this - Girl Guides NSW, ACT · 2017-02-03 · En 1 erary 2016 G-news Are you receiving the weekly G-news from Guide House? Log in to your member profile to ensure we have your current

Edition 01 | February 2016 | 100002222

Celebrate and Connect this World Thinking Day, mark Harmony Day in your program, and more Guiding news.

Edition 1 | February 2016

G-news

Are you receiving the weekly G-news from Guide House? Log in to your member profile to ensure we have your current email address.

The Waratah is published by Girl Guides NSW & ACT and welcomes contributions from its Members.

The office of Girl Guides NSW & ACT can be found at:Guide House Level 2, 55 Holt Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Phone: (02) 8396 5200 Fax: (02) 9211 5911 email: [email protected] web: www.girlguides-nswact.org.au ABN: 21 366 241 150 The liability of its members is limited

Postal address: PO Box 950 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012

Retail Department: Unit 14, 77–79 Bourke Road Alexandria NSW 2015 Phone: (02) 9317 4200 Fax: (02) 9669 6257

Retail postal address: PO Box 6124 Alexandria NSW 2015

We love hearing what our Members are up to, so please send your news to [email protected].

Deadlines

If you would like to be published in the March 2016 edition of The Waratah, please send your contribution to us no later than 7 February.

Girl Guides NSW & ACT reserves the right to edit or refuse articles or advertisements from any source.

WA1601© Girl Guides NSW & ACT January 2016.

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FOREWORD FROM THE STATE TEAM 1

FROM GUIDE HOUSE 2

WWCC 2

STATE COMMISSIONER NOMINATIONS 3

BOARD NOMINATIONS 3

FROM THE NATIONAL TEAM 4

BRAVO 4

PROGRAM PAGES: WTD 2016 CONNECT 5

PROGRAM PAGES HARMONY DAY 7

NEWS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN GUIDE PROGRAM REVIEW 9

MANAGER AND CONSULTANT NEWS 10

ERRATUM 10

STATE PROGRAM TEAM CONTACTS 11

THE GIRLS ADVISORY PANEL 12

STATE PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY 12

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General information you may wish to use

ecoStar is a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified recycled paper made from 100% post consumer waste fibres. FSC is a not-for-profit organisation encouraging the responsible management of the world’s forests. FSC certification

is recognised as a global standard in forest management practices and the Chain of Custody certification process enables the final printed document can be traced back to a certified source.


Other logos which apply to ecoStar paper

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UPCOMING EVENT DATESEvent Location Event Date Closing

DateWorld Thinking Day 22 Feb

Region Manager Weekend

Glengarry 27–28 Feb 5 Feb

Reconnect: District Managers' Leadership Weekend

Glengarry 27–28 Feb 5 Feb

International Womens Day

14 Feb

Mad Hatter Regatta Myuna Bay 18–20 March

26 Feb

Harmony Day 21 March

Science in the Garden The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan

9 April 18 March

UPCOMING COURSE DATESCourse Location Event Date Closing

DateAdult Trefoil 3 Rowing RTS Tingira 5 Mar 12 Feb

Becoming a Manager Warners Bay Guide Hall

5 Mar 5 Feb

Hub—Get a Handle on Guiding

Warners Bay Guide Hall

5 Mar 5 Feb

Leadership Qualifications Warners Bay Guide Hall

5 Mar 5 Feb

Leading Volunteers Warners Bay Guide Hall

5 Mar 5 Feb

Trefoil 1 & 2 Rowing RTS Tingira 5 Mar 12 Feb

CONTENTS

Elizabeth StarrActing State Commissioner

Renée BianchiActing Deputy State Commissioner

1 Edition 1 | February 2016

…FOREWORD FROM THE STATE TEAM…

It's February and our thoughts are moving away from holidays and into the excitement and challenges of Guiding in 2016. I hope that you were able to enjoy the summer break with family and friends. I was fortunate to spend time with family and my four grandchildren on the beautiful south coast of NSW. Watching the grandchildren grow and change is one of the joys of life. In a similar way, as Leaders, we are privileged to watch our Guides grow and change as they move through the Guiding program.

The closing months of 2015 presented wonderful opportunities for me to meet and mix with many Leaders and Guiding families. I was able to spend time with Region Managers both on the phone and face to face. Girl Guides NSW & ACT is fortunate to have such wonderful women who are willing to take on the role of managing their Regions as well as supporting and encouraging our District Managers and Unit Leaders.

The excitement of the Queen’s Guide Award presentation at Government House was a memorable occasion shared with Guiding families and friends. It was a thrill to hear about the achievements of awardees and then watch them accept their certificates from His Excellency the Governor and Mrs Hurley. Thank you to Jodie Chilvers and her team for the organisation and preparation that ensured a successful event.

