Vol. 11, No.2.
AUGUST 1, 1934.
.\X OFFICIAL 'l'ItEASrHE HAG OF GUD)l;rt~ · 1NFOIDIA'1'lON 1" 01:
VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA. HEADQUARTERS, VICTORIA:-7th Floor, 60 Market Street, MELBOURNE. OPEN DAILY From 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PRICE:
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Single Copies .. .. 6d. each
1IleKellar
Pre~" (A.
P. ('mtller"). 2:!!l Glenferri e n oau. Malvern.
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MATILDA.
August , 1934.
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Official Canvas' Goods House to the Girl Guides Association.
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TENNIS, GOLF, CRICKET, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL AND INDOOR GAMES. _
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V.inmlt XI.
AUGUST, 1934.
Number Two.
7th VICTORIAN GUIDERS' CONFERENCE. The. Conference com.menced at 3.30 p.m. and 'Miss E. E. Moran topk the Chair. Lady Chauvel, in opening the Conference, said: It is very nice to be here to-day and to know that there is a very good representative gathering of guiders from all over Melbourne, that we have with us some country guiders also, and so I have much pleasure in attending this Conference. The first thing I know you would like to do is to welcome our State President, Lady Huntingfield. This is the first time she has be.en with guiders in their working hours. She has seen guides at one or two functions, but this is the first Conference or anything of that kind that she has attended, and I know you would like to welcome her, and I feel that the Girl Guides' Association of Victoria will l'~ofit from her help and her advice. (Applause.) Lady Huntingfield. Guiders, I am very happy to be here this afternoon, and very proud indeed to be here in the position of your State President. Lady Somers told me something before I came out of the. splendid work that guiders were doing throughout Victoria. She told me too of the splendid Commissioner you had in Lady Chauvel, and I am sure she must be happy to see the good work that you are carrying on in Victoria. I know very little of the details of the work of guiding in Victoria so far, but hope ..as time goes on to become very familiar with it. It is such a v~ry great privilege, I think, to be a guider when one realises what guiding has done in such a short time-when one sees what guiding does for the girls, not only in Victoria but all over the world. It is a very proud thing, I think, to be a guider. Since coming to Victoria, I have been struck by the extraordinary energy and practical activity of the girls and young women of Victoria. I have noticed, too, when there have been scouts and guides at various places I have been to, their extraordinarily happy and interested faces, and I think that is one of the hallmarks of guides wherever one goes. They always seem to look happy and interested. I can only say again I am very proud to be here as President of the State Organisation. I hope I shall have the opportunity of seeing you all individually at your own Companies. Thank you for my welcome, and I am honored and proud to be here to-day. Miss Moran: I will ask Lady Chauvel to tell you something of the arrangements for the Centenary. Lady Chiluvel. I want to tell you about the various plans we are all working for for the
Centenary. We are so used to discussing them on the Centenary Committee that it is difficult to think as to which is the best point to begin, so as to give you the information that you are really wanting to know. Will you ask me questions afterwards, guiders, when I have finished-I should be very glad if you would if I have left out anything that is important. The first thing in the year is the Village. and that is going to be very soon, and the plans for that, as you know, are all very well under way. We had a great deal of trouble to find a suitable place, and we eventually went back to the home of our last Exhibition, only this time we have the lower Town Hall instead of the Upper. I think it is really going to be a wonderful success. ! feel sure it will be, because there is one thing that we always do feel sure of, and that is that the guides will always come up to scratch in anything they are going to do. The last Exhibition was a splendid success and did show the public, I think, to a very great extent, things that they did not know about Guides, and I think this time when they see this exhibition of guide work, and particularly some of the demonstrations which are going to be give.n there by the guides and rangers, the general public will find that it is most awfully interesting, and it will be a great help to thp. guide movement. I am very sorry that Lady Huntingfield is not going to be able to attend, but she is going to be in Mildura at that time. It is a di3appointment that Lady Huntingfield is unable to open the Village for us. Now our Camp House. We are gradually accumulating money for that, but have not got anything like what we want. The result:> from all the guide dances have not yet come in, but by the time they do, we hope to have ÂŁ1000 and then we have our E xhibition ahead and various other things. If only we can get ÂŁ5000 in time. before the end of this year, we want to have it opened by the Chief Guide, but if we have not got the money, we are not going to buy the house. The next thing to think about is the Rally, and there is a very great deal of work to be done about that before all the arrangements are complete. It is six months ahead, and very many of our plans are entirely dependent upon the Scouts' plans. They are tackling a tremendously big thing. That huge camp which they are having is not a thing that can be arranged in a short time. and some of our plans will just have to fit in with theirs. We hope that we will hllve a tremendously big
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MAT I L D A.
August, 1934.
