Butterly

We know what we are calling Rebecca ...it is Butterfly.

Choosing governace

Governance is about having the choice to choose, then knowing what to do with this choice.  All levels of Guiding are shown different processes for the same thing. 

  The 7 to 9's are called Dolphin Patrol.  We already have the Koala Patrol for the 10 to 13's.

We played Hop-Scotch. And we did some more of the Columbia badge. 

Some more Guide revieved their sashes and some badges.

There were
Special Badges - 100 year celebration, Jota/Joti,  2 round badges called Build a better World, Discover your Potential.

Some Guides got their Explore: Freiendship badges.

We are nearly finished some others too. They are

Explore: Our World, Life Skills,Guiding, Outdoors, Arts

Some have started their Explore: Faith Awareness and their Explore: Health and Fitness and Science and technology badges.

And we have also begun the :
Challenge Badges: Girls, Rope, Food, Fire, Hands, The Arts.

Theres one called the Bridges over to Argetina and we have started that too.

Unit Scarves near door.

From now on when we go into Guides we get the bag of scarves and put them near the door. Then we put one on for the night. After the meeting we leave them behind near the door...but not in the bag. That way the ones worn will be washed and made ready for nest week.

Our next job is to get the Unit flag stand ready to erect the flag. The Flag pole goes in the North side of the Building. That is where the roof is highest near the office door. A compass can be used to check this out.

After Guide and before the Color Party people put their scarves away they must put the Flag and its pole and the stand away.

Recieving that first badge.

When Youth members receive their first Sash it is important to them.  Then when they receive the first badges there is a positve wow factor.  Everyone present feels like they too are getting their first badges all over again.

In Novemebr  2009 two members received their sashes.  Also the badges that had been achieved to that date.  Besides the Patrol Badge some were special badges, while others were Explore and Challenge badges.

These badges were awarded today:
Patrol Badge: Koala

Special Badges: 100 years of Guiding badge.
     
Explore: Friendship, Guiding, Outdoors, Science and Technology, The Arts, Guiding. There are skill more to come by the end of the year.

Challenge: Food.

These youth members are so close to finishing other badges that they will be surprised early next year when they realise how close they were to receiving them.

 

For now though the challenge is to have these ones sewn on before we return next year[ January 20th 2010]. Now they are learning how to sew them on. Then they have finished the challenges towards their Create Hands Badge!!  I am sure that they will share and commiserate with learning to  hand sew with other people. Glad the badges are safety pinned in place.

Groundsheet

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night. Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'. The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times. As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

Sleeping bag

Firstly you will need a sleeping bag. There are basically two types of sleeping bags -ones filled with down or feathers and ones filled with synthetic material.
Down-filled ones are generally lighter, less bulky and warmer but they are mere expensive and harder to dry if they get wet.

Bags come in all sorts of shapes and thicknesses. Bags with a hood and drawstring around the neck will keep you warmer than those without. The warmest shape is called a "mummy" bag.
Choose a bag that has an insulated flap along the zip so that you don't get cold along the zip line and one that can be unzipped from the inside and outside of the bag.

Most sleeping bags come with a cover or stuff bag. Down sleeping bags are simply 'stuffed', feet end first into this bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally rolled up and slipped into their cover. If you don't have a cover for your sleeping bag you could make one or make a couple of strong bands of elastic to hold it together.

Sleeping bags inner bag

My mum used to use these in the sixties when we went camping. You got it . She learned this trick from her mum. And relearned it when she was a Girl Guide just after the second world war. How did you guess. Yes her mum was a Girl Guide Leader too.

Linen inner sheet
A sheet inside your sleeping bag will add to your warmth and keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean. Sew an old flannelette sheet into a rectangular bag shape - leave the sides open near the top. A warmer, lighter sheet bag can be made from pure silk lining material. Buy double your length and stitch the sides.

Australia Day in Melbourne

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag. For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year. The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball. At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.


Full Uniform is worn. Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats. Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Australia Day Jan 26th in Hazelood and Churchill shopping Centre.

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Hazelwood and Churchill shopping Center. (theory of this is great) As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.


Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends. Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / color party [with Scouts].


