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GJeandcraft 7'{,umber.
Volume XII.
JULY, 1935.
Number One.
THE HUMAN HAND. (Written by Miss M. V. Gutteridge, of Kinder garten Training College, Kew, as an Address to Guides.) I wonder have you ever looked at your hand and thought of the wonderful way in which it is made? Let us turn it this way and that, and examine its workings. The joints are so many, that it is difficult to count all that go to help in its flexibility . Why! There seems . no way that the hand cannot turn and twist-and yet it is so strong to grasp and pull and lift! The bones and muscles of the hand are wonderful; so is the arrangement of tiny nerve endings under the skin which tell us all that touch can discover of the texturethe heat-or the weight of objects. Sir George Humphry writes that the "excellence of the human hand renders Man the lord of the creation ... enables him to subdue all his foes, and gives him in some measure, power over the elements, so that land and water, fire and air, are mad'e to serve his purpose." "How essential is the hand to Man's well-being, power and progress"! Your hand is made, then, to give you power over the materials that are found in this world of ours, "so that land and waier, fire and air, are made to serve 'YOUR' purpose." YOUR "well-being, power and progress" depend greatly upon the uses you can find for YOUR hands. It is very rare for babies to be born with deformed hands. Practically all of us have well-formed hands that are waiting to be used in useful and beautiful ways. Happy is the girl who can make her hands serve her in the many ways of handcraft for the beautifying of her clothes, her room 01' her furniture, and who is able to give gifts of her own making. In much of the work of the world, we have little opportunity for choosing what we shall do and how we shall do it. Weare often asked to follow instructions and to carry out fixed designs and patterns. In handcrafts, however, we have the opportunity for choosing our desigl)s, our materials and colours, of trying to express a splendid idea of OUR OWN. Something that we accomplish alone, that we have planned and wrought and completed, s¡e ems to become a part of US-an'l so it is. We have expressed a thought of our own and given it a form-we have made th ~ thought come true! No wonder we feel happy and have feelings of pride in having created something. Never again can we feel small or useless, for we have 'proved that we can plan canv out and produce a real result. "Man's highest destiny is to be ll, wise ll,nd happy worker."
Practice. Such results will nut come by wishing alone. After the desire to do, must come the determination to learn the technique of the craft that most appeals to us; in which we feel we can most easily express our thoughts. We must be willing to practise the handling of the tools or the making of the stitches that our necessary for real mastery. Suitability. When our hands, guided by the mind, have learned: to use the tools of our craft, it is time to choose the materials. To be a real craftsman, we must choose the material most suited to the purpose for which it is to be used; lasting and good material that will stand the test of time and still be useful and beautiful. This may be well illustrated: in the making of children's toys. The good toy is often made of good and solid wood, so that it stands the uses to which the young child will put it--and still is a toy! Gone are the flimsy toys of paper or cardboard which lasted but for a day, and which were made but to be looked upon. Beauty and Simplicity. Colour and design must also be chosen for their contribution to the carrying out of our scheme as a whole. It ts worth while studying the effect on paper before ever beginning the piece of craftwork. Many designs and colours found in natur,e such as in flower s, leaves and twigs, often lead us to find our best inspiration in the garden! Origin,ality. It is easy to buy designs-to imitate antI copy something we have seen others makE'. How much better to strive to work out our own scheme-to plan our own design and colours-so that we can really claim that the finished result is really ours in every wayour thoug'ht--our plan-our workmanship and and design. What a thrilling goal to work for! During the ages ther,e have been craftsmen in each period who have perfected their craft and left us a rich heritage for inspiration. Museums and books will allow us to share in the beauty of their results, so that we may be inspired by their example to carry on the craft they loved. It doesn't matter how humble is our plan-if, of its kind, it is good, is well made, is simple and suitable-it is worthy of the name of craft work. Have you ever thought of the wonderful variety of useful crafts that there are from (Continued on Page 7)
MATILDA
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First Class Test. Dear Matilda, I think that I have heard Victorian Guiders moan that they find it takes such ages to get their Guides through the First Class test they los~ all interest befor~ it is completed. Well, this was a method of testing that was tried out on the Diploma Guiders at Foxlease, and it was most exciting to play. Thirty Guiders took part, and so realistic was it that it was some tim~ before I grasped the fact that it was a test, and not another of those thrilling "Adventures" that we had every day. The Proficiency Badges, the hike, and the Savings Bank Account w~re presumed to have been passed beforehand. The time was about n hours, but as we were all 1st Class, we probably were quicker than Guides would be. Also, we spent no time on marking 75 per cent. It was Pass or Fail for us, and not always Pass, either. To begin with, 30 of us were paired off in twos, one candidate and one recruit, who were going to learn about things, and we were given about 20 questi6ns on the subject of preparing "Foxlease" as a Rally ground for the Jubilee. We had to estimate (1) How many Guides we could seat upon the tennis court? (2) How high would an awning be that would not block the distant view? (3) How long would it take the Guides to march from the gate? (4) How many mugs were on a shelf, and how many more would be needed? As the tennis court held about 1500 the numbers were fairly high. We packed three haversacks, each weighing 3 lbs. (so much better than weighing things already packed), and so on. We wer~ enjoying this, and were about half finished, when the Guider in Charge came with a worried expression and said how sorry she was to interrupt, but would we mind taking a message to one of the other Guiders in Charge, who was in the forest. Well, nobody likes to be interrupted in the midst of achievement, but she couldn't go, so we said "Of course we would," and she produced compass, directions, and we had passed part of the courtesy test--though quite unconsciously. The directions were perfec,t ly clear, but we came to no Guider; only then suddenly on a path were two cars, full of strange females, who were quite hopelessly lost in the forest. They fortunately had with them a map; but they kn~w so little of maps that they gave it to us upside down, and I had to set it before we even could find where we were. They wer,e incredibly stupid; and could not follow our directions, which quite probably were not very good, as I had almost no idea where we were, and was very vague about the dir~ction of Lyndhurst Road station, which they wanted. However, there was the map; and eventually I drew a sketch map of the way we had come, which was plain enough to get the most hopeJess and helpless women out of the forest. <It was only here, gentl~ r.eader, that it dawned upon me that this was a put-up job. and they were not genuinely lost; I know I must have been very simple not to spot it before, bllt they were such good actors.) They
July, 1935.
