Guiding Community—as we dive into Term 3, this edition of Guiding News is bursting with updates, reflections, and inspiration from across our movement. From celebrating NAIDOC Week and the Camden Centenary, to practical tips on recruitment, outdoor adventures, pay by the month information, and property updates—you’ll find stories that speak to the heart of Guiding.
We’ve also taken your feedback from our recent reader survey on board. You’ll see early steps towards a more mobile-friendly format, increased regionspecific storytelling, and clearer calls to action. Your voice is helping shape a newsletter that’s more useful, readable, and representative of our incredible community—thank you.
So, grab a cuppa, enjoy Martine’s practical wisdom on growing a thriving Unit, explore how to get involved in Legacy Week, and consider hosting your own Open Night Campfire this term to keep the Guiding flame glowing.
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Oh, and, tune in to Channel 7’s Sunrise on Tuesday, 22 July, 5.30–9am as we host Sam Mac and his production crew at Earlwood Guide Hall for the morning’s weather crosses to remind Australia we exist, and that we’ll continue to exist because girls do!
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
It is with sadness that we share the passing of Joanne Weeks last week. Joanne was long-standing and dedicated Guider who served as a Region Manager in Greater Rivers. Her commitment, warmth and leadership will be remembered by all who had the pleasure of working alongside her. We extend our deepest sympathies to her family, friends, and all who were touched by her service.
In recent weeks, our Members have continued to demonstrate the spirit and strength of Guiding in so many inspiring ways:
The South Coast and Highlands Leader Conference was a vibrant gathering filled with learning, colaboaration and connection.
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Naidoc Week was marked with meaningful celebrations and activities, honouring the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Camden Centenary was a wonderful celebration, recognising 100 years of Guiding in the area–what a milestone!
A reminder to all to keep your compliance and attendance registers up to date and ensure our practices remain child safe and child friendly, continuing our commitment to creating safe spaces for all.
There are also several exciting opportunites for those looking to contribute at a National level. Positions currently open include:
• National Coordinator – Adult
• National Coordinator – Youth
• National Coordinator – International
• National JOTA/JOTI Liaison
• GGA Board Chair
Applications for these roles are closing soon, so we encourage interested Members to apply or share with others who may be suitable.
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Finally, once again, the extraordinary talent and energy of our Guides were showcased in recent Gang Show across the Cumberland Plains, ACT&SE NSW, and Central Coast Regions. These performances highlight the creativity, teamwork, and confidence that Guiding nurtures in our young people–well done to all involved!
In Friendship and Guiding,
Jo Tonon (she/her)
State Commissioner sc@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
“You only Need One Spark”: MArtine Robins on the
Secret to Guide REcruitment Success
As told to Guiding News
Recruitment can feel daunting to even the most seasoned Leaders. But for Martine Robins, whose experience spans Unit set-ups in Glebe, Botany, and Mosman, it all comes down to planning, people–and a pinch of smart PR.
At the recent Annual General Meeting of Girl Guides
NSW, ACT & NT Martine was presented with a Wattle award for good service to Guiding, noting that when she rebuilt the Mosman District she obtained 49 Youth Members, and even recruited her own replacement as District Manager!
We sat down with Martine to hear how she’s been consistenly growing thriving Units and what she thinks every Leader should know about attracing new families to Girl Guides.
Q: What’s the most important thing to get right before even starting recruitment?
Martine: You’ve got to have a great program and good Leaders in place–no one wants to join something
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that feels half-baked. A quality product is just easier to promote. The more fun and meaningful your Unit looks, the more interest you’ll generate.
Q: How do you make sure your promotions actually get seen?
Martine: Repetition is key. People are more likely to respond when they’ve seen a message multiple times. I always suggest choosing a PR window–say, the end of January–and focusing your efforts over 2-3 weeks. That way, you can build visibility leading up to a “Come and Try” night that coincides with the second week of term.
Target school newsletters, host a cake stall at a local market or busy shopping strip, and get the message into school-parent Whatsapp groups. Community social media pages and newsletters are worth tapping into.
Q: Whatsapp groups seem like a new frontier–how do you make the most of them?
Martine: They’re actually incredibly effective. Most schools have year-based parent Whatsapp groups. We create a simple ad for our “Come and Try” night and share it with our exisitng Guide parents, asking continued over page
them two repost it to all their networks–especially if they’ve got kids in other school years. That targeted outreach really works.
Q: Tell us more about the cake stall idea–it sounds fun!
Martine: It works really well! Kids are drawn to cupcakes, and Guides love “playing shop”. We’ve had girls bake and decorate cupcakes with lollies and Smarties–anything that catches the eye! We set up at local markets, shopping centres or outside closed bank branches on weekends. You just need two adults: one to help the girls and manage sales, and one Leader dedicated to engaging families.