One draw back here is that we usally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before. When we do it will be posted here. So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Egyptian Sesame Cookies (Semsemia)

When reading the GiA (Guiding in Australia July Vol 18 no 6 this is what we were told:
Egyptian recipes often utilise lentils, chick peas and other pulses. Lamb is the basic meat used. Vegetables are popular and garlic is an important ingredient in many Egyptian dishes. Citrus fruits, peaches, pomegranates, grapes, melons and bananas are locally grown. You might like to try this easy Egyptian dessert recipe in your Unit.

We then had to work out the weights and measurements- and we cheated here as we had an old lb/oz and metric weighting scale. The Guides and I just converted it from one side to the other. Then they had to weight everything twice. The conversion was more fun at one stage that the cooking. Then of course came the talk about very hot substances, the crackle and pop test and general cooking safety.

Someone did get over anxious with the peanut butter a few years later when we retried the recipe. Very sticky they were. And they stuck to the top if the mouth with too much peanut butter.


Sesame Cookies (Semsemia)
A tasty dessert. You can increase the peanut butter a little to
make it softer and more appealing to kids. Too much peanut
butter, however, makes the cookies too soft to handle.
Ingredients
1 Ib. ( 475 grams) sesame seeds 8 oz. honey (225grams)
3 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 tablespoon rose water 1 teaspoon cardamom
1 1/2 cups walnuts, chopped

Method
Brown sesame seeds slightly in the oven or on the stove top. Set aside. Mix hiney, peanut butter, rose water and caramon in a saucepan. Cook on a low heat until it bubbles. Stir in the seasame and the walnuts. Spread in a greased 9 x 14 inch [23 x 32cm] (or similar size) pan to cool. To serve, cut into diamond shapes.

Jewelery making

A combined effort. I'll hunt out my tools too.

in reference to: The Gipps Guides (view on Google Sidewiki)

Jewelery making

A combined effort. I'll hunt out my tools too.

in reference to: The Gipps Guides (view on Google Sidewiki)

Jewelery making

A combined effort. I'll hunt out my tools too.

in reference to: The Gipps Guides (view on Google Sidewiki)

Creating Training Aids

When you go to teach anything to anyone, yourself included, training aids are used. You may be so familiar with these 'aids' that you do not realise you are actually using them. So just to prompt your memory here is a list of possible aids that you have used.

Discussion,Evaluation, Time lines, mind maps, lists, art work, painting ,songs, creating /reading stories, artices, Word finds, the alphabet, computer programs, traditions, customs, unifrorms, other people, a chain of progressive knowledge, letter, radio or TV broadcasts, dvd, cd, activites, events, jobs, mentoring, parents, group action/ reactions .....

The more we get together

The more we get together is a song that was sung in 2005 at a camp fire. very soon after wards as part of the Achieve : Leadership part 2 this song was one of a few taught over a a month at Guides in preparation for a short campfire.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.


The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For you know that I know,
And I know that you know,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.



Campfire
6th August 2005,
Baw Baw Region sleeping under the Stars.

And another version of make new friends.

A terrific Song with regards to friendship.

Make New Friends Round
(You may want to use one verse per group)
Make new friends but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.

A circle's round, it has no end,
That's how long I’ll be your friend.

I have a hand, and you have another,
Put them together and we have each other.

Sew good friends wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home.

You help me and I'll help you,
And together we will make it through.

A fire burns bright, it warms the heart,
We've been friends right from the very start.

New made friends like new made wine
Grow and mature to the end of the time!

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special, but hard to find.

Friends are real and friends are true,
If you love them they will love you too.

Cherish friendship in your breast
New is good, but old is best;

Across the miles, across the sea
Friends forever we will always be.

Make new friends, but keep the old:
Those are silver, these are gold

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special but hard to find.

So good friend wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home

Guide Law Song

The Guide law song is a catchy song to the tune of Old Mac Donald had a farm.

Written aimed at Phillipine Girl Guides the Laws are very similar to the Australian Guide Laws.



Guide Law Song Sung to the tune of "This Old Man".
Guide Law one, loyal and fun,
Loyal and fun says Guide Law one,
Helping other people, learning more and more,
Guides be true to the first Guide Law.
Guide Law two, helpful you, *i Helpful you says Guide Law two, Helping other people, learning more and more, Guides be true to the second Guide Law.
Guide Law three, considerate be,
Considerate be says Guide Law three,
Helping ........ «
Guide Law four, friendship sure, Friendship sure says Guide Law four, Helping ........
Guide Law five, animals alive, Animals alive says Guide Law five, Helping ........
Guide Law six, 0-be-d-ient , 0-be-d-ient, says Guide Law six, Helping ........
Guide Law seven, smile or gladden, Smile or gladden says Guide Law seven, Helping ........
Guide Law eight, never be late, Never be late says Guide Law eight, Helping ........
Guide Law nine, care of yours and mine, Care of yours and mine says Guide Law nine, Helping ........
Guide Law ten, good citizen,
Good citizen says Guide Law ten,
Helping other people, learning more and more,
Guides be true to the tenth Guide Law.