offered us tea and a lift, and, following the map I had drawn, we emerged from tht! forest on to the road, and put them right for Lyndhurst. As we entered the gate we heard screams from a cottage, and saw smoke, and dashing in, saw a dreadful sight. ' A girl in flames from head to foot (red and yellow paper, but it looked terribly realistic), another unconscious upon the floor, and Miss Bray (Commissioner for Training), too dazed to do anything. We shut the door firmly in her fa~, and rolled the flaming maiden in the carpet with great vigour. Then covered her up, and I went for the doctor. This, r,e ader, was a mistake, because the recruit was unable to keep her warm, look after the woman suffering from concussion, and Miss Bray, now recovered and very talkative all at once. Also I, being a for~igner, did not understand English telephones. However. a telephone was found; and a notice said: "This may be" used," and it was, but th~ doctor turned ou~ to be a stranger to the district, and quite unable to understand the simplest directions. Eventually he grasped th~ where_ abouts of "Foxlease," and the more difficult location of the cottage, and agreed to come. We dealt with the concussion, and the burnt one now suffering badly from shock, and then Miss Bray said she would sit with the victims, if we liked to go to the next house to recover. Which we did most thankfully, and thel'e was a room entirely lined with pictures, and Miss Shanks in the centre asking questions. I can only give a few, but there was one of Mafeking, and it said "What had this plac~ to do with Scouting?" There were pictures of Guides at the World Camp, and what date was that? A fascinating picture of Swedish Guides erecting a tent faced of U.S.A. Girl Scouts ill a standing camp, and we were asked to explain the difference in the pictures. A nice littl~ girl beside a trefoil said "I am a Portuguese Guide, and my country is a Tenderfoot country. What does that mean'!" There were so many, and so enjoyable, that when Miss Shanks said "How long hav~ you been in this room?" the estimate was quite out; and even more so on how long since we left home. We were sorry not to finish the pictures, but after we had estimated the number we knew that it was impossible, as we had to return to "FoxJease." The final 2-mil~ walk had to be left out, as we were going to be sent to buy something from the chemist after the fire accident, but it was more important for us to go home and discuss the whole plan. We nearly always pulled our leaders' plans and adventures to pieces, but we enjoyed this one too much to criticise. I have only put in a few examples from each test; but in case anybody thinks it was an easy method of getting through First Class, I can only say -it was one of the hardest tests I have ev,e r encountered. Every detail was thought out. The cars were really off the road in the forest, the t elephone was real, we did not have to pre-
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tend to send a message to the doctor, and we were expected to tear off every blanket off every bed if we needed it. As a test of knowledge it was thorough and the standard high, but as a test of self-control, resourcefulness and courtesy it stood alone. It would appear that a number of people were needed to do the planning, but we came to the conclusion that it could be worked in in a district as follows. 1. Anybody to do the first heights, weights, distance, numbers and time, because the answers were written and could" be corrected later. 2. Members of the Local Association who would be lost with their cars. 3. A nurse to do the accidents. 4. The Commissioner could do the History and Development-if she had the answers written down. 5. Anybody to be the doctor. 6. The nurse or the Commissioner could time the walk. If you look at that you will ~ee that aU the 1st Class tester has to do is to persuade five people to take part, and sundry odd Rangers or Guides to be victims, and to prepare the "events." Perhaps it will take a long time, but we do save a lot of time that we used to expend in "dragging out the answers," and also in the marking. All our 17uiding was as self-corrective that week as it was adventurous. If we tried to tie up bucking steers with bowlines we soon found that the patrol who used the cowboy bowline had the advantage. If when returning home from a successful stalking game we were shot at with arrows by a ,member of the staff hidden high up in an oak tree it was not necessary to tell us in which direction we had failed. Perhaps the most devastating thing that could happen to a patrol was, after having been previously warned against treachery, they found, when they were some miles from home, that one of their members had disappeared, and with her the log book containing the route of the homeward way. The Guider in Charge said it was only about four miles or so if you knew the route; but to the Guiders who did NOT know it that must have been quite a good lesson in vigilance. Our gratitude was expressed at the end of the week to the staff trainers, who spent hours and hours of their time in preparing "incidents" and "adventures" that were so real that we never knew what we would be expected to do next. The motto of that week might well hav!:' been "The Patrol System, and what it can do when handled in the right way." DELL HAYMAN.
