Matilda 1933 vol 10 no 03 sep 1st by Girl Guides Victoria

Vol. 10, No. :L

SEPTEMBER 1, 1933.

AN OFFIClAL TREASURE BAG OF GT:IDERS'

J NFORMA~'ION

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VICTORIA. AUS'r HALJA. HEADQUARTERS, VICTORIA:--7th Floor, 60 Market Street, MELBOU RNE . PRICE:

3/- Per

re~r

.. 4/- Posted

Single COpies .. •. lei.

Me.

McKeUar Pre.. (A. P

OPEN DAILY From 12.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. SATURDAYS-· r From 10 a .m. to 12.30 p.m.

erutlaera j. 2:18 GleDterrl .. Ro.d . W.lnra.

September 1, 1933.

~AT.ILDA

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lEVAN EVANS pTY. LTD·I

1680-8 Elizabeth St., MELBOURNE, C.I. B :: :::: ::

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Official Canvas Goods House to the Girl Guides Association.

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H SPECIAL CONCESSIONS OFF LIST PRICES = n TO ALL GIRL GUIDE ORGANISATIONS. n MWrite for Particulars to Your Headquarters, or Direct ::.. to Us. n U H TENTS & FLYS FLAGS WATERPROOFS U H GROUNDSHEETS TRA VEL. RUGS SLEEPING BAGS " H CAMPING GOODS CAMP BEDS MATTRESSES U u ................................................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................................ H U

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SPORTING GOODS.

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for Our List,

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Sporting Goods.

and Particulars.

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GOLF, CRICKET, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL AND INDOOR ti GAl\fES. ::

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SUPPORT THE FIRM WHO SUPPORT YOU

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September 1, 1933.

MATILDA

Annual Guiders' Conference. The following programme has been drawn up for the Conference to be held on Sept. 23rd: 1 p.m.-Luncheon. 2 p.m.-Opening .. .. .. .. .. Lady Chauv'el 2.45 -Discussion of Subjects of General Interest, Games Group. Outdoor Games. Nature Tests-How to take them? 4.15 -Free Time to give Guiders an opportunity of observing Exhibits of Handcrafts, Guide Work, Charts and Interesting Aids fOT Guiders, Brownie Section separate. 5 p.m.-Speaker .. .. .. .. .. Miss Marshall 6 p.m.-Tea. Followed by Free Time OR Commun ity Singing of the Better and Weliknown Company Songs. Chosen and conducted by Miss E. E. Moran. OR Miss Onians in Charge Country Dancing .. 8.15 p.m.-Speaker Miss G. Swinburne "Guiding Abroad" 9 p.m.-Closing.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTION FOR GUIDERS' COMMITTEE. I.

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Name.-The Committee shall be calleJ "The Victorian Guiders' Committee." II. Member hip.-Only Warranted Guiders shall be eligible fol' election to the Committee. The Committee shall consist of one repl'esentative fl'om each Division, elected by its own Guiders; each Division to be free to decide its own method of election. Country Divisions may either elect as their representative one of their own Guiders, 01' a Guider who lives in the metropolitan area. Each Division shall also elect a "Second," to represent them at meetings of the Committee if the Division l'epl'esen· tative is unable to attend. . It is suggested that the "Second" should be the retiring representative. III. Office· Bearers. The Committee shall elect from among their number a ChaIrman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Assistant Sec· retary and Treasurer. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary shall be elected at the annual Conference of Guiders; nominations for these offices must be in the hands of the Secretary at least fourteen days before the conference and the consent of the Nominee obtained beforehand. No Guider may hold the same office on the Committee for more than two years in succession. IV. Vacancies. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled within two months of the previous representative resigning, or oth· erwise vacating her position on the Com-

mittee. The election shall be carried out by the Guiders of the Division concerned. V. Powers of Committee. The VICTORIAN GUIDERS' COMMITTEE is a body of representative Guiders whose responsibility (function) it is to organise functions concerning the Guiders of the State, and such other activities as may be approved or delegated to them by t he Executive Committee. VI. Meetings. The Victorian Guiders' Committee shall meet from time to time as required by (a) The Secretary; (b) Three members of the Committee on written requisition by the Secretary. Five shall form a quorum. The new Committee to take office one month after the An nual Conference. VII. Rece ipts and Expenditu re. The Secretary shall receive subscriptions of threepence from all Guiders at t he Annual Conference and shall payout such sums as the Committee shall authorise, and shall present a statement of receipts and expenditure at the Annual Conference. VIII. A lteration of Rules. Any new rUle or alteration of an existing Rule, or resolution having the effect of allowing an existing Rule, shall be passed by the Committee, approved by the Executive Committee, and by two-thirds of the numbers voting at the next Annual Conference. N.B.-The above Constitution is on trial £01' one year, and may be passed 01' amended at thc 1934 Conference.

