Vol. 9, No.9.
MARCH 1, 1933.
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MATILDA
March 1, 1933.
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Federal Council, Australia.
More About Summer Camps.
The Sixth Meeting of the Federal Council was held at the All-Australia Training Camp, Jamberoo, on 5th-20th January, 1933. The following is the list of delegates representing all the States. Lady David, State Commissioner, New South Wales, was in the Chair. New South WalesMiss Kelso King, Miss, Radford Queensland .. .. .. .. .. Miss Hawthorn South Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. Miss Ralph Tasmania .. .. Miss Travers, Miss Hesket1l Victoria .. .. .. Miss Cameron, Miss Purnell Western AustraliaMiss McWhae, Miss de Pledge Hon. Secretary to the Federal Council, Miss E. Smith.
Having been repl'oached for the critical tone of my article in the last issue of "Matilda," I have much pleasure in making some amend" for an unintentional harshness, by now recording some of the very pleasing points of the camps visited. The most attractive gadget I saw was a delightful notice-board-not the stereotyped piece of kerosene case with stark notices affixed bv drawing-pins, but a collection of cheerfullyillustrated lists and suggestions, on a board (one presumes) surrounded by bush-wood framing. The illustrations were not works of art, as the Guider admitted herself, but she had copied them from little pictures in the "Guide" and the Campcraft book, and the whole effect was really very good. One felt that tb.e Guides would read, mark, learn and inwardly digest what they saw there. I do not think this is the case always when the notices are bald and staring-especially when they contain such unaccustomed words as "session," or "camp activities"! And that brings me to the next interesting point. One camp-and one only-had notices which got right away from the form we put down in our notebooks at a Campcraft lecture; au(! surely those notes are only intended as a skeleton, which the Guider in charge of the camp can clothe as much as she wishes? Here is one of the camp rules, as an example: "No healthy Guide's appetite is lagging, so we are always punctual for meals." Now isn't that a polite way of putting it, and wouldn't YOU want to be first to arrive after the cookhousp whistle? For once, no one could accuse me of being greedy . . . . . Another of these cheerful "rules" said: "We are ever ready for a good turn, so we will assist our leaders whenever we can." It seems to me that both these Guiders had the IMAGINATION to realise something of what it feels like to be a very small Guide going to camp for the first time-that new and astonishing experience which has such a farI'eaching influence on the Guide's life. Also it reminds me of the very first camp I ever went to-in those dear ridiculous days when some of us got our Licence at the first Campcraft week, the first time we had ever been under canvas!-and DO you remember the weather, Matilda ?-However, to get back to the point: Miss Hogarth, who was helping Miss Prior, the Commandant, was very clever at sketching, and I can l'emember the thrill of finding, beside the pig-tin, a stake bearing an illustrated notice-I think it was in "verse"- explaining that pigs did not thrive on either egg-shells or tealeaves! There were similar amusing and provoking notices at other salient points of the camp, and apart from being so jolly, it did save the staff a lot of explaining, I myself cannot write even doggerel, nor can I draw, but I feel I want to do something on the above lines next time I get the chance. It was just that very nice se; of camp rules and hint~ that reminded me what fun the other had been Oh-and the Grease Pits! TheTe is a growing percentage of Campers who are developing
Minutes of Meeting of the Executive Committee. Minutes of a Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, Victorie, held on 15th February, 1933. Present: Lady Chauvel in the Chair, Mrs. Brookes, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs. Littlejohn, Mrs. Faulkner, Dr. Cooper, Misses Bush and Cameron and the Secretary. Recommendations from the General Purposes Committee were discussed. Re-arrangement of Rooms. It was agreed that the new front room be used for the proposed Guiders' Club, that the present shop be kept free for training classes and meetings, that the shop be moved to the present Training Department Room. Melbourne Centenary. Various suggestions were discussed in connection with the Guide Association taking part in the Centenary Celebrations. Federal Council. The Minutes of the sixtil meeting of the Fed'eral Council were considered. Chief Guide Portrait. It was reported that ÂŁ16/1 / 10 had been sent from Victorian Commissioners to the Fund for the portrait of the Chief Guide. Routine and financial business was discussed, S. H. IRVING. MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION, VICTORIA, h eld ' on 17th Fehruary, 1933. Present: Lady Chauvel, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs, Faulkner, Misses Bush and Cameron, and the Secretary. Further discussion took place on the following subjects: Re-arrangement of Rooms. Federal Council Minutes, Centenary. S, H. IRVING