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day down there with very large numbers from the country, and a certain number from overseas and from Interstate. We do know definitely that we have 60 New Zealanders coming, and we have had letters from guides in some other parts of the world to say that they hope they are going to !n able to send some. We have to accommodate all these country children who are coming to town, the interstate ones and the overseas ones for a whole week of activities-ten days actually-while the Chief Scout and the Chief Guide are here. The Chief Scout will IJe down at Frankston most of the time, but the Chief Guide wrote and said she would be ready to do anything we wanted while she was here. Instead of having a big Camp, which was not a practical suggestion, we are to have Indoor Camps in schools that are being lent to . us in Melbourne, and we are going to have a great deal of trouble in getting sufficient accommodation tJecause of the numbers who want to come from the Country, and we hope, from overseas. It has been asked whether metropolitan guides can go to some of these Indoor Camps. Well, the trouble, about that is that we will not be able to get the accommodation. We have to put up thousands from the country who would not be able to come to anything at all unless they were billeted in some kind of a way, and we have got to think of them, and find a home for them first. Unfortunately, it is impossible to accommodate the town guides as well, when town guides will be able to go to functions from their homes. They are not missing any of the functions by not being in any of these camps. I think if that was explained to them they would understand. We have a list here of the proposed entertainme.nts and activities during that week. Of course they are to a certain extent tentative, as you may imagine. There will be a certain amount of alteration-some will be improved upon, and some of the ideas will be perhaps cut out. The Guide and Scout Rally for the Chief Scout and the Chief Guide. Cub and Brownie Day at Frankston. A combined service for Guides. Meeting of Guiders, Rangers and P.L.'s with the Chief Guide. (If we have the Guide House and we have it opened, that is the day the Rangers and P.L.'s will meet the Chief Guide.. ) If not, we will all have a huge hike to some spot, and there meet the Chief Guide. Then we are going to have on Saturday, 5th. some kind of Guide Display, to which the public in general would be able to come, with a camp fire for guides afterwards. There is to be the Commissioners' Dinner for the Chief Guide. Then on the first 'Saturday, we, thougllt that a party could be arranged to be given by the Guides in the district wherever the camps are being held-~alvern or Hawthorn, or whatever districts the. schools were in, where guides were camped. We thought pel'haps the guides of these districts would like to have a party of ~ome kind and ask the
visitin~ gpi~es :vh~
are staying ~t the Indoor Camp m-thelr dIstrIct. I do not know how the idea... strikes you-that is something for consideration. Thinking it over, we thought it might give the guides a chance to meet girls from overseas, the New Zealanders, also girls from interstate, and guides from the country, and give them a chance to make friends before all the rest of the week begins. Another thing is the Extension Guides' Party. There is to be a party for the Extension Guides and the Chief Guide will be present. At that party all the Extension Guides are to be taken who can possibly manage to be at a party, and we wanted to say if there are guides who are not very fit and strong, really extension guides with an ordinary Company, that any guide like that should be encouraged to go to the Extension Party rather than to the Rally. We do not want to have Extension Guides down at the Rally because we think that it is going to be a very strenuous day, and not quite a fair responsibility to the Guider who has to take charge of her. Then there is also a suggestion that there should be a pantomime party for guides, a theatre party for guiders and rangers, and then visits to various olaces like the Botanical Gardens, and the Zoo, overseas ships ill port and all kinds of visits which we think guides from the country might like to do. Then there will be perhaps steamer and launch trips, training mornings for guiders and rangers, a one-day Conference for Commissioners, and any other Centenary Celebrations which may be taking place at that time. Many of these activities will be at the individual's own expense, such as the pantomime and theatre parties. Most of these things the town guides can go to-they are as much for the town guides as for the guides in camp. There are a few things which will be only for special people, as the Extension party, and when there are just very small parties being taken to places like the Shrine, 3LO, the Telephone ll1xchange and places like that that town guides can be taken to at any time. I do not think there is anything else to which the town guides will not be taken. Everything else is practically for everybody. On the Prince's arrival, we hope that guides will be able to See him arrive. Arrangements will be made for that. The following questions were sent in by Guiders for discussion:Question.-What is the idea underlying ch1,lrch parades on Anzac Day, and al'e they a good thing? Question.- Is it desirable to invent new nomenclature for the officials in the Movement. as titles such as Captain, Commissioner an ~l Lieutenant smack rather of our semi-military ori~in ? Question-What is the reason for, and what can be done to stop the numbers decreasing in Victoria? Question: That guiders should only be compelled to wear black stockings on official occasions.
