SENIOR MANAGER, DIGITAL, MARKETING & COMMUNICATION
JAMIE@GIRLGUIDES-NSWACTNT.ORG.AU
As the excitement of Bush2Beach Jamboree gently settles and Units return to their rhythms at home, setting into term 4, our Guiding community continues to shine with stories of courage, connection and impact. This edition captures the heart of who we are — a movement powered by volunteers, strengthened by sisterhood, and inspired by girls who dream boldly and act bravely.
Inside these pages, you’ll find:
• A heartfelt message from our State Commissioner, reflecting on the successes, resilience, and unity shown across our community.
• An Open Letter of gratitude to the Bush2Beach Organising Team, whose dedication created a once-in-a-lifetime experience for girls and Leaders.
• Hannah’s story — a moving testament to the power of Guiding to create joy, belonging, and advocacy in the face of childhood dementia.
• A historic moment as our Girl Guides reached beyond Earth, speaking live with astronaut Zena Cardman aboard the International Space Station.
• Program inspiration, outdoor updates, opportunities, and celebrations of innovation — including national recognition for Girl Guides Learning.
Whether you’ve led from behind the scenes, stood beside girls at camp, or supported Guiding from home, this newsletter is a reflection of you — your commitment, compassion and belief in the difference Guiding makes.
Thank you for being part of this story, and happy reading!
From the State Commissioner State Commissioner from the
...An Open Letter of Thanks to the Bush 2 Beach Organising Team
To our incredible Bush 2 Beach Jamboree Team, As the final tents were packed away and our Guides returned home filled with stories, newfound confidence, and lifelong friendships, our thoughts turned to saying an enormous thank you. This Jamboree was more than just a camp — it was a celebration of girl-led adventure, resilience, and community — all made possible by your dedication, expertise and unwavering belief in the power of Guiding.
You turned a vision into a living, breathing experience shared by Girl Guides from across Australia and around the world. You built not just a site, but a safe, welcoming village full of challenge, joy and discovery.
To each member of the organising team — thank you:
• Sally Woodhouse , LiC Program & People – for leading with heart and empowering every team member and Guide to shine.
• Cassie Talbot , LiC Sites & Services – for transforming the Murwillumbah Showground into a functional, beautiful Jamboree home.
• Chris Butler , Program Manager – for designing a program that inspired adventure, learning and laughter.
• Kelly Harris , Equipment Manager – for ensuring everything from tents to tools was exactly where it needed to be, when it needed to be.
• Natalie Lane , PR & Marketing Manager – for sharing the magic of Jamboree with the world and capturing memories that will last forever.
• Tess Thomas , Catering Manager – for nourishing thousands daily with warmth, care and efficiency.
• Veronica Heard , Logistics Manager – for making the complex seem effortless and keeping every moving part connected.
• Laura Howard , Welfare & Wellbeing Manager –for ensuring every Guide felt safe, supported and seen.
• Mel Davis , Access & Inclusion Manager – for making Jamboree a place where every girl could belong and participate fully.
• Chris Wernicke , First Aid Manager – for safeguarding our community with calm professionalism and care.
• Alena Hutchison , International Manager – for welcoming our global sisters and building crosscultural friendship and understanding.
• Kim Woodhouse , Transport Manager – for getting every person, box and bus where it needed to be, on time and safely.
• Erin Farley (WA) , Environment & Sustainability Manager – for protecting our environment and ensuring we lived our promise to “make choices for a better world.”
• Rosalie Nunn , Hygiene Manager – for keeping camp life clean, healthy and running smoothly behind the scenes.
• Leisa Evans , Security & Risk Manager – for ensuring peace of mind for every participant, parent and volunteer.
• Liz Moran , Finance Manager – for making the numbers work so the magic could happen.
• Gillian Weatherall , Administration Manager –for keeping all the threads tied together and supporting every team member with grace and precision.
• Lydia Morris , Event Manager – for steering the overall event with professionalism and care, coordinating moving parts across teams and timelines, aiding Bush 2 Beach to run smoothly from planning through to pack-down.
Your teamwork, resilience and passion created a Jamboree that will be remembered for years to come. You have made an extraordinary contribution to the lives of girls and young women — empowering them to be brave, kind, and confident leaders of tomorrow.
