Welcome to another exciting edition of Guiding News! This edition we’ve tried something different in response to some anecdotal feedback that the “pinch & zoom” method of reading this on a smartphone is not an ideal experience. A look-back at the data from when Guiding News was first published as a flipbook until the last edition tells us that, on average, 45% of readers are using a desktop, and 55% are using a mobile. This posed us to ask, is it choice driving this statistic, or are readers being forced to use a desktop computer because of the design? You can help us answer this question by clicking on, tapping on, or scanning the QR code <–.
Happy reading!
Jamie Shepheard (he/him)
Senior Manager, Digital, Marketing & Communication
jamie@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
State Commissioner from the
From the State Commissioner
Dear Sisters in Guiding
What a busy term we have all had. Thank you for being Guide focused and delivering fantastic Guiding all around NSW, ACT, and NT. I have enjoyed visiting many activities where the girls have been laughing and enjoying the challenges. I especially this time round would like to thank the Junior Jumble in the Jungle team led by Debbie Pabian, who put on a fantastic weekend for the Junior Guides at Cataract Park. Although the weekend started off very wet. There were many girls jumping in puddles, getting a bit dirty, enjoying the waterslide and the challenge run, making blisters, campfire and showing the true Guiding spirit that a bit of damp weather doesn’t stop the fun. The light was well and truly shining through! Unit emails would’ve received this week a survey form asking questions about the program and badges. We are collating information about the program and the badges that girls earn so that we can provide
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support resources, programs and training to help support the Leaders on the ground delivering the Australian Guide Program. There was a small typo in the form where it said OUT 02 it should have said OUT 03 Outdoor Report form.
This information will provide us with an overall picture of how Guiding is delivered in our organisation. All states and territories in Australia are participating in this survey and at Guides Australia level the State Commissioners are analysing the data to see how best we can support you who are delivering a great program.
Bush to Beach Jamboree registrations have closed and I’m in the midst of organising contingent travel for participants. This information should be out very soon and we’re on the downhill run.
We have a fun filled day on May 24 for adults. Any adult who is a Member is invited to join us for AWOL (Adult Women On the Loose). We will have some fun activities in the morning, a State Team update in the early afternoon, followed by the Annual General Meeting. There is an optional dinner on the Saturday night. I hope on this day that you will come and join us to reconnect with friends and make new ones.
Enjoy the school holidays to refresh and reboot and I know many people will be representing Girl Guides
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on Anzac Day. This is a great opportunity to tell our story of how Girl Guides supported many different aspects of life during the hardships during the first and second world war please remind Members to wear full uniform on this day.
Thank you to all the Districts who participated in our Open Day/Come ‘n’ Try afternoons over this last week. There have been some fantastic pictures posted to socials and shared. We are hopeful that this has increased our visibility in your communities and the results will be more girls and adults joining us.
Yours in Guiding
Jo Tonon (she/her)
State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION (NEW SOUTH WALES)
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
3 pm, Saturday 24 May 2025
UTS and online
NOTICE is hereby given of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Girl Guides Association (New South Wales) trading as Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT which is to be held on Saturday 24 May 2025 commencing at 3pm at UTS, Sydney.
Business of the AGM
1. Welcome and Declaration of Quorum
2. Acknowledgement of Country
3. Apologies
4. Confirmation of the minutes of the 2024 Annual General Meeting
5. Confirmation of the minutes of the General Meeting held 23 May 2024 and continued 16 December 2024
6. 2024 Year in Review
7. Announcement of the results of the Director election for the Board
8. Close of AGM continued over page
One (1) Elected Director Position on the Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Board will be filled at the AGM. Nominations opened Monday 31 March and details of how to nominate and access to the nomination form were provided, by email, to Members. Nominations must be completed and sent to the CEO at Guide House by Thursday 17 April to allow time for voting information to be distributed to Members.