The Board has continued to work during January, under the chairmanship of Anne Kerle, preparing the call for nominations for a new State Commissioner and also working to ensure that the structure of Girl Guides NSW & ACT meets the needs of both current and potential Members. The extra time commitments required from the Board Directors is greatly appreciated.

Vispera, our creative arts camp at Narrabeen, gave Guides an opportunity to further develop their creative skills through a variety of activities run by Leader in Charge Felina French, State Program Manager Katie Conroy and their amazing team of camp volunteers. The inaugural Vispera saw the launch of the Breast Care Bag service project and in a new Guiding Tradition this Vispera, attendees were able to continue this Service Project by participating in the sewing of Breast Care Bags under the supervision of the program’s Coordinator Pip Bloomfield and it's instigator Joanne Muller.

I am sure that many Unit Leaders have used the holiday time to visit Halls and conduct the proverbial spring clean—I am always amazed at how much needs to be sorted after a year of Guiding!

Something special that I like to do during the summer is to look back on the Guiding journey of the past year. In our District we try to take photos to build up a photographic presentation for parents at our AGM. This is a great way to remind parents and the girls of the events and activities their girls have been involved in during the past year.

This month will see the Olave Program conference, the start of qualification training courses, the new HUB trainings which our team of Trainers have been busily preparing, and the first Region Managers’ weekend of the year and District Managers’ Conference Reconnect will be held at Glengarry.

February is also the time to celebrate World Thinking Day. This year’s theme is Connect. Connect with self, family, other members and WAGGGS. It is wonderful to know that Girl Guides in NSW & ACT are part of a worldwide organisation. Turn to the program pages of this edition and refer to the World Thinking Day resource on the WAGGGS website for some great ideas to incorporate in your World Thinking Day program. There is also a great resource available through the Global Learning Online for WAGGGS (GLOW) website: glow.wagggs.org/, which outlines how Guides can earn their cloth badge this year.

Thank you for all that you have done and all that you continue to do for Guiding.

Happy World Thinking Day.

FOREWORD FROM THE STATE TEAM

Just a reminder for our NSW Members to keep up to date with the working with children information on our website.

Whether you are about to turn 18, a Leader in Charge of one of our events or activities, a parent helper, Trefoil Guild Member or in any other role within the organisation, we have important information and a number of resources available to help ensure that you comply with your obligations.

To access these, please visit: www.girlguides-nswact.org.au, move your cursor over the yellow ‘join us’ tab and select ‘working with children nsw’ from the drop-down menu.

As I finished up in my role as People & Culture Advisor in December, please direct all queries and emails relating to working with children, to the following email address: [email protected] or to the membership team at Guide House on (02) 8396 5200.

Many thanks to everyone I have had the privilege of interacting with during my time at Guide House. I am so grateful to have been a part of this spectacular organisation, full of extraordinary people who make such a positive difference to so many lives!

Leana LivitsPeople and Culture [email protected]

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SE Welcome to 2016! And Happy New Year to all. I do hope that each of you enjoyed the festive season and are feeling refreshed, energised and excited as we begin the new year. I thoroughly enjoyed time with my family in Melbourne and then some time at home finally catching up on all of those jobs that I never seem to get to. Happy to report some (minor) bathroom and kitchen renovations completed, some painting finished and spring clean complete! I certainly found the resultant few trips to the local tip to be quite cathartic—a fabulous way for me to welcome in 2016.

Guide House re-opened in early January and is in full swing as we work towards finalising our annual business plans, upcoming State events and progressing activities that will allow us to achieve our Strategic Plan. Through previous editions I have summarised our key strategic priorities—when you do have a chance please also head to the about Guides tab on our website and scroll down to strategic plan to view the extended version. We are committed to achieving our strategic priorities and believe that doing so will enable us to continue to head towards realising our vision of being Australia’s leading organisation for girls and young women in leadership and personal development.

By early February, both retail outlets in Alexandria and at Glengarry will have re-opened for the year, all orders welcome! We are also due to receive a large uniform delivery so please encourage girls and their families to ensure they have all they need to start the year. There are plenty of handbooks in-stock as well as some new merchandise for girls, adults and Leaders. We will keep you updated through G-News and The Waratah as we receive new promotional and other products throughout the year.

We have some fantastic events already in action and planning for others well underway for the year. We are looking forward to a new and fresh twist on some of our regular state events in 2016—watch this space for more information.

We have also begun the initial stages of planning for the Girl Guides 2018 Jamboree —please keep an eye out on your email and in G-News as we begin to advertise positions and other ways that you can get involved in the planning and organising of this exciting event.

Finally, we are fast approaching the end of our phase-in period for the New Working With Children Check (WWCC) in NSW. Many thanks to all of those that have submitted their relevant details. For those that have not as yet, we will continue to follow up directly as well as through Region Managers. Further to Leana's column below, I must take the opportunity to remind all that once our phase in period is complete (March 2016), any person in a role that requires a WWCC but has not completed one will no longer be able to continue their role until the WWCC is supplied and verified through Guide House.