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a passion for these interesting playthings; one Guider told me that she used to spend all he~' spare time just gazing at one that was really "working"! This was an outstanding example of a pit on the buried-bucket system demonstrated at the Campers' Conference last year, and described previously in "The Guider." In this particular case the pit was made on the slope of a hill, and it took ALL the wast~ water of the Camp for two consecutive weeks, and for the rearguard-kitchen water and all bath-water. It was astonishingly successful, lind absolutely no trouble throughout the time of its use. In several other camps, this type of pit was being used successfully, though in others it was not functioning so well. This probably was due to the soil. In one camp two of these pits were being used, on alternate days, very satisfactorily. Several camps were very bright at CampfirE', with songs composed on the site, to well-known tunes. Campfires were sometimes replaced by some other form of fun- a stalking game, country dancing, or a walk. The enthusiasm of the Guides, in various camps, for actual campcraft, showed that they would respond to demonstrations or explanations-not "sessions"-on tent-pitching, pegging, and even coping with pits, if one could only include such work in the programme; bu t then there is the nature-watching, and the orderly work, and the preparing of "stunts"and writing home! What a busy life it is! By the way, this year marks a signpost in Victorian Guide camping, for two of the candidates for Camper's Licence had camped as Guides in one of the very first camps here, and have been camping ever since, as Guides, Rangers and Guiders. This is surely only the beginning of a "long line," and how pleasantly easy the test must be to people who have camping in their blood to that extent! NOW do you realise how proud I am of Guide camping in Victoria? F. V. BARFUS.
The following interesting article appeared in the "Girl Scout Leader," an American publication. We are printing it with the hope that Guiders will adapt the suggestions and games to Australian conditions.
Open Windows and the Nature Programme. Some Girl Scout leaders taking the General Course at Camp Edith Macy in September were asked in what part of the programme they most desired help. Almost as one they exclaimed, "The nature work!" Help was at hand : the instructol's presented several games, iIlus-
March 1, 1933,
trating different play ways of awakening inter_ est in and giving facts about nature. The games were played with enthusiasm by the group; a brief description of them is presented at the end of this article, for the use of other leaders. On "Finishing" Nature Work, Many leaders found stimulus also in a talk by Bertha Chapman Cady, on the attitude most likely to be helpful for nature study. Dr. Cady urged her listeners to guard against the common tendency to lose one's wide-awake curiosity. The ideal observer sees all natural events with aesthetic as well as scientific eyes. For all our justifiable desire to have our home;,; and gardens and cities free from insect and animal pests, we should not be content, she pointed out, to remain in ignorance of any of the events of nature before us; the intricacies of insect life are as important in their way as the magnificence of clouds. Members of the group admitted that they had been lax in the matter of objective curiosity. On the way to meet the naturalist, one person had brushed aside a beautiful golden yellow spider with striped legs; another had shuddered at a large green caterpillar, buttoned into his skin with orange, lemon yellow, and azure buttons, not knowing that it would turn into a Cecropia, one of the most beautiful of moths; and during the discussion, when a little chuckling noise occurred in a tree overhead, and the! naturalist raised a hand, asking what it was, one said a tree-toad, one said an owl, but not one in the group knew that it was a downy woodpecker. The windows of the mind do not open iIi response to travel, education, or any other stimulus, unless there is an eager curiosity on the owner's part to see and to know; but if there is such an attitude, the life story of any insect, plant or tree, no matter how humble, becomes a window flung wide upon a varied and colorful view. Girls are sometimes heard to remark, because they have fulfilled the basic requirements of a nature programme, "I have finished butterflies," or "I have finished trees," or "I have finished wildflowers." This attitude may be traced to the fact that these girls so often see adults turning aside opportunities for nature study with indifference or even aversion. Sniff, Look, Listen! It is impol-tant for leaders to feel that the initial requirements made by the Girl Scout nature programme are a starting point, not an end; leaders are urged to relate the nature work to other parts of the programme, so that the girls will seek to know more about the trees they use for firewood and crafts, about the berries and nuts they use for food and for decoration; wideawake leaders wiJl find out how to seize opportunities as they come, for studying even such commonplace forms of life as flies, fleas, mosquitoes, gnats, beetles, and "tomato worms." That daily facts and occurences in nature are full of significance to the keen observâ‚Ź1: was proved by some of the questions brought to the attention of this group of leaders: How do clover leaves fold up at night? How many wings has a mosquito? (A study of the intricate derrick and sucking apparatus which fa-
March 1, 1933.
