News
State Commissioner Nominations
Helen Geard has been elected as Chief Commissioner for Girl Guides Australia. As a result she has tendered her resignation as State Commissioner of Girl Guides Tasmania effective from 31 December 2010.
Girl Guides Tasmania welcomes nominations for the next State Commissioner. Nominations are open to any Adult member of Girl Guides Tasmania or anyone willing to become a member.
If you are interested in being nominated or nominating someone else please contact Debbie at Guide House on 6231 0433 or email office@guidestas.org.au and she will provide you with a copy of the nomination form.
The position is for three years and the term will commence on 1 January 2011. The Board and the State Commissioner may agree on a further one or two year term.
Nominations must be received at Guide House by 5.00pm on 12 August 2010.
An election, following consultation with members through Region Leaders or Region contacts, will take place at the September Girl Guides Tasmania Board meeting.
Centenary Campfires
One is silver and the other gold…
This is one of many lines of old favourites that were sung out at the Centenary Campfires around Australia as part of Girl Guides 100th birthday. There were also new songs belted out including 100 Years of Promises!
Regional campfires were held in Tasmania at St David’s Park in Hobart, at Civic Square in Launceston and at the Sound Shell on the Devonport Bluff. The weather was extremely kind to us and there were beautiful clear skies – apart from a little drizzle right at the end of the Devonport event.
Attendance at each event was excellent – 200 in Hobart, 80 in Launceston and 150 in Devonport. It was great to have such fantastic support from past and present members. It seemed that everyone had a great night.
Girl Guides Tasmania thanks Jen, Greta and Fi for doing a fantastic job in coordinating the events. Special thanks goes Hobart, Launceston and Devonport City Councils for their support, both financially and practically, to make these events happen. Also, to Bunnings Warehouse for the great fire platforms, which enabled us to have fires in the parks and reserves.
The Campbell Town Guides conducted their own campfire and had a wonderful night enjoying the company of their local Trefoil Guild, their families and friends.
June 2010
Queen's Guide
Kerrin Grosvenor was recently presented with her Queen’s Guide Award by the Governor of Tasmania, Mr Peter Underwood, at Government House. The Queen's Guide Award is the peak achievement for youth members of Girl Guides.
To complete the Award Kerrin was required to set herself and complete challenges in leadership, outdoors and areas of service, and to have a focus and an area of interest. Kerrin, who is a talented vocalist, explored her interest in Music as her focus, challenging herself to audition in Brisbane for the Gondwana Chamber Choir – an intensive two week process. She has also worked hard to develop her skills as a soloist and is currently auditioning for admission to the University of Tasmania as a candidate for a Bachelor of Music.
Kerrin, who is a Trainee leader with D’Entrecasteaux Guides, says, “I am particularly proud to be carrying on a family tradition in Girl Guides. My mother and grandmother were both Queen’s Guides, and my great-grandmother was a recipient of the Gold Cord award.” Kerrin says that working towards her Queen’s Guide Award built her confidence and her leadership skills, and that the support she received from her Guide Unit helped to affirm and inspire her. “It was a real team effort,” she said.
May 2010
100 Down Under
Over 500 Girl Guides from across Tasmania came together to celebrate 100 Downunder – a hands-on day in celebration of 100 years of Guiding in Australia. Guides travelled from as far a field as Smithton, Geeveston and Bridport to gather at Quercus Park (the Agfest site) for a day of fun and adventure.
“Empowering girls and young women has been our mission since Girl Guides was founded over 100 years ago and we continue to achieve this by helping girls and young women to be their best,” said Girl Guides Tasmania’s State Commissioner, Helen Geard.
“As part of our centenary celebrations, 100 Downunder saw Guides coming together with fellow Guides to participate in a range of activities that celebrated our past, present and future. Guides of all ages experienced everything from learning to belly dance, to cooking on a campfire to climbing a rock wall” Helen said.
“There were lots of opportunities for Guides to try new challenges in a safe and supportive environment whilst celebrating Guiding’s 100th Birthday” said Lynne Watson, Leader in Charge.
“Across the site there were over 50 activities for the Guides to explore. With so much going on everyone found something that really enjoyed and something else that challenged them to go beyond their comfort zone and try something new” Lynne said.
“From taking part in a range of outdoor activities to meeting new friends from other Guide Units 100 Downunder was all about adventure, friendship and fun. It was also about providing girls and young women with the opportunity to develop skills in leadership and teamwork as they develop the confidence to be their best” Lynne said.
May 2010
Winter Sleep Out
On a cold Friday night 24 Guides from Devonport, Railton and Burnie met at the Devonport Oval grandstand to spend the night discovering first-hand what it could be like to be homeless.
Girls aged 8-17 years challenge themselves by giving up a night of television, heaters and electric blankets to sleep in a cardboard box in the grandstand, to make new friends and help the community by raising funds to assist ‘Gran’s Van’. Girls slept in their sleeping bags inside large cardboard boxes lined with newspaper and wore as many clothes as they could to keep warm. They also warmed up with a cup of noodles, all other “necessities” where left at home!