SUBSCRIBERS TO "MATILDA"! The Editor and Committee wish to give you a permanently enlarged edition of "Matilda." but before that is possible it is absolutely necessary to have 150 more subscribers. Can you get another subscriber for us ?-Editor.
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3Jumhorrr U;oapitul. The Chief Commissiol1er of the Boy Scouts Association in Victoria (Mr. Hoadley) has asked that the following extracts from the report of the Australian Jamboree be conveyed to the people concerned. We feel that all Guiders will be interested to see how much appreciation is felt for the work done by aU Guiders and Rangers on the Hospital Staff. SYBIL CHAUVEL. "I am unable to say sufficient in praise of the work of the Girl Guide helpers at the Hospital, or of that of the Medical Officer there. The hospital ran without a hitch from the opening of the Camp, and this fact was due entirely to the efficient and thorough management, in particular. on the part of the Guides led by Miss G. Wilson. During the whole time the team work of the staff was exoellent. There were positively no hitches of any kind, each section did its work most efficiently, and the atmosphere was at all times delightful to work in. Guiders, Sisters and Doctors were in the best of spirits, and all were willing to do more than requested. Ample off-duty time was given, practically all of this being spent in the Jamboree Camp where so many things of interest were to be seen.
ACKNOWLEDG MENTS. Pride of place under this heading must be given to the Girl Guides of Victoria. It is difficult to find words adequately to praise their splendid effort. The extremely smooth running of the Hospital unit during the whole of the time made it a real pleasure to be associated with it. The staff was not only numerically sufficient, but each member of it, whether her work was in the Wards, the Office, the kitchen or the mess-tent, proved herself a competent and willing worker, and one must congratulate the Guides not only on a most careful selection which placed no square pegs in round holes, but also on having in their ranks such a fine body of willing workers. To Miss Wilson and all members of her staff are due the warmest thanks of the Scout Association, the Medical Officer, and last but not least. all the In-Patients and casualties who passed through their hands. Bravo, Guides! You did an excellent job, and your cheery spirits did everyone good. The fact that only about half of the personnel had known each other previously and that those with different qualifications had to be chosen by different people, testifies very highly to the Organisation, adaptability and discipline of the Guide Movement for, as I have remarked before, the team work was excellent. "In many Companies the Second Class Te:;t seems to be looked upon as an irritating interlude to the Company's programme, instead of the framework on which it is built. . . What nicer game is there than being tested, trying out one's powers with others?" (From "The Guider")
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________________________~M~ATI_L_D __A______________________J_u~ly~,_1~9_35__ .
"I too wi'll something make, And joy in the making."-Robert Bridges. Editor: Marion Sinclair.
BASKETRY. Perhaps one of the oldest and most widely used of any handicraft is weaving with cane. In the days of the Cave Dwellers, they woye baskets in which to gather nuts and fruits from trees. The process which they used was as follows: The woman broke off the. rough outside bark to get the soft inside pith. This was pulled off in strips and twisted together into long strands. Then she broke little branches from the tree and tied them together at one end with two pieces of string, which was made from the tendons of big animals-trophies Qrought in by the men. These tendons she cut out, and left to dry in the sun. When they were dry, she broke the thin outside skin, and tore the tendons apart with her fingers. They came to pieces in little thread~ which afterwards made strong string. Needles were made from sma1l bones from the leg of the deer, or from the wing of a bird. The Hebrews indulged in the art, and evidently used bulrushes similar to those in which Moses was found. The Egyptians Greeks and Romans developed the art still further, and introduced typical designs. Most primitive peoples have been weavers, using the material nearest at hand for this purpose. For instance, the Chine.s e use baml;>oo from which to weave baskets for conveymg their merchandise. One of the advantages of basket-weaving is that it may be done by touch only, and not by seeing, so that it is a means of livelihood as well as an interesting hobby for blind workers. The materials required for the Basketworker Badge are very inexpensive. These are pith, sea-grass, cane, and wooden bases. :rhe terms used in the process of basket-weavmg are:(a) Randing, (b) Upsetting, (c) Waling. Stakes are cut to the desired length, and inserted into the holes which have been previously pierced in the wooden base. An uneven number of holes is necessary for correct weaving. (a) Randing. This is weaving wilh a single cane fTom left to right--taking the cane in front of one stake, ,and then behind the next, and so on.
Hold between the right hand thumb and finger. Tip of left thumb steers cane, between stakes. Keep work well pressed down on the board. (b) Up etting. This is to t ake three canes, and insert each end to left of three consecutive stakes. Take the one nearest to the left, in front of two and behind one. Repeat until the required number of rows is complete. (c) Waling. This is done in the same way as upsetting. This term applies to the rows of twist near or on top of basket before the border. To insert new upsetting or waling cane, leave ends of preceding cane to project in front. Lift this away a little, insert end of new cane alongside, and continue waling with new cane. So many and varied are. the uses of basket weaving that numerous useful as well as ornamental articles are made in a comparatively short time. The beginner finds satisfaction in this, as she soon sees something completed which has not cost a great deal.-E.W. [For this interesting and helpful article we are indebted to Miss E . Wood, 39 Elizabeth Street, Malvern, S.E.4. She. will be glad to answer questions on Basket-Weaving if any Guiders wish to ask them. Her telephone number is U8745.-M.S: . ]
PATROL COMPETITIONS. HANDCRAFT AND OTHERWISE. What about a Patrol competition on useful articles for the Second Olass test? If any Companies have tried this! perhaps they would write to the Page about It. If any have not, they may think it a good plan to adopt, as one Company is about to do. Ideas a~ ~o. what the articles shall be are the responSIbIlity of the Guides. A display will be held at the end of the time (about five weeks) when the exhibits will be judged. Points will he awarded on the fol1lowing bases: l.- For the practical usefulness to the Company of each article.
