MAY 1, 1933.
Vol. 9, No. 11.
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May 1,
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May 1, 1933.
MATILDA
A HINT FROM THE CHIEF RCOUT. "If a chap wants to get to the top of a house,
he may try to jump there, 01' he may try to climb up the wall, or he may sit down and say to himself that it is hopeless. In any case, he won't get there. But if he gets a ll:ldder and goes up it, step by step, he will suceeed, even if it's a long way up and takes a lot of puffing and blowing to get there. "Well, it's the same in your career in life. Look up and see where you want to get to. Don't imagine that you will jump there all at once, or that you can climb there without having got any proper preparation for it. But put up your ladder-;-that is, prepare yourself in your school and Scout training, step by step, to go up-and you'll get there ir, the enc. Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, writing in "The Scout."
NEWS FROM OVERSEAS. (Kindly Supplied by the World Blll'eau).
THE WORLD CHALET. The Guider-in-Charge of the Chalet will need a good mathematical brain during July ana August, and it seems as if the occupants may have to use mathematical precision, too, in the placing of their belongings and themselves, as every available bed will be used! THE JULIETTE LOW MEMORIAL FUND. This year the countries which are being invited to send girls to the Chalet are Belgium, the Irish Free State, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland. III addition some Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. wiil also be chosen.
NEWS FROM COUNTRIES. Brazil. (Extract from a letter). Petropolis, January 14th. .... We were greeted on arrival in Rio by Mrs. MacCrimmon (British Guide Commis.sioner) . . . . Then up here the presiding genius is Dona Jeronyma Mesquita, who tool{ me out yesterday to see the Band<!irantes ill camp, or rather in a house lent for the purpose of camping, in lovely surroundings. This was a delightful affair; 70 Guides, representing Portuguese, Indians, N egresses; and all sizes from Brownie age to Ranger age. The Captains are a very nice set of girls, who are as keen as any I have ever seen. . .. 70 beds are tightly packed into the different rooms, and a Guider sleeps in each room. They had a bathing pool :lnd woods all round, and a playground, and seemed as happy as larks. .. I gave both Brazilians and British a messag'l from the -Chief Guide (I met her a few day::; before I started) and all were made happy by it."-Violet Stuart-Wortley.
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Egypt. THE INTERNATIONAL GIRL GliIDES . (Extract from a letter from Mrs. Carver, dated 14/12 / 32) . ". . . . Greetings from me and the rest of the International Girl Guides in Egypt. Our Guiding is going along quite happily. and our numbers slowly increase. 1174 is the total, I think. The chief increase is among the Jewesses, Armenians, and Maltese-the British numbers staying very much the same. I have just come back from Cairo, where they had a Division Rally, and thcl'e I met Munira Sabry (the head of the National Egyptian Association) and several of her Guiders. Also Abdullah Salama and some Greek Scouters. We also had a meeting of representative;, from every place where there are Guides an.l heard Miss Young's (now Mrs. Wilson'S) report on what happened in Poland . . . . " G. MARY CARVER. In December, 1932, ten companies of the International Girl Guides in Egypt attended a united service. The Anglican Bishop of Egypt and the Sudan and the Greek Archbishop of Abyssinia were present. Before the servic~ began an attractive little ceremony took place, when the "mixed" company colour bearers presented their colours to the Bishop, while those from the Greek companies presented theirs to their Archbishop. The hymns and prayers were partly in English and partly in Greek, and were followed by two addresses given respectively in Greek and in English by the Archbishop and by the Bishop. Finally a tablet was unveiled. This has been put up t,) the memory of Mrs. Watson, who did so much to widen the scope of the Guide MO\'ement in Alexandria.
Lithuania. (Extract from a letter from the Chief Commissioner of Lithuania, dated 14 / 1/33). H • • • Our work is going on fairly well. We are steadily obtaining new Guiders from among our school teachers, and we hope that t his will greatly increase our strength in a year or two. When we began Guiding we never thought that many grown-up women and girls would be attracted into our Movement or become interested in it. But on the contrary they are now coming in in considerable numbers, and seem greatly to enjoy the Leaders' Training Courses. Many came to camp last year, and there were many whom we could not take because there was not enough room. The most recently joined teachers are already inundating us with requests for a camp next summer. The National Camp which we had plannell for this year may have to be put off as, like so many other countries, our country is suffering greatly from the effects of the world depression. For this reason we had to be content with smaller camps than usual iast year. Lately we have established a Club for for-
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MATILDA
mer Guiders. Those who live in Kaunas anti in the neighbouring provinces meet together once a month. We talk about Guiders' problems, make plans for the future; debate, etc. Members who cannot come to the monthly meetings must send their ideas and suggestions in writing. We hope that this combined work will be of the greatest use to Ciur Guid· ers . . . . . . " ELENA BARSCIAUSKAITE.
"The Blue Bird." EXTENSIONS IN THE NETHERLANDS. "So we are the richer by a new branchnot like others in town or village, but a Branch which spreads its wings over the whole land, over all who are lonely or lie in hO::!;Jital. I know that you guess what it is-it is the new name for the Post and Hospital Groups. The Guides who belong to these Companies will carry in future the name "Blue Bird" on their shoulder straps. This new section waR formed by Mevrouw van der Mandele, Dr. C. Hovens Greve, Miss A. de Loos and Miss Jonker, who announced themselves ready to stand by the Captain-Dr. H. Wrede (Dok)." (It is interesting to note that "Blue Bird" seems a favourite name among Guides and Girl Scouts. This Blue Bird Branch in the Netherlands must not be confused with the Bluebirds of India, who are the "Brownies" of that country).
