Printing of this document kindly donated by Burns and Baker Accountants Pty Ltd, South Perth
From the State Team As we begin the celebrations for the 100th year of Girl Guides Western Australia, we have been wondering what those early Guides and their Leaders would think about Guiding in the 21st century. They would probably be amazed by the use of technology, possibly shocked by girls and young women in trousers or shorts and hopefully reassured by the continued focus on the fundamental principles in our programs. If only Dr Who was real so we could send a TARDIS to bring them into the future to have a look or go back ourselves and thank those early pioneers. The Centenary Challenge has been developed by Ellen Walker from Brookton with input from a number of Leaders and friends. The information contained in this resource is a valuable series of snapshots of how Guiding and the world have changed over each decade and the research that has gone into each section is considerable. It is fascinating to see what has been achieved and at the same time to realise how important aspects have remained constant. However, the real benefits of the package will only be appreciated by trying the challenges yourselves and learning firsthand about our history. One of the issues about celebrating an anniversary is being able to access information and materials from previous times. So while you are looking back, try to remember those who will be doing the research for our Bicentenary in 2115. Keep records of your challenge activities in logbooks, scrapbooks or computer files. Take lots of photos and video clips, making sure that everyone in them is identified by name and include the date and location of the activity. Post your news to the Girl Guides WA Blog or send in articles for Wagtale. In July 2015 the State Team would love to see your efforts and there will be awards for the best Centenary Challenge logs. We place a strong emphasis on challenge in the Australian Guide Program and the variety of activities in the Centenary Challenge will provide something to suit everyone, no matter their age or ability. The following quote sums it up nicely. What people say we cannot do, we try, and find that we can. Nothing is easy to do, but it's the challenge and fun that makes things interesting. Good luck for the next twelve months and we look forward to meeting you at the various events. Brenda Hamlett Sharon O’Brien and Carmel Stefanoff State Commissioner Assistant State Commissioners
Notes for Leaders when using this resource
The Centenary Challenge has been designed as a resource for Leaders to help them teach their Guides
about the history of Guiding in Western Australia so we can learn where we have come from over our
first 100 years. Each decade has 4 sections; WA Guiding Snippet, World Guiding Snippet, World Event
and Guide Program.
WA Guiding Snippets cover significant events which occurred within Guiding in WA and have had an
impact on how Guiding looks in WA today. It has not been possible to include all the camps, Leaders’
functions and events which have happened in WA over the past 100 years and this section in merely a
taste of what has happened. As a Unit or for your own interest, you are more than welcome to find out
more about all the wonderful things Girl Guides WA has done.
World Guiding Snippets are again a taste of what has occurred in the World Association over the past
100 years and the events selected are to provide a context of how world Guiding events shaped
Guiding in WA. There are many more events which have happened and again Units and Leaders are
able to further investigate the history of World Guiding.
World Events give a background about what was happening outside of Guiding which had an effect on
our members and the path Guiding has taken to stay relevant over the decades. Some events such as
the World Wars have had a direct impact of Guiding activities. However, others have been a
background influence such as the advancement of technology.
Guide Program sections show how the day to day program of Guiding in Units has evolved to keep it
relevant to Guides in Australia, and how it moved away from the traditional British model on which it
was first based.
The aim of the Challenge is to select a section for each decade to focus on (you do not have to do all
the sections for each decade, unless you want to). You can write the section under the corresponding
decade on the Girls’ Progress Worksheet or you can print off the worksheet for the section and create a
Centenary Challenge Booklet for your girls.
There is no badge specific to the Centenary Challenge. However, you can present your girls with a
Participation Certificate once they have completed the Challenge.
The Daily News 17 June 1915 The West Australian 16 June 1915
1915-1919 WA Guiding Snippet
While prior to 1915 there were girls meeting under the banner of Girl Guides within Western Australia, it
was not until a public meeting was called that the Girl Guide Movement officially began. The attendance at
this public meeting was beyond what anyone expected with the Perth Town Hall full to overflowing. At the
meeting girls and young women who were interested in becoming Girl Guides were invited to send their
names to Mrs Osborne Wilson (the first secretary of Girl Guides WA) who invited them to attend her house
in Angove St, North Perth the following Tuesday. Rita Bartlett (nee Bannon) was one of the girls who very
excitedly attended Mrs Wilson’s house:
“I found my way through the unfamiliar streets to the meeting place. There were excited girls everywhere,
sitting on the floor in the rooms, in the passages, even in the laundry, tying knots with two pieces of string.
Our names and addresses were taken and we were told we would be notified where to join a company.”
After the Public Meeting on 28 June 1915, Guiding took off in WA. Miss Grace Holder (the 1st State
Commissioner) attended public meetings throughout the suburbs of Perth as well as in the regional centre
of Collie.
The first State Rally was held in May of 1916 with 300 Girl Guides in attendance. The rally started with a
‘march past’ down Barrack Street, and finished in the gardens of Government House where the girls put on
a display of signalling, drill and flag work for the Governor Sir Harry Barron (Chief Scout of Western
Australia) and his wife Lady Barron (who was also the Chief Guide of Western Australia). 19 Guide
Companies (Units) attended the rally and an afternoon tea of jelly cakes and fruit was served for the girls in
the Government House supper rooms. Companies who could not make the Rally in Perth held their own
events locally and demonstrated the different skills that a Girl Guide of 1916 must know.
Challenges:
Read Campfire Yarn no. 10 in ‘How Girls can Help to Build an Empire’. In your Patrol have a go at
sending messages to each other using the secret writing techniques mentioned after the Campfire
Yarn
For afternoon tea at the State Rally jelly cakes were served. As a Unit or Patrol have a go at making
jelly cakes
Marching in formation was a very important part of keeping a well organised company. In your
Patrol practise the different marching commands mentioned in ‘How Girls can Help to Build an
Empire’ (p118-119). Put on a marching display for your Unit/friends and family/ invited guests like
the girls did at the State Rally in 1916
1915-1919 World Guiding Snippet
Rosebuds were started in 1914 when the younger sisters of girls who were Guides
wanted to join in. The name Rosebuds did not prove to be very popular so in 1915
Agnes Baden Powell (Robert Baden Powell’s sister who had helped found Girl
Guiding) changed the name to Brownies after the helpful elf like creatures in
British folk lore. Originally uniform was not compulsory for Brownies but by 1917 it
was decided that the Brownie uniform would be a brown tunic dress with pockets
on the front, a straw hat and a brown neck tie, this was changed to golden yellow
in 1938.
Challenges:
In your Patrol or with your Unit have a go at completing the Second Class Test (Gold Bar Test) which used to
be part of the Brownie program. The Second Class Test was similar to today’s Gem badges.
Second Class (Golden Bar Test – Golden Bar on brown cloth)
Know how the Union Jack and the flag of her own country are made up and the right way
to fly them.
Tie the following knots and know their uses: reef; sheetbend; round turn and two half-
hitches.
Show that she understands the rules of the road, and take Brown Owl or Tawny Owl for a
‘Stop, Look and Listen’ walk.
Observe and describe something belonging to the outside world, chosen by herself, e.g.,
sky, sea, bird, tree, flower, animal etc; or Make a collection of six flowers or shells or
feathers, etc., and name them.
Make a useful article to include a turned-down hem sewn with a decorative tacking stitch;
o or Darn an article or do the darning stitch
Show two methods of sewing on buttons and sew one button onto a garment.
Know how and why she should keep her teeth clean, her nails cut and clean; and why
breathe through the nose.
Hop round a figure-of-eight or bowl a hoop.
Skip twenty times without a break, turning the rope backwards.
Throw a ball against a wall from a point 10 ft. away and catch it four times out of six; or
Catch a ball thrown from a distance of 6 yds. and return it to the sender, four times out of
six.
Lay a table for two for dinner.
1915-1919 World Events
World War 1 started in June 1914 (12 months before Guiding started in Western Australia). In October of
1914 Lord Barron, then Governor of Western Australia and Chief Scout of Western Australia, was quoted in
the Scouts’ weekly newspaper column saying:
“The Girls Guides would start in WA. Since the outbreak of the War increased attention has been given by
ladies to the study of first aid and ambulance work, also sick nursing. These subjects form an important part
of the training of the Girl Guides, and the time is very opportune for someone to volunteer as a Leader for
this movement the training in which is bound to immensely benefit the girl individually, and also the Empire,
of which she is also an important citizen.”
Once Guiding did start there were several ways they contributed towards the war effort. They held
concerts and stalls to raise funds, knitted socks and scarves for soldiers in the trenches, but probably the
most unique contribution was the making of fly veils from binder twine for the Army horses in Egypt and
Palestine.
Challenge:
As a Patrol or Unit have a go at making a fly veil or knitting a pair of socks similar to those the
Guides made for the war effort (see Resource Pack for patterns)
Send an email of support via the defence force website to troops currently serving overseas
Participate in an ANZAC or Remembrance Day service
Research what was in a soldier’s ration pack during WW1 and plan a meal using only these
ingredients to share with your unit
1915-1919 Guide Program
The original program for Girl Guides was developed in the United Kingdom where Guiding first started in
1910. Guides had to pass their Tenderfoot test and Second class test before they could continue on to
Proficiency Badges (Interest Badges). In 1912 new Proficiency badges were introduced to the Girl Guides
Syllabus. These badges included:
- Air Mechanic
- Cyclist
- Photographer
- Electrician
- Sailor
- Telegraphist
- Tailor
Challenge:
In your Patrol or as a Unit have a go at completing section 2 and 3 of the Cyclist Proficiency badge from the
early Guide program. You might like to use what you learn doing this badge to complete one of the current
Create-a-Challenge badges.