The Victorian Guiders' Club. Copies of laws of the Board. Do By-laws. LIST

the amended Constitution and ByClub are now to be seen on Notice please read them, especially the

OF FURNISHINGS STILL REQUIRED. Couch (unpainted and uncovered) £5 0 0 Carpet, balance owing on .. .. .. 4 18 6 9 10 0 Two Armchairs at £4/15/- each. Foul' Folding Chairs at £1 each 4 0 0 0 9 6 One Drop Table .. .. .. .. .. 2 7 6 Bookshelves .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 16 0 Two Magazine Racks at 18 / *Shelf with two drawers .. 1 0 0 1 10 0 *Min-or .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 15 3 Voile Curtains .. .. .. .. Roller Blinds .. .. .. .. .. 4 10 0 "One Door Curtain at 18 / 0 18 . 0 Kitchen Bench .. .. .. .. 4 0 0 Loose Covers .. .. .. .. .. 7 6 0 Linen Covering for Couch .. 7 15 0 Eight Cups and Saucers at 3 / 2 pa. 1 5 ~ Eleven Plates at 1/6 each " .. 0 16 6 Five Milk Jugs at 3/ - .. .. . . .. .. 0 15 0 Seven Teapots at 4/6 each . . .. .. 1 11 6 Two Hot Water Jugs at 1/3 each .. 0 2 6 *These things have been promised. Two Electric Jugs are for sale-see advt. on back page

MA TIL D A

September 1, 1933.

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A Tenth Birthday. Now that quite a number of our Companies are looking forward to celebrating their tenth birthdays it is good to hear of the particularly satisfying way in which 1st St. Kilda marked its coming into double figures. In the first place many months ago all former members of the Company were called together for their advice and support. It was decided that the Guides should help to furnish and be largely responsible for a Children's Corner in the Church. In this small corner of All Saints', St. Kilda, children may come at any time to a place of their own, so that l'eligion may seem natural to them, and less over-awing than in the big Church itself. It is fitting that Guides should be associated with one of the first attempts to achieve this in Victoria, because it is surely the solution of our problem of making the first law a reality. A splendid standard was also designed for the Company, and both this and the Children'~ Corner were dedicated at the Thanksgiving Servi::e on August 20th, at which Lady Chauvel was present, as well as about 150 Guides from the district and other visitors. After the service tenth service stars were presented to three of the original members of the Company. Messages were read from the Archbishop and the Chief Guide, who mentioned her pleasure in the fact that Guides and Scouts were working happily togethel' in the group at All Saints'. Throughout the service one could see that Cubs, Scouts and Rovers were just as keen to make the event a success as were the Guides themselves. 1st St. Kilda are to be congratulated on their tenth anniversary, and on the success of their celebration of it.

Camouflage-and the Art of Hiding. (By "Stalking Dingo," in the "Victorian Scout") . There are few games more amusing to Scouts than the practice of camouflage. It. calls for ingenuity, creates a competitive spirit, and is useful for bird-stalking and other things. Suppose the S.M. sets his Troop a task such as this: Two Patrols set out along a creek from one direction, and two from the othel'. Each party has to report its hike, measure the depth and width of the creek at certain given places, and must do so, as far as possible, unseen by the "enemy." It's an exciting game. Boys love it. How useful is camouflage in such a game! Now it is a mistake to think that a green costume is invisible against green gl'ass, or even that khaki can't be seen against dust or sand. Such imitations or background help a little, but the things that give away a pel'son, or animal are movement and outline. All white animals which live in snow likE'

Polar Bears, white Ermines, thc Ptarmigan, and the white hare of Scotland, are yellow compared to snow. The camouflage is very poor really; nothing is so white as snow. But notice that the bears have black noses and paws, the hare has a dark nose and ears, the ermine a black tip to his tail, and the Ptarmigan a black tail and red round the eye. Safety Mark. This is the real safety mark, the black patch. It catches the eye at once, and against snow is so marked in contrast that the eye sees a black mark, and is so caught, that the yellowish body of the bir.d or animal is not observed. Look at brown birds like quail, pipits, plover, and so many others. They are something like grass and earth mixed when seen from above, but underneath they are white, or nearly so. A hare has a white belly, so has a deer; in fact, almost all brown things in nature are white below, or very pale. It looks odd, as though nature intended to give the camouflage, and then counteract it by carelessness, or design, as a slight help to th~ hunter. Really to understand this, get a cricket ball and stand it on a road, and then get another and paint it white below the middle line, and place it near the first ball whit~ side down. The latter ball will be almost invisible by comparison. It is because the white takes the reflection of the road, or any surface on which it stands. So birds or animals if they had dark undersides would appear as dark outlines. instead of being blended with the background as they are. A familiar outline is soon recognised. Send two Scouts to the other side of a paddock and let them be undisguised. One should stand normally while the other leans sideways on his staff, with one arm pointing somehow skywards, and let him put his hat between his legs. The first Scout is first seen, because he is just a boy standing up; the other might he anything, and only gets noticed later. Colour Blending. Again put two boys among some trees som~ distance away, one in khaki, and the other with green stockings, creamy shorts, a blue shirt, red neckerchief and the usual hat. The parti-coloured one will be difficult to distinguish, far more so than the khaki one. I was once playing camouflage with some Scouts. We were all to hide in an open ~rass paddock and the other Patrols were to find as many of us as they could. There were nine of us, and the usual method adopted was to lie behind the largest tussock available. One Scout stood behind a fence post, and was th" first spotted. because he made a wider and taller post than all the others. I lay in the open with a white handkerchief over my head. I was not spotted for two reasons-one that I was taken for a piece of hI own naper. and the other because they were all looking for something as near a human form lying down as Dossible. This is a case of the unexpected being a dis .. guise. like the Ermine's tail, but the overf~miliar is equally effective.

