Girl Guides in Wartime

Posted on April 10, 2015 by communications254

With the approach of ANZAC Day, there’s always a lot of interest in our wartime history, so this week we’ll be talking about how Girl Guides contributed during World War II. Check out our earlier posts about Girl Guides WA’s efforts in World War I here and World War II here.

Women’s Land ArmyAWLA

From the outbreak of World War II, women had taken positions left vacant on the land by men enlisting. In 1942, the Commonwealth Government felt the need for a coordinated scheme.

Sally Carlton had been a Brownie, Guide and Ranger Leader since 1930, as well as a Trainer, and she was the Western Australian delegate in Sydney at the conference to organise this scheme.

On her return to Perth, a meeting of young women was called and over 300 hundred gathered at Thomas St School. The majority volunteered for work on the land. Very soon, groups of girls were working in country areas to harvest flax, pick tomatoes, and assist in the tobacco industry. Some worked singly and other in pairs on farms and stations in the dairy or cattle industry, sheep husbandry and poultry raising. 396 women served the nation in this state as full time members of the AWLA.

Women’s Army Service

Colonel S.H. Irving, with WA members of the Australian Women's Army Service draft. Image: Australian War Memorial.

Colonel S.H. Irving, with WA members of the Australian Women’s Army Service draft. Image: Australian War Memorial.

The Controller of the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) in 1941-1942, was Miss Sybil Howy Irving, State Secretary of Girl Guides Victoria from 1924-1940. With no official training she was appointed to the rank equal to Lieutenant Colonel on the basis of her family background and her Girl Guides training!

She set about selecting 28 women from Guide Leaders, knowing they could handle young women, as the nucleus of the AWAS. These women, with Lt-Col. Irving, did their training at Guide House, Yarra Junction, in Victoria.  Overall, she successfully established a framework for 24,000 women soldiers.

*For more information see Patsy Adam-Smith’s Australian Women at War. (1984)

Signalling Training

Initially in World War II, Naval signal men were trained in Morse code and Semaphore by Girl Guide Leaders in Sydney. The woman who organised this group of trainers was a Guiding woman from NSW, and the wife of a Naval Commander.

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The big finale – Centenary Closing

Posted on April 1, 2015 by communications254

GEM100 has landed!

AMENDED 13/4/15: You can now register for this event until May 8, 2015.

blue and gold

Let’s turn Perth blue and gold!

We anticipate this event to be the biggest one of our Centenary year. It’s particularly special because it takes place on Saturday June 28 – the exact day when Girl Guiding began in Western Australia 100 years ago.

And where better to hold it than right in the centre of Perth, where we’ll be highly visible to the public as we celebrate and have fun?!

Members and their families are all welcome to this major event in our State calendar. There will be a party atmosphere in Forrest Place with music and dancing, balloons, cake and games. We will also have games and activities in the Urban Orchard in the Cultural Centre precinct (over the railway line, near the state library, art gallery and museum).

At the Perth Town Hall, where the decision to begin the first Girl Guide Company was made, there will be an historic display featuring photos and memorabilia. This will be part of our celebrations and Guides will visit this to gain a sense of our rich history. There will be the opportunity outside the town hall to purchase Centenary merchandise from Guide Gear.

The end of our party will include a renewal of Promise for which Guides and Leaders will be awarded a special certificate and the day will have a surprise ending.

How special is it to be part of a hundredth birthday party? We guarantee your Girl Guides will remember this special day for many years to come.

But we do need you to register soon! To be safe, we recommend you register your anticipated numbers as soon as possible, and this MUST be done and paid by May 2, 2015 NOW May 8, 2015. Parents, friends and siblings of our members are welcome to attend, but must also be registered. So put out your call for expressions of interest right now so no one misses out of the fun!

Here’s the page dedicated to GEM100 – Guiding Every Moment.

Email stateteam@girlguideswa.org.au for more information or to organise your Unit’s registration.

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Remarkable Women: Judith Amey

Posted on March 18, 2015 by communications254

This month’s Remarkable Woman of Girl Guides WA is Judith Amey. Here is her story …

Judith Amey

Judith Amey

Guiding has always been important to me.  I can’t remember when I first heard about Brownies and Guides but I was immediately drawn to it.

