OCTOBER 16th, 1932.
Vol. 9, No.4.
AN OF'l-'IC ldL
'l'RJo:.~SURE
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October 16, 1932.
MATILDA
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Stradbroke CUp, 1932. Here is the tale of the competition in 1932 for the Stradbroke Cup. "Handcraft among Guides," said the Division Commissioners in 1931, "is bad. Let the Stradbroke Cup competition improve it." And certainly it did. In February the first notices were sent out to every Guider in Victoria, and work began early in March. By May 1st the names of the Districts entering were listed, and eight later entries were accepted on condition that they had a smaller space. This made 60. Of these all but two districts actually sent in displays. It is difficult to engage for Show Week a large and central hall. The upper hall, or supper room, at the Town Hall was taken. "Will it all fit there?" asked the committee, and the secretary, ¡calling in the architect, thought it just might, with not very much room for the public. Came Friday, when the secretary and some of the Committee sallied to the Upper Hall with chalk and measures (why, oh State Sec., did you buy a ruler 15 inches long'?) and proceeded to chalk the floor into each district's measure, walking anxiously two and two along the gangways in the manner of a public crowd! Came the edict from the Board of Health: "No Gangways may be less than three feet six inches"-and other orders. Home went the Secretary, and dreamt of rectangles that would not fit because of the Bits that stuck out of the Walls and Doors that Must be Left Open. Came Saturday, with carriers from far and near bringing divers and wonderful crates and packages, and little guides arriving because Captain told them to be there to "put It up!" No work till Monday, said the Secretary, and s~,rtt them away. And in the afternoon the Committee explored many corners looking for more space, but found it not! The kitchen sufl'ered on Sunday, but by Monday it was ready for occupation; and by the grace of the Lord Mayor we were allowed to use also the roof garden. It were wise to draw a veil over the morning of Monday, September 19th-the noise of the hammerings-the Walls that would not fit. ' By lunch time it was not so bad. ;By the evening there was only orie district still working. On Tuesday arrived the Press photographers-and by then the comm1ttee knew that the display was a Good -ThIng. At noon the judge's decision was made-and all was ready for the opening. The Public began to arrive soon after Two. The Guard of Ho'nour, composed of patrol leaders representing the metropolitan divisions, lined the corridor from the lift into the Hall. When Lady Irvine and Lady Chauvel arrived at 3 o'clock, about 1500 people were present in the Hall. Lady Irvine, after being introduced by Lady Chauvel, explained the conditions of the Stradbroke Cup competition, and then declared the Exhibition open. The Lord Mayor then thanked Lady Irvine for having done so, and the result of the competition was announced, Lady Irvine presenting the Cup to the District Commi sioner for Shepparton-Mrs. Miller,
A personally conducted tour of the Exhibition? Certainly! It is easy now that it's not so crowded. (On Tuesday about 1300 people attended, on Wednesday 1648, on Thursday 1878, on Friday 2350, and on Saturday 2005). Sixpence we pay at the door (threepence if we are in uniform). "Ticket for the child, please," said the doorkeeper to the visitor-withthe-small-boy who only paid for one. "Humph, he won't notice anything," said the visitor, but she had to pay. Now let us go round the Exhibition with the writer of the "Australasian's" Country Letter: One of the exhibits was the farmyard arranged by Lone Guides throughout the State. Their representative at headquarters has had a busy time collecting little parcels of grass sods and mysterious packages which came by rail and mail. The result was a marvellously realistic farmhouse (with water tank and coolgardie safe), facing a little road on which a sturdy farm cart and horse stood ready for work. Two miniature axes lay by the household wood pile; a cow was in its stall ready for milking time; white sheep pastured on the real grass by the road; chucks strayed over the turf, and a perfect haystack stood sentinel at one side. I must not forget the washing hanging from the lines, nor the cat reposing on the doormateven now I have omitted the pig in its pen! Another exhibit that was very touching was the display of dolls' house furniture made by crippled Brownies in the orthopredic section of the Children's Hospital at Frankston. These children-many terribly crippled by infantile paralysis-have found immense joy in making the cardboard toys-which even include! a grand piano! Blind guides attached to the Prahran district helped in the furnishing of their bush hut exhibit entitled "This is the house that Jack built." The furniture here was most ingenious-chairs being made from empty beer barrels, cupboards from kerosene tins and cases, a tabel and washstand from packing cases and saplings, a rug from hooked rags, curtains of unbleached sheeting adorned with appliques drawn with "potato cuts"; a thatched roof of tea-tree, and a bedstead of saplings. The latter and some of the knitting were the work of the blind guides. The Stradbroke Cup went to Shepparton for its interpretation of A. A. Milne's tale of "The Thr~e Little Foxes." You never saw anything as lifelike as those tliree bright-eyed beasts made of fur fabric with glassy eyes and real fox tails. The story of their visit to the fair gave Shepnarton guides a splendid opportunity to show off their knowledge of many types of handicraft. Northcote and North Camberwell tied for second place-the Northcote guides showing a kitchen with kitchen cabinet, real working stove. hay box cooker, vegetable bins, coolgardie milk cooler, and complete kitchen equipment, while Camberwell guides had a nursery in which the toys included a wondrous ene:ine made from all kinds of things, includini!: a front knob from a cotton reel. This exhibit also had lovely hand-made rugs. Carranballac came third with a very neat Idtchen complete
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MATILDA
with cookery book, string and duster bags and "tidies" of every description. Caulfield came next with a bewitching nursery in which exquisite little garments were stocked in a little blue chest of drawers painted with yello¡,., chicks, and two doll babies sat in a bassinet close to a pretty blue screen. The bush shack designed by Brighton and Hampton guides came fifth. This had a real "built-out" chimney of bark over a bamboo frame, and the "bunks" had quilts embroidered in genuine aboriginal patterns and were solid enough t.o sleep in. A special prize from the Victorian Country Women's Association went to Geelong 1. for its really wonderful collection of model toys, including a miniature shop with all the wares in jars and bottles, and a very complete model house, while its room had a frieze of toy soldiers. The Ferntree Gully exhibit included a fascinating nature study demonstration, with a little bark hut' surrounded by tree ferns, moss, and the real atmosphere of a country fern gully. Another amazing bit of craftwork was a chessboard and men carved from ordinary
clothes-pegs, with a pen knife. I forgot to say that the chimney on the bark hut was mafic from a mustard tin! North and West Melbourne and Cal'lton organised a marvellous "camp shop," where I could have lingered all day. Real eggs and bacon could be cooked on the camp stove made from a "Minty-tin," their lamp was cut from kerosene tin with a wick firmly set in a concoction of mud and dripping, and would burn splendidly; their pot scrubs wel'e of scraps of material sewn with dresshooks, and amid the wealth of articles I saw a complete first-aid kit, cakes of home-made soa p, ancl a most restful camp-bed.