September 1, 1933.

MATILDA

A criminal once escaped the police net by a l>imple device. He was expected to board a steamer, and all cars were watched as they came alongside. His face was well-known to the police, and he did not disguise it but merely put on his chauffeur's hat and' coat, while the chauffeur sat behind in a smart suit and grey check coat. He reached the ship, took his master's luggage on board, and then changed clothes in the cabin, and stayed there while the chauffeur left the ship in uniform. Why He Escaped. The criminal got away; no one bothel's to look at a chauffeur in a car, he's almost part of the mechanism. If a Scout crossed a field which was being ploughed, he could not escape notice, but if he sat behind the plough no one might take enough notice to see that he was in uniform; he's just part .9f the plough. There are two sorts of camouflage then, one designed to catch the eye at once, but not in the form expected, and the other is by producing invisibility. Absolute stillness alone is camouflage in itself, but can be improved by a counter attraction. Suppose you want to be unseen in the open; it is wise to draw attention to some movement elsewhere. I have found it useful to hang my hat on a post or thistle where the breeze will occasionally move it. My hat will be seen at once, and will take attention from me, or I will be looked for quite near the moving ' hat, and not perhaps 50 yards away as in reality I lie, or perhaps kneel. A good indoor game is to hide a lot of objects in a much furnished room. Give the boys a list of the objects which they must mark in turn when discovered. Among their list may be a dog collar, gold I'ing, golf ball, twopenny stamp, brown pencil, and piece of chalk. Nothing must be covered at all, and a large list should be made, Now buckle the dog collar round the leg of a table, put the gold ring on a gold picture frame, the golf ball among a vase of white flowers and the stamp stuck on the back of a red book, while the chalk could lie along the ceiling stuck with gum, and the hunt will be interesting enough for anybody. Scouters will be able to think of a lot of camouflage g-ames in the open or the Scout hall or hut; I merely present a few ideas out of so many possible ones. It will be fuY{ enlarging on the ideas here given to start the ball rolling.

Are our families not considerable, both in number and for services l'endered'! We don't want to go on being anonymous." When I awoke, with one cheek imprinted with the pattern of the coarse material of my coat, and my hair full of twigs and grass, I remembered my dream , , . , and began to think. , .. It seemed to me that the complaints I had heard were justified. I could just imagine the irritation of a delicate anemone on being taken for a campanula, the rage of a hyacinth when a dignified gentlemen points it out with hi,; cane, explaining to his son: "This is a lily of the valley, Charlie.'" Trees, flowers, insects, everything which lives and grows-they have all had more than enough of these gentlemen and ladies of literary inclinations who introduce them into their stories without having the manners to introduce them to their readers. Haven't we all read daily in novels: "The house was surrounded by trees," or "They noticed two birds in the hedge, or "It was evening, and thousands of insects flitted among the grass anJ trees." Let us be a bit more considerate of personality. It is fair to demand in place of the above something like this: "The house was surrounded by elms," or "They noticed two thrushes in in the hedge," or "It was evening, and thousands of crickets were singing in the grass, hundreds of cicadas were chirping in the oaks." .In this way ,,:e coul.d be just to crawling, wmged or growmg thmgs, and, by knowing more, we see more. Why do we willingly ignore so many names which have been patiently chosen, and which nearly always give some indication of habits or qualities? That day, I vowed, by the daisy and the hyacinth, the ~oxglove and the cowslip, the violet and the pnmrose, always to call by their proper names those who people the water, the earth, and the sky. Surely anonymity is as humiliating for them as it might be for an important bank-manager or the wife of the local magnate to hear themselves referred to as "that gentleman this lady." ,

From the Swiss Guide Paper.

WARRANTS (cont. from Page 11). 1st Dunkeld (Dunkeld)-Miss L. S. Allen. 1st Hastings-Miss Jean Hodgins. 1st Ivanhoe (St.James)-Miss B. McCartney. 1st Maryborough-Miss H. Tweeddale. 3rd Prahran-Miss B. Greer. Lieutenants. 2nd Canterbury-Miss J. Maclean. 1st Dromana-Miss G. Sambell. 3rd Kew (Ruyton)-Miss M. Lambe.

(Taken from an Extract from "Un Promeneur a Pied, by Andree Martignon). One morning when, tired after a long walk I was resting beside a mountain path, and almost asleep, I dreamed that the flowera birds, insects, trees and pebbles were sayin~ to me: "Couldn't you let people know our status, which is perfectly clear and definite? Take some interest in our names and relationships '!