My parents were reluctant for me to join so I invented my own pretend Brownie Pack and ran meetings with myself on the front verandah.  Nedlands Brownies met on a Saturday afternoon and one wonderful day my Mother took me there. I was as happy as a child could be!

There was a schedule of set tasks one had to complete.  After the first set you were awarded the Golden Bar, followed by the Golden Ladder and finally the Golden Hand. When I turned eleven it was time for me to ‘Fly Up’ to Guides. The Dalkeith Leader was Edna Greaves who, when a District Leader, had enrolled me as a Brownie. Edna and Kath Baird, Leader of the Stirling Rangers, were two wonderful influences on my life.

Once a month on a Saturday, Mrs Greaves’ parents’ home, which backed onto the Swan River, became the venue for a field day when we would ramble through the bush, prepare a fire and cook a meal and play adventurous games we made up.

Each year there was a seven to ten day camp under canvas. One memorable one was in 1960 – an International camp under canvas at Paxwold. Nearly 400 girls from all Australian states joined Guides from Singapore, PNG, Malaysia and Kenya. Thea Brown was one of the campers and our friendship dates from then.

A highlight from my Guiding days was during the Commonwealth Games held in Perth in 1962. As part of the Opening Ceremony at Perry Lakes Stadium we marched in and erected a full camp site – six seven-person tents and two lots of canvas screening – and then dismantled it – all in 15 minutes! Not the modern light weight tents but the heavy canvas with flies and tent pegs.

While a Ranger Guide at camp I met up with Kay Arrantash and Joy Miller. Then study and other activities became more important and I had a break from Guiding.

In October 1969 I was contacted and asked if I would take on a Lone Guide Unit.  After 3 years with the Unit I then became State Adviser for Lones.

In 1979 I opened the 1st Gooseberry Hills Guide Unit with six girls which grew rapidly to a full Unit of 36. Camping is the highlight of any Guide’s life and we had some memorable ones. As Camping was a new experience for the girls, much time was spent getting ready for the first one – however we still had one girl who arrived with dressing gown and fluffy slippers and another who had china plates and cup – with saucer, as her eating utensils.

When they first joined as 11 year olds, they were very definitely little girls, when they left 4 years later they were impressive young women. Watching that transformation was something special.

During this time I was also a Guide and Camp Trainer and then for 5 years from 1980 I was the WA editor of the National magazine Guiding In Australia. I also did two stints as Assistant State Training Adviser, firstly with Margaret Abbotts and then Thea Brown.  I was later appointed State Extension Adviser.

I am now a member of the Lone Trefoil Guild. There is a ‘magical bond’ that keeps women who first joined 40, 50 and even 60 years ago, coming together for simple activities remembering the old traditions, renewing their promise and finishing the meeting with ‘Taps’.

My Guiding memories are precious and I am grateful for all it has meant to me.

Story contributed by Ann Miller

Click below for more Remarkable Women:

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History Snippets: Girl Guides become sharp shooters in 1915

Posted on March 11, 2015 by communications254

A fascinating news story from Dongara WA one hundred years ago…

rifle

The Rifle Shot badge

A very successful concert and dance was held in connection with the Dongara Operculum Girl Guides.

This company was the first formed in this State having been inaugurated six weeks before the Perth meeting. Miss E. Paton of the State School was elected Captain and Mrs F Waldeck, Lieutenant. They have three Patrols and have established classes in first aid and signalling. Games and other pastimes are indulged in, and they are also mindful of their brothers-in-arms, having gathered and helping to prepare one hundred sponges for use in military hospitals.

The proceeds of the concert amounting to four pounds eleven shillings, goes to the fund to purchase rifles. Messrs Haley and Mitchell have kindly offered to act as instructors in rifle practice.

The items at the concert were given by the Guides assisted by Misses Harrop and Stuttridge. The evening was opened by a recitation especially written for the Dongara Guides by their Captain.

Mesdames Reynolds and Healy and the Misses Healy were the accompanists for the evening.

From the GERALDTON GUARDIAN Thursday 5 August 1915 (p2).

