)~
I
APRIL, 1935.
Yl( ~rrORIA,
Al'"STHALlA.
HEADQUARTERS, VICTORIA : -7th F loor, 60 Mal'ket Street, MELBOURNE. PRICE:
3/- Per Year 4/- Posted Single Copies . . . . 6d. each
OPEN DAILY ' From 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. SATURDAYS From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
I
MATILDA.
April, 1986.
nnllllllll~llllnnllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll::IUUllllllllllllllllllmmm:m::m=a==;====a=a==a
EVAN EVANS
pTY. LTD. 680-8 Elizabeth St., MELBOURNE, e.l. Official Canvas Goods House to the Girl Guides AsllOCiatioD.
SPECIAL CONCESSIONS OFF LIST PRICES TO ALL GIRL GUIDE ORGANISATIONS.
Ii Write :
for Particulars to Your Headquarters, or Direct ~
TENTS & FLYS CAMPING GOODS
U&
FLAGS TRA VEL. RUGS CAMP BEDS
.
WATERPROOFS SLEEPING BAGS MATTRESSES
mmn:::m::::::n:nm::m::u::::::::u:muuum:::::mm:::::cumm::::mlu11111111111111111111111111111111
SPORTING GOODS.
.y ::
-
We have arranged to allow Concessions
il.
BTENNIS,
I
Us
for Our
tist, Priees
on all Sporting Goods.
i-
-
Write to
and
-
Particulars.
GOLF, CRICKET, BASEBALL, BASKETBALL AND INDOOR
SUPPORT THE
FIR';~O SUPPORT YOU fi
muumm..:::....::mm::::::::::::::..:n:::·:n::::::m:mm::m::n::m:mm:m:mlllllllllllill1111111111111111111111111
Volume XI.
Number Nine.
APRIL, 1935.
"The man that hath no music in his soul is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils." -Shakespeare.
PANDEAN PIPES. This is the way, laughed the great God Pan (Laughed while he sate by the river), The only way, since Gods began To make sweet music, they could succeed. Then, dropping his mouth to a hole in the reed, He blew, in power, by the river. (E. B. Browning) The writers of musical histories are ever seeking to establish the origin of the musical instruments. Percussion Wind and Stringed instruments have claims to first place; but while it still remains an open question, very early records of the Bamboo Pipes are available. To Pan, Wind Divinity and God of all Shepherds, their invention is credited. To trace the evolution of the Pipes it is necessary to journey to many lands; we have the Arabian "Tay", the modern "Aulos" of Greece; the "Kaval" of Bulgaria; the "Bansee" of India; the "Shakuhaiki" of Japan; the ivory and reed flutes of Africa; the Chinese "Hsiao" and the Peruvian Flute. The making and playing of Bamboo Pipes has been revived in England with outstanding success by Margaret James and in France by Louise Dyer, who worked enthusiastically to
establish the "Pan dean Pipes" in Australia. Pandean Pipers have been heard broadcasting from 3LO and at the Christmas gathering of the British Music Society. Margaret James explains the success of the . "Pipe" movement in England when she says: "It (Pipe-making) has, as its aim, a pure form of JYlusic suitable for everyone . Traditional in inspiration, it derives its craft from the most primitive music in the world, ali-le
as long as memory of man, and survlvmg as long as there are lonely men living in the forests. A Shephel¡d has always possessed the craft of cutting a flute from the stalks of bamboo in his native forest. The secret for so doing is lost amongst buyers and sellers; we seek to revive it and to give it back to the artist and the workman alike, in our modern life. The bamboo pipe has a floating, mellow tone, which is the discovery of ages, belonging to peasant tradition. He makes his own flute with a little time and a little skill. He spends nothing but achieves much. We are following in his footsteps." The Pandean Pipe should be a joy to every Girl Guide. It is made with stalk of bamboo, a small saw, a file, a pocket-knife and a cork for stopping the mouthpiece. The delightful little instrument, once made, can be carried in the pocket "high up to the mountains, in golden fields, in shady forests." Folk-dancing in the forests or on the sunny lawns, with a pipe-band accompaniment, would indeed be a joy. The making and playing of the Pipe has endle ss
advantages
to
the
serious
music
student, in ear-training and improvising. To Guilds, Clubs and Social groups it needs only the remarks of Dr. Geoffrey Shaw's to recommend Pipe-making and playing, when he says: "There is something artistically satisfying about making an instrl,lment to play upon. You will feel inclined to do more with it than with any other instrument. It stimulates the musical faculty and invention. -EILEEN ST AINKAMPH.
"HERE IS PHANTASY." For a considerable number of years now "Matilda" has been content with a "bread and butter" existence. but at last she is demanding a little "jam" with the bread and butter. Successive edifors have moaned "if only we could afford more blocks,," and have been sternly restrained from running into bankruptcy. so their dreams of a "BRIGHTER. MATILDA" have faded back into the place to which all such unfulfille4 aspirations 00 go.
However one dream, more determined than its fellows, refused to return and somethin~ had to be clone about it. In June the "something" is to be done. The Editor with her sub-Committee is <trranging a most enlivening entel¡tainment, "Here is Phantasy," to be presented in June at the Little Theatre. Talented dancers will flit before you, clever miming will amuse an4 enthrall you. Th~ arts
4
MATILDA ------------------------------
April,1935.