To our Deputy State Commissioners — thank you for your steady support, guidance and encouragement to the entire team.
To the representatives of Girl Guides Australia — Chief Commissioner Helen Reid, CEO Melissa Collins, Board Chair Kate Alcorso, and Policy Officer Kate Fabian — your presence, advocacy, and words of support meant a great deal to all involved.
To our Group Leaders, their leadership teams and all adult volunteers — thank you for your tireless work before, during and after Jamboree. You pitched
tents, soothed homesick hearts, ran programs, solved problems and celebrated every win alongside the girls. This event simply could not have happened without you.
Together, you created a safe, inclusive and inspiring environment where girls from across Australia — and around the world — could challenge themselves, make lifelong friendships and discover the strength in their voice.
With admiration and heartfelt gratitude,
Jo Tonon (she/her)
Trail Mix
A Program Feature to Pack in your Resource Rucksack.
JODIE CHILVERS ( she / her ) | AUSTRALIAN GUIDE PROGRAM (AGP) LEAD | AGPLEAD@GIRLGUIDES-NSWACTNT.ORG.AU
Each month, we’re shining a light on a different Program resource—from Guiding in Australia and across the globe. Whether it’s a badge activity, a clever planning tool, or a fresh idea to energise your next meeting, this feature is here to inspire, support and add a little something extra to your Unit’s program. Think of it as your monthly dose of practical Guiding goodness—ready to pack into your Leader kit!
As the buzz of Jamboree dies down, I would like to pass on my sincerest thanks to everyone involved in this wonderful event. It has been a fabulous opportunity to show case our program to both the wider community and to our own members. It has given our girls so many opportunities to learn new
skills, challenge themselves and build confidence, not mention the fun and friendship along the way. I hope the leaders will also take away some ideas to add some fresh activities to their program. This what I love about Guiding! Bravooo everyone!
World Children’s Day is on 20 November 2025
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Its goal is to improve child welfare worldwide, promote and celebrate children’s rights, and promote togetherness & awareness amongst all children.
On this World Children’s Day, the theme chosen iscelebrate every child’s right to play and calling on communities, schools, workplaces and leaders to protect and promote this right for every child. As part of this, UNICEF Australia are Celebrating play with A Minute of Loudness! Won’t this be fun at your meeting!
Play is how children learn, grow, connect and heal. Every child has the right to play – no matter who they are or where they live.
A few ideas that could be used at meeting to celebrate this day, but above all make it full play for the girls:
• Musical instruments/drumming (these make lots of noise)
• Let the girls pick their favourite games and play activities – play the noisy ones!
• Share family photos/childhood photos
• Make a photo booth
• Let the girls run a “Back to chuldhood” night –party games, lego, play dough, etc.
• Older girls could find out more about the work of UNICEF, the UN and World Children’s Day
• Talk to your girls about advocacy and encourage them to start a project –
• Do a magic carpet ride to visit children in other countries
• Hold a group discussion where the girls share their own experiences of girlhood, comparing them with stories from children around the world.
• Encourage girls to create artwork or posters that reflect the importance of children’s rights and celebrate diversity, see if these can be displayed
at the local library or similar.
Here are a couple of books you could share with your girls about children in other countries:
• This is how we do it – Matt Lamothe
• This is how I do it – Matt Lamothe
• Welcome to Our World: A Celebration of Children Everywhere – Moira Butterfield (A UNICEF Publication)
World Children’s Day is a fantastic opportunity for Guides to get involved and make a difference. It’s a time to recognise, celebrate and empower our girls, acknowledging their unique voices and experiences. Our girls deserve to be acknowledged for who they are, celebrated for their achievements and encouraged to advocate passionately for what they believe in. By supporting them to take action and speak up, we help build their confidence and inspire them to become leaders of their world.