All of that being said—enjoy the first edition of The Waratah for 2016, and wishing each of you a happy World Thinking Day.

Peta GilliesChief Executive [email protected]


Call for Nominations—State Commissioner of Girl Guides NSW & ACT

Following the resignation of Gillian Garsia as State Commissioner, the Board of Girl Guides NSW & ACT is seeking a new State Commissioner for the term May 2016–2019.

Firstly, I want to sincerely acknowledge Gillian for her dedication, commitment and passion for Guiding. Her commitment to the values of Guiding in our community has been greatly appreciated. This, and the commitment of all our Leaders, is essential for us to achieve our mission of empowering girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting and responsible community members.

The State Commissioner is fundamentally important for empowering our voluntary Leaders working at the grass roots of the organisation. She is also part of the leadership of the organisation as a Director of the Board of Girl Guides NSW & ACT and involved in all key decision making with the CEO and as part of the Executive Committee.

The role of the State Commissioner includes:

• promotion of the growth and development of Guiding throughout the community;

• leading and supporting the Region Managers and State Office Bearers;

• working with the leadership of Girl Guides Australia;

• consulting with you, our membership, and representing your views to the Board; and

• promoting the Australian Guide Program.

It requires a passion for Guiding and an ability to communicate and work with people from all walks of life and the wider community.

Do you know someone who could do this job?

Then please tap her on the shoulder!

Further information on the position and the application process, (including the nomination form) can be obtained by contacting Annabelle Chee by email ([email protected]) or phone (02 8396 5200). If you wish to discuss the role further please contact me or Acting State Commissioner Elizabeth Starr, [email protected].

Nominations are strictly confidential and must be emailed directly to [email protected] no later than 5pm on Monday 29 February 2016. Late nominations will not be accepted. The Board will conduct the selection process in March and April with the intention of having an appointment made in time for the Annual General Meeting. Applicants will be required to give a presentation to the Board and undertake an interview. Further details of this process will be provided to applicants after the application closing date.

Anne KerleChair, Board of Girl Guides NSW&[email protected]

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Call for Nominations—Girl Guides NSW & ACT Board

Would you like to give more to Guiding, to continue to implement our mission statement, to be part of the exciting times ahead and to build your own skills as part of leading the organisation? You can do this as a Director of the Board of Girl Guides NSW & ACT.

Girl Guides NSW & ACT is seeking up to four new Board Directors for the term June 2016–2019.

In May 2016, Susannah Matters, Katrina Nash, Elizabeth Starr and I will complete our tenure on the Board. The Board is grateful for the time, commitment and service these Leaders have provided to help grow Guiding.

As a Director elected to the Board of Girl Guides NSW & ACT, you will contribute to the strategic direction, legal and financial accountabilities and oversight of the whole of our organisation.

Anyone who has been an adult Member for at least three years, from anywhere across NSW or the ACT, is eligible to be nominated. We also welcome representation from our younger adults, less than 30 years old. In addition, in order to broaden the skill base of the Directors, the Board is keen to receive

nominations from Members with a knowledge of finance, investment and risk management. If you have experience in any of these areas we would love to hear from you.

Do You Know Someone Who Could Do This Job?

Then Please Tap Her On The Shoulder!

Further information—including the skills needed and the nomination form—is available in the Members’ section of the website. To further discuss the role of a Director, please contact me via email or through Guide House on 02 8396 5200. All nominees must consent to their nomination.

Nomination forms may also be obtained by emailing a request to [email protected] or phoning 02 8396 5200.

Nominations must be received by Peta Gillies, Chief Executive Officer, no later than Wednesday 30 March 2016. All nominations will be acknowledged within 48 business hours of receipt. Late nominations will not be included in the ballot paper.

Anne KerleChair, Board of Girl Guides NSW&[email protected]

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Welcome everyone to 2016! What a joy it is to have a whole year of Guiding possibilities, challenges and adventures stretching out ahead of us. A big welcome to everyone, particularly those who are new to Guiding or who are taking on a new role or responsibility this year.

A new year is a great opportunity to take some time to reflect on the previous year, to identify what worked well and where there is room for improvement. In Guiding, we are all striving to do our best.

Do you have a goal for 2016 for your Unit, committee, Region or State?

In 2016, the National Team's goal is to focus on providing new and diverse opportunities within Guiding, to ensure the right persons are in the right roles. We are particularly interested in encouraging younger women in Guiding to consider alternative Guiding volunteer opportunities which they may not have traditionally been involved in, but which can provide such a fantastic learning experience and enable a broader mix of perspectives and views to be shared for the benefit of all. We have a commitment at the Girl Guides Australia Board level to involve young women under 30 in our Board Committees. For more information about opportunities at this level, check out www.girlguides.org.au > Get Involved > Positions Available.