MATILDA
cilitate the mosquito's "bite" might form the starting point for an interesting comparison of the methods of stinging insects.) How does ivy cling to the wall? How does the grapevine cling? Clematis? Virginia creeper? Morning Glory? What ingenious device keeps the grapevine tendrils from twisting themselves right off the vine? By racking his visual memory, the ordinary person can answel' some of these questions, becoming conscious, in the process, of a real delight, a looking forward to closer scrutiny. It is encouraging to remark how often children are naturally keen observers of such matters. There is consolation too in the naturalist's reminder: "It is not necessary for you to 'know everything'-no one person can do that anyway. Just set out to learn with your girls; if you are interested, they will be inter_ ested too." Though the troop meetings, held only once a week, do not provide much opportunity for close, continued nature study, the schools do provide such an opportunity. Leaders can prepare in their girls a receptive frame of mind; they can bring to the girls' attention questions for which the answers, as well as new questions and answers, may be found in the schoolroom or library, if not in the woods and fields. Two Lively Nature Games. Nature Trail with Numbered Slips of Paper. -Members of the group divided into two sides. Each side laid a nature trail of its own choosing, identifying altogether over twenty trees or plants: hickory; black birch; grey birch; red maple; black oak (bristle-pointed leaf); white oak (round edged leaf); chestnut oak; chestnut; dogwood; sassafras; smooth and staghorn sumac; laurel; blueberry; huckleberry; wild raspberry (white stems; leaflets, whitish ben~ath); common wild: blackberry (leaflets, green beneath); wild grape; wild strawberry; Virginia creeper (or woodbine); sweet fern (a shrub, not a fern); ragweed; false Solomon's seal; aster (several varieties). Each side, after making its trail, followed the trail the other side had laid, to see how many of the identifications it could recognise. In judging the winersJ one point was awarded for every correct identification, either in laying the trail or in following it. Leaf Tag. Individuals formed into two equal groups in two lines. and numbered off. The instructor called a number, described a leaf, and the person of that number from one side tried to take the leaf from a pile midway between the lines and get back to her place without being tagged by opponent of the same number. Tagging an opponent who picked the wrong leaf lost the point for the tagger's side instead of gaining it. This contest was repeated with diffel'ent leaves and different numbers until all had had practice in recognising the leaves.
Booklovers' Badge. Under the new conditions for Booklovers' Badge, six books written by different authol'S are to be chosen from two lists. None of these books Can have been read prior to preparing
5
for the Test. It has been felt that an intelligent Guide fond of reading could easily have read before taking the Test most of the books by the different authors, especially in List 1. To find oub if this really so, I should be glad to hear from Guiders by the first week in April if they have met with this difficulty with an.'! of their Guides. If there is proved to be any serious difficulty in the obtaining of books either through scarc ¡ ity or expense, some adjustment could probably be considered. Will Guiders also let me know if they would like articles in "Matilda" on any particular Badge. M. MOORE, Commissioner for Tests .
A Brown Owl's Trip to Camp. A Brown Owl went a-camping, And, Oh! she had such fun, Out in all sorts of weathers, Rain as well as sunSuch lots and lots of Guiders, They met at Jamberoo, On the River Minnamurra, Ringed round by mountains blue, They came from all Australia, Guiders, short and tall, Some had travelled miles and miles, And some, not far at all. The camp site looked so pretty, Set there is grass so green, With little tents, so round and white, And tall gum trees betweenAt six o'clock they'd all arise, While the grass was wet with dew, And even then there wasn't time For all they had to do. And in between they'd laugh and talk With everyone they knew, And try to get acquainted With all the others, too. And then at night, they'd all sit round A lovely camp-fire's light, And sing their songs, and stories hear, Till time to say "Goodnight." Thus all went well, until the rain Came pouring from the skies. It rained, and rained, both day and night, And the river began to rise, And everywhere was muddy, And everything was damp, And everyone was very wet, At that All-Australia Camp. In and out their tents they'd crawl Like guinea pigs at the Zoo. And they thought that it was time to leave That Camp at Jamberoo. So off they set still in the l'ain With luggage beds and all, And found a place that wasn't wet (A large and lofty hall) And then next day they all went home And though they still felt damp, They declared they'd had a lovely time At th e All-Australia Camp. -D.C.
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March 1, 1933.
