Vol. 9, No.3.
SEPTEMBER 16th, 1932.
AX OP1"ICJAL 'l'J:J':.\SURl'; HAG OF G I'lDl;;W\' JNFOJDI.\'j'IOi'l FOn
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MATILDA
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September 16, 1932.
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September 16, 1932.
3
MATILDA
A GENERATION OF ADVENTURE. (The following extracts are taken from the Chief Scout's article in "The Times" of May 21st, 1932. It was written on the occasion of the 21st Birthday of the British Girl Guides Associ ation). "We are the Girl Scouts" was the announcement made with an air of confident self-assertion by a little person of some eleven years at the first rally of the Boy Scouts in 1909. She was the spokeswoman of a small group of girls dressed as nearly as possible in imitation of their brothers, the Scouts. At that time, over 20 years ago, women were just coming into their own in the work of the world. Character development was actually more needed by them than by their brothers, since they had had less opportunity of forming it in their comparatively secluded life. . . . Character cannot be taught to a class. It has necessarily to be expanded in the individual, and largely by effort on the part of the pupil herself. .. Now the girls were coming forward of their own volition to get the same adventure as their brothers. This is the accepted thing in 1932; it was a big innovation in 1909. With such spirit meeting one half-way, it was not a difficult task to devise a scheme similar in principle to that of the Scouts, while differing in detail to meet the requirements of girl life. The uniform was an important item, not merely as an attraction, as it undoubtedly was to the girls, but because under it all differences of social standing were hidden and forgotten. One of our tenets is to extend our goodwill and pay no regard to differences of class, or country, or creed. All are accepted in the sisterhood who can subscribe to our religious policy, which is on the simple basic foundation of most of the beliefs in the world-namely, love of God and love for one's neighbour. The actual form in which these are expressed is left to pastors and to parents; it is immaterial to us as long as they al'e expressed. Looking back on what has thus been accom-
plished in 21 years, after starting from nothing, one can to a certain extent visualise what possibilities may lie before the Movement within the next 21 years. It is continually growing (147,996 increase in 1931) and is sending out into the stream of life tens of thousands annually, trained in the service of God and their neighbour, and developed in health of body and mind and in comradeship. The War revealed that in spite of our boasted civilisation we are but primitive savages below the surface. Education and religion have yet a big work before them. Education is transforming itself from its traditional attitude of preparing youth to be good scholars into preparing the young people to be good citizens and to make the best use of life. But the process is slow. Religion is also asking itself whether its traditional media are wholly accepted by modern free-thinking youth. Thus the development of character is now becoming mOl'e directly aimed for. In this the Scout and Guide training is intended to be a possibly helpful contribution. . . . There is already growing up a new and widespread leaven among the different peoples, of women who have a definite bond between them of goodwill and personal sympathy and understanding. This international leaven is further strengthened by the several millions of ex-Boy Scouts (whose active members to-day number over two million), all inspired with the same spirit of mutual friendliness. This must, in the course of the next few years, inevitably produce a force of public feeling opposed to war, from a higher standpoint than fear, such as should be the most powerful ally to the League of Nations and to religion in their effort to bringabout God's Kingdom on earth of peace and goodwill among men. (From "The Council Fire," July, 1932.)
The Council Fire.
Handicraft Exhibition at Bendigo reached us too late for publication in August. "Matilda" appears on the 16th of each month -NOT the 1st of the month. THE EDITOR.
You are not thinking internationally unless you know The Council Fire--the organ of the World Bureau. It appears quarterly, and the annual subscription is 1/ 6-2 / - posted. The October number is to contain a resume of the speeches from the Seventh World Conference, and an account of the opening of the World Chalet. A limited number of extra conies for new subscribers have been ordered, but the best way to avoid di sappointment is to become a subscriber at once.
Closing Date for Contributions. We would remind our readers that contributions should reach the Editor by the 23rd of that an account of the enrolment of the 1st the month preceding publication. We regret East Melbourne Company and a notice of a
Miss Margaret Wilson. Miss Margaret Wilson has just left for Adelaide, having had rather too busy a fortnight in Victoria. After the Training Week at Macedon, Commissioners for Departments, C.A.'s and Trainers spent the week-end at Government Cottage, and had a most delightful time with Miss Wilson. On the 30th August, a number of Commissioners met Miss Wilson at afternoon tea at the Victoria League Club Room, and about 40 Rangel' Guiders had a meeting at Miss Cameron's house in the evening. We are looking forward tremendously to her return in January, when she will again be in charge of a Guider' Training Week. S.H.I.
MATILDA
.(
September 16, Hl32,
VICTORIANS ABROAD.