July, 1935.
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MATiLDA
2.- For the quality of the work. 3.- For the team-work involved. 4.- For originality. This should help to make the 'Useful Articl~". clause of the Test more exciting for the aspiring Tenderfoot, as her Patrol witl benefit by her effort. NATURE COMPETITION. The foTlowing Nature competition on the lines suggested in the "Guider" for January of this year has been tried with great success. A certain period of time is chosen (in this case it was 30 days). The Court of Honour however may decide on any length of time it considers suitable. The Patrols provide themselves with a sheet of cardboard each which they divide off into squares of abo~t two inches, corresponding ~th the number of days. A date is put in each square. Then each Leader organises her Patrol so that every member is responsible for drawing the most beautiful thing in Nature that she sees, on the date or dates allotted to her. The drawings are done on slips of paper the same size as the squares on the chart, and each Guide sticks her own contributions on with seccotine. (If the drawings are coloured the effect is most cheerful.) The Leaders will arrange whether they organise from week to week or for the whole time at once. Some Patrols may put their charts up straight away, so that their progress can be seen; others prefer to burst forth on the final day with their completed effort. It has been found satisfactory to award points on the following system: l.-For completeness of chart (organisation, and team work). 2.-For variety and observations. 3.-For artistic effect. 4.-For originality. If trying this competition, it is necessary to make it clear at the beginning that each Guide is responsible for her own day. No one else should do it for her if she forgets, even if they have happened to observe something extremely beautiful upon that particular date! Neither should a Guide substitute for a forg-otten date anything she sees at any other time. She. can learn to appreciate beauty, whether she puts it down for a Patrol point or not; and it is training her sense of responsibility to remember her special days. M.S.
THE MAKING OF HOOKED RUGS. A simple and inexpensive handcraft is the making of hooked rugs from woollen materials. These can be made in all sizes; and colours chosen to fit in with the colour scheme of your rooms. They are, easy to keep clean, and give endless wear. First of all, make a collection of old woollen materials such as worn-out cashmere stockings, underwear, jumpers, skirts-in fact, anything woollen, except material which frays r('ndily. Hessian or burlap is used for the foundation of the rug. This may be bought by the yard at any draper's. Also buy a steel crochet needle (coarse). Be sure to ask for Ol}e for making rugs from material, not
wool), as a different type of needle is used for wool rugs. After cutting the hessian to the desired size, turn in an inch all round and stitch firmly to prevent fraying. It will be easier to work if washed first, in warm soapy water, and when dry pressed under a damp cloth. The woollen materials should be cut into long strips about an inch in width. When cutting stockings begin at the top and cut round and round until the foot is reached. It is best to make one's first rug of fairly simple design; and so begin by working across one end of the hessian in straight rows. Hold the steel needle in the right hand; and hold the edge of the hessian firmly between thumb and first finger of the left hand. The end of the, material should be held lightly between first and second fingers under the hessian. Push needle through hessian and pull through the end of the material, then pull through a loop about an inch in length. Continue this till end of row is reached. Begin another row as close as possible to the first. When all the hessian has been covered with closely-placed rows take a sharp pair of scissors and clip off the top of the loops to get the pile effect. It is a good plan to work out a colour scheme before beginning the rug. If desired a design may be introduced. One simple and effective way is to use plates of different sizes. Place on hessian and draw round with chalk or pencil. Then fill in spaces with bright colours. . Silk stockings may also be used f01' making rugs; but there is no doubt that those made of woollen materials have a better appearance. H.L.B.
"HERE IS F ANTASY." The Editor and Committee wish to thank ver heartily all those persons who helped to make the production a success. Special thanks are due to the Supper Committee under Miss Jones for their fascinating effort, also to Sweets and Flower Committee for their unique presentations. May we also thank the cast for their tireless energy in attendin~ rehearsals, and the many Guiders who brought along their friends. Weare pleased to state that we have placed to "Matilda's" credit the sum of ÂŁ14 . this amount being raised by the concert. "THE HUMAN HAND" (Continued from P.3) which to choose that which most attracts us, and best serves our purpose. We may weave or sew, we. ml;\Y hammer or paint, we may model or kmt, m the carrying out of our purpose. Of materials there is a choice that bewilders us, and colours that are more than the shades in the rainbow! Surely all that is needed is the desire to do- the will to learn, and the power to carry on until the result fulfils our purpose. May we all be worthy of the name of craftsmen! .
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MATILDA
July, 1935.