Portugal. A small Guide Association has been in exi.stence for many years in Oporto, ann four or five years ago Companies and Packs were started at Lisbon and at Carcavello::.. These Companies and Packs have made good progress and now have a majority of Portuguese Guide~ in them; some of the Guides are British and some Portuguese, and all have done excellent work. In December, 1932, it was decided to registe~ the whole Association under Portuguese Law, so as to acquire an official status and become recognised as the National Association of Portugal. A Constitution has been drafted, and the name of the Association is "Uniao de Escoteiras do Portugal." Several Minist(?rs in the "Portuguese Government have given their ad· vice and approval, and the Association is starting on its way under the best auspices. The Union at present includes four districts-Lisbon, Carcavellos, Oporto and Madeira, and th~ membership is almost 1000.
May 1, 193::.
a proud Guide who was chosen to carry her Company's Colour in that throng. The same order of service as last year wa~ followed, with its keynote of joyousness and dignified simplicity. From the youngest Brownie to the oldest Guider, all pre~ent could enjoy the appropriate hymns sung to wellknown tunes, the readings from the Old and New Testaments, the simple, dignified prayers, and the fine address by the Archbishop, who said more in a few minutes than most men could say in so many hours. Though he is not a Scout, he said, and can never be a Guide, he has something in common with us- the love of learning. If he wer.~ awarding proficiency badges it would be for four kinds of knowledge:I.-Knowledge of the world: the more w~ study the wonders of our own and other worlds, the more we are led through awe and reverence to know the Creator. 2.-Knowledge of other people: a Guide can best learn to be a good "mixer" by realising that she is a sister to every othm' Guide be · cause we are all God's children. That is the most important brotherhood of all. 3.-Knowledge of oneself: to be honest with ourselves, not making ourselves out to be better than we are, and to realise that the body is not c,ne's whole self, as we are apt to t hink when young, but we have a spiritual ~e lf which must be developed if we are to be tl:E> leaders our country wants. The Archbishop would like to see every Guide a book-lover, because through knowledge one becomes a leader. 4.-Knowledge of God-the most important knowledge of all, and the secret of a happy life. The whole meaning of Christiallity is not to let God slio out of our lives-He is searching for us all the time, we have only to resoond. God knew we would never really know Him if He stayed in Heaven, so He sent His Son to show us what He Himself is like. and "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou hast sent." -J.L.
THE POST BOX. The Post Box has four Guides from Queen;;. land, two from the country, and two fr01l1 Brisbane, desiring links with Victoria. Also twenty Girl Scouts from America most anxiou3 to have correspondence with us. Any Guides desiring these link~ kindly communica~ with Mrs. Hamilton Sleigh, 24 Wallace Avenue, Toorak.
St. George's Eve Service.
A COLOUR GAME.
Led by the Union Jack, the banner of St. Goorge, and a choir comp'osed entirely of scouts, the solemn procession of Colours through the packed Cathedral on the afternoon of Apirl 22 made an unforgettable pageant. As they entered the building, the blend of Colours - the red, white and blue, the dark blue of the W orId flags, the green and gold of the hoop and company Colours, gave the impression of a rich stained-glass window, She was
Have a different colour wool for eac-h patrol, and cut into fifteen pieces about two inches long. Let these be hidden around the hall, and when the whistle blows each patrol searches for their own colour, and then must use the pieces of wool to make a word representing a law or something used in camp. Points given for quickness and neatness of. printing. At least twelve pieces must be used in the formation of the word.
May 1, 1933.
Is It Fun to Embroider a Map?