Overseas Camp. (Extracts from a letter written by Miss Margaret Brown,) "We came down yesterday-about an hour's train journey from London, and 7 miles in a bus from Guildford. The Park is owned by the Duchess ,of Northumberland. I suppose England and Its crowds and houses and fuss is round about somewhere-it must be, but here there is nothing but sky and trees and green' green w{)oded hills-white hawthorn in flowe; -birds that are more tantalising than evel.' they are, because their calls are new, or ones I never succeeded in fathoming before .. , . but it's a camp with lots of spal'e time in it, so one may be able to find out something. The site is all dips and rises-thick green grass like somebody's front law!! that has been left, perhaps a week, or two, without a lawn mower over it. I am lying in it now, low down, on a groundsheet, and a ll I can see from about the level of my head is an endless army of soldiers-you know the sort you fight with till their heads knock off!-and buttercups. , "The Camp is in foul' groups, with about 30 m each, The whole space covered is far smaller t~an ou! Inters~at~ Camp. I am in Group 3; MIss Swmburne IS m 4. There are not many Overseas people-I think about 46, if that. Our Group has one from South Africa, New Zealand, two from India, and myself; the rest Sm'rey. The Chief Guide came into camp late yesterday afternoon. She is sleeping away in a house, but spends all the day here. She spoke at the campfire last night. She said how glad she was about the G.B.E. as a reward to the Movement, and a mark of recognition on the 21st Birthday. Of course she says th~ smallest Brownie has as much right to own It as she has, but that, one imagines is her own view only. ' "There are four courses running through the week-Campcraft, Woodcraft, First Class Brownies, Company management; that's five, s~ five there must be. Miss Warren is in charge of Training. We are having glorious days of sunshinesimply ideal camping weather-no heat, no flies, no dust, no bushfires, no rain, no wind, plenty of shade and grass and water. The Chief Scout came on Thursday, just fol' tea, and an early camp fire. Many of the Surrey people have seen the Chief Guide for the first time this week!-seems absurd. We went for n glorious supper hike after the Chief Scout left; sunshine till 8.30, and light till 10 or so. On the day the Princess Royal visited the camp Group 4 did a priceless stunt-worked up by Miss Maynard-of the G.G. Movement saving the situation at various stages in England's history. Gwen Swinburne was in it. The Princess was terribly amused by it.
All the Overseas Guiders had tea with the Princess under one particular tree that by now has be~n. chri~tened the Great Oak, by reason of the dlstmgUlshed people, Princesses, Barons and others, who have sat beneath it to have tea, during this week . It was rather a unique tea party, one felt. There sat at it Princess Mary, the Chief Guide, Miss Montgomery the Duchess of Sutherland (who is Surrey's Commissioner), the two Assistant Commissioners for ' Surrey, and all Surrey's Divisional Commissioners-then the complete personnel of the Overseas branch-Princess Alice the President; Miss Talbot, the Com. fo~ Overseas' ~nd Miss Hill, Secre~ary. We were one by on~ Introduced to the Prmcess. We had a campfire at 5 o'clock for t he Princess's benefit, and the so.ng that pleas~d her most was the "Pig Hog, Wilt thou be mm? Hunk, said he." The eleven or so New Zealanders did three Maori dances for her, and the one Indian Guider said Thank you to the Princess for all the Overseas. She spoke beautifully with a delightful use of English words. ' "Went last night to the Aldershot Tattoo-si~ply loved it; neyer have I seen anything qUite so marvellous m the way of organisation and execution. At Three o'clock Dame Katharine Furse gave a talk on World Guiding--quite absorbing. She spoke as being quite disconnected with England, being World entirely, and Engl~nd was merely a bit of it, with many other bits. She ended by saying that "nothing was final and settle~--everything fluid," leaving stray odd people m far parts able to do just as much in the progress that must be towards making the whole Movement bigger and better -as pepple already have done, in the building up, durmg the last 21 years. One feels she is handling the World Bureau with an amazingly wide view of the whole world of which ~ngland is merely one part, and o~ly working It from here because the Chief lives here and it saves postage stamps to have the World Bureau . also in the same country! This morning Miss Hillbrook did a session on camping especially for Overseas, and everyone produced their own peculiar dfficultieswater, fire, monkeys, men, etc.! It was interesting and most amusing. Miss Swinburne to.ok notes. hard all the way through, so she WIll be qUite able to cope with monkeys when she camps at home next Christmas, and if she rubs you all down with cocoanut oil at sunset you will know she's only got her notes muddled' and it's over th~ page she'll find where she put how to deal WIth the greasepit problem in a hot country. "Tuesday was mostly spent in hectic rehearsals, in a hidden part of the woods, of the Tootall, to be done at Campfire, by the Overseas-we wanted to do something to amuse Surrey.
