Welcome to Edition 09 of Guiding News – and what a dynamic edition it is! This month, we journey across Regions, celebrate the strength of our Volunteers, and dive into resources designed to support and inspire every Member, from Junior Leaders to Trefoil Guild Members.
In this issue, our State Commissioner shares highlights from a meaningful visit to the Northern Territory, reminding us of the power of face-to-face connection in remote communities. We spotlight the 2025 Board Director Election—your chance to shape the future of our organisation. You’ll also find a vibrant new Cultural Inclusion Calendar, insights from our Outdoor and Leadership Leads, and a celebration of young women stepping up.
As always, we hope this newsletter leaves you informed, inspired, and deeply connected to the Girl Guides movement.
Happy reading!
Jamie Shepheard (he/him)
Senior Manager, Digital, Marketing & Communication jamie@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
State
From the State Commissioner
Dear Sisters in Guiding
This month I would like to share a focus on the Northern Territory Region.
We were lucky enough to receive a grant which enabled the State Commissioner Team, Outdoor Lead Virginia Brown, Young Women Lead Aimee Rassouli, AGP Lead Jodie Chilvers, and Marketing and Communication Manager Jamie Shepheard, to travel to the Northern Territory to deliver training and face-to-face connection for the Leaders, Managers, and Volunteers who are in our most remote part of the SGGO. Northern Territory Region is supported by Becca as a staff member, thank you for helping to facilitate this event.
Commissioner from the continued over page
We first went to Alice Springs where we were able to join the Leaders, Managers, Volunteers and Guides from Alice
Springs and Leaders, Volunteers, and Managers from Tennant Creek for Anzac Day.
We had the opportunity to work with Youth Members at both locations, as well as enjoy their vibrant passion and enjoyment of the program in Darwin. Thank you NT for fantastic participation rate of 90%. Thank you to Samantha Ashmore and Letitia Baldwin for your amazing work in the NT Region and in hosting us for those four days.
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Julia Becker has finished her term as Inclusion Lead. Julia worked towards raising awareness of the LGBTQI+ community within our organisation and we wish her well in new adventures. We are currently reviewing the role descriptions for the Inclusion and Sustainability lead positions and will advertise them soon. Please reach out if you have any questions or are interested in either of these roles.
Ashleigh Hansen and Emily Logan are representing GGA at the Asia Pacific Conference. This is a fantastic opportunity for these young women. This month we have National Volunteer week and I would to thank you for the time you give to Girl Guides.
Australian Guide Women on the Loose AGWOL is on the same day as the AGM, May 24. Please register for continued over page
a day of fun with friends new and old. There are some fun activities including an optional scavenger hunt, you can share your story, craft or learn something new. Lunch is included. Please register for the AGM and vote for your new director. Thank you Prue Carpenter for your mentorship and service to the Board over the past year.
Excitingly, the Jamboree team will be sending out assigned leader roles very soon, and contingent information will be sent to participants very soon!
Yours in Guiding
Jo Tonon (she/her)
State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Have Your Say: 2025 Board Director Election Now
Open
Your voice matters in shaping the future of Girl Guides
NSW, ACT & NT
Adult Members and Trefoil Guild Members—your vote is vital in helping to shape the leadership of our Association. The 2025 Board Director Election is now underway, and we encourage every eligible Member to take part in this important democratic process. This year, one (1) Board Director will be elected to serve a three-year term. The Board plays a key role in governing the strategic direction and long-term sustainability of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Casting your vote ensures that the leadership reflects the values and vision of our community.
Meet the Candidates
Two exceptional candidates have nominated for election. Learn about their Guiding experience, leadership skills, and aspirations for the future of our Association by visiting:
girlguides-nswactnt.org.au/candidates*
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Voting Information
Each Adult Member may vote for only one (1) candidate . Voting for more than one candidate will make your vote invalid. If multiple votes are submitted, only the most recent valid vote will be counted .