Do you have exciting activities planned for yourselves or your Guides in 2016? It is often tempting to get so carried away planning great ideas ourselves that we forget to allow the girls to also show their excitement and be involved in planning. To truly empower girls to be their best, we need to ensure they have the right tools and knowledge to be equally as involved in planning activities and carrying them out.

There are some great upcoming events and resources to explore in 2016. The Year of the Pulse program, for example, will be available this month, and Leading Edge—our national leadership camp for young women 16–20—is taking place in July in Alice Springs. At State level, we have heard about arts camps, regattas, Olave Program conferences and so much more! And of course there are two World Centres celebrating anniversaries this year—Pax Lodge is turning 25 in March, and Sangam is turning 50 in October.

Guides in 2016 have already been involved in various Australia Day activities and ceremonies across Australia. Congratulations to all those Members and supporters who have been recognised by civil awards in their local area, or at a state or national level.

Coming up, we are looking forward to World Thinking Day on 22 February. This year, the WAGGGS theme is Connect and there is a great pack available via the WAGGGS website which invites you and your Guides to explore and celebrate the meaningful connections that make our lives better, whether to the people closest to us, to a place we care about, or to a Girl Guide or Girl Scout friend on the other side of the world.

Robinette EmonsonChief Commissioner

Susan Campbell & Miranda CummingsAssistant Chief Commissioners

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BRAVO to this edition's newly qualified Leaders and Adult Members that have marked long service milestones.

Newly Qualified

District Manager—Kim Hudson.

Outdoor Leaders— Ann Winchester and Chrisitne Fajks.

Unit Leaders— Alexandra McFadyen; Aiden Baldwin; Shea Rigney; Melena Middleton; Kathryn Armstrong and Shivaun Tijou.

Long service milestones:

5 years — Kerry Helsby.

25 years — Margaret Eadie.

30 years — Gwen Cartwright

Boronia Awards:Robyn Willmette; Pamela Guyler; Julie Tibb; Belinda Schmitzer; Margaret Eadie; Jodi Ramage; Lorraine White; Janice Hoffman; Nicole Malouf; Sally Woodhouse.

Banksia Awards:Kim Woodhouse; Cynthia Corcoran; Virgina Hey; Lorraine White.

Bar to the Banksia Awards:Leonie Holley; Christine Fajks.

Asia Pacific Adult Leaders Achievement Award for Unit Leaders Annette Drewett; Leisa Evans.

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PROGRAM PAGES: WTD 2016 CONNECT

This month, The Waratah’s program pages are bought to you by the letters W, T and D, and the number 22. Okay, that’s the editor’s self-indulgent Sesame Street joke out of the way…February, as you all well know, is the month we celebrate World Thinking Day. For these program pages we’re kicking things off with a message from the Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Australia, following that up with a few ideas for incorporating and recognising WTD in your program, and then rounding out these pages with some pretty awesome content developed by Inclusion Officer Bronwyn Hughes to help prepare you for Harmony Day in March.

PROGRAM PAGES: WTD 2016CONNECT

World Thinking Day Message 2016 from the Chief Commissioner

On behalf of the National Team—Miranda, Susan, Kit and Robinette—Happy World Thinking Day!

What a wonderful opportunity we have on 22 February every year, on the joint birthdays of our founders Lord and Lady Baden Powell, to connect with Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 146 countries around the world. For many of us, this is the time of year when we

reconnect with those friends from far and wide who have, over our time in Guides, helped build many special memories.

This year on World Thinking Day, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has invited us to explore and celebrate those special and meaningful connections that make our lives better and make us happier, whether they be people, places or friends on the other side of the world.

Details of the challenge can be found in the special World Thinking Day kit which can be downloaded from the Resources section of www.wagggs.org. Like connecting the pieces of a jigsaw, the four puzzle pieces in the WAGGGS challenge help us think about more positive connections. Connect with myself, connect with friends, connect with WAGGGS, and finally share your connects at #connect10million.

To collect the WTD 2016 badge youth Members complete one activity from each of the connect puzzle pieces then share their story #connect10million.

The National Leadership Team wishes you all a very happy, exciting World Thinking Day and we hope we can CONNECT with many of you during 2016.

Donate to the WTD Fund

WAGGGS have some amazing fundraising ideas in their Connect activity pack, such as:

• Host a WTD event day with games and activities for children and a small entrance fee; you can promote this in schools and community centres, and use some of the activities from the WAGGGS Connect pack.

• Make origami boxes that everyone takes home and has a month to fill with coins.

• Plan a special event, such as a gourmet dinner, gala ball, dance, afternoon tea etc, and sell tickets.

Wear Guide Uniform to Work or School

Encourage your Guides to wear their Uniform to school, and you yourself can wear your Uniform to work. Why? Guiding Traditions is one of the fundamentals underpinning the Australian Guide Program, and the tradition of wearing Guide Uniform to work or school to celebrate WTD is a time honoured one. And, if that is not reason enough, wearing Uniform in front of such a diverse audience raises awareness of Guiding in your community and you can spread the word about how relevant and awesome we are today!