Tent Pegs
Small outdoor things that hold everything steady
VIRGINIA F.M. BROWN ( she / her ) | OUTDOOR LEAD OUTDOORLEAD@GIRLGUIDES-NSWACTNT.ORG.AU
We’re looking for some Outdoor Trainers! Do you hold a current camp qualification (indoor, outdoor established, bush, expedition), and are wondering what else you can do with your qualification? Drop an email to our State L&D Coordinator: learninganddevelopment@ girlguides-nswactnt.org.au . Felicity will be delighted to explain the steps to becoming an Outdoor Trainer and how you can deliver training in your Region and other Regions.
Tips
Please don’t send an OUT01 as a photo. It is blurred (if an image can’t be read it can’t be approved) and generally a photo doesn’t capture all the information needed (you will be asked to email additional information). This can delay the approval process. If you are unsure of how to email the OUT01 once you have downloaded and completed it, contact your ROC or me.
Image ❌
We’ve already seen some amazing applications roll in for the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) 2026, and we don’t want anyone to miss out!
If you’re a Senior Guide aged 14–17, this is your chance to speak up, share your ideas, and help shape the future of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT.
Applications now close Saturday 2 November at 5.00 PM AEDT.
YAC is all about having fun, learning new things, and making a difference — so take this extra time to get your application in and join the team!
Learn more and apply here
Event News
As we look to the future of our Water Activities program, we are making some thoughtful changes to ensure we can continue offering safe, high-quality experiences for our Members and Volunteers. While Oarsome Day and the Sailing Course at our Water Activities Centre, RTS Tingira, will not go ahead this year, this pause is helping us reshape how we deliver water adventures and training across Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT. Instead of centralised courses, in 2026 all water skills courses will be delivered locally in Regions and offered as activity days—where youth and adults may also have the option to be assessed at the end. This approach allows for more flexibility, accessibility and stronger local involvement. It’s clear there is strong enthusiasm for water activities—both Dolphin Day events at Tingira booked out in record time this year—and we’re excited to
harness that momentum as we build a sustainable program for the years ahead.
Thank you for your understanding, and for your continued support as we create more opportunities for our Guides to safely challenge themselves, grow their skills, and enjoy the water!
Your Guiding Support Hub
OPERATIONS UPDATES FROM THE MEMBER & VOLUNTEER SERVICES TEAM
Why did the tester go to the doctor? She was feeling a little glitchy!
Our Member and Volunteer Services team have been working hard over the past few weeks to test the new system upgrade. We have conducted over 300 test cases so far. While we know it might not mean much to you now, we are so excited for the improvements to go live, so we can spend more time focusing on helping YOU!
Why did the tester bring a ladder to work? She wanted to take her testing to the next level!
Pay By the Month Update - October
Pay By The Month (PBTM) continues to be a popular mode of paying Membership fees.
�� 82 new Members joined using PBTM during September and October. This represents 59% of all new Memberships in the same period.
�� 772 payments were processed on 20 October (a one-off change from our usual 21st due to the system
freeze), with an 86% success rate. This is the usual success rate for the first payment run.
�� To help Members stay on track, we sent:
• A direct email on 9 October advising of the change in payment processing date, and
• An SMS reminder on 18 October , 2 days before the new payment date
Where a payment failed, we will process those payments once the freeze is over - expected to be around 31st October.
�� We expect to return to our usual payment schedule next month for renewals dated 1st to 31 December 2025.
• 19th: SMS reminder sent
• 21st: 1st payment attempt
• 24th: 2nd attempt (if needed)
• 27th: 3rd attempt - if this fails, Members must re-enrol by paying online via My GuideBook or calling Guide House.
❓ If you have any questions reach out to one of our friendly team members at Guide House by calling 1300 447 548. Alternatively, you can forward your question via email to guides@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au .
From the Property Manager property Manager from the
From the Property Manager
Meeting Hub is an online booking platform – similar to Booking.com – that can be used to book venues. We have been trialling using this platform to make hall hire easier to manage for volunteers, and to help generate more hall hire income for Districts and Regions.
• What – Webinar
• When – Tuesday 11 November 7-8pm
• Webinar will be recorded and available on the website if you can’t make it on the night
• Who – Meeting Hub staff, Northern Sydney Region team, Property Team will be presenting and available to answer questions. Any Adult Member, parent helper or volunteer is welcome to attend, including District Managers, booking officers, support group members, Region Managers, and volunteers who help manage halls.