October 10, 1932.
Mildura sent down a perfect model (to scale) of a fruit block, which has created much interest, and Daylesford Guides furnished a "Ran-. gel's' den." The story of Red Riding Hood and the wolf was interpreted by the Guides of Berwick, Beaconsfield, Pakenham and Drouin, and a wonderful example of ingenuity and skill was shown in the bed blanket beautifully woven from scraps of woollen singlets and the sheets made of old bits of linen hemstitched together with almost incredible perfectIOn. You would also have marvelled at the Red Indian warrior in the display from the Eastern Mornington Peninsula, for he was modelled in clay by a girl of 14 years, and then tinted and dressed in all the traditional "war paint and feathers" until he was a perfect "brave". Castlemaine's "hessian house" was very neatly set out, and contained a delightful cookery exhibit. Hamilton and Coleraine were responsible for a very dainty nursery with mosquito-netted bassinet, baby basket, rag rug, wall pictures, and all accessories. Orbost had a most attractive array of kitchen equipment made fl'om packing-cases, and vivid green painted tins all
Above: The Three Foxes (Shepparton); Left: Nursery (Caulfield); Next Page: Model Farm (Lones). (By courtesy "Weekly Times"). neatly labelled. Colac's nursery included a very nice floor rug and a delightful scrap-book, while I am sure you would have opened your eyes in astonishment when you entered the Home of the Three Bears (Western Mornington Guides), and saw that the Mornington Brownie Pack had made little bears out of '~h e irascible brown grass burrs! Skipton's sitting room had a really charming table with legs of genuine antique appearance made from cotton reels, while Donald Guides sent down some . picturesque flax and grass plaiting. Bendigo Guides' vi sion of "A Christmas Dream," with
October 16, 1932.
MATILDA
big Christmas tree, wardrobe full of dainty clothes, and doll-child in bed, has proved very attlactive to child visitors, while it was a most happy idea for the 2nd Geelong Rangers employed in the Valley Worsted Mills Pty. Ltd. to arrange a non-competitive exhibit of their daily work, showing wool in every stage up to the finished garments made by their own hands. Mortlake Guides showed much invention in their craftwork-their living room having sapling furniture with seats of green flax, while the clock and decorative plaque on the mantelshelf were of a quaint seed mosaic carl¡ied out in dried peas, beans, and lentils. Other Olnaments were covered with a varnished paper mosaic. Yallourn and Moe also had a nursery with a huge dolly "in charge," while another nursery exhibit came from Geelong II. Picola Guides showed some clever pieces of feltwork in their display, and Horsham's room was a happy-looking place with its applique curtains, painted frieze, upholstered couch, with gay embroidery, and large Girl Guide doll. Matchboxes played an important pal t as a building material, and were used ill expert fashion by Ballarat Guides in their unique dolls' house, with its varied furnitu!:e and chimney of matchbox bricks. Another clever use for matches was seen in the Hawthorn ex hibit, called "Our Shop," which "sold" a mu ltiplicity of things. Here was a little wooden house made entirely of used matches, even to its picket fence. Visitiors also found much of interest in the displays from Camperdown, Port Fairy, Casterton, Derrinallum, Portland and Linton. I have purposely left out many of the MelbOUlne exhibits, as these have received so much attention, and I know you are most interested in the work from the country districts . I must, however, tell you of the marvellous bedroom fUlTIis hed by Preston Guides. The white-painted furniture made from packing cases might have been the work of professional craftsmen. The wire mattress on the bed was also hand-made, and the mattress stuffed in expert manner with home-prepared "chick feathers." The wardrobe was full of dresses, and on the pretty embroidered dressing-table cover was a blue vase of artificial pink carnations, so real that I thought they were genuine; while the vase was a glass jar covered by Brownies with barley seeds set in seccotine and then painted blue. Even the candlestick was of cotton reels and lids of tins and bottles! Malvern Guides staged two entrancing scenes from "The Three Bears"-a perfectly set breakfast table and a bedroom with hot water bottles and dressing gowns laid over each bed. The inkpot in the breakfastroom was a gum nut with a little feather pen! The Oak leigh and Murrumbeena Guides were responsible for a f ully equipped baby's nursery with delightful furniture; and Toorak and Armadale's playroom was a bewitching place, with toys, picture-books, even a pictorial wallpaper designed with "cutouts". Hawthorn's toy shop could have satisfied the needs of any client, and South Camberwell's kitchen was furnished even to home-made preserves and papier-mache china. Fitzroy and Collingwood Guides are expert at plaiting, hammock making, and toymaking; and St. Kilda's living-
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room included a beautiful table made from common two-ply wood at a cost of 9 / 1, and now fit for any home. Richmond and East Kew staged a dolls' tea party, with a table laid with cakes and two immense dolls seated on either side. East Malvern and Glen Iris had a most artistic rug in their living-room in tones of vellum brown and gold, and a window-box of sturdy polyanthus bloomed at the window. Sandringham's dolls' house was complete even to electric light and a bath-heater, and a constant succession of children exclaimed over its perfections, while the "perkiest' black and gold birds were used in. the frieze wherew!th Kew Guides adorned their nursery. BrunSWick and Coburg Guides called their exhibit "Our Caravan," and their caravan bed had a most decorative quilt. I must end.