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PERSONS IN CHARGE OF SHOPS. Art Shop (Liberty) .. .. .. Mrs. Bainbridge Produce Shop .. .. .. .. .. Miss E. Moran Garden 1 .. .. .. .. .. Mrs. Olney Thomas Garden 2 .. Miss Demaine and Mrs. Buckley Flower Shop .. ., .. .. .. .. . .. Mrs. Tate Cobbler Shop .. .. .. .. Miss D. Hayman Cook Shop .. .. .. . . . . . . . . Mrs. Cobb Needlework Shop . . . . . . Miss C. Broadhurst Baby Shop . . . . . . . . . . .. Miss D. Morton Thrift Shop .. .. .. .. Miss G. Swinburne Laundry Shop .. .. .. .. . . .. Miss Russell Camp Shop .. .. .. .. .. Miss Colqulioun Toy Shop .. .. .. Misses Kelly and Mitchell Creche 1 .. . . .. .. Mrs. Springthorpe Creche 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Mrs. Dock-ar Opportunity Shop .. .. .. .. .. Mrs. Eadie Extension Shop " .. .. Miss E. Madden Te.a Shop . . .. .. .. .. .. . . Mrs. Pearson Goodwill Shop .. .. .. ., .. Mrs. Edmondson Curiosity Shop .. .. .. .. .. Miss A. Paling Browni e Scene . . . . . . . . . . Miss N. Thewlis Orchestra .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Miss Crellin Competitions .. .. .. .. . . Miss S. MacLeod Demonstrations .. .. .. .. .. Miss Russell Programme and Publicity .. Mrs. C. Fairbairn
The Guide Village. Guiders, this is for you! Are you making every effort to make the Guide Village a success 7 Are you seeing that your Companies are going to have a ·splendid collection of things to send to the Exhibition? Or are you going to sit back and hope that other Companies are carrying the burden for you? Remember, the public expects something this time. Last Exhibition they didn't really know what Guides could do, and everything they saw was a delightful surprise. Last time we set a standard. This time we must keep it up! Guiders, it is up to you, each one of you, and there is no time to lose. Remember this Exhibition is our one gn~ at effort this year. By it we are hoping to make many strides towards our i'oal-the Guide Camp House. No effort on your part could be too great, no amount of articles that you can send would be too much. We must supply interest for the public for ten days. Do not let us down. And you who are working hard, whose Companies are producing t hose exciting articles we are looking forward to displaying SI) proudly for you, tell us how you are getting on, how many things you hope to send, what they are made of and how accomplished, etc. Tell us the quaint stories that intrigued us last time when we visited the various stalls, so that we can write a good description of every shop in the programme, and so make the whole Exhibition more real to the public. You Country Guiders and Companies whv cannot come, do not be discouraged and think "What's the good, we won't even see the·· :2 things." Remember you are working for a whole thing, and that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Don't you be the weakest link, will you? Remember the Camp House is you. Give us of your best. Help us to make this Exhibition on{l that will live. Any news of your progress is welcome. Write to Mrs. Clive Fairbairn, who is in charge of the programmes. All news must be in before the 14th August, as it must be in the printer's hands a fortnight before. And don't forget that C9untry Districts must have their work in to H.Q. by Wednesday, August 22nd, and labelled for which shop they are intended, also with the price attached . Town Districts should get in touch with the person who is in charge of their shop, a'> they will be sending their things in Qate. (See "Matilda" for "Heads" of Shops.) Also the Flower Shop wants some general help, if you think you can help a little here by obtaining cut flowers please get in touch with Mrs. Tate, Harp Road, East Kew. Miss Moran is anxious to hear from Country Districts details about supplies for the Produce Shop, and Miss Russell is also anxious to hear of any possible demonstrations. ' • ENID FAULKNER.
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PUBLICITY.
Commissioners and Guiders would add to the publicity and interest in their shops on the Market Place of the Guide Village if they could obtain from their Guides items of interest about the articles to be displayed and sold, e.g., details as to what they were made of, how constructed, etc. There are probably lots of little amusing and interesting stories about the achievements of the finished articles, which the public would like to hear. Mrs. Clive Fairbairn, 3 Avalon Road, Armadale, S.E.3, is in charge of the programme, and .j.s compiling a descriptive paragraph about each shop. Please send to her any tit-bits that can be gleaned. Programmes will be sold all the week of the Exhibition, but cannot be added to, so news must be in early.
"Matilda" Competition. It was decided at the Guiders' Conference
on Saturday, July 21, that "Matilda" should have a new cover, and a competition be held immediately in connection with it. The design should be in monotone, i.e., one colour suitable for printing on white or on one other colour. The size should be 8in. x 6in. Entries must be in by September 12, addressed "Matilda Competition," Girl Guide H.Q., 60 Market Street, Melbourne. There is a prize of 10/6. Open to any member of the Girl Guide Association.
TRIOLET. It were but ecstasy to have died Where the blunt rock-wall daunts the sea; In the white rush of that full tide It were but ecstasy to have died. So fierce a spirit-voice that cried Through the mad deep's immensity; It were but ecstasy to have died, Where the blunt rock-wall daunts the sea. -M.S.
.tdATILDA
What to Look for in August. "Acr.oss the range, by every scarred black fell, Str.ong winter bl.ows his h.orn .of wild farewell, And in the glens, where yet there m.oves n.o wing, A sl.ow, sweet v.oice is singing .of the Spring. (Kendall) Sn.ow .on the hills near Melb.ourne. First signs .of spring-swelling leaf and fl.owe!' buds. New fern fr.onds. Nest .of yellow r.obin and th.ornbill. S.ong .of blackbird. Return .of r.obins and .other autumn migrants, t.o the hills. Fl.owering .of silver wattle. Cherry plum and Japanese plum bl.oss.om. New leaves .on alm.ond tree. Pussy will.ow bl.oss.om. Fl.owers .on elm trees, f.oll.owed by green winged seeds. Early spring wildfl.ower-purple h.ovea, Dusty Miller, Early Nancy, Blue Fairie .orchid, N.odding Greenh.o.od and Helmet Orchid. New Constellations.-Aquarius (the water bearer), Ca pric.ornis (the Sea-g.oat). Planets.-Jupiter still very c.onspicu.ous, setting early; Saturn rising earlier, rec.ognised by its steady yell.owish light (bel.ow Saggitarius) . Venus still a "m.orning star." J.H.
