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May, 1938.
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Evan Evans Pty. Ltd. 680-8 ELIZABETH STREET, MELBOURNE, C.l.
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Write for Particulars to Your Headquarters, or Direct to Us. TENTS and FLYS GROUNDSHEETS CAMPING GOODS
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SUPPORT THE FIRM WHO SUPPORT YOU P1'inted by the Hilton P,'ess (1929) Pty, Ltd.• 223-25 Moray Street. South Melbourne, S.C,5.
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An Official Treasure Bog for Guiders' Information for Victoria, Australia. OPEN DAILY, from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m . SATURDAYS, from 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. . Price: 3/ - Per Yenr; 4/- Posted. Single Copies, 6d. each. Editor: MARGO'r ANDERSON, Guide Headquarters, 60 Market Street, C.l.
MAY, 1938.
VOL. XI V.
EDITORIAL. By now we imagine all compa nies are back at work and guiders full of new Ideas after their long holiday fl'OIll company meetings. We know ed itors of the various pages are a lways anxious to l' ceive news of a nythi ng, that may have happe n ed in your company so they may pass it on through their pages. Enco u rage youI' Guid es and Brownies to w ri te t o Matilda. T he "Nature Page" editor is always appealing fO I' wog box stories and what is easie r for Gu ides and Brownies than k eep in g an eye op pn win e for something to send in to her.
----00 0' - - - WHAT WE ARE DOING.
I have just come back from. the ~t. George's • e rvice in the Cathedral, which as we know, fol' th e first time fell on Ihe exact date, April 23rd. '1'he Cathedral was very full of Guide lwd Scout peop le, not quite as full as last year, b u t that was to be exp ect e d as Com panies and Packs a re on ly now in somp places getting back into their stride. I think we a ll felt thankful when we looke d around and r ealised that last year was ove r, this being the first time that many Compani es and Packs had seen each other or met togeth er in any way since the outbreak of the Infantile Paralysis Epidemic. But the year is over and we are setting off now on a n w one, full of hop e and confidence and good spirits. D o not let us forget the Extension Branch t h is year. Unfortunately their numbers have r isen; Guide rs are scarce, and there is a lot Lo be done, particularly with n ew Brownie Pack s. What about the Extension Show Case at H .Q.? Presents often have to be bought for fr iends and relations. No greater good can be done than by giving someone the opportunity of living a full life by creating something of use or beauty, and a sense of self reliance if the community r ecogn ise it as such and desire it. -ENID FAULKNER.
EXTRACTS FROM TOURING RANGERS' LOG.-( Continued~ . To clear a space for the caravan in the gar age yard, the snow had to b e shovelled away, and although the work was heavy, the competition for available spades showed how nove l the experience was to Australians. And then, gum boots on, we trudged up through snow a foot deep to the little cottage known as "The Link" which was to be our home fo-r
No. 10.
three weeks, and where the comfort of having a permanent roof ove r th e h ead and a cosy fireside s ('med doubly precious after our recent peregrinations. The only fly in the ointment was "Black :Maria," who was overinclined to be temperamental, but h e r every mood and caprice had to be indulged for on h e r behaviour dep('nded the temper::'ture of Lhe nig'hlly bath. Soon afterwards the caravan had to be returned to London, and when we had bidden "J ingle Johnnic" a sad farewel l we settled down La the task of preparing for Christmas. Ruch shopping as went on. such writing of in,"ita lions and place cards, such cooking of plum puddings a nd ham and turkey; surely "The Link" had never sepn the lik e before, and Lillemol'e at least will never forget those days. TIl(' postman became more and more popular as tim e went on and brought the most exciting Il·UP I·S and pa rce ls. A pleasant interlude was a visit from two of our fe llow passe ngers on tll(' hoat coming over. Thpy called to recall old "Tricolol'" days. Christmas "l'.:ve founJ "'1'he Link" a veritab le b eehive for busy-ness, those who weren't c hopping pal'sl y or straining the soup were decorating the dining room with holly and tacking up posters by that world-famous artist "Tea-teiwel Tulla." Th e posters caused a good deal of llle'rriment as they depicted various ineid t'nts in the tour and our artist seemed to have cau ght a n outstanding characteristic of each person. Christmas D ay was quite warm, contrary to a ll hopes and desires as we -badly wanted a "real English Christmas" with snow. Miss MCl'k had kept us in suspense since her reLUI'n from London by offering the information that we wcre to have another gu('st for dinne r , but l'efusin g to disclose the gu est's identity. Our curios iLy changed to delight when the unknown turned out to be Miss Hartnett and w e were' so happy to have her for the' day, our only regr et being that she was not able to stay longer. The dinner was a great success, and after a pause to hear the King's speech the party adjourned to the n ext room where a heavily laden Christmas Tree showed that Father Christmas still knew our address. Th e cffo rt of cooking for twelve people and managing to seat them in our tiny room must have b een quite a strain, for next morning nothing but snores could b e heard well after getting-up time. On the following day a very happy time was spent at Bournemouth where a kind invitation to a "Boxing Day" dinner had bcen accepted. On Tuesday afternoon a visit was paid to Nclson's "Victory" at Portsmouth; it was a strange feeling to wande r over ' the old ship which has been so beautifully
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M A '1' I L D A
preserved and to be shown the dim lightactually two candle power-down below where Nelson had to be operated upon. A two-day trip was planned for the end of the' week, and we had the pleasure of seeing Bath with its Roman Bath, and sipping the "waters" in the Grand Pump Room to the strains of the Poet and Peasant Overture from the orchestra. Wells Cathedral was fascinating and a concerted rush was made to be on the spot when Peter Lightfoot came into action with his hands and feet as the old clock on the wall stl'uck three. We drove through Cheddar Gorge with towering cliffs on either side and as evening came on passed through Glastonbury. It was quite dark when we tackled Porlock Hill, perhaps without realising just how steep it was going to be. Barnstaple was our stopping place for the night and we were off again next morning at ' 7 a.m .. and were at Clovelly climbing down the cobbled stairs when the sun rose. Our objective was (Continued on Page 12).