PHOTOS. OF EXHIBITS. Photos. taken by the press during the Handcraft Exhibition may be ordered from the offices of the papers in which they appeaenl. The cost is 2/- each. A book has been made up at Headquarters, and may be seen there. Amongst the pictures are:N orthcote's stove. Camberwell North's engine (3 different pictures). Carranballac's stove and washing-up dish. Carlton's cooker. Shepparton's Three Foxes (2 pictures). Burwood's Toys. Malvern's Home of the Three Bears. Brighton's Shack. East Malvern's Sun Room. Caulfield's Nursery. The Lones' Farm. Richmond and East Melbourne's Twins' Tea . Party. Bendigo's Christmas Dream. Port Fairy's Doll's House-Toys.
MA'l'iLbA
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J;~itorial. We would ask our readers to turn to the sad complaint from Miss Crellin which we print in thiti issue, and we understand that many other l',"aders share her feelings. Rather than allow such a state of affairs to continue the Editorial Committee has agreed to revolutionise its ways, and MATILDA WILL APPEAR ON 1st NU VEMBER. Now it doesn't all depend on the sub-committee, and unless you want to receive a 4-page issue (or perhaps just the cover so despised by our correspondent) our contributors will also have to mend their ways. From now on the zero hour will be t he ] 2th day of t he month preceding publication, which means that contributions must be in by that date-and the Editor has been reading a war novel. The good old days when by bribcry and corruption and personal appeals you were allowed an extra day or two are no more. No longer will you be allowed to send it straight to the printer if you have a reputation for not :wlitting infinitives. If your contribution is not sent in Matilda will go to press just the same. You wiII understand that it isn't always possible for Matilda to contain advance information of every Guide event because the Guiders arranging these cannot always prepare a notice six weeks beforehand. It is still necessary to read one of the weekly co lumns of Guide news which appear in the "Argus" and "Age" on Tuesday, and in the "Sun" on Saturday. Now about the cover-are you really bored? "Matilda" is willing to .undergo a face-lifting operation if the majority of her readers would really 'like it, but we warn you that though val iety is the spice of life, it is also expensive, and we can't afford to provide a new pretty picture every month. There is also the danger that when "Matilda" comes out on the first of each month, like every other magazine, you might miss her if there was no familiar flag wagging its greeting to you. PLEASE let us know if you would like a new cover, and give us your suggestions for a substitute-that will be constructive criticism. If there are any Guiders who prefer "Matilda" as she looks now they also had better speak up so that their wishes will not be overlooked. THE EDITOR.
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Answers to Problems for Guider s-.Not so New. Hand a nd Wh istle S ig nals. 1. Hand waved quickly above head, and series of short sharp whistles, both mean "come here to me"-quickly, of course, as all whistle and hand signs are obeyed "at t he double"; but the fist jerked up and down tells you to go more quickly, without saying whither, though you know it must be in the direction in which you get this additional order. If all signals were really a lways obeyed at the double, would t here ever be a need to use the jerked fist to induce a run? This sign, unless to speed up the obeying of a previous one, must be accompanied by another sign, giving the desired direction.
October 16, Ulil2.