-----------------------------~~-----
and melodies of many ages and countries arc being summoned to divert you and transport you to realms of fancy and delight. Not least amongst the attractions is the fact that trusty Q.M.'s will concoct brews and victuals to sustain you. Add to this the fact that you will be spending the evening in one of the most interesting spots in our city, full of quaint associations (but read all about the setting in next month's "Matilda") and helping to give yourself a better and more entertaining magazine-truly an evening well spent. The proceeds will go towards making "Matilda" a young person of substance, so begm ~ aving your pennies now to ensure that we have a splendid attendance. There will be more details next month and in the daily press. "HERE IS PHANTASY"-INTRODUCE IT TO YOUR FRIENDS! -H. M. WILSON.
St. George's Day Observance. ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, SATURDA Y, APRIL 27th, 1935, at 3.30 p.m. The Service for Scouts and Guides which if, held annually at St. Paul's Cathedral in connection with St. George's Day has been arranged by the Church of England Diocesan Scout Advisory Council to take place on Saturday, April 27th, 1935, at 3.30 p.m. Those attending should be at the Cathedral not lat<!r than 3 p.m. in order to be seated in time for the Sel'vice. Guides will enter by the Swanston Street door. The service is for all sections of the Move-
ments. Brownies may attend with their Guiders, but do not carry Colours or Banners. No space will be reserved for the public, but members of the public will be admitted after 3.20 p.m. if there is room for them. Entrance will be through the door under the Moorhouse Spire in Swanston Street. The service is primarily for all Anglican Scouts and Guides in the Movements, but others wishing to attend will be welcome. The preacher at the service will be tlle Bishop of Geelong, the Right Rev. J. J. Booth. Guide Colourfi.-Miss Violet Townsend will be in charge of Colour Bearers. who will assemble without escorts at the Chapter House, Cathedral Buildinp"s, before 3 p.m. All flags should be marked with the name of the Companv. Instructions will be issued to the Colour Bearers on arrival. Entl'ance to the Cathedral Buildings is !!ained from the path leading from the corner of Swanston Street and Flinders Lane. There will be a collertion for exoenses, but inahility to make an offering should not pr ~ Â vent a~v from attending the service. The Hon. Secretarv is the Rev. F. Townsend, The Vicarage, Healesville.
CALLRD TO HIGHER SERVICE. Feb. 231'd. Dorothy Williams, Lieutenant, ] st Vi<:. post R~nge]' Co.
THINKING DAY. A most delightful greeting was received at Headqual tel's from the Post Guides of On¡ tario. Besides the following note of good wishes there were six pages of photograph!. and attractive sketches of that part of Canada. These have been sent to Miss Campbell for circulation among the Victorian Post Guides. 171 Kylmor Street, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, January 14th. Dear Guides, This letter carries greetings from the Post Guides of Ontario for Thinking Day. We feel that we would like to know more about our Empire, and thought that you might like to know more about us. So we are sending you a few pictures of our country. At present we have lots of snow, which will last until the end of March. We have hot weathel' in June, July and August. We shall think of you on Thinking Day. We are getting excited because our Chiefs are visiting us in May. We hope t hat you have a happy year of Guiding. From the Posts of Ontario, CHRISTINA BELL (Mrs. J. H.)
"MATILDA" COVER. The Editor will announce in the next issue (May) result!> of this competition.
A LETTER FROM LADY BADEN POWELL. "May I just comment for a moment on the matter
of
camp
fires
and
the
singing
of
Guides. We British folk are not celebrated for being a musical nation, and our Camp Fire'> cannot compare with those of Guides of other nations. But we can improve ourselves. Where a thing is worth doing at all it is worth doing WELL-and singing is one of them. So may I suggest that as we have the opportunity of your lovely warm climate in the summer timE of being able to have camp fires out of doors, as often as possible a little study of nice, tuneful songs would be to the good. You don"t need to be an expert songstress to make a delightful musical noise round a camp fil'e and there are so many lovely songs which it is delightful to sing all together. "I would like to see the standard of our Guides' singing l'aised higher than it is at nresent, and besides the actual singing, it does help if peonle know the words! It is so much more fun for the singer as well as for the listener. In our sisterhood we are not content, are we, with doing things by halves, and we Guides can and should set the example of doing- well any task we have before u!';, whether it is work for Bad!!es or work for others. camping or sinj?inj? 01' anything else. And New South Wales is. I feel sure. not behind in thi!> matt!'r of keening Ul) a high stanflat'o of fine work heing rlone by the Guide~ and Brownies alike." (Written 0 Lady David from our Chief Guide)
April, 1935.
MATILDA
Editor-Mollie Hoffmeyer. "Music is a kind of inarticulate speech, which leads us to the edge of the infinite, and pel mits us for a moment to gaze into it.