"Great works' are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance." (Johnson)
ONE-DAY HANDCRAFTS. (a) Give each Brownie a piece of paper folded into six, then let her draw her Six emblem on it, fairly big. Next cut it out. The figure will come out with the hands joined, as if they were dancing. Then let her draw a toadstool, each Brownie will have her Six dancing round the Totem. Brown paper is best, as it is stiffer. (b) Cut out two pieces of cardboard in the shape of a donkey. Let the Brownies buttonhole the two together, leaving a gap at the tail end. Insert a packet of luggage labels with the string hanging out for the tail. Write on front: "I'm but a foolish donkey, And I do not wish to brag, But if you pull my little tail You'll find a luggage tag." R.L.S.
SIMPLE HANDCRAFTS. (a) FOR MOTHER. A Needle and Pin Case to Carry in a Handbag. Material required: A piece of corded ribbon about H inches wide and 8 inches long, a strip of flannel slightly narrower and 7 inches long, one press stud, needles, pins and small safety pins. Method: Stitch the flannel to the ribbon, neatly folding one end to a point. Roll up and secure with a press stud. Put needles and pins into flannel and, if liked, black and white cotton may be threaded through the needles in readiness for an emergency. Wind the thread neatly round each needle. M.K.B. (b) FOR FATHER. Pen Rack. Choose two cotton reels that are rather deeply grooved. Then, fr~m. one side, c~t off a little of the reel so that It IS flat at thIs part. Do this in the same manner with each reel. Now get a strip of thick card or thin wood, somewhat longer than the average penholder, and about an inch and a half wide. Glue the reels on to the strip, one at each end, and after painting, the pen rack is ready for use. Envelope Stand. Obtain a piece of thick cardboard thin wood, five or six inches long and three Inches
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wide. You will need six reels in this case, the thick, shortish ones being the best. Two of the reels are sawn -e xactly in half, and the four halves are glued on to the underside of the card or wood to act as feet for the stand. The other fou'jI whole reels are then glued exactly above the feet, and it is these which hold the envelopes and notepaper. Again paint the stand you have made, and it will be very useful, and an attractive object which father is sure to appreciate. M.E.H. (c) FOR CAPTAIN .. If the Pack is a large one, and Captain has a home or flat, how about some mats? The Brownies buttonhole round curtain rings in coloured or plain raffia or wool, and Brown Owl, Tawny, etc., join them in groups--one ring in the centre with six round is most effective. By using small and large rings a complete set can be made. Cardboard rings can be used, but curtain rings are firmer and neater. A small Pack could be content with a mat for teapot and hot water jug. If there is a little time during the meeting to make things, perhaps a notebook would be a simple scheme. The Pack collects paper for the pages, white, light colours, perhaps some music manuscript paper and graph paper. The pages are all cut to the one size and holes punched through the top. These are joined as a loose-leaf (rings can be bought cheaply at a stationer's) with a firm cardboard base, and an ornamental cover. The rest of the paper is cut and punched and packed for re-fi11s. If the present is to be more for the Company, a doll's bed is feasible. In one Pack this was done quite effectively. The blankets were of flannel, blanket-stitched. The sheets and quilt were hemmed in large, even stitche3, and of another colour. The eiderdown was knitted. The mattress and pillow were made by Brown Owl and a friend made the bed. L.T. (d) A SIMPLE TOY. Draw the outline of a doll about ten inches high as simply as possible on cardboard. Let the Brownies cut this out and draw in the face and hair, and paste a strip of cardboard on the back for a stand. This doll may then be dressed as a Brownie, with a frock of brown paper hung on the shoulders by tabs; tie,
July, 1935.
MATILDA
belt, badge and stars may be cut out, coloured and pasted on . A hat may be cut out and slipped on the head by means of a slit. Of course, the doll may be dressed in many other sets of clothes and given away. We gave a doll to each Six and found that they liked to be given something extra to add to the doll's uniform each week, if the whole Six were tidy and punctual. D.M.
COMBINED HANDC.RAFTS. This type of handcraft is often a difficulty to Brown Owl in that it is not easy to find something to interest the whole Pack that will not take too long to complete nor prove too expensive. One idea that can be carried out quite successfully is that of a Pack tablecloth and serviettes. At party times these are most useful, and how much nicer to possess a Pack tablecloth than to have to press Brown Owl's and Tawny's sheets into use! Sheeting answers very well for the purpose, as it is not very dear. Each Brownie can do a certain amount of the hemming which could, if well done, count towards her Golden Bar test. Then there is scope for the individuality and artistry of the Pack to appear, for Brown Owl could give each Six one corner, allow them to. draw a design which she could trace on, and then let them proceed to embroider it. The fourth corner could be left to Brown Owl, Tawny and Packleader, thus enabling everyone in the Pack to have a small share in the whole. Another and more attractive. idea on the same principle is a Pow-wow mat. I saw on e some years ago, and it was used for the centre of a Pow-wow ring or p~aced under the Totem during Fairy Ring. It was made of brown Melton cloth, a circle of about 4 feet in diameter. This was divided into as many segments as there were Sixes in the. Pack. Each Six's part was hemmed in its own colour, and was divided from that of the next Six by two lines of darning stitch, also in the Six colour. In the centre of each part the Six emblem was embroidered. As a Brownie left the Six, her emblem and any badges she had won were se.wn on with her initials on to her part, thus giving the Pack a tangible reminder of all who had belonged to it. So often, when a Brownie returns her badges to the Pack, they are not fit for furthe.r use, and this idea appeared to me to be an e xcellent one. There are many other forms of combined handcraft; a doll's house, for instance, provides much scope for the ingenuity and individuality of the Pack, but theSe are just two simple ideas some Brown Owl may find useful. N.E.T.