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MATILDA
(By Helen Perry Curtis, in "The Girl Scout Leader.") Some of the girls who are making map; this spring may like the idea of embroidering a map. Others, who have not yet begun to 'chink about the map-making part of their Girl Scout careers, may find that a humorous, informal embroidered map makes an interesting introduction to the study of measuring distance, finding direction, map-making and map-reading. The suggestiGn may be equally well employed by the girl who loves old maps and clipper ships and the romantic thought of trav(ll to far places, and by the girl who is interested in her own town, with its churches and parks and the other things that make it different from and dearer than any other town. If a girl already likes needlework, so much the better. But even if she doesn't, the stitches may be so simple, and the colors so gay, and the idea so pleasant, that even the outdoor girl will love stitching away on rainy days. Filst of all, get your &"irls to talking about maps. Get each one to brmg in a map that interests her, and borrow some yourself to show. Perhaps you can take the girls to study oU maps in a library or historical museum. Notice the ships, the compasses, the sea-serpents, tho! quaint flora and fauna of the coul!try, the mountains, forests, and rivers, and how they are drawn. Even the lettering on 01-1 maps is characteristic. Then study some of the modern adaptations of these 010 maps (available in almost any bookstore) , painted in jolly colours, with a great element of humour i1" all the local interests portrayed. Then look at automobile road maps, railways routes, sea charts, any other form of map that interests the group oal,ticularly, and give each girl a w('ek to decide just what sort of a map she want~ to make for herself. It may be her own town, her own State, the place where she spends her ummel'S, a foreig"n country she is specially interested in through ancestry, reading or schoolwork. It may ue the section around the Girl Scout Camp, with some cf the activities illustratEd, or her own house, showing the roads approaching it . the garden, the orchard, the garage But it must be something in which each girl takes a very vital interest so that she will carry it out with enthusiasm. The mao which is made for a particular purpose, to show a route, or for exhibit. or to commemorate local ach:evement, is Pal ticularly likely to hold the girls interest. ,The fmished map may be used in any number of decorative ways, either as dool'hanging, wall-hanging or framed like a picture. It may be designed for the girl's own room, or as a gift to someone else. Its size, color, and drawing should be planned with its ultimate use in mind, whether to carry out the color ::cheme of a certain room, or to be big and bold enough for the panel over the fireplace, or desk in father's study, or dainty enough for mother', tea tray. A natural-colored sampler linen is one of the best materials on which to work, and the embroiderv may be done in fine 01' coarse cottons, or in crewel wool. If an old
map is being imitated, the colors "hould. be soft and mellow. For a modern map bl'lght colors are better. [Guiders interested in this subject should see the article on "Picture Maps" in the "Guider," March, 1933.-Ed.]
"Mrs. Tarantula." We all know the story of the littlp girl who ate a piece of the toadstool to make her small enough, to visit Fairyland. Come with me through a path in the wood, to our toadstool, and from this side we take a piece to make us small enough to hunt for the house of Mrs. Tarantula. Of ccurse you have no idea how to find it-but listen; look among the ferns and pine needles along this path. We must go carefully, and look for a wee mud wall that Mrs. ' Tarantula builds round her door. Here we are-what wonderful work in that little fence, sticks and leaves held together with mud. Sometimes she will use just whllt is near her door, binding the pieces of grass together with the silk threads from her body. Mrs. Tarantula has heard us knock on her door, she is always on the lookout for enemies. Her little door is made neatly of mud with a little silken hinge, and the first thing we see as we look down her passage are her bright little eyes. Her passage is always round, and about an inch wide. The first is quite straight, and then we find a sharp turn either to the left or right., where she has her larders and dining room~. At this first elbow we find Mrs. Tarantula always on watch. All the way down her beautiful passage she has woven a silk covel ing over walls and floor-partly to keep the e~rth from falling, and also to help her feet to grip, as she rushes to eat the first insect enemy who disturbs her peace. Mrs. Tarantula is coming down the passag(', she has no time to talk, so we will watch whr,t she is ;;:.bout to do. . First she makes a coarse rough mat, about the size of the palm of a man's hand. This i;; the floor on which she will now begin to work. Now Mrs. Tarantula goes backward and forward spinning a beautiful fine whit~ silk mal: about the size of a Brownie penny. Then we. see little sides forming, but this is laying time, and in this silken case Mrs. Tarantula lays many little pale yellow eggs. Back she goes to her spinning, building up the sides of her case and closing it with fine silk threads. Until now Mrs. Tarantula has only been using her fangs and Spinnerets, with her weaving, but now with her legs she makes the threads which hold her egg case, to the rough mat, wraps round it two or more silk threads, by which she binds it to her hind legs. Until her babie& are hatched Mrs. Tarantula will carry her precious egg case in this way, but she seldom goes out except to hunt for food. Mrs. Tarantula has two wonderful ways of hunting- if she is not going to eat her pl'ey (Continued on Page 8).
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MATILDA
May 1,
193.~.
"The secret-which is also the reward of all learning-lies in the passion for the search." ("Q").
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To Open Meeting. Ceremony.-"Little White Gate". Tune: "Golden Boat" (quick time) or other suitable. Materials: Small white gate. Make pathway and set gate at the end. Brown Owl magics the meeting place to a small wood, and Brownies run into a pow-wow circle near the path and sitting cross-legged sing, with actions:-
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"A gate is made for shutting, and that is always right, But only when it's black or brown, and NEVER when it's white! NEVIDR when it's white, dears, and oh! so very tiny, too, It always must be open for t he fairies to slip through. They always choose a white gate because it is so clean and neat, . They sit upon the topmost bar and swing their fairy feet," . (Brownies rise softly, and hand-in-hand on tIptoe run down the little path to the little white gate at the end, singing) "And if you say you love them They'll make a loud fairy din, and OPEN WIDE THE LITTLE GATE and simply pull you in!" They have now formed the'ir fairy ri~g round t!1e Totem, and sing t heir songs to the Fairy Folks who have let them through the littl e gate.
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To close meeting Brownjes tiptoe softly round the Totem, u p the little path to the white gate, singing:"Goodbye, fairy folks, and thank you for such f un, In your fairy homes '!liong t he whispering gums, Far away deep down in our hearts we will bold The sweet fairy things from your gate you have told." while Brown Owl quietly magics the foresi back to normal Hall or meeting place. -G.B.