Elementary Astronomy for Guides. [The f.oll.owing article, reprinted from the "Vict.orian Sc.out," deals with finding the directi.on by stars and .other useful inf.ormati.on ab.out the S.outhern Cr.oss. It sh.ould pr.ove a great help t.o Guides preparing f.or the 1st class badge. S.o .often the star kn.owledge acquired f.or this test is insufficient and .of little real use t.o the Guide herself.-J.H.] By Dr. J. M. Baldwin (Government Astr.onomer). Finding Direction by Stars. M.ost pe.ople are familiar with the c.onstellati.on .of the Cr.oss and the P.ointers. These are sh.own in the accompanying diagram, the names .of the different stars being indicated. The line fr.om Gamma Crucis t.o Alpha Crucis when pr.oduced passes near the very bright star Achnernar, als.o called Alpha Eridani. There is n.o difficulty ab.out identifying this star as there is n.o .other bright star in it3 neig'hb.ourh.o.od. The middle p.oin~ .of the line j.oining Achenar t.o Beta Centll;urI, the .one f)f the p.ointers nearer the Cr.oss, IS ve!y cl.ose t.o the S.outh Celestial P.ole. The p.omt .on the
AuguSb; 1934 .
h.oriz.on immediately bel.ow this is true S.outh. These stars are always ab.ove the h.oriz.on f.or all places in Vict.oria, s.o that this meth.od can be used any clear night. . The star Beta Hydri sh.own .on the diagram (which is drawn t.o scale) is slightly brighter than Delta Crucis, and can be readil? identified. Divide the line j.oining Alpha Crucis t.o Beta Hydri int.o three equal pflrts. The p.oint .of trisecti.on nearer t.o Beta Hydri is very cl.ose t.o the S.outh P.ole. This rule may be m.ore c.onvenient when Achenar is cl.ose t.o the h.oriz.on. Telling the Time by the Cross. Owing t.o the r.otati.on .of the earth, the Cr.oss, in c.omm.on with the rest .of the stars near it, appears t.o describe a circle r.ound the S.outh Celestial P.ole. The line j.oining the S.outh P.ole t.o Alpha Crucis-.or what is nearly the same, the line j.oining Alpha Crucis and Gamma Crucis--can be th.ought .of as the hand .of a cl.ock which g.oes r.ound, .once in 24 h.ours. This line will be upright at 6 a.m . .on 1st January f.or the l.ongtitude .of Melb.ourne, will be at right angles t.o and t.o the west .of the merid"
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D.lr" vu<;"· • Gamma vue;) ian at n.o.on, vertically d.own at 6 p.m., and at right angles t.o and t.o the east .of the meridian at midnight. F.or .other dates the times will be earlier at the rate .of tw.o h.ours a m.onth, .or 4 minutes a day. Thus f.or 1st August, the Cr.oss will be upright 14 h.ours earlier, .or at 4 p.m., and f.or 11th August, f.orty minutes earlier yet, .or at 3.20 p.m. F.or .other places in Vict.oria, the times will be f.our minutes earlier f.or each degree .of l.ollgitude east .of Melb.ourne and f.our minutes later f.or each degree .of l.ongitude west .of Melb.ourne. The times given f.or 1st January are c.orrect within a few minutes, the minutes having been .omitted s.o as t.o have an easy number t.o remember. As evidently the meth.od is .only a r.ough .one, this .omissi.on is .of n.o c.onsequence.
The greatest thing in the w.orld is n.ot s.o much where we stand as in what directi.on we are m.oving.
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MATILDA
August, 1934.
Danger. By the Lake of Geneva a fine group of buildings is now being built. It has a frontag e of about two hundred metres towards the lake. It will include a number of spacious chambers, committee l' ooms and ex;tensive offices, and a library for the construction of which Mr. John D. Rockefeller gave 2,000,000 dollar;;. A very great number of persons (including you and I) have contributed to it cost: for it is to be the Palace of the League of Nations. That cost, however, cannot be a very large item in an annual budget of something like a million pounds. It may be wondered why the nations have gone to the expense and trouble of maintain,ing the League - and its activities - for a period now of fourteen years. , Of course that, as it stands, is a silly question. "Nations" do not "think," or have reasons for doing things; but the people who control the "national" policies do. T.he League was originally set up by the Treaty of Versailles, which was settled mainly by three men-Lloyd George, Wilson and Clemenceau. And the covenant of the League was principally Wilson's idea. But Wilson would never have put it forward if there had not ':Jeen a great many peopie in the world who wanted something of the kind; and the League would never have been carried on if people had not gone on wanting it. The motive behind President Wilson and his supporters in Europe and the United States, the motive which has since kept the secretaries and officials at Geneva busy, has been fear. Not fear in the sense of craven emotion, but fear in the sense of national dread of impend¡ ing catastrophe. It is true that the League has many activities directed otherwise than to the prevention of war, such as its health work or its refugee work. It is true that the work the League has done in those spheres has more than justified its existence. But it remains true that these objects are not the reason for its existence. That reason' the fear of anothel' war. The last great war brought death to 10,000,000 men on active service and wounded 20,000,000 more. It made 9,000,000 orphans, 5,000,000 widows, and 10,000,000 destitute refugees. But it is not merely the stupendous sum of human suffering that these figures indicate that has roused in so many not irresponsible men and women a dreid and hatred of war. It is also the growing belief, based on experience of the last war and its fruits and anticipation of the much greater horrors of the next, should there be one, that the civilised world would not withstand such another shock. Not only the lives and happiness of this generation, but the welfare and perhaps the existence of future g'e neratiorrs are felt to be threatened. All the comforts of life in this age of science; all the . beauties of art, literature and culture; all the romance and dignity of political institutions such as 'the British Empire; all the security and con1idence of a community governed by law; all the values of morality and religion; these things constitute civilisation; and it is civilisation that is in danger.