2. The dot-dash whistle signal means, first and foremost, "Man your alarm posts"-so you must know what and where your "alarm posts" are, so that you can man them! It is a similar idea to boat drill on big steamers; each has her allotted post and job so that, in a moment of crisis, at the given signal, she can go and "be prepared" to do that job. Falling in in Patrols, so that the P.L. can count heads, and report to Captain that all are t here and safe, is a good practical rule to follow . The place will be decided by the Company after discussion of possible emergencies and how to cope with them. The "everybody-come-here-quickly" whistle (generally known as the "rally") simply means what it says-it does not specify any definite "fall-in" formation, any mOT:e than "Leaders-corne-here" means "Leaders-fall-in" which, by the way, is a common fallacy in Guide Companies. 3. The hand (palm forward) held level with the shoulder (as for half salute, but with all fingers and thumb upright) is the sign for "I can hear what you are calling to me." It is given in "Girl Guiding," in the paragraph following the one giving the sign for "stop," but is often overlooked . 4. The short sharp whistle means "Hi! Pay attention" (this is not the same as "stand at attention", for which there is NO whistle signal, by the way). The long single whistle means "Freeze!"-there is no other satisfactory word to indicate complete cessation of all movement and sound. It is a pity to blow "freeze" to indicate the end of a quiet period of Patrol time-a short blast would do quite well, followed by a sholt statement, and is far less nerve-racking, On the other hand, what would we do to stop a riotous game of chasing or a ball game, iI"we had not the "freeze" whistle? This should be followed, immediately the silence comes, by a "Hi!" whistle to relieve the tenseness of being "frozen." Sal uting. 1. I do not know the answer to this! It would depend on other circumstances, but I should try to catch her eye, and then give a quick and unostentatious half-salute, if I just smiled she might miss the message. If these wiles succeeded, 01' even if they did not, I could perhaps get through the crowd and speak to her. 2. If I were in full uniform, I should salute any other Guide-whether a Commissioner or a newly-enrolled Recruit--with the full salute, for would they not both be Guides, which is the reason I salute them at all ? 3. A flag is only saluted by Guides:(a) when being hoisted; (b) when being lowered; (c) when being carried past; that is, one salutes only a MOVING Coloul'. 4. See answer No.2-therefore a full salute to the new fellow Guide, as I myself am in uniform. 5. Salute according to what YOU are weafing, irrespective of what the other Guide is wearing, and giveFULL salute if you are in full uniform. HALF Salute if vou are NOT in uniform. , -F.V.B.
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October 16, 1932.
MATILDA
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Fifth Victorian Guiders' Conference.
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The fifth annual Conference was held at the University on September 17th, at which about 300 Guiders were present. Miss F. Salmon, president of the Conference Committee, welcomed Lady Chauvel, who spoke to the Guiders on news from overseas and the recent Commissioners' Conference. Everyone then divided into discussion groups to deliberate on the four questions on the agenda. Th~ results of the discussions were eventually gIven to the four leaders who had the task of summing up, and the general conclusions are given here. Question 1 (Miss Moran): Is there too muc.11 Red Tape in Gu iding? The general opinion of the groups seemed to be that there was not too much red tape, that rules were made as guiding lines, for the sake of Commissioners and Guiders who w in responsible positions. There were some objections to various rules, which I will give you in detail. Some groups did not get a definite idea as to whether they thought there was too much red tap or not, but the majority of them said "Yes and No." There seemed to be a lot of feeling about warrants. Some groups thought that when a Guider changed districts, she should not have to do another warrant and that she should not have to be recommended by the new commissioner, but that she should just carryon as she had been doing in the previous district. One group suggested that circumstances were not the ame in each district, and it was not wise for the Guider to act until she had some experience with the new conditions. One group thought that there was some unnecessary overlapping in some of the rules, anc\ it was not necessary to have two rule booksa Victorian and an Australian. There was a lot of discussion on the subject of rules in camping. One group thought definitely that there were too many rules for camping, but most of the groups seemed to think that it was necessary to have rules for Guiders taking Guides away to camp. One group thought that Guide camp sites should be chosen by the Guider running the camp, and it should not be necessary for a Camp Adviser to pass the site. The same group agreed that there should be no Indoor Camp Tests-the Guider could take Guides away, without passing any test. Br()wnies. Only one group mentioned Brownies, and that group thought that there was too much red tape about the age of enrolment for Brownies-that a Brownie should be enl'olled at 7. One group agreed, after discussion, that nominations for training were necessary, as the Commissioner was responsible for the standard of guiding in her district, it was necessary that she should nominate Guiders whom she considered suitable before they went into Training Classes, so that no one would start a Company that she didn't know about. Another group thought that rest-hour in Training Weeks was unnecessary. There was a great deal of discussion on the swi mming rules, and two groups agreed that
there were too many restrictions and rules placed on Guiders and Rangers going swimming in parties, and the others, after discussion, thought that the swimming rules were justified. There was a great deal of discussion in moost of the groups about hikes, and reporting to the Commissioner before taking Guides for hikes and to Church Parades. This was thought by some groups to be unnecessary. It was thought that it would be a good idea for the Guiders and Commissioners to have an understanding that they would take Guides out whenever they wanted to and two groups thought that it was an act of courtesy to report to the Commissioner. There was some feeling on the subject of red tape with regard to uniform. One group thought that umbrellas should be carried, if necessary, in wet weather, and another group put in a plea for country Guiders. They decided that some latitude should be allowed for country Guiders, who had a long way to go to company meeting, because guide hats get very draggled in wet weather. One group decided that if red tape means irksome organisation, then there was none in the Guide Movement, and that if it is necessary organisation, then