A BROWNIE REVEL. On a beautiful Autumn afternoon in April the Brownies of Malvern and Glen Iris revelled at "Moorakyne" with t he kind permission of Miss Kelly. On arrival, the Brownies were magically turned into ducks, frogs, bunnies, pigs and squirrels, and each retired with a Brown Owl to their special home. Then a Grand Fairy Ring, followed by a welcome to the visitors. Game1:-Make-Believe in groups, Treasure Hunt-Tea-,-and a wild Free Time. And then thank you. Grand Howl and home. A lovely day. Brown Owl.
WISEACRE GNOME. Que .: What can be done when a recrui t has passed in everything except plaiting h er own hair, which after many attempts she still fails to do.-WORRIED B.O. Ans.- I can only suggest perseverance, and also, perhaps, enlisting the mother's help, and see if sh e will co-operate by aiding the child during the week. Ques.-Should a recruit salute before she is enrolled? DOUBTFUL. Ans.-No, not formally, though she must do it a little to know how, but this could be done in private wit h B.O. or Tawney. Yours smilingly, WISEACRE GNOME.
PACKLEADERS'AFTERNOON. T he above is to be held by t he courtesy of Mrs. Bull at her home, "Medlow," 4a Boundary Road, Suney Hills, on May 6. Packleaders please to bring ground sl]eet, mug, food. Tea will be provided. Time 2.30 p.m.-8 p.m. Take Wattle Park tram from Batman Avenue.
THE PACK'S GOOD TURN. Miss L. Hooper, 8 Albany Road, Toorak, has been givel1 material for the making of slippers for the Presbyterian Kindergarten, Richmond. Should any Brown Owl wish to have h er Brownies make these slippers during Handcraft time, Miss Hooper will forward material and paper pattern. These gifts are a lways very well appreciated by this Kindergarten.
MATILDA
_May 1, 1933.
BROWNIE DANCE.
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Tune: "Pop goes the Weazel!" Words: "In and out our magic ring Dance we Brownie people, We're as happy as can be, Pop goes the Weazel." Brownies in a circle, and are named black and white alternately. First line-Ones run four steps into centre of circle. Second line-Ones run four steps backwards to places. Third line-Twos run four steps into centre of circle. Fourth line-Twos run four steps backwards to places. Whilst Ones turn round on the spot. Repeat verse. This time all run eight steps to left during two first lines. Third line, each nair runs round each other and to places. Last line, All stand and clap four times. Whole thing repeated ad lib. -V.H.
POSTCARDS? If allY Brown Owl would like old postcanls
for hand-craft time? (E.g., scrap books, treasure boxes, calendars, etc.), Miss L. Hooper has a supply to be given away.
Handcraft Section. SKIPPING ROPE. A delightfully easy handcraft for Brownies. All that is needed is six empty cotton reels (white ones that will dye) and a length of window cord about 2~ yards. Dye the empty reels by soaking t hem in col ored ink or dye, or by painting them Then tie a knot about lOin . from either end of cord, thread three reels on each remaining end, and tie another knot to finish the article. A DARNER A large child's face from a magazine is pasted on cardboard. Different coloured wools are then cut into 2-ft. length;;;, and after two holes, close together, are made just below the ears in the picture, some wool is threaded through each set of holes, the middle of it being at the back of the face, and both ends hanging evenly in front . Then it is plaited to form two p laits. When wool is wanted it i::; pulled from the back of either plait, when it will slide out quite easily.
Transition Stage. The time comes sooner or later when B.D. realises that the ties which bind the Brownie to her Pack are loosening, and the regret which B.D. naturally feels at the thought of parting with her Brownie is soon immersed in the far greater joy and pride of handing her over to the Guide Company to continue on her way. The first signs, both physical and mental, of the transition stage naturally vary accord¡ ing- to each child's temperament. One Brownie will perhaps no longer fit into the general scheme of Brownie Training, show restlessness, or a tendency to interfere. With an other Brownie thel¡e may be such a gradual lack of enthusiasm, leading to more and more il"regu-
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lar attendance, that, unless B.D. is carefully watching, that Brownie will eventually drop out altogether. Brown Owl may find this kind of quiet, and more mental than physical transition more difficult to detect, as the Brownie may even make the effort to pretend. owing perhaps to a certain sense of loyalty, that her interest has not flagged. Brown Owl must therefore be qukk to observe the first signs of a Brownie outgrowing the Pack before that Brownie actually becomes conscious of it herself. Having always kept in mind that "Brownies" is but a step to "Guides," and given the Brownies opportunities to come in contact with the Guide company, they will have something thrilling and familiar rather than something unkr.own and strange to look forward to as Guides. A visit with Brown Owl, for instance, to an early part of a company meeting, gives the olderj Brownies a taste for something more, with the result that the next question for B.D. to answer will probably be: "B.D ., when can I be a Guide?" which is the natural and ideal way for the Brownie to pass on to the Company. Sometimes, however, through not being prepared fOl- this Transition stage, the difficulty arises that the Brownie, who naturally by this time feels important and useful, and rathellooked upon as one of the older Browr,ies "who knows," does not want to give up this "superior" feeling fOJ! that of becoming just a little new Guide with much to learn in the Company. It may then help if B.O. points out to this Brownie that her opportunity has come to learn and enjoy 'bigger" things than she could ever hope to do in the Pack, and that it would not be acting up to her Brownie promise not to take such an opportunity when she was lucky enough for it to come to her! Mother, of course, is approached before any definite arrangements are made, and the Captain, too, should know some weeks ahead, at least, so that there will be a place ready for her in the Company, and the Guides have the pleasure of looking forward to their new Brownie Recruit. The actual day for this Ceremony can then be arranged by Captain and B.D., preferably at a Court of Honour. It will depend on circumstances as to whether the Pack will be pre sent, or whether Captain and her leaders "call" for the Brownie at the Pack meeting. But whatever is decided, the ceremony should be carefully planned. Perhaps the Brownies would like to make up their own, or thl' Brownie "going up" or "flying up" may have her own ideas as to how she would like to leave the Pack! Some B.O.s like the Brownie to continue wearing uniform to the day of her enrlllment; it is then a good thing to ask Captain to see that, while still in Brownie uniform, she is always accompanied by a Guide, when outside the hall. The Brownie's Badges and any parts of the uniform that the mother is willing to pass on to some other Brownie could be given over to B.D. on that day! And what B.D. would not wish to be present when her Brownie is making her Guide Promise-the fulfilment of the Brownie drE'am-