This song was orginally published in the old Girl Guide magazine 'Matildia' in the mags Training Pages.


Enjoy learning the sang. Onece learned it is hard to get rid of from your head.

Attending 'my' place of Worship

It is my understanding that :
Guiding recognises that faith and worship is a very important factor in most peoples lives. Faith, belief and Worship enriches peoples lives in so many different ways.
Guiding itself is a non-religious, non-political organisation. This being said guiding supports those members who choose to attend places of worship and to express themselves in a respectful and diligent way that allows for them to respect and live with themselves, their family,community, their environment and the world around them.


Susan Connor

Measuring up to "My Best"

The girl Guide Promise asks you 'to do your best'....

Okay, so what is your best? Are you doing your best? What's stopping you? Once this has been sorted out where and what can you do to do better? Do you want to do better? What is your Goal? Figure out some little steps to get to your goal. Give yourself a time limit. What and how will you proceed [what will you do if] you don't meat this challenge goal?

And the music flows

Listening to different types of music adds variety to our lives.

Sometimes during the meetings CD's have been played. The Guides or leaders bring their CD's, check with the leaders that the CD's music is appropriate, and the Cd's are played as back ground music through the meeting.

Over the years there has been played: Guide songs and campfire singing, traditional Australian Aborginal music from different 'Nations'. Various other traditional music from other countries: New Zealand, Waled, France, Germany, American Indian, and Indian just to name a few.

Even Music from different music trends: The Australian Youth Choir, Abba, ACDC, Whitesnake, Celian Deyon, Jazz, Classical, Rock, Metal (heavy, fairy, light electrical,,) Pop...

Various compilations such as Aussie BBqs, Power Songs, Imprisonment tapes, Childrens Nursery Rhyme Tapes, International freedom CD's.

The lists just go on.

The Guides and their friends are checked re their knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety in regards to electricity, handing of home appliances, appreciation of noise levels, who running the show and who has over all power with regard to saying turn it off.

Organising meals.

Keeping up to date with these changes means that the guide Leaders are always checking up on what foods we eat and don't eat when they are helping the Guides organise a menu for a dinner, camp or other activity.

Assessing eating habits.

Things happen all the time as our bodies get older and / or more sensitive. In order for us to constantly keep up, look after our bodies we have to assess, regulate and change our diet regularly.

Keeting fit while being a Guide.

Sports Guides have played as well as attending Guides :

Netball, Basket ball, Tennis, Soccer, Skate Boarding, Bike Riding, Horse riding, Show Jumping, Sailing, Canoeing, Running, Athletics, Karate,Tai Chi, Swimming, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Belly dancing, ....

Learning to skip.

One meeting we all challenged Susan to skip. Yes she can go forward, backwards (not to well though) and even can loop it. She has to keep stopping though.

Scrapbooking is fun

Meetings making pictures, place mats, charts, decorating log and camp books, cards, invitations and just working together, having fun and doing our own thing too, while scrap booking have been terrific.

We cook meals too

Cooking a meal for the family following a recipe.

This was a meal that was a stew. Very nice it was.

Make a useful article for a friend

We made place mats for when we invited our Friends and Family to Guides for Dinner.

The place mats were made using scrapbook cutters, scissors, hole punches, lots of glue, drawings and paintings. Using stickers with gold or silver, or even glitter mucked up the laminating of the place mats.

Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking means by doing something once that something may be used for a mutitude of things. With this in mind there are fifty years worth of activities, events, evaluations, camps, service and all sorts of things that various generations of people have done. See how these things all fit in together.One person may use one event or task for one thing, another person will use it for something else. Try them, alter them, see how they work. Get back to us and make your comments known.

Making Cubby houses

Over the years that we have had Guide meetings there have been many cubby's made.

Some have used tables and chairs, others have had the climbing things outside. The materials for cubby making are in a box stored under the table near the office door. Big sheets of different varieties and colors.