VIEW
The All-Australia Camp. From Sydney to Kiama ... 80 miles ... a train full of Guiders from various States . . . views of the South Coast as the train sped along . . . through a tunnel . . . more bits of coast . . . lovely surf . . . back amongst gum trees again . . . then again to the coast . . . Kiama . . . luggage . . . N.S.W. coping . .. many Guiders ... four large buses ... through Jamberoo, a little village ... bell tents in the distance ... a long line of Guiders streaming to the site . . . N.S.W. welcoming. In the near distance were big hills and a little one up behind the tents and within bounds the Minnamurra River wound round the site, and in a bend was a deep bathing pool with a smooth rocky bottom, distinctly chilly at 6.15 a.m., the first bathing parade of the day. There were six groups, each named after an Australian tree, and attached to each were N.S.W. Job Guiders who did all the camp chores, leaving the Interstate Guiders the gentle jobs of Mess, Wash up, Lanterns and Vegetables, and even with these they helped, when a session was pending they would finish the bushel and a half of beans and send the
vegetable patrol away-a life of ease indeed. The Campcraft group did its own chores and spent a happy time cleaning dixies, erecting screening, playing with bell tents and Colours and many other camp-ey things, and always seE'med very occupied. Sessions every day in Brownie, Guide and Ranger subjects took place under the trees, or in one or other of the marquees. A special session of each of these branches was attended by the whole camp. W.e were fortunate in having Lady David, State Commissioner for N.S.W., with us. Lady David visited the different groups for meals, and took part in different sessions. On the day Lady Isaacs visited the camp we formed a long winding Guard of Honour along the river bank, under the casnarinas. The Fox film man arrived one morning and took a film of all the Guiders marching into horseshoe for Colours, to the tune of "Rise up, for the day is dawning"-unanimously chosen and lustily sung as a marching song. The campfires and the singing were of the many things that won our admiration. N.S.W·. has a Commissioner for Music, Mrs. Blane, who advised us to ha.ve the music of a song when learning it, and amongst other things gave us
March 1, 1933.
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SITE. some ideas on how to beat time-one Campfire the whole camp beat time most earnestly while singing. Some of the Guiders doing Ranger training left camp half an hour after Revielle one morning for a breakfast hike. Many previously unknown trees and bushes became trees an·J bushes we would know again, before breakfast of tomatoes and bacon was cooked in the rocks by the river. Several Guiders did hikes for tests, but a general hike was postponed because of the weather. Because, by this time, gum boots were the general footwear, and a macintosh went with one. At first occasional gentle showers and by Saturday and Sunday real rain , until Sunday afternoon, the !;round drained nobly, and any odd drips from tent, 01 marquees could be successfully dodged. But during Guiders' Own on Sunday afternoon, the second Sunday, when Miss Wilson, from Scotland, talked to us-it really did seem rath~r wet. We were to have left on the following day, but this was the last time the whole camp was together. The next hour was a scene of activity, the Interstate Guiders packing, having tea and being taken in car loads and bus loads to the village school-everything was arranged-
luggage, bedding, Guiders themselves packed off to thE' :;chool, and before long all sorted out again, in their own groups, palliasses spread on the fioors, and everyone in bed. At the camp wash cubicles and bath tents and marquees were brought up to higher gl·ound. The cookhouse Guiders, who for some time had had bracken spread round their muddy fioor, were now squelching and sliding round their fires, and sinking in the mud-but still hot meals were managed. A hot drink for supper, dodging the drips in the tents, two fro!;,; under the brailings, water squelching in the grass, and so to bed. Six inches of rain, and the tents still standing, when morning came. Tn the morning came the newS that the railway line to Sydney was washed away, but Miss Smith, the Commandant, had everything arranged, and away went the Guiders in buses and cars across lovely country to Moss Vale, leaving a big rearguard with a big job-just as the tents dried down came some more rain, and it was some days before the last N.S.W. Guiders had left Jamberoo. From Moss Vale onwards Guiders left for their various States, going home, feeling a part of Australia, and not just a little bit of one particular State.
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March 1, 1933.
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"Every day we should hear one little song, r ead one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible wOl'ds."-(Goethe).
Opening and Closing. Dear Page Secretary, A few months ago "Matilda" published a Closing for a Pack Meeting, "Six Little Brownie Things." My Brownies loved this so much that I have made an Opening and Closing to correspond, in the same fas hion:Opening-Brown Owl sitting beside the Totem. Sings (Tune: "Ten Little Nigger Boys"). No little Brownie things, B.O., all alone Till one comes and joins her, and then there is one. One iittle Brownie thing, heaps of thing.; to do, Another comes and joins h er-and then there are two. Two little Brownie things, lots of thing:; to see, Another comes and joins them, and then there are three. Three little Brownie things, sitting on the floor, Another comes and joins them, and then there are foul'. Four little Brownie things, very much alive', Another comes and joins them, and then there are five. Five little Brownie things, handcl'afts to fix, The last comes and joins them, and then there are six. One Brownie joins her Six at each line, until all are sitting around the Totem. Closing: Brownies sitting around Toadstool. Six little Brownie things, time for home arrives One runs t~ help her mother, then there are five. Five little 'Brownie things, with goon deeds in store, One goes to do them, and then there are four. Four little Brownie things, merry as can be, One spreads her smile around, and the)1 there are three.