The League is an instrument ready to the hands of those statesmen who are willing and able to use it to save mankind from the com¡ bined results of cleverness and folly. Like all instruments of human make the League is far from perfect, and better work could be done with a stronger and better instrument. Bu~ better work could also be done with better us'~ of what we have. The League has had it'3 failures; but it has also had its successes, as anyone can see who cares to become acquainted with its history. Therefore it is useful. As a rapier in determined hands it might yet be decisive: left alone to stem the tide or perish it will certainly do the latter. The situatior. demands the steadfast effort of people all over the world. To forget the Fear and neglect the problem, or to become panic-stricken an:] run blindly in any direction, is to invite catastrophe. The first thing to be done is to undel'stand the difficulties of the situation. These will be found to be very great, complexing and confusing to our limited intelligences. But unless the life that animates us has lost its ancient fire they may possibly be overcome. (Joint Peace Committee of Youth Movements) .
Matilda Knows-Do YOU? 1-That at the Council of Oxford in 1222 the feast of St. George was first ordered to be kept, and his flag was displayed at the national festival. Edward III in 1330 made St. George the patron of the Order of the Garter. 2-That the banana produces 44 times more food per acre than the potato and 131 times more than wheat. 3- That the first public library known to have existed was founded at Athens about 540 B.C. The British Museum has 32 miles of shelves and over 1,100,000 volumes. 4-That the first newspaper was the "Acta Diurna" of Rome, posted publicly in the city from the time of Julius Cresar to the fall of the Empire, 476 A.D. The first printed was in China, 382 A.D. 5-That the month of August was named by the Emperor Augustus Cresar, B.C. 30, after himself, as he regarded it as a fortunate month, being that in which he gained several victories. 6-That at 60 Market Street there is a club for Guider's, with a comfortable lounge, a kitchen, and a dressing room, and that the subscription fOe town members is 5/-, and for country members 3 / 6 per annum. All subscriptions now due.
GUIDERS' CLUB "AT HOME." An "At Home" was held by the Executive Committee on 5th July at the Guiders' Club to enable Commissioners to have the pleasure of meeting Lady Hunting-field, our State President. The Hon. Sara Vanneck accompanied her mother. About 30 Commissioners were present. Afternoon tea was served by the committee of the Guiders' Club.
MATILDA.
8
August, 1934.
"It is better to go straight than to move ill the best circles." /"
The Flag. Fortunately our history is rich in stories of people who have been prepared to give up their lives to defend their flag. Let us tell our recruits such a story, and get them to realise our flag has a thrill about it. Let them play a game where there is a flag to defend, such as a beseiged castle. The enemy is armed with balls which they throw at the castle. If they get within the ring of the castle wa1l without a defender being able to catch the ball, a breach is made. Through that breach the enemy can enter. H e is stopped and asked the password, such as a simple question the recruit should know. If he fails to answer correctly, he is imprisoned. In the prison is a kindly spy who helps him to find pass-words. Only the enemy who has made a breach in the wall can try to enter. If he anwers correctly. he can release the prisoners and collect the flag . A variation of this is to have the castle beseiged at night, i.e., blindfold the beseiged, and whoever hears an enemy creeping up points to him-all must stop while he challenges. Or the beseigers may be blindfolded, and the beseiged stand in an open circle, each keeping t o a definite spot. If a beseiger can get through a gap, he collects the flag, if not, he is challenged . When a flag is lost, the winners of it become the beseiged. If you can make a flag you can actually fly, this is most thrilling, and the beseiged soon learn to fly it in the right way, if they knew that the signal of distress will admit in all the enemy. Having aroused an interest in the flag, teil them the story or stol'ies of St. George, and show them his flag. They love to play St. George and the -Dragon, especially "Fair princess . . . .. . "A crown, shield, sword and horns are properties which are well worth possessing for this. If you make a crown of strong cardboard, gild it, ornament with jewels of tinsel paper and make it tie on, the thrill of the wearer will repay you for your trouble. Make t he shield of St. George so that it will slip on his arm, for he has to manage a charger and sword and he usually wants a banner as well. Every Brownie seems to love this gamewell everyone I know-and it gives her a thrill
of pleasure to sef,\ that St. George's cross is on her own flag. They will probably want to know what are the other crosses, and if St. Andrew and St. Patrick do not lend themselves to games-they can be dramatised. The legends of these saints will be sufficiently attractive to arouse interest in them. . A game to familiarise them with the crosses may be played by getting T.O., Packleader, and B.D. to represent England, Scotland an d Ireland. The crosses are placed face dOWJlwards, and at a signal each Brownie runs, collects a cross, and returns to the country, the first to deliver the flag correctly scoring one. This can be varied by having the flags face upwards and at a cry of "St. George" or "England" the first Brownies to get and deliver the correct flag, scores one. As it is now winter, the stars are out quite early. Tell your Brownies where to find the ::iouthern Cross In the sky, then let them see it on the flag. Finally, let them make a flag each-even to the stars, All Brownies enjoy cutting and pasting, and while the finished article has its peculiarities, the Brownie has learned something about the Union Jack. L.T.
BALANCING GAME. Simple Simon. Tune: Yankee Doodle. Simple Simon met a pieman going to the Fair, Said Simple Simon to the Pieman, "Let me taste your ware?" The Pieman said to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Said Simple Simon to the Pieman, "Indeed I have not any." The Pieman said to Simple Simon, "You cannot taste my ware," And . off he went upon his way, leaving Simon Standing there." Method : Children stand in two straight lines facing each other, the child at the end of one line being Simon, the child at the opposite end of the other line being the Pieman, and ca!"ries a tray in h er hands on which are the pies. (Used discs from milk bottles). At beginning. the pieman and Simon advance to centre of lines, face each other and do various actions j.o match words. All the children do similar ac-
August, 1934.