Members wishing to vote by proxy on business at the AGM must provide either:
• An executed proxy form (to be provided) by close of business on Thursday 22 May 2025 to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Guide House, 2/55 Holt Street, Surry Hills 2011;
• by email to ceo@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au by close of business on Thursday 22 May 2025; or
• by mail addressed to the CEO, Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT, PO Box 950 by last mail, Wednesday, 21 May 2025.
Members may attend the AGM by a link which will be provided before the AGM.
CEO from the
From the CEO
In December I made a commitment to all of you that we would improve our communication and share information on matters that are important to you. I hope that you have seen that improving and we will continue to share information with you and answer your concerns.
Over coming months I want to take the opportunity to discuss with you some of the facts behind important issues and our areas of focus in Guide House, as well as project updates and new ideas. This month I want to start about one of the biggest costs that impacts everything we do.
Let’s talk about INSURANCE.
Over the past few years insurance has been the fastest increasing cost for Girl Guides and it has had the biggest impact on our organisation, particularly as it is essential. I am sure this is not a surprise to you, as the same thing has been happening to home insurance costs. We have a range of different policies that we must maintain to ensure that we can continue
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to operate and to support the adventurous activities that are an essential part of Guiding. These policies include:
• Property Insurance
• Personal accident
• Public liability
• Association liability
• Umbrella liability
• Aviation
• Cyber security
• Motor vehicle (including trailers)
• Journey/travel
• Marine
From 2020 to 2024, our total premiums for these policies increased from $383K to $558K or 45.58%. Over the same time period our membership has declined which means that the insurance cost per Member (including Youth, Adult and Trefoil Guild) has risen from $57.52 per Member to $113.09 per Member, which is an increase of 96.6% or nearly double.
This has been the major driver behind increases to membership fees during this period.
This increase is similar to most other similar organisations and other State Girl Guide Organisations (SGGOs) and we have been working in consultation with them to try and address the issue. There are a reduced number of insurance companies willing to provide insurance for public liability and adventurous activities for not for profit and youth organisations and continued over page
this is means that there is not an opportunity to ‘shop around’ for insurance like many other products and so we need to take a different approach. This includes working closely with our insurance companies and broker to identify what we can do to reduce risk and therefore premiums, reviewing all of our insurance areas and identifying what we can do to improve, and engaging in lobbying with similar organisations up to the federal government and Insurance Council of Australia to try and get changes.
This approach is already delivering results, with the great work done by the Property and Finance teams regarding the current property portfolio resulting in a reduction in our 2025 premium for property insurance of over $60k compared to the prior year. If we can maintain our other policies at current levels this alone would mean a year-on-year decrease of 11% - the first time our premiums have dropped in many years. We will continue our efforts in this area and believe that this will help us manage our resources more efficiently and effectively in line with the current cost of living concerns that we all have.
I hope that this brief explanation helps you understand why insurance is such a big issue for us and I am happy to provide more details if you feel they are needed. I am also happy to provide answers in these newsletters to any questions that you may have, so continued over page
please provide us with your feedback and requests.
Property Team Update
As you will be aware, and can see from the Property report in this newsletter, the Property Team are currently working through a tremendous amount of planned and unplanned work to ensure that our properties are safe, represent Guides in a positive manner, and are legally compliant. The recent unplanned matters relating to indoor overnight stays have meant that the team is working beyond capacity and the subsequent re-prioritisation of projects has resulted in delays to some projects and repairs.
To help address this backlog we will be appointing an additional person to the team on a contract basis to help the clear the backlog and deliver on the identified priority projects. Further details on this role will be advised when the appointment is made.
This will help us to ensure we deliver the outcomes to the frontline that you need.
Mark Stedfut (he/him) CEO ceo@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Friendly Reminder: Your Password Called—It’s Feeling Neglected
Just like your wardrobe, your passwords could use a refresh every now and then. Aim to update them at least once a year—or sooner if you’ve had a security scare (looking at you, “password123”). It’s a simple way to stay one step ahead of cyber gremlins. So go ahead, show your login credentials some love and give them a makeover today!