We have template letter downloads available on our website to fill out and send to Principals to explain the what and the why of WTD and request permission to wear Guide Uniform. Go to the pink what’s on tab and click on world thinking day.

Celebrated since 1926, World Thinking Day is a day of international friendship, speaking out on issues that affect girls and young women, and fundraising for 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world.


PROGRAM PAGES: WTD 2016CONNECT

Get your Guides to take the 2016 WTD challenge and earn a badge.

Youth Members simply choose and complete an activity from each of sections 1–4, then #connect10million using their puzzle piece! Download the activity pack from www.wagggs.org/en/what-we-do/world-thinking-day/ today! It really is amazing.

Connect with the worldwide sisterhood of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting

Follow Girl Guides NSW & ACT, Girl Guides Australia and WAGGGS on Facebook and/or Twitter. Make the #Connect10million puzzle frame from page 41 of the WAGGGS resource and use it to share your WTD happenings with us and join the global conversation #connect10million.


Invite a guest speaker

This may be a local community member, a friend or parent of one of your girls. Remember to discuss prior to the visit with your speaker what they would like to share and any topics you have in mind. This will help with planning for activities you might want to include during the night as well as identify any areas they may be uncomfortable speaking about.

Harmony Day—21 March—celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity and the importance of inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone. Always an important date on the Girl Guides calendar, Harmony Day is also a great opportunity to showcase the inclusiveness and diversity of our organisation to the wider community. This Harmony Day consider taking your celebrations outside of the Hall and take the chance to be seen out and about in your local area or invite community members from diverse cultural backgrounds to come and share their skills and experiences with your Unit. The following are a few ideas.

Hold a Come and Try

Harmony Day also presents a great opportunity to showcase Guiding to newly arrived members of your community. Get in touch with your local community organisations working in this area to discuss what opportunities might be available.

Invite an expert to share a cultural activity

Are your girls interested in salsa dancing, tai chi or henna tattoos? Rather than research how to run the activity yourself, invite a skilled community member or group to come and share a cultural art, recipe or tradition with your Unit.

PROGRAM PAGES: HARMONY

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Attend a community event

Find out about Harmony Day events being held in your area (http://www.harmony.gov.au/), food

tours or community/cultural festivals taking place in the months of March and April. Your Unit could attend, volunteer to assist or be involved in the event’s organisation.

PROGRAM PAGES HARMONY DAY


Is your Unit planning an activity for World Thinking Day or Harmony Day? The Marketing & Communications Team at Guide House would love to help gain media coverage of any activities or events your Unit is holding to celebrate. We would also love to see photos and hear stories after the events that we may be able to share online, in G-news and maybe even The Warath.

Please get in touch at [email protected] to discuss how we may be able to assist.

Organise your own Harmony Day event

No Harmony Day activities organised in your local area? Host your own. Invite community members and groups to come and share aspects from their cultural background and celebrate the diversity of your community. Guides can assist with the organisation or share aspects of their own cultural heritage.

Not sure where to start? The following are some useful community contact points:

• Migrant Resource centres.

• Language schools.

• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Community Organisations.

• Regional Multicultural or Ethnic Communities Council.

• Places of worship.

• Local Aboriginal Land Council.

• Community centres.

• Local council or library.

Need further assistance? Contact Bronwyn, our Inclusion Officer at [email protected]

PROGRAM PAGES: HARMONY

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Last you heard about the AGP Review, the National Program team was working hard on a strategy to take forward the changes to the AGP that Guiding asked for. In November, the Australian Guiding Committee and the Board of Girl Guides Australia gave their full endorsement to this strategy.

What did we learn from the review?After extensive research and consultation across the Australian Guiding community we know that Guiding believes our program needs to improve and evolve. Broadly, Guiding’s highest priorities are to:

• increase the quality and consistency of our program, focusing on delivering a truly girl-led Guiding experience;

• increase the diversity and flexibility of our Program, strengthening our opportunities to reach more girls;

• do more to support and strengthen Leaders—helping them to build skills to deliver the program; and

• communicate who we are and what we offer more effectively to the Australian community.

We know that there are many great things happening across Guiding. We’ll draw on what’s working well and the research from the review to make the recommendations a reality.

What happens now?We know what Guiding thinks we need to change and improve. The work to make that happen is detailed and will take time. The review highlighted six major areas of action, detailed below. A new project will launch soon to take us forward. Broad and ambitious in scope, this next phase will be realised over three years from 2016–2018.

Each area will have a project team and timeline. Drawing deeply on the wealth of information from the research to carefully design action plans, in some cases we will need more detailed information from specific stakeholders. Project teams will consult and do further research where necessary.