• Why – Following a successful pilot with 6 Northern
Sydney Region halls using Meeting Hub, the booking platform will now be made available for Districts across all Regions to use to manage their hall hire – to make it easier and more efficient for volunteers and hirers, and help generate more income.
What will be covered:
• Meeting Hub staff will give an overview of how it works, and how it can be used for managing hiring of Guide halls.
• The Northern Sydney Region team will talk about their experience during the pilot – how using Meeting Hub made managing hall hire much easier, and increased hire bookings and income as a result
• The Property Team will talk about:
• The financial incentive that will be offered to Districts wanting to try Meeting Hub
• Criteria that halls need to meet to use Meeting Hub
• How the Property Team will support Districts wanting to try Meeting Hub
• Anyone can ask any questions they have
Any Expression of Interest form will be sent out following the webinar for any interested Districts to complete and send back to the Property Team if they are interested in trying Meeting Hub for their hall.
If you are interested in joining the webinar, email propertyadmin@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au and the link will be sent to you. The link will also be available on the landing page for My Guidebook.
Hannah’s
Journey:
Finding Joy, Belonging and Courage in Guiding
“I’ve been a Guide since I was five years old. My Mum, Nanna, Great Nan and Great Great Nan were all Girl Guides. You could say it’s a family tradition… You’ve probably seen me in my rainbow chair cruising around the site. I love my chair, especially when I put it on speed 5 and go really fast!… I have a disease called childhood dementia.”
This is how Hannah, a Guide from Leeton, introduced herself in a Facebook post during the Bush2Beach Jamboree. Her words are joyful, honest and brave — just like she is. What she didn’t say, but what her mum Rachel helped me understand when we sat down together at camp, is how Guiding hasn’t just been a tradition in their family — it has become a lifeline.
In the conversation that followed, Rachel shared how the global reach of Girl Guides has shaped and supported their journey, and how this movement has the power to create awareness for children like Hannah living with childhood dementia — a condition most people don’t even know exists. Her story opened my eyes to what advocacy through Guiding could look
like: compassionate, community-led and grounded in the belief that every girl deserves the chance to belong, to be seen and to live a life filled with adventure.
Hannah aboard her rainbow chariot the pink flamingo!
Rachel, Hannah and Sarah at the gateway to the Jellyfish subcamp, their home away from home during Jamboree
When Rachel speaks about her daughter Hannah, the love, pride and quiet resilience in her voice is unmistakable. Hannah, a sixth-generation Girl Guide, has grown up surrounded by the values of sisterhood, adventure and kindness. Guiding runs through her family like a thread – her mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother and even great-great-grandmother all wore the uniform before her. So when Hannah started as a Gumnut Guide at five years old, it felt like destiny.
But Hannah’s journey hasn’t unfolded the way Rachel
once dreamed. Hannah lives with a rare form of childhood dementia – one of only 17 known cases in the world. Most children with her condition do not live past the age of ten. Hannah is now older than that. She is defying expectations. And her family is determined that her life, no matter how long, will be filled with adventure, memory-making, and joy.
“I always imagined we’d be here at Jamboree together, as Guides side by side,” Rachel says. “Instead, I’m here as her carer. That wasn’t the dream — but it’s still our journey. There’s grief in that… but also so much love.”
Belonging in Guiding
For Hannah, putting on her Guide uniform is more than tradition. It’s identity. It’s connection. When asked what Guiding means to her, her answer is simple and perfect: “Friends and fun… and yoga.”
Guides has become her safe place — a place where she isn’t “the girl with dementia”. She’s just Hannah. A Guide. A friend. Part of something bigger.
Rachel calls it “a place where people don’t see her as different first — they see her as Hannah.”
At Jamboree, surrounded by hundreds of girls and Leaders, Rachel says she finally felt something she rarely experiences: relief. “Anywhere else we go, I’m hyper-vigilant. Always on
alert,” she admits. “But here… there are 400 adults who have our back. I can breathe. I’m not alone.”
Moments of Light
When asked when she last saw Hannah truly light up, Rachel doesn’t hesitate.
