Vol. 11, No.5.
NOVEMBER 1, 1934.
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Volume XI.
NOVIDMBER, 1934.
Number Five.
WHAT THE JAMBOREE WILL LOOK LIKE. The Scout Jamboree will afford one of the most picturesque sights that the public of Victoria will ever have an opportunity of be¡ holding. The camping ground at Frankston is beautifully situated on high ground, from which views of sea and mountain are obtainable. It comprises much undulating ground timbered with gum trees. among which the contingents will camp. From numerous vantage points the scene presented will be one of tents, marquees and buildings dotted over an expanse of two hundred and fifty acres. Tents will be there in every shape, size and colour. The Rovers will have their hike tents, the Scouts their square and bell tents, decorated in various designs. Marquees for store tents, first aid posts, sub-camp headquarters, rest rooms and hospital will be seen on every hand. Headquarters, Quartermaster's office, Scout shop, Banks, Post Office, and many other shops of interest to the temporary populatiO',l of Scouts will be housed in buildings, some of which will be of unusual design. There will be ice cream and cool drink shops, fruit and confectionery shops enough to supply the needs of all. There will be a barber's shop, and the requirements of those who practice photof/:raphy will not be forgotten. Indeed, a temporary town will be in existence. Then, to add to the colour scheme, flags of different nationalities will flutter in the breeze, while district and group flags will indicate the location of the various units. Gateways, some beautiful, some grotesque, some useful, will be placed at the entrances to the various Scout sites. Model bridges, look-out towers and other "Scouty" erections will be seen scattered here and there. But the outstanding feature of an will be the Scouts. More than ten thousand Scouts in variously coloured uniforms with varying group scarve.s will add to the colour of the' scene, and bring into it movement and pfe. Here will be seen the Scouters of the varlOUS staffs with identifying arm bands, indicating their appointments. Wardens with red and black armbands will be in attendance at the gates acting as camp police, directing visitors to th~ place where the object of their search may be found. Scouts and Scouters will be ~verywhere, busy with the preparation of their meals, getting ready tor displa~s, making gadgets, decorating theIr camp SItes, or fraternising with the public and with their brother Scouts. India. Malay, England, Dutch East Indies, United States of America, Canada, South Africa, China, Japan, Hawaii, will be represented. New Zealand and other Austra-
lian States will have large re.presentative contingents. What an opportunity there will be for the exchange of ideas and for the making of friends. What an opportunity to show the public of Victoria what Scouting really means-clean living, friendship, loyalty, cheerfulne5s and service. Let each do his part in accordance with our Promise and Law, and all will be well. (From ''The Victorian Scout")
CHIEF GUIDE'S VISIT. Guiders' Party. Arrangements are being made to hold a party in the Melbourne Town Hall on Wedneaday, January 2nd, 1935, to enable Victorian and visiting Guiders to meet the Chief Guide. Circulars giving fuU particulars will be sent out before the end of October, and Guiders can assist very materially by complying promptly with the instructions contained in the notice.
"Matilda" Knows-Do You? 1. That the month of February, 1886, was in one respect the most remarkable in the world's history. It had¡ no full moon-January and March both had two. This had not occurred before since the creation of the world, and it will not occur again, according to the computation of astronomers, for 2,500,000 years. 2. That the crocodile devours all kinds of birds it can get, except one, the Zic-zac. It is said that when the crocodile comes on shore he opens his jaws, and this bird enters and swallows the leeches which are found about the cr{)codile's jaws and teeth. The relief afforderl by this causes the crocodile to tolerate the presence of the bird. 3. That according to an English authority the language of the parasol is as follows :-shut means "I brave everything for you;" held by the point, "I could beat y{)U"; held like a cane. "I despise you"; beating the toes, "I hate you." 4. That the invention of omnibuses is due to the philosopher Pacal, who in February 1667 dbtained a "privilege" or a patent, for public carriages to travel through certain str~ets of Paris. 5. That the elephant possesses more muscles in its trunk than any other creature has in its entire body, their number being, according to an authority, no less than 40,000.
MAT I =L~D=-=A::.._ _ _ _ _ _ _ _~N::o~v~e:::m~b~e::.r!-.,~1~93:!:4::.._
International Brownies of the World. Little Wings, Lutins, Little Flames Jeanettes, Bluebirds-the little people ~f the nations have taken their names from the tales of the wee folk they love. All folk lore is based on the essential principles that we would have our Browni~s found their lives and thoughts. Folk tales tell us that the smallest can do great things, things that matter, if she keeps t~e rules. The youngest is a person, like the bIggest, and can control her life and make a difference to the lives of others. Once a growl~. up per~on was patronisingly brushing aside a BrOWnIe of U.S.A., when the Brownie look('d up and said: "I am as big for me as you are b~g for you." Folk tales give a sense of possIble power and a sense of the unity of all created things. Talking birds and beasts are t.he expression of .a sense. of kinship. GUIders of the natIons have shown how deeply they have understood what these things can mean to the children by using the stories of their soil and homeland. Even among people like the tribes of Central Africa, where all spirits are enemies of mankind, the. children learn not to be afraid. They are ~aught to depend on themselves, to remove the Insects from beneath the skin of their feet and to help mother prepare the rice. They ca~ control th~i?-, actions, and are not in the power of the SPIrIts. They are led to be unafraid and to look ahead. They win badges for th~ useful things they can do, and put them on a ribbon round their heads because there is no where else to put them. Tales of the age of chivalry follow the folk tales, and express again under Christian infl.uence the. ideas that came. from the Pagan tImes. StIll, they are permeated with the sense of power through obedience, the law to which the knights are true, the power of the weak to become strong, and the need to prctect the weaker of our fellow-creatures. The Brownies of Poland hear the tales of chivalry, though each one knows how to catch a Pixie. You put a red shoe by a spring and creep among the ferns till the moon comes out. Every PiXie will try to put a foot into the. shoe and it is then you can take one gently and re~ lease him from the shoe. If you are quiet and gentle he will speak to you. The Brownie of Poland is Zuch-the brave one. She wears a grey frock with a beret cap, the colour of the primroses, and a scaIf to match. The brave .ones of the city once journeyed to the mountaIns to see the guides of all the world. One Zuch looked at a model of a camp that came from Belgium. Among the perfect tiny tents were tiny guides who wore their navy blue. "These cannot be guides," said Zuch, "they are not wearing grey." Then she looked about her. There were guides in blue and guides in brown and in khaki, and a guide in an Indian sari, and guides in grey and in grelln. I think she knew that she belonged like the knights of old to those who needed her through 1\11 the world, .-G¡S.
