National Team Report

I am excited to announce that the newly formed Girl Guides Australia Young Women’s Forum has held its first meeting! The vision for the Young Women’s Forum is to help amplify the voice of girls and young women in decisionmaking nationally. Micheala Collins, Assistant Chief Commissioner, chairs the Forum. Congratulations to the ten young women who have been selected to be members of the Young Women’s Forum: • Hayley McCann and Claire-Marie Pepper from Girl Guides Queensland • Natasha Payne and Victoria Severin from Girl

Guides South Australia • Lucia McAlister and Shay McClymont from

Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT • Billie Tranter and Mandhree Ekanayake from

Girl Guides Victoria • Roshan Evens and Laura Ives-Hicks from

Girl Guides Western Australia This network of young women will meet regularly to provide a consultative and reference group for Girl Guides Australia. They share a similar goal – to be a positive voice for other girls and young women. I am pleased to welcome to the National Team Wendy Kirk as the National Coordinator – Youth and Joy Ord as the National Coordinator – International. These are new roles and I look forward to working with Wendy and Joy as they support and help coordinate the work in States. Thanks to Kate Rumney as she finishes in the role of National Olave Program Manager. Applications are now open for the role National Coordinator - Olave Program – if you are looking for a new challenge and passionate about supporting the Olave Program network around Australia, this role might be perfect for you. Please refer to the Girl Guides Australia website for details. Congratulations to Hannah Woodward (GGWA) who has completed four years on the Equality Rights Alliance (ERA) Steering Group. Thanks to Hannah for providing Girl Guide representation. Congratulations to Dakshata Sharma (GG NSW, ACT&NT) who has been elected to the ERA Steering Group. Equality Rights Alliance is Australia’s largest network advocating for women’s equality, women’s leadership and recognition of women’s diversity. ERA brings together 61 organisations with an interest in advancing women’s equality. Sincere congratulations is extended to Natasha Hendrick and Susan Campbell on being award the WAGGGS Medal of Service. The Medal of Service is the highest form of recognition that WAGGGS can bestow and is awarded to individuals (volunteers or staff) who have distinguished themselves in their outstanding service to Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting at national and global level. The Medal of Service expresses gratitude to members of WAGGGS whose service is considered to be exceptional, noteworthy and/or extraordinary in nature. Natasha and Susan have both made a significant contribution to the world of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting. September was ‘Save the Koala Month’ with the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF). Girl Guiding in Australia has a long and proud tradition of supporting this organisation. In view of the threat to the Koala population and habitat after the devastating 2019/2020 bushfires across a number of States, Guides across Australia may consider supporting the Australian Koala Foundation or one of the other many organisations helping our koala population. Please save this important date for your diaries too – 16th – 18th October will see Scouts host their digital online event JOTA JOTI! This event is all about friendship and global citizenship and is not to be missed. Register here: www.jotajoti.info/ Stay well, stay connected and stay Guiding. Rosemary Derwin Chief Commissioner Girl Guides Australia