Local Committee. Clyde. Dromana. Brownie Packs. 4th Colac (Wesley). 2nd Mornington. Guide Companies. 1st Blackburn. 4th Brunswick. 1st Clydp . Ranger Companies. 2nd Preston.

REGISTRATIONS.

MATILDA

September 1, 1933.

"Thinking is easy, action is difficult; to act in accordance with one's thought is the most difficult thing in the world."-Goethe.

Pack Holiday Committee. The 'Its and Bits' Salamagundi novelty evening held on Wednesday, 28th June, at the P.G.F. Hall, Gipps Street, East Melbourne, proved most disappointing, as so few Guiders were there, but thosp. who were had a most en joyable evening. Financially it was not a success. On Saturday, 5th August, at 101 Mathoura Road, Toorak, the Committee held a Jig-Saw Puzzle competition evening, which was most enjoyable, and added 13 / - to the fund .

nicest, she says it will help her all day. She then magics the flowers into Brownies, and the nicest flower becomes the specially helpful Brownie whom B.O . calls on whenever she needs help. CLOSING. B.O . magics the Brownies back into flowers. Pack Leader picks all the flowers and takes them away with her to help and cheer everyone they meet. But as they go through the magic door, they all look just like Brownies. But that, of course, makes no difference to the magic.

Handicrafts.

(b) BROWN OWL'S POSY- A GAME.

Here are some very easy handcrafts for Brownies to make out of cardboard-gardening tools, perhaps a help at this time of year, when we are t hinking of Spring in our gardens . Firstly, a watering can made of the bottom part of a gas mantle box. Half of the lid is pasted across the opening and a hole is made in t he side for a spout. The s pade is simply cut from cardboard, and the blade is either silver-frosted or covered with silver paper. The hoe is made from one piece of cardboard, with the blade bent over and covered with silver paper or Silva-fros. A stronger model can be made from a piece of folded cardboard for the blade and a separate piece for t he handle, which is glued between. The rak e is made of cardboard. The head is a fo lded piece of cardboard or strong paper with t he prongs cut out of t h e folded edge. The hand le is inserted and the two edges glued together as with the hoe. T he fo r k is made with a cane handle and wire prongs. To fasten the handle to the prongs, split the fibres of the cane, separate t hem into two parts, lay along wire prongs, and wrap with very thin wire or string. N.T.

B.O. chooses six colours and each Brownie in eaeh six becomes one of them. They $lance al ound in a ring singing "Here we go gathering flowers to-day, etc., To make a posy for B.O." (Tune: "Nuts in May.") They stop, and B.O. calls a flower, and the Brownies the colour of the flower sit down. The first to sit gains a point for her Six. When B.O. has called sufficient flowers for the posy, the Six with the most points wins . The game may be repeated as often as B.O. pleases. Variation: Instead of each Brownie being :l colour, B.O. can call a flower and each of the Brownies in turn. Each one who is correct scores a point for her Six.

For Your Nature Programme. (a) TO OPEN AND CLOSE YOUR

MEETING. B.O. builds a house and marks out the garden . Then she goes to sleep. When she awakes, she finds that the gardener (T.O.) has planted fl owers (Brownies). B.O. walks round and inspects the flowers, and choosing the

(c)

HANDCRAFT.

First let the Brownies have a competition to see which Six can bring the most pictures of flowers and vegetables to Pack Meeting. Paste these on to cheesecloth or pastboard to make them firm. Let the Sixes each cut out their own, and using toothpicks for stems where necessary. See which can make the prettiest garden for B.O.'s house. Flowers may be stuck into plasticine, or large boxes containing- damp soil. The flowers and vegetables will often come in very useful for Nature games. -M.H.J. A BROWNIE BIT- MATTER OF IDENTITY. Recruit: "Yes, Brown Owl, Pat. Leader took me home last time." The Brownie Library Committee says "Thank you" for these donationsBrownie Training Class, 1/ 6/ 3-20/7/33-4/6 Divisional Training Evening, 12 / 6/ 33 .. -1/3

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September 1, 1933.

MA TIL D A

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Fill the Gap. A SIMPLE HOPPING GAME. Brownies are in a circle, one in the centre. She hops up to one Brownie, touches her, and then both hop ro und in opposite directions, inside the circle, their aim being to "fill th ~ gap." This is an old favorite with the Pack. and should be useful if Brown Owl is strict with the standard of the hopping. 1st PARKVILLE.

Report on Evening Given by Miss Ross.