Cyclist
A Guide must sign a certificate that shows she owns a bicycle in good working order, which she is
willing to use in the King’s service if called upon at any time in case of emergency.
She must be able to ride her bicycle satisfactorily and repair punctures etc
She must be able to read a map and repeat correctly a verbal message an hour after receiving it.
On ceasing to own a bicycle the Guide must hand back her badge.
1920s WA Guiding Snippet
With the war over, Girl Guides in WA were able to refocus and concentrate on building the foundations
of the organisation we are part of today. A constitution was drawn up to direct the governance of the
organisation and an annual subscription of 2/6 (two shillings and six pence) was set. The first
permanent Guide House was established in 1925 at No. 7 Howard Street in the city.
Guiding in WA continued to grow and by 1925, just 10 years after starting, official numbers had
reached 1000. The first Ranger companies were formed in 1928, in Subiaco and Beverley. As the
membership grew Trainers from England came to teach the necessary skills to Leaders, in particular
outdoor camping. In 1928 Miss Wilson came from Ayrshire in Scotland to show how camps should be
run and issue the first Campers’ Licenses at a camp held near Wooroloo.
Challenge:
With such a big membership to keep informed and limited forms of communication, the “Daily News”
newspaper published a weekly column about Guides in one of its evening papers starting in 1923.
Write an article for your local newspaper about a recent event you attended, badge you have
done or just about Guides in general. Make sure your Leader reads it before you send it to the
paper.
1920s World Guiding Snippet
The first World Conference was held in Oxford, UK in 1920 under the title of International Council. We did
not become a ‘World Association’ until the 1928 World Conference held in Prague, Hungary. At a World
Conference each member nation of WAGGGS was allowed to send 2 delegates and a varying number of
observers.
At World Conferences important decisions are made about the future direction of WAGGGS and they are
held every 3 years. The World Board is elected and they ensure the mission of WAGGGS is followed as well
as following up on the actions and decisions made at the Conference. From each conference there is a
Triennial Theme established which is the focus of WAGGGS until the next World Conference. The current
Triennial Theme is the WAGGGS Global Action Theme and is based on the Millennium Development Goals.
The latest World Conference is being held in Hong Kong in July 2014
Challenge:
In your Patrol or Unit complete some of the activities from either the:
Our Rights Our Responsibilities Activity Pack
(http://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/document/view/1629)
Or
Global Action Theme Activity Pack
(http://www.wagggs.org/en/grab/20082/1/2GATcurriculumENG.pdf
Australian 1920 Swimming Team
1920s World Event
Women have been competing in the Olympic games since the
1900 games, but the 1928 games in Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
was when Women’s Athletics and Gymnastics featured in the
Olympics for the first time. There were 46 nations competing in
the Olympics with the United States topping the medal tally (with
56 medals). Australia had only 18 athletes competing in 5 sports
and 8 of the athletes had to fund their own way as there were
limited funds available.
There was great controversy in the women’s athletics,
when several women appeared exhausted after the 800m
race. There was debate around whether women should be
permitted to compete in the Olympics at all given their
‘delicate nature’. While the final vote by the Amateur
Athletics Committee did support women’s athletic events
in the Olympics the schedule of events was cut
dramatically. This cut included long distance women’s track
events. As a result women’s track events over 200m, were
not included in the Olympics program until the 1960s.
Challenge:
Since the 2008 Olympic Games WAGGGS has worked with Girl Guides in the host nation to develop a
badge syllabus to encourage the promotion of sports, support women as peacemakers, enhance the
public image of Guiding as an active community of motivated volunteers and fulfil the WAGGGS mission
for developing girls and young women in sport.
Use the following links to find the syllabus for the Olympia Badge (China 2008) and Games Go Global
(UK 2012) and choose at least one activity from each section (Stadium, Temple, Theatre) to do as a
patrol or in your unit
Olympia Badge:
http://www.seo.gr/LH2Uploads/ItemsContent/658/1OlympiaBadgeEN08.pdf
Games Go Global:
http://www.wagggs.org/en/grab/23040/1/games-go-global-english.pdf
1920s Guiding Program
At the 4th World Conference in 1926 delegates decided that there should be a day when Girl Guides and Girl
Scouts all over the world express their thanks and appreciation for being part of an international
movement. The date 22 February was chosen as it was the joint birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden
Powell.
It wasn’t until the World Conference in 1932 that it was decided that Girl Guides and Girl Scouts should
make a donation towards supporting the movement around the world. Olave Baden Powell wrote the
following letter to members of the organisation to encourage them to donate a penny.
Challenge:
Take part in Thinking Day activities for 2015
1930s WA Guiding Snippet
There was great excitement when Lord and Lady Baden Powell visited Western Australia for the first
time in May of 1931. For the members of Girl Guides WA it was a chance to prove to the Founder of the
movement how successful Guides were in our state. While Lord and Lady Baden Powell did not want an
official welcoming when they arrived by train in Perth, the informal welcome they got would have been
spectacular. Excited children lined the streets from the Central Perth Train Station to Government
House (where Lord and Lady Baden Powell were staying for their weeklong visit). Police had to clear a
path for the car transporting the couple to travel through the streets.
A party was planned to by the 1st Perth Pioneer Company in the Perth Town Hall, with the hope of
having games and dancing. However when 1500 people turned up it was sitting room only with supper
being passed along rows and a giant sing-a-long instead of dancing and games. Lady Baden Powell is
quoted as saying:
“This is more than a party. The only name for this is a Gamoot.”
Lady BP met with the Division Commissioners, President and members of the Executive for a luncheon
at the house of Mrs R.T. Robinson (now St Anne’s Hospital). At the luncheon the Chief Guide discussed
with Guiders (Leaders) and Commissioners any concerns they had about successfully running Guiding in
WA and offered advice to help overcome the issues discussed.
After a week of rallies, parties, luncheons and a Sunday church service, Lord and Lady Baden Powell set
sail from Fremantle for their next destination of South Africa. While this was Lord Baden Powell’s only
visit to Western Australia, Lady Baden Powell continued to visit Perth from time to time.
Challenge: As a Unit or Patrol create a quiz/puzzle/game containing interesting facts about Lord and Lady
Baden Powell
1930s World Guiding Snippet
At the 1928 World Conference it was decided that a world centre for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts should
be built.
Thanks to the funding of Helen Storrow (left) and the
work of Ida Von Herrenschwand (right), known to
everyone as Falk, to find an appropriate site, Our
Chalet was built and opened for business in July 1932.
In honour of her generous donation towards the
building of Our Chalet, Baby Chalet was built for Helen
Storrow to use when she visited Our Chalet. Set across
the valley from the town of Adelboden it was
originally planned that Our Chalet would be open for
the summer and briefly for winter holidays.
However, due to its popularity Our Chalet stays open
all year round.
Over the years Our Chalet has grown to accommodate the continuous flow of guests. In 1956 a new
house was built for the staff of Our Chalet, known as Stokli and in 1999 work was completed on
Spycher which added extra accommodation for guests and also has the office and conference rooms.
There is also a camp house for use during summer camping and Squirrel house.
Challenge:
Much of what happens at Our Chalet is based on confronting challenges whether it be the
climate, terrain or meeting and living with new people from around the world. Create a Unit
challenge similar to the staff challenge at Our Chalet to test the Guiding skills and knowledge of
your fellow Guides. You might like to use the challenge to teach newer unit members about
Guiding.
1930s World Event
Ellen Church – a trained pilot and registered nurse, Miss Church joined Boeing
Air Transport (BAT) in 1930. The manager of the airline would not let her be a
pilot for the company; however, she convinced him that it was necessary to
have nurses on the flight to reduce the stress on passengers with a fear of
flying. A car accident ended Miss Church’s career as an air hostess, so she
continued her study in nursing and obtained a degree in Nursing. During the
Second World War she served with the Army Nursing Corps and became a flight
nurse earning an Air Medal for her service.
Amy Johnston – took up flying as a hobby gaining her pilot’s A licence in
1929. In the same year she became the first British female to gain a Ground
Engineer’s licence. On May 24 1930 just 19 days after leaving England she
became the first female to fly solo from England to Darwin, NT, Australia. Her
plane “Jason” is still on display in the Science Museum in London. Miss
Johnston continued with her flying career and went on to become the first
pilot to fly from England to Moscow, Russia in one day and held records for
the shortest time flying from Britain to Japan and South Africa. During the
Second World War she was an Air Transport Auxiliary pilot for the British Air
force and died while returning an aircraft to an RAF airbase near Oxford. She is still regarded as Britain’s
most famous female aviator
Amelia Earhart – In 1932 at the age of 34 Amelia Earhart became the first
woman to fly non-stop, solo across the Atlantic. After gaining her pilot
licence in 1923 Miss Earhart tried to follow her passion for flying, but due
to low finances she had to take up teaching and later social work to fund
her hobby. In 1928 she was invited to be the first female to be flown across
the Atlantic (as a passenger in an aircraft not a pilot) and as a result of this
adventure became a celebrity and role model throughout America and
Britain. She even had her own clothing line in Macy’s department store.