Three littl e Brownie things, always brav,! and true, Ready still to lend a hand, and then ther'~ are two. Two little Brownie things, all their songs have sung, One skips off humming hers, and then there is one. One little Brownie thing, Brownie Meeting's done, She runs to join the others, then there are none. -M .H.J.
GAME. First Class Test Game : Message and Good Carriage. . CHIN CHIN CHINAMAN. Chinaman to call at house and the "Housekeeper" (B.O.) gives the order for vegetables. Chinaman returns to his shop and brings back the "articles" in the basket (a chocolate box) which he carries on his head. There can be any number of Chinamen, or the Brownies can have six houses, and those who are Chinamen go to the different houses.
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AN INSPECTION. Each Six makes a horse and cart-two Brownies for horses and four for wheels-string to form the outline. Brown Owl, Tawny Owl and Pack Leader, the drivers of each. They inspect their own horse and cart and remedy any defects before starting on their journey around the room. - "WONGARRA"
HANDCRAFTGUMNUT MOTH BALLS. Covel' mothballs with different colored silks - red looks very well-and stick the covered balls inside gumnuts which have been lacquered to preserve them and brighten them. Tie a small piece of ribbon around the stem. The gumnuts should be about three nuts to a twig, so that the finished article looks like a small spray of gum blossom. 3rd BALLARAT.
M~al~ 'ch~1,~1~9~33~.________________~M=A~TI_L~D~A~________________________~9
The M-B-T-W. "Yes, I'm going to set out on a journey" said the Most-beautiful-thing-in-the-world in a determined tone. I'm going to meet ad~ell tures. Yes, every kind you can think ofadventures with spiked tails, adventures with black eyes and green hairs, and some with nothing particular about them at all. Goodbye! And ~hen the Most-beautiflil-thing-in-t~ wor·ld picked up her basket of bright ideas waved her hand hurriedly in the opposite way to where she was going, and set off on the path-that-is-never-quite-straight. It wasn't very long before she came to the first adventure sitting on a log, with its hand again.st one ear in an unhappy way. "Whatever IS the matter?" enquired the Most-beautiful-thing. "I've lost something" it moaned "and the worst of it is, I just can"t think what it is." "Well I never," exclaimed the M.B.T.W. (which you know stands for the Most-beautiful-thing-in-the world), "That's what I call a complexity." "Whats' that?" asked the first adventure cheering up at once. ' "Well, it's difficult to to explain because you can't get hold of it very easily, but you usually think a long time about it." "I've been thinking about this for a Ion"" ti~e," sai~ t~e"firs~ adventure drearily. '" Then It IS, said the M-B-T-W in a quite strong-minded way. "Just about the right time for you to give it up. Come to the beetles for tea with me." In ten minutes' time, they were seated round the beetl~'s tea-table eating his tea, and a very odd tea It was. On one plate were pieces of br~ad and butter with imagination on top. ThiS was queer stuff, for the more you looked at it, the more pieces there seemed to be on the plate, but if you forgot about it for a while. then s~ddenly glanced at it again, only one small piece would be there. In a casserole dish in the centre were six little half-baked ideas. These were a trifle indigestible. Served as a last course was a dish of salted down frowns. These also were not to the taste of the M-BT-W, but she ate some to show the kind of disposition she had. Yet you will be surprised to hear that even af~er this me~l the first adventure began worrymg about hiS complexity again, and no matter how hard he tried to think what it was he had lost, he simply couldn't. "Perhaps it wasn't anything," suggested the M-B-T-W, "Perhaps it wasn't," replied the first adventure mournfully, "I simply can't think what it was." "Well, don't," said the M-B-T-W, and that seemed to settle it finally. "I'm going now," she said, picking herself all up. "Goodbye," said the first adventure, and his voice came from a long way away. It was not long before she came to a Thing sitting on a wooden llost. "Tl'eacle, twins, tiddely-winks" it was repeating to itself in a sing-song to'ne.