MAT I L D:..-A~._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _9
tions, always pointing to Simon with the rigH hand and the pieman with left hand whenever they are mentioned. At end of verse, the pieman turns away from Simon, places tray on head and walks away to end of line or furthe;: if necessary. At the same time, the two lines face about and skip outward while humming two first lines of tune and inwards to plaCeS during last lines. If during this time the pieman drops his tray, he quickly gathers up as many as he can, while Simon is allowed to get as many as he can. If when the two lines have finished humming the tune and are back in their places, there are still pies on the ground, they scramble for any they can get. Repeated as wished. V.H.
1st TOORAK PACK-TEN! TEN Candles-because the Pack was 10 years old that day. TEN of us -because there was "old" Tawny and "New" Tawny and B.O., AND seven out of the eleven who turned into Brownies at our very first enrolment. (They took some collecting, too, after all these years, 13th May, 1924). TEN o'clock-because then the candles were lighted, and "Here's to happy memories." B.O.'s thoughts went back ten years and tried to picture everyone of these seven girls as Brownies in the Pack; what they looked like what they did, what they were. Everyone of them had come up to expectations, in ShOl t it was a happy evening! "And do you remember the dav we went to W ... and H ... was so sick in the tram!" said one. "And Inspectio;1 of finger nails! Look! I don't think it was fair," said another, "we used to dread it!" "And when we flew up to the Company, gee! wasn't I nervous!" said a third. "And do you remember 'Lubin Loo' and "Here's a jolly railway train'? I taught it to our Pack and remembered every bit," said a fourth, who is now a T.O. "Those were the days!" we all agreed! And in another ten years we hope to meet againjust so's to say again "Those (which will mean these) were the days!" B.O.
BROWNIE LIBRARY. The Brownie Library at Headquarters now has 61 books. The latest additions are:No. 55- Fairies and Chimneys (by Rose Fyleman) No . 56- Learning by Acting (by Mary Debenham i No. 57-Sun Nature Book No. 1Birds and Blossoms. No. 58-Sun Nature Book, No.2-Animals. No.59-Sandman's Goodnight Stories, (by Abbie Phillips Walker) No. 60-Bridget's Fairies (by Mrs. Sinclair Stevenson) No.61 We will have, in a few weeks' time, quite a
number of new books, so look out for them. We are sure there must be more countrv Guiders who would find the Library a help. If anyone is wanting information, just write to me and enclose a stamp for reply, and I will send a list of books, etc. DOROTHY SEDGFIELD, Sec. Br. Library, 150 Marshall Street. Ivanhoe, N.21.
MONTHL Y
LECTURETTES.
The June lecturette was held in the Gallery on Saturday, June 9th, when Miss Stephanie Taylor gave a most enjoyable talk and told Guiders all sorts of interesting things abou t the pictures there. The July meeting was termed a "General Knowledge" evening. It was. But those present decided the title was inadequate, it was more a fun night. However, it was a great success, not only for the fun and knowledge gained, but for the fact that more Brownie Guiders remembered the "first Wednesday." It is to be hoped that "even more" will remember the Semaphore evening to be held on AUGUST 1st at Headquarters. Anybody, and everybody interested in Semaphore, is invited to come. Those who know a lot about it can be a great help to those who only know a little. Those who know nothing at all should come and find out how interesting Semaphore can be. There will be no lecturette in SEPTEMBER, the next one will be on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3rd. Watch the papers and "Matilda" fo1' further details.
BALL GAME. Brownies pick up sides, the sides are then divided into two,i.e., each of two lines facing each other. Each Brownie has a partnel'. Brownie at top of line has a ball and throws it to Brownie opposite, who throws it to next Brownie, and so on to end of line. Last two Brownies, one who threw the ball and the one who catches it, run to head of line and start again . Count number of times each line wins. - R.S.
OYEZ!
OYEZ!!
OYEZ!!!
On SATURDAY, AUGUST 11th, in the KELVIN HALL, COLLINS PLACE, Mrs. George Bell is very kindly presenting "TWO ONE-ACT PLAYS" in aid of the Guide Cam!) House. This entertainment is being organised by the Br ownie Branch as their special effort towards funds for the Camp House. SO- BROWN OWLS and TA WNIES, rally round and support this effort! Tickets are 4 / - . 3/ - and 2 / -, and may be obtained from the Divisional Brown Owls or the Ticket Secretaries, Miss M. Heseltine or Miss N. Thewlis, 87 Westbury St., 401 Dandenong Rd., E. St. Kilda, S.2. Al'madale, S.E.3.
1::..;O=----_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _...:M~A~T I L D A.