Girl Guides Australia International Opportunities Information Session
The International Coordinator and the Assistant Chief Commissioner (Young Women) will be hosting online information sessions on opportunities for Members to travel with Guides and to assist with implementing projects when Members return from international opportunities.
The online sessions will be held on Sunday 27 April 8am WST, 10am AEST, and Sunday 8 June, 7pm AEST, 5PM WST, and will run for about an hour.
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The 27 April session will cover Help, I’ve been to an international event, I’ve got a project to do and don’t know where to start? How to develop them? How to make them great? This session is also open to those who haven’t been to an international event before and would like to understand the expectations of the project if they do apply for an international event.
The Sunday 8 June session will cover upcoming International opportunities. The session will hear from Girl Guides across Australia who have had a variety of experiences traveling with Guides: from volunteering at a World Centre; attending an International Jamboree; participating in the Juliette Low Seminars or Helen Storrow Seminar; to other opportunities to be announced.
Please register your interest by emailing accyoungwomen@girlguides.org.au, including your full name and State Girl Guides Organisation (ie. Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT).
A link will be provided to those who register the Friday before the information session. If you would like to register interest for the 27 April session , please respond (as above) by 25 April .
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email Laura Ives Hicks (Assistant Chief Commissioner (Young Women)) at accyoungwomen@girlguides.org.au.
outdoor Lead
From the Outdoor Lead
If you have any questions or concerns contact me at OutdoorLead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
Exciting Opportunity to Create Engaging Activity Resources!
We’re pulling together small teams to create fun, outdoor-friendly activity resources. These will complement the resources already on the website, including the new badge books, and will be downloadable and printable. Each resource will focus on one activity and include adaptations for each age group. None of the activities will require an OUT01 to deliver them in a Unit.
The goal is to develop each activity resource in about a month, working together as a team via Teams.
But before we get to that stage, I need Leaders who understand programming for Pre-junior, Junior, Guides, or Senior Guides. If that’s you, I’d love to have you involved!
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If you are interested, know someone who is, or have a brilliant idea for an activity resource, send me an email at OutdoorLead@girlguidesnswactnt.org.au.
Periods Don’t Pause Adventures—and Neither Should We!
Exciting news! Girl Guides Australia has teamed up with Modibodi —pioneers in reusable, leak-proof period underwear and swimwear—to help every girl and woman feel confident, empowered, and adventure-ready!
This incredible partnership is all about breaking down barriers, boosting confidence, and making sure no one misses out on the fun—because periods should never stand in the way of adventure!
Right now, the State Leads are coming up with creative ways to bring Modibodi’s products and resources into Unit and District activities. But before we roll them out to all our Members, we want continued over page
to put them to the test! That’s where you come in—we’re inviting select Regions and Districts to trial these ideas at camps or Unit meetings. We want to make sure they’re fun, practical, and genuinely useful for our Leaders and Managers.
Want to be part of shaping this game-changing initiative? If your District is keen to get involved, let your ROAC/ROC know!
Together, let’s create an even more inclusive, adventure-filled Guiding experience—where every girl feels unstoppable , any day of the month!
Virginia Brown (she/her)
Outdoor Lead outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
from the
From the Inclusion Lead inclusion Lead
From
the
Inclusion Lead
World Autism Understanding Day — April 02 2025
Every year on April 02, the world celebrates Autism Awareness Day. In recent years, Autistic advocacy groups have been calling for a shift from ‘awareness’ to ‘understanding’ or ‘acceptance.’ It’s important that we as individuals and an organisation take meaningful steps to ensure the inclusion, acceptance, and support of autistic individuals. Below, please see links to organisations that can support us in fostering understanding, and creating a more inclusive environment in our Units, Districts, and Regions:
Aspect Australia
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Sue Larkey: Autism Courses and Resources
Yellow Ladybugs
Greater Western Sydney Region Diversity & Inclusion Conference 2025 - Scouts
I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Scouts Greater Western Sydney Region Diversity and Inclusion Conference on Saturday 29 March. This was a very informative day, with workshops providing information on Autism and ADHD, Challenging Behaviours, and Deaf Awareness.