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Those who could not join us on July 21st, when Miss Ross came to tell us "All About Children and Children's Books," missed indeed a most interesting and helpful evening! Miss Ross introduced "the children" as "Important People," (illustrating her talk with pictures from that book), and pointed out how we should try to get to know t he child individually, each one being different, as well a3 undergoing great changes from stage to stage. Miss Ross divided her talk into t.he fo llowing three stages :-Infancy from birth to 'i years, Childhood from 7-11 years, Adolescence from 11-16 years, these representing peak periods in the child's development. He learns more about his environment in the first two years than at any other period of life, and one experience follows another. Gradually feeling, sights and sounds develop meaning. Only the large muscles being used at first, physical activity must be recognised as natural and essential. It is therefore important to give t he child a large open space, where he can find out all about his immediate surroundings. Curiosity carries him on, so that by touch and manipulation, he learns to use his hands - opening and shutting them, turning a wheel, finding out the difference between rough and smooth, etc. The voice too is trained at first through rough, crude noises. Soon the feelin~ of self-preservation, self-assertion over hlS environment, power over the body, over words and their use in the right way, shows itself. Play is therefore a most important characteristic and is really Nature's "trying on" time. It is through imitation that social sense is learnt by small children j therefore how necessary is it to make sure that the right pattern is there. It may be that, did we not make the occasion, children left to themselves would not develop social tendencies, for instance: they take more interest in their own doings than in those of other children about t hem. Then again many tendencies are apt to be anti-social and require guidance, such as rivalry to be top: teasing, fighting. This latter, h owever, is certainly useful if it can be so directed t hat the fight for a cause is an ideal. Gil'ls' weapons, as a rule, consist more of words. This is also the time when the child wants to do things, and though, through extra help from a grown-up, the finished article may be

much nearer perfection, the joy of the "doing" of it, which means most to him, will have been taken away. In a world of "grown-up" people, and as his powers over the body, ove,' words and theil" right use develop, he is glad to be able to do something, such as "reciting," and who has not heard the often-repeated "Watch. me!"? And we must remember that the little one's viewpoint is mostly on a level with the eye-one of table legs, etc., and it is quite a treat to see what's on top of things! Thus the age from birth to 7 years may fittingly be called the "wonder" age, and the continual addition to his vocabulary brings with it the child's ever-great question: "What's that ?" During these first years, the child expects to be looked after, but as he passes into the childhood stage the maternal tendency appears, and both boys and girls want to give back lovtl and care. Where there are smaller brother3 and sisters, or pets, an outlet is given fo!' this instinct-an important one to foster. Utility is the main theme of this stage, the new question being: "What's it for?" "What can be made out of it?" Later on, in the adolescent stage, the mind and its reasoning powers are used more and more, changing the question to: "Why is it?" Religion shows definite signs of development, and the child is not seeing things so much individually, but tries to fit them into a patter:! -the first signs of "system." The "Gang" spirit reaches its highest peak during ffiis period, and brings out loyalty to group-idealism- religion. Naturally all these tendencies develop in different proportions. All through life there is migratory tendency - "Wanderlust" - which finds its beginnings in that bursting feeling when the child is satisfied no longer with his own immediate surroundings and wants to explore, first every room in the house, then the garden, and finally opens the gate to go out into the wider world-until books come within his reach and help to fulfil his dreams! Miss Ross presented each. Guider present with a suggested list of suitable stories for children, dividing them into four groups:1. The Pre-school child, who as a rule likes being read to, especially in rhythm and repetition. Stories about animals, nursery rhymes are great favorites. 2. The Kindergarten child, who likes stories of familiar things-animals, children, all things concerned with the real world. 3. The imaginative stage, when the real world is becoming too small, and the exploring tendency is beginning, the child being now concerned with the wider world of Make-belief. 4. The adventure stage, with further expansiveness of spirit, but interest in a possible and not a Make-belief world. This is sometimes called the "Red Indian" stage. Some helpful books for "Grown-ups" working with children were also suggested, in fact the Guiders were given the opportunity to have a look at many of these books, which Miss Ross brought with her! A hearty vote of thanks to Miss Ross, a cup of tea, and it was time to hurry hom'!!! L.H.

MATILDA

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION. Don't forget your entries by Nov. 1 to Page Secretary. An particulars in August issue of "Matilda." Study the camera studies on frontpiece of the "Guider."

Story Competition. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Brown Owls and others! Tickle up your grey matter, set fire to your imaginations, and send in by Nov. 1 to Page Secretary the brilliant effort achieved by your pen. The best story will be published in the December issue of "Matilda," and the author will receive a book, to be donated by Miss N. Thewlis, as well as the honour and glory, etc. There are no special conditions other than that the story must be of interest to children of Brownie age. The competition is open to all Guiders in Australia. If you wish your entry to be returned pI east! enclose stamped addressed envelope, and-l forgot-the entry fee is threepence (Brownie Funds). Do not forget--Story in by Nov.l, and to this address-Margaret Crellin, 123 Kooyong Road, Armadale, S.E.3, Vic.