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Two new speakers added to the State Conference Line-up

Posted on March 6, 2015 by communications254

We are very pleased to reveal two additional speakers for our State Leadership Conference, Leading Women, have been added to the list.

Marie-Louise MacDonald

Marie-Louise MacDonald

Marie-Louise MacDonald

Starting out her career as a Psychiatric Nurse, and progressing through to executive management, Marie-Louise has worked in Australia and overseas. She is passionate about supporting women to achieve their career aspirations and has actively mentored both men and women undertaking higher education in all positions she has held. She has over 30 years as an executive manager in Australia and overseas, and calls on her experiences to give other insight into developing their confidence to achieve. She now holds one of the most unusual positions for a woman: Chief Executive Officer of Freemasons WA – one of the oldest world-wide all-male organisations.

Her commercial negotiation and business skills are well recognised and she has received a number of industry awards, as well as being featured in WA Who’s Who.  Marie-Louise currently sits on and chairs a number of Boards, including: the Property Council WA Division; NMBWA, Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority; MCA and the Retirement Living Council.

Alex Scott

Alex Scott

Alex Scott

Alex is a passionate environmental advocate working to move communities towards a more just and sustainable world. She works with the City of Perth’s Sustainable City Development unit developing environmental policy and running community awareness programs.

While studying, Alex co-created ARTillery, a human rights arts festival for young Australians. Alex’s enthusiasm for volunteering continued after uni, when she took on a coordinating role with  climate change advocacy organisation 350.org Australia. She was one of the Foundation for Young Australians’ 2012 Young and Extraordinaries and was selected as an Australian delegate to the 2013 Global Power Shift climate conference. Alex is enthusiastic about sharing stories and ideas around her two passions of protecting the earth and protecting the earth’s people.

There are now over 60 women booked to attend this amazing event. Be quick as tickets are running out.

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Remarkable Women: Paddy Firstenberg

Posted on February 17, 2015 by communications254

Continuing the Trefoil Guild’s celebration of Remarkable Women of Guiding for the centenary year, this month the spotlight is on Paddy Firstenberg…paddy

Paddy’s love of Guiding began in Ireland where she joined the movement as a Brownie in Tipperary.

As an adult she became a nursing sister and later married Dr Firstenberg. In the 1950s they heard there was a shortage of doctors in Australia. They decided to immigrate with their two young children. They established a new home in Rivervale, Perth. Australian life and the community became a new pathway for the family. In 1960 Paddy was approached by Sylvia Perry, the State Commissioner of Girl Guides Western Australia, to take on the role of Rivervale/Redcliffe District Commissioner. Later she became Division Commissioner for the East Lee Steere Division.

Paddy became immersed in guiding, admiring Sylvia Perry‘s vision for the association. The number of Units grew in the Division and they became very active. Girls came from many different backgrounds.

In the 1970s she was elected to the State Executive of Guiding, where she was able to help in the decision making for Western Australia. As chair of the State Public Relations Committee she helped in and organised many promotional and exciting activities for girls across the state. For her work Paddy received an Emu Award from guiding and in 1979 a Community Service Award from the City of Belmont area.

She held the position of State Commissioner from 1976-1980. This gave her the opportunity to grow guiding further. She travelled to many places across the state promoting Girl Guides, particularly in the Pilbara, which was opening up as more people moved into the mining industry. During her time as State Commissioner Paddy remembers receiving her MBE Award from the Queen at Government House and later she and Dr Firstenberg attended a reception aboard the Royal Yacht.

In the 1980s Paddy‘s expertise proved important to the organisation. She was asked to chair the Committee of Public Relations for the state and the Guide House Committee. She also became Australian Public Relations Adviser and Australian Promotions Adviser.

In 1982 Paddy received the Red Kangaroo Award, one of the highest award in Australian Guiding.

In this decade she also joined the National Council of Women Western Australia. She saw the need to continue to help the advancement of women, their families and the community. She was part of the standing committee for 9 years looking at women’s health issues. In 1994 Paddy became President. Her vision that the history of NCWWA should be written down came to fruition in their book ‘The Spirit Lives On.’ For her work, she was elected Honorary Life Vice President of NCW of Australia and she was awarded the OAM for her service to this organisation. Today Paddy remains a member of NCW.