All the building material (sheets, tables and chairs) to be dusted down,refolded up and put away before the Guides go home. Cleaning up is important in play as well. Learning to fold materials is a pre-requesite for storage of tents.

Sometimes this methods just is not right for the occasion and the Guides will concentrate on coping life's lessons rather than build a cubby. So the wooden children's cubby is used by all ages.

Friends from other countries.

Two girls from another country came to our Guide meeting. Some of the girls already knew these girls from school.

They too are now members of the Guide Unit.

Doing things

Some of the girls who came to the disco and also the dance in the third term of 2009 have joined up and are becoming Girl Guides.

When you have fun and people see that things are happening then they think it is worth it. So they too give 'it' a go. Then when there is more people 'doing things' others still want to come.

Party Lights

During 2009 a shop had a special on. The leaders went out and spent some money on all sorts of lights to use at discos, party's and other things.

Unfortunately the disco ball was dropped ion the first night the Guides were looking at them.

Now there are cables missing. When we have more money there will be more cables.

The equipment we have and can still use is still fun to have. The District has spare extension cords and socket extensions.

Using the CD player.

There is a CD player where we meet. As long as the Guides organising the music show one of the leaders the C.D's before the CD player is used then it may be used in different activities.

Even played during the meeting time if they agree.

NOTE: All the CD operators need to have their Occupational Health and Safety checks by Debbie first.

Plan a party and invite your friends.

We planned a Dance at Guides for the end of Term three (2009).

We invited all different people. we had made invitations, and asked them to come too. Our parents asked their parents too.

We had fun, played outside, had cold drinks, lots of food, decorations and music. We also had games to play too.
The CD player was the one at the meeting room. The music was ours, The older girls organised the CD player.

Some of the girls we invited have now joined Guides.

Should be a useful resource and knowldedge base for you

Try this new 'blogspot' for possible answers to queries and questions. It will take some time but even now is begining to house what and how things are being done in the Guide District and the Unit.  The traditions, events, activities and participations, the Planning, organising and development through the implementation and also the evaluations.

Should be a useful resource and knowldedge base for you as there is going to be many things here that I as a curious parent wanted to know or be informed about.

Flag poles have their uses.

There are only three uses for a Flag pole.

The main use for a flag pole is to hold a Flag. More aptly known as "The Colors". Another use for Flag Poles are to center the ropes that peg the flag pole down. The third use for a Flag Pole is to give the Color Party a Job.

Flag poles are not used as entertainment props, dance poles, spare tent poles, dilly bag lines, prospective spare kindling even or anything else other than a Flag Pole. Boaring! but true. Boils down to having respect for the "Colors" and what and who those the "Colors" represent.

The Colour Guards Job desciption includes...

It is the Color Guards job to guide the Color Bearer from injury or harm. When the Color Bearer is carrying the Flag in the hoist she cannot see as the Flag pole and Colors are directly in her line of sight. For this reason the Color Guards stand so that their shoulders are able to Guide the Color Bearer. Nudging her to go one way away from possible danger or hazard.

The second job of the Color Guard is to assist in protecting the Flag - "the Colors".
This job starts when the Flag is handed over to the Color Party until it is handed back and protectively stored away again.

The third job is to listen and respond to the Color Bearers commands. This then assists the Color Bearer to have a Uniform marching Color Party.

Where do I stand in Colour Party?

Okay who is the main Guard of the flag? That is the Color Bearer?
There one Color Bearer and two Color Guards.
The Color Bearer stands in the middle with the color Guards on her left and her right side.

Stay with the Flag

In day's of old a Flag was a symbol of a group or tribe. Over the noise of battle soldiers could get easily confused and loose their direction. Different musical instruments were used to rally the soldiers on, call them back, give instructions and signal the winners or losers of the day. The winners obtained the others flag. Symbolising that the other team now 'owned' them.

So when the flag is away from it's protective case /packing until it is folded and replaced back into safety those that are the primary guards of that Flag keep a very good eye on the Flags were-abouts.

Should a Flag be stolen for any reason the side missing their Flag belongs to the other...until they can retrieve it back.

The primary carer for the Flag usually has the most experiance of the Colour Party. This Primary Guard is the one who has the job of handling, carrying /presenting the colours etc. Her color party members also guard the Flag and the Primary Guard.