Th~ M-B-T-W stoo~ politely by, waiting for a selzable opportunIty to say "Good-afterI~oon/, but there. did not appear to be much likelihood of saymg; anything, for the Thing never ceased repeatmg these three words. At last in desperation, the M-B-T-W c0':lg~;d slightly, ~nd the. Thing looked up and said Treacle, twms-whlch would you rather be-tiddely-winks ?" "Oh, I'd much sooner be myself" she an· sw.ered a~ably, and in that sort of c~mfortablc \'OlCe which told ~ou that she thought a great deal more about It, and was only waiting for an opportunity' to say it. '~Treacle, twi-don't be foolish!" said the Thmg in an annoyed tone. "I didn't ask what YOU wanted to be" ~'m co!,!cerned only with myself. The situati~n IS gettmg desperate, I can't be just a Thing for ever, I must be SOME thing soon or I will lose my chance." "Oh," .sai~ the-most-beautiful-thing-in-theworld, thmkmg ~ard and quickly, and trying ~o .be h~lpful. Treacle has golden sunlight mit, twms are more than a handful and-" "No help at all," interrupted the Thing "Treacle, twins, tiddely-winks," once mor~ commenced the monotonous chant "Oh, dear, perhaps I had better 'go " said the M-B-T-W ap.d aw~y she .went in and 'out, round the water hhes With their heads gently cradled 0!l a. small pool's surface, past the willow tree sl~hmg and weeping for its half-brother in the still water, down the path-that-is-never-quitestraight, till she came to the door of a small wo~den .hu~. Peering swiftly in she saw a baby crymg In ItS cot. "Ah, this must be another adventure" she thou~ht, an.d gazing at it thought it quite the loveliest thmg she had seen. She stepp~d nearer and touched the baby's mouth and ItS whole face lit up but before ~he had ti~e to move away the ~other came m and lookmg at her babe, clapped both her hands together and cried "But there is her ~rst smile.'1 Her husband heard her, and came m and clapped both his hands together also. and then they turned and smiled at each other. And then the Most-beautiful-thing-in-theworld went on her journey. -M,C.
Letter of Thanks. (Extract from a letter from Miss Smith, State Secretary, New South Wales). ".The Executive ~ish to thank the Victorian GUiders who subscribed to the gift of books for Gleng8;rry .. 'lfe are all thrilled with the gift, an~ thmk It IS extremely nice of the Interstate GUI~ers to send us such a tangible and fitting remmder of the All-Australia Camp and I can a~sure you that the gift will be gre~tly appreCiated by the people who go to Glengarr~' and we all hope that the donors will have ~ chance of using them thel'e in the not too distant future."
_10_ _ _ _ _ _ _-'-_ _ _ _ _ _M=-AT I L D A
Rangers. The following is the address given by Mdle. Beley (France), a member of the World Committee, at the World Conference. It appeared in the "Council Fire", October. Through a series of gradual stages, covering a period of 3-4 years, and whose culmination should be social service varying from a few hours weekly or monthly, to a complete use of their strength and time, the Rangers realis2 (apply) their programme and reach their goal. The stages are:1. The Guiding stage. 2. The practical stage. 3. The intellectual stage. 4. The service stage. When a Ranger has passed these foul', sh:! passes on to the "Gual'd Patrol," which meets much less often (about once a month) and whose aim is to form a link between the Guides who have left the ranks, and to foster in them the spirit of service. Thus a Ranger can join a Patrol at any age, but she should not remain in it more than four years, the Patrol being considered a group in which the members are preparing themselves to live usefully, but nOL as a club for relaxation. The length of the "Guiding" stage depends on whether the Rangers are or are not exGuides. It takes a minimum of three months. a maximum of a year. The aim of this stage is, above all, to teach the Ranger the art of good camping (knots, fires, various "constructions", cooking, kitchencraft, etc.); the history of Guiding, its origin, development and special characteristics of different countries, the Worlel Association, French Guirling and Scoutinghistory of the Federation of French Guides, its principles, its different branches, its aim and methods, the value of the Guide Law in adult life. (a) The practical stage is often devoted to preparation for a Red Cross badge, the decoration of a clubroom, the painting and papering of a room, if possible. This stage gives an opportunity of exchanging reCipes, paper patterns, etc. (b) The intellectual stage varies with the Patrol, according to its members. Most of the time, the Rangers themselves choose the subjects which interest them: artistic, literary, historical, religious, etc. One Patrol enjoyed a series of psychology lectures, and another fossicked out the history of Paris and somb of its monuments. (c) Finally, the "service" stage accords a good deal of time for the legislation of their country, laws, social work, feminism. and child welfare. Until now, the official programme of the Rangers have given, in each stage, merely a general line to follow: experience has shown that only the very good Guiders have been able to get anything adequate from such absolute freedom, and we are now trying to devise a minimum programme including both compulsory sections and tests open to choice. Notes. The Patrols have not more than 15 members . . . Patrol nan"1es have some connection wilh the Ranger symbol: the Hearth (home); e.g., Brazier, Spark, Red Flower, etc .
