide. My brother had been a Scout but somehow I’d missed out on becoming a Guide. This was my chance.
What is your best memory of being a Guide?
Goodness! There’s more than one...making my Promise was special. Attending mother/daughter camps with my daughters. Visiting Girl Guides in Thailand.

What does Girl Guides mean to you?
Not just “A Place to Grow”, Girl Guides has given me opportunities to explore a different side of myself; to take on a new experience (or more) and to challenge myself and see the positive changes it can make to so many girls and women.
What opportunities have opened up to you by being a member of Girl Guides?
Being a District Manager in a few Districts, Region Manager and Region Team Member in a few different capacities, State Program and Girl Guides Australia Team member as International and World Guiding Consultant, visiting Guides in different countries, attending an International Jamboree in Tasmania and being a part of a several committees to organise events for Girl Guides.
What are you most looking forward to about your new role as Deputy State Commissioner?
Apart from working with Emily and Shaylah to carry on the amazing work done by Sarah, Larissa and Kate I am looking forward to seeing Girl Guides flourish into the next century.
Girl guides we teach self confidence, how to work leadership, in groups, and with
KERREY WILLIAMS, DEPUTY STATE COMMISSIONER ELECT

How and why did you get involved with Girl Guides?
I joined Guides 10 years ago when I was 11. I don’t know really why I wanted to join or what sparked the thought, I just remember going home and telling my mum I was joining Girl Guides. Maybe it was because my mum was a Girl Guide when she was younger, maybe it was because I was sick of the girls at school, either way I have never regretted my spur of the moment decision.
What is your best memory of being a Guide?
Soon after joining Guides, I participated in my first Gangshow and absolutely loved it! Apart from my 7 years on the stage with Gangshow, I enjoyed participating in the Girls Takeover Parliament at Parliament House where I took over for a Senator for a day.
What does Girl Guides mean to you?
To me, Girl Guides is my family. The girls that I met through Guides and Senior Guides are the sisters I never had and still some of my best friends.
What opportunities have opened up to you by being a member of Girl Guides?
One of the great opportunities I have had through Guides was the chance to participate in the Girl Guides Australia ‘Getting into Governance’ program. It was such a great skills building program where I learnt about the responsibilities of a Board member and had the opportunity to shadow a member of the YWCA Canberra Board. The opportunity to do all the adventurous activities like canoeing, caving, and hiking have also been really valuable.
What are you most looking forward to about your new role as Deputy State Commissioner?
I look forward to being a voice for our youth, ensuring their needs are our priority as an organisation. I hope to show what young people are capable of and be a great representative for our youth members. I also look forward to working with such a great team and meeting lots of new people.
Guides has always been a supportive and loving place where with open arms everyone welcomed is
SHAYLAH MCCLYMONT, DEPUTY STATE COMMISSIONER ELECT

Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT recognises the contribution and involvement of adult members and non member volunteers for meritorious service to Australian Girl Guiding, its members and the community, through the Girl Guides Australia Good Service Award System. All Adult Good Service Awards are recognised incorporating a set of criteria accessible from www.guidelinesforgirlguides.org.au.
Boronia
Claire Baaten
Joanne Bathols
Amanda Burge
Deborah Burgess
Elaine Close
Audree Dash
Alison Davy
Sharon Doody
Melanie Fink
Banksia
Jan Baldwin
Michaela Baumann
Val Bird
Belinda Campbell
Anna Cook
Susan Costello
Joanne Gilshenen
Shirley Green
Jean Hansen
Karin Holden
Joan Jones
Elizabeth Knight
Michelle Mawbey
Jilian Michie
Jill Norburn
Michelle O’Connor
Rhonda O’Malley
Elaine Russell
Jennifer Spellman
Suzanne Stables
Carole Tabor
Pauline Taylor
Leanne Varty
Margaret Waite
Janie Eckert
Katherine (Kate) Fraser
Lorraine Graham
Shirley Hajek
Alice Leser
Naomi McDougal
Karen Pellow
Kara Rennick
Petra Reynolds
Eileen Roby
Julie Smith
Siobhan Whitehead
Wattle
Anna Campbell
Flowering Gum
Service to Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting
Belinda Allen
District, Division, Region Manager and State Commissioners
Ann Archer
Margo Hebbard
Sarah Neill
Unit Leaders
Elizabeth Elliott
Sally Ritz
Jennifer Furner
Luisa Simeonidis
Commonwealth Award
Carly Bishop
Queen’s Guide
Alexis Argyropolous
Jessica Bannerman
Cassandra Elbourn
Elizabeth Honor
Jessica Honor
Sarah Howes
Sarah Jackson
Larissa Jago
Gabrielle Smith
Elizabeth Raffin
Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award
Isabella Metcalfe
Gabrielle Smith