When there are other members of the Colour Party under training the responsibility of the Flag is still the Primary Guards. Thus the Flags protection belongs to one but is shared and cared for by all.

Australia Day 2010

We are going to go to Austrralia Day in Churchill Shopping center next year.  That means we are there for a 7am start.  Breakfast starts at about 8.30 am.  So we are to have Breakfast at home first.  And take a drink bottle down with us.


Next week the District will have some uniforms for us to have until we grow out of them.  Hope they all fit.

Nov 18th 2010

 We know what  we are calling Rebecca ...it is Butterfly.

Then we voted on somethings.  The 7 to 9's are called Dolphin Patrol.  We already have the Koala Patrol for the 10 to 13's.

We played Hop-Scotch. And we did some more of the Columbia badge. 

Some more Guide revieved their sashes and some badges.

There were
Special Badges - 100 year celebration, Jota/Joti,  2 round badges called Build a better World, Discover your Potential.

Some Guides got their Explore: Freiendship badges.

We are nearly finished some others too. They are

Explore: Our World, Life Skills,Guiding, Outdoors, Arts

Some have started their Explore: Faith Awareness and their Explore: Health and Fitness and Science and technology badges.

And we have also begun the :
Challenge Badges: Girls, Rope, Food, Fire,Hands, The Arts.

Theres one called the Bridges over to Argetina and we have started that too.

28th October 2010

From now on when we go into Guides we get the bag of scarves and put them near the door. Then we put one on for the night. After the meeting we leave them behind near the door...but not in the bag.  That way the ones worn will be washed and made ready for nest week. 

Our next job is to get the Unit flag stand ready to erect the flag.  The Flag pole goes in the North side of the Building.  That is where the roof is highest near the office door.  A compass can be used to check this out.

After Guide and before the Color Party people put their scarves away they must put the Flag and its pole and the stand away.

28th November 2010.

A decision was made by the guides to wear the scarves, which scarves, where to put them so they were all available as they walked in the door and what to do with them after after the meeting.

A second decision was made with regard to the Unit Flag. Yes they would like the Unit Flag there when they are at Guides. Where was 'there' to be though.

Nov 10th 2010.

This afternoon the theme of friendship was laced throughout the program. The things that were included into today's program were: Flag protocol, making choices (Self Governance), helping someone else (lending a hand (LAH) or service to fellow man), what have we done so far ( Self-governance) what are we going to do (Power-steering, Event-Management),

not being afraid of asking questions, (self confidence) making a combined decision, (peer decision making) doing something from the decision, Preparation for a Guides Own, Doing our own 'Guide's own', Closing the evening with taps.

Promise Nov 10th 2010.

Today made everyone's day. Nov 10 2010 saw one youth member making her Guide Promise.  Two members received their sashes.  Also the badges that had been achieved.  Some were special badges and others were explore and challenge badges.

These badges were awarded today:
Patrol Badge: Koala

Special Badges:100 years of Guiding badge.
   
Explore: Friendship, Guiding, Outdoors, Science and Technology, The Arts, Guiding. There are skill more to come by the end of the year.

Challenge: Food.


Now they are learning how to sew them on.  Glad they are safety pinned  in place.

Too hot a public holiday

November 3rd  was just too hot.  People were busy  enjoying a public holiday..  Guides was missed for the day.

Many ways of saying 'Thank you'.

There are as many ways of saying 'thank you' as may be expressed. Some of the ways used are as simple as giving and sharing of thoughts, poems, letters, stories, prayers, graces, vespers,songs, actions, laughter, dance, mime, waves, energy release activities, passing a piece of something around for all to hold and savior, showing of pictures, describing events and things.... The list goes on.

Given time I think everyone should have a go at expressing every one of these communication methods.

.

What's a Guides Own?

With a group of people a very simple ceremony that says "Thank you" is a Guides Own. Usually based on a theme. You involve your own "Superior Being" and simply communicate a thanks using different communication methods.

Since every Guide has made her own Promise she is reflecting on her own beliefs. Therefor there may be a mixed bag of "Superior Ones" represented. As a participant there are many methods to show respect of everyone's wishes and beliefs.

Australia Day Melbourne

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag. For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year. The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball. At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.


Full Uniform is worn. Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats. Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Australia Day 2009

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Hazelwood and Churchill Shopping Center. (theory of this is great) As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.


Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends. Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / colour party [with Scouts].