Interstate News. NEW SOUTH WALES. Though this is the fir st appearance of New Sout.h Wales in this column, it must not be conSIdered for a moment that the Guiders of N.S.W. are "Dull Dogs." Oh, NO! For did not we have a debate on that subject at the Annual Guiders' Conference on 22nd September wheII it was suggested that Guiders were gr~wn-llp people ~ho played with a piece of string, even takIng It to camp! The retort was that much depe!ld!:)d on. what was on the end of the string . An InterestIng talk was also given on "The Art of Story-Telling," by Miss Skillen. Lady Game made her first public appearance after her re~rn ~t the annual meeting on 9th October, WhICh, lIke all annual meetings was very successful. ' ' We a!e all working very hard to get our garden In order, both figuratively and literally for the Chief's visit. On 6th October with trowels, spades and hoes, etc., the Guide~s and Rangers got to work, and hundreds of plants found their home in the garden of "Glengarry," which is the "Foxlease" of N.S.W. To the Guiders and Guides of Victoria we send our greeting for a happy time du'ring the Centenary Celebrations.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. The first Ranger Group Camp of this State was held at Cummins, Morphetville, S.A., from September 8 to 15. The numbers expected were 62 but owing to the epidemic of influenza they ~ere reduced to 46 Rangers. The three groups comprised Metropolitan, Country and Lone Rangers. Each Group h~ its own Commandant, Quartermaster, cookIng quarters, mess tent, and sanitarv arrangements. The three groups combined for Prayers, Colours, Sessions and Campfires. The Staff was as follow:-Miss M. K. Jenkins, Central Commandant; Mrs. L. Barbour (Commissioner for Rangers), Head of Sessions and Camp Fires; Miss M. Jeffries, Head ,rf Sto?-,es and Camp Secretary; Miss B. FordSmIth, Commandant Metropolitan Group' Miss Z. Wjlliams, Commandant Country Group' Miss A. Gibbs, Commandant Lone Group. ' The camp was a very happy one, and there were numerous requests to make it an annuai affair. The Sessions were particularly interesting and much appreciated by the campers. Th~ subjects were "Nature Lore," given by Mrs. Caldwell (Strathalbyn) ; "Trees," Me.ssrs. Scammell and Ising (Tree Lovers' Society)' "~eology," Dr. Cecil Madigan (Chief Commis: SlOner for Scouts) : "First Aid and Home Nursing." Mrs. Robin (R.S.A.); "Stars and Legends" (Round the Campfire) , Miss BeatricE' F~rd Smith (He~d of Training); "Campcraft," MISS M. K. JenkInS (C.A.).
WESTERN AUSTRALIA.
The annual meeting which was to have been held in the Town Hall early in October, has been postponed until a month later, when it is probable Mrs. Lee Steere wiJ) have returne<l (ContinQ,eq on Page ] 2 ) ,
November, 1934.
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A IIIJ" L..It'~-=-" What to Look For in November. "Now glides November down fair falls of grass. She is the wonder with the golden wings Who lays one hand in Summer's, one in Spring's. About her hair a sunset radiance glows; Her mouth is si-ster of the dewy rose; And all the beauty of the pure blue skies Has lent its lustre to her soft bright eyes." (Kendall) Orchids.-Horned orchid, small duck orchid, elbow orchid, scented leek-orchid, summer greenhood, leopard orchid, etc. Wildflowers.-Blue pincushion, saw groundsel, elderberry panax, small-leaf bramble, anemone buttercup, Austral tr.efoil, orange bellclimber, swamp lily, satin everlasting, Del'went speedwell, red passion flower, fringe lily, etc. Second broods among nesting birds. Youn~ fledglings being schooled in the art of fendmg for themselves and of procuring their own food supply. Stars-Orion (the Hunter Orion). Lepus (The Hare).
