Issue 42 - Term 1, 2020
In this issue... Bushfire Efforts Water Camp Duck Derby Girl Guides at Pride
Get Involved
Title
Wagtale is the quarterly magazine of Girl Guides Western Australia. Address: 265 Great Eastern Hwy Belmont WA 6104 Phone: 08 9479 9800 Web: www.girlguideswa.org.au Email: info@girlguideswa.org.au Postal: PO Box 780 Victoria Park WA 6479
Cover Photo: Geraldton Guides doing woodwork at Bunnings (by Debbie Smith) Back Photo: Armadale Friendship Guides at Cohunu Wildlife Park (by D. & M. Smith) Send articles and photos to communications@girlguideswa.org.au.
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Contents Title
State Commissioner's Report
4
National Report
5
Coming Events
6
Bushfire Response
8
Picnic and Pride
10
Service & Adventures
11
Water Camp for Guides
12
Leader Retreat
13
Trying Out Woodwork
14
Olave Breakfast
15
World Thinking Day
16
Duck Derby Unit Fundraiser
17
A European Adventure
18
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State Commissioner's Report Title Research tells us that, through volunteering, especially when we do so for selfless reasons, we increase both our mental health and our time on Earth (Gilliath, 2005 & Konrath, 2011). However, it is the everyday achievements that make Guiding in Western Australia so special to me, and I hope to you. We have all witnessed the devastation the bushfires have brought to three States. The outpouring of sadness and the ongoing generosity has been overwhelming. The strength of volunteers who put their lives on the line to save people, animals and buildings is something that has united our country. We all add to the varied picture that makes up volunteering both locally, nationally and globally. We all have our own reasons for getting involved and then more importantly staying involved. I love hearing Leaders’ stories about what motivated them to start volunteering and what inspires them to continue. In 2020, with the help of our amazing volunteers, we are growing Guiding in WA, as well as planning to have fun, to take on new and different challenges, and inspire our Guides to challenge themselves. Already this year, we've hosted Fridays for Fires
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“At the end of the day it ’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished … it ’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It ’s about what you’ve given back .” - Denzel Washington days at Guide House and the Olave Summer Camp. All around me I hear of outstanding programs in the making for Guide Units, including Open Days where girls new to Guiding can experience the program. We have a wealth of state activities lined up too, from boating skills days to archery sessions, from attending a World Cup women's cricket game to a State Water Camp. This year, I invite you to BE BOLD and get involved. Katrina Lane, State Commissioner Paula Dunn, Laura Ives-Hicks and Claire Veen, Assistant State Commissioners
National Title Team Report Welcome to 2020! A NEW year brings NEW beginnings – new girls in our Guide units, new Leaders, new families learning about Girl Guides, new opportunities for each of us, new ways to explore to support girls grow, new activities to try, new campsites to visit, new adventure to be had, new challenges to master and so much more! Please take time to reflect – what are you going to do NEW this year so more girls can enjoy this great game we call GIRL GUIDING? I am excited to be starting the year with new Assistant Chief Commissioners. Welcome Miranda Cummings, Assistant Chief Commissioner (International) and Michaela Collins, Assistant Chief Commissioner (Young Women). It was wonderful to share with so many Leaders from Girl Guides Victoria on 1 February at their annual Girls Rock celebration. The State Commissioner baton was exchanged at Girls Rock. A special welcome to Janelle Howell as the new State Commissioner for Girl Guides Victoria. I wish Janelle and her team all the best as they take up their roles and I look forward to working with Janelle closely as she joins the leadership of Girl Guiding in Australia.
beyond in many ways to ensure Guides around Australia have enjoyed exciting adventures in the outdoors and had the opportunity to explore Guiding globally. Thankyou Anne and Bronwyn and we wish you well in all that Guiding has in store for your future. CONGRATULATIONS also to the many members who were acknowledged for their community service at Australia Day ceremonies around the country. Thank you and BRAVO. February is time for us in Australia to think of our global sisters. World Thinking Day is celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all around the world on 22 February. As a global Movement with 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 150 countries -– all with diverse backgrounds and experiences, World Thinking Day 2020 will celebrate this diversity in our Movement. WAGGGS have released Living Threads, a resource designed to inspire you to reflect on how you can put equity and inclusion into practice, and celebrate the diversity in your communities and beyond. It is available for download from the WAGGGS website
With welcomes come farewells. Congratulations and thanks are extended to Lynne Emblin who has been State Commissioner in Girl Guides Victoria for six years. A very HUGE BRAVO to Lynne and her team for the dedication and commitment they have given to Girl Guiding in Victoria.