MATILDA
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AN INSPECTION. CART WHEEL. Tawny or Packleader in the centre, representing the hub. Brownies arrange themselves as spokes of the wheel-usually two Brownies per spoke, with arms extended and finger tips tfluchinginner Brownies holding Tawny's belt. Badges are the little brass joints in the spoke. Pennies anywhere as large nail heads. Brown Owl makes quick inspection to see all jo:nts fast and neat, etc., after which Tawny slowly revolves and spokes follow-getting faster and faster-slowing down and stop at destinationTHEIR HOMES. Must be quick inspection, as Brownies would get tired arms, being extended straightly! -G.B.
May 1, 1932.
our way by the path through the wood to our toadstool, where we will eat a little piece from the other side so we may return to our usual size. I hope you all noticed on our way home the many wonderful things to be found, anti how when we are big and our feet are clumsy, they are so likely to crush these precious things we find, and then how coulrl we learn these lovely stories? [It is suggested that this story could be acted and with the aid of grass, sticks and plasticine the story built together, and so impressed on the memory.]
"ITS AND BITS." As some Packs sometimes wish to share with other less fortunate Packs, the balance of funds remaining after a Pack holiday, it has been suggested that there should be a Pack Holiday Fund. The Committe which has been formed to look after it was decided to start the Fund by holding an "Its and Bits" Novelty evening towards the end of June. Further particulars of. this will be published in next month's issue of "Matilda" and the newspapers. It has been suggested that Packs holdillg entertainments might care to contribute one shilling in the Pound towards the Holiday Fund. Receipts will be acknowledged each month in "Matilda," and the Pack will also receive a special receipt. -E.L.L. "MRS. TARANTULA" (cont. from p.5.). where she finds it she bites it on 011(' or both legs and from the poison of her bite very soon the insect becomes sleepy and unable to move, and Mrs. Tarantula just drags it home for the larder. Another time Mrs. Tarantula may be feeling very hungry and having no family at home to feed she is about to enjoy a good meal, so gives one bite at the back of the neck, whic'h means instant death to her prey. So the days go on, until one day the top of the egg case is pushed open, and the little Ta1'antula family come scrambling out, while the mother casts away the now empty silken case. You all remember the old women who lived in a shoe. Well, I always think Mrs. Tarantula reminds me of her. She cannot possibly iook after all her children at once, so as soon as they hatch, they scramble on to their mother's back and hold fast. Where;ver Mrs. Tarantula goes you may see her family holding to her bade. Of course a piece of grass, or :t leaf, may cause some of them to fall off, but Mrs. Tarantula just stops, while using her legs as a ladder. they scramble to tLeir place beside their brothers and sisters, until they are old enough to walk and hunt for themselves. Now we will leave Mrs. Tarantula and wend
Sea Birds and Their Ways. iThough various birds have been dealt with in this column, little or no mention has been made of sea birds, mainly because the Guide" nature work is usually confined to the country But the newly formed Sea Rangers will doubt . less find interest in various birds of the sea, :Jnd in the following article a few of the more common varieties will be described and dil:>cussed. For as each different type of country has its own peculiar bird life, so when we turn to the sea we find here yet another group of birds which are adapted to and harmonise with the varying conditions of the sea and its rocky coasts. The most common sea bird is the Silver Gull, the familiar seagull of every beach and stretch of moving waters. With its dainty white plumage and silver-grey wings tipped with black, it is indeed one of our prettiest sea birds. Usually it is seen in small flocks, when the birds are either resting on the rocl.s or water, or flying to and fro high overhead. Unfortunately the Silver Gull has a bad reputation, for in the nesting season it steals both the eggs and young ones of other sea birds. Besides this, it is also a scavenger, and will eagerly follow a ship on the chance of scraps being thrown ovel'board; for the gull will eat almost anything. In the winter time large flocks of Silver Gulls often travel far inland. where, following the plough, they will pick up worms and grubs like magpies and kookaburras. Many seagulls invade Melbourne during the cold months, and haunt the River Yarra and the lake in the Botanical Gardens. But with the call of spring they return once more to their own rocky cliffs to nest. The seagull must spend much of its time flying over the water, and therefore its wing a are very strong and well developed, as is the way of most sea birds. Thus the flight of the gull is very graceful, and as a bird passes overhead, the observer can see how it turns its