Gran’s Van serves soup and sandwiches and offers warm clothing to the homeless in the Devonport area. Gran’s Van even made a visit, with the co-ordinator Suzanne Bannon telling the girls how Gran’s Van assists the homeless within the Devonport community and offered the girls a nice warm cup of milo.
This year the girls have raised $678 and this will be presented to the Chairman of the Board for Gran’s Van, Ian Paterson.
August 2009
Sunship III
After a break of five years the 2009 Sunship III camp took place at Nindethana between 31 July and 2 August. Eleven Guides between the ages of 12 and 16 years participated over the weekend. The girls all worked well together and enjoyed the Earth Education experience which challenged them, through imaginative and exciting activities, to perceive the world in a new way and make informed, earth-friendly choices in the future. Guides came from all around the state, from Burnie to Hobart.
All participants would certainly have developed new ideas and feelings along with a new awareness and knowledge of the natural world. Several Guides left determined to complete their ‘Quest’, the final challenge of the program, by discovering and learning from people who live in an earth-friendly way; who are living lightly on the earth. Already one has submitted her completed Quest information which is a unique and pleasing situation. She will receive a special certificate and medallion for her efforts.
We were very pleased to welcome some new helpers who fitted in well and contributed amazingly. We would like to thank everyone from the Environmental Resource Committee for organising and running this amazing opportunity for our Guides.
August 2009
Climate Change Challenge
Girl Guides in the Boronia District (Kingborough) are going ‘green’ for climate change. Over 70 girls aged 7-11 years will be participating in a ‘Climate Change Challenge’.
Accredited Leader of Youth, Abyilene McGuire, has organised the challenge to address this global issue and educate the girls on one of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals; environmental sustainability.
Mrs McGuire said "it is vitally important that the girls are aware of this issue and how their collective actions contribute to their environment. In a recent ‘Guides Say’ project run across Australia, the primary concern of Tasmanian Girl Guides was the environment. It is essential that even our youngest girls are a truly active part of our global community.
Guides will be participating in a range of climate change activities including assessing their own ‘carbon footprints’ and learning how better to shop. They will be looking at how waste can be reduced and managed by both girls and Leaders and how we can reduce our water and energy usage. This includes simple changes such as emailing notices to parents instead of printing them each week and encouraging car pooling to and from Guides” said Mrs McGuire.
State Commissioner for Girl Guides Tasmania, Helen Geard, said that the organisation is committed to ensuring environmental sustainability. Girl Guides Australia is a regular supporter of initiatives such as Earth Hour, Clean Up Australia Day and National Tree Day.
The Boronia District Girl Guides hall is located in Blackmans Bay. A sustainability assessment of the hall and premises is being organised with Sustainable Living Tasmania. This will cover an audit of energy, water, garden and waste usage.
April 2009
Awards
The AGM provided an ideal opportunity to recognise volunteers for their extraordinary service to Girl Guides Tasmania.
15 Good Service Awards were announced and presented at the AGM and each one of them was met with rapturous applause as the audience recognised the amount and quality of service that these members have provided. Good Service Awards are presented to those who go above and beyond what is normally expected of a volunteer. Girl Guides Tasmania is extremely lucky to have such dedicated, talented and enthusiastic volunteers.
The Award recipients were:
Emu Award: For excellent service to Girl Guides Tasmania
Anne Crummy and Theresa Moore
Bar to the Wattle Award: For additional unusually good service to Girl Guides Tasmania
Roseanne Robinson
Wattle Award: For unusually good service to Girl Guides Tasmania
Fay Fowler, Taryn Laird and Carmel Welch
Bar to the Banksia Award: For additional meritorious service in a local area and in the wider community
Fiona Nash
Banksia Award: For meritorious service in a local area and in the wider community
Bridget Dunne, Imogen Koolhof, Pam McCulloch, Kristen McLagan, Anna Robinson, Greta Reavell and Ziona Thompson
Thanks Badge: In recognition of exceptional service to Guiding
Mary Beasley
Taking the Lead
Between 12 and 15 January 2009, five young Leaders and one Guide from Tasmania, attended Taking the Lead, a National leadership and advocacy seminar for 14-30 year olds. Helen Geard, our State Commissioner, was in attendance as a facilitator of the forum and was also involved in the planning of the event.
The event was held at Glengarry in Sydney, which is the state campsite for Girl Guides New South Wales. There were 51 participants in total, representing each Australian state and New Zealand. Each participant had to apply and were selected through a detailed process including the requirement for essay style answers and two references.
The first two days of the seminar were led by Linden Edgell, Deputy Chair of the World Board of WAGGGS. To get started we learnt all about the Millennium Development Goals (developed through the United Nations) and the Global Action Themes based on the Millennium Development Goals and issued by WAGGGS. We also looked at WAGGGS’ perspective and their role in advocacy. We were inspired by representatives of various non-Government organisations (NGO’s) including UNIFEM, UNICEF, Oxfam and World Vision. We gained advocacy skills through a wide game and workshops. We then developed our own advocacy programs to be implemented on our return.