Develop clear narratives to communicate who we are and what we offer more effectively to the Australian community. We know we need to maximise the value of our ‘girls only’ program in our marketing and communications. This is what sets us apart from other community organisations and is what binds us to a world movement of Girl Guides and Girls Scouts working to empower girls and young women. We also need to better communicate our program aims to volunteers, parents, and Guides themselves and to reach further into our Australian community. This project will focus on developing new narratives and a diverse range of new multi-lingual materials.

Renew the Girl Recognition System Through the AGP Review, Leaders and parents told us that the Girl Recognition System is not working well for them. Inconsistent application and standards, lack of clear progression, and problems with peer assessment are among the concerns. This large piece of work will require the team to go back and dig deep into data from the review and possibly even to do

further research. The project will produce a non-formal learning framework that links and makes clear the progression through our current recognition system. This is at least an 18 month project to ensure that any developments are well supported with resources and explanations. As the project progresses and the Australian Program Team develop the support materials to assist Leaders, parents and girls, they will be made available.

Develop flexible delivery options for the AGP By drawing on existing innovative practice this project is focused on making it possible for more girls to get involved and stay involved with Guiding, on attracting volunteers by providing diverse volunteering experiences, and will pilot a wide range of options across all States and Territories.

Renew the foundations and define a clear set of outcomes for the AGP. The Review findings made it clear that although Leaders value the Fundamentals and Elements, there is also confusion and a view that they could be improved. The focus of this project will be to update them, honouring tradition and linking Guiding to the needs of our 21St century community. Proposed changes will be put to the Australian Guiding Committee for approval in mid-2016. Any implementation of changes will be supported by clear explanations and resources. It is understood that any changes will effect a variety of current resources and this will all be considered as part of any implementation plan.

Develop more flexible leadership roles and structures; improve the experience of Leaders and Managers.Delivering a consistent, high-quality Program means we must address volunteer workloads, and build and support Leaders’ skills. Creating an improved volunteering experience will help to support recruitment and retention of volunteers. This project will align with the flexible delivery project and similarly, will pilot a wide range of options in States and Territories.

Develop programs and partnerships to address the needs of girls across the breadth of the Australian community Harnessing Guiding’s untapped potential to reach out to diverse groups in the Australian community; this project will be one of the longest running, as we seek to build links with a range of groups and organisations in the community to support us in reaching more girls and more volunteers.

The next few years will be an exciting time for Guiding. There was so much positive feedback from parents, girls and Leaders about the AGP, yet we know some change and growth is necessary. The Implementation Team will continue to keep you up to date on progress through State newsletters, social media and a dedicated website; and always welcome feedback via the National Program email below.

Helen ReidNational Program Manager and Project Lead, AGP Implementation Team [email protected]


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February 22—the joint birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell has become known throughout Scouting and Guiding as World Thinking Day. How much do we really know about Lady B.P. apart from the fact that she always had a great big smile? I have recently re-read her autobiography Window on My Heart and will share some of this with our readers.

In January 1889 Katharine Soames, heavily pregnant, fell while negotiating a stile near her home. For some weeks her health and that of her unborn child lay in the balance.

On 22 February 1889 a baby girl was born. In April she was christened in the parish church of Buxted in Sussex by her uncle. This little baby was given the names Olave St. Clair — St. Clair was after her godmother and Olave because of her father’s love of Norse stories. Had this little girl been a boy the name would have been Olaf.

Olave, together with her older sister and brother, were educated at home until her brother was sent away to school. Olave and her sister Auriol loved the outdoors and kept chooks, doves and horses. They also loved to ride the countryside on their bicycles. The family moved constantly and Olave loved all the country homes. She learned the violin and became quite competent at playing it. Her father gave her a violin she called Diana and this was later given to the Girl Guides Association. Olave notes in her diary, "I was never given any responsibility and had no preparation for life at all. I never went into the kitchen or learned the first thing about housework or cooking or sewing". However she was always able to quickly settle into new surroundings and make a home wherever she was.

I recommend Window on My Heart to all readers. Happy Birthday Olave.

Chesne JonesState Archivist

In the December edition of The Waratah, 2015, we made some editorial changes to State International and World Guiding Consultant Kerrey William’s contribution. We had to cut down the word count to fit the submission in, but our changes added enough ambiguity for the reader to potentially change context. More specifically:

• Witeske Brunisma was on leave to live and work in the Solomon Islands, she had not travelled their specifically to develop Guiding.

• Kerrey had interviewed and/or checked references for many youth and adult Members who had applied for events in Finland, Norway, Austria, Canada, the US, Scotland, Ireland, England, New Zealand, Mexico, India, Switzerland, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Africa, Oman and Singapore.

• Kerrey attended the opening and international night market at the inaugural Asia Pacific Region Conference for Leaders of Girls and was not a representative attendee for the entire conference.

MANAGER AND CONSULTANT NEWS


Welcome back to a new Guiding Year.

I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday and are geared up for an amazing and exciting year of Guiding.