THE CHARM OF BLUE FLOWERS. If you try to think which wildflower is your favourite, your choice will quite likely be a blu~ variety. W. H. Hudson, England's mORt distinguishe.d Naturalist-writer, suggests that our love of blue flowers is largely due to their resemblance to the blue in the human eye. He also admits that it may possibly be due. to their likeness ' to the blue sky. In Australia, where. blue eyes are rare, the latter explanation will probably make a larger appeal, especially as our country is famed for its blue sky. Whatever the reason, there is no doubt that blue has a s~cial charm, whether in a wild or cultivated blossom. Blue, too, to be properly appreciated, must be seen with or against green. Then the perfect blending of the two colours may be noticed. Blue from a distance is not visible-it merges into the surrounding greens. That is why bluebells come so often as a surprise. You are not aware of their presence until they are almost at your feet, swingjng gracefully on tall slender stalks. Our native bluebell, Wahlembergia grecilis, to give it its full title, is a typical summer wildflower, and its name "graceful" is aptly bestowed. It is, too, one of our wildflowers that should neve~ be picked, otherwise its loveliness soon vanishes, and all charm is lost. Yet another typical flower 01 summer is the blue pincushion, whose brilliant hue threatens at times to outrival the brightness of a fierce November sky.
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Unlike the slender bluebell, which prefers the coolness of grassy plots, the pincushion frequents the drier, rougher country, and makes a beautiful carpet of blue over the ground. Nor is the blue of November confined to flowers alone. It is seen again, in a larger way, in the blue canopy of the heavens, never so intense as when viewed against the soft green of freshly-clothed hills and paddocks, or between the moving branches of newly-leafed trees.
A BIRD LECTURE. On Saturday evening, December 29th, at Girl Guide Headquarters, a lecture illustrated .by lantern slides will be given by Miss Joan Harper, entitled "Our Victorian Birds." The lecture. is intended primarily for members of the Guiders' Club, but all Guides and Guider'8 will be welcome. Admission 6d., Guides in uniform 3d., in aid of Club funds . Supper will be provided.
AN UNKNOWN BIRD. "Once again," writes a country correspondent, "spring time and bird life are with us, anrl as my curiosity has been aroused, I feel I must write to you and see if you can enlighten it. "Last Sunday I went for a ramble in the bush and found a number of nests, some vacant, some occupied, and it is this nest and bird I would like you to identify if possible. These nests are fairly numerous about here. Last year I found one occupied, but as I was unable to watch the nest, I never bothered about it. The nest is always (as far as I know) built in the top of a fern stump or tree, and it is coostructed of the fibre or roots of the fern trees. Some have a little moss on them. The clutch consists of three eggs (oval), about the size of a thrush's, or mudlark's, and are pale green and brown. The brown markings are as fine as gr?-ins of sand. To day I hid behind a fern and the bird came home. It is about nine inches long, has a .small head, and as far as I could see was a deep brown colour all over. It seemed very timid, as I was only about four or ¡s ix feet away from it. I hope to be able to visit it again next week. It is just a week since I found it. "For the first time since observing birds and nests, I was pleased to find a lyrebird's ne!;:t, but I was too late for it to be occupied. "I was pleased to get 'Matilda,' and with it the account of my robin's nest." [The bird referred to is probably the fe."!lale of the species, and it would be best to try and see the male in order to identify it. It might be the white winged triller-it builds a similar nest, and has pea eggs.--J.H.]
COUNTRY DANCE PARTY Saturday Afternoon, November 17th HENLEY LAWNS. At 2.45 p.m. Admission 1/ -. Arranged by the Folk Song and Dance Society. Interlude for Music on the Pi~s. ALL PIPERS PLEASE PIPE.
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November, 1934.
"The great business of life is to be, to do, to do without, and to depart."-John Morley.
Moments for the Meeting. MINUTE LAWS. The Rev. Doctor Boreham, in "Maxims of the Mud," shows that mud is really a more interesting thing than the dictionary's definition, or our own experience, would have us beli€ve. The definition runs as follows-"Mud: moist and soft earth; sediment from turbid waters; mire." Doctor Boreham relates a story of Ruskin, who was one day walking along the muddy streets of an English manufacturing village. The mud was sticky and annoyin~, and it occurred to Ruskin to have it analysed, and find out the ingredients of which It was made. He did so, and it was found to consist of sand, clay, soot and water. As Ruskin thought about these things, it struck him thnt of these very elements precious ston€s wer~ formed. Of sand comes the onyx, agate, beryl, cornelian, jasper and amethyst. Of clay the sapphire, ruby, emerald and topaz: and of soot, the diamond. So Ruskin realised that all the time he hall really been splashing through jewels! A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties. Difficulties are like the mud. through which we push our way, and if we analyse these, they will often be found to be our most wonderful opportunities. By coming through smiling we can make them jewels of experience which no one can steal from us. Here's to .all adventurers, who embark on this worth-while Treasure-Hunt! [N.B.-This story could be applied to various Laws. After telling the story, the Patrols. 01' individual Guides, could think out Laws which it might fittingly illustrate.]
GAMES FOR THE CLUBROOM. Observation and Alertness. Guides sit in circle with their backs to Cap· tain. She has a number of objects: whistle, book. f'ord. pencil, etc .. which the Guides look at. They then turn their backs, and Captain drops the articles. one by one. Guides write down the order in which the articles were dropped. 1.
"Good Carriage" Sentence. Patrols fall in, in files, at one end of room, leader having roll-call or similar book with her. Facing each patrol on floor at other end of room is a pencil and sheet of paper. When whistle blows to commence, each leader of file places book on her head, walks length of room to the pencil and paper, kneels down and writes first word of a sentence-on any given subject-rises and returns to her fil·e and hands book to second Guide. She walks down and adas second word of sentence, and so on, until the sentence is completed. Anyon€ dropping book from head at any stage of journey must return to beginning again. Points awarded for first patrol to complete sentence, and a1-so for 'suitability of sentence. [N.B.-The sentences should not be ar · ranged by Patrol before commencing game.] 2.