To ensure your vote is valid: It must be received by the CEO at least 48 hours before the AGM .
• The deadline for receiving votes is 3pm, Thursday 22 May 2025.
Once you’ve reviewed the candidates, cast your vote securely online at:
girlguides-nswactnt.org.au/BoardBallot
You’ll need your My GuideBook login details the voting page.
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Offline Voting
If you’re unable to vote online directly, you may vote by postal vote.
1. Download a ballot paper from girlguidesnswactnt.org.au/BoardBallot
2. Submit a completed ballot paper form by:
• Email : ceo@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
• Mail : PO Box 950, Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 (by last mail Wednesday, 21 May 2025)
• In-person : Guide House, 2/55 Holt Street, Surry Hills, by close of business Thursday, 22 May 2025
This is your opportunity to shape the future of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Take a moment to learn about the candidates—and vote. Your voice counts.
Explore and Celebrate Cultural Diversity with Your Unit!
We’re excited to share the Cultural Inclusion Calendar, thoughtfully compiled by the Inclusion Working Group. It’s a great way to explore diversity and inclusion through the World Guiding fundamental as it may help encourage Guides to appreciate and learn about cultures and traditions both within Guiding and the wider community. Understanding and respecting diversity is a vital part of growing as global citizens— something Girl Guides around the world strive for. This resource highlights a variety of meaningful cultural and community events and celebrations throughout the year. Consider planning an activity around one of these events—or invite a parent or perhaps someone from your local community to share their celebration with your Unit. Let’s continue to grow a Guiding space where everyone feels welcome, respected, and inspired.
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International Family Equality (Family Pride) Day
Mothers Day
Vesak/Buddha’s Birthday (Buddhist –all traditions) 2587th Birth Anniversary of Gautama Buddha
National Sorry Day
Tuen Ng/ Dragon Boat Festival (Chinese cultural festival)
IDAHOBIT Dehwa Daymaneh (Mandaean)
Pentecost/ Whitsunday (Christian)
Shavuot/Feast of Weeks (Jewish)
Mabo Day- End of Reconciliation Week Pride Month J U L Y 2 0 2 5
World Refugee Day (UN)
Eid Al Adha (Muslim)
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (Sikh) Winter Solstice
Matariki (Māori New Year/public holiday)
Hijra/Islamic New Year (Muslim)
Martyrdom of the Bab (Bahá í)
Asalha Puja –Dharma Day (Buddhist –Theravada tradition) Guru Purnima (Hindu)
Dehwa Sheshyan (Mandaean)
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
Obon (Buddhist –Japan)
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (UN) Raksha Bandhan (Hindu)
Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
Ganesha Chaturthi (Hindu)
Wear it Purple Day (LGBTQIA+ Awareness)
S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5
First Parkash of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh)
Milad Al Nabi/Prophet (Muslim) Ullambana –Hungry Ghost Muhammad s (pbuh) birthday Festival (Buddhist –Mahayana Tradition)
Navratri begins (Hindu)
Spring Equinox Rosh Hashanah/New Year (Jewish)
International Day of Sign Languages
O C T O B E R 2 0 2 5
5 – 7 October Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Festival)
Ead Fel (Mandaean)
ADHD Awareness Month Mental Health Month
Dussehra (Hindu) Yom Kippur (Jewish)
International Day of the Girl World Mental Health Day
All Souls’ Day (Christian)
Gurgaddi (Installation) Day of Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Sikh)
Diwali (Hindu) Bandi Chhor Divas (Sikh cultural festival)
Birth of the Báb (Bahá’í) Ead Fel (Mandaean)
(Chinese cultural festival) Chung Yeung/Double Ninth Festival
All Hallows Eve (Christian) Dehwa Honina (Mandaean)
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 5
Grandparents Day - NSW
Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji(Sikh)
Remembrance/ Armistice Day (1918)
International Day for Tolerance
Advent Sunday (Christian) 17- 21 November- Inclusion at Work Week
Martyrdom of Guru Teg BahadurJi(Sikh)
Ascension of Abdu’l-Bahá (Bahá’í)
All Saints’ Day (Christian)
D E C E M B E R 2 0 2 5
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Bodhi Day (Buddhist –Mahayana Tradition)
Chanukah/Festival of Lights (Jewish)
Summer Solstice
Human Rights Day
International Migrants Day
Christmas Eve (Christian)
Christmas Day (Christian)
Roji and Eda Rojiet Ezi/ Fasting and Feast of Ezi(Yazidi)
Ashoriya - Abu Al Haris (Mandaean)
outdoor Lead from the
From the Outdoor Lead
If you have any questions or concerns contact me at OutdoorLead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
This month I’m recapping some information that makes our outdoor activities fun to deliver and simpler to approve (always an excellent combination).
