How did this activity begin

Towards the end of 1999 the moe Old Gipps town would host a Saturday where the young children would take there teddy bear to a Teddy Bears Picnic. Most of the Guides in Churchill did not have transport to attend. Public transport finished through Churchill by 1pm on a Saturday afternoon. So if the Leaders could get the Guides there there was not transport back.

Rather than not be included the Guides were encouraged to think of ways to be included. The older Guides helping in the younger units suggested holding their own Teddy Bear Picnic at the Hazelwood South Hall during the meeting time. Some of these older guides had attended the Teddy Bear overnight stay at the hall a few years before.

Weeks before the chosen meeting time 'things' were created to include the others to participate. The activty usually netted some interest from girls outside the Unit. Guides that had moved from this Unit wanted to be included too. The meeting was opened to the sisters of the younger Guides. Over the years they brought friends --usually from the otlder unit!

The day then became a Saturday activity. Open to all Guides, family and friends.
Then the leaders became so externally busy that the weekends for the Teddy Bears Picnic evaporated. By the end of 2008 the Units had planned to have a Teddy Bears Picnic included in with the Rac Wac in first term 2009. The fires that are now named 'Black Saturday' threw all planning out of the window.

So by the end of 2009 fouth term the planning for 2010 teddy bears picnic had already begun.. Several changes have occured. people have offered to assist. These same people are interested in getting the Guides active, with more people knowing just what Guides actually is involved with. Now the Hazelwood and Churchill Guide District team are now organising the event. A Gipp's Guide is overseeing the Teddy Bears Picnic. As part of Clean up Australia the Teddy Bears will be assisting in Cleaning up the Glendonald Park. Since Clean Up Australia in Glendonald Park is a family and friend event everyone is invited. Activities and games will be included.as part of the 'entertainment factors' for the youngest children. Games in the Park will be aimed at the older ones. The District catering team is resonsible for the BBQ.

Anzac biscuits

Serving Size: 12 medium sized biscuits

Eaten when ever.
The Guides are fasinated at when they first see golden syrup and baking soda mixed together. A great method of 'accidental ' learning leading into why was cooking basicaly women's work. May be even into how volcano's and other 'light' chemical explosives work.How come there are so many different receipes for the same biscuit?

The cooking of these biscuits are used to encourage discussion on how and what A.N.Z.A.C. meant both then and now. The page on http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/anzac/biscuit/recipe.asp is about the Original A.N.Z.A.C. biscuit's history.

What did the ladies of the time do to assist there men folk. How did either the soldiers, the civialian's near the front or the wives and families survive during and after the First World War.

Is 'survival' any different now? Why is there no Peace yet. Has history been a waste?

So from one humble A.N.Z.A.C. recipe with these ingredients many paths can be taken.

• 2 cups of rolled oats
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups coconut
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 250g butter
• 4 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons boiling water
Method:
Turn oven to 160'C. Lightly grease oven trays.
Put oats, flour, coconut, sugar in big mixing bowl. Melt butter and golden syrup in pan. Take off heat.
Mix baking soda and boiling water in a cup. Add to melted butter in the pan. Quickly add to big mixing bowl. Mix well.
Roll tablespoonful lots into balls. put on trays 5cm apart. Press lightly with fork.
Bake for 20 minutes, one tray at a time. Cool slightly and loosen off tray.