We use a card reader on a phone (Wespac EFTPOS Air), and always have flyers and a sign-up sheet. The girls wear their uniforms and sashes–visibility is key. And Leaders should be ready with an elevator pitch. Mine is:
“Girl Guides allow girls to be themselves, build confidence, resilience and valuable life skills. Through camps, games, outdoor and community service activities and the badge recognition system, girls challenge themselves, develop leadership skills, make new friends and have some great adventures!”
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Q: What makes a great Come and Try night?
Martine: It’s all about energy and variety. We kick off with a get-to-know-you game, then rotate through three stations–maybe alternative cooking using tealights, a craft activity, and a physical or outdoor challenge. One Leader should be dedicated to welcoming and chatting with parents. Not everyone registers ahead, so have spare copies of your District Overview and Term Plan on hand. Follow up quickly with anyone who enquires–send a simple overview that answers all the FAQs: when, where, who, how much, how to join.
Q:What’s your golden rule for keeping recruitment sustainable?
Martine: Try not to let your Unit drop below 12 girls. It’s hard to build momentum from a smaller base bcause you’re relying on existing families to grow your reach. Once you’ve got critical mass, word of mouth takes over, and recruitment becomes much easier. But you’ve got to keep an eye on transitions–if older girls are ageing out, plan ahead to welcome the next wave.
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Q: You’ve mentioned you use templates–what kind of resources are helpful for Leaders?
Martine: A Term Overview, a “Come and Try” digital flyer to share via Whatsapp/social media, and a District Overview that explains everything clearly for new families are my must haves. You can download templates with the latest branding from My Guidebook on the Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT website. These save every Leader from writing the same emails over and over!
Q: Final thoughts?
Martine: I’ve learned so much from working with Felina French at Guide House over the years–she taught me a lot about how to approach recruitment and feel confident doing it. And while some things change (like the rise of Whatsapp!), the basics remain: be clear, be visible, and deliver a program worth talking about.
OPen Night Campfire Term 3:
Host a Campfire that Sparks connections
After the success of our recent Open Days, we’re keeping the momentum going with a Term 3 Open Night Campfire–a magical way to continue growing GIrl Guides in 2025!
Whether you run it solo or team up with another Unit, this is your chance to share the spirit of Guiding with families, friends, neighbours, ex-Guides, Trefoil Guild Members and/ or community members by inviting them to gather around the fire for a night of songs, stories, and connection.
It’s more than just marshmallows and music–it’s about:
• Showcasing the fun and adventure of Guiding to potential new Members
• Reconnecting with past Members and fostering intergenerational ties
• Raising your Unit or District’s profile in the local community continued over page
• Celebrating the traditions that make Guiding unforgettable.
For newcomers to Campfires, look out for our simple online toolkit, which is coming soon with songs, ideas, and tips to make planning easy. Have you got a Guide who could use this towards their Peak Achievement Award?
Word of mouth is the heart of how Guiding has grown for generations. When a family hears from someone they trust–a Leader, a parent, or an exGuide or neighbour who’s seen the joy Guiding brings–it carries far more weight than any brochure ever could.
That’s why an open night campfire is such a golden opportunity. It naturally sparks conversations: kids go home singing the songs, adults reconnect perhaps with their own memories, and suddenly everyone’s talking at school pickup, at work and around dinner tables. So pick a date this term and run your own Open Night Campfire.
Let’s spark something special–Let’s all turn up the glow and keep the Guiding Flame burning bright!
Camden District Celebrates 100 Years
of
Guiding
Camden District recently marked an incredible milestone – 100 years of Girl Guides in the local community.
The centenary celebration brought together current and past Members, families, and supporters for a day filled with joy and reflection. Festivities included a BBQ, a time capsule opening, and a special archive museum showcasing the rich history of Guiding in Camden.
This remarkable achievement highlights a century of empowering girls and young women through Guiding. Congratulations to Camden District on 100 years of impact and inspiration!
outdoor Lead from the
From the Outdoor Lead
Let’s Have Adventures in Term 3!
Some Units are alreading planning their Term 3 adventure based activities. Whether you live in a city or our more regional Districts, I’m hoping there are adventures you can enjoy. Take your Junior Guides swimming, your Guides canoeing and your Senior Guides to laser tag. If you can’t find an adventure based activity, ask your Region Outdoor Coordinator or email me at OutdoorLead@girlguides-nswactnt. org.au , we’ll think of something!
Adventure-based activities are often always the highlight of a term, especially while we are limited to where we can indoor camp.
I’ve cleared my emails and I’m looking forward to receiving your OUT01s & RAs.