After the success of her solo flight in 1932 Miss Earhart went on to set
other female aviation records. She disappeared in 1937 near Howland
Island (in the Pacific Ocean) whilst trying to be the first person to fly around
the world (with navigator Fred Noonan).
Helen Richey – After learning to fly a plane at the age of 20, Miss Richey
participated in air races and air shows holding many speed and distance
records. In 1934 she became the first female pilot to be employed by a
commercial airline, Central Airlines (later to become United Airlines).
Unfortunately her career as a commercial pilot was short lived when the all-
male pilots’ union made her step down. Despite this Miss Richey continued to
fly planes, mostly performing in air shows. She also teamed with Amelia Earhart
to compete in the Bendix Trophy Race. During the Second World War she flew
for the British Air Transport Authority. As well as being the first female
commercial pilot, Miss Richey was also the first sworn woman to pilot Air Mail and was one of the first
female flight instructors.
Challenge:
The first Airwoman Badge syllabus was released in 1933, and was later changed to the Aircraft badge in
1938.
Have a go at some of the challenges from the Aircraft Badge (1966), You might like to use this towards
a Create –a-Challenge badge.
Know and be able to describe the different characteristics of 5 types of aircraft (airliners,
fighters, jets, bombers, small private aircraft, helicopters)
Identify the following parts of an aircraft:
- Fuselage
- Wing leading edge
- Wing tailing edge
- Elevator
- Wing Flap
- Undercarriage
- Fin
- Tailplane
Explain simply how an aeroplane flies and how it is controlled
Explain what is meant by the following terms:
- Banking
- Yawing
- Rolling
- Side-slipping
- Stalling
- Spinning
- Looping
Understand the effect of wind on a light aeroplane when it is taking off and landing; improvise
a wind indicator
Give a short talk on the history of flying.
1930s Guiding Program
The Guide Laws have always been an important set of values for a Girl Guide to follow, and while they
have changed over time to remain relevant, the idea behind them has remained the same. When Lord
Baden Powell first wrote the Guide Law, number 10 was a Guide is Thrifty. In the 1918 Girl Guide
handbook, Lord Baden Powell explains a thrifty guide as:
…makes the most of her possessions, and does not waste anything; she learns to spend
money wisely, and saves as much as she reasonably can, so that she may have money when
out of work, and thus not make herself a burden to others, and that she may be able to help
other people when they need it.
Over time this Guide Law evolved to be ‘A Guide takes good care of her possessions and those of other
people’ and while the current Guide Laws do not specify the idea of being thrifty it could be considered
an aspect of the following current Guide Laws:
- Respect myself and others
- Make choices for a better world
- Use time and abilities wisely
Challenge:
In your Patrol or as a Unit have a go at the following challenges which have been part of the Thrift
Badge syllabus over the years:
Make something useful from second hand materials and explain what it is used for.
Find out the definition of ‘being thrifty’ and discuss with your Patrol or Unit 2 ways you can ‘be
thrifty’
Prove to your Leader that you have looked after your Guide uniform when not at Guides.
Discuss with your Patrol or Unit ways in which you can save money for:
- A particular item (such as a toy, clothing, book) you would like to buy
- A Unit outing or activity (such as rock climbing, ice skating, trip to the movies)
Have a go at making a savings plan either for your own pocket money or your Unit
1940s WA Guiding Snippet
Western Australia was the first state to sell Guide Biscuits as a fundraiser. The
idea came about from Rita Bartlett who attended the 1948 World Conference
in Cooperstown, New York State in the USA as an observer for Australia.
While on a bus trip as part of the conference Mrs Bartlett found herself sitting
next to the Chief Commissioner of Canada who told her about their ‘Cookie
Scheme’. Upon returning to WA after the conference Mrs Bartlett presented
the concept of a Guide Biscuit to the State Executive. They approved the idea
and after negotiating wrapping and design with the manufacturer the first Girl
Guide Biscuits were delivered in
August of 1949 to coincide with
the school holidays. While the biscuit scheme only ran for
12 years and was not adopted by other States it raised
approximately £5,000 for Guide Headquarters and the
Companies who sold the biscuits. Since then Guide Biscuits
have once again become part of the Guiding calendar.
Challenge:
With your Unit take part in selling Guide biscuits
Find or create a recipe which uses Guide biscuits. You might like to make the recipe as a Patrol
activity.
1940s World Guiding Snippet
During the Second World War in 1942 the Girl Guide Association of Britain
set up the Guide International Service (GIS). Adult Guiders from Britain,
Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Kenya worked for the GIS to do relief
work in Europe and Malaya. During the time that the GIS operated 24
Australian Guides volunteered, mostly in refugee camps, helping those
affected by war by distributing food, health care, clothing and constructive
entertainment for children. The GIS continued to work with homeless and
sick refugees until 1952.
Challenge:
Adult Guiders from Western Australia joined the GIS during WWII. Find out who they were and
where they were sent
The role of the GIS was primarily about assisting refugees displaced by the conflict. Find out about
current day refugees. What conflict are they escaping? Where are they going? Who is helping
them?
Des Cohen
Florence Couper
Kath Baird Pat Richards
1940s World Event
In October of 1945 the United Nations (UN) was formed as an intergovernmental organisation to
promote international cooperation and avoid conflicts between nations. The UN has evolved from its
original role as a peacekeeping body and now plays an important role in economic and social
development around the world. There are currently 193 countries who are members of the United
Nations. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has worked with the UN for
over 60 years and has consultative status on the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as well as
memoranda of understanding with UNICEF and the FAO. Together both organisations have written
educational material and resources for girls and young women around the world. WAGGGS also has a
team of volunteers in each of the 6 cities where the UN has offices to represent WAGGGS at UN
meetings and on committees. Have a look on the WAGGGS website to see more about all the programs
WAGGGS is working on with the UN.
Challenges:
As members of WAGGGS we benefit from the partnership between WAGGGS and the UN through
receiving resources to inform us on global issues. Go to the WAGGGS website and select a WAGGGS
badge for your Patrol or Unit to work on.
Badges to choose from are:
Global Action Theme Badge
http://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/document/view/20082
Climate Change Badge
http://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/document/view/3833
AIDS Badge (for 10+)
http://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/document/view/31
1940s Guiding Program
With the focus of Guiding being mostly on the Second World War during the 1940’s, new badges
introduced during this time reflect this with most being focused on learning skills to assist in emergency
situations and to protect your home and family from bombing raids and other war related issues. The
Home Defence badge was only in existence from 1939 to 1946.
Challenges:
Have a go at part or the entire Rescuer badge, which was first introduced in 1943. (The following has
been edited slightly in line with current first aid practices)
Complete the following:
o Swim 100 yards (roughly 100m)
o Perform in the water 3 methods of escaping from a drowning person holding onto you and
2 methods of lifesaving
o Demonstrate CPR and have attended a training on the correct technique
Throw a life line to reach a person 15 yards (14m) away
Row a boat alone and with others; get into a boat from the water; have a knowledge of dangerous
local tides and currents
Be able to treat: bleeding; shock; snake bite
Know how to: give the alarm for fire; call up the police and fire brigade; rescue a person from a
smoke filled room, i.e. by dragging and by lowering a rope from a window
Know how to: hold back a crowd (with others); behave in a crush, e.g. In a panic caused by fire etc.
in a theatre or tube station
Know the correct way to stop a runaway horse
Know what to do if lost in a fog, or in the bush.
1950s WA Guiding Snippet
Up until the 1950s Girl Guides WA had
campsites in the Perth metropolitan area.
These campsites where ‘Fairwinds’ in City
Beach and ‘Seaward’ in Swanbourne, as well
as other campsites around the state. In 1950
the Australian Army took back the land where
the ‘Seaward’ campsite was (now the location
of the Campbell Barracks), so Girl Guides WA
started looking for a permanent campsite and
training facility. Mr GH Johnston of
Kalamunda responded to a newspaper appeal and donated 6 hectares of virgin bushland to the
association. This beautiful pocket of land was to become Paxwold. Located on the edge of the Darling
Range in Kalamunda it had magnificent views of Perth. The name Paxwold came from Pax, meaning
peace, and also the prefix of Lord and Lady Baden Powell’s home in England (Paxhill) and Wold,
meaning rolling terrain.
After acquiring the land in 1952 (6 hectares from
Mr Johnston and a 10 year lease of another 16
hectares of Education Endowment land), work
began on the site to turn this lovely piece of bush
into a home for camping and training and by 1960
most of the buildings at Paxwold were completed.
These buildings included an equipment storage
shed, permanent canvas campsites, fresh running
water to the campsites (Paxwold was not connected
to scheme water until 1960) and Paxwold House.
Lady Baden Powell opened the accommodation
wing of Paxwold House during her visit in 1957. Members of Girl Guides WA, friends and family did
much of the work building the campsites and outbuildings at Paxwold as well as helping pay off the
loan that was taken out to pay for the building of Paxwold House. It was an amazing achievement to
develop a state campsite and training facility in a decade.