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head from side to side as though on the lookout for food, while its little red feet are tucked neatly underneath its body. Besides the silver gull there is also the Pacific gull, which is a much larger bird, ar.d is distmguished by its white head, chest and abdomen; black back and wings; and white tail barred with black. Yellow legs and a very broad orange bill complete this most handsome gull, which is the representative of the large gull of Europe. Altogether, it is quite an aril>tocratic-looking bird! Accompanying the Pacific Gull may often be seen birds of similar build, but of a dark mottled brown. These are the young ones, which do not attain their full plumage for about three years, the white be ¡ ginning to appear in the second year. Fish, crabs and carrion form the food of the Pacific Gu ll. Another family of sea birds which are most interesting are the Skuas, or robber-gulls. Sometimes they are called sea-pirates. These birds are not seen along the coast, and around Portsea and Sorrento they keep to the middle of the bay, congregating at Mud Island, which is not far from Queenscliff. The Skuas often follow the boats, however, and the fishermen of these districts tell many exciting stories of the robber-gulls, and how they get their food. Too lazy to fish for themselves, they wait till a flock of Silver Gulls comes into view. Then diving underneath them, they work the gulls into such a panic that they immediately vomit their last meal of fish, and the robper-gulls deftly catch it before it strikes the water! The fishermen, who are very fond of Silver Gulls, always try to drive away the skua5, but not before they have usually robbed the gulls of their food. The Skua is not quite so large as the Pacific gull, and is dark brown in colour. Just as the land has its own type of swallow, 50 has the sea. This is the dainty fairy Tern, sometimes called the little sea-swallow. Slightly smaller than the Silver Gull, this Tern is easily r ecognised by its silver-grey upper; white forehead, throat and abdomen; and black crown and hind-neck. The bill and feet are oTange yellow. Another distinguishing feature is the long pointed bill, and t he slender, tapering tips of the wings, which when folded cross over each other and protrude beyond the tail. It is quite easy to see why the fairy Tern is thought of as t he sea-swallow, for it plays above the water in a most delightful waydropping down from a height and turning complete somersaults before the water is reached. The wings, though long, are very narrow, and instead of being straight when fully expanded, are shaped like the letter M. The fairy terns feed on small fish which they obtain by diving into tile sea. The last sea bird to be mentioned is the cormorant. more often known as the shag-a large black and white bird with an extremely lon~ neck. Cormorants inland are disliked by anglers because they eat the fish from the rivers, but by the sea they do not do much harm, so the fishermen leave them alone. and do not kill them. The cormorant obtains its food by diving under the water whilst !lwimming about, so
9
ILDA
it is continually disappearing from sight. Cormorants are often seen in the Melbourne Botanical Gardens, where they feed on the fish in the lake. Down by the sea, these shags, when they have finished feeding, perch on some convenient resting place and, stretching out their wings to dry, sit motionless for long periods at a time. Although they have large wings, they lack the beautiful flight of the gulls, and travel just above the surface of the water, with rapidly beating wings, more after the manner of magpies. The South Channel Fort, near Portsea, which is now disused, is the nesting place of hundreds and hundreds of these cormorants, many of which perish from dropping into the underground passages, out of which they cannot rise. -J.H.
111
C!J:Orrl'!lpO nlll'nCr.
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~~~I Dear Matilda, Could you or your colleague the Wiseacre Gnome please tell me what I should call Brownies who have just come up to the Guicil! Company but are not yet enrolled. Are they Brownies, recruits, or has someone a special name for them, or could we invent one? Yours, etc., P.M.F.B.
DEDICATIONS. Dear Matilda, As no one else has replied to the enqUlnes in the Correspondence Column of U,e March issue, may I do so? One Guider asked whether it is "essential" for a Company to have a flag. A Company often has to exist without one, for some time, but: (a) Knowledge of the flags, as emblems of our nationhood, is included in thE' Tenderfoot Test, and how much more interesting the learning will be if the Company owns a flag which the newly-acquired knowledge can teach the Guides to cherish? (b) We who have experienced the thrill of first saluting the flag at our own enrolment, would not wish to deny that privilege to our Recruits. (c) And what significance will the T Enderfoots attach to the Legends of the Saints' Crosses if they have not seen and intimately handled the Flag itself? Tl'ue, we can borrow one from a neighbouring Company, but this could hardly be a permanent arrangement. In these hard days, one could not say that a flag is "essential" for a Company to own, but it is certainly most "desirable." Next question: May one take a dedicated Colour to camp, or an undedicated one to Church? What do we mean by the word "dedication"? The flag is an emblem of our country, representing our ideals of citizenship, reminding us of past sacrifices, resultant privileges, and
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present and fuLul'e rCRponsibilities, When wc have Lo some extent realised how mllch Ollt' promise of "loyalty to the King" is concel'ned with these ideals, we sometimes feel impelled to link them up with our other pl'omise of "loyalty to God"; it is then that, acknowledging God as the Source of all Good, we "do dedicate and set apart" the flag, that treasured emblem of our national loyalty, and give it to God, merging the national ideal into the supel'national, the Divine. If this is so, does God prefer us to keep this "dedicated" flag in solemn state, apart? Would He not like us to have it the oftener in our .sight, in divers places-to stir anew our idealism, and remind us to express it in our lives? Both your correspondents ask about the Flag at Church Parades. We need to work out for ourselves, first, the reason for Church Parades in general, and then the reason for our our Company's Parades in particular. If, in con · sultation with the Commissioner and th0 minister, it is felt that frequent Church Parades are advisable,l think that the flag (dedi- . cated or not) would be taken only on special occasions, such as Guide Sunday, Armistice Day, etc. The Companies which hold a Church Parade only on such special occasio'1s, would probably take their flag each time. If Parades are held on the same day in different Churches, local circumstances will help the Court of Honour to decide to wh;dl Church the flag shall be taken-perhaps to different Churches in turn, or to the Church to which the majority of the Company belong. The only differentiation I have heard of in the treatment of a dedicated and an undedicated Colour was in a Church of England, where the dedicated Colour was taken into the Sanctuary, but an undedicated one was placed outside the Sanctuary, in the Choir. I do wish other Guiders would tell me what THEY think about Colours and Church Pal'ades and Dedications! Melb .. 22 / 4 / 33. FRIEDA V. BARFUs .