March 1, 1933.
. ... Patrols of every stage have to have outings (hikes); Rangers are supposed to attend, if possible, the national camps organised fOe' them annually. The essential conditions for the good progress of a Patrol are :(a) To be in charge of a competent Guider, of at least 25 years, and with adequate experience of life, and wide culture (education?) (b) Not to lose sight of its aim: learning to serve. This is the one reason why Rangers recruited in a mediocre environment, develop into an "elite" (a chosen set). which is, we believe, their principal raison d'etre. (Trans. by F.V.B.).
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QInrr1'6pnnill'ncr. Dedications.
Dear Matilda, I was interested to read in the February issue of "Matilda" the remarks about dedications of colours. There are one or t wo points which I don't quite understand. I had always thought that unless a flag had been dedicated one could not take it to a Church Parade. Also, when we have Guides of different religions in the Company we may arrange that all should be pl'esent at the dedication, but later how does one decide which Church to take the Colours to for a Church parade? I have recently heard of a Company that uses its Colour in camp, although the Colour has been dedicated . Is this correct? ' Yours, etc., CAPTAIN OF A CHURCH COMPANY.
Dear Matilda, In the last issue you invited us to "Ask Matilda" about the dedication of Colours. I am a very new Guider, so will you please excuse me if these questions seem very simple. I. - Is it essential for a Company to have a flag? 2.- Can you have a Church Parade if you have no Colour, or if you have a flag must you always take it to Church Parade? I find Matilda a great help, and though some Guiders seem to want her name changed, T feel it sounds very friendly, and makes me feel that I know her. Yours, etc., INEXPERIENCED GUIDER.
Woodcraft or Dear Matilda, The consensus of opinion at the recent Guiders' Conference seemed to be that we are not using the out-of-doors as the Chief meant us to use it.
March 1, 1933.
MATILDA
It is of no use deciding tamely that we fail here, and doing nothing about it. May I suggest that we start by changing the term "N ature study" or "Natural history" to that used by the Chief in Girl Guiding, "Woodcraft." (1 refer anyone who cares to look up their tattered and well-thumbed (?) copy of Girl Guiding to p.101) . The reasons for the change are obvious: for one thing, schools use the term "Nature study," which puts Guides off it from the beginning; for another, "woodcraft" is so l'edolent of scouting and exploring and adventuring. The next thing to do is to get out of our aged, school-marmish rut, and live up t o name. Yours hopefully, LONECRAFTER. [N.E.- While we agree t hat " Nature study" is a misleading term, we would point out that "Woodcraft" is an English word not strictly applicable to Australia. We would be pleased if anyone can suggest any attl'active term to cover the new Second-Class "natcher"!- Ed.]
A Brownie Song. Here is a nice idea for one's special Pack. Extract from 1st Elsternwick's own Brownie Song, composed by Brownie Bonnie Morey. Tune : "Marching through Georgia." Chorus : Hurrah! Hurrah! A merry, busy pack, Furrah! Hurrah! Of smiles we have no lack. We do our good turns every day, A nd nevel', never slack, For we're all keen Brownies of 1st Elsternwick. Elves. We as elves all try to be unselfish, kind and true, To make this world a brighter place by the little deeds we do, To be the best that we can be is the aim to which we stick, For we're the Elf Six in 1st Elsternwick. Gnomes. Here you see the laughing gnomes, always merry and bright, Ever ready to lend a hand, from early morn till night, To be the best that we can be is the aim to which we stick, For we're the Gnome Six of 1st Elsternwick.
A SECOND BOOK OF INDOOR GAMES AND DANCES (Price 1/ 3). For use in Girls' Clubs. The first part of the book contains very clear directions for games with beanbags, balls, etc. Their particular excellence lies in the training in concentration they would afford the players. They would be excellent practice material for Rangers who want to run a team game; it might be a good way of testing for this section to ask a candidate to prepare and conduct one of the less complicated games, from this book. Many of the games are suitable, or can be
11
adapted, for small groups, and should be a boon to small Ranger Companies who want new ideas. Some of the dances in the second part of the book should solve the problem of Guiders who have not sufficient knowledge of country dancing to teach it, but whose Guides or Rangers want this type of activity. The Polka Dance (tune: Little Brown Jug) sounds simple and very jolly. So do es the Circle Dance (tune, Girls and Boys come out to Play), and the Skipping Dance for Six should be fun, danced to the tune of "Sir Roger de Coverley." One looks forward to resuming Company Meetings, jn order to try some of these g ood things. - F.V.E.
