National Team Report

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 adventures to be had, new challenges to master and so much more! Last year, with its many challenges, taught us many things and we bring those learnings into our new year. Whilst the pandemic is not over, we are all aware of adjustments we need to make in our everyday lives to keep ourselves and those around us safe. Please stay up to date with advices from your State Guide office on the specific rules you must follow to meet public health requirements. As we return to all our Guiding activities for the year, it is a good time to think about our Guide Promise. It is something we all have in common as Guides, yet it is very personal for each of us. Our Promise is not something that we learn and say at one special event but something that grows with us as we travel our Guiding path. As Leaders, we support others understand the Promise and consider how to live by it everyday so it is important to reflect on the Promise and what it means to us. I first made my Promise more than 50 years ago, the words were a bit different then but the basis of the Promise is still the same. On 22 February we connect with each other, fundraise for the Movement and join together in global action to make the world a better place. Did you know 2021 has been declared by the United Nations as International Year of Peace and Trust? Peacebuilding is at the heart of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting and is as vital and relevant today as ever. Let’s Stand Together for Peace is the focus for our World Thinking Day this year. The WAGGGS World Thinking Day Activity pack for 2021 includes activities for Guides to help them: STAND STRONG, STAND UP and STAND TOGETHER. GGA have prepared a guide to support Leaders build a Guide program using the WAGGGS Thinking Day 2021 Resource; both these resources can be accessed on the GGA Leader Resources page on the GGA website. Please remember to support the World Thinking Day fund – donations can be sent to State Guide offices. World Thinking Day Fund details are included in the WAGGGS Activity Pack. World Thinking Day badges will be available from all Guide retail outlets in Australia early in February. We are delighted to welcome to the Girl Guides Australia volunteer team Nicola Jones! Nicola has been appointed as the National Coordinator – Olave Program. Nicola will work with the State Olave Program liaisons to support them as they grow the Olave Program network in Girl Guiding in Australia. If you missed it at the end of last year, the team at GGA have put together some ideas to help with Term 1 Unit Program Planning. Check out AGP Program Starters Term 1 and Olave Program Starters Term 1 on the GGA website. We have also just launched our January newsletter filled with ideas for your Term 1 program planning. During the year ahead, Girl Guides Australia will be keeping you up to date on national opportunities, developing resources and tools, hosting forums and workshops to help you in your role – please keep an eye on the GGA website and social media and your State news. With every best wish for the year ahead – I hope you welcome many NEW members and have many NEW and exciting Guiding adventures! PLEASE tag @GirlGuidesAustralia in your social media posts so we can share in your adventures. Stay well, stay connected and stay Girl Guiding,

Rosemary Derwin Chief Commissioner Girl Guides Australia