Board Directors
Board Chair
Sarah Neill
Appointed Director:
Karen Lui
Sonja Freeman
Emily Milton Smith
State Office Bearers
State Commissioner: Sarah Neill
State Treasurer: David Van Gogh
State International & World Guiding Consultant: Amanda Cooper
State Outdoors Activity Consultant: Virginia Brown
State Youth Recognition and Awards Liaison:
Jodie Chilvers 3 Shae Rigney 4
ACT & South East NSW: Veronica Heard 3 Kaz Ely 4
Cumberland Plains: Vacant
Northern Sydney: Jo Kitchener
South Coast & Highlands: Kris Wyber
Guides NSW, ACT & NT
Chief Commissioner: Rosemary Derwin
National Trefoil Guild Advisor: Marcia Andrews
Member, Governance Committee: Sarah Neill 1 To
State Treasurer David Van Gogh
Lizzie Cannon
Lauren Hansen
Joanne Muller
Deputy State Commissioner: Kate Conroy
State Program Manager: Alice Anderson
State Olave Program Consultant: Sally Woodhouse 1 Aimee Watkins 2
State Trefoil Guild Advisor: Sharyn Smith Anderson
Inclusion Support Consultant: Tierney Marey
Central West: Lee Judd
Greater Rivers: Haylee Brown
Northern Territory: Letitia Baldwin
Southern Sydney Rivers: Vacant
Girl Guides Australia Director: Sarah Neill
Member, Australian Guiding Committee: Sarah Neill
Appointed Director: Krista Lee Fogarty
Kathryn Follers
Michelle Kothe
Lisa Walters
Deputy State Commissioner: Larissa Saywell
State Learning & Development Manager: Leisa Evans
State Archivist: Chesne Jones
RTS Tingira Chair: Kerry Rymer
Youth Leadership and Development Liaison: Cassandra Talbot
Coastal Valleys: Elizabeth Baker
North Pacific Coast: Elise Crofts
Northwest Inland: Helen Leamon
Twin Rivers: Maryann Herbert
Assistant Chief Commissioner, Young Women: Michaela Collins
Girl Guides Australia Legal Panel: Joanne Muller and Renée Bianchi
Our mission is to empower girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsible community members.
Girl Guides Australia Suite 103, Level 1, 100 William Street, Woolloomooloo NSW 2011 02 9311 8000 guides@girlguides.org.au www.girlguides.org.au
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Level 2, 55 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 02 8396 5200
guides@girlguides nswactnt.org.au www.girlguides nswactnt.org.au
Girl Guides Queensland Unit 1, 132 Lutwyche Road Windsor QLD 4030 07 3357 1266 reception@guidesqld.org www.guidesqld.org
Girl Guides South Australia 63 Beulah Road Norwood SA 5067 08 8418 0900 guides@girlguidessa.org.au www.girlguidessa.org.au
Girl Guides Tasmania 17 Clarence Street Bellerive TAS 7018 03 6244 4408 office@guidestas.org.au www.guidestas.org.au
Girl Guides Victoria Suite 812, 401 Docklands Drive, Docklands Vic 3008 03 8606 3500 guides@guidesvic.org.au www.guidesvic.org.au
Girl Guides Western Australia 265 Great Eastern Highway Belmont WA 6104 08 9479 9800 info@girlguideswa.org.au www.girlguideswa.org.au
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
Level 2, 55 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010 1300 447 548 guides@girlguides nswactnt.org.au girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