Unfortunately Paxwold was sold in 2004. However, it is now the home of Kanyana Wildlife
Rehabilitation Centre.
Challenges:
Find out who Foulkes-Taylor, Johnston, Fyfe and Kirkwood were and why they had campsites at
Paxwold named after them.
Brownies, Guides and Rangers raised most of the funds to pay for Paxwold and its development so
that it was debt free by 1962. This was done through fund raising drives such as ‘Willing Shilling’,
‘Cents for Service’ and ‘Busy Bee’. Interview someone who was a Brownie, Guide or Ranger during
this time about what they did as part of ‘Willing Shilling.’
As well as Paxwold House there were other buildings and special places at Paxwold. Find out what
these were and the stories about how they were made.
1950s World Guiding Snippet
During a Western Hemisphere training session in Cuba in 1946 the
dream of having a World Centre in the region was born. Various sites
were investigated throughout the Western Hemisphere region
including Panama, USA and Cuba. The perfect location was eventually
found just outside what was at that stage just a village, Cuernavaca in
Mexico. The centre was opened in July 1957 with the first guests there
to attend a Juliette Low Seminar. During this seminar the “Our Cabana
Song’ was written, sung to an old Spanish/Mexican folk tune
Over the years additions have been made to Our Cabana to keep it up to date with the needs of visiting
Guides and it is currently the largest of the 4 World Centres being able to house 100 participants.
Challenges:
Find out what a Juliette Low Seminar is, where they are held, how often and who can attend.
Members of Girls Guides over 18 can volunteer to work at a World Centre. Find out what sort of
jobs you can volunteer for at any of the world centres.
1950s World Event
Following her father’s death in February 1952 Crown Princess Elizabeth
Alexandra Mary became Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and
its Commonwealth Realms. When she was born it was not expected that
Elizabeth would go on to become the Queen as her uncle was expected
to become King after her grandfather died. However, in 1936 her uncle
abdicated his throne and Elizabeth’s father became King George VI.
Growing up in Buckingham Palace Elizabeth and her sister Margaret had
little contact with other children. In 1937 the 1st Buckingham Palace Girl
Guide Company was formed and had 20 members who were children
from the royal household and palace employees. Princess Elizabeth was
the patrol second of Kingfisher Patrol. They met in a building within the palace grounds. A Brownie Unit
was also established at Buckingham Palace for Princess Margaret. As well as being a Girl Guide, Princess
Elizabeth was also a Sea Ranger.
For the Queen’s coronation in 1953, Guides throughout her realm planned a service drive. They did all
sorts of good deeds and recorded their actions on a service card. Because there were so many cards
completed in honour of the Queen’s coronation only 6 in every 1,000 service cards received were
presented to the Queen. The Queen sent a message through her Chief Commissioner of the British
Commonwealth and Empire to say…
‘The Queen has read the cards with much pleasure and is deeply touched by the loyal messages of good
will and affection’
When the Queen came to Perth on her Royal Tour of Australia in 1954
the planned gatherings had to be cancelled as there was an outbreak of
polio and children were forbidden to gather in large numbers to prevent
spreading the disease. Instead a few Guides were selected to line the
route from the gates of Government House to the front door. Rangers
and Queen’s Guides assisted with afternoon tea at the Royal Garden
Party and when the Royal Party sailed out of Royal Perth Yacht Club for
the Harbour on their departure.
Challenge:
In 2012 the Queen celebrated her Diamond Jubilee after serving as Queen for 60 years. The following
are challenges to commemorate the Queen’s reign:
Interview someone who can remember Queen Elizabeth’s coronation
Investigate the history of the 1st Buckingham Girl Guide Company - who were its members, how
long did it run for, etc
Discover the countries which form the Commonwealth. Identify them on a map. How many of them
have Girl Guides. Learn about the Promise of at least 4 of them.
Imagine that the Queen is coming to visit for afternoon tea. Hold a tea party in your Unit and
compose a list of questions you would ask the Queen if she came to visit.
1950s Guiding Program
JOTA stands for the Jamboree of the Air and was first started in 1957
with the vision of giving Guides and Scouts around the world the
opportunity to attend an international Jamboree without leaving home.
Guides and Scouts speak to each other via amateur (ham) radios with
the Jamboree held annually on the third weekend in October. Licenced
amateur radio operators donate their time to enable Guides and Scouts
of any age to contact each other and in 2010 700,000 Guides and Scouts
participated in JOTA from 6,000 radio stations around the world.
With the advances in technology, JOTI (Jamboree of
the Internet) is now part to the JOTA weekend, so
Guides and Scouts who are not able to access
amateur radios can chat safely online to other Guide
and Scouts.
Challenge:
Sometimes it is very difficult to hear other people on the ham radios so the phonetic alphabet is
used. Learn what the phonetic alphabet is and use it to create a secret message to send via two
way radio.
Using chat rooms and messaging services on the internet is not always safe. Download the Surf
Smart Resource from the WAGGGS website and as a Unit learn about how to ‘Surf Smart’
http://www.wagggs.org/en/grab/23403/1/1surf-smart-web.pdf
1960s WA Guiding Snippet
The 1960s was definitely the decade of Golden Jubilee celebrations. Not only was there the 50th
Anniversary of the start of Girl Guiding in 1960, Girl Guides WA celebrated its own 50th anniversary in
1965. The World Guiding Golden Jubilee celebrations in WA came to a climax with the running of
Djindunga, an International and interstate Camp help at Paxwold. Guides from all over Australia were
joined by international guests from Malaya, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Kenya. The camp
started on the 24th August 1965 with a giant horseshoe as part of the opening ceremony. The opening
ceremony was conducted by Lady Gardiner (then State President of GGWA) and Djinjunga ran for 9
days filled with an action packed program of outings, camp fires, church parades, visitors days and
loads of fun and games.
To celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Guiding in WA a
rally was held on 9 October 1965 at the Claremont
Showgrounds with 4,000 members from all over
the state taking part. The rally was opened with a
ceremony involving the Brownies (in their brown
uniforms) forming the words ‘Golden Jubilee 1915-
1965’, outlined by Rangers in their blue and white
uniforms and Guides (dressed in blue uniform)
providing a background colour. Miss Sylvia Perry (the State Commissioner at the time) read a goodwill
message from Lady Baden Powell. For the rest of the day Guides, Brownies and Rangers demonstrated
various Guiding skills such as first aid, knotting and lashing. After the presentation of a massive
cardboard birthday cake those attending the rally enjoyed a picnic tea followed by a massive campfire
to finish the celebrations.
The Rangers held the Nor’West Jubilee Jaunt in August of 1965 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee which
was a 9 day plane trip around the Northwest of Western Australia. 23 Rangers and 3 Leaders took part
in the adventure which included seeing newly established farms in Kununurra as well as numerous Lone
Guides who journeyed to meet the Rangers at their various stops. The October and November Guide
Couriers (WA State newsletter of the time) have descriptions of the complete journey.
Challenge:
Find out which other Girl Guide organisations had their Golden Jubilee in the 1960’s, what they did to
celebrate, and if there were special badges/camps/songs/stamps.
1960s World Guiding Snippet
Located on the banks of the Mula River in Pune, India, Sangam is
the World Centre in the Asia Pacific Region. Plans for the World
Centre in the Asia Pacific first began after a WAGGGS World
Commissioners’ Meeting in New Delhi (India) in 1956 and thanks to
the donation of 7 ¾ acres of land by the state of Maharashtra, the
decision was quickly made that the new World Centre would be in
India. It wasn’t until the World Conference in 1963 that the plans
for Sangam were approved, with construction beginning in 1964.
Girl Guides and Scouts from around the World raised 50% of the
funds needed to construct Sangam.
The name Sangam comes from Sanskrit (an ancient language of India) and means ‘coming together’,
with the term usually used to describe the meeting point of rivers and streams.
Like all the World Centres Sangam offers accommodation to travelling Guides, as well as running
WAGGGS training programs, offering volunteering opportunities both within Sangam and the
surrounding community, and holding WAGGGS events such as Juliette Low Seminars.
Challenge:
Find out about World Sangam Day, when is it held, and how your Unit can participate.
1960s World Event
In April of 1961 the USSR (now Russia) successfully launched the first man into space. Yuri Gagarin
orbited the Earth for 108 minutes on board Vostok 1 and safely returned to earth. The USA was not far
behind the Russians and in February of 1962 John Glenn successfully orbited the Earth 3 times in
Friendship 7, splashing down safely in the Atlantic Ocean. In response to the USSR being the first to
launch a man into space the President of the USA, John F Kennedy, announced that by the end of the
1960s NASA (National Aeronautics Space Administration) would successfully land a man on the moon
and return him safely to earth.
For the next 8 years the USA and the USSR launched numerous missions into space trying to be the first
to land on the moon. While knowledge about space travel was gained on each mission, in the quest to
be the first on the moon human safety was severely ignored. As a result there were some terrible
failures and disasters in both astronaut training and on launches. In 1967 both the USA and USSR space
programs almost stopped as questions were raised about astronaut safety.