Virginia Brown (she/her)
Outdoor Lead
outdoor@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Trail Mix Program Resource–
Free Being Me
This month program resource is an oldie but a goodie. It has a range of activities for the girls to lead and complete. Even if you have done some of these activities before, there are probably some that you have not done.
In 2013 the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the Dove Self-esteem Project forged a unique partnership to empower a geneartion with the freedom to be themselves. Created with world leading body confidence experts, Free being Me has already supported more than 6.5 million young people to imrpove their body confidence and self-esteem.
Free Being Me (FBM) is an educational programme that promotes body confidence and a world free from appearance-related anxiety. Through relevant, exciting, accessible and learner-led activities, young
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people learn that body confidence and self-esteem come from valuing their bodies, challenging beauty stereotypes and advocating for a healthy body image in their friends, and communities.
Guides aged 7-10, 11-14, and 15 and above can participate in FBM activities. Encourage girls to lead an activity for their patrol or unit, you do as many of the activities as you like. Easy to follow information and activity packs can be found via the link below or via the WAGGGS website.
https://free-being-me.com/
Listening to Our Readers: What you told
us
about Guiding News
Last edition, we invited readers of Guiding News to share their thoughts on the newsletter. The aim? To better understand what’s working, what’s not, and how we can make our publication more valuable to our vibrant community. With 30 respondents and thoughtful insights throughout, here’s a snapshot of what you told us—and how we’re using your feedback to influence our next steps.
Overall Satisfaction: A Mixed but Hopeful Picture
Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported feeling either very satisfied (30%) or somewhat satisfied (33%) with Guiding News overall. While only a small proportion reported being somewhat dissatisfied (7%) or very dissatisfied (13%), these perspectives matter deeply and point to opportunities to evolve our approach.
A Loyal Readership–With Room to Grow
Encouragingly, most readers (67%) engage with every edition of the newsletter, and an additional 17% read most editions. That means over 80% of readers are regularly opening and reading Guiding News—a strong sign of relevance and connection.
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Content That Connects
When it comes to the types of content readers value most, the message was clear:
• Program resources were the standout favourite (23%)
• Stories from the Guiding community (20%) and Leader tips and tools (19%) also rank highly
• Event announcements and opportunities like awards and positions followed closely behind
Open-ended responses reinforced a desire for more “real” stories from Units and individuals across the state, and a deeper sense of community and connection. Several readers requested more updates from across NSW, ACT & NT–particularly region-specific news.
Format Frustrations-and Suggestions
Reader feedback on format and readability yielded some of the most actionable insights:
• While many enjoy the flipbook format (40%), nearly as many find it “okay” or said they didn’t like it
• A significant number of respondents didn’t know they could download the newsletter as a PDF—an awareness issue we can address
• The most common devices used to read the continued over page
newsletter are mobile phones (48%) and laptops (31%), highlighting the importance of mobile optimisation
Several comments pointed to a need for greater usability and clarity: shorter articles, summaries, and easier navigation were commonly requested. As one reader put it, “Articles should have a summary—long ones lose me.”
Engagement: A Strong Start
Over half of respondents (57%) have clicked a link or followed up on an opportunity mentioned in the newsletter. That’s a promising indicator that Guiding News is more than just a read—it’s a tool for action.
So What’s Next?
Based on your feedback, we’re exploring:
• More concise content and summaries , especially for longer articles
• Improved mobile compatibility and clarity on download options
• Increase state and region storytelling , bringing more voices to the page
• Highlighting quick links and calls to action more visibility throughout each edition
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We’re also revisiting the flipbook format–balancing the appeal of a polished magazine look with the need for mobile readers.
Thank You
To everyone who took the time to complete the survey–thank you. Your responses are helping us shape a newsletter that better serves and reflects our Guiding community. As always, our aim is to inform, connect, and inspire.
Want to Join the Conversation?
To everyone who didn’t read about the survey in last edition, or agrees or disagrees with what’s been written above, you can still inform the direction we take with the newsletter. Scan the QR code or tap this link to add your voice to the conversation.
We look forward to sharing future issues of Guiding News that feel even more relevant, engaging, and representative of the incredible movement we’re all part of.
In Event News
in
Event News
Have you started planning your Great Guide Sleepover adventure yet? In 2025 we are fundraising for the Greater Bilby across 3 epic locations and all events are open for registration now! The registration closing date of 3 August is just around the corner. If you don’t regularly log in to the website, now’s the time to confirm you can access your record, make updates and register for your next adventure.
We have also secured free public transport in NSW to get you to the two Taronga locations and safely back home again. Please see the Sydney & Dubbo Event Information Page for more information.
Great Guide Sleepover – Taronga Western Plains Zoo Register Here!
It’s been two years since we slept under the stars in Dubbo at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. This year we are excited to have The Guide Shop onsite!
For event specific information, join the GGS Dubbo Facebook group .