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On Monday evening, because many people were going on Tuesday, Miss Swinburne said a Thank you at the Camp Fire on behalf of all Overseas-said it very well, just what everybody felt was needed. But for this show we wanted to attempt to amuse only. Mostly organised by Miss Burgin, from New Zealand, the Tootall was a skit on the Tattoo, and really the result was rather bright! We hoisted the pig bucket great style and sang "Hunk, said he" for our anthem at the hoisting. We had about six items, and ended by producing sausage rolls for Surrey and ourselves. Ended that last campfire with God Save the King. "At the Camp Fire at which Princess Mary was present we got up by singing what they call the "Enrolment Version" of the Birthday Song-you know, 'All you who're born in January, get up, get up!' This was 'All you who're enrolled in 1910, get up, get up' etc. One, from Bermuda, got up in uno, then odd ones for the next year or two, then in clumps; the Chief Guide and Princess Mary got up when their years came; and last, when all were up, almost, there were still left sitting three small Brownies, from the Shere Pack, who had come up from the village with the local Guides to see the Princess: they solemnly and sweetly sat through it all, and rose at 1932! They were clapped violently and looked "ery embarrassed, and the Princess smiled at them!" Wednesday was a day of packing. . . was sorry to go; it's been a very very good camp; and held everything, I think, that those who were responsible for its organisation had hoped it would hold-and more, perhaps. It was good, very good. . . . . "
International G.G. Camp. (Just after Irish Free Static International G.G. Camp, Ireland, 7 /7/ 32). Oh, Matilda! I just hadn't a second to write to you from Camp, but this will only be one mail later, and I hope you'll be forgiving. We had a marvellous ten days under ideal conditions. There were 210 of us under canvas, and we were divided into groups of about 25. We had C.O. and assistant C.O., Q.M. and assistant Q.M., as Staff in each Group (they were Irish Free State Guiders). The rest of us were divided into Patrols, as usual, and of course we all did our "bit" to run the camp. There were far more Guides than Guiders, and so in each Patrol there was one Guider and the rest Guides. In my particular patrol there were two Guiders (I think they thought I was rather decrepit!). We arrived at Camp on Saturday, just in time for the evening meal (which, by the way, is always called supper in Ireland), and we just got ready for and went to bed afterwards. It was most disconcerting. You'd think it was lovely and early, it was so light, and when
5
ILDA
you looked at your watch, to your horror you found it was 11.30 p.m.!! It was dark only for about three hours each night while we were camping, and even during that time there was enough moon and starlight to make a torch unnecessary. We were taken for lovely trips and, of course the Congress was just marvellous. I was lucky, and got invitations to everything interesting. (There are points in being the only representative of one's country!). At the Rally on Visitors' Day I had to walk alonp., though, carrying a large sign with "Australia" on it. I also had to "eyes right" and salute all at the same time! When I had nearly passed the base I heard a man in the crowd call out "Come on, Aussie"! Everyone was awfully good to us, and we all had a lovely time. Ten nations were represented, being Irish Free State, Finland, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, France, Canada, U.S.A. and Australia. France was only there for a couple of days, and she really was representing the World Association. There was a photograph taken of "The Nations," so if I can get a copy I'll send it to you. Sunday at Phoenix Park was an experience and sight never to be forgotten. Over 1,000,000 people were there, yet all were praying as though they were in their own little Church at home. The music, of course, was wonderful, too, and John McCormack sang a solo during Mass. The Campfires at night were great fun, and several times the Rovers joined us and we each entertained the other, and incidentally ourselves! I think this is all. Greetings to all the Guiders and Guides (which" of course, means Rangers and Brownies, too) at Home. From RUTH GAVAN DUFFY.
HERE IS A SUGGESTION. Dear Matilda, I do not know whether you would have room for suggestions of this nature, but here is a "tried in the balance and found very satisfactory" memory test. Some time ago I purchased a very nice drawing book for sixpence. Into this I paste every photo of natural study that in any way strikes an original note, such as a white kookaburra with pink eyes. Nearly every paper nowadays has an interesting camera supplement to glean from. Choosing so many pages of the book at Company meetings. allow five minutes to each patrol to memorize the peculiarities of the new friends, and at the end of the meeting I hand out half-a-dozen questions to be answered by the patrols. As the Guides took to this so readily, I developed the idea for patrol work, a book being compiled by the Leader with contributions from the patrol, and the questions to be answered by each Guide individually instead of by the whole patrol. K.B.W. [We are always anxious to have suggestions like this. Thank you.-Ed.].
6
MATILDA
September 16, 1932.
"The firefly only shines when on the wing; So with the mind; when once we rest, we darken."
FIFTH GUIDE LAW. Don't you think it a necessary act of courtesy to pay the fares of Brown Owls who come and test your Brownies for you '! We hear rumours that this is not always done, but realise it is only lack of thought on the part of the Brown Owl, so please will you be more thoughtful? THE SOLUTION. As no Brown Owl was able to solve the riddle of the "TOONO" Depot, the P.S. (sh ort for Page Secretary) sorrowfuUy gives the solution to the public: "Think Of Others, Not Ourselves". This depot, by the way, is still in existence at Domain Road, South Yarra.
Easy and Useful Handcrafts for Christmas Time. I.-CALENDAR. Take a ~ yard of satin ribbon about an inch wide, and on one end sew a brass ring. Below this stick the picture part of an old Christmas card, while on the other end stick the calendar. 2.-SHOPPING LIST. A piece of cardboard about 8 inches square, with the top edge cut to point, with a hole punched in it to hang it up by. Cover with wall paper, glue a scribbling pad on, and fix a programme pencil near the lower right hand corner. 3.-CAKE TESTER. A piece of cardboard, 10 by 6 inches, pointed at top, with hole in it for hanging up. Cover with wall paper, and 1 inch from lower edge sew a piece of leather or webbing by its top and bottom edge. Through this stick some straws from a small whisk broom. To finish, paste a small piece of plain paper above the straws, on which j printed "When you're busy and going to bake, Keep these handy to test your cake."