Nature's Music. In olden days the Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, taught the theory of the music of the spheres-waves of sound being caused liy the planets in their motion round the sun, each with its own rate of speed, causing a certain vibration, and these woven into perfect harmony. Extraordinary as this belief may appear, we are, nevertheless, at the present day, delicately picking from the atmosphere vibrations which our little box on the mantelpiece turns into most beautiful harmony. Hence it would seem that the earth is bathed in sounds, can we but distinguish them. We cannot all have wireless sets-but do we need them? Have we endeavoured to open our ears and those of our Guides to the music of living nature? Do we hear, and register automatically, the sound of bird and beast and insect about us? I do not speak of theories, as did Pythagoras-I speak from experience. I remember walking in the country with a Ranger, who had once been a Guide. Scattered through the discussion of the fashionable angle of hats or the most recent moving picture, were remarks such jas 'There's a regent," "Hear the thrush!" "Lorikeets out this way!" and I felt that five years had not been wasted. In the production of all music great patience :s needed to overcome the mechanical difficul¡ ties of fingering, etc. Exactly the same thing applies to the music of nature. She will not yield her measures to you for the asking. Little by little, first one bird, then another, and you know their voices. Slowly you will learn their types of cry-joy, fear, caution, the babies' cry-and once learnt, never forgotten. Have you lain in bed in camp and heard in the dawn, first the piping of the yellow robin, ihen the rich voice of the grey thrush, and the joyous. abandoned song of the golden whistler? Mingled with these will probably be the low thunder of waves on the seashore or the merry gurgle of river cascades. Have you ever lain in bed at home and counted the number of birds whose voices you really know? It will surprise you. It is such fun discovering that an old friend has returned. The wind in the trees-can you tell, withoui; looking. which tree or bush is giving that particular melody to the chorus? Perhaps you
5
have never thought that there was a difference. Listen! During the recent plague I discovered that even grasshoppers are articulate! A curious, clicking sound they make, their hind leg having something to do with it. Even plagu~s have their uses!! Cicadas, with their resounding membranes, help to announce a Summer day; while the evening is ushered in by the bloodthirsty female mosquito, whose humming keeps her mate informed of her whereabouis. Let your Guides close their eyes and listen to the world. A medley of sound may be the result-but rare will be the occasion when the voice of bird or beast or insect is not heard. Hearing, like every other sense, responds marvellously to training. See to it, Guiders, that your Guides are fully alive and waiting for "the music of the spheres."
"They that Creep, and They that Fly." Spring and Autumn are the seasons for but.terflies and moths. A few you may see all the yea!'. The Wanderer, or Monarch, large and handsome, with its tawny wings, edged with black and white and speckled tips, flies unconcernedly in forest or city street. This butterfly has marvellous powers of flight and is an immigrant from America. The Painted Lady is a dainty person, smaller than the Monarch, tawny, and quickly known by spotted black and white tips to her wings; she has four blue spots on her hind wings, too. She lives all over the world, and has even been found within the Arctic Circle. Rather like her is the Admiral, but you will know him easily by a large yellow patch on each lore-wing. Have you seen the tiny Grass Blues about? Timid creatures, flying neither far nor high. The Common Brown is numerous-more handsome than the name implies. Each tawny wing has an "eye," the blue "pupil" being encircled by black. Have you captured with a broom, and killed with satisfaction, the poor old Lady Moth whom you may find on your ceiling these nights? Leave her alone; she will not do you any harm, having come in through your open window, whence she will presently depart. Large and dark brown she is, with a handsome "eye" on each forewing. Her caterpillars feed on grass. The smart little vin e-moth has been busyblack, with white lines across the wings, she is easily identified. This is one of the few moths that fly in the day-time. She likes the virginia creeper just as much as the grape vine. Have you noticed that the wings of moths lie flat when at rest, while those of butterflies may lie flat momentarily when they are playing. but at the least sign of alarm meet above their head, showing the protectively coloured under-side. M.H.
MATILDA
April, 1935.
"The music in my heart I bore Long after it was heard no more." Wordsworth. Editor: Marion Sinclair.
Four and Twenty Blackbirds. "When the pie was opened The birds began to smg" murmured Captain, as she sorted and tidied a few oddments after the Company meeting. "Not at all strange, really," commented Lieutenant. "What do you mean?" asked Captain. "The thing is," continued Lieutenant thoughtfully , "when shall we open the pie?" This time Captain stopped sorting, and cast an anxious glance at her companion. "Are you quite all right?" she inquired, "01' is your headache _worse?" "Oh, not at all," laughed Lieutenant, "but when you mentioned that old rhyme I couldn't help thinking that we are rather like those blackbirds shut up in the pie. If only some-
one could get us open I am sure those children could sing; they have, somehow, a singing look. Don't you thInk so?" "I don't know that my imagination carries me so far," said Captain; "and I do know that my singing is hopeless, and the jolly old pi,~ would go mouldy before 1 could get its top off. Now, in your case, you can cause people tv recognise a tune 01' two. Supposing you try to do some unroofing?" "Mm," said Li¡eutenant doubtfully, "I don't mind trying anything once; but this feels rather out of my depth. However, we'il see what can be done," and she went off chuckling hopefully. She went home and tore her hair. That did no good. Then she tore it some more, and decided to consult the Patrol Leaders. True to her intuition, they proved keen. "Oh, Lieut., let's! Can we have a sing-song at the next meeting?" "Do you think we five might have just a bit of a practice first?" suggested Lieutenant, apprehensive of plunging vocally without support. "If you all knew the tunes of what we try to teach the others, I am sure it would go bette!'. Captain has asked us to her house to practise at any time we like." So the singing began. At first they attempted only songs to well-known tunes; and
Lieutenant soon found her burden lightened, for several members of the Company possessed tuneful voices, keen ears, and much enthusiasm. It was surprising to discover how many well-known tunes had Guide words set to them. "The More We Sing Together," "Pack Up Your l'.roubles," "Hiking Harriet," ",Stew," "Little Brown Tent," "There's a Long, Long Line," "Come Where the Lake," and "The Sun is Sinking" provided them with a variety of material for some weeks. The time-honoured melody of "Three Blind Mice" proved popular when sung as a Health Round: Cold in the Head! No Good to Guides! So breathe through your nose and clean your teeth
And you will never collapse beneath A Cold in the Head! To its companion round, "I Heal' Thunder," they sang joyfully, Big loud sneezes! Hark, quite near! Ere the germ has gripped us Fetch the eucalyptus, No colds here. "Well," said Captain, as she and Lieutenant walked home together after one meeting which had ended with singing, "We may not be the last word in Choral Societies, but we do have fun; and that quiet little Mary G-is coming right out of her shell at the singsongs, have you noticed?" "Yes," said Lieutenant, "and Geraldine, who always worries me because she has such a dark, smoky kind of look-she really has a lovely voice, and loses all her sulks when she sings." "We might ask her to be Song Recorder for the Company," said Captain thoughtfully. "a Company Song Collection would be an idea. If the music means something to Geraldine it may be just the way to gain her active cooperation." So they talked on. "I suggest," laughed Lieutenant, as she turned in at her own gate, (Continued on Page 12)
7
MA'l'ILDA
April, 1935.
