Reports from recent Guide events.

To see how Guides are celebrating the centenary visit the centenary celebrations page
 

Scroggin - The Girl Guides Queensland Outdoor Convention

10-13 June 2011

Scroggin Organising Committee | 16 August 2011

For those who attended Scroggin, congratulations for taking the step to learn new skills and meet other passionate and committed Guide Leaders in the outdoors. If you were not one of the attendees’ here is what you missed!

A fantastic and fun time was had by Leaders from all over the state and we had several interstate delegates who travelled great distance to join us. Scroggin is a unique opportunity held every three years to introduce Leaders to a variety of outdoor activities.

This is an ideal opportunity to experience new activities in a learning environment and offers a wide variety of activities that may not be available in your Region.

Many Leaders find this the best learning environment to perfect their skills and take that knowledge back to their District/Region.

Our 2011 Scroggin Convention was attended by over 80 delegates who challenged themselves to learn or improve their skills in activities such as canoeing, high ropes, outdoor cooking, pioneering, archery, bird watching, hiking, abseiling, photography and many, many more.

We had a themed dinner on Sunday night (Walk with the ‘Stars’) with a fantastic array of costumes and we were fortunate to have our State Commissioner, Monica Elliott as our special guest.

We have received an overwhelming response post this event and we would like to share some of the feedback with you. As you read these comments, remember too mark your diaries now for the June long weekend 2014 and you to can share in this amazing outdoor experience.

Hope to see you next time.

Be the Change - Advocacy of the MDG's

11-12 September 2010

Sandy McCarthy, Program Manager | October 2010

Over the weekend of 11-12 September 2010, Queensland hosted a State Workshop, which was fully funded by AusAID, called “Be the Change”. This was an expectation from a National Workshop that was held in Victoria in April this year. The workshop promoted Advocacy and learning about and speaking out on the Millennium Development Goals which are:

1.    Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2.    Achieve universal primary education
3.    Promote gender equality and empower women
4.    Reduce child mortality
5.    Improve maternal health
6.    Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7.    Ensure environment sustainability
8.    Develop global partnerships for development

Our two Queensland representatives who attended the National Workshop, Jessica (Nerang) and Emma (Toowoomba), organised, coordinated and presented sessions at our State workshop. The girls did an amazing job. They did everything from selecting the venue and liaising with caterers for meals for the weekend to inviting speakers from organisations other than Guiding, as well as encouraging participants to attend, planning programs, compiling information folders and helping with the many administrative tasks that accompanied the event as well as coping  with Grade 11 and Grade 12 school exams.

There were 17 participants ages between 14 and 17 years - not all of whom were Guides. Jessica and Emma were supported by Amanda (Nerang), their parents and families, members of Program Committee and, in the early stages of preparation, by Terri and Nellie.

The workshop was opened by Barbara Stone MP for Springwood, who is also a member of Girl Guides Queensland's Women of Subsance. Peter Blatch from Scouts Queensland presented a session on Project Planning which was well received. Other guest speakers represented UNICEF, World Vision, Oaktree, UNIFEM, Wildlife Warriors and 1 Million Women.

Bravo Jess and Emma! You ran a very successful workshop. We have special thanks too for Lisa, the National Coordinator, who joined us for the weekend as a representative of the National Steering Committee and Girl Guides Australia. Her support and encouragement was valued and beneficial.
 

Brisbane Gang Show 2010: One Hundred Years of Guiding of Fun

4 to 10 July 2010

Sigi Matheve, Event Coordinator | August 2010

“One Heart, One Voice, together we can change our world.” This was one of the songs that, after several weeks of rehearsing and working as a great team, over 50 Guides were ready to perform in the Scout Association’s Brisbane Gang Show. Thank you to the Scout Association Queensland Branch for allowing us to participate in such a wonderful event. Each of the girls showed dedication while having fun and making new friends. On Opening Night, we were ready for 12 performances.

Thank you to Ruth for writing/composing such great songs and Peter for being our Production Director. Thank you to Judy for your musical expertise. Thank you to Michelle who, with a team of Olave Program members, did a huge job choreographing the musical numbers. Thank you to Debbie, Karen, Kerin and Chris (parents and Leaders) for your invaluable contribution - your time and effort were appreciated.

The whole item highlighted the fact that Guiding has been changing lives and building a better world for 100 years.

The following are excerpts of letters received from Ruth and Peter.

The energetic and entertaining performance by the Guides during the Gang Show season showed their willingness to give to the Guiding Movement. Changing our world through Guiding certainly has a clear directive for each of us.  That is our continuing challenge.  For 10 million girls world-wide, we want positive changes for their situations as our goal. To bring those dreams to reality, we want to sing with “One Heart, One Voice” so that “Together we can change our world”.

We are now working on ways to get the songs out to Girl Guides and Girl Scouts so that they may keep the Spirit from our Guide item here in Queensland going throughout the Movement world-wide. I was honoured to be part of the item.  Thank you for the invitation to contribute.

Ruth, Song writer/composer

Initially wearing variations of the traditional blue and gold, the girls later modelled the new Guide uniforms as they performed three songs appropriate for the Centenary.  Well known Guiding composer, Ruth Duncan, (renowned for her song, “The Blue And The Gold”) was commissioned to write a Guiding song to commemorate 100 years of changing lives.  She complemented this song with another original, “Gotta Dream”, where young girls reflected on the past 100 years and what ‘a better place’ our world would be as a result of Guiding.

A short video capturing significant Guide achievements over the past 100 years was used to introduce this new catchy song and demonstrate how resilient Guiding is. For the closing segment, all 52 cast dressed in the various new uniforms showed through song and dance how Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, a modern song made famous by Cindi Lauper.

Peter, Production Director
 

Rangers Rock and Rule State Camp

27 June to 4 July 2010

Jessie, Aspley Birrong Ranger Guides | August 2010

Rangers Rock and Rule State Camp for 2010 was held in Brisbane at the local campsite, Kindilan. LiC, Peggy, ensured that the camp was jam-packed with a variety of amazing activities, new experiences and wonderful opportunities.

The highlights of the camp (and most anticipated by the girls) were rock climbing at the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, abseiling and prussicking at Kindilan that continued into the night and progressed from the 6m wall to the challenging 18m wall, and the amazing Story Bridge climb.

Other activities included high ropes, archery, photography and circus tricks taught to us by real circus performers. Karen organised a myriad of amazing crafts that allowed us to relax and wind down. These included beading, personalising mugs, decorating our camp bags, making autograph books and individual scrapbooks to store our memories of the camp.

Night activities included visits to Mt Coot-tha Look-out to admire the city, Channel 7 TV station for a tour and the opportunity to watch a live broadcast by news presenter Sharyn Ghidella, as well as an epic wide game that continued into the night, a mocktail party requiring fancy dress (made from garbage bags accessorised by lace, beads and small bouquets), a belly dancing tutorial, and a visit from charm school representatives to discuss etiquette, poise, confidence and the significance of good hairstyles.

Many new Guiding friendships were formed amongst the girls who came from all over Queensland. A huge thank you to Peggy and her staff for making the camp amazingly fun and unforgettable while opening doors to exciting new experiences and opportunities. Thanks also to the Leaders who gave their time and assisted with the outdoor activities. Without the Leaders, this camp would not have been possible and we are extremely grateful for your time, your tremendous effort to put the camp together and being wonderful during the entire camp.

For those who did not get the opportunity to attend this camp, consider the next Rangers Rock and Rule and experience it for yourself!

“Fun is where it’s at. That’s why you have to be there.”   ~ The Oaqui
“I can no other answer make, but, thanks, and thanks.”  ~ William Shakespeare