Idea for "Going Up" Ceremony. Guides sit in outer circle, Brownies in an inner one. Brown Owl explains that there 1S always a magic thread joining the Brownies to t he Guides, and asks the Brownies to weave the thread in and out of the Guide Circle. The Brownies do this, and the pack leader catches the new recruit as she passes her.
Try This Programme. For opening ceremonyTu whit, Tu whoo, Come Brownies, do, Into tbe ring And with me sing. We're the Brownies, etc. Then suggest that they make a zoo for you . Give approx. 15 minutes or longer if necessary, but leave the working out entirely to the children (chairs and tables make good cages). Then visit the completed zoo, ride elephant (if there is one) and so on. After a very pleasant time you return home (to your corner) while the zoo fades away. For handcraft, cut out traced animals, paste on stiff paper, with a piece at the back for stand, and so make a miniature zoo as a memento. An animal story would complete the meeting before they fly home. -V.H.
Brownie Singing Game. (Tune: "Twinkle, twinkle, little star.") Here's some little Brownies dancing in a ring, And while they're stepping lightly they also gaily sing, Then they take a partner to join them in their play, And dance around together to pass the time away. Brownies in double circle, inner circle face out and stand still, while outside circle skip round t hem during first two lines. Then they take the nearest person in the inner circle by the hands and dance round together to the end, when they change places, inner circle become outer and vice versa. Continue ad lib.
The Princess and the Boggart. Story: Once upon a time there was a princess who lived in a tower; every day she used to wavc to the Brownies who were playing not very far away. But one day a wicked Boggar-t came and she made the princess a prisoner by making a big river flow round the tower. The only way to rescue the princess was to cross the river by some very hard stepping stones, and anyone who put a foot in the water became
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the prisoner of the boggart. The poor princess thought for a long while how she could escape, and she thought that the Brownies were such bright little people, that if she were to fly a distress signal instead of just waving they wou ld realise she was in trouble. When the Brownies saw the signal they all tried to cross the stepping stones and reach the princess, but unfortunately some of them fell into the river and were carried off by the boggart. The clever ones rescued the princess and then they had to think how to rescue the other Brownies. Now they knew that even boggarts must sleep sometimes, even though they wake at the slightest noise. So they waited until she was asleep, and then they crept forward very softly, keeping perfectly still whenever the boggart looked as if she might be waking up. When they I'eached her they all pointed two fingers at her because they knew no boggart could withstand Brownie magic. And while she stood there helplessly they all helped each other home over the stepping stones. Game: Pack Leader is the princess, Tawny the boggart, who draws a river round the princess, and draws stepping stones (from 12 to 15) across it to the princess. The Brownies rescue the princess as in the story. The Union Jack is, of course, used for the distress signal. B.O., 1st Parkville Pack.
An Explanation. In the last Brownie Page it was suggested to "procure at once" copies of the February and March issues of The Guider. It should have been made clear that these copies must be borrowed, as no odd copies are obtainable at Headquarters.
The Rain Fairy. A Rain Fairy sat up from her sleep in a pink poppy, stretched hel'self and yawned: "0 dear," she said, "It is morning again and I have to work." The same old work, day after day, on the same old earth. How tired I am of it. I think I will go up to the blue sky and play with the sunbeams and clouds. It must be lovely up there. She flew up to the sky. For some time she wandered about, admiring the strange and beautiful things in this new land. When she grew tired of that she went to the sunbeams and said to them: "May I play with you?" "We are not playing," said one of the sunbeams politely. "We all have our day's wurk to do. I am just going to ripen the early strawberries, and my little sisters are going to help me. Our cousins over there have to look after the roses. Indeed, we are all too busy to play." She flew off. The fairy went to the white morning clouds: "play with me," she said. "We really have no time just now," said the little clouds. "We have a shower and a rainbow to prepare before noon." "Dear me, everybody seems as busy up here as we are down on earth," thought the fairy. Then she went to the afternoon clouds and asked them to ' play with her. "We are too busy," said the afternoon clouds, "we have to
shade two hills and a valley from the heat of the sun, and make a crown for the mountains below." The rain fairy could not find anyone who had time to play with her, so she had to spend the day by herself. It was dull and lonely, but she would not go down to earth. "They surely must play sometime, I will wait and see," she thought. Sunset came, and the clouds and sunbeams all passed in turn before the great sun, to rt: port to him on their day's work. The Tain fairy went with the rest of them, for she saw that each one passed on from him to a cloud hall, where a star dance was to be held that night. Soon she found herself standing befol'e the sun. "A rain fairy in the sky!" said the sun in sUI'prise, "what have you done to-day, little fairy?" The rain fairy hung her head: "I have done no work," she said. "I was tired of working on earth, so I came up here to play." The sun's kindly smile turned to a frown. "Then you may not go to the star dance," he said. "Go back to your work on earth, we have no time to play here till our work is done ." The fairy returned sadly to the earth, but she had learnt her lesson. She took up her work again, and did everything well. She closed the dainty flower cups so that the rain may not wash their colour out, and dried the soft petals when the shower has passed. She hid butterflies and moths in dry places when it rained hard, and covered the wee birds in their nests. Day after day she worked patiently, remembering how the sunbeams and clouds found no time to play. One day the sunbeams brought her a message. "The great sun has watched your work," they said, "and he is well pleased. He bids us to say that as a reward you are invited to the star dance to-night." (From "The Sun's Babies," by Edith Howes.)