One draw back here is that we usally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before. When we do it will be posted here. So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Jota 2010 new call sign

For 2010 we will have access to a special callsign for Sunday 1100
onwards - VK100WIA. The callsign will probably be sought after overseas, and hopefully international propagation will be starting to pick up by then.

Planning for this event has already started. The radio activities will be running on the Sunday.

and we shook hands with..

The left handshake is a Link of Unity amongst the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts the world over. Representing a let down of shields and a trust in the other person.

Australia Day Jan 26th at the Churchill Public Hall.

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Churchill Public Hall Entrance. Pre 2009 there were different places but it was mainly  in the Hazelwood and Churchill Shopping Center area. [behind the memorial wall, [cigar] behind the saloon bar [no longer there] in the car park.... (theory of this is great)] Or even at Gaskin Park (2008).

As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.

Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends.  Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / colour party [with Scouts]. 

One draw back here is that we ususally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before.  When we do it will be posted here.  So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Australia Day in Melbourne

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag.  For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year.  The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball.  At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.

Full Uniform is worn.  Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats.  Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Flags of the Hazelwood and Churchill Guide District

1. World Guide Flag, 
2. Australian Flag, 
3. Victorian Flag,
4. Churchill Guide Flag      [Blue and Purple]
5. Hazelwood Guide Flag  [ Pink,light blue stripes, orange and lime green dots]
6. Churchill  Guide Flag [ Bright mid purple]
7. Old Brownie Emblems [ Brown back ground yellow elf][Yellow background with brown elf]

Learning about the flags , care, use and reason for is a repetitive learning process.

Stuck in as boat with choc biscuits and our Unit flag.

It was just too hot to do much. Having to run Guides inside was a horrible thought.  So the Guides found an area of shade under a big tree... in the dingy. As a get to know one another exercise they played in and around the dingy.  Cordial and chocolate biscuits were supplied and they went fast.  [In between the talking that is.]

Then out came the flags.  The first was the old Unit flag for when the Hazelwood Guides meet. Designed by the Guides.  Various Guides, parents and leaders created the flag. Probably why the colours are a pink background with light blue wide ribbon obtuse angles stripes and bright pink and lime green 4 to 5 cm circles sewn on both sides.

  These current Guides chose to recycle the flag and use it at all meetings were their ages were. it also meant that they did not have to make one too.  The empty  Flag pole from the Morwell Guide District,  which were donated to the Hazelwood and Churchill Guide District that week, were recycled too.  Now they hold this flag. Okay with that.

 Since the Guides are receptive to learning about flags, and the decision was theres various flag learning objectives struck  Strategies for learning and using this flag were implemented.  The Guides were also interested in learning about other flags, the protocol, ceremonies, care of flags, and of course what do you do with them?

Making a decoration

To make flat for cards or tags you will need:

• card to make head and feet

• eyes (draw or purchase)

• a little wool to make hair

Glitter and a Large Ground sheet.

•  1 pretty doily

• glue

Instructions:

Fold the doily as per the illustration and glue feet under the

doily. Draw or attach features and hair to the head. Glue the

head in place and use to decorate Christmas cards, gift tags

and so on.

To make as a decoration you will need:

• small pompom for the head

•  eyes (draw or purchase)

• cardboard rolled into a tube narrower at the top than the bottom

•  1 pretty doily

• gold thread Instructions:

Roll an oblong of card into a tube shape which is a little narrower than the head pompom at the top but wider at the bottom. Experiment with the size of doily you are using—the tube should be 2cm shorter than the bottom edge of the doily. Fix the edges of the tube in place with sticky tape. Fold the doily in half and then fold it around the tube as per illustration, gluing the 'wing' folds together at the back so the tube cannot be seen. Glue the features to the head then glue the head in place. Attach a hanging loop made from the gold thread. Optional for both versions: spray with gold paint when all glue is dry.

Next Cards and Tags

Cards and Tags.

Every so often the Guides want to be creative.  Making cards and gift tags is a simple fun way to let the creative juices and communication begin.  Work the creativity around a theme. Take photos along the way.  Safety of equipment, respect of other people and their endeavours, culture and outlooks is encouraged. It is amazing how the Promise and Laws discussion may fit through this activity.