A HANDCRAFT GAME. KARUMBRA. Brownies kneel in circle. facing centre, an arm's length apart. One Brownie stands in centre. Each Brownie has a matchbox, and as Brown Owl says "pass," she passes it on with her right hand, and receives he.r neighbour's with the left hand. Brown Owl may say "pass" as often as she likes, but when she
says "Karumbra" every Brownie must place the matchbox on her head and then put her hands behind her before Brown Owl counts three. Any Brownie not in this position by that time may be caught by the centre Brownie, who then changes places with her. If the matchbox falls off within the space of ten seconds) she may also be caught. A .V.H.
CAMP HOUSE FUND. Further contributions to the above fund have been received from the following Packs : -1st Prahran 2 / -; 1st Toorak 10 / 7; 1st Heidelberg 1/ -; 1st Nambrok 2 / 6; 1st Port l<'airy 2 / 6. This fund is now closed.
SINGING GAME, "BUSH FOLK." Tune: "Boys and girls come out to play." "Bush folk all come out to play," A Teddy Bear was heard to say. A Kookaburra, he blinked an eye, His laugh was heard up in the sky. They danced about with lots of fun, Till someone cried: "Here comes the sun." This game is for an uneven number of players. One is chosen as the "sun," and is "out" somewher.e in the room. The rest are in a circle, and are alternately named "teddy bear" and "kookaburra." They stand singing and swinging their clasped hands till the word "sky," then the teddy bear changes place;; with his partner, the kookaburra with his right hand and with the next kookaburra with the left hand, and so on round the circle, each one changing in a grand chain till the end of the v,e rse, when the "sun" springs up and chases them all. The one caught becomes the "sun" next time. E.L.L .
MONTHL Y LECTURETTE. The next monthly evening for Brownie Guiders will be held on Wednesday, July 3rd, in the Meeting Pool at H.Q. The subject will be "Se.maphore," and the evening promises to be a most interesting one. There will be opportunities for the Guiders to learn and practise as well as finding out new and exciting ways of presenting Semaphore to the Pack. So do not forget the date-Wednesday, JUly 3rd-and Brown Owls, bring your Tawnies . The usual charge of 3d. will be made, and supper will be served. The next lecturette will be on Wednesday August 7th . Watch "Matilda" and the papers for further details.
WISEACRE GNOME. Ques.: Should a Ranger who is also a Tawny Owl wear her Ranger hat band while she is acting T.O. ?-"RANGER." Ans_: No, the Ranger hatband should not be worn to show the Ranger badge while acting T.O. To avoid constant changing of the band, it can be turned round so that the badge is hidden under the turned-up side of the hat and turned back again to the front when necessary. Yours smilingly, THE WISEACRE GNOME.
MATILDA
II)
July, 1935.
RANGER PROFICIENCY BADGES. Altered Syllabus.
The Lone Lookout. There are now 21 lone companies in Victoria, but since the Rally and since one of the weekly papers published a nice piece about lone guides, a number of recruits are clamouring to join, and we now have 46 names on our Waiting Lists. This is tragic because we are very short of Lone Guiders. I would like to hear of anyone who would like to take charge of or help with a Lone Guide or Ranger company. The work is very interesting, and appeals strongly to t hose who ar.e fond of writing. There must be numbers of rangers and guiders who would be fascinated by the task oÂŁ reproducing an ordinary company meeting on coloured typing paper, with the help of drawings traced or copied, or original, maybe! This "meeti?g" is held once a month. There are 12 or 16 gUides in a lone company, and they are all from isolated parts of the country. Think of what it must mean to a thirteen-y.e ar-old with no friends near enough to play with, no clubs to join and nothing of intense interest to doonly a few cows to milk-to have guiding, which means something to be and lots to do! I have never met a lone guider who hasn't liked it hasn't enjoyed the guides' letters, and answering them, and preparing the "meetings." If you who read this are interested please ask me to tell you more about it, and if you think other people may be interested perhaps, please show them this. You may know of someone who isn't in the Movement yet! A Lone Guider does not have to live in Melbourne. Rangers shou1d have recommendations from their Captains, and Guiders should be recommended by their Commissioners.