"Black Tuppeny"
IS
Coming.
Those of us who have heard Miss Margaret Brown tell those delightful stories of hers are longing for the moment to come when they are in print, and obtainable here, so that our friends can give them to us as presents (if we cannot afford to buy them ourselves). Meantime, we are very soon to have an opportunity to buy (or receive!) another book, containing a delightful combination of letterpress by Margaret Brown, and illustrations by Sheila Hawkins, also a Melbourne Guidel~. This particular book is meant for the delectation of very tiny children of about three years old, and tells how Tuppenny visits the King on a windy day, and-but you must see her adventures, and read for yourselves what is written beside the pictures. Those of us who are over three, yet love this sort of thing, are in a predicament-unless we are able truthfully to tell the shop-attendant that we "want it for a little niece who is having her third birthday!" In any case, we shall want to have a peep at this hook, even if we cannot think of a good enough excuse to buy it. It is called "Black Tuppenny," and will cost 3 / 6 01' 4 / 6 here. -F.V.B.
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September 16, 1932.
WHEN WE WERE VERY YOUNG. (Extracts from "Home Notes," Dec. 22, 1910). THE GIRL GUIDES. DON'TS FOR GIRL GUIDES. "Home Notes" is now the Official Organ of 1. Don't forget your good turn every day. the Girl Guides, and two pages weekly are 2. Don't forget that helping in your home is one way of doing your good turn. devoted to the movement, and edited by Miss Baden-Powell. 3. Don't forget to smile when difficulties come. ANY LADY desiring to start the Girl Guides 4. Don't forget to learn something fresh every scheme should write to Headquarters for day. pamphlets "A" and "B", price 3d. each, plus 5. Don't forget to do everything as well as you postage. can. ANY YOUNG READER who wishes to join 6. Don't repeat anything told you in confithe Girl Guides should write to the Editress dence. of "Home Notes," who will endeavour to give 7 Don't backbite. the names and addresses of captains in her 8. Don't grumble. Don't lose your temper. neighbourhood, or communicate direct with 9. Don't forget to "Be Prepared." The Girl Guides Office, 116 Victoria Street, AN INTERESTING LETTER. London, S.W. Miss Astles, the Secretary, has sent some My Dear Guides, most interesting news about the Girl Guides at There is a little word I hope each one of you Manchester. An extract from her letter, dated will always include in your vocabulary. It is November 12th, 1910, is given here. the word "principle." You often hear it spoken, "I have now seven patrols-Forget-me-not, or see it in a book; but in these days of hurried Daffodil, Lily, Violet, Poppy, Cornflower, and speaking and hasty reading, we are all inclined Sunflower. Six of the patrols have gained their to slur over a word that should arrest our atTenderfoot badges, and the seventh take their tention. test during next week. We have spent a very It is a splendid thing, principle, and just happy time during the summer months. On like some of its near relations, because it is each Saturday afternoon we marched to some splendid, it is sometimes rather troublesome. spot chosen at the meeting, a distance of two Whatever you do, however, don't let go of or threee miles. If convenient we made camp principle because it is hard to act up to. No fires and had tea, or we roasted potatoes while matter how good your intentions may be, unthere, and, if not, we carried food and bottles of less you have certain fixed principles, as the milk with us, and spent the time tracking, backbone of your life, you will never be any carrying despatches, or in nature study. One good to yourself or to anybody else. of the Guides brought in several dispatches, I am so glad to be able to tell you quite a safely concealed in her curls. We meet twice large number of Christmas Cards have been a week, and half the time is spent in drill and exchanged between our Guides. Some of them signalling; the other half in sick nursing, banhave been hand-painted, and are very pretty. daging and sewing . . . I can see we shall have many winners of the "I have this week sent information to WanArtists' Badge! garatta (Australia). They want to start a (sgd.) AGNES BADEN-POWELL. troop out there."