With more attention paid to astronaut safety the space programs once again gained momentum and
on 20 July 1969 Neil Armstrong safely landed the Lunar Module in the Sea of Tranquillity on the surface
of the Moon. It took another 6 hours before Armstrong ventured out of the Lunar Module to become
the first man to walk on the moon. Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin joined Armstrong on the moon’s surface and
spent just over 2 hours exploring the moon’s surface.
Challenge:
While the Guide Star Gazer (also known as the Astronomer/Star Lover)
interest Badge was first introduced in 1910 the Brownie Star Gazer interest
badge was not introduced till 1968. Have a go at some or all of the
challenges of the Guide Star Gazer badge from 1966
Keep a log or notebook over a period of three months giving observations of stars, moon, and
planets, visible from a window, garden, or street, in or near your home. (There should be at
least 1 entry per week, made at roughly the same time in the evening)
Complete the following:
o Know the order of the planets from the sun
o Know something of their relative size and distance
o Understand how their orbits vary
o Know some further facts about each
Point out in the sky:
o Two constellations visible all the year round
o Five constellations not visible all year round, and know when they come in and go out
o Point out five first magnitude stars, and know to which constellation they belong
Obtain a compass direction from the stars
1960s Guiding Program
Up until the 1960’s the Guide program had remained unchanged
for 50 years, still following the four part program introduced by BP:
health, self-reliance, service and self-esteem. In 1964 the Girl
Guide Association of Britain did a review of the Guide Program and
in 1968 launched its new program which included new handbooks
and badge books. As Guides in Australia still followed the British
Guide Program it was decided that we too would adopt the new
British model of Guiding which would be reviewed every 7 years
(the average number of years a girl remained within the
movement) to ensure its relevance to current Guides. As with all
forms of change there was some resistance with Leaders being concerned about the increased input
from girls about the program and planning for their Unit. In 1969 the ‘Eight Point Program’ was
launched along with new handbooks for Guides, Brownies and Rangers.
Challenge: Try a challenge from each of the Eight Points listed below (taken from The Guide Handbook, printed
1969):
Keeping the Guide Law
o Make a toy from scrap materials
o Ask someone to teach you a new, useful skill
Exploring the Arts
o Using a spatter print decoration make a cover for a book
o Make a scatter cushion in patchwork
Getting to know People
o Learn a song in a foreign language
o Arrange to meet with another Unit and do an activity together or go on an outing
Giving Service
o Tie each of the rescue knots (bowline, sheetbend, double overhand and chair) in 10
seconds
o Learn how to treat burns, cuts and grazes
Becoming a Homemaker
o Learn how to empty a vacuum-cleaner
o Learn how to put in screws and nails
Enjoying the Out-of-Doors
o Discover the origin of 6 local place names
o Go on a breakfast or supper hike
Thinking for Yourself
o Remember a message or shopping list accurately
o Learn the weather signs and try forecasting
Keeping Fit
o Learn to tie a reef knot with your toes
o Make up your own fitness challenge and carry it out for a week, e.g. Skip every day for
5 minutes, eat no lollies for a week, have a drink of water instead of a fizzy drink, walk
for 30 minutes every day
1970s WA Guiding Snippet
Our Barn is the Girl Guides WA property in York (100km from Perth) and was originally the stables,
coach and store houses for Faversham House which was constructed in the 1830s, not long after the
settlement of the Swan River, by John Henry Monger for his family to live in. Over the years the
building had fallen into disrepair and was on the verge of being demolished until the York Guides leased
part of the building. They repaired and used it as a meeting place. While visiting York for the York Fair in
1971 Mrs Ida Lloyd (a member of the WA State Executive) came to see the work the York Guide Unit
had done restoring part of the building. She instantly fell in love with the building and could envisage
the building being used as a holiday house for the Guides. In September of 1974 Girl Guides purchased
Our Barn and 2 acres of land surrounding it.
Buying Our Barn was only half the hurdle; the real work began in
restoring the old building into a usable facility. As with many
Guiding ventures, members from around the state pitched in
raising funds and donating goods. Some of the fundraising efforts
included; catering for the York Fair, selling peppermint rock (sent
specially from England), ‘Adopt-a-bed’ and ‘Adopt-a-pillow’ events,
as well as numerous food drives such as apple pies, sweet and sour
pork, toffee apples and biscuits.
Ranger, Rover and Venturer crews helped with the site clean-up
and finished off the landscaping. By the opening on May Day 1977
Our Barn had been transformed into a 32 bed dormitory, with 2
Leaders’ rooms, 2 ablution blocks (one for girls and one for
Leaders), a large kitchen, dining room (with seating for 48), sitting
rooms, outside terrace, courtyard and barbeque area.
Challenge:
Being an old building, Our Barn is always in need of maintenance and refurbishment. Currently the
Our Barn Committee is undertaking a project to redo the large bathroom. As a Unit participate in
raising funds to update the bathroom. You might like to try some of the fundraising ideas used to
raise the original funds for Our Barn.
As a Unit go on a Unit camp or sleepover to Our Barn
1970s World Guiding Snippet
Olave St Clair Baden Powell was born on 22 February 1889. She was
the youngest daughter of Harold and Katherine Soames. Her father
was a brewery owner and an artist. The family moved several times
while Olave was growing up, living in 17 different homes before Olave
turned 23. She enjoyed the outdoors and was very keen on sport.
In January 1912 Olave met Lord Robert Baden Powell while on board
the RMSP Arcadia sailing to New York. The couple spent a lot of time
together during the voyage, and discovered that they shared the same
birthday. They married in October of the same year. They set up a
home at Pax Hill in Hampshire, England and had 3 children; Arthur
Robert Peter (known as Peter), Heather Grace and Betty St Clair. As
well as raising her own children Olave looked after her sister’s three
daughters after her sister died in 1919.
Olave was originally involved in the Scouts after the First
World War and was knocked back by the Girl Guides when
she first offered to become a Leader in 1914. After a
reorganisation of the Girl Guide movement Olave tried
once more to become a Guide Leader and in 1915 she
started organising Guiding in Sussex. Olave was presented
with the title Chief Guide in 1918.
In 1939 Olave moved to Nyeri, Kenya with her husband and they lived in a small one bedroom house
called Paxtu in the grounds of the Outspan Hotel. Lord Baden Powell passed away on 8 January 1941.
Following her husband’s death, Olave returned to England in 1942. She lived in an apartment in
Hampton Court Palace, since during the Second World War Pax Hill had been commandeered by the
Canadian Military.
Olave continued to tour the world visiting Guides and Scouts until into her 80s when
doctors forbade her to travel after being diagnosed with diabetes.
On 25 June 1977 Olave Baden Powell passed away at her home Birtley House, Bramley
in Surrey. Her ashes were taken to Kenya to be buried with her husband.
Challenges:
In 1912 the Scouts gave Lord and Lady Baden Powell a wedding present. Find out what it was and
how the money was raised
Lady Baden Powell made several trips to visit Guides in WA. Find out how many times she visited,
what activities were planned in honour of her visit, and what special places she officially opened.
1970s World Event
The 1970’s was the decade when much of the technology we use every day was first developed. Things
like the pocket calculator, microwave oven, portable music devices, VCR’s (an early version of a DVD
player) and much more. During this beginning to the digital age the first digital camera was developed
in 1975 for Kodak, and it took 23 seconds from when the button was clicked to transpose the picture
onto digital tape. It wasn’t until 1987 that the technology was made accessible to the modern day
consumers when Kodak released 7 devices capable of taking digital images. Since the mid 1990’s digital
cameras have been adopted as the camera most consumers buy and today film cameras are considered
a novelty item.
Challenge:
Photography has become a very popular hobby, especially given the ease of
taking a photo with the development of digital cameras. Have a go at doing
some or all of the challenges from the Photographer Badge. You might even like
to try using a film camera for some of the challenges:
Know the function of the different parts of a camera, i.e. lens, shutter, and stops
Explain briefly what causes the production of a negative and a positive (print)
Bring to the test 10 photographs which you have taken yourself and mounted. Describe the
conditions in which the photographs were taken. The subjects are to include at least 5 of the
following:
o Interior
o Portrait
o Landscape
o Architecture
o Action
o Copy of a photograph, a drawing, or a painting
o Flowers
o Birds, animals, insects
1970s Guiding Program
Following the review of the Program in the 1960s Girl Guides
Australia conducted a review of the age groupings within
Australia. After consulting past and present members the age
brackets for older youth members were changed. Brownies
continued to be from 7 to 10½ with Guides being 10½ to 14
(instead of 16) and a new Ranger Guide section was introduced
for girls aged 14 to 18. Rangers were changed to take girls from
18 to 25, instead of 16 to 21. As well as changing the age
brackets of Units, the section of Guiding known as Cadets was
phased out and instead the Junior Leader program was introduced.
As a result of the shifts in age brackets the older Guide award
structure also had to be changed. The Queen’s Guide became a
Ranger Guide Award with participants to complete their badge
before their 18th birthday, instead of their 16th. The BP Award was
introduced as a new peak achievement award for girls who were
Guide aged. As well as this the Duke of Edinburgh Award was
adopted as a peak achievement for Ranger aged girls.