It was an exciting opportunity for me to see what is working in other areas of Guiding and Scouting, and bring this back home. Most notably, many of the attendees were ex-Guide Leaders, current Guide and Scout Leaders, or affiliated with both organisations in some way.
I look forward to sharing my learnings over the coming months with our State Team, Regions, Districts, and Units.
A Message from the Inclusion Working Group Engaging with the Community to Promote Inclusion Initiatives
Is your District in an area where the smell of lamb on the spit wafts through the air each year during Orthodox Easter? Or every Friday evening do you see families walking in groups to the local Synagogue? Running a meeting about Guiding in another country but want
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to create an authentic experience? Curious to find out more?
Community engagement is a powerful way to foster inclusion and create meaningful connections. As Guide Leaders we have an opportunity to not only raise the profile of Guiding but to engage in meaningful reciprocity by accessing cultural education directly from local communities. By inviting leaders from diverse communities to share their experiences, we not only enrich our learning but strengthen our local networks.
Not sure where to start? Your City Council or local Councillor can be a great resource to start conversations, as many have cultural liaison officers or community programs—especially for youth—that align with your goals. Many councils around Australia participate in the Welcoming Cities initiative and dedicate resources towards community programs to support inclusion.
For Girl Guides, incursions and excursions provide a unique opportunity to connect with the community while showcasing our commitment to inclusivity. These interactions go beyond activities; they build bridges, cultivate empathy, and highlight the value of diversity. Whether through hands-on projects, codesigned events, or storytelling, engaging with local communities helps us live out the heart of Guiding at continued over page
a local level.
Magic happens when we step outside our comfort zones and connect with those around us. Let’s make inclusion a visible and vibrant part of our community efforts! In coming newsletters we will be sharing tangible ways you can incorporate inclusion initiatives in your programming.
Other Queries, Concerns, or Comments
If you have any other queries, concerns, or comments regarding the inclusion space, please reach out to the Inclusion Lead email: InclusionLead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
THANK YOU for your continued support of inclusivity and acceptance in Girl Guides. SO MANY Guides benefit from the safe spaces that are provided in Units, Districts, and Regions due to the hard work of our volunteers.
Yours in Guiding,
Julia Becker (she/her)
Inclusion Lead inclusion@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From The Leadership Lead Leadership Lead from the
From the Leadership Lead
There are many ways to develop leadership both as a Youth Member or Adult Member. Below are some key points you can utilise for your girls within your Unit or for yourself as you continue developing your leadership.
1. Read about great leaders and what they have accomplished in their life.
2. Practice making decisions: if a decision you make turns out to be incorrect, its important to learn from that mistake and move on from it
3. Learn how to take risks: make a list of pros and cons for each option, rate the risks from one to five and decide on how likely it is to happen.
4. Learn how to motivate people : Explore the different needs that motivate people and recognise that the same rewards don’t motivate everyone. Listen carefully to others to learn what motivates them.
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5. Learn how to improve your team-building skills : Concentrate on appreciating different points of view during discussions rather than just trying to prove your point.
6. Know Yourself: Study yourself closely and practice self-assessment techniques to learn how you behave and the affects you have on others. Ask others for their opinions or criticisms and what you can do to become a better leader.
7. Keep your integrity: Tell the truth, always treat people the same way, do your best, be caring about others.
8. Know More : Learn something new every day, ask others to teach you, admit it when you don’t know something and make an effort to find out. You are never too old or too young to learn something new, always important to challenge yourself!
9. Practice communications skills : Be an active listener, read between the lines during conversations, check meaning by stating what you think they said so they can agree that is the meaning or asking them to state what they think you said so you can agree on meaning
10. Give a boost to others: Compliment people who show good skills, help others gain leadership skills or opportunities, don’t be afraid to give your job away.