HEALTH-CLOTHING. Clothing, according to Carlyle, was firstly 1-1 matter of self-assertion and decoration. Next, its value as a protection from the weather was realised; and lastly it was worn from a sense of decency, as convention grew with civilisation. The hygienic function of clothing falls un· del' four headings:(a) Retention of warmth; (b) Avoidance of dust and dirt; (c) Protection from direct sunlight; (d) Protection of such structures as th2 feet from mechanical injury. (a) Man's warmth is produced by the body, except for sunlight and hot-water bottles. Clothes produce no heat; it is caused by the burning of fuel, which is our food, within. The more fuel we consume, the mOl'e rapidly will heat be lost from the body without lowering the temperature. In this case less clothing is needed. If heavy clothes are wo-rn, then less food is necessary. One could consider which would work out the more economically, more food and less clothing, or vice versa! Dangers of Pressure. Other pressure than that of the air on the skin is unnatural, and may lead to trouble. If pressure is on the head, it squeezes the arteries of the scalp, and eventually causes bald-
November, 1934.
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ness. If footwear is tight, corns and deformity of joints will r,e sult. Tight garters, and other elastics above the knee, will cause varIcose veins. A constricted chest will cramp the lungs and cause the blood to stagnate, setting up trouble which may lead to consumption. Continued pressure on the organs of the abdClmen will cause constipation, and other ills. Irritation of the skin surface by pressure will bring about sores and ulcers. With clothing pressure can not be entirely avoided, but it can be minimised and evenly distributed. The part best able to bear weight is the shoulders. (To be continued)
GAME.
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Games of the following type can be inventer! to brighten such a Health Talk for the Guides. Let each member of the Patrol be a Complaint, such as those mentioned above, e.g., Bald head, Varicose v;ein, etc. In front of each Patrol (which 'stands in file) have a heap of cards or slips of paper with the cause of the complaint written on them. Captain calls the Complaints, who have to come and search for their right cause, the first one correct, and back in her patrol, to score the point. M.S.
Some "Never-Nevers" of Needlework and Knitting. A.-NEEDLEWORK. B.-KNITIING. A. and B.-Never present work that will put the examiner into an unpleasant frame of mind. Never forget that the examiner always examines the inside of work submitted as well as the outside. Therefore, loose threads from bad commencement and endings off are not conducive to the receipt of a good report. Cleanliness, general neatness and evenness of work are absolute essentials in either knitting or needlework. A -Never leave tacking threads in a completed article. N ever begin or end off with knots. Never make the seams of work too wide, and make sure that they face towards the back of the article being made, at both ends. Never end off insecurely, or your work will come undone at the most inopportune moment. The same applies to commencements. N ever put a print patch on the wrong side of a g-arment. and always place it with a careful regard to the pattern and thread of the material. Never use blanket-stitch for working buttonholes, as it will not stand up to the wear ann tear given them. A simple form of stitch is made by forming a circle with your cotton, then inserting the needle in the slit and keeping well within the circle, draw it through above the cotton. Pull the knot tightly. N ever do anything but nine top-sewing stitches in the shape of a rising sun at the ends of buttonholes. Never substitute cobbling for darning. A neat darn can be worked just as quickly and
wears better, and do not draw your thread too tightly at the ends. B -Never cast on or off too tightly. It is a bad mistake always, and especially in casting on for socks. Never join wool with knots. To make a correct join leave about 6in. of wool over, thread a darning needle with the new wool, and run it down the centre of the old thread for about 5in., then rub the joined part together between clean hands. Never over sew the. toes of socks. Any book with rules for knitting socks will show the correct method of grafting. N ever top-sew seams in knitting or machine them. There is only one correct and neat way to join up ,seams--draw the edges of the work together until they meet without overlapping, with diagonal stitches. Never give up trying to be a medium knitter. The best knitting is rarely done by tight or loose knitters. Always endeavour to knit with an even stitch, not some lines tight and others loose. The above are just' a f~w important rules in Needlework and Knitting, but they may help those submitting 'Work for examination to avoid some of the pitfalls into which a certain percentage of entrants are prone to stumble. There are other and more complicated rules, but I think they are scareely needed for thc requirements of the Guide Certificate and Badge. -F.M.
"Over the Hills." HOW TO COLLECT SPIDERS' WEBS. Take a piece of cardboard, fairly strong, blacken it all over with Indian ink, and wait for some hazy morning. Go out with your cardboard, first having smeared it with a thin layer of gum. Having found the web you wish to collect, place the cardboard evenly underneath the web and lift gently, keeping the board firmly in place; the web will adhere to the gummed surface. If necessary, take a sharp pair of scissors and sever the ends of the web from the bush or tree to which it is hung. It must be borne in mind that spiders' webs are rather deceptive in size, and it is best to have a large enough piece of card to take the tendrils of the web as well as the web itself, ~therwise it loses something of its beauty. The sIlvery 'sheen of the web stand out in vivid contrast to the black of the board. The gll"1 will have set hard in about an hour, when the whole thing can be framed with glass or cellophane paper, and passe partout, and it will make quite a decorative attraction for a club room wall; probably it would be more interestinS? if notes were added as to the species of spider which built the web (which can onlv ?e decided by using oat!ence in watchinS? tl,", ~rate owner of the web dIscover it gone), Wheil It was found. on what tree or bush, and so on. (Adapted from "The Guide") (Continued at foot of page 11).