How We Test Our Ranger Coy. for the Rules of Health. (RANGER SECOND CLASS) First, consider the Foundation-with exSecond Class Guides and Girls who have studied Physiology at school, besides girls who really don't know what one would expect, it is difficult to be sure of the foundation-yet disastrous to take it for granted! I do not touch this part myself-for one t hing, it hardly seems sporting! Rangers are bound to be courteous, yet there is nothing more exasperating than to be forced to listen politely to a conscientious array of facts one knows quite well. So a Senior Ranger does this part; if she becomes unbearably trite, the Trainee can tell her so, without loss of dignity on either side. For the Ranger Instructor, we recommend Girl Guiding, particularly t he Brownie section . Rangers feel superior as they read how Brownie.s should look after themselves, but the <facts are clearly and interestingly put, and before we know where we are, the foundation is laid. Then a gap of a fortnight or so is made, for t he foundation to settle, so to speak; next, the whole Company joins in a Rules of Health Game in story form. N ow it is time for the extra touches, to bring the Test up to Ranger standard, and particularly to arouse the Ranger's personal concern in the subject. One is guided by the general intelligence of the Rangers, and takes note of any quite obvious physical need. Rest and Diet are two special points. If one can say something "That's just what the Doctor told me" or if one's recommendation definitely remedies a disability- the girl is sure to be in-

September I, 1933.

terested. This is all, of course, quite individual between Ranger and Captain. Last year I made the Test impersonal, rather technical, comprehensive and scientific-Rangers being of the student type, and most of them having to face an outside Test for the same subject in First Class (Ranger Star); but this year the girls were younger, and we made the Test more personal. As they were fairly sound on the Rules to start with, I gave them the set of questions set out below, to consider for a week. Then at Patrol Time I visited the Patrols, and the Ranger taking the Test answered me verbally, the rest of the Patrol listening, and adding a few points here and there. In that way, everyone learnt something- the Diet questions were of particular interest. The questionaire was typed, well spaced, and taken home by each girl- this helpmg to impress her, and perhaps her family ! RULES OF HEALTH. A Ranger shall Know the Rules of Health and show that she has done h er best to PRACTISE THEM PERSONALLY, in her home and place of work. RULE I-FRESH AIR. Do you know why the room you are in should always have a free circulation of air? Do you know how you can tell, by your own feelings, if the air where you are is not fresh enough? Just answer YES or NO to these questions, but if you answer Yes, be sure you do know. It is a wise girl who knows what she doesn't know! .1~. RULE n.-CLEANLINESS. Inside, and outside; and all around. Do you know how to practise the things which make for cleanliness, inside and outside? RULE III.-EXERCISE. If it were found that, for good health, you are not getting sufficient exercise to stimulate the circulation through the organs of thE> body -what would you do? RULE IV.-REST. Do you spend sufficient time in bed every 24 hours? Do you make a point of getting some extra rest to l'ecuperate after extra strain, such as sickness of any kind, excitement, pain, sorrow, joy? RULE V.-CLOTHING. Why is it important that your shoes should be properly shaped and of good material? RULE VI. -FOOD. Why should you have food at regular intervals, with complete rests between? If the state of your health or complexion shows that there is insufficient liquid in your diet, and you "never fancy drinking water," what would you do? If you should be getting more energy-producing foods, what would you add to your diet, rather than sugar or chocolates? What food is rich in iron? What food contains iodine? Why should Australian butter be better than Danish? How would you increase your supply of vitamines? G. FIELD, 2nd Hawthorn Rangers.

September 1, 1933.

MATILDA

The Legend of the Yellow Robin. (By J.H., from "The Age.") Spring time had come to the bush once again, and had laid her golden traces over all the land, so that the grimness of the winter was past and forgotten, and the voices of birds filled the forest with melody. Only the shrike robin was sorrowful, for in those far-away days he was just a little grey bird and possessed no beautiful yellow breast as his brethren do to-day. This it was that made him sad, for had not the golden whistler a fine attire of black and white and yellow to flaunt before his plain-garbed mate in the stirring dllYS of early spring, when every bird was courting? bonnet of blue, and the flame robin with his scarlet waistcoat. Yet he himself possessed no gay colour to make him glad, so that the bush birds pitied him for his plainness, and turned aside to whisper as he passed, and this he hated more than anything. He would not have minded quite so much if he had had, instead, something of the eagle's strength, or the swiftness of the hawk, or the agility of the shrill-voiced tree-creeper. But he lacked all these gifts, and was moreover the quietest and shyest of the bush birds. At last one day he decided to go and seek the advice of the kookaburra, for he W"~ a very wise-looking bird. and would surely have a great deal of knowledge stored in his big head. He spent so much of his time sitting solemnly on the branch of a tree and thinking hare!. that the shrike-robin was sure he woulrl be able to help him. So away he went, ant! when he had found the kookaburra sitting as usual on his favourite tree, he put the Question to him . You should have heard the laugh which 'l:reeted the request of the anxious little bird. It made him feel more dejected than ever. But after thinking awhile, the kookaburra gave him the following advice:"My plain little friend," he said , "you have certainly asked for something I cannot give to you. Nor do I know how you can obtain what you want. But wait; I have suddenly thought of an idea. Every mQrning early when you are yet fast asleep under the shelter of the wattles, I hail the coming of the Sun God from the top of that g-um yonder. I doubt if he could rise over the hill until he has heanl my welcoming- laugh. I have noticed, too, how his coming alters the appearance of everything. Then the greyness of dawn vanishes. forest and hill are painted green once more, and the sky glows with wonderful colors. Dav by day. since the sun's return to thE' earth. I have watched the swelling of the wattle buds, till they burst into bloom under his magic touch, and clothed the creek sides with yellow. As he brings light and color to all the ealth,