Rangers-An Easter Camp. Nineteen Gins had a Corroboree (at least, they weren't sure whether it was that, 01' merely a glorified wahrinda) at Hindhop~ Park, Rosebud, over the Easter weel:-end. In ordinary life these Gins were Rangers in 1st Melbourne and S.R.S. Akuna, but at Rosebud they became Gins with intriguing names, such as Wakooka (Laughter) , Ng-ailla (Echo), Ya· barak (Sea), Ngamma (Weighty-Q.M. Ot course!) and Tawarl'i (Evening Breeze). They were grouped in three 'fribes- -Kanloowayi, Birko and Joolern. and over each Tribal Chief were the two still greater Chiefs, Ya · bing-a and Nulla Nulla. The Gins slept in Gunyahs, of course, and theil' "solid shelter" was known as Ellimatta: instead of Yes and No, one said Yo Hnd Yuka; and evelY day there were sit-downs ~:nd walkabouts and wahrindas. On Friday and Sunday groups of Gins became fot' a while dignified and spruce Rangers,
May I, 1933.
'\lld aUended val'ious (,hurch ,'erviccs in Lh0 village; one Saturday we had a walk-about along the shores of the Big Watel', wavin~ goodbye to a fellow-gin (did she but know it!) sailing afar on the canoe "Largs Bay." On Monday was a big walk-about to th'~ shores of the Very Big Water at Rye-six good miles each way. In the evenings there were, of coune, Campfires (I mean Camp Fires), at which there wa. much singing and telling of legends, and on the Day of the Sun were discussed thiJ~€,s of the Great Spirit. Great was the jollity, many were the dainties produced by various gins, profound the sleep, and late the uprising-but Yabinga dio see one dawn (by accident!) YABINGA [Her mark is three wriggly worms side by side, but Mr. Printer can't do them.]
The Litter Girl. [The following story was written by Ii Captain who felt that her Guides needed a reminder about the importance of clearing l~p. Guiders may like to use this story, or one on similar lines.] Dorothy, aged thirteen, was going to a Children's Fancy Dress Dance, and her one topic of conversation was "What shall I wear? ' She wanted something pretty, original, and not too expensive, for her parents were not wealthy, and s'He found it very difficult to decide what to represent. One evening she spent a long time lookinl; through some books trying to get an idea, but eventually had to go to bed, no nearer a decision. She soon went to sleep, but woke with a start, to find herself in fancy costume. Shf was wearing a dress made of all kind£ of lolly papers, sewn together like patchwork, her sash was of banana skins, and necklace of crusts. She wore beautiful golden ear-ring!. made O( orange peel, and her shoes were covered with saveloy skins, whilst the hat was a fantastic affair made of paper bags trimmed with lunch wrappers, and in her hand she carried a basket containing chop bones. Dorothy looked at herself in dismay, and wondered whatever she was supposed to represent. Suddenly she heard a laugh behind her, and turning, saw a little fig-ure, clad all in brown, and she really thought ~he had awakened in Fairyland. but she SOO!l found the figure was that of a little girl wh·) explained that she was a Brownie belonging to the - - Pack. "You do look funny! Whatever are you supposed to be?" asked t;he Brownie. "I don"; know," answered Dorothy, and then she explained all about the dance. The Brownie thought a minute, and then said "We have to learn 'Where we have been no one can find. For never a trace do we leave behind,' and our Brown Owl tells us that when we go for a picnic or hike, we have to clear up all ou~· litter so as to leave the place nice tor other people, and as you are dressed in all the things
May 1,
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MATILDA
we have to pick up, you must be 'The Litter Girl'." Dorothy was silent for a moment, and then she said: "I went for a picnic last week with some friends, and just where we wanted to have our lunch there was such a lot of rubbish lying about that we had to go further on, but we all left our papers and peelings on the ground." "Yes," said the Brownie, "most people forget, and that is why some of our beauty spots are spoiled, but we Brownies, and the Guides. are all learning to clear up, so perhaps it will be better later on." Th:! next morning Dorothy told her mother all about the happenings of the night, and although she knew it was only a dream, it made her think, and she said: "Next time we go for a picnic, I am going to collect all the rubbish, and either burn it or bring it horne in a bag, because the Brownie said it was very thoughtless and untidy to leave it on the ground." "Yes," said her Mother, "that is a splendid idea, and I really think you could go to the dance as 'The Litter Girl,' for that wiII help you to remember, and also you might win the prize for the most original costume. -G.P.