ASK "MATILDA". When a Guide or Guider is enrolled as a Ranger. which badge will she henceforth wear, or can she wear whichever she fanees, and any day? [We give here two opinions on this interesting subject, and we hope that other Guiders will send in thcir views for publication.JAs Rangering is Guiding in merely a wider sphere, the wearing of the Ranger Tenderfoot will in such a case supersede the wearing of the Guide one, and one will be proud to weal' the Badge which shows the red glow of service on the groundwork of the loved trefoil, and one's Guide work is one form of one's service as a Ranger. A country Guider new to Rangering is very firmly of a different opinion: "I am not a Ranger running a Guide Company as my special service, but a Guide captain running Rangers because my h'aining as a Guide would not let me turn the Rangers down when they were so keen, and there was no one else to take them. Therefore, to me the Guide Badge stands for the main stem, and Rangel's,
Brownies, Sea Guides, etc., are the branches. At the same time, as a Ranger myself, I claim the right to wear a Ranger badge at any time and sometimes (but not always) wear it to a Guide meeting. I may change my views about this later. ; ... Should one be asked to do the First Class Test? A Guide asks her Captain if she may do the Test, and the Court of Honour decides if she has a good influence in the Company. When a Guider wishes to do her First Class she asks for the approval of her Commissioner, who will arrange for her to be tested. Is it ever permissible for a Guider to ask for her warrant? The Commissioner is responsible for recommending all Guiders for wal'l'ants. The first suggestions should come from her. Who is responsible for the Lieutenant's Warrant-Commissioner or Captain? The Commissioner may ask the Captain if she considers her Lieutenant is ready to have a warrant, but the Commissioner will be responsible for the Testing.
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The Sycamore Tree and the East Wind. "I haven't seen you for some time!" said the East Wind to his friend the Sycamore at Government Cottage, Macedon. "Have you a!ly news for me?" "The Guiders have had a Traming Week here," replied the ~ycamore eagerly. "Again!" said the East. ~md,. rather bored. "But this was a most dlstmgUlshed week, a Red Cord Guider from Scotland was here, and . . . . " "In that case you may tell ~e all about it," for the East Wind had some time to spare. "There were forty-six of them, " sal'd th e Tree. "From the North and the South a~d the East and the West they came, all lookmg so neat and smart, specially the evening they were having inspection. But they ~ust h~ve been very smart to be so good at Dnll, v.:hlC~ requires great thought and concentration. "Yes, concentration is essential," interrupte~ the East Wind, "but did the~ do much drlll? "Yes, new kinds every day, I m sure. I h.ad no idea there were so many. They were gomg to do Fire Drill too, but something happened, and I think th'ey only organised it instead. "Most exciting things were going on all day! Really East Wind, had you been here you would~'t have known which way to blow to see everything. Not that you. would have got lost, of course, because the GUIders learnt all about compass points, and I'm sure someone co?ld have directed you, even to hard places hke E.S.E. There were Singing Games in one p~ace and outdoor games, which are ~ost surpnsm?, in another-and, of course, Dnll, and Browme Handcraft somewhere else." "The Guiders are always so interested in ME " went on the Sycamore, "they do admire my 'seeds and sometimes they come in a body to pay homage to the trees in the garden, though I thought it was rather. bad taste to discuss our ages the way they dId. They call this a Nature Session, but there must be different kinds, because one such was very sad. Many of the Guiders were moved to tears by the hanowing stories of how one little dumb friend after another had succumbed-not to carelessness, of course-Guiders are never like that-but heat or cold or mistaken identity or misadventure accounted for one cheery little friend after another-cut moths, an Emperor gum moth, Gladys, Alphonso-but such is life." "Were they very cold? The Guiders, I mean?" asked the East Wind. "There was a little snow for them to see when tpey arrived," said the Sycamore, "but they managed to keep warm, I think, and from what I heard they must have slept well; between seven and eight in the morning is the best time to sleep, I suppose? That was what everyone seemed to feel, anyway." "And did they all get away safely?" "Get away?" repeated the Sycamore. "Oh, yes, eventually and by degrees-they have all gone now, and I find it very quiet and lonely." "Well, the Guiders must have learnt lots of things," the East Wind said, as he prepared to blow on, "which explains what I heard as I
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came across, a Guide was saying 'Cap.tain has been away and learnt lots of new trIcks and lovely songs, it's very nice, and we're so busy trying to live up to her!' .. "The Guiders left a message, East Wmd. WIll you take it with you and blow it on its way? They want to send a Very Special T~ank Y.ou to Imperial Headquarters for sendmg ÂĽlSS Wilson to them, and tell all the other wmds to whisper that the 26th Victorian Training Week was a very happy one."