The following two days were forums led by Helen Geard. Apart from being our State Commissioner, Helen will also be one of two Centenary Ambassadors nominated to WAGGGS by Girl Guides Australia. The forums examined our future view of the world of Guiding.
Apart from the hard work, we also met inspirational young women and girls (and some men from NGO’s!), attended a formal dinner and enjoyed a night bus tour of Sydney with great ice cream! We also had sweltering temperatures affecting the fire alarm and leading to a visit by several firemen on the last day.
We are all grateful that we could attend this fabulous and inspirational event. We know that Guiding is in great hands for the future with such wonderful girls and women.
Laura Anderson, Kate Alcorso, Abyilene Dobson, Erika Phillips, Fiona Miller and Sinead McCullough - January 2009
Railton Turns 30
Members of the Roland Trefoil, their fellow Trefoil members from around the State and friends gathered to celebrate the Roland Trefoil’s 30th Birthday.
It was a fun afternoon filled with lots of stories about how things used to be. There were also a few stories about the adventures of Trefoil members at the National Trefoil gathering in Perth thrown in for good measure.
There was plenty of laughter throughout the afternoon as the stories of children, grandchildren, Guides and holidays took hold. Elizabeth Buckingham had the honour of cutting the cake and proudly conducted everyone through happy birthday.
It was the perfect opportunity to catch up with old friends, or for newer members of Guiding to make new friends and to learn a few things.
The afternoon proved that being a Trefoil member is not all about hard work. It is mostly about staying in touch with friends, getting out and about and having a good time.
The Roland Trefoil is filled with dedicated members who work for the good of Guiding in the north-west of Tasmania and beyond. They are always looking for new members so if you are interested in joining - why not give it a go.
Everyone at Girl Guides Tasmania congratulates the Roland Trefoil members on reaching the 30 year milestone and wishes them well for the future.
October 2008
Hartz Division Camp
The ‘Reach for the Stars’ Hartz Division Camp opened the door to a world of wonder and adventure for over 100 Guides and 32 Leaders and parents. The camp, held over four days, at Orana was a great success and a very rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Participants aged between 5 and 17 had the opportunity to participate in vast array of activities. The number of nights spent at the camp and where you slept depended on how old you where, with many Guides getting to enjoy the wonders of camping outdoors for the first time.
There where plenty of activities to keep everyone occupied and happy. The activities varied from kite making and flying on the beach to learning how to use a bow and arrow at the local archery field. Some Guides got the chance to learn mountain bike skills and to go fishing in dinghies, while still others went kayaking and had fun on the four different challenges of the climbing wall.
Camp organisers also made time for a space focused wide game and provided opportunities for camp challenges. The Ranger Guides were responsible for organising a fun Olympics or as they called it an Olympics with a twist. Guides just never knew what wonders and adventures would be awaiting around the corner or after the next sleep.
All participants enjoyed a campfire under the stars and had a chance to reflect on all the opportunities they had been given to reach for the stars.
September 2008
TALE
TALE - the Tasmanian All Leaders Event - was held over the weekend at Nindethana. TALE provided Leaders with an opportunity to get together to learn some new skills, reinforce some learnings and have a few laughs.
Leaders were provided with plenty of challenges by the team of trainers and most of the participants met these challenges with a smile on their faces. Leaders also had the opportunity to listen to Linden Edgell, Deputy Chair of the World Board of WAGGGS, talk about Girl Guiding at a National and international level.
Girl Guides Tasmania thanks the Training Team and the individual trainers for providing such a fantastic learning opportunity to our Leaders.
September 2008
2008 Gang Show
This years Gang Show was filled with colour and entertainment as Guides and Scouts from across Tasmania put on spectacular performances.
Six Guides (Amberlei Beresfort, Mellony Bester, Rhiannon Peppiatt, Laura Walters, Georgie Moore and Robin Foster) from Wellington, Glenorchy and Huonville Units were part of this year’s Gang Show. They are all to be congratulated on their efforts in preparing for the Show and for their performances during the Show.
We also congratulate Cathryn Peppiatt, a Unit Helper with Lenah Valley Kanga Guides, for her performance in the orchestra for the Gang Show. It is fantastic to see our Leaders having their moment in the spotlight as well as our Guides.
The Gang Show is a joint initiative of Girl Guides Tasmania and Scouts Tasmania with members of both organisations forming part of the planning and development team. There are auditions for the Gang Show each year in April with live performances in August.
For more information about the 2009 Gang Show contact Anne Crummy at program@guidestas.org.au
August 2008
Children 4 Change
In 2007 Girl Guides Tasmania raised $4500 for the "House of Hope" Shelter in Calcutta, India. This year the goal is to raise $40000 to buy a building to House the "House of Hope"! You can help by getting your friends and family to donate $5 and in return they will receive a brick carrying elephant badge. Every donation received will indeed be one more brick towards the purchase of the building for the "House of Hope. For more information about this project email jenbarron@vision.net.au