there is not too much, and another group said that a lot of red tape was caused by the Guides' attitude towards it and that more tolerance and imagination is perhaps advisable amongst Guiders, towards the subject of rules. In giving reasons for the existence of camping regulations, Miss Purnell said :-1 think there is a reason for the rules that we have. Some people think it is quite all right for two Guides to sleep in one bed, for instance, and others think perhaps a minimum of 8 in room is quite all right. That is the way rules. come-just because we don't all realise dangers and difficulties. Rules are safeguards for the Guider, really, because if the Commissionel' has given permission and if the forms have been filled in and things go wrong, well, we have taken all the precautions we can, and it is much better than if we had just simply gone ahead by ourselves and the responsibility was ours alone. Bathing rules are also given to us to safeguard us. It is a great l¡esponsibility taking other people's children bathing, and I think when we say "Oh, it is a lot of red tape, getting a life-saver," we are not using very much imagination, Bathing TUles jn England have been tightened up very much during th!! last year or two, beca,use they have had one or two dreadful accidents there. Sites should not be inspected by a Camp Adviser. Well, after all, don't we want the advice that a more experienced person can giv(~ us? It ma.y be our first camp, and to us it looks all right, yet dh'ectly the more experienced person looks at it, she can see quite a lot of things that will make a very unhappy camp . You ~ay have chosen a very sandy spot, quite all nght in winter, but horrible in summer. You may be a long way from water, and you
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MATILDA
won't have thought what a burden it will be taking the water to the camp every day. There are lots of things, I think, that the camper learns only by experience. I am always thankful to have someone's advice on sites, even though I have seen lots of them. There can be so many unexpected catches. Miss Irving pointed out that we really haven't got two rule books in Victoria-the Australian rule book and the Victorian rule book. We have only R.P.&O., in which we have the Victorian supplement, which contains the rules that have been found necessary for this State, and some that have been found necessary fOl' the whole of Australia. Question 2 (Miss Bush): Are we playing the game of Guiding as the Chief Scout meant it to be played? The question of are we playing the game of Guiding as the Chief Scout meant it to be played has given us many interesting point". I think the chief one has been that if we take it on the voting it is almost even. In practicalJy every case the voting has been qualified by something like "Yes, on the whole", or "No, not as completely as we should." It was put forward that Guiders do too much themselves, and do not use the Patrol System enough, by training the P.L.'s so that they can carry out the Patrol System. One group suggested that our outlook is not broad enough-we are not showing enough in terest in Interstate and International things, and that we are inclined to have too much "company" feeling. Some groups expressed doubt as to whether we were achieving the aim of character building. Other critici ms raised wel'e that spiritual training was being overlooked, and that we were losing the real spirit of the game. The main point which was brought forward was that we were not using the out-of-doors, but this was dealt with as a separate question. Question 3 (Miss Hayman): Are we using the Outdoor enough? The answers to the third question were remarkably unanimous. Every group said they are not using the out-of-doors. Everybody said that there is too little time to go outdoors, too little time in Guiding generally. It was felt that there are too many organised activities on Saturdays, and they strongly advised that less basketball be played. Several groups said there are too many competitions-too many district competitions, company competitions, division competitions. One group that the Outdoors would be used more if there were not so much preparation required. It requires a great deal of prepal'ation on the Guiders' part. Another point was that there is too littl:! money to take children out far. A great many groups-I think practicalJ~' all-thought we had quite missed the Chief Scout's point. Some of the groups thought wc ought to have more camping, and easier camping. I don't think they meant rules-but camping without so much paraphernalia- morc camping in the rough.
Oclobcr Hi, 1932.
Some of the groups thought smaller and more frequent hikes would be a good idea. There was practically nothing said in any of the groups about Rangers. One group said that rallies should be held more aut of doors, and it was a good idea, if possible, to have Company meetings out of doors in summer. Another group suggested that enrolments should always be held out of doors. Patrol Leaders could take .out-of-doors meetings on Saturday. All signalling and outdoor games such as tracking and stalk:ng should be taught and played outside-never inside. One group said that Guiders could help greatly by learning about outdoor things. . Several of the groups said that it was impossible for the Guider to give up too many Saturdays and holidays. One group sent in an interesting suggestion for the next Stradbroke Cup. The suggestion is this-that the Stradbroke Cup should be competed on an out-of-doors basis. Emphasis should be laid on the fact that it should be practised for, and the test should be taken, Gut of doors. The test should be arranged in such a way that it would bring in the game of Guiding as the Chief Scout meant it to b? played. Miss Jessie Webb, of the State Council, was then introduced, and took the Chair. [The account of Miss Webb's address and the summing-up of the fourth question will appear next month.-Ed.]
QIorrr!ipon~rnc l' • Dear Matilda,-As one woman to another, may I ask if you consider punctuality to be one of your virtues? A few months ago you asked for help in the brightening of our life, but as you persist in arriving later than the time expected, the interest you might have aroused earlier is already on the wane. To see your September issue lying amongst the October number of other magazines gives you quite an old-fashioned air, but unfortunately not an intf;:resting one. I know that· you are due out about the 16th of the month, but to-day is the 27th, and still there is no sign of your appear· ance. Is there no possibility at all of your arrival in the post on the first of the month? Also, may I politely suggest that I am tired of seeing you signal your own initial on the fcont page. It seems to suggest a form of smugness-perhaps you were not at the Guiders' Conference? This, of course, is only the idea of one individual. Please do not think I have not admiration for your helpfulness? I have, but to-day I am weary of waiting for you . Yours, etc., MARGARET CRELLIN. (N.B.- Please t ee the Editorial.-Ed.).