SONG-THRUSH AND BLACKBIRD. It would be a dull world without birds, and least of all could we spare the town birds, especially thrush and blackbird, imported songsters though they are. For here in our gardens, where conditions are similar to those of the native country, they have settled down and increased so rapidly in numbers that they are now an everyday sight. Not only in the suburbs around Melbourne are they to be found, but in most country towns throughout Victoria, the blackbird having spread further afield than his cousin, the song-thrush. Although the latter has not, as yet, taken kindly to the Australian bush, the blackbird is now quite at home in it, and is one of the most common birds to be seen on a day's ramble. In appearance, the blackbird is a handsome fellow. He is jet black, and has for adornment a golden bill and an orange ring round the eye. The female, on the other hand, is just a plain nigger-brown bird. Both male and female thrush are similarly attired in dark brown, which is relieved by a white breast speckled with brown. Although young thrushes resemble their parents when fully fledged, baby blackbirds are more like thrushes at first, their throats being slightly spotted. Otherwise they are of the same colour as the hen blackbird. In July and August blackbirds become very active, for having spent the previous month skulking among the garden shrubs whilst undergoing their annual moult, they then emerge resplendent for the courting season with feathers of shining black and bill of brightest hue. What fighting is then witnessed in the garden as rival wooers seek the favours of the same brown lady! Each male bird, too, appears to have his own special piece of territory, and woe betide any trespasser who intrudes on this domain. For all his aggressive ways during the mating period, the blackbird has really a very shy disposition, and is ever on the alert for some unseen enemy. You have only to see the way he seeks cover at the slightest sound to realise how easily startled he is, especially when he utters his loud alarm cry. His gentle cousin, the song-thrush, is of a much more trusting nature, and courting proceeds without any of the fighting which characterises that of the blackbird.
_10______________________________~M~A~T~I_L_D__ A________________~S~e~p~te~m_b~e~r__ 1o~¡,~1~9~3~2. Both birds have a similar way of flying. They do not soar high like the swallow or magpie, but fly close to the ground, l'ising just high enough to clear a fence or other obstruction, afterwards dropping down to their original level. With regard to their manner of walking, we find that it varies. While these are really hopping birds, a little observation will show that any sudden run is composed of a few hops and then some quick walking steps, a few more hops, and so on. When a bird is seeking worms on a lawn he comes suddenly to a halt and puts his head on one side as though listening. Next moment down goes the strong beak, to drag a most reluctant worm from its burrow. Apart from the garden beds, there are other dainties to be hunted for. The thrush shows a preference for snails, and a rock or stone is the anvil on which he breaks their hard shells. Unfortunately the blackbird has a partiality for berries and fruit, and this has caused him to become a little unpopular with growers in the fruit season. September and October are the months to look for the first signs of nesting. Second broods are sometimes found as late as February. Tangles of creeper, hedges and shrubs may be chosen for the site of the new home. Occasionally the nest is used a second season, after having first been renovated. Both thrush and blackbird build cup-shaped nests made of twigs and grasses. The only difference between them is that the thrush's is lined with a thin layer of mud and the blackbird's with fine rootlets and grass. The eggs of the former are a beautiful sky blue, dotted at one end with tiny black spots, while those of the blackbird are mottled green and brown. There are usually four eggs to a clutch, and they take about two weeks to hatch. The young birds take about ten days to don their full plumage, after which they leave the nest. Then the parent birds may be seen shepherding the young broods on their first tour round the garden, keeping them together with anxious, fretful cries. Now while both song-thrush and blackbird give much pleasure to town dwellers with engaging habits, it is for their singing powers that they are most appreciated. When we hearken to their songs we should remember that we are listening to bird music which is rich in tradition, and which has been immortalised by the poets of England. It is in the spring that the beauty of the blackbird's voice is best noted. Silent since summer, he does not commence to sing again till August, and thus his melody ushers in the new season,. and mingles with the song of the thrush, which has been heard since May. Then in the early morning, and again at eventide, a glorious concert of bird voices takes place, which at this time of the year is more easily heard than in the summer, when dawn comes at such an early hour. The blackbird has well been called the contralto of this feathered choir, and the thrush the soprano. The thrush, pouring out his glad song in eager haste, is like a happy child overflowing with the joy of life. He has a set voice, each line of which is repeated two or three times, and he comes back again to start with
the notes he first began on. "Be quick, be quick, be quick," runs his lay. Through rain and wind he sings from chimney or tree top in quiet garden or busy thoroughfare. As the Spring approaches the song becomes stronger and more tender, and it is then that we hear him at his best. The blackbird's song, by contrast, has more quality of tone and expression, and is more human-like. He whistles a complete set of notes in a leisurely fashion, and makes a decided pause before he goes on to the next. While through it all runs a certain mellowness and serenity. And it is this which has made the blackbird's voice so famous-a wistfulness that seems to tell of "old, unhappy far. off things, and battles long ago." J.H.
For the Guiders-Not So New. ARE WE GETTING STALE ON OUR TENDERFOOT WORK? Here are some problems1.-A hand waved quickly from side to side above the head, and a series of short sharp whistles; and a fist moved quickly up and down at hip level-all these mean RUN. . What is the difference between the meanmg of these, if any? Think how you would use them and whether they are alternatives .... 2.~What is the use of the Alarm whistle? What is the difference in meaning between this whistle and the RALLY one? 3.-What is the sign you can make to show me whether I am speaking loudly enough for you to hear? 4.-What is the difference in meaning between the short sharp whistle, and the longdrawn-out whistle? What are some examples in the use of each? SALUTING. 1.-If you were staying in Sydney, and were out shopping without your badge on, and suddenly noticed that the shopgirl at the opposite counter was wearing her badge, what would you do? 2.-What salute would you give when meeting the Division Commissioner, if you were in uniform and she in evening dress '1 3.-How do you know when to salute a flag, and when not? 4.- Which salute would you give to greet a Guide who had been enrolled last Tuesday at your Company, if you were in uniform and she was, too? 5.-What very simple principle helps you to decide whether you should give the full or half salute to a person'? F .\ (Answers next month).