My team and I have been working hard over the break to put together the Hubs and they are looking very exciting. We have covered most of our current trainings and introduced a few more for the Managers.

District Managers, if you have Interim Leaders about to attend training course, please ensure they have met with their Learning Partner and recommend the Learning Partner attends the Hub whilst the Interim Leader is at the qualification training.

The Hub, being both unique and innovative, will promote networking and offer more support to our Interim Leaders and also to each other. It will be an opportunity to practise the Patrol System and highlight how well it can work at all levels of Guiding. It will also highlight that our Promise and Law underpins all that we do by working together and appreciating each other’s skill bases.

Take some time to look at the calendar and mark which training courses you wish to do and apply early because as of March, the cut off dates for training courses will be four weeks before the training is held. This is to accommodate the Hubs and ensure that Trainers and Caterers have everything ready. You will still be able to apply online. Once the training courses have closed you will not be able to register online.

To start the new year I have a new email address. You may have noticed this in the December issue of The Waratah this. Please contact me using this address from now on.

Elizabeth BakerState Learning and Development [email protected]

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Unfortunately due to an editorial mix up my article was missed from December Waratah. So I have edited it and added more for the New Year!

We had a really wonderful day at Glengarry for our annual Picnic Day get together at the end of October with 85 Trefoil Members in attendance from 24 Guilds, metro and country! Thank you to all who were able to come. For those of you unable to attend, there was feedback in our November newsletter.

As we start 2016 and a new year of Trefoil Guiding have you started making plans for this year’s activities? World Thinking Day is this month—what are your plans for that? Please share activities with us so we can all enjoy new ideas. Will you have a mix of activities in 2016—meetings and outings, involving the community and Guiding? Will you be inclusive and invite friends and acquaintances from other organisations as guest speakers or just to come along and experience what Trefoil has to offer? Will you plan to have interesting and fun activities that inspire others to join? How will you carry out the 2016

Trefoil Good Turn? See some ideas in the November newsletter. Whatever you plan please do stay positive and let us know about it!

REMINDER: This is also the time of year for AGM’s, Annual Census Returns and Trefoil Membership payments—all relevant information and forms were sent out in November. The Census and payments are due 28 February. Please also remember to check that all your Members are currently financial with Girl Guides NSW & ACT. Thank you to those who have already been in touch about our membership lists and corrections that need to be made.

Thank you for your support in 2015 and may we all look forward to an exciting and re-energised 2016 where we see our Trefoil Guild numbers grow and be more relevant in the 21st Century!

A belated Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sally ThorntonState Trefoil [email protected]

With the New Year and a few changes to personnel in the volunteer management of Girl Guides NSW & ACT, we’ve introduced some new position-based email addresses.

No matter who is currently in the role, if the email relates to that role it will always make it through to the correct person, and even if the position is vacant the email address will still be monitored!

The new email addresses, and the respective office bearers are:

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Office Bearer Position Email Address

Katie Conroy (nee O’Connor—congratulations to Katie who was married in December amidst planning Vispera and the 2016 Guiding calendar)

State Program Manager [email protected]

Elizabeth Baker State Learning & Development Manager

[email protected]

Vicki Marsh Assistant State Program Manager [email protected]

Position Vacant State Outdoors, Environment & Earth Education Consultant

[email protected]

Position Vacant State International & World Guiding Consultant

[email protected]

Jodie Chilvers State Youth Recognition & Awards Liaison

[email protected]

Alannah Krix Youth Leadership & Development Liaison

[email protected]

Position Vacant Duke of Edinburgh's Liaison [email protected]

Emily Milton Smith Advocacy Liaison [email protected]

Emma Introna Inclusion Support Liaison [email protected]

Position Vacant Arts & Culture Liaison [email protected]

TREF

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Register before 26 February! Don't be late for a

very important Date:

www.girlguides-nswact.org.au

Mad Hatter Regatta 2016

Horsemanship lessons, grooming, safety, and horse care. Watch beginners and nervous riders grow in confidence.

A weekend in a wonderland of nature with kangaroos, a riverside campfire site, young farm animals, abundant birdlife, river swimming (and gold panning!)

• Indoor self-contained accommodation for 25.• Separate room for Leaders.• Packages to suit different budgets. Ad

vert

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ent

Ring Patty Hudson on (02) 6337 7173 to discuss your requirements.Jackeroo Ranch has been accommodating Guides since the 1970s!

Jackeroo Ranch – Bingletree Station (near Bathurst)Post: PO Box 1314, Bathurst NSW 2795Bingletree Station has been approved as a Girl Guides activity site.

A Weekend to RememberHorseriding camps – great for girls aged 7-18!

18-20 March 2016


Interested in the advocacy space? Passionate about the Australian Guide Program and keen to share your skills with others? Consider applying to become the next State Advocacy Liaison!