With every best wish for the year ahead – I hope you welcome many NEW members and have many NEW and exciting Guiding adventures!
While giving BRAVOS – I ask you to join me, as you read this update, in two VERY HUGE BRAVOs for Anne Crummy and Bronwyn Cole. Anne Crummy has completed a six year term as National Outdoors Manager and Bronwyn Cole completes four years as National International Manager. These women have given above and
Chief Commissioner Girl Guides Australia
Rosemary Derwin
February 2020
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Coming Events Title Water Camp Register now for a fun weekend filled with challenging activities both in and around the water - rafting, canoeing, tubing and more! Who & Cost: Girl Guides 9 years and up ($140) When: 13-15 March, 2020 Where: Bickley Recreation Camp, Orange Grove Register: on the What’s On page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
Girl Guides at the Cricket
Come and represent Girl Guides WA at the Women’s Cricket T20 World Cup game between England and South Africa at the WACA! Who & Cost: Guides 12 to 16 years ($5) and Leaders (free) When: 6pm 23 February, 2020 Where: The WACA East Perth Register: on the What’s On page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
Olave Breakfast Come along to the Annual Olave Breakfast to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and find out what the Olave Program is all about. Who & Cost: Guides aged 16 to 30 years, free - buy your own meal When: 8-10am 23 February, 2020 Where: Dome Café Westralia Plaza, Perth Register: on the What’s On page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
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Coming Events Title Leader's Retreat A two-day retreat at the stunning Eagle's Nest Accommodation in Gidgegannup, surrounded by beautiful Australian bush. Who & Cost: Leaders and Leaders in Training $60 (or $40 for 1 night) When: 27 - 29 March, 2020 Where: Eagle's Nest, Gidgegannup Register: on the What’s On page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
Leader Qualification Day
Required training for all Unit Leader roles, providing you with a strong understanding of the role and the next steps towards your Qualification. Who & Cost: Leaders in Training - free When: 8.30am - 5pm 29 February, 2020 Where: Guide House, Belmont Register: on the Upcoming Trainings page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
Mental Health First Aid This St John's course has been designed to equip you with the skills to have relevant conversations and provide immediate mental health care. Who & Cost: Adult Leaders and Leaders in Training - $137 (Unit cost) When: 9am - 4pm 16 May, 2020 Where: St John Belmont Training Centre, Belmont Register: on the Upcoming Trainings page at www.girlguideswa.org.au
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Bushfire Response A special message from the Chief Commissioner Across Australia we are in shock and are deeply saddened by the severity, speed and impact of the bushfires that have swept across our beautiful country. The tragedy of lives lost; the destruction of homes, communities, and businesses; and the ravaging of our farms, national parks and wildlife is beyond belief. We are in awe of the commitment and courage of our volunteers and emergency services personnel who continue to give so willingly to fight the fires, protect life and property and comfort those who have lost so much.
Donate to: SWIFT Code: WPACAU25 Account Name: Girl Guides Australia BSB: 032 023 Account Number: 429826
Australians are well known for their generosity of spirit and the offers of support have and continue to be inspiring. Guides across Australia and around the world have opened their hearts and are very generously looking for ways to support. In local communities Girl Guides have and continue to respond in various ways including opening Guide properties to provide a place of refuge for those evacuated from fire zones; collecting and packing water, food, clothes, bedding and supplies for those in need; preparing care packs for firefighters; and making animal wraps. It has been heartening to have supported some koalas to find a new home in some gum trees on Douglas Scrub, a Girl Guide property in South Australia. In the wider community many have been making donations and providing financial support. The extent of the disaster is ongoing, and the recovery period expected to be years not months. The clear direction being provided by support agencies is that the most beneficial support is through financial donations. We are pleased to advise that we have set up an Emergency Relief Fund accepting donations specifically to support Guides in and around the impacted communities as well as fund Guiding programs to support communities to rebuild. All donations from within Australia over $2 are tax deductible. For bank transfers please include your surname or Unit name and location in the payment description. For domestic donors please email admin@girlguides.org.au with your contact details so that we can send you a tax receipt for your donation.