MATILDA ~O~c~·t~o~be~l~·~16~,~1~9~ 3=2~.____________________ _
Birds of the Bendigo District. Blackbird: black, bill yellow; female dark brown ; breast reddish-brown marked darker; length 10 inches. . Blue Wren: crown, behmd ear, upper-back enamel-blue; throat, chest, hind-neck, lowerback black' tail deep-blue; f ., brown; round eye l'eddi sh-br~wn; under lighteor; bill reddishbrown; 5; Brown Songlark: dal'k-brown, !lPper feathers edged lighter; abdomen blackls~i f., much smaller; paler; eyebrow, under w~ltlsh; 9; Bronze Cuckoo: upper beautIful bronze green; und er barred brown, white; f ., similar; 6.2. Black Honey eater: black; side abdomen, under base tail white; f ., brown; und er dullwhite: breast marked dark-brown; under base tail white; 4.4. Black-fronted Dottrel: forehead, broad band on chest, black; throat, a?domen, st!'ipe .over eye, round hind-neck white; eyelash bnghtred; f., similar; 6. . Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike: delicate gray; forehead, face, throat black; wing-quills bla~k edged gray; tail gray base, black centre, tip white; f., similar; 13. . Blue-faced honeyeater: upper golden olivegreen; he~d. hind-n ~ck black; throat dus!<y: line on hind-neck, Side t hroat, under white , about eye blue; f., similar; 12. . Brow n Hawk: upper dark-brown; wings spotted reddish; incomplete collar, u!l~er bUifwhite striped dark-brown; throat whitish; skm round bill yell ow; tail barred dark brown; gray; f., larger; 17. Cl'ested Bellbird: upper grown; top of head black, side-head gray; white on face, throat; black from eye to black chest band; abdomen whit;, ting'ed sandy-buff; .f., dulle.l'; 9. Diamcnd Bird: head, wmgs, taIl black, spotted white; white stripe above eye; back grayish-brown, marked buff and black; uppe~' b~se of tail cl'imson; throat, under base of tall nch yellow' abdomen fawn; f .. duller; head yellow spots; 'throat whitish; 3.3. Eas tern Shrike-tit: upper green; crest, throat line through eye black; patch above eye, p~tch below eye white; under bright yellow; f., throat green; 7.5. . Eastern White-face: upper olive-brown; fore head. face white; under pale buff; tail tipped white; f ., similar; 4. Fairy Martin: head .rus~red; black bacl~; rump, under white; taIl slightly forked; T., similar; 4. Flame Robin: crown, upper sooty-gray; small white forehead; w hite on wing: outertail white; chin sooty-gray; under scarlet; u~ del' base tail white; f., under brown; outer-taIl white' under reddish-gray; 5.3. Fu;colls Honeyeater: I!:l'ayish-brown, quill s dark-brown, edged yellow; ear tuns, under
whitish; chest faintly streaked brownish; f., smaller; 6.2. d kit Fantailed Cl!ckoo: head, upper ar. s a egl'ay; under l'us~-red; ~hroat gl'a?,; ~all. dark toothed with white; white edge of Wing, eyelash citron-yellow; f., smaller; 10. Gray-crowned Babbler: dark brown; cr~wn light-gray; bro.w wh.ite; throat, breast . wh~te; tail tipped white; bIll long, blaCk, cUlved, f, similar; 11. . Greenfinch: upper olIve-green; gold~n yell.ow eye stripe; tail yellow base, black tiP; wmg dark-brown, lined bright yellow; under greenish-yellow, darker on flanks; f ., mu~h duller; 6. Gc1dfinch: crown black; face, chin, .red; .behind eye, throat, under upper .ba.se tall whIte; bright yellow on wings; f., Similar; 5. Hooded Robin: head, upper, throat black; patch on wing, abdomen, under base tail, outer tail white; f., brownish-gray instead of black; 6.5. . I Jacky Winter : upper pale-brown, sl?e a I white; under lighter; chin, abdomen white; f., similar; 5.2. Keokaburra: upper, line from bill past eyc brown; ;side head, under, whitish; blue, :vhite spots on wing; tail barred brown, black, tlppeti white; f., similar; 17.5. . Little Thol'l1bill: upper dull olIve-green; under yellow; tail grayish-brown, black band; f., similar; 3.5. : . Magpie-Lark: black and white; slender stJltlike legs; throat white (f), black (m); ~0.5. Musk-Lorikc{'t: green; forehead, behmd ear red; bill black tipped red; f., sif!1i.1ar; 8.5: -oisy Miner: gray; marked whitish on hmdneck marked dusky-gray chest; crown, about eye, 'ear, chin black;. wing. tinge.d yellow; .tail tipped white; legs, bill, skm behmd eye bright yellow; f., smaller~ 10. " Olive-backed OrIole: upper yellOWish olivegreen; wings, tail brown, t!pped white; under whitish streaked black; bIll flesh red; eye's scaIlet;' variable in colour; f., similar; 11.5. Orange-winged Sittella: head brown; upper gray streaked black; wing dar~-bro,,:,n wit~ I'ich rufous band; upper base taIl white; ta~1 black tiped white; under gray; under base tall white barred brown; bill sharp slightly uptumed; f ., head darker; 4.5. . . Pied Currawong (bell-magpIe): black; white patch on wing:, upper base of tail, under base of tail, tip tail; eye yellow; 'f., smaller; 18.5. P ipit: upp er dark-brown , feat hers edg.ed lighter; buff stripe above eye; under white streaked dark brown: most streaked on chest; outer-tail white; f., similar; 7. Pallid Cuckoo: upper brown; under gray; tail barred white, brown; eyelash yellow; white at edge wing'; wing spotted, marked lighter; f., upper mottled whitish, rufous; 12. Ouarrien (Cockatiel): forehead, crest lemonyellow ear, patch rich reddish-orange in a patch yellow above white below; upper, under gl:ay; white on wings, chest; f., face, crest dull olIveyellow; tail barred brown; 12. (List to be completed next issue.) N.B.-These descriptions are taken from Dr. Leach's Bird Book. The number denotes length of bird, and Hf" denotes female . Bird lists are still required from Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Shepparton and Cohuna. -J.H.