• Ratios are not negotiable, especially when planning outdoor activities. As Leaders we must meet them. If there are differing age groups in attendance, the ratio is calculated by using the ratio for the youngest Member attending. Please check your OUT01 before submitting it to ensure your ratios are correct, as I’m receiving about an OUT01 per week in which the ratios incorrect. This delays the approval of your activity.
• If you are planning a State event, registrations don’t open until the governance documents (OUT01 & RA) are approved. This is to reduce the likelihood of a State event being cancelled due to a lack of a LiC or Members to be part of our
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ratio requirements. Cancelling a State event causes unnecessary work for our Guide House colleagues, disappointment to the Members who have registered and are looking forward to the event, and reputational damage within our organisation.
• When submitting your OUT01 , please include the following in the subject line : your name - activity - date of activit y. This provides a simple way for your ROC and me to manage our workload, and respond or approve in sufficient time.
Virginia Brown (she/her)
Outdoor Lead
outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
From The Leadership Lead Leadership Lead from the
From the Leadership Lead
National Volunteer Week 19–25 of May 2025
Next week is National Volunteer Week, which is a time to celebrate the incredible impact of our Volunteers within our Girl Guides organisations.
From Guiding young girls through adventurous activities to fostering a sense of community and leadership, the contributions of our Volunteers are invaluable. This week can be filled with events and ceremonies to honour these dedicated individuals, acknowledging their hard work and commitment to empowering the next generation.
I personally want to thank each Volunteer with our Guiding family and express my gratitude for the hard work, teamwork and leadership you all display within your Units and community. Please remember to thank your Leaders for their efforts, as volunteering is not just within your Unit, but it’s also for all the behind the scenes work and hours spent putting together an
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experience for the girls that will last a lifetime.
Please share your most memorable story of Volunteering within Girl Guides and we will share them on our website and social media channels: email your volunteering stories to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Importance of Learning and Learning some more.
When we become Leaders or even Managers, sometimes we forget that once we get our Leadership certificate we don’t need to learn anymore. As a Guide we are constantly teaching our girls new skills, sharing new experiences and ensuring good quality of Guiding for them to learn from and to try. So why as adults should our learning stop?
I know life can get super busy, and as Guide Leaders our to-do list is never ending, however I am encouraging each one of you to expand your skills, your knowledge, to become an even better Leader for our girls.
I have undertaken the steps to become an Archery Trainer and hope to continue in my learning to become a Trainer and will be completing my Outdoor Camping Qualification in a months’ time so I can take continued over page
my Unit out camping, which is one of their favourite activities. You are never too young or too old to learn something new!
Please check out the website for more information on different courses to expand your skills, including indoor and outdoor camping, archery, all things water activities and hiking. There are many courses that can be undertaken to expand what activities you can do with your Unit.
www.girlguides-nswactnt.org.au/courses
If you need any help, or ideas for different areas to expand your skills for yourself or within your Region please get in contact with me, I have some amazing resources that really work a treat!