In 1996 as a member of the multicultural association she was awarded State and National Life Membership of Pan Pacific and South East Asian Women‘s Association.

Paddy‘s support for Guiding was acknowledged when Western Australia granted her Life Membership in 1991 for outstanding service. She was an inaugural member of the Women of Distinction and a member of the Honorary Australian Associates.

She was a foundation member and President of the Burswood/Bentley Trefoil Guild where she is currently a member. During this time she has helped build the membership and promote Trefoil and Guiding. In 2010 she received her 50 year Long Service Award from Guides Western Australia.

By Ann Miller

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Mel in Switzerland!

Posted on February 10, 2015 by communications254

One of our own WA girls is doing a volunteer stint at Our Chalet world centre in Switzerland at the moment, and she sent us this story about her experiences so far:

Cinder-Mella Scrubbing Floors

Cinder-Mella Scrubbing Floors at Our Chalet

Ever since I was a little Girl Guide, we learnt about the four WAGGGS world centres: Paxlodge in London, Our Cabana in Mexico, Sangam in India and Our Chalet in Switzerland. It was always my dream to visit each and every one at some point throughout my life. Now that I am 20 years old, one semester away from finishing my degree at University,  I am finally getting that chance.

I left Perth on the 30th of November, flew to London, where I stayed for 6 days, before flying to Zurich, then on to Adelboden in Switzerland. This is where I am currently spending my Christmas/ summer break, as part of the Winter Volunteer Team at Our Chalet.

I arrived in London on the 1st  December, at 6:30 am.  Even after being in transit all night, I was still keen to get going and that afternoon I was able to visit my first World Centre, Paxlodge.  Though I only did a tour, and a pinning ceremony, it was still one World Centre ticked off! The next couple of days were just as eventful and exciting as the first.  I went to see Big Ben, Buckingham Palace (though I wasn’t invited in for tea), as well as go on the London Eye, spend a day in the Tower of London, take a cruise down the Thames, visit and spend money at Harrods, visit Platform 9 ¾, visit the Harry Potter Studio Tour (this was the first thing I booked after I booked my flights!).  I also went to Stonehenge and Bath with another of the volunteers going to the Chalet (Danielle lives in Bristol UK).  Too soon, it was time to head out to the airport and fly to Zurich.

The flight to Zurich took less than an hour and a half.  I hadn’t even finished my movie when we landed!  From Zurich, Danielle and I caught the train to Frutigen and then the bus to Adelboden.  We were picked up in Adelboden and driven up to Our Chalet.  Thank goodness we were driven, because I don’t think I could have walked that hill with all my stuff!

Left to Right: Danielle (UK), Ana (Argentina), Charlotte (Canada), Sarah (NSW, Australia), Me, Rachael (UK), Sarah (USA).

Left to Right: Danielle (UK), Ana (Argentina), Charlotte (Canada), Sarah (NSW, Australia), Me, Rachael (UK), Sarah (USA).

The first week the 7 volunteers (or vollies), lived in the attic together.  This was only whilst we completed our training.  Once we were fully fledged staff members, with the scarves to prove it, we were allowed to move into the staff house, Stockli.  Stockli means ‘where the older generation lives to supervise the younger generation’.

Sledding on the Staff training day

Sledding on the Staff training day

Our first main program week was Christmas In The Alps.  We ran program days with activities such as orienteering, hikes to the woodcarvers and to the top of Ensligenalp where we did snow tubing, and various evening programs.  My family had come to visit for this week and we spent Christmas Day and Boxing Day on the ski slopes skiing.  Some of the other vollies came and joined us!

One of the main highlights so far has been the World Ski Cup.  The World Ski Cup for Slalom and Giant Slalom, is held in Adelboden each year.  The town of Boden, which is right next to Adelboden, during this time, turns into a sea of white marquees, people, and a mix of mud and snow.  We were highly excited by the free hats.. and free sunglasses.. and more free beanies… and free flags… you get the idea.