It was also during the mid-1970’s that Guides were able to join the
older Scout section of Rovers.
Challenge:
Find out what the different age groupings are in Guiding today and what the Peak
Achievements are for each stage. You might like to start working towards one of these awards.
Include in your research information about the program and awards for those over 18.
1980s WA Guiding Snippet
As part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations of Girl Guides WA in 1985, members raised funds to set up
‘Radio Lollipop’ at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH). This project was selected since the GGWA 75th
anniversary coincided with the 75th anniversary of the opening of PMH, and when Guides approached
PMH to ask what equipment they could help PMH purchase, the reply was ‘Radio Lollipop’.
Radio Lollipop is an in-house radio station functioning within PMH. The station airs for several hours a
day and is run by volunteers. The program includes music, jokes, talk back shows and competitions.
Patients can phone in requests and participate in the station, some have even been known to try and
delay going home so they can see if they won the competitions.
The estimated cost to establish Radio Lollipop was $25,000 and Guides all over the state helped raise
funds by washing cars, holding fancy dress parades, running lamington drives and holding many other
events. The State Commissioner at the time, Pat Goodheart, was delighted when the final cheque she
handed over to the board of PMH was for $36,825, well above the amount requested by the hospital.
Challenge:
With the completion of the new Children’s’ Hospital, Radio Lollipop needs to move locations so that
patients can still benefit from the happiness it brings. Girl Guides WA would like to help Radio Lollipop
to shift and has adopted this as one of our Centenary Service projects.
As a Unit participate in the Radio Lollipop Project.
1980s World Guiding Snippet
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts came into existence in 1928 during the 5th
International Conference in Hungary, at which Lord Baden Powell raised the question of whether
Guides should consider having a more formal structure similar to the Scouts. The delegates attending
agreed and a constitution and World Committee were formed. It was also decided that a World Bureau
should be set up in London. Dame Katherine Furse was appointed as the director of the World Board.
From 1928 to 1930 the World Bureau was located in Dame Katherine’s house until it was moved into a
room provided, at low rent, in the British Guide Headquarters in Buckingham Palace Road.
As WAGGGS grew the room at Buckingham Palace Road became too small to carry out the World
Association’s business. At the same time it was decided that there was a need for a World Centre to be
built in London. In May of 1939 Our Ark (the second World Centre) and the World Bureau were
officially opened in Palace Street in London, close to the British Guide Headquarters and Buckingham
Palace.
Gradually the World Bureau and Our Ark outgrew the premises on Palace Street, so when the lease ran
out in 1959 both had to look for a new home. Unfortunately it was not possible to house the World
Centre and World Bureau in the same building, so Our Ark moved to Longridge Road and was renamed
Olave House, and the World Bureau moved to the former Boy Scout Headquarters in Ebury Street.
By the late 1970’s plans were underway to move both the World Bureau and World Centre again, so
that they might once again be next to each other. A site was found in Hampstead; a suburb in northern
London well known for its arts culture. Roslyn Lodge at 12 Lynhurst Road was purchased by the World
Association in 1982 and is now known as the Olave Centre. The World Bureau moved into the Olave
Centre in 1984 and has been operating from here ever since. On May 6 1989 Betty Clay, the daughter
of Lord and Lady Baden Powell, unveiled the foundation stone for the new World Centre now named
Pax Lodge. Construction of Pax Lodge took approximately 18 months with the first guests received in
August of 1990, 2 years after Olave House was closed. HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark officially
opened Pax Lodge in 1991.
Challenge:
Using a map of London, mark where Our Ark, Olave House and Pax Lodge have been located as well
as the various homes of the World Bureau
Find out what the purpose of the World Bureau is and who works there
Find out where the Scout World Headquarters moved to after leaving its London premises and
where it is located now.
1980s World Event
The first personal computer was developed by Bill
Gates and Paul Allen in 1975. While computers
had been around for a couple of decades prior to
this they were enormous with most being big
enough to take up the entire floors of buildings
but they had less processing power than a
modern day smart phone. These early computers
were mostly used by academics, research
institutes and government agencies. In 1981 IBM
(now Microsoft) launched its 5150 Personal
Computer which still operated on basic
programming language so users needed some understanding of computer programming. In 1984 Apple
released its first Personal Computer and this was the first computer to feature graphics and a mouse to
open programs.
Early personal computers were very expensive and were mostly used in businesses as a modern version
of a typewriter.
Challenge:
To get a feel of what it was like before computers became an everyday item, use a
typewriter to have a go at some of the challenges from the Typist Badge.
Type a full page of copy, without error (no numerals, no time limit)
Set out a business letter, with carbon copy
Set out an invoice, or Type out a simple balance sheet
Type a reference
Type a letter applying for a position
Do one 5-minute speed test at the rate 25-30 words per minute (maximum of 3 mistakes)
Answer oral questions on maintenance and parts of a typewriter
1980s Guiding Program
In 1980 the Eight Point Program underwent its second review since its introduction. This review was
carried out by an external supervisor, Mr Ian Montgomerie, and the results were not published on a
state by state break down as had been done previously. The results of the review were mixed, with the
Brownie section being happy with their program and support material, while the Guide section liked
their handbook but found the set out of some of the badge syllabi (in handbook 2) unsatisfactory.
Similar criticism came from the Ranger sections. While not directly related to the Eight Point Program
the review found that both the Guide and Ranger sections felt there was a lack of opportunity for joint
activities with boys.
Challenge:
As a result of the Program review the Brownie, Guide and Ranger badge syllabi were
reviewed with new badges added. One of these badges was the Asia Pacific Badge.
Have a go at completing some or all of the challenges for this badge:
Read the contents of the Asia Pacific leaflet.
o Be able to convey this knowledge to other members of your Unit by means of interesting
visual aids; e.g. miniature national flags and badges of member organisations
o Know what the logo stands for
o Be able to point out on a map, the member countries of our Region
Learn the following through contacting visitors from member countries, or persons from such
countries residing in Australia
o Forms of greeting and short phrases in different languages
o Recipes which could be demonstrated
o Songs and games
Choose 2 of the following:
o Dress dolls in uniforms of 3 member countries or make these in the form of paper ‘stand-
ups’
o In an interesting manner, display the flora and fauna, used postage stamps, coins, etc., of 3
member countries. This could take the form of display kits, scrapbooks, collages or friezes
o Make a stuffed toy of an animal or bird found in our Region
o Be able to demonstrate floral arrangements typical of some countries in the Region
On at least 6 occasions work with a group of handicapped children or visit a children’s home,
making use of the materials and skills you have learnt in clauses 2 and 3
1990s WA Guiding Snippet
In December of 1994 Perry Lakes in Floreat was transformed
from a peaceful park to a complete village when it became
home to Scouts and Guides from all over the world for the 15th
Asia Pacific/17th Australian Scout Jamboree, called Jamboree of
Far Horizons. For 10 days scout troops from all over Australia
and the Asia Pacific as well as Guides from WA took part in a
range of activities on site and around the Perth area, which also
included a massive New Year’s Eve Party and a closing ceremony rock concert featuring the band
Silverchair.
Challenge:
Participating in the Jamboree of Far Horizons was very much about working with
your Patrol to decide what program activities you did, what you had for dinner
and completing camp chores. Everyone at the camp slept in tents which were
also the patrol’s responsibility to look after. As a Unit or Patrol have a go at
doing some or all of the tasks of the Camp Preparation Pennant:
At all times showing respect for the environment –
Pitch, strike and air a tent
Out-of-doors, make a fireplace, light a fire and cook on it. Know how and why to stack and grade a
woodpile. Know and use fire precautions as they apply in your state.
Each member of the Patrol must roll and tie up camp bedding
Make gadgets for sleeping tent, kitchen and wash tent, and improvise a flagpole
Have a first aid kit and show how to deal with burns, scalds, cuts and sprains
Plan and, at the assessment, carry out an activity which can only be done out-of-doors, such as
make a shelter; play a wide game; get the Patrol across a stream without getting wet; make and
use an outdoor oven; make something out of natural materials
1990s World Guiding Snippet
The first world flag was adopted at the 6th World Conference at Foxlease in England, in 1930. The idea
of a World Flag had been proposed by the South African Girl Guides some years earlier, but had been
rejected as some doubted whether a World Flag would be used. The Flag was designed by Frøken Kari
Aas of Norway and featured the gold trefoil on a bright blue background.
In 1991 when the Trefoil design was updated a new World Flag was also adopted. Still keeping with a
gold trefoil on a blue background the new World Flag also featured a white blaze in the bottom corner
with 3 gold boxes.
The World Flag is flown at all of the World Centres, the World Bureau, WAGGGS gatherings and by
member organisations. Most Guide Units in Australia fly the World Flag during their unit meeting
Challenge:
What do the parts of the World Flag and World trefoil mean?
The World Flag is a symbol of Guiding. What are the other Symbols of the Movement?
Design a flag for your Unit. What symbols would you use to represent the different aspects of your
Unit?
1990s World Event
When the first novel was released in June 1997, no one could have imagined how popular the Harry
Potter books would become. The series ended up with seven novels which were made into eight
movies and have become a franchise worth in excess of $15 billion.