-----------------------------------9 may he not also bring it to you, small thougn you are? Therefore, to-morrow morning, before you hear my laugh ring out over the sleeping bush, climb to the top of the blossoming wattles, and pipe your plea to the Sun God. But do not be disappointed if he does not hear you at first, for your voice is small and lacks the strength of mine. If you would attain you ~ heart's desire, you must persevere. Nothing is accomplished without perseverance, my little friend." When the kookaburra had finished speaking, the shrike-robin hastened back to wait for the next morning. He loved the gully, with its running water, and so his home was beside a murmuring creek that ran from east to west through a little valley between the hills. At the present time the banks of the creek were fringed with gold, for the silver wattles that grew on either side were in full flower, and proclaimed the cominl>' of the spring. Early, then, next morning, while the bush was yet wrapped in the grey light of early dawn, the shrike-robin set out on his great adventure. It was a new experience for him to climb to the summit of the wattles, for he preferred to haunt the lower shrubs and underÂˇÂˇ growth, and had never ventured so high before. After much struggling, he finally pushed hi'! way through the dense foliage at the top of a tree, where pausing a moment to rest, he could see the whole of his small world spread out dimly before him. Like a yellow ribbon stretched the gleaming heads of the wattles that marked the course of the creek as it ran from east to west, through the shadowy valley. Indeed, it seemed as though he rested on a golden roadway. But he had no more time to look al'ound, for he knew by the brightening of the eastern sky that the Sun God could not be far off. So plucking up courage he commenced to call on the approaching sun, and his shrill little quavering voice sounded strangely pathetic in the stillness of the early morning. "P-p-p-p-please," he pleaded over and over' again, and he thought that if only the sun would listen to him he would pour out his request. As he continued to call, the kookaburra's laugh rang out, and then with a sudden burst of golden light the sun appeared over the crest of the hill, and the valley was flushed with color. How thc poor little bird trembled with the excitement of it all, and as the sun rose higher, his eyes were quite dazzled with the brilliance. Nevertheless he continued his pleading cry until the ~un beg-an to climb up into the heavens. Then the shrike-robin, when he saw the sun going farther and farther away from the earth. wearied with incessant crying. and greatly disappointed, ceased his appeal and tried to follow the sun closely on his .iourney from east to west. After he had str.uggled al! day over the tons of the blossoming wattles he saw to his delight that late in the afternoo~ he was getting closer to the sun, as he t hought. For it was nearing sunset. and t he sun was again approaching- the hills. Therefore, with renewed energv. he commenced once again his nleading crv till the sun slipped from view behind the high hill to the west, and twiligM coyered the bush.

MA TIL D A September 1, 1933. --------------------------------------------------------~----~---

Not till then did the little bird desist :Crom calling, and when he realised that all hi " labor had been in vain, he wearily made his way down among the leaves of one of the wattles, where he slept till morning. Nor did he waken till the kookaburra's laugh rang out, and imagine his surprise when he saw his old friend was actually laughing at him from a near-by branch. Overcome with shame at the thought of his failure, the shrike-robin sunk his head on his breast, and in so doing received the greatest surprise of his life. It was no wonder that the kookaburra was laughing. Was it not something well worth making a noise about? From his neck right down to his legs he was yellow with pollen from the golden wattle blossom he had labored over on his long journey the previous day. And to-day when you are walking in the bush, you will see the yellow robin as he is now called, flitting quietly from tree to tree, alon~ your path. Clinging sideways to the trunk, with head on one side and wings slightly raised, he will ask you in such a friendly way if he is not the most beautiful of all the bush birds, and will proudly show you his gift from the Sun God-the waistcoat of wattle gold which is his dearest possession. Still, too, in the early dawn, before the other birds are awake, the yellow robin pipes his morning psalm to the sun, and his quavering oft-repeated cry is the last to ring through the darkening bush at eventide.

Correspondence. (The Editor, "Matilda") Madame, A little bird has told us-(we believe it's very true)-that mas and pas and aunts and things are getting very blue. It s.eems we're Guiding Guides too much, we're losmg all proportion; we go all da~, we go all night, we ought to use more cautlOn. If we're not Loots we're Tawny Owls; if it's not Lones it's Posts; unless we cease to dream of Guides, we'll SOOl1 be utter ghosts! We should admit we go too far in things we've got a "pash" on; and crash we will (unless we stop) in no uncertain fashion! To which we answer-thanks so much for your kind words of warning; but who will take our places if we cease G.G .s adorning? What wou ld our dear Commishes say should we resign our dooties? There's no one who could carryon-not even little Loot-ies. But we really do need guidance-and our echoes echo wider-"The Guiders guide the GuideI:' O.K., but WHOoh WHOoh WHO WILL GUIDE THE GUIDER?" YOllrs sadly, ONE OF 'EM. (The Editress, "Matilda") Dear Madam, Could not something be done about our uniform? Aesthetically they please no one. They are economically unsound, for they do not wear well. How can we say "A Guide is thrifty," and give her a uniform which soon fades?