Circle Knots. A SINGING GAME FOR GUIDES. Each Patrol sits in a circle and is numbered. In the centre of the circle is a chair and two ropes. Captain calls out the knot, and the number of the Guide in each Patrol who is to tie it. The Company immediately begins to sing the appropriate verse to any Nursery Rhyme or Cap tune that will fit. Each Guide who is sitting in the centre of the circle with the i<:not correc~~y tied before the verse ends scores a point for the Patrol. I.-REEF. To join two ends of a bandage, or tie a parcel tight, The Reef Knot is the knot to use--be sure Lo tie it right. Your right hand goes across your left, then turn the ends up through; Next left hand crosses over right, and that end turns up too. 2.-BOWLINE. The Bowline is the sailor's loop and very safe indeed; Make one end fast, for one end of your rope is all you need; â&#x20AC;˘ First one small backward bend, then round your waist the end must go, Up through that bend, behind the rope, and down again below. 3-SHEETBEND. When Colours must be hoisted, and the Guides stand round about, The flag's unbroken on the staff, the ColourParty's out; The Sheet-bend is the knot to fix the halyard to the rope, And wQen the flag is broken, it will hold quite firm, we hope. 4.-CLOVE HITCH. A Hitch will fix a rope's end to a rope or spar or tnee, A Clove Hitch takes a downward strain, as presently you'll see. The short end take from left to right- "A snake went round a pole"Cross over once; go round again, tuck under, that's the whole. 5.-SHEEP SHANK. The Sheepshank is a shortening knot when any rope's too long; First gather up the extra part (to cut it would be wrong); Put two small inward loops upon the long rope; then you bend The extra part through these two loops, and don't touch either end. G.-FISHERMAN'S. For joining two unequal ropes, or when the ropes are wet, The Fisherman's the knot to use, as Guides must not forget; Take one end only of each rope and lay them east and west, Tie each end round the other rope, pull up, t);lat's all the Test. (From the "Canadian Guider") [N.B.-These verses will go well to the tune "The Wearin' of the Green."-M.S.J
The Minstrel Badge. This badge is one with which a Captain may not have very much to do; the responsibility of preparatIOn being left chiefly to the Guide and her music teacher. Captain and Company, however, can greatly assist in the training, if there is a piano at Company Headqualters; and no Guide who contemplates winning a Minstrel's Badge should think of doing so in any "private" capacity. She should take every opportunity of playing, particularly her march and National Anthem, at Company Meetings, before presenting herself for the test; she is then in reality proficient, and understands what she is attempting to do. If there is no piano, Captain can perhaps help by making opportunities for her to practice elsewhere, maybe with some members of her own Patrol; or possibly Patrol Leader may be able to offer suggestions as to places for rehearsal. At any rate, rehearsal there should be, as experience is essential before the test is attempted. A reliable memory is a most desirable thing for a Company Minstrel to possess. Most especially should the National Anthem be memorised. Of what service is a badge, if at the first emergency the Guide has to run home for the music, which perhaps is not nearer than the next suburb? Or if she be a country Guide, the chances are that it is even further away. Sight-reading should be of a sound standard, as regards rhythm and accuracy of note; speed is not essential. If the Company Minstrel can be relied upon to pick out a tune correctly, she will be a tremendous help at the sing-songs, when new songs are to be learnt. A word of warning here to prospective Minstrels. Do not attempt music that is too difficult. There are many effective and yet simple marches, which will be more inspiring than florid ones indifferently played. You will have time to pin your thoughts to the rhythm, instead of sending them scrambling with your fingers after inaccessible notes. You will notice that all this is chiefly concerned with the "useful" side of the badge rather than with the more "ornamental" section, which says: "Play two contrasted pieces, one by a classical composer and one by a modern composer." I have stressed the March, the National Anthem and the Sight-Reading, because they definitely are things upon which others depend. I do .not wish to minimise the usefulness of being able to play for the sake of entertainment. There are only too few who can readily do this. It will probably not be needed as much as the requirements already dwelt upon; and the audience does not depend upon these pieces in the same way that the Guides depend upon the steady swing of a march, or upon a firm lead in "God Save the King," or the tune of a new song. With regard to the entertainment section, however, "Play two contrasted pieces," the same rule as fOl' the march applies-do not attempt music which is beyond your grasp. (Continued on Page 12)
8
MATILDA
April, 1935.
Editor: Nancy Thewlis. "All who joy would win must share it, Happiness was born a twin."