I have also had the opportunity to travel quite a bit whilst I am here.  When we are lucky enough to be able to have days off in a row, we all like to go jet setting away.  My first overnight trip away was with Charlotte to the International Scout Centre in Kandersteg, though only the next valley over it was still an hour on the bus.  I am also hoping to get to Italy sometime in February!

If you would like to follow more of my activities and experiences at Our Chalet please check out my Blog: Marsh-Mel-O’s Adventures on either Facebook or Blogger.  There are many more stories and pictures there than I could ever hope to fit into here!

Thanks Mel for sharing your awesome adventure with us! We are following you on Facebook and the blog. Bravo!

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Our Speakers – Leading Women 2015

Posted on February 6, 2015 by communications254

In this post, we plan to introduce you to some of the talented speakers who will be inspiring and teaching us at the State Leaders’ Conference April 18, 2015.

Leading Women – Speakers

leading women

Maree Anseymaree ansey

At the young age of 24, Maree Ansey already has an important role within Leighton Contractors – one of Australia’s most recognised, diverse and established industry leaders.

As the Indigenous Employment Advisor to Leighton Contractors’ Mining Division based in Perth, Western Australia, Maree’s role is focused on the recruitment of Indigenous candidates, as well as the provision of ongoing mentoring and support to assist with the retention of Indigenous people within the company. Maree was crowned Miss NAIDOC in 2013 and is the first woman from the Kimberley to achieve this title. She has spoken at Parliament House in Canberra, been interviewed by Ray Martin and other media, but she is still very down to earth and closely connected to her family, especially her mother who has been an inspirational figure for her and her siblings.

angela bondCaptain Angela Bond

Angela Bond grew up in Echuca in Victoria and she along with her mother and sisters were Girl Guides. Angela joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1980. She progressed through the ranks undertaking a variety of roles in Australia and overseas. In 2012 Captain Angela Bond became the first female Commanding Officer of HMAS Stirling and is the senior ranking RAN representative in Western Australia. In a year which also sees the Centenary of the Gallipoli campaign, Captain Bond can speak about the role that women have played in the Australian Defence Force in the past, and what the future holds.

sanfordMichelle Sanford

Michelle Sandford is an evangelist for the Technology industry.  She works for Microsoft in Perth, but has global reach. Prior to that she performed a similar role as a Global Service Delivery Manager for IBM in Europe.  Michelle currently holds executive board positions for the Australian Computer Society in WA, as the WA Women’s Director, and the Branch Vice Chair. She also sits on the Executive for WAiTTA (IT Awards in WA). Last year she a judge for the CIO of the year, as well as at GovHack and JustStartIT.  She is a member of Soroptimist South Perth. She was a TedxPerth Speaker on the topic of “Where have all the girls gone?” (click for video) in 2014. And she was a Girl Guide from the age of 11.

RyokaRyoka Elton

At the age of 16, Ryoka was involved in a serious car accident, sustaining critical injuries to her spine and internal organs.  This event and her journey back to full wellness impressed upon her the true value of health and inspired her passion to assist others to live healthy, luminous lives.

Ryoka draws on her diverse background (Bachelor Degree in Public Health/Psychology (UWA, 2005), Sivananda Yoga Instructor, Massage Therapist, Life Coach and Certified Universal Healing Tao Instructor) to assist people in embracing greater levels of wellbeing and vitality and to empower them to create a Ripple Effect in their own life by sharing their learning with people they love.

Other highlights include a performance by the Girl Guide WA choir, a panel discussion, fun activities and prizes. The conference fee includes lunch and light refreshments throughout the day.

For information on how to book into the conference, visit the dedicated Leading Women page. Early bird price of just $40 is available until end February 2015.

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Warara International Lones Camp 1983

Posted on December 15, 2014 by communications254

Part of celebrating our Centenary year is looking back at some of the wonderful WA Guiding events, people and activities of the last 100 years.

On this blog, we’ve added photos in albums dedicated to each decade in our gallery page, and we’ve looked at significant events such as world wars and how these affected Guiding (including how Guiding contributed to society during those times). We have also highlighted events that created special Guiding memories for past and present members.

Remembering our past helps us understand where we are today – which prepares us for our future.