Bushfire Badge A special Girl Guides Australia badge has been designed so Girl Guides can proudly show they supported those impacted by the bushfires. All profits from the badge will go to the Girl Guides Australia Emergency Relief Fund. The badge is now available for sale worldwide from the Girl Guides Australia website. The bushfire crisis is not over. New fires will continue to impact communities in the weeks and months ahead. Guiding members are
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encouraged to continue to support the relief effort in your communities and surrounding areas. I look forward to hearing stories of how Girl Guides have acted to make a difference in their world and care for others. With every best wish, yours in Guiding, Rosemary Derwin, Chief Commissioner
Showing Support Guides all over the country have tried hard to help. Six-year-old Baldivis Girl Guide Amber (pictured right) washed 30 cars over four hours with great determination to raise money for injured animals. Girl Guides Australia would like to share a heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contacted us during this challenging time in Australia. We have taken this opportunity to share your words of encouragement (Photo: Tanya McLachlan) to all Australians and especially our amazing emergency service organisations by setting up an online Wall of Support. We invite all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (individual members, Units and Troops) to share posters and messages of support on your social media (tagging Girl Guides Australia) and to email digital images of these to Girl Guides Australia to share on this wall. Here in WA, We ran two Fridays for Fires - drop-in days where Guides could come and use the art materials in the Girl Zone to create their own message of support for the fireys and the affected communities. We were pleased to welcome dozens of Girl Guides and their siblings over the two Fridays.
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Picnic and Pride Picnic in the Park In 2019, Coca-Cola Amatil generously provided a grant to support Guides aged 13 to 17 in skills development, mental health and positive self-image. Our Youth Advisory Council (a network of youth members aged 13 to 17 years who help Girl Guides WA steer our events and program) were given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills by managing three Life Skills events for 13-19 year olds. They organised a City After Dark tour which led girls on a three-hour guided walk of the Perth CBD, teaching them how to identify risks and avoid dangerous situations. Girls paid a visit to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre as a service project, teaching them emergency wildlife first aid. They finished the year with a device-free picnic in Kings Park, which helped girls with social anxiety to network with likeminded women. The event included mindfulness and self-care activities such as meditation and sustainable handcrafts. (Photos: Bronwyn Lee)
Girl Guide Pride Once again celebrating our inclusive values, Girl Guides WA was proud to join with Scouts WA to march in the 2019 Pride Parade on Saturday 30 November. The theme for 2019 was "Reflect; love, heroes, community & identity" and it was an extra special event because it was also Pride's 30th anniversary. As an inclusive organisation, Girl Guides accepts as members all who identify as girls or women, regardless of sexuality. It was a buzzing community event with a positive vibe and Girl Guides participants were excited to shout about our support for the LGBT+ community in WA.
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(Photo: Paula Dunn)
Service & Adventures Guides in the Armadale area had a busy end-of-year with a range of outdoor adventures as well as community service activities! The last two months of 2019 saw Armadale Girl Guides in a flurry of activity. Each weekend offered fun events to the girls, in addition to their regular weekly meetings. The Dale Trefoil Guild ran a Christmas craft day for younger Guides, who spent the day going from activity to activity and ultimately took home a treasure box of Christmas decorations and food. The Armadale Active Girl Guides (10 to 13 year olds) took their bikes up to Mount Helena and rode along the Railway Reserves Heritage Trail to Lake Leschenaultia and back. Being a 40 degree day, it was hard work but the Guides pushed themselves to do their best. They had delicious takeaway from the local deli for dinner and the next morning went out again on their bikes. Some girls rode more than 20km over hilly terrain on the weekend. The Armadale Friendship Girl Guides (girls aged six to 10) went for a sleepover at Cohunu Koala Park. The girls said the best part was waking up early to spend time in the kangaroo enclosure. The koalas were active early in the morning and it was a special treat to see them moving around. The final weekend in November saw the Girl Guides participating in a kayaking day at Champion Lakes Boating Club. The girls made the best of the windy weather to paddle their surf-skis and even managed to stand up on them - just for fun. Not forgetting their responsibiity to those in need in the general community, the Armadale Active Guides assembled 64 handbags for Share the Dignity and these were delivered to the collection point at Bunnings. Share the Dignity then put all these bags in the hands of women in the local community undergoing personal hardship. Armadale Guides all finished their year with a Christmas party held at the hall, complete with disco, where Caitlyn Warren received her Junior BP award, the peak achievement award for her age group. Some Guides also marched in the City's local Christmas Pageant in late December. Armadale Girl Guides were extremely grateful to acknowledge the generous donation of Second Chance Op Shop towards the restoration of the outdoor area at the Armadale Guide Hall. (Photos: D & M Smith & City of Armadale)
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Water Camp for Guides Amazing water camp for Girl Guides this March! A fun weekend filled with challenging activities that revolve around water! We will also learn about our precious water resources and how to protect them for the future. Come along and have lots of fun trying new things and meeting new Guiding friends from around the state. • Who: 9+ Girl Guides • When: 13 March 4.00pm - 15 March 2.00pm • Where: Bickley Outdoor Recreation Camp, Orange Grove • Cost: Youth - $140 Register on the Upcoming Events page of the website by 6 March, 2020 We are also seeking Leaders to staff at this camp in various roles. Can you help? Please email events@girlguideswa.org.au.