EASTER TIME. Have you anything left in Pack funds after the gigantic doings of December and January? Then you may spend a trifle of it and bring excitement and joy to the heart of many a small Brownie by an Easter egg hunt. The story of the Hare and the Easter egg originated in England, because Easter t here is in the Spring. It seems that King Wintel' was told he must relinquish his throne to Spring. He did so, and Spring wanted to send a message to tell the world that she was coming. Who should carry the message? Why not the hare, who could run so fast? But the hare was afraid of traps. So they called to their aid the birds, who each gave an egg. The hare took the eggs and gave them out to t he children as a sign that Spring WM on her way. What about a hunt for eggs in a garden? (The eggs to be hidden in little nests made of straw from a packing case.) Why not have a trail, at the end of which would be a huge nest of eggs with a hare sitting atop it? ._ Could a Brownie be dressed as a hare and give out the eggs? In any case, one egg should be labelled with the name of each Brownie. N ow about getting the eggs. You may buy chocolate ones covered attractively with silver or cellophane paper, or you can buy h en's eggs, boil t hem and paint them with water colours. And, of course, you must not neglect to have an Easter hare and / or Easter egg story . D.M.
The Easter Eggs. (Translated from the French) There was once a little village where the people had never heard of fowls. Although these people lived in small wooden huts, and were very poor, they were very happy, and loved to sit watching the beautiful mountains all round them. They grew their own vegetables, made t h eir own bread, looked after their goats and cows, and worked very hard. A stranger seldom came through this little village, but one day a girl came running down
the mountain calling to her mother, who was sitting outside her hut: "Mother, Mother, come quickly, there's a beautiful lady on the mountain side with a boy and a little girl. They are very tired and hungry, and the lady wants to know where they can go and rest and have something to eat." The mother hastily -took a jug of milk, some bread and some cheese, and started tv climb the mountain. She found the lady, who was very grateful for the meal for herself and her two children. When they were rested, the mother led the lady down the mountain to show her a new little hut that had only just been built in the village. She liked it and decided to live there. When she found a girl to help her do the work, she sent her to buy bread, butter, cheese and eggs. "Oh, Madame!" exclaimed the girl. "You would not be so cruel as to take eggs from the little birds' nests!" . "No, No!" said the lady. "I mean eggs from the fowls, not from the singing birds in t he forest." "But I do not know anything about any other eggs," replied the girl. "What! You have no fowls in the village?" exclaimed the lady in great surprise. But as the poor people lived a very long way from any other village, she came to the conclusion that no one had ever brought any fowls to the village. So she called her little son and said: "Ride your pony across the mountain, and fetch me a rooster and some hens." The boy set off early next morning, and towards evening, as it was getting dusk, he returned, very tired but triumphant. "Here they are," cried he, holding out a cage with a rooster and a couple of hens. The whole village gathered together to see the birds being let out, and everyone watched with interest while the lady threw them some grain. Next morning the villagers heard the rooster crowing and saw the beautiful large white eggs the hens had laid, and their admiration knew no bounds. The lady was good and kind; she helped the needy and nursed the sick and comforted those in trouble. Soon everyone learned to love her.
April, 1935.
9
MATILDA
She had now many fowls and many eggs, and while her daughter distributed eggs to the villagers, she herself went about teaching them how these should be cooked. The fowls were ever a source of delight to the villagers and their children, who spent much time trying to imitate their cries, and never tired 0f watching the fluffy little yellow chickens running to and fro. One day the lady decided to give all the villagers a party. It was just about Easter time, so, on Easter Sunday, she invited everyone in the village to come and visit her. Many days were spent preparing cakes and goodies for the party, and collecting all the eggs they could find. These were coloured all the colours of the rainbow, and carefully hidden in baskets. When the villagers arrived the lady called all the children together and told them to go and gather moss, and make a small nest each and hide it under a tree, carefully noting the place of each one's own nest. When it was time for everyone to go home, the lady spoke to the villagers: "I have many fowls now," she said, "and I am going to give every family a rooster and two hens. If you look after them well, as I have already explained, you will soon have many eggs and chickens." "Now, children," she continued, "go and find your nests." Soon cries of delight were heard from all directions: the children had found five coJ.oured eggs in each nest! Then the villagers went home, each family carrying a rooster and two hens, and the children carrying their nests, and shouting "Happy Easter! Happy Easter!" all the way. A.E.F.P.
A GAME FOR ST. GEORGE'S DAY. One Brownie is St. George and may carry a shield, a tin tray or one made from strong cardboard. The other Brownies form the dragon by holding on to each othel"s belts with right and left hands altemately. Free hands form the claws of the dragon. Both St. George and the Brownie who forms the tip of the tail wear pieces of wool tied around each arm. To kill the dragon, St. Georg:e must break both armlets on the dragon's tail, at the same time protecting his own armlets from the dragon's claws. One armlet broken means wounded, both means killed. It is best to have a time limit for each child to be St. George. M.K.B.
THE MYSTERY HANDCRAFT. Brown Owls, see what you can make out of this! It should prove both fascinating and useful for your Pack. Directions will be continued in the next tW;) issues of "Matilda," so be sure to get in early and secure a copy. Cut a piece of cardboard, either white or brown. to the size of 12in. x Sin. Mark the spot 2in. from each of the four corners down every side of this and ioin these marks from side to side and top to bottom. This forms a marked two-inch square at each corner. Now cut this square away and bend the cardboard
along the lines left. This makes a box S in. by 4in., with the corners open. Take four pieces of strong brown paper 2~in. by lin., and gum down each cornel' on the outside of the box, holding comers firmly together till it is in place, and lap }in. over at top of box and ~in . over at bottom. We will call this box A. N ow take three brown bootlaces and plait to the length of 19in. Watch next month's issue for the next chapter. A.V.H.