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When it comes to training and mentoring someone through leadership it’s important that good leaders notice people’s contributions and reward them accordingly, wise leaders pick helpers who are strong where they are weak. Don’t expect perfection in leadership whether that is from the person you are mentoring or yourself. No one wins all the time. Leaders grow by making mistakes. Strive to continue to do better and be better in all that you do. By doing this we can encourage our leaders to provide the best quality of Guiding for our girls.
Coming into Term 2 and planning your activities ahead, it is important to take time with your leadership team and ensure that your program is providing the best quality Guiding, which includes our seven fundamentals in the AGP.
Leadership Development is one of our seven fundamentals , which is a critical part of any Unit nights, as our program is Girl Led. We as Leaders are there to help guide our girls to program and execute a Unit night. continued over page
I ask you to consider all these within your leadership, your Unit and District as you plan Term 2.
Kristina Teodorovic (she/her)
Leadership Lead
leadershiplead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From the Inclusion Lead AGP Lead from the
From the Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead
New Badge and Award
Books
I am really excited that Girl Guides Australia (GGA) has introduced brand-new digital Badge and Award Books outlining the badges and awards available to Girl Guides. Please download these, have a look over them as there are few changes and share them with your girls.
Girls can also download these resources. The books have a digital and interactive format so girls can mark off the challenges, and any completed badges & awards, as they go . The content can be accessed on phones, tablets and desktops.
Badge Book replaces Look Wide and Look Wider Still and includes:
• Explore a Challenge
• Create a Challenge
• Achieve a Challenge (Trefoils 1, 2, 3)
• Discover a Challenge (Gemstones - also detailed in Handbooks 1 – 5)
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Awards Book replaces Aim High, the Queens Guide Booklet and the Focus Certificate sheets and includes:
• Endeavour Awards
• Peak Achievement Awards (JBP, BP, QG)
• Commonwealth Awards
• AGP/OP Link Badge
Changes:
• Focus Certificates – these have been reworked to offer girls the opportunity to extend themselves by undertaking a 3 month project in an area of interest
• AGP/OP Link Badge – the syllabus has been updated to allow flexibility and awareness of this opportunity at a younger age
• Achieve a Challenge – a few have been deleted and some new challenges introduced.
• Many of the challenges have been reworded, renamed and refreshed to be more engaging
Saluting Our Service
The Saluting their Service (Life at Home) badge syllabus has been created by GGA in line with ANZAC Day 2025 and is available from the GGA website under resources.
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The syllabus requires the girls to attend an ANZAC Day ceremony, as well as completing a number of other challenges of their choice. This can be a great way to encourage girls to come along to your local ANZAC Day ceremony or march – lets be seen out in our communities.
The Badge can be purchased from your Girl Guide retail outlet and can be worn on the top back of the sash for 12 months or sewn on a camp blanket. Olaves and Adult Members are encouraged to undertake the challenges.
GGA create these resources to support the Australian Guide Program and they can be easily used in your Units to assist in providing a quality Guiding program.
Jodie Chilvers (she/her)
Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead agplead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From the Property Manager
Fire Safety & Indoor Overnight Stay Compliance
In February 2025, Girl Guides NSW was put on notice that current fire safety measures at venues offering indoor overnight accommodation—including all Guide Campsites and many Halls—were inadequate and do not meet required compliance standards.
As a result, indoor overnight stays have been suspended across most NSW Guide campsites and accommodation venues, pending comprehensive fire safety assessments. Similarly, Guide Halls without a current, valid Annual Fire Safety Statement (AFSS) have also had indoor overnight stays suspended. We are prioritising our efforts in two stages:
• Stage 1 – Campsites and accommodation venues
• Stage 2 – Guide Halls
Fire safety assessments are being conducted by Building & Fire Surveying Consultants P/L (BFSC). These assessments will identify:
• Necessary fire safety upgrades for compliance with current legislation property Manager from the continued over page
• Requirements for issuing a valid AFSS
To be valid, an AFSS must:
1. Be completed against a fire safety schedule issued by the local Council, and
2. Be completed by a practitioner listed on the official register of approved practitioners.
Unfortunately, several properties hold an AFSS that does not meet both criteria, and we recognise this has caused frustration. A limited number of Guide Halls do currently have a valid AFSS and remain approved for indoor overnight stays.