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Leader Retreat Time to rejuvenate... Calling all Leaders and Unit Helpers! Thanks to the Commonwealth Bank, you are invited to a two-day retreat at the beautiful Eagle's Nest in Gidgegannup, for the weekend March 27-29, 2020. Surrounded by Australian bush, experience the local fauna (lots of kangaroos!), enjoy a hike on one of several trails, take a dip in the crystal clear pool, and have a boogie with old friends and new friends you haven't yet met. A number of volunteers will be sharing their 'me time' activities with us in small workshops. You'll get the chance to try creating your own vision board, learn how to do a cross-stitch and take a dawn bushwalk. Other activities you can look forward to include a gratitude scavenger hunt, pot luck dinner, a re-gift table and a pop-up library. There will also be a pool party and a disco! A grant from the Commonwealth Bank has enabled us to keep costs down to $60 for the two-night stay, including most meals and a range of fun activities. If you would prefer to stay for one night only, the camp fee will be $40. Any profit made from the camp will go to the Lend a Hand fund, helping disadvantaged girls become Girl Guides. Save the date and check the Upcoming Training page at www.girlguideswa.org.au to secure your spot at this fantastic retreat.
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Trying Out Woodwork Geraldton Girl Guides aged seven to 10 years visited Bunnings for their final night of Guides in 2019, keen to try their hands at some woodwork.
Activities like woodwork build fine and gross motor skills and hand-eye coordination, as well as giving girls the opportunity develop to mathematical thinking (thinking in terms of size, shape, volume, geometry, measurement and dimension). It also gives girls the chance to express their creativity and have fun. When they take part in a activity like this, they practice values of: • Perseverance and focus • Responsibility and safety • Sharing and teamwork • Problem solving and resilience • Meeting goals through personal effort Bunnings even put on pizza and drinks for the girls, and when they were finished their woodwork, the Guides played a game of 'Find the Gnome' throughout the store.
The girls had a great time making a wooden pencil/trinket box with the assistance of Bunnings Geraldton staff member, Sandy. The Guides were able to use hammers and nails, and for some of them it was the first time they had tried hammering into wood. There were a couple of sore thumbs at the end of the session! They also enjoyed using glitter and glue to decorate the boxes.
(Photos: Debbie Smith)
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The Geraldton Guides can't wait to try more trades activities at Bunnings in future.
Olave Breakfast Come along to the Annual Olave Breakfast to catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and find out what the Olave Program is all about. This fun event has become a tradition and it's the perfect way to catch up with everyone! All members 18 to 30 are invited, whether you make it regularly to Olave events or have never been before. We'd also like to extend an invitation to members aged 16 and 17 who are looking to transition to Olaves in the coming years. This is a casual breakfast where members buy their own meals. Don’t feel intimidated – we’d love to see you there, and you are welcome to bring a friend, too. This is your chance to find out more about what the Olaves are doing this year while networking and socialising over food. • Who: Girl Guides WA Members aged 16-30 years • What: Breakfast (buy your own meal) • Where: Dome Café Westralia Plaza (St Georges Terrace) Perth • When: Sunday 23 February, 2020 from 8.00am-10.00am • Wear: Uniform Polo Shirts • Register on the Upcoming Events page of the Girl Guides WA website.
The Olave Program is a special Guiding program specifically designed for young women aged 18 to 30 years. It is an opportunity to connect with peers, build your skills, socialise and develop yourself as an active citizen.
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World Thinking Day Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day (WTD) is a day of international friendship. It is an opportunity to speak out on issues that affect young women and fundraise for 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 150 countries.
The World Thinking Day theme for 2020 is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the game for Guides to play to earn their Thinking Day badge is called 'Living Threads.' This year, we encourage Guides and Leaders to celebrate WTD as a Unit. The game is full of fun and interesting activities Guides can do to start thinking about this meaningful theme. To earn the badge, girls are required to: 1. Do the Living Threads set-up activity 2. Do one activity from each of the 3 sections 3. Take part in a reflection and make a diversity bracelet You can purchase the badge from Guide Gear shop. Don't forget to make a small donation to the Thinking Day fund! The WTD activity pack can be downloaded on the WAGGGS website.