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Great Guide Sleepover – Taronga zoo Sydney Register Here!
The original location is back with superb harbour views from Taronga’s concert lawns, The Guide Shop, dancing, movies and popcorn.
For Event specific information, join the GGS Sydney Facebook group .
Great Guide Sleepover – ALice Springs Desert Park Register Here!
If one night’s not enough, then GGS Alice Springs is for you with 2 nights under the stars and more animal experiences to enjoy!
Badge Design Winner
Thank you to everyone who entered the GGS 2025 Badge Design competition. We received 42 creative, fun and impressive contributions which made choosing a winner very difficult.
Congratulations to Angelica V. of West Bexley Guides! Your Bilby Gift Pack (cap, bookmark, pin and socks) is on it’s way to you.
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Theme Announcement
This year’s theme is Bilbies, Blankets & Besties. It’s time to get those Unit outfits ready. WIll your Unit be the best dressed?
Fundraising Challenge
Did you know that if you fundraise as little as $50 for Taronga, you will receive a Bilby plush? Fundraising is open to everyone, not just event attendees so create those accounts, share your pages, and lets raise some much needed funds for those important Australia native marsupials.
Read the Bilby Fundraising Information Pack
Read the Fundraising Instructions
Are you heading to more than one GGS event this year? Let us know at events@girlguides-nswactnt. org.au !
Lydia Morris (she/her)
Event Manager events@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
the
From the Property Manager property Manager from
Introducing Levi Smith
Replacement Building Project Manager with the property Team At Guide House
Pierre Eid unfortunately finished up with Girl Guides in mid June.
However from 21 July Levi Smith will be joining the Property Team at the Guide House as Building Project Manager on a 5 month contract to December 2025.
Levi has over 30 years experience in the building industry. He has operated his own building company and has also worked as a Project Manager and Site Supervisor for others–including one that provided upgrades and maintenance to public housing over an extended period.
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The exclusive focus of the role to December will continue to be on getting 3 key Property projects well underway including:
1. Repairs, maintenance and compliance work as identified in the Progroup reports for priority halls in each Region
2. For halls we will be relinquishing out of the Progroup reports process, helping Districts and Regions where needed to get make good repairs done and halls cleaned and emptied and ready to hand back to Council or Crown Lands
3. Getting unapproved septic systems at campsites and halls approved and upgraded where needed Levi will primarily be out and about doing site visits to halls and campsites across all Regions.
The Property Manager, together with Levi, will continue the meetings already begun with each Region team to discuss and agree the priority halls for each Region for repairs, maintenance and compliance work from the Progroup reports. Levi will then make contact with District Managers and other hall contacts, and organise site visits to those halls to get things underway.
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All other Property matters, including new repair and maintenance issues, should continue to be sent to the Property team at propertyadmin@girlguidesnswactnt.org.au as usual.
Barbara Cuthbert (she/her)
Property Manager
barbara@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au
Making membership easier with Pay-by-the-month
Since launching in February, our new Pay By The Month (PBTM) option has seen a fantastic uptake, with more than 500 Members now using the flexible monthly payment method—282 new Members and 226 renewing Members have opted in already.
PBTM gives Members more choice and control by spreading the cost of Membership across the year. It’s quick to set up, works automatically, and makes budgeting easier for families.
Here’s how it works:
• New Members can opt in when joining online.
• Renewing Members receive an email 60 days before their Membership expires , inviting them to switch to monthly payments.
• Once enrolled, payments are processed automatically on the 21st of each month , with helpful reminders and retry attempts built in to make things smooth.
So far, 88% of payments are processed successfully on the first try, and 95.5% by the third. The most common reason for a failed payment? Just not enough funds in the account—something that can usually be fixed with a quick reattempt.
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Need help encouraging your Unit’s families?
A friendly PBTM Poster is available to display at your Hall or Unit meetings.
Download the Poster here
FAQs at Your Fingertips
From how to opt in, to updating payment details, or switching from annual to monthly—our new PBTM
FAQs webpages are here to support Unit Leaders, Members, and families with all their questions.
Click here for the Leaders & Managers FAQs
Click here for all Member FAQs
Support Legacy Week 2025: Volunteer
and make a difference
Legacy Week is just around the corner, and we’re encouraging our Members to get involved in this meaningful national cause.
From 23 August to 14 September, volunteers will take to the street across 50+ regions in NSW to raise vital funds and awareness for the families of our veterans. Whether you can spare an hour or a day, your time will help make a real impact. The funds raised could help put food on the table for a veteran’s family or support a young person in their tertiary education.
As Girl Guides, service to the community is at the heart of what we do. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back and stand in support of those who’ve served our country.
Find out more and register to volunteer at your local site by clicking here or use the QR Code below.
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