“In the ocean yesterday,” she smiles. “Hannah has always been more comfortable in water than on land. Normally, taking her to the beach is so stressful — I’m watching her every second. But here, surrounded by lifeguards, Leaders, and friends, I could actually enjoy it too. She was free. Laughing in the waves.”
These are the moments Rachel holds onto — not knowing how many more there will be.
“We live seven hours inland. Being here at the beach, with the Guides… that’s a dream. That’s why we came. We’re just living in the moment.”
Behind the Smiles
Rachel is honest. Joy and grief live side-by-side.
“People see us smiling and think it’s easy. But there’s so much work, so much effort behind every memory we make. I don’t want sympathy — just understanding.”
Some days feel like heartbreak. Others feel like miracles. Often, they’re both.
“I laugh about being like a duck,” she says. “Calm on
the surface, paddling like mad underneath.”
Yet through it all, she returns to one simple truth: “I’m just being a mum.”
Guiding as a Lifeline
Guiding hasn’t just given Hannah friends and fun. It’s given her — and Rachel — purpose, normalcy, and a place to belong.
“Hannah might not be able to climb the abseil tower anymore,” Rachel says. “But she can sit under a tree with her Patrol of three, laugh, play, and just be. That’s what Guiding is — adapting, including, loving.”
Jamboree has also sparked new beginnings. Hannah’s support carer, Sarah — a former Guide — bought a Leader uniform during the event.
“Guiding pulls people in with love,” Rachel says. “It gives you family you didn’t know you needed.”
Living for Today. Changing Tomorrow.
Hannah’s type of childhood dementia has no cure. No survivors. But Rachel is determined to change that — not just for Hannah, but for every family that comes next.
“Did you know childhood dementia is as common as childhood cancer?” she asks. “But no one knows about it. No one talks about it. Until people know, we won’t get research. No child survives childhood dementia
— and that has to change.”
Her mission is simple: awareness.
“Even if every Guide in Australia could say, ‘Yes, I’ve heard of childhood dementia,’ that’s a start. That’s another step toward hope.”
What She Hopes Others See
When people see Hannah laughing with her friends, dancing at camp, or signing “toilet” just before boarding a rollercoaster (a moment that accidentally saved her from being stuck mid-ride for hours), Rachel hopes they see more than bravery.
She hopes they see possibility.
“Guiding is where she can live her best life,” Rachel says. “Where she’s not ‘other’. Where she’s just Hannah — a Guide.”
One Word to Describe it All?
“Everything I love is in Guiding,” Rachel smiles softly. “Being outdoors. Being together. Having fun. It’s all here.”
Rachel’s story is a powerful reminder
that childhood dementia is not just a medical diagnosis — it is a lived reality for families in our communities, and one that too often goes unseen and unheard. Public understanding and awareness are critical if we are to change that. Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT is beginning to explore how our organisation can stand beside families like Rachel’s — not only in compassion, but in advocacy. This includes encouraging Units and Districts to take part in the Childhood Dementia Initiative’s FACE it awareness activities, helping shine a light on this under-represented issue. Because when we use our collective voice — as Guides, Leaders, families and supporters — we don’t just raise awareness. We create hope, understanding and the possibility of change.
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Honoured with the 2025 Great Things Award for Transformation in Education
We’re thrilled to share that Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT has been recognised with the 2025 ASI Great Things Award for Transformation in Education for our innovative learning platform, Girl Guides Learning.
Presented annually by Advanced Solutions International (ASI), the Great Things Awards celebrate organisations achieving outstanding results through innovation and technology. This recognition celebrates the significant strides Girl Guides has made in enhancing learning and development opportunities for our Members and Volunteers across Australia.
Tackling the Challenge
As part of our ongoing commitment to empowering our Volunteers with the tools to thrive, Girl Guides identified a need to modernise how Members access training and resources. Our previous systems made it difficult to provide a consistent, engaging learning experience across the country, limiting the flexibility and accessibility of learning opportunities.
Our Transformative Approach
To address this, Girl Guides embarked on a digital transformation journey–developing Girl Guides Learning, a streamlined and accessible online learning platform that connects Members and Volunteers through a single, intuitive system.
This transformation was made possible through close collaboration between Guide House Staff, Integr8iv (our iMIS vendor), and the TopClass Learning Management System (LMS). Together, these partnerships created a powerful and seamless integration between My GuideBook and the learning environment, enabling a smoother experience for users.