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MATILDA.
November, 19l34.
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"Yesterday is dead-forget it! Tomorrow does not exist---don't worry! To-day is here----use it!"
MORAL COWARDICE. Do you have pray.ers in your Pack? If not, why? Do you make excuses such as--"It is not necessary"; "I should feel foolish," or "It just is not done"? . . . Do not think I am just a pioU's prIg wrItIng, for the above are my own excuses, and this .is being written in the hop~ tha~ som~, one. Wl~~ give me a hand by. sendIng m to ÂĽatIlda criticism or helpful Ideas on the subJect. Of course, the fact that one feels one has to make excuses is in itself a confession of weakness. We have not thought aoout it; we su.ifer from excessive pride, and delude ourselves Int,) thinking it is humility; or pel'haps prayer means nothing to us, so how can we expect to make Pack prayers r,eal. If we were to ask ourselves honestly: "What have we done to help our Brownies to carry Jut their Promise to do their best to do their duty to God ?"-most of us would have to admit we have been very vague. What havc you done? You may not think you have done much, but do send us some ideas, they may be a great help to someone. Prayer "is lifting up our hearts to Go!i," but that is rather above the head of a chIld. It is quite easy to approach the idea through the idea of Our Father. We come home and tell our parents of our hopes and fears, our pleasures and SO!TOWS, our plans and all our interests. We do not make our conversation a list of wants or even wants and thank-yous. We feel our parents would be hurt if we did not speak to them, and share with them our interests; would we wish to hurt Someone who loves us even more than they? It is far easier to talk to children than grown-ups for more often God is more real to them and' they have a natural attitude. 1 shoul'd like to quote----or perhaps misquotea Guide prayer:"Oh God! Give us clean hands, clean hearts, clean lips. H.elp us to choose the hard right against the easy wrong; make us true and loyal Guides, for Christ's sake, Amen." This is simple, brief, and packed with meaning. Can anyone tell me a Brownie pray6":" equal to it? Does the absence of prayer mean moral cow-
ardice? What are we going to do about it? A Guide smiles and sings under all difficulties. L.T.
"THE EXHIBITION." All the little Brownies are as busy as can be, Making little knick-knacks for you all to come and see. Then when you all have viewed them, To Melbourne they'll be sent, There to stock the Girl Guides' stall, Where money will be well spent. For the Brownies must have Guiders, And the Guiders they must train; So that's why we are working with all our might and main, To help to build a Camphouse, Somewhere by the sea. Where they will work in earnest and contented be. R. McAuley. [The aoove was sent in by the Brown Owl of the 1st Maryborough Pack,and was written by one of her Br<>wnies--a quite spontaneous effort!]
BROWNIE GUIDERS' EVENING. Brownie Guiders had a most interesting and instructive evening at the Meeting Pool on October 3rd. The first part was given up to First Aidthe simple things which Brownies should know for Golden Hand, and also likely accidents a Br{)wn Owl may be called upon to attend while in charge of young children, especiallYr in the strenuous time ahead, when we take our Packs to Frankston en masse. Prevention is better than cure; as Miss Clayton put it-better to prevent a faint with rather drastic measures than to have a "body" on your hands! The second part was a talk on Knots. Brown Owls sometimes find it difficult to get Brownies to be really interested in tying knots, but having heard Miss Irving's talk and seen her demonstrate, one feels that there are several uses for each knot, and some interesting history attached to it. Brownie Guiders are grateful to both Miss Clayton and Miss D. Irving for their most helpful talks, and we were only regretful that the time was so short. -M.B.
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SOME CHRISTMAS HANDCRAFTS. Bookmarks. These are always very useful presents, and are very simple to make. A very easy bookmark is made from a piece of silk or very thin material. Cut it just a little longer than th~ book you are reading, and about two inches wide. Make a narrow fringe at the sides, and a wider one at the top and bottom. Do this by fraying. You will want a needle to help you. It can be decorated in all kinds of ways. Yo;') can make a border in cross stitch, or lines or running stitch in different colours_ . This next book-mark is made of two pieces of paper about two inches wide and nine inches long. Cut one piece into long narrow strip~. In the other cut slits across just as wide aparL as the width of the strips. Now weave the strips under one, over one, until the slits are filled. If the papers are of two different colours, it makes a very pretty checked pattern. Gum a piece of paper near the top and bottom to fix the strips in place. A Flower Pot Cover. Cut four pieces of cardboard into rectangular shapes, say 10 inches by 8 inches. Mark U inches fr{)m each side on each bottom edgp., leaving 5~ inches in width. Draw oblique lines to top corners and cut off the two triangular shapes on each piece. Paste each piece together with a strip of paper at the long corner, making a box larger at the top than at the bottom. Cover the box neatly with wail paper of suitable design, or plain coloured wall paper and paste a picture suitably placed on two opposite sides, or on all four sides; or use a frieze of good pattern and paste along the top. The result is a neat arrangement in which to place a flower pot and plant. M.H.