An Incident from Mussolini's Childhood. A biographer of Mussolini tells that he experienced his first disillusionment at the age of seven. The incident was this: in one of the fields near his home in Romagna a threshing machine was at work; it caused great excitement among the boys of the village, among them young Benito Mussolini. He was playing with a barrow when an older lad ran up to him with an invitation to play. Taking him at his word, Benito left his barrow to join the others. The other boy then hit him in the face and ran off with the barrow. The child was hurt to the depths of his being, more by the treachery than the blow, and ran home in tears. On the way he met his father, who asked the cause of his weeping-"A bigger boy hit you? But you didn't hit back! And now you come here blubbering like a woman? Off you go, and don't let me see y01l again until you have had a go at him!" That was the father's comment on his son's tears. The little boy dried his eyes, and pondered on his father's words. Selecting a largish stone he sought out his assailant and took hi ~ revenge. "You cut my face!" he cried, "Mind for your own!" :And he hit the bully two or three times before he was sure the lesson he had to teach was learned. Mussolini still looks back with a smile on this episode. "We must not put up with bullying!" he says, "We must never stand it, not from anyone, who ever puts up with a bully is a coward." Perhaps it is not fantastic to see in that little story of the young Mussolini germs of the courage and resolution, the integrity and sense of fair play which have helped to put him in the position he holds to-day. M.C.
The First Class Test. (From ' 'The Canadian Guider"-Notes by Mis" V. C. Ratcliffe) FOUR WALKS. To go just for four walks of three miles each with nothing in view is very dull. It is not time one is trying to kill, neither is it distance one is trying to cover. You may kill several birds with this stone, if you plan well. First, the Guide is getting in condition to do the First Class walk in a definite period of time, for she is covering the distance often, but at her leisure. Second, if you map out the section she is to cover in her walk, and ask her to notice certain things, such as the schools, churches, doctors, etc., that she sees, then she is preparing for her First Class district map and knowledge. Third-and when she has done four such walks, each over different sections, but each three miles long, she will have passed that section of her Second Class."
August, 1934.
THE HALF-DAY HIKE. Guide motto, "Be Prepared," is the one speclal)y needed for this test. No Guide should try thlS test who has not done several hikes with her Captain and Company-at least four, I should say. As an examiner, I would watch for the following things: 1. How is she dressed for the outing? 2. How does she organise her party? Does she divide up all the things to be carried or does she try to do it all herself? ' 3. What preparation has she made for the hike as to food, utensils, fires (matches) ? 4. Has she a definite plan of what she is going to teach the recruits, or what is she going to show them? Then, when y;e get to the appointed place, I watch to see lf she goes about her plans as though she knew just what she was about, or does she seem all at sea when Captain is not there to order her? I watch for her firewood, what kind she uses for the food she is planning. If she just wants to b<?il a kettle, she does not need long, slowburnmg wood, but quick, flashy wood with lots of heat, and then it's all out. I watch to see if she does the cooking, or if she teaches her Guides how to do something new and exciting, like "twists" or baked potatoes or brigand steak. Does she use cans and can-openers? (Let us hope not!) Then, how does she clean up? Does she explain it to the others? And has she spent all day cooking, or is there time for a game, or a ramble, or some observation? Here's to many a good half-day hike this summer! T~e
A PIONEER IN GUIDING. We sorrow that, with the passing on of Mrs. Jerram, on 8th July, we have lost one of Victoria's pioneer Guiders. Her company, 3rd Melbourne G.F.S. (Holy Trinity) was formed in March, 1921; many of the Guiders training in those early years remember visiting her Company, and some had their first recruits tested and enrolled by Mrs. Jerram. Those of us who frequented the tiny Guide Office in the G.F.S. Lodge in Spring Street remember how generously Mrs. Jerram gave her time and interest to Guiding, and the Guide Office staff of those days appreciate how much her ever-willing and wise counsel meant to them . Mrs. Jerram's quietly strong personality, her ready sense of humour, and her never-failing sympathy and interest have left a love-hail in the hearts of those of us who had the privilege of knowing her. F.V.B. "The moon was nsmg, blood-red. He had never seen so red a moon. The woods and fields out there were dropping to sleep too, in that last glimmer of the summer night. And beauty, like a spirit, walked."-John Ga13worthy.
August, 1934.
MATILDA.
AN IMPORTANT COMPETITION. 1st Prize £10, 2nd Prize £6, 3rd Prize £3.
11
Equipment Depot.
Victorian Guiders' Club.
MERVEEN TIES have now been reduced to 7d. Arrangements can be made for any colour to ~e sto~ked. lIt is hoped that any Comp.ames whIch have not previously bought their tIes t~rough Headquarters will send samples of theIr Company colour, so that we may stock these, and supply them at this cheap rate. THRIFT CARDS.-Headquarters is now stocking Girl Guide Thrift Cards at 1 / - per doz:en. These are an encouragement to every GUIde to start her Thrift account in the Company, the money being available for camp hikes and any other Guiding activities. Tr.~ card is held by the Guide, who brings it to Company meetings when she wishes to pay in money, and it is duly signed by the Captain, or other person responsible for the Thrift account. It is .recommen~ed that every Company should conSIder adoptmg the Thrift system and using these cards as records. ' GUIDE BADGE STAMP. -A very neat b!ock of the Girl Guide Badge can now be hIred from Headquarters. This will be useful for tickets, programmes, etc. The charge for hire will be 1 / -, but the stamp may not be held longer than one week. GIRL SCOUT HANDBOOK.-This book is now in stock, at 4 / 3, postage 6d. It is very i!ltere~ting, apd. most suitable for Company lIbrarIes. It IS Illustrated, and contains very interesting and exciting bits about hiking camping, and all parts of Guide work. ' THE GIRL GUIDE BOOK OF IDEAS.Price 3 / -, postage 3d., contains all sorts of novel ideas and inspirations. It is a very useful book for any Captain, and should be available to all Patrol Leaders. QUO V ADIS COUNCIL REPORT (9d.).This report of the 22 Guiders (from 12 different countries) who met at Our Chalet in June last year certainly gives one food for fruitful reflection. Reading it, we are brought back to the essentials, and are not only inspired with a renewed enthusiasm to better our Guiding, but find practical suggestions of how this can be achieved. Guiders who wish to kee':l faith with their Guides should make certain or reading this pamphlet. CLARA BROADHURST, Commissioner for Equipment.