A Meaningful Impact
Since the introduction of Girl Guides Learning, the platform has positively changed the way we deliver training. It’s improved accessibility for Members, reduced administrative effort, and increased engagement in learning and development programs. This transformation has strengthened our capacity to support Volunteers and Leaders in providing highquality experiences for girls—helping us achieve our mission with even greater impact.
Looking Ahead
Receiving the 2025 ASI Great Things Award is a proud milestone and a reflection of the dedication and teamwork across the national Girl Guides community. But the journey doesn’t end here — we’ll continue to refine and expand Girl Guides Learning to support the next generation of empowered, confident, and capable girls and women. The award was formally presented and
celebrated at the iMIS Users Group Asia Pacific (iUG AP) Conference in Melbourne on 13 October 2025.
Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible achievement — your collaboration and innovation are what make Girl Guides truly great.
Voices to the Stars:
girl guides Make History in Spaceto-earth Conversation
Bush 2 Beach Jamboree 2025 will forever be remembered for one extraordinary moment — when the voices of Girl Guides travelled beyond Earth and reached the International Space Station.
On the final night of Jamboree, as the sun dipped behind the mountains of Murwillumbah and the arena lights dimmed, 1,200 Guides gathered in anticipation. A little weary from a week of non-stop excitement the Bush2Beach closing ceremony had just reached
a point where a talented musician was about to start her set when the stage was plunged into silence. Why? The excitement was electric. Within minutes, they would speak live to astronaut Zena Cardman orbiting more than 400 kilometres above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Thanks to a special radio link arranged by Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS), 15 selected Girl Guides were given the rare opportunity to ask their questions directly to space. The VK4ISS ground station in Mackay, Queensland, operated by Shayne Lind, established the communication link as the ISS passed overhead at 27,000 km/h.
And then it happened.
A clear voice came through the speakers:
“VK4ISS, welcome aboard the International Space Station. I have you loud and clear.” — Astronaut Zena Cardman.
Around the arena, faces lit up. Some Guides clasped their hands over their mouths; others gripped their friends’ hands. History was happening — and they were part of it.
What Do You Ask an Astronaut?
One by one, the Guides stepped up to the microphone. They asked about life in microgravity, dreams in space, and whether astronauts ever get tired of floating. Others asked about mentors, advice for aspiring astronauts, and even the weirdest smells on the ISS (the answer involved floating air pockets and made the whole arena laugh).
Some of the most memorable responses included:
• On Sleeping in Space:
“You don’t wake up with a crick in your neck — there’s no wrong position to sleep in up here.”
• On Courage and Careers in STEM:
“Don’t be the person who tells yourself you can’t do something. Pursue what makes you curious — with passion and persistence.”
• On the most beautiful sight from space:
“The line between night and day from orbit is more breathtaking than any sunrise on Earth.”
• On carrying Girl Guides into space:
“The most important thing you take with you is yourself — all your memories, mentors and experiences.”
The questions were thoughtful. The answers were honest, funny, and deeply inspiring.
A Moment Bigger Than Us All
At the end of the conversation, one of the Girl Guides delivered a heartfelt thank you. In response, Zena shared:
“You all inspire me. Thank you for pursuing your passions, leadership and teamwork as Girl Guides. I can’t wait to see where you go next.”
As the signal faded and the ISS slipped below the horizon, applause finally broke out across the arena. Some Guides cried. Some cheered. Many simply stood in quiet awe.
Stephen Vassallo from ARISS called it a “wow moment of history” — and he was right.
More Than a Conversation — A Legacy
This wasn’t just about speaking to an astronaut. It was about showing young people that their voices matter — that curiosity, courage and teamwork can send your words into space.
For the 15 Guides who asked questions, and the thousands watching beside them, this night will be remembered for a lifetime.
From Murwillumbah to the stars, our Girl Guides proved what happens when girls are empowered to dream big.
“Don’t tell yourself you can’t. Be curious. Be persistent.”
If you have feedback, or wish to make a contribution, please send an email to communications@girlguides-nswactnt.org.au.