For up-to-date information on which properties are currently approved for indoor overnight stays, please refer to the Property Management page on My GuideBook. The list is currently small but will be updated regularly as assessments are completed.
So far, BFSC has conducted site visits at approximately 10 properties, with 5 formal reports received. These reports are being reviewed with the respective Campsite committees and Region Managers, and further consultation will guide the next steps. Recommendations from these reports vary widely— from minor upgrades to significant works requiring substantial investment.
Please note: planning approval will be needed for each site before upgrades can proceed. While this continued over page
will take time, we are hopeful that Campsites needing only minor changes may be reopened for indoor overnight use in the coming weeks.
At this stage, ACT and NT Guide properties are unaffected, though Innabaanya (in ACT) is also being assessed as a proactive best-practice measure.
Importantly, outdoor overnight stays remain unaffected, and the existing approval process continues to apply.
This is a detailed, evolving process, and it must be centrally coordinated by the State Office. Addressing these compliance issues will require strategic investment and careful consideration of how we best support quality Guiding experiences for our Youth Members.
Septic Systems Compliance
In parallel, the Property Team is conducting an audit of septic systems across Guide campsites and halls to ensure systems have current Council approval, as required under the Local Government Act.
So far, we have identified five campsites and one Guide hall operating unapproved systems. We’ve engaged Broadcrest Engineering & Environmental Consultants to assist in rectifying these issues.
Broadcrest will conduct site visits, and their findings
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will be shared with local committees and Region Managers for discussion and planning. This process will take time and, like the fire safety upgrades, will involve significant investment and decision-making about future property use in support of Guiding activities.
Property Planning: Region Recommendations
As a follow-up to the 2024 Progroup building inspection reports, a comprehensive summary of property condition and use has been prepared for each Region. The summary:
• Listed all the properties in that Region
• Summarised the condition of the property, items that needed urgent or priority repairs and maintenance, and items that could be included in a 2–3 year maintenance plan. Information was also included about the amount of current Guiding activity at the property
• Region Managers were given the opportunity to provide detailed feedback on each property for inclusion in the summary
• The summary included a recommendation for each property:
• Whether the property should be retained and invested in continued over page
• Whether it should be reviewed – does the Region have a plan to revitalise Guiding at the property?, and address repair and maintenance issues
• Whether it should be let go – generally where the property had not been actively used for some time and/or the property is in very poor condition
The Board reviewed these recommendations in March and April, and confirmed the outcomes. Where properties are to be released, a detailed management plan will be developed to ensure Youth Members, volunteers, and communities are appropriately supported and consulted.
Next steps include:
• Get identified priority repairs and maintenance underway for properties we are keeping – an extra resource with building experience is being recruited to the Property Team to manage this project
• Undertake a formal review of relevant properties —do we keep and invest, or do we let go and find a better alternative?
• Planning for respectful and strategic exit from properties marked for release continued over page
Tingira Boatshed Update
We are still in the process of securing planning approval for repairs to the Tingira boatshed, working through Transport for NSW. Due to the building’s age, historical documentation was required from Council, which has extended the timeline.
A Small Team Tackling Big Projects
A reminder: the State Office Property Team is a small but committed group of three, including one new team member. With over 270 properties to manage—and significant new compliance work added recently— response times to emails and calls may be delayed. We sincerely thank you for your patience and continued support. Please treat all team members with respect and kindness as we work together to ensure safe, functional, and vibrant spaces for all members of our Guiding community.
Barbara Cuthbert (she/her)
Property Manager
barbara@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From the Property Manager
From the Volunteer Development Manager
Exciting Updates to Region Roles — What You Need to Know!