_1_0____________________________~~=1~-\~T~1_(_,_D_A _____________________ 0_ct_o_b_eI_ · _l_6~,_19~32.
"To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you cllght to prefer, is to have kept your soul lllive."-(R. L. Stevenson).
To Make Semaphore Flags. Size 18n. square. Colours white and navy blue (Scouts use red and yellow). The white is "uppermost at the hoist." The materials are cut diagonally. . The poles can be made from wooden curtalll rods-two lengths of about 24in . will do. This leaves 6 inches for the grip. It is best to 'fix the flags to the pole in the same way as Morse flags-with a finger stall at the top, tapes at the bottom, which are clove hitched to the pole. This way the flags can be l'emoved and washed, and are Je!!'s conspicuous for carrying about in trams, etc! Any cotton material can be used-silk would be too light.
Semaphore Game. Brownies in circle, B.O. or T .O. in centre ll!; a witch. Brownies skip round singing Round and round our Magic Ring, Dance we Brownie people. We're as happy as can be, Pop goes the weazel. (To the tune of "Pop goes the weazel"). At the end of verse, the witch calls out the name of an animal, and the Brownies quickly s"ignal the first letter, so that the witch cannot catch them. If they fail to signal correctly the witch carries them off to her sister's (T.O. or P.L.). cave to learn it.
The Tumbling Man. Material. Required.-A piece of corrugated cardboard large enough for a gd. marble to wove freely insidE' this cylinder. A piece of tailor's canvas, a little larger to allow for turnings. Strong material for coat, cap, etc., ant! old leather glove for hands and feet. Method. Make a cylinder of cardboard covered by canvas, sewing at back. Cut two circle,; of bright coloured cloth for top ~nd b?ttom of cylinder, gather, sew on and fimsh Wlth baby ribbon if necessary to cover raw edge. Insert marble before sewing up. Make little coat, draw buttons and face. For anns sew on straight strips and cut out hands and feet from old glove.
This gentlemen when placed on a slanting plece of board such as an iron shirt board or leaf of table, will turn the most exciting somersaults.
W. iseacre Gnome Again. Do send yo ur Questions in early. I go away in December. QUEstion: What is the question and purpose of a Divisional Brown Owl? An weI': A Divisional B.O. is appointed by Com. for Brownies to assist her by keeping In touch with the Brownie Guiders of the Div .• and when requests for testing or enrolling are sent to the Com., she notifies the Div. B.O., who either goes personally or arranges for a qualified person to help. Question: Does the Brownie who has only two service stars wear them on her Guide uniform, as the 3-years B wear s the gold stal'? Question: Is the gold service star worn on the left pocket of her Guide uniform? What size should flags be for semaphol'z signalling? -B.E.C. Answer: A Brownie on becoming a Guide wears her service stars, whether 3-year 01' single-year stars, on the left pocket of her Guide uniform . Information about scmpahore flags will bz found on this page. Yours smilingly, WISEACRE GNOME. My address has changed. I am living at 6!~ Arclmillan Road, !\IIoonee Ponds, W.4, so Brown Owls don't forget, please.
Singing Games. Brown Owls, your Pack worries will be ·~ on siderably lessened by the glad news that the . Wiseacre Gnome will send you music and words of any singing game yOjl want (that is. cf course, if procurable) for the sum of 3d. and stamped addressed envelope. Funds for Brownie Pages. "'rhe only difl'erence between a l'ut and a grave i " that of depth."
October 16,
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Calnping.
Training.
INDOOR CAMP TEST CERTIFICATE. A Course of six Classes, in charge of Miss E. E. Moran, will begin on Tuesday, 18th October, at the Guide Office. The second class, ort 25th October, will deal with Quartermastering; and Guiders especially interested in this branch . of camping may attend this class, even if they are not attending the others. Any Guider may attend the Course, but only those 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 ha~e attended a Victorian Training Week or Training Camp; (d) must have attended a complete training cou::-se in Indoor camps.
TRAINING CLASSES. The last Course of General Guide Training will begin on Friday, 21st October, 1932, with Miss D.' Hayman in charge, The Classes begin at 8 p.m., at the Guide Office. The last Course of Brownie Training will be held at the Guide Office, beginning at 7.45 p.m. on Wednesday, 19th October. Miss N. Thewlis will be in charge. There will be no further Classes this year for Ranger Guiders.