In this post, we look back at the Warara International Lones Camp, held at Ern Halliday Campsite, Sorrento WA, 6-13 January 1983. If you don’t know what a Lone is, it is basically a girl who lives too far away from any Girl Guide Unit to take part in regular meetings. This old photo shows a Leader setting off in a horse and buggy to enrol a Lone Girl Guide down near Albany, WA in the 1930s.

Ailsa Kirk sets out to enrol Lone Guides at Lowlands

Ailsa Kirk sets out to enrol Lone Guides at Lowlands

A Lone Girl Guide participates in guiding either through written letters, on the radio, or on the internet. With WA being such a large state with many remote areas, we had quite a few Lones for many years.

Warara was the first International Lones Camp held in Australia and was attended by 124 campers including 37 Leaders. The countries and states represented were:

  • Canada (1)
  • New Zealand (11)
  • New South Wales (23)
  • Queensland (9)
  • South Australia (8)
  • The United Kingdom (3)
  • Victoria (21)
  • Zimbabwe (3)
  • Western Australia (46)

On the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of the week, the campers undertook a unique service experience when Aboriginal girls visited for Day Camps through an Outreach program.

Enjoy this little gallery of special memories for many adult women who were able to participate in Guiding by joining the Lones program.

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Remarkable Women of Guiding: Brenda Hamlett

Posted on December 8, 2014 by communications254
Brenda Hamlett

Brenda Hamlett, State Commissioner (2014)

As part of the centenary of Girl Guides WA, we are showcasing women who have made longterm and significant contributions to Girl Guiding in Western Australia. This time, we’re featuring our current State Commissioner, Dr Brenda Hamlett.

Brenda has filled many roles in her Guiding career. We know her now as State Commissioner, but she has also been a Leader, as well as District and Region Leader; and many of us have attended some of the training sessions she presented as a Diploma-holding Trainer. Brenda has also been a Vice President of Girl Guides WA and has been honoured with Life Membership.

She began her early Guiding in the UK before moving to Western Australia. Here she shares with us her memories of meetings with two members of the Baden Powell family:

As a Guide in the UK in 1965 I had just gained my Queen’s Guide badge and was debating about the next step in my guiding career.  Then came the news that Lady Baden Powell was to visit our county early in 1966 and that all Queen’s Guides were to form a guard of honour to be presented to her. This was too good an opportunity to miss and I was appointed Company Leader, with a third stripe on my breast pocket, so that I could remain an active Guide without restricting the progress of a younger Patrol Leader.

It was actually one of the few occasions when our whole county did get together and the displays and activities would have been memorable by themselves. The presence of this lady who was a direct link to the founder made it especially unforgettable, for me at least.

Needless to say, we all had to be lined up hours before the arrival but it was worth the wait to be able to have a personal contact with this very special lady.

My impressions – a smile that lit her whole face, especially her eyes; a firm handshake (how did she manage without developing sore hands?); a clear voice that even during her speech to the main gathering, and she seemed to speak to each of us individually. I’m sure that my involvement in guiding might well have faltered under the pressure of study and examinations around that time without the inspiration she was to pass on to us.

Partly through guiding I was able to spend two years working in Sierra Leone in West Africa before returning to UK and then out to Western Australia. In all my travels it was guiding which enabled me to move out of the school environment and become involved in the community as a whole. Everyone with whom I came in contact was proud of   “our” family and the Baden Powells had clearly left an impression far greater than they could possibly have dreamt.

In 1988 I was attending a Program and Training conference in Melbourne and we were very fortunate to be visited by Betty Clay the daughter of Lord and Lady Baden Powell. My initial reaction was that no-one could doubt her heritage as she looked so much like her mother. My further impressions were of a woman who had also inherited strength and commitment from her parents and who, far from resenting the time her parents spent on scouting and guiding, was willing to give up of her own time and efforts to continue their work.

As I commented to her when presenting a small gift of appreciation, I little dreamt as a Guide that I would meet two of the family in my lifetime and certainly not on opposite sides of the world. It really brought home that the Baden-Powell family has been one of the strongest agents in bringing all the members of the World Association together and giving us a common link and purpose.

Thank you Brenda for your ongoing commitment and the amazing abilities you bring to guiding.

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