TWO KNOT GAMES. 1.-The giant had caught the princess and kept her near him in the middle of a wood. She could only be rescued by a knight who crept up and led her back to safety. Giant and princess sit in the middle of room. A little apart, Brownies sit round in a big circle. B.O. points to a Brownie, who gets up and creeps to princess and ties a round turn and two half hitches round her belt and leads her back. If giant hears a noise, he points in that direction and knight falls dead. If the knot is wrongly tied, knight is put in a corner with Packleader and if she cannot tie it by end of the game, the giant eats her. R.L.S. 2.-T.O. and Packleader make the arch for the Brownies to go through. Br.O. is the witch who carries away the Brownies who cannot untie the knot. She teaches them, and when they have learnt the knot, they can join in again. Song (Tune: "In and out the window"). In and out the archway (three times) As we have done before. Tawny tries to catch us (three times), As she has done before. Tawny catches a Brownie at "BEFORE." and tells her to tie a reef, or sheet bend, or round turn. Brownies can be taught a new knot this way, as Br.O. can take one Brownie while others are playing. l\1.H.,J.
THE BROWNIE GUIDERS' SHARE IN THE CAMPHOUSE. The enteltainment held on August 11th at the Kelvin Hall brought in the sum of ÂŁ16/4/l. As, however, a number of Brownie Guider, were unable to be present that night, we are sure that they and their Brownies would wish to have a share in this our special Brownie effort and so make our contribution to the Guide House up to the highest Brownie standard. It has therefore been suggested that every Pack give one week's Pack pennies, while every Guider add 3d. This would help to fulfil our dream; so do help us by sending in your contributions after your very next meeting to-Miss M. Heseltine, 87 Westbury Street, East St. Kilda, S.2. The following contributions have been already received:3rd Kew Pack 1/ 6; 1st Canterbury 2 / 6; 6th Malvern 2/7; 1st Toorak 2/8; 2nd Brighton Beach 2/8; 1st Armadale 2/6. All contributions will be acknowledged in "Matilda" each month.
MONTHLY LECTURETTES. The next special Brownie evening will b~ held on Wednesday, November 7th, in the Meeting Pool. This will take the form of a "First-class and Proficiency Badge" night. The latter part should prove most helpful for those Brown Owls who do manage to get their Brownies up to Golden Hand standard some time before they are ready for the Company, and wh{) find it a little difficult to maintain the Brownie's interest in the Pack once she has completed the test. There will be the usual charge of 3d. and supper. This will be the last evening for the year.
TWO HELPFUL IDEAS. HAPPY FAMILIES. Some time ago I saw' an idea in "Matilda" for sewing on buttons. B.O. drew a number of faces on material and the Pack sewed on buttons for eyes, large, small, or both, according to the humour of the Brownie. We have added to that idea. B.O. prepares a family of faces for each Six and, aftelr a dem{)nstration of button sewing from B.O., each Six goes to its home and sews on its buttons. At the same time, each Brownie invents a story about her "face," i.e., name, age, likes, dislikes, occupation, etc. Then all the Pack have a Pow-wow, and each Six in turn tells the story of its "family." HELPING MRS. SPIFKINS_ After the opening, one Sixer has a stable of ponies and B.O. chooses the two neatest fol' her carriage. She then goes for a ride. and all the Pack comes along. too. They decide to visit their friend Mrs. Spifkin. but they find her lying down, having slipped and hurt her knee while hanging {)ut the clothes. The Pack then do the jobs for her. bind up her knee, make a milk pudding- for Mr. Spifkins' dinner and then drive off. (B.O. mutit (Continued on Page 12)
10
MAT I L D A.
November, 1934.
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A Gentle Reminder.
"A Friend to All . . . . "
I should like to draw the attention of Guide." Guiders, Commissioners, and parents of Guides to the fact that money must accompany all orders sent to the Equipment Depot. There is a good reason (and incidentally a good precedent) for this rule, and that is that the Association cannot afford to allow any credit, even if only for a few days (so many people say they will send the money when they receive the Order). Until the end of 1930 credit accounts were allowed, but the Executive Committee, on the advice of the Hon. Treasurer, decided that the Association could no longer carry the burden of about £400 monthly ill book debts. In addition to this credit accounts mean so much more book-keeping, and when our customers learn that our cash sales for the current year number over 9000, they will realise that our one book-keeper's time is fairly well occupied. We must have your money coming in, otherwise we would not be able to pay our own accounts monthly, as is insisted upon by our Hon. Treasurer. Have you ever thought of opening a deposit account? We are glad to do this for amounts from 10 / - upwards, a statement of the account is sent with each purchase made against it; this system saves the bother of buying postal notes for small amounts at frequent intervah, an arritating activity. We l'ealise it is difficult to allow for freight or postage, but estimates are made as accurately as possible in the price list published about twice a year, and circulated ill "Matilda." A Song Sbeet has recently been published, containing three rounds composed by Miss Marion Sinclair. These should be of special interest to Guiders and Guides, as they are Au s · tralian, and composed by a Guider. The price is threepence, postage one penny, and the proceeds are for the Guide Camp House. We will be getting in stock a lightweight material for a Guider's summer uniform, in coat frock pattern. The price will be about six or seven shillings per yard, in a 54-inch material. Measurements of sizes for' Guide Hats. The measurement must be taken with the tape-measure drawn tightly around the Head, and must follow the general line of the bottom of the hat when on the head. C. BROADHURST, Commissioner for Equipm en~.
(From the Swiss Guide Magazine).
JUNIOR RED CROSS.