THE CURIOSITY SHOP. There was such a large number of articles left over from the Brownie stall at the Handcraft exhibition last August that it has been decided to parcel all the handcraft into 1/assorted bundles. So any Brown Owls who are having bazaars 01' Open Pack meetings and who would like some extra articles for sale may obtain any of these bundles from Miss L. Hooper, S Albany Road. Toorak. Come and try your luck, Brown Owls, see what you can get, and help the Camp House at the same time.
GAME. This is a game played by Lake Marma when the Guides gave the Brownies a party. It is called "Elves and Pixies." This is our little rhyme: "Elves in the valley frolic and play Till the fairy piper pipes them away. To make mischief the pixies come, But the Witch enchants them one by one. When the elves return their homes to see They find the pixies fast to a tree." The elves made a charming ¡and tidy home till the music of the fairy piper who passed by that way set their feet a dancing and they followed him gladly to the green wood. But the mischievous pixies watched and came to romp wildly in the dell, scatter dead rushes and pull at branches. Then came the witch with her green wand. She waved it and recited: "With my magic wand I command Every Pixie still to stand." The Pixies felt themselves grow suddenly stiff and unable to move. So they were standing, fixed and staring, when the elves came laughing back, led by the fairy piper. How surprised they were to find the naughty Pixies so quiet! I won't tell you how our fairy piper set the pixies free and broke the spell. because that is a secret. I wonder can your Brownie~ find a way? 1st MURTOA COMPANY.
CEREMONY FOR INSPECTION. THE DOG SHOW. Each Six is in it's home and represents some breed of dog, which they choose for themselves. Their hair tidy, their uniform spic and span, conesponds to the coat of the dOll. their Brownie brooch bein~ the tail-wagger's bad're. They could be asked to beg so that nails and hands could be seen, and they could be asked to do tricks. Their ties would bp. their collars. and the pennies the entrance fee. Brownies find a lot of fun in this, and love the ielea. E.F'.
10
MATILDA
BROWNIE GUIDERS' EFFORT FOR CAMP HOUSE. There are still a number of Packs who have not sent in any of their pennies to help the Camp House. Over £2 has already been obtained by this method. If any Packs still wish to contribute, will they send in their money as soon as possible to Miss M. Heseltine . 87 Westbury Street, St. Kilda, S.2. '
The World Chalet. (By Ranger) A delightful description of the World Chalet at Adelboden, Switzerland, was given by Miss Gladys Niven, Red COl'd Diploma Guider of South Africa, when she spoke to a numbe~ of Guiders at Queen's Hall recently. She took her listeners on a complete tour of inspection beginning with the little railway station and th.e 'bus drive up th.e valley side, and ending wIth the small detaIls of the chalet furnishings. On her first trip, she said, she was thrilled by the Swiss scenery. As the members of her party drove up the twisting road they passed small rushing streams and painted chalets. Always the sound of tinkling bells was in their ears, and high, snow-clad mountains were before them. At the head of the valley, just above Adelboden itself, snow on a mountain peak was melting and rushing down ·the mountain side as a wonderful waterfall. The village was typically Swiss. Every twostoried house had its brightly painted window or balcony boxes filled with flowers. The delegates to the Eighth World Conference were billeted in various hotels and pensions, and assembled at the Hotel Regina each morning at 9 o'clock. After a break from 12 o'clock until 2.30 p.m. they worked on steadily until about G.30 p.m. Inside the Chalet. Twenty-seven countries were represented at the conference, said Miss Niven, and every delegate was anxious to do what ever was best for Guiding as a whole, without considering her own country first. The World Chalet could be seen quite clearly from the village. Atthough it did not seem far away it was a good three-quarters of an hour walk. As one entered the front door of the chalet there was a furnace l'oom directly ahead, which, in addition to heating the whole house, served as a drying-room for wet clothes. On the right-hand side was a room where visitors took off their heavy boots, out of consideration for the lovely parquet floors which were laid clown in most of the rooms. Upstairs, on one side. were the kitchens, pantry and larder, all sootlessly clean. Behind these was a verandah, which led on to the ground again, as the chalet is built on a steep slope. Just beyond the verandah was a quaint old water trough made out of the hollowed trunk of a tree. Another narrow hollowed branch acted as a pine. Sitting Rooms and Bed Rooms. Th!' large dining room had a beautiful parquet floor, and the front wall consisted almost
April, 1935.
entirely of windows. A black "witch pot" swung from a hook in the large open fireplace, and near by was a lovely old oak chest, on which a bowl stood, always filled with flower.;. The hearthrug was a gift from an English Guide company. Apart from the tables and benches there was no other furniture, so that the room could be readily cleared for games. Opening off from it was a small sitting-room, called "Great Britain," where there was an enormous blue-tiled stove. Upstairs were the bedrooms, and over each bed was painted a little Swiss flower, matching the flower painted over one of the bathroom pegs, so that the owner of the bed knew which peg she was to use. The wooden shutters over all the windows were gaily painted with different varieties of native flowers. All the table china used in the chalet was white, with a narrow blue rim and a blue trefoil, and all the linen was marked with the blue trefoil. A new addition to the chalet was what is called the "squirrel house." It contained a number of emergency bedrooms, and it had been named the "squirrel house" because the squirrels from the surrounding trees sat on the roof and ran about inside. (Argus.)