5th VICTORIAN CAMPING CONFERENCE. The 5th Victorian Conference of Guiders holding the Camper's Licence, Quartermaster Certificate, and Indoor Camp Test Certificate, will be held on Saturday, 26th November, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hethersett, Burwood, by the kind .permission of Mrs. H. Andrews. CAMP PERMISSION FORMS. Guiders in charge of Guide Camps are reminded that Camp Permission Forms are essential in all cases. These forms should reach the Commissioner for Camping six weeks before the Camp is to be held. If it is not possible to send the forms by the correct date, a post card should be sent, giving date, place of camp, and approximate numbers. CAMPCRAFT WEEK. The 12th Victorian Campcraft Week wil1 be held from 16th to 23rd January, 1933; fee 35/-. Miss M. Moore will be in charge, and the place will be announced later. Applications, accompanied by a deposit of 5/ -, sho~ld reach the Camping Secretary at the Guide Office not later than 14th November. Guiders are advised that Training Camp life is strenuous, and that they should not apply if unable to take part in Camp routine. A limited number of Guiders will be tested for the Ca,mper's Licence. NO COMBINED RANGER CAMPS will be held this summer. LOr E CAMPS. A camp for Lone Rangers will be held fl'om 28th December, 1932, to 4th January, 1933, inclusive, and will be followed by a Lone Guide Camp from 5th to 12th January. Miss E. E. Moran, Commissioner for Lon es, will be in charge. EDITH H. PURNELL, Commissioner for Camping.
TRAINING WEEK. The 27th Victorian Training Week, for general Guide and Brownie Training, will be held from 3rd to 10th January, 1933, at Morongo, Presbyterian Girls' College, Geelong, through the courtesy of the School Council. Miss K. M. Wilson, frol11 Imperial Headquarters, will be the Guider in charge. Applications (envelope marked "Training Week") stating whether Guide or Brownie training is to be taken, and accompanied by a deposit of 5/-, should be made in writing to the Secretary, Training Department, at the Guide Office, not later than 14th N ovem ber, ] 932. Deposits will not be refunded unless withdrawal of application is made a fortnight before the beginning of the Week. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
Wanted-Toys. The Junior Red Cross has again asked us for help with the Christmas appeal for toys which are distributed amongst the children of unemployed returned soldiers. The Secretary says: "Our list is a bigger one than ever, and small gifts of any kind would be most acceptable." Here's hoping that some of the delightful toys at the Handcraft Exhibition will find their way to The Secretary, Junior Red Cross, Australian Red Cross Society, 42 Latrobe Street, C.l.
APPOINTMENTS. District Commi sionersFitzroy and Collingwood: Miss J. U. Boyes, 41 Spring Street, C.l. Malvern: Miss Enid Stokes, 19 Wallace A v., S.E.2.
WARRANTS.
Brown Owl1st Coleraine-Miss N. Corney. Captains1st Drouin-Miss H. M. Porter. 3rd Malvern-Miss N. White. 6th Malvern-Miss W. Whitten. 1st Wangaratta-Miss U. Hoysted. Lieutenants2nd Yarram-Miss Duvanel. Ranger CaptainsCaulfield District-Miss - C. Readshaw. 1st Kooreh-Mrs. Moore.
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Ranger LieutenantNorth Melb. District-Miss E. M. Plowright. Division SecretaryOuter Eastern-Miss F. Salmon, 26 Prospect Hill Road, E.6. District SecretariesMaryborough-Ml's. MacNee, 2 Derby Road, Maryborough. North and West Melbourne-Miss D. McKinnon, 19 Oak Street, E.2.
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Packs2nd Shepparton 6th Camberwell 1st Terang 1st Edithvale 1st Shepparton Companie 1st Noorat 2nd Footscray 4th Richmond 7th Kew 2nd Shepparton la Lilydale 3rd Vi ct. Post Guides 3rd Collingwood Ranger Companies1st Orbost 4th Bendigo 1st Port Fairy 1st Kooreh 2nd Vict. Post Rangers 1st Maldon Ranger Patrols1st Yallourn. 1st Foster. Local AssociationCaulfield. LEA VE OF ABSE CE FOR SIX WNTHS. Mrs. T. O. Guthrie, Division Commissioner for Wimmel'a.
October 16, 1932.
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BOYS & GIRLS These Departments are complete with every class of clothing for College boys and College "iris. Regulation styles and colora in such items as Caps, Blazers. Pullovers, Golf Hose. Ties. Scarves. Hat Banda. etc. In addition. our stocks of College Clothing are very extensive - BOlls' Suits. Overcoftts. Boots &: Shoes; Girls' Tunics . Felt Hats. Straw Hals, Overcoats. Macs . Pullovers and Blazer• .
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i@~;~~®@®@N~~ BOOKS. • Nature Myths to Tell (Holbrook & Farmer) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6/• The Elfin Oak of Kensington Gardens (Elsie Innes) .. .. .. .. 3/6 : The Outline of Natural History (Sir J. Arthur Thomson) . . . . . . . . 11/6 • What Bird is That? (Cayley) . . . . 12/6 : Sketches of Australian Birds (Hamilton May) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1/6 • Jock of the Bushveld (Fitzpatrick) 8/6 : Rovers of the Valley (Ball), a story of scouting and adventure .. .. 8/3 The Book of Peps (illustrated) .. .. 9d. • Visual Botany (Agnes Nightingale) 1/9 • Visual Nature Study (A.Nightingale) 1/9 • This Wonderful World (ditto) .. .. 119
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