The structure of Region Roles has undergone significant changes, and we’re excited to introduce the new composition of the Region Committee (Region Team). These updates have been carefully planned and implemented by the State Commissioner Team, Region Managers (RMs), and Assistant Region Managers (ARMs) to ensure that we continue to inspire and empower girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world.
The Role of the Region Team
The Region Team, led by the Region Manager (RM), is dedicated to the delivery of the Australian Guide Program (AGP), the learning and development of Adult Members, and the growth and retention of Youth Members. To better support these goals, the Region Team now consists of the following eight roles:
• Region Manager
• Assistant Region Manager
• Region Secretary
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• Region Treasurer
• Region ALQP Coordinator
• Region AGP Coordinator
• Region Outdoor Coordinator
• Ordinary Committee Member
New Region Roles
We are pleased to introduce four new key roles that will strengthen our ability to deliver high-quality programs and support across all Regions:
1. Region ALQP Coordinator – Region Australian Leadership and Qualification Program Coordinator
2. Region AGP Coordinator – Region Australian Guide Program Coordinator
3. ROC – Region Outdoor Coordinator
4. OCM – Ordinary Committee Member (each Region can have up to eight OCMs)
Retired Region Roles
As part of this transition, the following roles have been phased out:
1. Region L&D Advisor (RLDA)
2. Region Outdoor Activities Consultant (ROAC)
3. Region Inclusion & Support Consultant (RISC)
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4. Region International & World Guiding Consultant (RIC)
5. Region Olave Program Liaison (ROPL)
6. Region Membership Advisor (RMA)
7. Region Program Advisor (RPA)
New Email Structure
To ensure effective communication, all Region Team Members now have role-based emails. These emails include an abbreviation of their role and the initials of their respective Region. For example, the Region Outdoor Coordinator (ROC) for the Northern Territory can be reached at outdoorsnt@ (all emails end in @girlguidesnswactnt.org.au ).
Here’s your email cheat sheet, you can check Region initials on pages 39–40:
Region Manager = rm[Region initials]@
Assistant Region Manager = arm[Region initials] or arm1[Region initials]@
Region Secretary = rs[Region initials]@
Region Treasurer = rt[Region initials]@
Region ALQP Coordinator = alqp[region initials]@
Region AGP Coordinator = agp[region initials]@
Region Ordinary Committee Member = ocm[Region initials]@
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Region
Region Abbreviations and Badges
Below is the updated list of Region abbreviations:
Region Northern Sydney Northern Territory
Initials NS NT
Region South Coast & Highlands Southern Sydney Rivers
Initials SSR
Region Twin Rivers
Initials TR
These changes reflect our commitment to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Region Team. We are confident that these new roles will better support our mission and strengthen the Girl Guides community.
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Thank you for your dedication and passion in supporting Guiding at every level. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your Region Manager.
Together, we continue to inspire and empower!
Heidi Fröhling (she/her)
Volunteer Development Manager
heidi@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
In Event News
Event News
AWOL (Adult Women On the Loose)
Saturday, 24 May | UTS
and Surrounds
All Adult Members are warmly invited to attend a fun-filled day designed just for them. The morning will kick off with engaging activities, followed by a State Team update in the early afternoon and our Annual General Meeting. To round out the day, there’s an optional (user-pays) dinner on Saturday evening for those who’d like to stay and socialise.
AWOL will be a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones—don’t miss it! Save the date until we tell you how to register.
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Saturday, 24 May | UTS and Online
We’ll reflect on the year that’s been, confirm key minutes, share highlights in our 2024 Year in Review, and announce the newly elected Director to our Board. We hope to see you there—whether you’re joining us in the room or tuning in from afar!
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Information about AWOL and AGM will be on our website soon.
Great Guide Sleepovers
16 August | Taronga Western Plans Zoo
23 August | Taronga Zoo and Alice Springs Desert Park
We’re putting the finishing touches on the organisation of these highly anticipated and cherished events. Save the date information is on our website now, and details of what animal will be supported this year, along with everything else you need to know about this Guiding Tradition will be made available in the not too distant future. Watch this space!