The second annual meeting of the Victorian Guiders' Club was held in the club room on Monday, the 25th June, when 17 members ~ere prese!lt. After the minutes of the preVIOUS meetmg were read and confirmed, and the report and balance sheet adopted, the following office-bearers and members of committee were elected for the ensuing year:President: Miss J. Harper. Vice-Presidents: Miss S. Irving, Mrs. Ebeling. Treasurer, Miss G. Onians; Secretary, Miss C. Warrington Rogers; Ass. Sec., Miss J. Robertson. Committee: Misses Elvin, Greer, Weickhardt, J. Brown, Paterson, Heath and Lambe. After the business of the meeting was concluded the members were the guests of the retiring committee at supper.
Matchbox Race (for Control and Deftness)Each patrol has a matchbox, in its separate parts, in front of its file. On signal, ones run up and balance · the outside cover of the box on the inside part, which must bel placed standing on its end. (The result to look like the letter T.) When it is standing steady they run back. Twos come up, knock it down and put it up again. This carries on until all thl'l patrols have finished. Points for speed. (N.B.-If preferred, the boxes may be knocked down by the people who put them up, instead of by the next corepetitor.) -M.S.
Mrs. James Storrow, the ,fairy god-mother of the Movement, has offered the above prizes for the best three designs for next year's Thinking .Day Greetin~ Card. The design should be m monotone, I.e., one colour suitable for printing on white or on one other colour. The size should not be much more than Sin. x 6in., or 29 cms. by 15 cms., and suitable for reproduction on a postcard. They should be sent: Through the Headquarters of the competitors' Guide Association for forwarding to the World Bureau. The prizes will be awarded by judges appointed by the World Committee, and the copyright of all designs received will become the property of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Any designs received in time will be on show at the Conference at Adelboden. Final Date of Entry: 15th October. No design received at the Bureau after that date will be considered .
COPIES OF "THE GUIDER" NEEDED. From spare copies available, we have been able to make up a set of "The Guider" from 1924 onwards, for the Reference Library in the Guide Camp House that we are hoping to own. Some copies are missing, and we should be grateful if any Guiders could supply copies to to complete the set. The following issues are required:1924-September and October. 1925-April and October. 1927-Feb., March, April, May, June, Dec. 1929-April. 1934-April and May. The Headquarters Library set has the following number missing:May, 1927. We should be grateful if some Guider could supply this issue. S. H. IRVING.
GAME.
MATILDA.
12
August, 1934,
Correspondence.
Training.
THE FIRST PROMISE.
Guiders who have not previously attended a Training Class at Headquarters mll4:lt bring teo the first class of any Course a Nomination Form signed by their own Commissioner. Unless announced otherwise, all Training Classes are held at the Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne (7th Floor). Brownie Training. The last Course for the year will begin on MONDAY, 1st October. The previous Course began on 23rd July. Guide Training.-The last Course for tha year will begin in September. Commissioners.-Miss Bush will be at the Guide Office on the third Thursday in Augu;it (16th), from 10.30 a.m. till 12.30. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
Dear "Matilda," In the April "Guider" is a very help.ful report of a discussion in El1:gland concernmg the First Promise. One sectIOn comes under the heading, "Thinking of God at Company meetinC's." While reading this an idea occurred to b me. As the final activity of an ordinary Company meeting, let the Patrols go to their Corners and make a list of the ways in which they had been doing service for, and giving thought to, God, in th~ carrying out of the night's programme, ThIs could be followed by a pow-wow for · comparison, a.nd further di~ coveries about the deeper sigmficance of theIr Guiding, and perhaps bring. realisition of t~e fact that that service goes right through theIr Guide life, instead of being just one part of it. Yours sincerely, M. M. HOFFMEYER,
A REQUEST. Dear "Matilda," N either the Post Brown Owl, nor the . Post Brownie Secretary, is able to draw. They therefore needs must illustrate Brownie Letters with pictures either cut out or traced. If anyone has any old Chr!stmas. cards, colour.eo book wrappers or magazmes WIth coloured pICtures or advertisements they would be most . welcome. Perhaps some Packs would like the idea of collecting pictures as a Pack Good Turn. . . Parcels may be left either at Guide ' Heaoquarters ' or 41 Spring Street. YOU~'s hopefully, 'JESS M. BOYES, Post Brownie Se!'.
FOR SALE! The following GUIDER'S OUTFIT, whic.h is almost new, may be bought for £5 on applIcation to Miss M. STYLES, 18 EDGAR ST., GLEN IRIS, S.E.6. Costume (tailored coat and skirt, cost £?/ 19 / 6). Waist 27in. Skirt length 28~, and 4hn, hem. . Field Overall (cost 15 / -). Length 40~ and 2i\m. h em . Hat (cost 15 / -), 21 inches. English Belt (cost 7 / 6). Any reasonable offer considered. [Charge of 2 / - is made for this class of advertisement.-Ed.] ®®<!)(!:>®®®®®®®®®(!x!X!)®®®®® · •••••• ® •
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