The Junior Red Cross are ag-ain appealing for contributions towards the Christmas Toy distribution to the sick children of unemployerl returned soldiers. For a number of years Guides have helped lionsiderably with ·thi s appeal. and it is hoped that the support will be continued this year. Anv contributions should be sent direct to the Secretarv, .Tunior Red Cross. Australian Red Cross Society, 42 Latrobe Street, Mel·· bourne, C.l.
Another day in camp is ended, the lights are out, although it is hardly eight o'clock. Our bodies wish for rest, but the little tongues still want to wag, and the chatter goes on in all directions-and the subject is school, examinations, teachers! The wintry quiet, the peaceful darkness, is rent--alJ around I hear jeering and adverse criticism. and there is an undertone of hatred . ... I lie in my tent speechless with horror; I have heard all this ki!ld of thing before, but how ugly and mean It sounds here! It [S ugly, it is horrible: so many children spend many years in opposition to their teachers. It is a cult of unbeautiful sentiments. Couldn't we Guiders help the children to understand t heir teachers? Make it clear to them tha\, teachers have faults, just as Guides have them ! That if the teacher takes action which displeases them there must be some good cause? That one might do a little kindness or two, now and again, even to a teacher one does not like, for is he not a human being with feelings, too? It is certainly not an attribute of children, to understand that which is strange, or even to tolerate imperfection in others; but Guides must learn to do this, and we Guiders must teach them, and show them an example. (Transl. from the German by Gertrud Hess).
F.V.B.
Handicrafts for That Ranger Fun Night. A WRIGGLING SNAKE. Collect about 100 tram tickets, cut them in half, and thread on a length of cotton, or brilliant thread. Thread the end of the cotton t hrough a piece of cork, leaving a length by which to pull your "snake" after you. Paint eyes and mouth on the snake.
A VEGETABLE CART. Materials needed: Matchbox, matches, thin card, cork, glue, plasticene. Glue a match across the bottom of the box for an axle. Cut thin rounds of cork for wheels, make a hole in the centre, and glue on to the axle. Glue two matches to stick out from one end, for handles. Glue a card over the top of the box, for the curved roof and sides. Fruit and vegetables may be made from plasticene.
A WALKING LADY. Cut out the picture of a lady wearing a wide skirt from a magazine, cut off her feet, and paste her on cardboard. Cut a circle of cardboard a little narrower than the skirt. Divide this equally into six and draw on it six legs and feet. Join by a pin to the centre of the skirt, the feet showing just below it. When pushed along, the lady will nQw walk.
November, 193i
MATILDA.
Camping. NEW RULES AND BATHING PARADES. Now that the warm weather is approaching, Companies will be thinking of beach outings and hikes, and Guiders will be planning fol' happy afternoons at the seaside with the Guides. Guides who have not read the 1934 edition of "Rules, Policy and Organisation" very critically, may have overlooked the alterations in Rule 61 concerning Bathing Parades. There is an alteration to the qualifications of the responsible person in charge of Guides bathing in baths and water of moderate depth. She now needs to be able to perform one method of rescue and release, to carry out artificial respiration, to surface dive and to swim 50 yards. Where there is a qualified bathing attendant, the Guider can make arrangements with him or her for the safety of the Guides. An additional Grade D has been specified now: Shallow Water-within the depth of the person in charge, who must be able to swim, and have a knowledge of artificial respiration. An additional rule which affects all classes of bathing (except the Grade D j~st mentioned) is here quoted in full; all GUIders are now bound to observe it:"In all classes of bathing (except Grade D) in addition to the qualified life-saver, there will be a responsible person on the shore, bank or side of the bath, who can manipulate a lifeline which she will have with her, and it will consist of a rope fifteen yards long of the thickness of an ordinary clothes line, weighted with cork, in a canvas bag. She will also have a signal which is only to be used in case of danger." And the next clause is also new, and very important: "It is understood that screaming is not allowed during bathing." The July issue of "The Guider" contained a helpful and interesting article called "Listen to the Glad Waves ... " giving practical hints on the organisation of bathing parades. E. H. PURNELL, Commissioner for Camping. "The pup chased a blown leaf; it was absurdly gay. Its tail was like a ruffled feather-fan thaL waved in a triumphing ecstasy aloft, in glee and gladness. Its shining teeth, seen in contrast with its vivid tongue, gleamed as pure as pearbioom in the bud. Its coat had a bright surface of rich gloss, smooth as a chestnut. Its nostrils sniffed gladly the spices that were blown in the wooded hills. It made dashes at rabbits. It barked at birds, and bees-its fringed legs a-sprawl like a child's plaything, and one ear turned inside out." (From "Blind Men Crossing a Bridge," by Susan Miles)
Executive Committee. Meetings of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, Victoria, were held on 15th August, 21st August, 19th September, 15th October, 1934. The following was reported. That Miss Marion Sinclair had given to the Association in Victoria the three Rounds written and composed by her, the proceeds from the sale thereof to be handed to the Guide House Fund. That the annual meeting of the Association is to be held on 28th November at Headquarters, when the State President, the Lady Huntingfield, will be present. That Guides were to line the Drive at Government House on the arrival of H.R.H. the Duke of Glouce.ster. That Miss D. H. Irving had agreed to organise the Guide item at the Scout and Guide Rally on 1st January, the item to be an Industrial Map of Victoria. That the balance to date from the Guide Village. is ÂŁ720/15/3. The following were agreed withThat Miss G. H. Swinburne represent the Girl Guides Association on the Council of the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association. That Miss Betty Lardner visit Northern Tasmania for Brownie Training. That the Executive Committee accept the money from the Mornington Girls' Club and hand it over to the Union Trustee Company who have agreed to take it under a deed of trust for the erection or purchase of a Clubroom for the use of the Mornington members of the Association. That the cover of "Matilda" be altered. That no action be taken at present in regard to the proposed Games Book. That Miss N. Thewlis be asked to be a member of the "Matilda" Sub-Committee. That Miss Joan Harper's resignation from the "Matilda" Sub-Committee be accepted with much regret, and that Miss Br<>adhurst be asked to take her place. Routine and financial business was discussed. S. H. IRVING, State Secretary. (Continued from Page 7.)