Bush to Beach Australian Jamboree
Applications for Guiding in Australia closed last month and I am excited to say that we had close to 1,300 applications come in for this large scale celebration of everything Guiding. International Applications close this month.
Looking forward to seeing you at an event or course soon!
Our monthly payment option, now officially referred to as Pay By The Month (PBTM) , launched on February 20, 2025.
Pay By The Month is now available to all Members, with the exception of those wishing to use vouchers or who apply to subsidise their annual membership with a Support Fund application.
We are continuing to develop business rules, Q&As, and training materials, which will be included in our next newsletter.
PBTM Year-to-Date (Jan 2025 - 31 March 2025)
• Total Enrolled (Paid Once): Year-to-Date: 249
• Total Opted In (Enrolled & Not Enrolled): Year-toDate: 308
* Enrolled signifies Members with successful PBTM payments. Not Enrolled means they’ve opted in but haven’t paid. continued over page
Further to last month's newsletter update, we offer the following additional FAQ’s:
When you are talking to Members and Volunteers about monthly payments, please refer to this method as Pay By The Month. When communicating with Guide House, feel free to shorten this to PBTM or you can also say Pay By The Month – we will know either of these terms.
Can vouchers and support fund be used with Monthly Payments?
Due to constraints in our current system, we are unable to apply vouchers or provide Support Fund assistance when you choose to pay by Monthly Pay By The Month Instalments. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Should Members wish to use a voucher or access the support fund, the annual option would be the most suitable choice.
Can I/ a Member change from annual to monthly?
Yes, absolutely! However, be sure to chat to NSW or NT Youth Members’ guardians about whether they are eligible for a NSW Active & Creative Kids Voucher or NT Sports Voucher, or for all Youth renewals, if they intend to use the Support Fund. Due to system constraints, vouchers cannot be applied to the monthly payment method. If using a voucher is beneficial to a Member, they may prefer to stick with the annual payment option.
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Are Members being made aware of the monthly payment option in advance of the Membership expiring?
Yes. We have implemented a process to send out emails approximately 60 days before the Membership expires, inviting Members to opt in for Monthly Payments. Members will be able to click on a link in that email which takes them to the appropriate page in their My GuideBook so that they can update their billing preference.
When renewals are issued at the start of their expiry month, their renewal will be for the monthly instalment. They must renew this first instalment through their My GuideBook and then the remaining 11 months of payments will be automatically debited from their preferred card on the 21st of each month.
What happens if a Member’s monthly payment fails?
If a Member’s monthly payment fails, there is a process in place to send them a letter the same day to alert them to the failure and advise them we will reprocess the payment in 3 days. If the payment fails a second time, then we do the same procedure. If the payment fails a third time, we write to the Member to alert them again, but this time advise them that they must pay manually through My GuideBook. When they do this, they will re-enter the monthly recurring renewal processing for the following month.
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We are currently investigating the option of sending Members a SMS on the 18th of the month to alert them to the payment being debited on the 21st of the month. Does a Member receive a reminder before each months payment is due to be debited?
At this stage, no. This is why we have a consistent date each month that money will be debited. This is the 21st of the month. This way Members know when to expect the payment to be debited. This is like other services, such as Netflix.
The Guide House team are also currently investigating the option of sending Members a SMS on the 18th of the month to alert them to the payment being debited on the 21st of the month.
Member Services Team
guides@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
New Adult Action Badge
Following a successful introduction in Girl Guides Western Australia, The Adult Action Badge is now available to all Adults in Guiding across Australia.
Similar to the Youth Action Badge, the Adult Action Badge challenges Adults in Guiding to be involved in a variety of activities, get networking, learn new skills and have fun at a range of Guide events. The badge for each year will match those of the Youth Action Badge and be available from Retail outlets later in the year for purchase by District and Region Managers.
The Badge syllabus is available on the GGA website. For any questions regarding the Adult Action badge please contact your State Commissioner.
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