11
FIRST-CLASS BADGE WORK. The second class of the course of practical work for First Class Badge test will be held on Saturday, 6th May, 1933, instead of 2~nd April. Guiders will meet at 2.30 p.m. outSide the Club House at the Melbourne University Grounds. The sections for practice will be:Judging heights and distances out-of-doors, and compass directions. The third class of the series will hE' held on THURSDAY, 22nd June, at the Guide Office, at 8 p.m., for Ceremonial and Drill. . The fourth class will be held on Thursday, 20th July, at the Guide Office, at 8 p.m., the programme taking the form of Group Discussions, chiefly on Company Management. TRAINING WEEKS. Owing to the very small number of applications received, it has been found necessary to cancel the Training Weeks which were to have been held at Tulse Hill, Coleraine, and Morongo, Geelong, in May. There will a Training Week in September, if applications warrant it being held. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
APPOINTMENTS.
THE COUNCIL FIRE. 'Special Brownie Numbers in April and October. The Council Fire for April and Octoher of this year will have special articles about Brownie legends, programmes and methods of wo~k. These are being collected from as many dIfferent countries as possible. Brownie Leaders of all countries are advised to order these ¡.special numbers soon.
BE SURE YOU ARE THERE! A splendid concert is to be given by Brownies, Guides" Rangers and Guiders of the Mal¡ vern District in the Malvern Town Hall on THURSDAY evening, MAY 4th. WI:' are assured that the talent though local is neverthf:less unmistakable. Do not miss this event!
Training. 'TRAINING CLASSES. The second course of BROWNIE TRAINING will begin on Thursday, 1st June, i:1stead of 27th April, 1933. The third course of GUIDE TRAINING will begin on FRIDAY, 9th June, 1933; Guider-in-Charge, Miss G. H. Swinburne. The next course of RANGER TRAINING will be held in June or July; it would be helpful if prospective Trainees would sen'd in th zil' -names beforehand.
District CommissionerNorthcote-Miss M. Russell, 131 Harold St, N.17. District Secretaries. Heidelberg-Miss K. Furnell. Richmond and E. Melbourne- Miss M. Crib!'.
WARRANTS.
Brown Owls. 1st Colac (St. Andrew's) .. Miss J. R. Nelson 2nd Colac .. .. . . . . Miss M. E. Richmond Tawny Owls. 1st Ararat .. .. .. .. . . Miss Mary McLean 1st Monbulk .. .. .. .. . . .. .. Mrs. Law Captains. 11th Ballarat (Eureka) ...... MISS J. King 3rd Collingwood .. .. .. .. Miss A. Dynon 1st Dromana .. . . .. . . .. Miss r. Rudduck 4a Kew .. ' . . . . .. .. .. . . Miss L. Lloyd 1st Korumburra .. .. .. Miss E. A. Benson 1st Mentone .. .. .. .. . . Miss E. M. Downe 1st Miners' Rest . . . . . . . . . . Mrs. Vanstan 1st Violet Town .. .. .. .. Miss B. J. Clarke 1st Woorinen . . . . . . . . . ... Mrs. ByrnE'S Lieutenants. 1st Clunes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Miss r. L. Luff 1st Eastern Hill .. .. .. .. .. Mrs. Hornby 2nd Horsham .. .. .. .. .. Miss Gay Smith Ranger Lieutenant 1st Colac (St. Andrews) .... Miss E. Begley
REGISTRATIONS.
Packs 1st Birchip 1st Horsham Company 1st Bentleigh. Ranger Company 1st MQonee Ponds. Local Association Piangil.
1st Drouin 2nd Surrey Hills
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GIRL GUIDE SESSIONS. 3 L. O. Children's Corner. Talk for Lone Guides.
Miss Rosemary Heath (Captain 8th Vict. Lone Guides) 4 Angle Rd., Canterbury
15th June
Guiding Overseas.
Miss Gwen Swinburne (District Commissioner, Hawthorn) Kinkora Roa d, Hawthorn.
29th June
A Playlet about How the Blue Wren Patrol Prepared for Proficiency Badges.
Miss E. Moran (for the present).
13th July
Talk for Lone Guides about out of doors.
Guidin~
Miss Elaine Moran (Commissioner for Lones), 57 Queens Road, Melbourne.
27th July
Talk for Extension Guides.
Miss Alison Campbell (Commissioner for Extensions) 41 Spring Street, Melbourne.
10th August
Talk about the Child-Nurse Badge anI the Toymakers Badge.
Miss Dell Hayman (Commissioner, Sandringham) 1 Campbell St., Sandringham, S.8
1st June
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U 1875