ANOTHER "LONE" JOB. In one part of the country there is a Lone Patrol attached to the nearest Company, about four miles away, too far to visit at night. The patrol meets on Saturday afternoons and occasionally the Captain is able to visit them for testing and so on, but is not able to do more, and a guider is wanted who will be willing to send them programmes every fortnight for their meetings (this includes games details of test work, suggestions for corner~, etc., etc.). The Guides will reply, and Company Funds will pay all expenses for postage and stationery, etc. If the Guider is a~le to visit them for a few days, accommodation will be provided. This is an interesting job for someone with a little time, and should not be onerous, ELAINE E. MORAN, Commissioner for Lones,
The Executive Committee have approved Lhc following syllabus for the CITIZEN Badge, adapted to suit local conditions, and the syllabus as here set out will be on trial for a year in Victoria, before being submitted to the Federal Council for ratification:Citizen. 1-Have a knowledge of what is being done to preserve the natural features, and add to the beauty of the district; make suggestions for improvements, and if possible have assisted in some act of progress in the district. 2-Have a general knowledge of the respective shares in the government of the country, of (a) Parliaments (State, Federal and Imperial) ; (b) Local Councils. 3-Be able to describe the work of anyone State Department, or division of the Local Council; or Show practical knowledge of one of the following : (a) State Education system, including scholarships and opportunities fo y continuing studies after leaving school; (b) The part of Local, State and Federal authorities in safeguarding the health of the community, including hospitals and nursing organisations; (c) Local housing conditions, including building regulations; (d) Care of the unempl1oyed, including the work of voluntary and State organisations. 4--Know the extent of, and who is eligible to vote at elections for the following bodies: (a) Senate; (b) House of Representatives; (c) Legislative Council; Cd) Legislative Assembly; (e) City Council. 5-Make a five minutes' extempore speech, or write a short essay on any subjed under two or three set by the examinel'; five minutes' grace being given to each candidate for framing her ideas. MARGARET MOORE. Commissioner for Tests and Badges. The revised pamphlet on 1st Class Test is now obtainable on application at H.Q., and to Country Guiders on forwarding the neceSSal'y postage, ld. This pamphlet should be rearl carefully by everybody intending to do the Test. The Policy, Organisation and Rules for 1935 is now obtainable at Guide H.Q. Guiders and Badge Secretaries are asked to take note of all the various alterations. The alterations in Test work should be followed as soon as the book is obtained, aod by Sentember 1st all Proficiency Badge work must be according to the 1935 book. excepting such Badges as Naturalist. which cover a long- time, and have been started under 1934 Rules . M. MOORE, Commissioner for Tests and Badges,
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July, 1935.
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EQUIPMENT DEPOT. 20th Annual Report. This has just arrived, and gives the latest figures of World Guiding. It gives reports from all the Branches, as well as giving individual numbers, and a report of all the different Guiding Countries in the world. Price 9d., plus 2d. postage. Policy, Organisation and Rules. It will be noticed that the name has been changed, and will now be known as P.O.&R. instead of R. P . &0 . We have had numerous demands for this already, but for all that. have not ordered I would like to point out that a copy of this book is essential, as it contains so many alterations. Price 1/3, plus 2d. postage. Story of the Girl Guides. Owing to the increasing demand for this book, Imperial Headquarters have been able tJ reduce the price, and we are now reducing it to 3/- instead of the former price of 5/3. Postage will be the same. Munition Cloth. We have now sold the last of the Munition Cloth, but still possess a few odd navy-blue overalls in the smaller sizes, 00, 0, 1 and 5. We are asking Guiders to help us by giving the lead to adopt the new colour. We hope you will help. Guidex Overalls Will take the place of the Munition Cloth, Overalls, and are slightly different in price. The prices are as follows :-Size 0, 11/-; 1, 11/6; 2, 12/-; 3, 12/6; 4, 13/-; 5, 13/6; 6, 13/6. The postage will still be the same. CLARA BROADHURST, Commissioner for Equipment.
TRAINING. Guiders who have not previously attended a Training Course at Headquarters must bring to the first cla')s of any course a Nomination Form, signed by their Commissioner. Unless otherwise announced, all Training Classes are held at the Guide Office, 60 Market Street, Melbourne, at 7.45 p.m. Brownie Training. The third Course . will begin on Thursday. 15th August, 1935. Guider in Charge: Miss E. L. Lardner. Guide Training. The next Course of Classes, for new Guidel's only, will begin on FRIDAY, 28th June. Guider in Charge Miss S. MacLeod. The fourth Course of General Training will begin about the first week in August. Training Week. If applications warrant it, a Training Week for Guiders and prospective Guiders (over 18 years of age) will be held at Morongo Presbyterian Girls' College, Geelong, through the courtesy of the School Council. from Monday, 2nd September. to Tuesday, 10th September, 1935, inclusive. The fee will be 30 /-. The Week will be for General Guide and Brownie Training. Guide Training: Miss M.
Hoffmeyer; Brownie Training: Miss E. Lardner. If applications warrant it, a Week-End of Training fol1 Ranger Guiders will be held from Saturday, 7th, to Monday, 9th September, inclusive Trainer: Miss F. V. Barius. Applications (envelope marked "Training Week") aCMmpanied by a deposit of 5/-, should be sent in writing to the Secretal'Y, Training Department, at the Guide Office, to reach her not later than 5th August, 1935. Deposits will not be refunded unless with_ drawal of application is made a fortnight before the beginning of the Week. When applying will Guiders please state whether they wish to take Brownie. Guide or Ranger Training, and whether they have attended a Training Week previously? The next Trajning Week will be held at the end of Decemher. M. E. BUSH, Commissioner for Training.