To make flat for cards or tags you will need:

•  card to make head and feet
•  eyes (draw or purchase)
•  a little wool to make hair
• 1 pretty doily
• drawing or painting stuff.
• Glitter and a 'Large' ground sheet.
• glue

Instructions:

Fold the doily as per the illustration and glue feet under the

doily. Draw or attach features and hair to the head. Glue the

head in place and use to decorate Christmas cards, gift tags

and so on.

Playdough

Great recipe for teaching kitchen safety even with the youngest of Guides.  However best done on a camp or all day activity as the dough needs time to cool down before use.

• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cooking salt
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar
• 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
• Food colouring

Mix the flour, water, salt and cream of tartar in a saucepan over medium heat until thick. Allow the mixture to cool and then add the oil and knead well over a floured cutting board or similar. Divide this blob evenly into as many colours as you'd like to make. Add food colouring to each ball until it is just the colour your child is looking for. That's it! Allow the children to let their imaginations take them away.

Edible Finger Paints.

Even the older Youth members still enjoy using this paint mix.  They however use it for other adventures.

• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 1/2 cup of cornflour
• 3 cups cold water
• Food colouring

Stir sugar and cornflour together. While stirring, slowly add water and heat over medium heat until mixture thickens. It will thicken further when it cools. Divide into four containers and add food colouring. Dip in.

Sitapon

Ever think what your going to do with that tatty looking foam padding that used to be comfortable under your sleeping bag?

Is there an area that is about 30 cm square?  Good.  Having cut this to shape this will be your light weight camp sit-upon.

Not quite so sharp with a bit of padding

AIR MATTRESS OR PAD

You will be warmer and more comfortable in camp if you use a foam sleeping mat or pad or an air mattress. The foam pad is not quite as comfortable as an air mattress but will give you better insulation and hence greater warmth.

Air mattresses are bulky, heavy, need to be blown up and may puncture. If ycu use an air mattress, make sure your ground sheet is a little larger than it is so that the mattress will not get damp.

Woolly bag

Snug as a bug in a rug this piece of equipment is. Light weight to.

To keep super warm knit yourself a woolly bag. Use very fat needles - as fat as you can get and thin wool. Cast on about 60 stitches and knit loosely twice your length. Sew up the sides. Your bag should be very lacy - the more holes the better as it is.

Linen inner sheet

My mum used to use these in the sixties when we went camping.  You got it .  She learned this trick from her mum.  And relearned it when she was a Girl Guide just after the second world war.  How did you guess.  Yes .. Grandma was a Girl Guide Leader too.

Linen inner sheet

A sheet inside your sleeping bag will add to your warmth and keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean. Sew an old flannelette sheet into a rectangular bag shape - leave the sides open near the top. A warmer, lighter sheet bag can be made from pure silk lining material. Buy double your length and stitch the sides.

Sleeping bags

The basic Sleeping bag

Firstly you will need a sleeping bag. There are basically two types of sleeping bags -ones filled with down or feathers and ones filled with synthetic material.

Down-filled ones are generally lighter, less bulky and warmer but they are mere expensive and harder to dry if they get wet.

Bags come in all sorts of shapes and thicknesses. Bags with a hood and drawstring around the neck will keep you warmer than those without. The warmest shape is called a "mummy" bag.

Choose a bag that has an insulated flap along the zip so that you don't get cold along the zip line and one that can be unzipped from the inside and outside of the bag.

Most sleeping bags come with a cover or stuff bag. Down sleeping bags are simply 'stuffed', feet end first into this bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally rolled up and slipped into their cover. If you don't have a cover for your sleeping bag you could make one or make a couple of strong bands of elastic to hold it together.

When planning on what to include in making a bedroll you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night.  Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'.  The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times.  As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

Sneeking in a pillow for camp.

Some people can manage without a pillow at camp, others can not. You can make a pillow by putting your spare clothing inside a pillow case and resting the case on your shoes. This method is hard to sleep on. However you know where your clothes for the next morning are, there's less ferreting about for them, and then you may be in the front of the shower line in am.  Also if emergency arises grab and run.

You can also get blow-up plastic ones which are light and small, or, you might like to just take a pillow with you. If you take a pillow be sure that it is protected from the weather. Put it into a garbage bag sealed with an elastic band until you use it at night.  I found these uncomfortable as when in deep sleep i moved around my head 'thonked' on the ground.  Then someone laughingly told me not to blow them up very much at all.  Since that time, and when I remember to pack this pillow things have gone okay for my poor head and misbegotten ears.