POSTER COMPETITION. The winner of the poster competition in connection with the Stradbroke Cup is Miss M. Binder (1st Middle Park Girl Guide company). The judges were much impressed by the pos .. tel' designed by Miss Doris Murphy (lieutenant 1st Altona Girl Guide company).
September 16, 1932.
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Executive Committee Meeting Minutes. (Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, Victoria, held at the Guide Office on 17th Aug., 1932) . Pre ent: Lady Chauvel, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs. Fink, Mrs. Littlejohn, Misses Bush, Cameron, l:'ul nell and the Secretary. Apologies were received from Mrs . Brookes and the tIon. Treasurer. Stradbroke Cup. It was reported ·. ;hat Miss Anne Russell had consented to form a subcommittee £01' judging the exhibits. State Council. It was reported that Miss Andrews, Mrs. T. M. Cherry, Dr. Kate Mackay and Miss Nora Parker had agreed to become members of the State Council. All-Australia Camp. Nominations were considel·ed. Federal Council.-Routine business was discussed. Thanks Badgc.-The granting of a Thanks Badge to Mrs. Houston, Skipton, was approved. Recommendations from General Purposes COlllmittec.-It was agreed that a block be made of th3 Badge of the Association, substituting "Victor ia" for "Incorporated by Royal Charter," the block to be available for hire (2 ,' -) by Companies, Local Associat:ons, etc., 'requiring to use it for tickets and such. Routine and financial business was discussed. S. H. IRVING, State S(!cretary.
The Romance of Craft. While we have been so busy planning for t he Stradbroke Cup Competition, I wonder how many of us have thought of the histories of the various crafts at which we have been working-of the years of thought and patient labor that have gone to make each craft as it is to-day. "The Romance of Craft," a series of five small books written by N. A. Poole, and published by Nelson, give us much help and info lmation in this respect. (Books one to four are priced at 1 / 9 each, and the supplementary member at 2/8 ). . The principal subjects dealt with are weaving, pattern-making, elementary book-binding r.nd block printing. Each book contains something of each of these subjects, the progressive work becoming a little more difficult. and excellent stories of the early uses of the crafts are g iven to fit in with the lessons. One of the best features of these books is their extreme provocativeness, especially so inthe excellent chapter (in the supplementary book) on pattern-making. Many of us al'e Quite certain that we could never make an attractive pattern, and therefore have never tried. Th'! dia<;('rams show us what delightful desig-ns may he built up from straight and curved lines and dots. This series, especially the sunnl ementary book. would make a valuable addition to any Company library, and are obtainable at H. A. Evans, Collins Street, Melbourne. -H.M.F.A.
Training. The next Course of Guide training begins on Monday, 12th Sep tember, at 7.45 p.m. at t he Guide Office. Training Week. The ~7th Victorian Training Week will be held from 3rd to 10th January, 1933, and will be in charge of Miss K. M. Wilson, Red Cord Diploma Guider from Imperial Headquarters. Detai ls of place will be available shortly. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training .
Camping. A Course of six Classes for the Indoor Camp Test Certificate will begin on TUESDAY, 18th October, 1932, at 7.45 p.m. at the Guide Office. Miss E. E. Moran will be in charge. Any Guider may attend the Course, but only t hose eligible under the following conditions may sit for the Test. A Guider (a ) must be a Warranted Captain or Brown Owl; (b) must be recommended by her Commissioner (c) must have attended a Victorian Train· Week or Training Camp; (d) must have attended a complete training Course in Indoor Camps. E. H. PURNELL, Comm issioner for C~. mping. STOCKTAKING. The Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne, will be closed for stocktaking from Septembcl' 29 to October 1 inclusive. Di~trict
APPOINTMENTS.
Com missionerSandringham-Miss D. Hayman, 1 Campbell Street, S.8.
WARRANTS.
Brown OwlsJ st Box Hill-Miss H. Brown. J st East Hawthorn- Miss G. Bond. 3a Geelong-Miss G. Fagg. ?l'd Malvern-Miss N. Whit ~ law. 2nd Williamstown, Holy TrinityMrs. William s. Tawny OwlsJst Carnegie-Miss D. E. Webb. 5th Hawthorn-Miss R. Cunningham. Captains1st Bendigo-Miss L. Koska. 1st Box Hill-Miss H. Dunn. 2a Camberwell-Miss M. Ball. 3rd Hawthorn-Miss D. Hansford. 4th Malvern-Miss S. Carter. 1st Seaford-Miss H. Swann. LieutenantsJst Frankston-Miss K. Watson. Miss A. Layzell.
REGISTRATIONS.
Packs-1st Benalla. Comllanies.-lst Avenel. 1st Wangaratta. Ranger Company-1st Avenel.
1st Rainbow.
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