CAMPING. Plans for camping in the summer include a Combined Ranger Camp, a Camp for Guide Patrol Leaders (who are already 2nd Class), and a Campcraft Week for Guiders. Dates and further de.tails will be published in the August issue. EDITH H. PURNELL, Commissioner for Camping.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association of Victoria was held at the Guide Office on 19th June, 1935. Present-Lady Chauvel, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Tate, Misses Broadhurst, Cameron, Purnell, Swinburne and the Secretary. Lady Chauvel welcomed Mrs. Tate as a new member of the Committee. Guide Rally.-It was agreed that the profits be disbursed as follows:-G.G.A. Savings Bank Account £300; Country Extensions Fund £75; Camping £50; Training £30; Guide House Fund £300. The. remainder to be spent on typewriter, duplicator and cupboards, etc., for the Meeting Poo1. Proficiency Badges.-Miss Moore (in attendance) explained the new schemes for instruction and examinations in First Aid and Sick Nurse Tests, and reported that the St. John's Ambulance Association are willing to co-opeI'ate in the. Junior Badges. It was agreed that the use of the new scheme should be optional. Draft of the Australian Aborigine Badge was approved, and a draft of a leaflet on the History of the Movement in Victoria. Thanks Badge-It was agreed that the Thanks Badge be given to Mrs. Broadhurst. Federal Counci1.-It was agreed that the }Ieeting of the Federal Council should be held this year in Tasmania. Victorian Baby Health Centres Association. -It was agreed that Miss L. M. Andrews should he the representative of the Girl Guides Association on the Council of the Victorian Baby Health Centres Association. Routine and financial business was discus<ed.
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APPOINTMENTS. District Commissioner. Nhill-Mrs. Ivan Young, Tetholm, Nhill. Dimboola-Mrs. H. C. Bennett, Dimboola.
WARRANTS. Badge Secretary. Clunes-Miss D. Luke. Brown Owl. 3rd Canterbury-Miss O. Holtz. 1st ~umurkah-Miss M. E. Morris. 1st Avoca-Miss Phyllis Fisher. 1st Bena-Miss Enid Salmon. 1st St. Kilda-Miss Lucy Johnson. Tawny Owl. 1st Avoca-Miss Elsie Isaacs. 1st Avoca-Miss Stella Wade. Captain. 1st Kallista-Miss M. L. Drury. 1st Maldon-Miss E. McArthur. 1st Avoca-Miss L. Wiltshire. 6th Ballarat-Miss Jean King. 1st Boolana-Miss Jean Rodway. 1st Cowes-Mrs. Temple. 1st Heidelberg-Miss Hilda Heffernan. 6th Kew-Miss Betty Macartney. Lieutenants. 1st Hawthorn-Miss B. Goldie. 1st Maldon-Miss P. Waldron. 1st Clunes-Mrs. Bool. .
REGISTRATIONS. Packs. 4th CanterbUl'y (St. Paul's). 2nd Melbourne. 1st Dimboola. Companies. 1st Colbinabbin; 1st Ellerslie; 1st Krowera; 1st Mooroopna; 1st Avoca (Rangers); 2nd Frankston; 1st Portsea. Ranger Compani·zs. Bendigo District, 1st Broadford. Local Associations. Ell erslie, Krowera. Colbinabbin, Toora.
CANCELLED WARRANTS. District Secretary. Ballarat-Miss M. K. Must. Brcwn Owl. 1st Campel'down-Miss Ivy Henderson. 1st Oakleigh (Holy Trinity)Miss Hilda G. Garnar 7th Hawthorn-Miss T. Doidge. 9th Hawthorn-Miss F. L. Gregory. Tawn," Owl. 1st' Seaford-Miss Margaret Hornibrook. Capt ~ :r..
1st Avoca-Miss N. Wheeler. ~nd Ballarat-Miss W. Mozley. 1st Broadford-Miss Daintry Gillett. Captain. 1st Moe-Miss Constance Whittakers. 1st \Voomelang--Miss N. Lavery. Lieutenant. 8th Hawthorn-Miss Eva Roberts. 1st Linton-Miss Dorothy Commons.
RESIGN ATIONS. District Commissioner. Ararat-Mrs. N. F. Gamson, Ararat. Wholly Set Up and PrintE'(} or
1935.
TO COMMISSIONERS AND SECRETARIES. "Matilda" wonders if she knows you all! If not, she would very much like to meet you, part icularly just at present, as she wishes to grow larger and longer, and she cannot do so without financial support, so will you help her by becoming a subscriber at 41- pel' year posted? "MATILDA," per S.H.I.
FOR SALE. One Navy Blue tailored Guider's Costume, women's size. This costume is in excellent condition, and is offered for sale at £S/3 / -less than half its original cost. Also, one Guid;o-r's Hat of good sof. felt, at 10 / 6-also much reduced in price. The sale of these articles, which have been d.onated by a retiring Commil;'sioner, will help a Guide company which is endeavouring to clear the debt on its hall. Will any Guider interested please communicate with MISS SUTCLIFFE, District Commissioner, 131 Moreland Road, Moreland, N.1Z.
FOR SALE. Hand Loom. almost new, suitable for Ranger Company, Price £2 / 2 / -. Apply M. L. DRURY, Kallista, Victoria. r(!)®®®®®(!X!)(!X!)(!X!X~X~®<!)(!X!X!X!)(!)(!)(!X!)~
"SNOWS, · for Uniforms ~ : ~
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College Wear·
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Snows are to be just as much relied upon for correctly cut Girl Guide uniforms as for regulation College Wear. The same care in finish and the same attention to detail are apparent - and the prices are just as reasonable! 5DOW
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