Challenge:
Have a go at some or all of the challenges of the Writer badge:
1. Write an original story of 1000 to 2000 words
OR
Write a 500 word account, suitable for publication in a magazine or newspaper, of a Guide event
which has recently taken place
2. Write one of the following:
o A short play taking at least 10 minutes to perform
o A poem, in whichever style you choose
o A review of a book, a film or a play
3. Find out how a manuscript should be presented, and how a book is produced
OR
Find out how to prepare copy and how a newspaper is produced
4. At the assessment write at least 200 words about a current event recently reported through the
news media
1990s Guiding Program
The current Guide Program, known as the Australian Guide Program (AGP) was adopted in 1996, and as
with the introduction of the Eight Point Program, some Leaders found it challenging to adopt this new
method of Guiding. As part of the change, sections such as Brownies, Guides, Ranger Guides and
Rangers were dissolved and all ages were known as Youth Members, or Guides. Units still operate
within specific age ranges, but the age range of a Unit is at the discretion of the Leader and Guides and
not divided by sections.
The current program has 4 elements which are; Self, People, Practical and Physical and covers the 7
Fundamentals; Promise and Law, Outdoors, Service, World Guiding, Guiding Traditions, Leadership
Development and Patrol Systems. As part of the new program some badges became less structured
allowing girls of all ages to achieve these badges by challenging themselves at their own level. Other
skills based badges maintained their structure but included different stages so girls could advance
through the badges as they progressed through Guiding.
Challenge:
As a Patrol or Unit have a go at some or all of the challenges in the Guiding
Explore-A-Challenge badge. You need to complete 4 of the challenges to
achieve the badge.
Explore and share an aspect of Guiding history
Take part in a Guiding event with other members of your Guiding community
Promote one of the four World Centres
Share an interesting aspect of the life of Lord or Lady Baden-Powell
Create and take part in an activity from one of the World Guiding Regions
Find out about WAGGGS and present your findings in an interesting way
Learn and share a traditional Guiding skill that is new to you
Explore the levels of Guiding and share what you have discovered
Write or communicate with a Guide from a WAGGGS country
Or plan your own challenge to widen your understanding of Guiding
2000s WA Guiding Snippet
Over the past 100 years the headquarters for Girl Guides WA has shifted to many locations within the
Perth area with each location serving the needs of the membership of the time and being affectionately
known as ‘Guide House’.
When Guiding first started in WA the administrative needs of the organisation were conducted out of a
room in Government House with executive meetings held in the vestibule. Below is a letter written to
the Governor’s wife Lady McCartney, who was also the President of Girl Guides WA at the time,
indicating that space had been made available for the organisation at the Police Court Building, a
forgotten second home for Guide Headquarters until recently when this note was rediscovered.
Public Works Department Perth
19 August 1919
To Lady Elinor Macartney
Dear Madam, I have pleasure in enclosing key of the office in the Old Police Court Buildings Barrack St and I hope you will find everything in
order.
They have promised to have the notice at the front entrance and finger board on the door today, and as I am leaving town early tomorrow
morning, I trust they will not fail.
Faithfully yours
J. J. O’Neill
As the organisation grew more space was required to conduct the necessary meetings
and administrative work of the organisation so premises were rented in Hay Street.
Unfortunately GGWA could not afford the rent at the time and had to give up the
lease. A generous donation from a Mr Twitchman in 1925 helped pay for a secretary
for the organisation which then made it possible for GGWA to afford the rent on an
office space in Howard street giving us our first ‘Guide House’. GGWA continued to
rent office spaces, moving to Pastoral House, St George’s Terrace in 1935, until in 1963
it purchased an office building in Howard Street. Through the ‘Willing Shilling’ program, GGWA was
able to pay back the money it borrowed to purchase the building by 1969.
In 1982 it was decided that more office space was required and a property was purchased in Wellington
Street. This provided the organisation with much more space and parking, making it easier for
members to access and utilise the headquarters. In 2002 Girl Guides WA shifted its headquarters from
Wellington Street to Burswood Road, which is still the current home of GGWA.
Challenge:
As a Patrol find out about one of the buildings which used to be Guide House.
o Is it still standing?
o What it is being used for now?
o How long did Guides use it?
Present what you find in an interesting way and share it with your Unit.
Learn the address of the Guide Headquarters for Girl Guides Australia.
o Who works there?
o What jobs do they do?
o How long has this been the location of Girl Guides Australia’s headquarters?
2000s World Guiding Snippet
In 2003 the World Board felt the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) needed
to present a more modern and dynamic image of who we are and what we do for the 21st century.
Members around the world were invited to give feedback about the issues that concerned them and
what they thought about the current image of Guiding. In June 2005 a new look to reposition WAGGGS
as a leading organisation for young women was adopted emphasising the role we can play in helping
girls and young women to ‘discover their potential’. As well as updating the image of the WAGGGS
logo the rebranding included a series of tag lines starting with the phrase ‘girls worldwide’ with the
aim of communicating in a simple way who we are, what we do and what we believe in. The tag lines
were worded so they could be easily translated into the 3 working languages of WAGGGS (English,
French and Spanish) so we could present a united global image of guiding.
Challenge:
Discover what the key messages of the ‘girls worldwide say’ tag lines were and what programs from
WAGGGS and Girl Guides Australia are helping to address these.
As part of the rebranding each of the World Centres and Regions were given a colour and identity.
Find out about the colour and identity for each of the World Regions.
2000s World Event
The world of purchasing and listening to music changed dramatically in the 2000’s with the
development of the MP3 player and probably most significantly the iPod and its supporting program
iTunes, originally known as Sound Jam. In 1999 Apple purchased iTunes from its developers, who
continued to work on the program under the Apple logo and in January 2001 the first version of iTunes
was released and 9 months later the first iPod was released by Apple. However, iPods did not become
popular until 2004 when they became a little cheaper and the iTunes software could be supported on
non-Apple computers. Being a mass storage device iPods and other MP3 players made it possible to
carry an entire music collection in the palm of your hand rather than just a one CD or cassette tape in a
portable CD player or Walkman. With the continued evolution of the
iTunes program as well as iPods and other MP3 players including the
modern day smart phone devices, media such as CDs and especially
cassette tapes are becoming redundant. You can now purchase music files
rather than a CD or a tape and load them directly on to your music device
to enjoy your favourite music anywhere and at any time.
Challenge:
As a unit have a go at some or all of the challenges in the Technology
Trefoil 1 Achieve-A-Challenge (you need to complete all of Section 1 and
two challenges from Section 2 to complete the badge):
Complete all of the following:
o Think up a problem that you want to solve. For example, how can we make the biggest
detergent bubble? Research your problem in as many ways as possible then test the
solution that you decide on. Report your findings
o Look around your home or community for scientific and technological developments, for
example Velcro strips and traffic light systems. Find out about 4 of these materials or
technologies that you use and discuss them with your unit
o Choosing one of the above materials or technologies, plan and then carry out an activity to
make a model, test for quality, find a new use or experiment with your idea. Share your
findings
o Use a computer to explore technology: surf the internet, use a particular program, or find
out about new ways that computers are being used in our everyday life. Prepare a
presentation.
o Find out about Online Safety and what you can do to stay safe when using the internet.
Choose any 2 of the following:
o Use a computer to carry out 3 different tasks
o Make a model of a scientific or technological invention
o Find out about 3 famous scientists and share some of their achievements with others
o Conduct a simple experiment to solve a problem
o Visit a factory and make a list of the technology used
o Survey your home to find 10 ways it is different from a 19th century home
o Visit a science museum or laboratory and describe what you have discovered.
2000s Guiding Program
The current Australian Guide Uniform was first introduced in 2010. It was introduced after consultation
with the membership about what they wanted from a uniform. Prior to the introduction of the current
uniform there was a lack of unity in uniform. While there was the official uniform worn mostly for
formal occasions there was a variety of uniform shirts for non-formal occasions, with many Units and
Regions having their own shirt in many different colours. As the days of parade marching and guards of
honour had dwindled the use of the formal uniform was very rare. A new more modern design was
selected with the aim of looking neat and tidy as well as being practical for all Guiding activities
whether they be participating in the ANZAC Day march or camping in the bush.
Challenge:
Find out what the first uniform worn by Guides in WA looked like and discuss whether this uniform
would be practical for today’s Guiding
Have a look at how the uniform has changed over the years. You might like to put together a
display or fashion parade showing how the uniform has changed
Have a look at what Guides wear in other countries as uniform. With your Unit discuss if you like or
dislike the uniforms of 4 other countries and why or why not.
2010 to Today WA Guiding Snippet
In March 2012 Girl Guides WA hosted the Asia Pacific (AP) Committee meeting. Along with conducting
their meetings the members of the AP Committee took time to meet the State Team, State Council and
Executive Committee of GGWA as well as Guides and Leaders from WA. Transport and accommodation
were organised by the WA Trefoil which also included time for sightseeing around Perth, Kings Park and
Hillarys.
As well as working together to achieve outcomes for the Asia Pacific Region and WAGGGS the
committee members of the Asia Pacific form lifelong friendships.