GROUND SHEET

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night.  Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'.  The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times.  As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

GROUND SHEET

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night.  Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'.  The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times.  As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

My mum used to use these in the sixties when we went camping.  You got it .  She learned this trick from her mum.  And relearned it when she was a Girl Guide just after the second world war.  How did you guess.  Yes her mum was a Girl Guide Leader too.

Linen inner sheet

A sheet inside your sleeping bag will add to your warmth and keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean. Sew an old flannelette sheet into a rectangular bag shape - leave the sides open near the top. A warmer, lighter sheet bag can be made from pure silk lining material. Buy double your length and stitch the sides.

The basic Sleeping bag

Firstly you will need a sleeping bag. There are basically two types of sleeping bags -ones filled with down or feathers and ones filled with synthetic material.

Down-filled ones are generally lighter, less bulky and warmer but they are mere expensive and harder to dry if they get wet.

Bags come in all sorts of shapes and thicknesses. Bags with a hood and drawstring around the neck will keep you warmer than those without. The warmest shape is called a "mummy" bag.

Choose a bag that has an insulated flap along the zip so that you don't get cold along the zip line and one that can be unzipped from the inside and outside of the bag.

Most sleeping bags come with a cover or stuff bag. Down sleeping bags are simply 'stuffed', feet end first into this bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally rolled up and slipped into their cover. If you don't have a cover for your sleeping bag you could make one or make a couple of strong bands of elastic to hold it together.

Woolly bag

Snug as a bug in a rug this piece of equipment is. Light weight to.

To keep super warm knit yourself a woolly bag. Use very fat needles - as fat as you can get and thin wool. Cast on about 60 stitches and knit loosely twice your length. Sew up the sides. Your bag should be very lacy - the more holes the better as it is.

Not quite so sharp with a bit of padding

AIR MATTRESS OR PAD

You will be warmer and more comfortable in camp if you use a foam sleeping mat or pad or an air mattress. The foam pad is not quite as comfortable as an air mattress but will give you better insulation and hence greater warmth.

Air mattresses are bulky, heavy, need to be blown up and may puncture. If ycu use an air mattress, make sure your ground sheet is a little larger than it is so that the mattress will not get damp.

Ground sheet

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

Snuggles at night

When you go camping one of the most important things is to have a warm, dry bed. If you have the right equipment and look after it properly you will always have a snugly nest ready at night.

Sneeking in a pillow for camp.

PILLOW

Some people can manage without a pillow at camp, others can not. You can make a pillow by putting your spare clothing inside a pillow case and resting the case on your shoes. You can also get blow-up plastic ones which are light and small, or, you might like to just take a pillow with you. If you take a pillow be sure that it is protected from the weather. Put it into a garbage bag sealed with an elastic band until you use it at night.

Toss the bedroll.

Learning to make and tie a bedroll properly is a challenge that once achieved few Guides will ever really forget.  Playing 'throw the bedroll' [of course it' s to see how well the tying of the packers knot actually is!!] is met with cheers when the ting bounces and rolls or merey  wobbles and then topples.  Cheers and laughter with an appreciation of a job well done or groans and a determination to do better nest time.  But the learning is there.  When the 'next time' rolls around so too is the determination to 'do her best'.  And this best is better than the last one.

Starting out as a young Guide the Guide learns and participates in Secret Good Turns.  Moving on gaining the skills and confidence to Lending a Hand, through Being Prepared, and taking the service into the wider community.  WAGGGS offers opportunities to participate in service through out the World.  Either staying at home or visiting the country/ies concerned.

There are now three Service Flashes (1,2, & 3).  These have miminum ages and hours of service.
The 1st Flash starts at age 7 and goes in incriments for up to nine hours.
The 2nd Flash starts at age 9 and is up to fifteen hour service over three months. [about 1 1/4 hours per week]

The last Service Flash minimum age starts at 12 years old. A mininum of twenty hours over three months.  [1 3/4 hours per week].

The syllabus is found on pages 82 to 84 in the reprinted Look Wide 2009 edition.

The Australian Guide Program

Made up of: 

• 4 elements 
• Physical
• People
• Practical
• Self
• and 7 fundamentals
• Promise and Law,
• Outdoors, 
• Service.
• World Guiding, 
• Guiding Traditions, 
• Leadership Skills,
• Patrol