National Team Report Hello Guiding Sisters all around Australia, As I write this update some of us are getting very excited to be coming out of another extended lockdown, we are looking forward to visiting family and friends, we are planning some holidays, we are anticipating borders opening, we are navigating what the rules are for our everyday life and most importantly we are putting plans into action so Guiding can resume face-to-face activities. This pandemic has been tough; we could not have imagined the impact it would have on our lives. To all the Leaders who have continued to stretch themselves to provide opportunities for girls – thankyou. To those in States with less restrictions – thanks for the care and support you have given to your Guiding sisters who were unable to meet face-to-face. Those girls who are back to Girl Guiding are super excited - they may not be allowed to meet indoors but Guiding fun can happen anywhere and being in the outdoors is just the best! One Leader shared with me today the highlight of her week was to be back at Guides just listening to the girls “giggling, laughing and having fun”. The small things we too often take for granted. Please continue to follow the advice of your State Girl Guide office. The rules vary between states and territories and are changing frequently - please be patient and stay informed. What else can you do? The advice from health experts is that getting vaccinated reduces the risk of the severity of Covid-19 and reduces the risk of passing it onto others. Vaccination enables us to contribute to the health and wellness of others. It is encouraging to see the double vaccination rate in Australia continue to climb to that magic 80% which only a few
months ago seemed unreachable. Are you included in that number? If you aren’t and you are able to be vaccinated – please consider a discussion with your GP. Child Safe Child Friendly - You will hear this phrase with increased frequency. The Girl Guides Australia Child Safe Child Friendly Framework was launched earlier in October. It provides guidance for everyone in Girl Guiding in Australia to understand their role in keeping children safe and to build on the Child Safe Child Friendly Community that is central to Girl Guiding in Australia. You can access the Framework on Guide Lines. You will receive information from your State Girl Guide office about training and any procedures that may be changing in your State. Remember – no matter what your role is in Girl Guiding this Framework is important and applies to you. I am pleased to share Kate Alcorso (Girl Guides Tasmania) has been appointed as GGA Chair, effective December 2021. Kate replaces Janet Torney, GGA’s inaugural Chair, who retires as a GGA Director after 8 years, having also served as Finance & Risk Committee Chair and Treasurer. Kate will bring to the Chair role a strategic and collaborative approach underpinned by a breadth and depth of expertise and experience across Guiding, governance and legal practice. A most sincere thankyou to Janet as she finishes in the role and a very warm welcome to Kate. Happy Girl Guiding! Rosemary Derwin Chief Commissioner Girl Guides Australia
7 - Wagtale October 2021