Challenge:
As a unit have a go at the Friendship Explore-A-Challenge (you need to
complete 4 of the challenges to achieve the badge)
Invite a friend to share in a Guiding experience
Do a secret good turn for someone special
Plan a fun activity with your Patrol
Create a gift for a special friend
Make and communicate with a new Guide friend
Entertain a group of friends
Plan an event for your family
Be a friend to an older person
Do something special just for yourself
Or create your own challenge to widen your understanding of friendship
2010 to Today World Guiding Snippet
2010 marked the 100th year of Guiding around the world and to celebrate reaching this milestone
WAGGGS and its member countries ran events and developed programs to reflect on what we had
accomplished in the last 100 years and what was to come in the next 100 years. The centenary
celebrations were carried out from the start of 2010 and concluded in 2012. There was a young
women’s forum held in each year of the celebrations with delegates coming from around the world to
discuss the Millennium Development Goals and WAGGGS role in achieving these. The 2011 forum was
held simultaneously in 4 different venues (the 4 World Centres). In July/August 2010 the Girl Guides UK
hosted a centenary camp in the grounds of Harewood House and this was attended by Guides and
Leaders from around the world. On 10 April in each of the centenary years all member countries were
invited to holds party events to celebrate the centenary and share their event with sister Guides
around the world.
In Australia there were several events held in the Centenary Year (2010). These included Girls Celebrate
(in Queensland), Flying the Flag (held simultaneously around the country), PowerUp (A young women’s
forum held across the country) and many other camps, campfires and reunions.
Challenge:
With your unit watch the WAGGGS centenary film and see how Guides has changed in 100 years.
http://www.wagggs.org/en/take_action/centenary/Centenaryfilm
As part of the celebrations members from around the world were encouraged to either create a
geo-cache site (logged with the Geo-cache forum) or put together a time capsule celebrating 100
years of Guiding to be exhumed in 50 years’ time. As a Unit either create a Geo-cache site or create
a time capsule about Guiding in your area.
2010 to Today World Event
Following Federation the government of the Commonwealth of Australia passed an act in 1902
allowing women the right to vote and be elected on a national stage. In South Australia and Western
Australia women had been given the right to vote in local elections prior to this but did not have the
right to stand. Aboriginal women outside of South Australia were not given the right to vote until 1962.
While Australia was one of the first countries to allow women the right to vote, it was one of the slower
western countries to elect a female to the federal parliament. Edith Cowan was the first female elected
to a state parliament when she was elected to the WA Legislative Assembly in 1921. It took another 22
years before Dorothy Tangney was elected as a Senate representative for WA and Edith Lyons was
elected to the House of Representatives. Mrs Lyons was also the first women in Federal Cabinet as the
Vice President of the Executive Council.
Over time the number of women in State and Federal politics has increased. At the
commencement of the 41st Parliament of Australia (2004-2007) there were 23
female senators and 38 women in the House of Representatives. Prior to the
change of government in Queensland in 2012, 30 of the 89 seats were held by
women, the highest representation by females in any parliament in Australia and
the third highest in the world. In 2010 we had our first female Prime Minister when
Julia Gillard was sworn in as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, a position she held until 2013. All the
women who have played an active role in Australian politics since the start of the suffrage movement
have been strong leaders, standing up for the rights of women and women’s issues.
Challenge:
As a Patrol, have a go at some or all of the challenges in the Leadership Trefoil 1 Achieve- A-Challenge
(you need to complete all of Section 1 and two challenges from Section 2 to complete the badge):
Complete all of the following:
o Understand how the Patrol system operates in your Unit. Discuss the qualities of a good
leader
o Make a list of ways you can communicate better at home, at school, at sport and at Guides.
Show that you have put these into action
o Lead a game for your Patrol or Unit and evaluate your efforts
o Help in the planning of a Unit activity or service project
o Make a step-by-step plan to teach a skill to another Guide. Try it out
o Choose an activity from a book, magazine or other resource and share it with your Patrol.
Evaluate the activity with your Patrol
Choose any 2 of the following:
o Know the basic rules of the sport that you play. Give examples of how you are a good
member of your team
o Be a friend to another Guide. Help her to understand the Promise and Law
o Make a poster or leaflet to advertise Guides in your area
o Find or write prayers, thoughts or readings for 2 different Guide activities – Thinking Day,
Promise Ceremony, camp or other event. Share one at your Guide meeting
o Write an article for your Unit newsletter or a similar publication
o Perform a skit, song or mime with other Guides
2010 to Today Guiding Program
After much anticipation the new Youth and Leader handbooks became available in 2013. This was the
first time that handbooks had been available to support the current Australian Guide Program (AGP).
The handbooks have been developed to align with the developmental stages used in Guiding so that
there is one handbook for each development stage. Included in the handbook are the new Promise and
Law wording as well as the Discover-A-Challenge badges. Discover-A-Challenge is a series of badges
which encourage girls to challenge themselves in the four Elements of AGP.
Challenge:
Have a go at some or all of the challenges for the Discover-A-Challenge that is appropriate for your
developmental stage
Additional Challenges
My Unit
You can do this challenge instead of a decade challenge or in addition:
Find out the history of your Guide Unit:
o When did it first start?
o Who have the Leaders of the Unit been?
o What are the different names the Unit has been called?
o Where has the meeting place of the Unit been?
o Can you find any photo of the Unit from over the years?
Put what you find into an article and send it to Wagtale
Famous Guides
Find out about a person from Guiding who has played a significant role in shaping Guiding
in your Unit, Region, State, Nationally or Internationally:
o When did they start Guiding?
o What were their different roles?
o What did they do outside of Guiding?
o What legacy have they left for future Guides?
Put what you find into a play, puppet show, and poster. Share it with your Unit
Resources Useful books and websites
Look Wide
Handbooks 1-5 for the AGP
“My Sixty Years in the Guiding I Love” by Rita Bartlett
“Guiding in WA” by Winifred Wilson
“The Patrol Leaders Handbook” from 1963
“The Story of the Girl Guides 1908-1938” by Rose Kerr
“The Story of the Girl Guides 1938-1975” by Alix Liddell
“Promises Made Promises Kept” by Joy Miller
“From a Flicker to a Flame” by Margaret Coleman & Honor Darling
“The Paxwold Story” - Girl Guides WA
“Girl Guiding” by Lord Baden-Powell
“How Girls can Help to Build up the Empire” by Miss Baden Powell and Sir R Baden Powell
“The Guider’s Book of Rules” - Girl Guides Australia 1966
“Be Prepared Girl Guides: The First Class Handbook” - Girl Guides Australia 1966
Any past copies of the Guide, Brownie and Ranger Handbooks and Badge Books
Girls Worldwide Say and other WAGGGS publications:
http://www.wagggs.org/en/resources/publications/toolkits
WAGGGS website: http://www.wagggs.org
GGA website: http://www.girlguides.org.au
Fly Veil Pattern
WW1 Knitted Sock Pattern
You will need:
3 balls 8ply grey wool (50g balls)
4 double ended knitting needles 4mm
o Cast on 64 stitches on 3 needles (20-24-20)
o Knit 2, purl 2 for 10cm then plain knit for 2.5cm
Narrow for ankle:
o Knit 1 stitch on 1st needle (middle back stitch). Knit next 2 stitches together. Knit plain to last 2
stitches on 3rd needle, knit these 2 stitches together. Knit plain for 4cm
o Repeat the above narrowing steps 4 times
You now have 56 stitches on your needles and the sock should be approximately 27.5cm long.
Divide all stitches on 2 needles, a front needle and a heel needle, the middle back stitch should be in
the middle of the heel needle.
Knit Heel as follows:
o 1st row- slip 1st stitch then knit to end of heel needle
o 2nd row- Turn, slip 1, purl 1, slip 1, purl 1 to beginning of heel needle
o Repeat row 1 and 2 until heel measures 6.5cm in length
o Knit 1 more than half of heel stitches, knit 2 together, knit 1 and turn. Purl 4 stitches, purl 2
together, purl 1 more and turn
*Knit to stitch before the hole, knit 2 together, knit 1 and turn. Purl to stitch before the hole, Purl 2
together, purl 1 more and turn*. Repeat from * to * until all the stitches are taken up
Divide stitches on heel needle onto 2 needles designated right and left. Pick up all stitches on the right
and left sides of the heel piece, always picking up loop on the wrong side of the sock (about 14 to 16
stitches on each side) and knit once around to centre of heel.
Round 1: On left heel needle knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together
Knit front needle
On right heel needle slip 1, knit 1, slip slipped stitch over and knit to end
Round 2: Knit plain across all needles
Continue round 1 and 2 until you have a total of 56 stitches
Knit plain until distance from heel tip is 22.5cm
Narrow toe:
Knit 2 together, knit 5, knit 2 together, knit 5 continue to finish the round
Knit plain for 5 rows
Knit 2 together, knit 4, knit 2 together, knit 4, continue pattern to finish the round
Knit plain for 4 rows
Knit 2 together, knit 3, knit 2 together, knit 3, continue pattern to finish the round
Knit plain for 3 rows
Knit 2 together, knit 2, knit 2 together, knit 2, continue pattern to finish the round
Knit plain for 2 rows
Divide stitches on to 2 needles, 10 front and 10 back (20 total)
Hold needles together and finish with a ‘Kitchener Toe’
Progress Worksheet
Notes
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