Activities in the syllabus include: • Active games
• Posters
• Crafts
• Poetry
• Puzzles
• Group discussions
• Music
There are activities suitable for all ages.
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Duck Derby Unit Fundraiser A New Opportunity to Support Units Girl Guide Units across WA have been chosen as one of four beneficiaries of the 2020 Duck Derby, hosted by the Rotary Club of Heirisson! The Duck Derby is a fun lottery with awesome prizes including a car, electric bikes and cash. Every ticket purchased is allocated a rubber duck, tagged with the ticket number, and the draw is a grand Duck Race at Hillary’s Boat Harbour on Sunday 29 March, 2020. Each Guide Unit is now listed alphabetically in the dropdown of sub-beneficiary recipients on the Duck Derby website and anyone is eligible to buy or sell tickets at $10 each. Each Guide Unit receives from 30% to 40% percent of tickets sold, depending on how many Girl Guides sells overall (40% if we exceed 501 tickets sold). Units may use the funds raised for equipment, outings or events that directly benefit Girl Guides (fund use guidelines will be provided). Tickets are available for purchase from DuckDerby.com.au. Full information will soon be emailed to all Leaders - and if you're interested in buying tickets, please follow us on social media so you don't miss out!
Guides, Parents and Leaders - Tips for Selling Do you have a fundraising event scheduled for February or March? Maybe a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle or stall at a market? Girl Guides, are you catching up with family or friends in the next month or so? Use the QR code below and seize these opportunities to sell tickets! We also encourage you to use the social graphics and flyers that will become available at the beginning of February to enlist your community and friends to sell tickets. Leaders may wish to provide incentives such as badges or prizes for Guides to sell tickets. Rotary will also be holding events at Hillarys Boat Harbour in the six weeks leading up the Derby. Girl Guides WA will soon be given dates that Units can sell tickets at Hillarys Boat Harbour during this time. Note: you do not have to participate but all WA Units are listed as sub-beneficiaries on the ticket website.
Get Involved and Raise Funds for a Guide Unit!
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A European Adventure When Leaders at Three Rivers Girl Guides first started planning an international trip, they asked the Guides why they wanted to go. “I want to make new friends in different places in the world, learn more about Guiding history, and make lasting memories,” said one Guide. Another said: “I think it would be an enriching experience, and I want to be more aware of our world”. These 11 Girl Guides (aged 14-17) and five Leaders have just returned from an amazing 2.5 weeks in the UK and Switzerland. They visited two of the WAGGGS World Centres – Pax Lodge in London and Our Chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland. Preparation was key. The Guides had a five-day camp in 2019 designed to provide a ‘taster’ of the types of activities and experiences the girls would have travelling overseas as a group. The Guides chose the name for the adventure, and so they became the “Snoverseas Squad.” London was bustling and busy – a real mix of historical experiences like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, as well as modern-day highlights like the Harry Potter Studios.
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a high tea. It was important for the girls to understand the effort required to fund an adventure of this magnitude.
The group joined a Girlguiding UK unit for a fancy high tea and had a night out in Covent Garden seeing the musical Matilda. The girls became pros at using the London Underground and navigating to and from Pax Lodge. At Our Chalet, the Snoverseas Squad met guests, staff and volunteers from the UK, Mexico, Costa Rica, Canada, the US, Kenya, Sweden, Finland, Slovenia and Italy. They went skiing (both downhill and cross country), had a campfire in the snow, made fresh snow-cones, went snow tubing and snowshoe hiking and ate tons of chocolate. But the Guides’ favourite activity was the 3km sledding runs (blue, red or black level) because “you can go flying off the edge and faceplant in the snow! And that’s okay because the snow is soft.” The group did a lot of fundraising to keep the costs manageable for families, and over $15,000 was raised in eight months through various activities, including sausage sizzles, a quiz night and
And it was definitely worth every minute of hard work. The trip has increased the Guides’ independence, confidence, sense of adventure, teamwork and their enthusiasm for Guiding, with many of them planning to go back to the World Centres as volunteers when they are old enough. Each Guide and Leader made fantastic memories, shared jokes, met new friends and gained an appreciation of the truly international nature of Guiding.
Story and photos from Miranda Cummings, Three Rivers Girl Guides
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