OIorreBpoulleucr. .. Dear "Matilda," In regard to the position outlined by "Country Captain," may I suggest the following:The Guides evidently did not know the remedy that is in their own hands, and the Guiders may see an opportunity for experience that will help them all. Every Guide may protest against an order after she has carried it out, and she is then in a strong position to make her protest. If the Company wishes to protest on her behalf they may do so through the Patrol Leaders and the Court of Honour would be called at once. Everyone at the meeting will be sincerely sorry for what has occurred, and will do all she can to put it right; resentment and standing on dignity are equally out of place and ev·e ry one will be bent on the solution of the difficulty; this one incident and this alone would be discussed, no hearsay would be allowed, the Guide most concerned should makp a simple statement herself. The Leaders will feel that the Captain is deeply concerned but that the matter is not entirely in her hands and the Commissioner should be consulted. They have free access to the Commissioner and an interview could be arranged for them by the Captain. When she has heard simole and direct statements from Leaders and Guiders further decision wiII be left to her entirely and will be loyally carried out. . The soirit of goodwill that is the spirit of the Guides is a power to overcome all difficultv for those who feel it in sincerity and simplicity. Yours truly, G. H. SWINBURNE.
April, 1935 .
M A T I L:;,,;::D-=":.:,\_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _l_ l
Interstate News. NEW SOUTH WALES. Hav ing auspiciously commenced the Guide Year Ly first a visit to Glengarry from Mrs. StOHOW, fo ll owed by t he Chief Guide, w h,) had many words of praise for our training quarters, we were thrilled that The Chief brought with her t he Silver Fish to confer on Miss E lsie Smith. We are pleased to heal' that in a small Isiand called Nauru a company of Guides is to be fOllned under Mrs. Garcia. E.R.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. T h E' open ing of the new Tra ining Centre at C raf~r;;, and th e " Mycumbene," held at Mount Ormond, were two of the outstanding events clming the visit of the Chief Gu ide to S.A. The olel Crafers School and Schoolhouse, in an ideal spot in the heart of the Adelaide Hills had not been used since t he bui lding of th", new school. The Government was approached, and much to the joy of the Guide Association and t hrough t he courtesy and good offices of the Minister for Pu blic Works, the building was handed over, free of charge, for a period of three years. A transformed tichool anrl schoolhouse greeted the Ch ief Guide, Lady Dugan (Chief State Commissioner), Executive and the many Commissioners, L.A. members and Guiders wbo attended the openim;. The Commissioner for P ublic Works (Mi,. Hudd) attended to hand over the building un behalf of t he Government. "The building as I ~el:' it to-day," said Mr. Hudd, "is not the building we handed over to you. The cast-off bui lding has been improved beyond belief." Great enthusiasm greeted the announcement t hat the Premier had gran ted an extension of t ime to a period of six years . Mr. Hud(\ then handed the bui lding to Lady Dugan, who asked World Chief to open and name the Training Centre. "This home will be the Mecca c.f Guiding for thi,; State." said the Chief. "It will be a friendly meeting place, where peace of mimI anJ peace of heart, and all the fundamental principles of guiding will pl·pvail.·' No one knew what our Training Centre would be called until the Chief Guide, turning the key, said: "I name this buildinp' Paxlease." At the Guide oicnic at Belair the Guide.s and P.L.'s !lave the pageant "The Landing of the Buffalo ." which they were to have given at Moonee Valley. and it was on thi~ occasion that t he Chief 'Guide presented Miss Ralph, State Organising Secretary, with the Silver Fi~h. amid great enthusiasm. As Camp Fires are taboo in S.A. from November until March, owing to the prevalence of hush fires. the Guiders were at a loss regarding al'l'angements for their out-of-doo}' greeting to the Chief Guide. Suddenly came the happy thought and the idea-why not have a Mycumbene (the native name for "Therp we sit down"). And so a Mycumbene it was. As it transpired. the weather cam,ed it to bl:' held indoOl·s. instead of undel' the tree~ in the moonlight. Tea was served out <If
doors, and the remainder of t he programme was carr ied t hroug h in t he lounge of the Golf Ho use, w here a huge log fire blazed. The programme included Guide Songs and Austl'alian sketches by different divisions, and a stor y, "The Gallant Gum Trees," by a Guider. An origina l tree ceremony, in which each Division presented to Lady Baden Powell a samp le "tree" in a pot, was most interesting. T he Guider representing h er division carried in her tree (peculiar to her division) described its nature, history. habits, etc., in a few words, and then presented to the Chief Guide a piece of the natural wood, and a small polished article. Native cherry, Golden wattle, Mulga. Banksia. Bottlebrush , Desert mallee, Native willow, Yacka, Red gum, Stringybark, etc., were a1'l'anged in small pots in a semicirclE' at the end of the ceremony. J.W.
MATILDA KNOWS-DO YOU? That "Peace" in Chinese is wl'itten "P'ingan" - "P'ing" being the sign for level and "AN" the sign of a roof with a woman under it, meaning tranquility. A woman in the home is the sign of peace. That a scream uttered too close to a microphone can cau~e a breakdown in the transmission? That the word "Mush" used to encourage ~Ieigh-dogs is pronounced "marsh." That the coloured population of South Africa consists besides the African races, of Indians and Malayians.