HOW TO MAKE PLASTER CASTS.
Stalking and tracking re~over some .of their lost thrill when the attractIOn of makmg real plaster casts is added to a hike. Each patrol needs to be equipped with plaster of paris (obtainable for 3d. lb. at McEwan's or any hardware shop), a mug, spoon, and bottle of water. When tracks are di'scovered, it is best to ascertain if they are hard enough to have cast:> taken' extremely fresh tracks in very muddy ground are not suitable-wait till the mud dries harder. First build a wall of mud or clay round the track about one inch all round, the') mix the plaster of paris with enough water to make it the consistency of thick cream; carefully pour in enough to fill up the wall round the track and entirely cover the track itself; and leave for the time you return from the hike, when you may dig out the hardened pi as-
12
MATILDA.
November, 1934.
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ter cast, and crumble the earth from it. Sometimes a pinch of salt in the mixture helps it to set more quickly. Make sure there are no ail" bubbles in the mixture before it is poured into the track. When the earth is cleared away, as long as the cast is quite hard it may be washed. Then using the cast as a mould, stamp out of more mixed plaster of paris the track itself, and leave it to harden. When it is setting, the name 9J the track and the date found may be scripted beneath it, making a worthy ornament to any company's c1ubroom.-R.V.R.
POST BOX. Two Guiders in Northern Ireland would like to correspond with Australian Guiders. ODe is a Ranger and Guide Captain at Kesh, and the other a Guid~ Captain at Enniskillen. If any Guider would like to correspond with these Irish Guiders, will she please apply for further particulars and address to the Commissioner for Post Box (Mrs. McKechnie), Grange Road, Mornington.
TRAINING. The last Courses for the year will finish at the end of November. Dates for the Courses for 1935 will be announced in the January issue. Commissioners: Miss Bush will be at the Guide Office on the third Thursday in November (15th), from 10.30 a.m. till 12.30. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
District Secretaries. Shepparton-Mrs. Stubbs, Shepparton. Stawell-Mrs. Bennett, Louvencourt, Stawell. Packs. 1st Moe. 1st Swan Hill. 1st Warracknabeal. Companies. 1st Mt. Evelyn. 1st Seville. Local Associations. Dookie Agricultural College. Euroa. Harcourt. Harcourt North. Lake Boga. Mooroopna. Port Campbell. Seaford. (Continued from Page 4) and we hope also to have Lady Campion with us. The chief attraction will be the Handicratt Exhibition. Many fine exhibits will be shoWl:, both from the country and metropolitan areas. (Continued from Page 9) prepare at least one job for each Brownie). If you haven't a T.O., a friend must come and act Mrs. Spifkins, who, by the way, is an imaginary person who takes part in a number of games in our Pack. S.C.
BROWNIE JIG-SAWS. Large pictur.es of Brownie picnics, etc., are drawn and coloured, pasted on to cardboard. and cut in pieces. Each picture represents one meeting, and at the end of given time, the regular Brownies will be able to form a complete picture from their pieces. M.R.
WAHRANTS AND REGISTRATIONS. Brown Owls. 3rd Bendigo---Miss N~ll Bulley. 1st Dromana-Mrs. Allen. 2nd Fitzroy-Miss Connie Clements. 3a Geelong-Miss Elsie Ferguson. 1st Noorat-Miss N. Ellis. 1st Mornington-Miss Estelle Jacobs. 1st Somerville-Miss Thelma Roberts. Tawny Owl. 1st Ivanhoe-Miss Dorothy Woods. Captains. 1st ApollQ Bay-Miss Hilda Cawood. 2nd Ararat-Miss Grace Foster. 1st Croydon-Miss Dorothy Hewish. 1st Dimboola-Mrs. G. R. Taylor. 1st Koondrook-Miss Norah Mathews. 1st Lorne-Mrs. Hughes. 1st Noorat-Miss B. S. Ellis. 4th St. Kilda (Jewish)-Miss N. Freedman. Lieutenants. 4th Bendigo---Miss Toria Old. 1st Camperdown-Miss Anne E.rrey. 1st Cheltenham-Miss Jean Linford. 1st Richmond-Miss Millie Field. 1st Yarrawonga-Mrs. Pretty. Ranger Captains. 1st Maryborough-Mis's E . D. Wallace. 1st Poowong-Miss L. E. Salmon. 1st Terang and District-Mrs. Ackroyd. 5th Vic. Lones-Miss D. H. Irving .
: for Uniforms . , College Wear
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Snows are to be just a s much relied upon for correctly cut Girl Guide uniforms as for regulation College Wear. The sam~ care in finish and thp. same attention to detail are apparent - and the prices are just as reasonable!
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