We do not insist on every Guide wearing the same tie. This is left to the Company to choose. Could not the Company also choose the shoes and stockings? I venture to think that at Rallies sufficient unformity would be obtained by having Companies alike-even one Company wore black and another brown. The colour of the uniform at present is not suited to our needs. It is neither inconspicuous nor easy to keep clean. Might I suggest that we have a color based on the green of our foliage? Our uniform is not suited to our climate. It is too hot in summer, and not warm enough in winter. If we ever do consider any progress in t his line, could we not abolish fallals as shoulder straps, shoulder knots, pleated and numerous pockets-and metal stars? For the latter could we not substitute a cloth star, and avoid the tears and gaping holes (even if eyeletted) ? And, finally, must we Guiders be tied to a turned-up hat? Surely we are not totally lacking in a sense of humour! Yours truly, LEILA TULLOH, (Brown Owl, 1st Parkville). (The Editress, "Matilda") Dear Madam, Surely all Victorian Guiders would like to see a change in Guide uniform. Coming from my neat Brownies to the sombre, and, I fear. generally untidy dress of the Guide company, I am struck with h orror and depression. Guiding, we are told, is a game-and a happy game. Have you ever met a Guide who is happy because sh e is wearing her Guide uniform? It is ugly and unsuitable. Girls of Guide and Ranger age are very sensitive about t heir appearance. and are just forming theil' sens<' of dress. We should encourage and not hinder t his. Who could feel well dressed in a butcherblue, badly-fitting overall, black shoes and stocking-s, and an atrociously hard and un gainly hat? Navy blue and black are quite unsuitable in the Australian bush for hiking and observation. Could we not have dark green or dark hI' own uniforms. soft hats. light stockings and brown shoes, which would not show the dirt nearly as much as navy blue and black? If Guiding is an Adventure need we be so conservative? Yours truly, MERLYN HUTTON JONES.

U niforme Libre and Vers Libre. THE RANGER PROTESTS. "I will wear cubist stockings," she said, "beautiful tan ones for nreference. I will makP Rangers purDIe in the face . and the Powers That Be purplpr," she said. "I will wear cubist stockings."

September 1, 1933.

MATILDA.

however, the Philistines (who were not beautiful) beset her. "it-is-not-done-to-wear-tan-stockings-in-Ranger-uniform," they said. "they are affected,let us restrain her." so they restrained her. this is what always happens in the Girl Guide Movement, when one tries to be decorative. {Jne only gets it where auntie wore the gew-gaws, or where the chicken got the hatchet. but some day we'll GO WITHOUT OUR HATS and that'll learn 'em. revolution, my comrades, nicht wahr? we will wear cubist stockings .. ! -R.V.H.

A RANGER REPLIES. If she will wear cubist stockings so will I and ,so will Margaret, Jean and Isobel, but why tan ones? I prefer red with purple crescents and green fancy garters. Why wear a navy blue overall Âˇso dull? I shall wear a swagger suit of linen printed a la "arte moderne" and a I'Jardine" hued beret or perhaps a fez. How my individuality will develop when I 'am thw.;: ~~'. freed-but, . ~ soft,

was not my promise to render service in a wider world? then peyhaps 'twere better that I sank my own feelings so that ALL Rangers may achieve uniformity.

-H.M.W.

Camping. A Course of six Classes for the INDOOR CAMP TEST CERTIFICATE will begin on FRIDAY, 15th SEPTEMBER, 1933, at 7.45 p.m. at the Guide Office. Miss E. E. Moran will be in charge. The Second Class, on 22nd September, will deal with Quartermastering, and Guiders may attend this even if they are not coming to the whole Course. 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 have attended a Victorian Training Week or Camp; (d) Must have attended a COMPLETE training Course in Indoor Camps. E. H. PURNELL. Commissioner for Camping.

Training. Brownie Training. The last Course for the year will 12.egin on THURSDAY, 5th OCTOBER. Guider in Charge: Miss V. Hill. Guide Training. The last Course for the year will begin on MONDAY, 18th (instead of 25th) SEPTEMBER. Guider in Charge: Mrs. E. H. Wilson. Commissioners' Training. Miss Bush wm not be holding the monthly meeting for Commissioners on 21st September, as that date falls during the Commissioners' Conference. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.

APPOINTMENTS. Division Commissioner. North-Eastern Suburbs-Miss Amy Wippell, Springmount, N.2l. District Commissioner. Heidelberg and Ivanhoe - Mrs. Thomas, Locksley Road, N .2l.

WARRANTS. Brown Owl. 4th Colac (Wesley)-Miss Enid Scott. 1st South Yarra-Miss A. Burrell. 3rd Williamstown-Mrs. McKenzie. Captains. 1st Bentleigh-Miss Edna Jones. (Continued on Page 5).

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September 1, 1933.

MATILDA ,

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