The current State Advocacy Liaison term will shortly be coming to an end. The search is now on for the next State Advocacy Liaison to join the State Program Committee. The State Advocacy Liaison works collaboratively with other Program personnel at State and Region levels to support and facilitate advocacy program initiatives across Girl Guides. The State Advocacy Liaison spearheads the Girls Advisory Panel.

Volunteers will receive a handover and training cross-over period to ensure a smooth transition so that you are confident about your role moving forward.

Expressions of Interest are now being received, please email: advocacy@[email protected]

Twelve fantastic girls have been recently appointed to the 2016 Girls Advisory Panel. These girls have just returned from their first weekend of skill building and advocacy development. Representing their peers, the GAP program ensures that girls on this panel contribute to the decision-making processes that involve Girl Guides across the NSW & ACT. We are looking forward to seeing these girls raise their voices, speak out on issues that they care about and take action!

Congratulations to the following girls:

North Pacific Coast: Emily O’Donoghue

Northern Sydney: Harpreet Dhillon and Echo Huang

Greater Rivers: Allyson Garment and Alyssa Taylor

ACT & SE NSW: Allison Bruemmer; Shaylah McClymont; Madeleine Woodward; Aisha Strutt, and Nicole Georgopoulos

Southern Sydney Rivers: Elke Tuckfield

South Coast and Highlands: Madeleine Saffery

If you have an enquiry regarding GAP or would like to make contact with your GAP representative, please email Emily at [email protected]

Girls Advisory Panel

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New Year, new supply of PR material. This latest suite of pre-printed materials reflect the contemporary style that Girl Guides NSW & ACT are now embracing and it was really exciting to take receipt of the delivery in Guide House. We are now that much closer to unifying the appearance of our brand with the Annual Report matching the Strategic Plan which matches the The Waratah which matches G-news which compliments the DL brochures which match the postcards and bookmarks that go with the A4 posters that match the downloads available from the website. It’s branding and identity as it should be, and it's a beautiful thing!

With this new suite of materials we have moved the handling of the complimentary PR tools away from the Guide Shop and they will now be available by request from Guide House. The PR tools pictured are free of charge, but we will still need to invoice for postage.

With the upcoming District Manager's Weekend at the end of February, we encourage Districts to think about what PR tools they may require in the coming months. If you take the opportunity to collect from Glengarry we can avoid any postal costs! We have reinvigorated the Support Group and District Support Team brochure, perfect for growing the support base in your District and recruiting to fill skill gaps. We have the 2016 Introducing Girl Guides reflecting the Youth Member cost for this year available as an A4 one pager with the Guide Promise, Guide Law and mission statement on the flip side. There are bookmarks that can be used as vouchers for come & try visits for non-members, postcards geared towards adult recruitment, A4 sized posters for both adults and youth, and DL brochures for Guides in general and also specifically for adults.

Head to the growing Guiding section in the Member’s area of our website to find out more about what’s available and how to order.

Jamie ShepheardMarketing & Communications [email protected]

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1300 447 548

#GirlGuidesGoPlaces

GH1575

Inspire and Empower Girls…

…Volunteer with Girl Guides.

1300 447 548 www.girlguides-nswact.org.au

GH1525: © Girl Guides NSW & ACT

Do you have ties to Guiding and want to be more

involved? Don’t have time to be a Leader?Support Groups and District Support Teams are an integral part of Guiding

— families and community helping Leaders and Guides.Any adult can be involved: grandparents; aunts; uncles; mums and

dads; anyone with the time and skills to contribute to their local Guiding

community on a volunteer basis.Aside from Office Bearer roles, positions you may be able to volunteer

for include: administrative auditing/bookkeeping ; catering; committee

member; fundraising; maintenance/gardening; shopping for activities and

events; or even supporting a camp or sleepover activity.Most Support Groups (SGs) or District Support Teams (DSTs) meet once a

month during each school term (though meeting times do vary). Members

of the SGs or DSTs attend meetings with others interested in providing

support for Guiding in their District.

Building Guiding Together

“Sharing information and ideas, empowering others and developing trust

are the building blocks of leadership.”

“empowering girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsible community members.”

Support Groups & District Support Teams

follow us

Call 1300 GIRL GUIDES

or visit our website at


Local Guide Unit contact

#GirlGuidesGoPlaces

If you want to:

make a difference to girls’ lives

learn new skills

develop existing skills

be part of a team of like-minded women

boost your resumé by developing

management & leadership skills

take action on issues that affect the

lives of women in Australia & overseas

GUIDING IS...

an intergenerational organisation

open to all, so no matter what your

age, there is something for you!

GUIDING PROVIDES...

a values based dynamic and flexible

non-formal educational program for

girls and young women in a fun and

supportive girl’s only environment.

Girls develop leadership skills and

a sense of personal responsibility

and a shared purpose to make the

world a better place.

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From little STEMs big things grow…

9 April 2016

With Special Guest

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki

SC ENCEin the garden

presents

Early Bird registrations now open

Documents

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