APPOINTMENTS. Di trict Commissioner. Western Mornington Peninsula: Mrs. Bowlett, Mornington. District Secretariers. Avoca: Miss P. Fisher. Hamilton: Miss K. Colville.
WARRANTS. Brown Owl. 2nd Ivanhoe- Miss B. Kurrle. Captains. 1st Avenel-Miss J. Arkell. 7th Ballarat-Miss D. G. Bunce. 1st Dartmoor and DistrictMiss M. 1. J. McLennan. 1st Merbein- Mrs. Grimble. 6th Prahran-Miss G. C. Rogers. 1st Whorouly-Miss M. Wood. 1st Woomelang-Miss N . Lavery. Lieutenants. 1st Coburg-Miss E. M. Kelpe. 1st Dartmoor and DistrictMiss B. G. Heathcote, Miss B. R. McLennan. 1st Kyneton-Miss M. D. White. Ranger Captain2nd Hawthorn-Miss M. D. Sweeting.
REGISTRATIONS. Companies. 1st Beechworth, 1st Cohuna, Ranger Companies. S.R.S. Akuna, Melbourne.
1st Sunshine.
Training. TRAINING COURSES. Brownie Training. First Course, beginning WEDNESDAY, 1st MARCH, at 7.45 p.m. at the Guide Office. Guider-in-Charge, Miss V. Hill. Guide Training. First Course, beginning FRIDAY, 10th FEB. at 8 p.m. at the Guide Office. Guider-inCharge, Miss D. Hayman. Second Course, beginning THURSDAY, 30th MARCH, at 8 p.m. at the Guide Office. Guiderin-Charge: Miss H. Dunn.
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MAT I LDA
Ranger Training. First Course, beginning FRIDAY, 24th FEB. at 8 p.m . at the Guide Office. Guider-in-Charge, Miss C. Broadhurst.
PRACTICAL WORK FOR COMMISSIONERS. Miss Bush will be at the Guide Office on the third Wednesday each month, from 10.30 till 12.30.
F IRST-CLASS BADGE WORK. It is proposed to hold, at intervals dUl'ing the year, classes for FIRST CLASS WORK, DRILL AND CEREMONIAL, and COMPANY MANAGEMENT. The first class will be held on MONDAY, 13th MARCH, at the Guide Office, at 8 p.m., for PRACTICE in judgment of WEIGHTS, NUMBERS, TIME, HEIGHTS and DISTANCES. The second class will be on SATURDAY, 22nd April, for practice in judging heights and distances out-of-doors, and compass directions. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training .
March 1, 1933.
SNOWS FLINDERS STREET & GLENFERRIE
SPECIALISTS IN
College Wear FOR ...
BOYS & GIRLS These Departments are complete with every cia.. 01 clothing lor College boy. and College "iris . Regulation .tyles and colors in luch items as Caps, Blazera. Pullovers. Goll Hose. Ties. Scarves. Hat Band • . etc. In addition . our .tocks 01 Collegr Clothing are very extensi ve - Boy,' Suit•. Overcoats. Boot. &: Shoes: Girl.' T unice, Felt Hats, Straw Hall, Overcoat., Macs • Pullovers and Blazers .
MATILDA'S NAME AND COVER. This correspondence has now closed. It is probable that a competition will be held in the near future-so begin to think NOW.
JOHN SNOW & CO.
NEWS FOR TH E PRESS. We have been asked to draw the attention of Guiders to the Guide columns in the press. "The Age" is especially anxious to have news of Company or Pack activities, parties, hikes, etc. Items may be sent direct to the papers, or to the State Secretary at the Guide Office.
F o'r Y o u r E nte rtainments, Sports and Socia l Fixtures
BROADCASTING. The programmes for the Guide broadcast", for March and April aI'e:" 20-Campfire songs, etc., by S.R.S. Akuna. Mar. 6-Post Box. April 3- Matilda's hike. " 17-Extensions. Broadcasts will then cease, unless Guides and Guiders show their appreciation by writing to 3 LO.
YOU NEED
PRINTING Of QUALITY at Better Prices
WORLD KN OWLEDGE BADGE (Fr1. Antonia Lindenmeyer). "We love what we properly undeI'stand We should travel with our eyes open to see and enjoy all beauty; we should look at t he ways and customs of other lands with a heart of love, in order to learn the good points and take them back to one's own country for use there .. . We Hungarian Guides see in the World Knowledge Badge a realisation of the glorious Promise of Guiding; to be able to work for God, our country, and humanity at the same time."
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McK ellar Press 229 GLENFERRI E Rd. MALVERN Sam ples and Prices on Request.
U 1875
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