From the Inclusion Lead AGP Lead from the
From the Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead
Girl Guides Australia Unit Term Review
An email was sent out to all Unit mailboxes in mid-April asking for Leaders to assist us with providing some feedback on the meetings that you run on a week to week basis. This is being done across Australia from discussions held by our State Commissioners. The completed surveys will be able to provide us with information on what types of activities are being carried out in which areas and by which age groups. Following on from this, it is hoped that we can better support leaders by providing opportunities and resources in particular areas so as to improve our quality of Guiding.
The surveys can be completed on weekly basis or at the end of term and leaders are being asked to complete these for each term in 2025.
If you are unable to find the email you can use this link and complete your survey now.
Girl Guides Australia Unit Term Review
We appreciate your assistance with this initiative.
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Badge and Award Tracker – Youth Member Resource
Following on from the launch of the new Badge and Awards Books – a tracking resource has now been launched. It is a simple A4 document that can be printed or downloaded to complete on your device. Both girls and leaders are able to access this resource. It can be found on the GGA website under the resources tab.
Leaders are encouraged to transition their Units to the new Badge and Awards books by 1 July 2025.
Jodie Chilvers (she/her)
Australian Guide Program (AGP) Lead agplead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Young Lead Women from
the
FROM THE YOUNG WOMEN LEAD
Dragon skin
During April we had a group of young women represent us at the 40th Dragon Skin. This year it was held at the Penrose State Forest with the theme “The Best of the Best”. From all accounts from both Senior Guides and Olaves it was a fantastic weekend. Rumour has it there was some fantastic baked goods at VOC4. Thank you to Jacqui Flood for being the Girl Guides’ LIC for the weekend.
NT working with Young Women
Over the Anzac weekend I had the pleasure of travelling to the Northern Territory and working with some of the girls from the Region. We explored what YAC is and had a go at creating our own mini-versions of a proposal. Our girls in the NT have lots of bright ideas and I am hopeful they will develop their skills in advocacy and we will see some impressive projects from them soon.
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Olave update
Looking for the next event to get excited for? Check out below for upcoming dates!
27 May 7pm is the online Olave networking event. Make sure you register for this. This event will be an informal chat and networking opportunity for Olaves and Senior Guides.
13–14 of June is the Albury Gang show - Be sure to get tickets, This is not something to be missed!
Stay tuned for more information for the Olave Ball. This will be on 28 June.
Make sure you check out the Olave facebook page to stay in the loop for these events.
Young Women Lead YoungWomenLead@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Aimee Rassouli (she/her)
From the Property Manager Volunteer Development from the Manager
From the Volunteer Development Manager
District Team Update Part 1 of 2
In addition to the work on Region Roles and the Region Committee (Region Team) that I talked about in the April newsletter, there has also been work completed on streamlining the protocols for the District Team.
The District Team is made up of
1. The District Manager ( DM ) - responsible for building & maintaining strong community connections between Leaders, the Region Manager, Volunteers, Members, Guides, & their families. The DM provides support, guidance, feedback, & motivation for the District to enable the delivery of the Australian Guide Program (AGP) seeing girls & young women discover their potential as leaders of their world.
2. A District Administrator ( DA ) is appointed by the RM to manage Districts with no DM
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3. Assistant District Managers ( ADM ) work with the DM on tasks within the Role Description as agreed between both parties.
DM/DA & ADM all have access to a shared email for the District. These email addresses were recently changed to reflect that they are shared emails rather than Role emails (like RM, ARM, ROC etc). The protocol for District emails is:
N.B: All emails in GG NSW ACT & NT end in girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Some Districts have a Support Group, which is made up of a Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Support Groups, are essential volunteer bodies that assist DMs & Unit Leaders (UL) in various ways, including fundraising, event support, & resource provision. These groups are vital for ensuring the smooth running of Districts & allowing Leaders to focus on Guiding for girls.
We have exciting new improvements to how Support Groups work and will share this in the next newsletter.
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District ROle Structure and Terms
Has Role Description? (RD)
Heidi Fröhling (she/her)
Volunteer Development Manager
heidi@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