Attractive Tubs for Sale. Suitable for daphne plants 01' hydrangeas. Apply to Mr. I.e Leu, 39:> Whitehor se Road, Balwyn. Limited number only. Price 4/6, painted 5 / -. Don't miss t h is bargain! Pl'oreedl' in aid of Guide Camp House.
BALAUCHISTAN. The response to "Matilda's" suggestion last month was really yery nice, and Mrs. Grey took hack to Quetta two books. The Brownies sent a delightful story of the Rally illustrated with photos and. sketches, while Guides and Rang(el'q compilerl a book which was mostly about the Rally, but also contained photos, etc., of Melbourne and general interest.
Training. GuidE'lS who have not previously attended a Training Class at Headquarters must bring to the first (·Iass of any Course a Nomination Form signed hy their own Commissioner. Unless otherwise announced all TrainingClasses an' hel.d at the Guide Office, 60 Market Street (7th 1<'1001') Melbourne, C.l, at 7.45 p.m. Brownie Training. The first Course f01' the year hegan on Wednesday, 20th FE'hl'uaJ'Y, with Miss Paling in chal·gE'. The 8N'ond Course will begin on :Vlonday. 10th June. with Miss V. Hill in charge.
MATILDA
Guide TrainiDg. The first ~ ' for those with some previcma ~~. &t Guiding, bean on MondaY, 26tb ~. with MiuSwiDbljrne in c1iarge. ~e 'tIIIlCo1ld COurl", fOr lleW. Guiders Onty, is in eb~ of Miss Hoffmeyer. ana be~ (1). ~y, 1st ¥areh. A third OOQ1'8e of training will be arJ.'anged
=,.
er Trainhag.. M only two ~oepective Ranger Guiders ad in their Ilam~laet Course win not· be ariilQed. but indi • training will. be given to those who applied. ~ft~
.
.. Jtisti Bush win be at the Guide Oftlce on the ~ Thursday in April (18th) from 10.80 a.m. till 12.30.
1'raiRiDj lV• • It is !\oped tlult a Training Week will be hId during tile -Mal vacation. Further lletai18 wl11 be publftthed when availllble. . M. E. BUSH. Conunill8iQ.ner for Training.
1st North Fitzroy~ M. L. Drury. Lieutenant._ l$t )faryborough-.:Miss A:. Amo~. Ranger Captain.lst Collingwood-Mi6s D. Ining. FOU~
AND i"WENTY BJ;.ACKButp8 (Continued from Page Six) 'f~&t Wil call ourselves the 'Four and Twenty B11~rdtI Goodniae;W' 11.& -(!Oitaiuing GOod ~ for SinPaC: owabip Song BoOk; • re than TwiCe 5$ Community Songs; English Folk Songs for Schools (Cecil Shai'p and Baring Gould); Sea Shanties (Runciman Terry); Graded Rounda apd Catches; Clarendon Sotlg goob Obtainable aM . at Headquarters. Camp Fire Songs.
.
1
,
'
THE" MlNS'l'REIJ BAnGE (Cont. from P. "'1) «pJ.ay scales and ~.i in a;t.ajer and minor keys." (Did I hear groans!) Do Jiqt
forc~
APPOINTMENT.
Distriet~
COlae-Mias J. Arkell, 9 H~ St., Colac.
WARRANTS. Brown 0.11st Oasterton.--:Iliss L. McBain. 1st Maryborougb.:..,...Miu L. Dickson. 16t Pascoe Vale--Miaa O. Smith. Tawn, 0Yt1~ Paacoe Vale---Miss 14. EunlOn.
C..,tahl1st
B~
that these am the material hom whiCh . the pieces and the marches are made. Just .. a beautiful dress is ~ilt by & faulty 1eJlarth. qf material, so is yOUt brest work sPeiled bl'. dfft'erent teehniqui---oso work haM· that JO~ fingers and general bowledge may be fit Cor the pieces you ~t. It is, e..ential to Jmow scales anel ~gi up to four ~ anti four flats, both maJor and minor-arld all the sharps and lats if J!08!!Iible. I hope 1ft1) will be ptoauctive of' many Minstrels. 1(.8.
Roek-Jliss L. Forclyce.
SNOWS
lst ha~on--;.:Mi.. Ji. La~n.
1st SOUth .e1bou~MiS8 P. Moran. 1at Wonthaggt-liln. Opie.
LieatenaD.~
1st Tatora---M\ils E. Buckley, Ranger Captain- . lit Daildenong~Miss E. Moyle.
REGISTRATIONS. Paeka-lst Trafalgar, bt Werribee. Companies-.-1st KOroit, 11th. Victoi'~ Lones.
CANCELLED WARRANTS.. Brown (brl.;..16t Maryborough. Miss W. 'COllins. TUa Qwf..i. . 16t Y!(a:wborough-MiSS L. Diekson. ~
.
16t Avenel-Mrs. Shelton. 2nd Horaham-Miss H. Newton. 1st Koondrook-Miss N. Mathews. 1st Murtoa'-Miss 1. White. WlaOll)"
-"-.'~.
far UaifOI1ll. College W-_.Snow" are to be ·jUt as . .eh retie4.. .npon lor, COl"~17 eut GiJi "Gu• • • forms as for ruU18tioa College Wear. Tile Bam\l care in flnialt and tb& ~ attlmtion to defait are app~nt - and the price" are ~ aa rea&OIJ&hle! ~SIi... 1: C••
Set Up and Pi"lntPii or "lIeJ(E{J.A.B PllIIB8 229 QleJl'ttp'i"le
RoI,a.
Pty. Lta., •••Cl
1falTerD.