BROWNIE GUILDERS' EFFORT.
Camp House Fund. Brownie Guiders, I hope you have not forgotten the Jumble S:lle which is to be held at the Prahran Town Hall on 6th May! In case you have, there is still time for you to leavc your parcels at Headquarters or to ring Miss Casper, Wind. 1716 and have them called for. Remember, we cannot have too much to se ll. The fund is growly slowly. Have you done your share? If not, why not? Start now ; it is not too hte. Money already received hy the Hon. 'l'r'easur'el', Miss Mullin:Previously acknowledged £20 H ~ Miss Ruth Scott .. .. .. 1 0 0 Picture Night, 22nd Feb. 3 18 6 Miss Paling . . . . 1 0 0 1st Brighton Pack 1 0 0 Brownie Guiders' Outing, Gipton o 16 0 Miss Bell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 020 Mrs. Ebeling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. o 3 0 Novelty Night, beld at G.G. Headquarters 24th March 3H 8 Total .. . . . . . .
£32
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All donations to be sent to the Hon. Treasurer, Miss Mullin, 6 Allison StI'eet, Glen Iris, S.E.6. BETTY CASPER. Hon. Sec.
COMMISSIONER FOR TESTS AND BADGES. Miss Hayman, who has been Acting COm"missioner for Tests and Badges since Miss Moore left for England, is herself sailing for England in May. Miss Sheila MacLeod, "Malonga," Kooyong Road, Caulfield North, S.E.7., will act as Commissioner in her stead, and all correspondence and inquiries connected with T sts and Badges should be directed to her now, and not to Miss Hayman, otherwise letters may be re-directed to England. -J.~. V. Barfus, for State Secretary.
May, 1935. GUIDER'S COMMITTEE.
The Guiders' Committee will meet at the Guide Office at 8 p.m. on May 6th. -BETTY POTTER. Chairman Guiders' Commiltee.
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I have the following articles for: sale at cheap second-hand rates-some on behalf of the own rs, other in aid of the Guide House L~und-first come, first served!
Books. Guiding for the Guider Girl Guide Games (2 copies) Stories for the Story Hour .. Brown Magic .. Girl Guide Prayers and Hymns Gil'l Guides on the Move Mallvl' Games Book Hints on First Class " Campfi re Leatiets, Pt. i, Pt. iv (each) Girl Guide Book of Ideas Team Gam s .. The Guide Law
4d. 7d. 2/6. 1 / 6. 4d. ld. Dd. 4d.. ld..
2/-. 7d. 4d.
Gloves. 1 pair gauntlet-size 6-light brown, ofter after trying on. 1 pair dark brown-no size, offer after trying on.
Shoes. OnE' pair black shoes-size 4-good, 16/-, or offer. One pair' bluc'k shoes-size 5-good, 15/-, or offer.
Emblems. Ivy.
\Varatah. Hed GUill, 3d. each.
Assorted. 1 chinstap. 2d.
2 State Badges.-1 Gid Guide-l Guider, 3d. and 9d. 3 lan yards, 3d. each. II belts, assol"ted prices. <I pairs blue or black knickers, offer. white shirt, offl'l·. Girl Guid hatband, 1/3. -F. V. Barfus.
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THINKING DAY PENNIES. To date. the sum of £17/1/9 is in the bank on account of Thinking Day, as against £14 collected last year. This year's amount is made up of 103 separate sums, but as there are far more this number of Packs and Companies in the State, the fund will not be closed until the end of May, so those who have not yet had an opportunity to hold a "Thinking Meeting" still have time to organise one. Remember that this year is "special," as there is an appeal from the World Bureau for E'xtra penni s to help build the World Hostel in London which we shall all hope. to visit some day-why not? F, V. Barfus, for State Secretary.
MATILDA
May, 1938.
6
Th young ones are the muddy colour and take a long time to becom "gold" fish. -M.K.
Frilled-neck Lizards.
Editor:
ELSIE SYDES.
SmalJ. Beginnings. How many of us, when fact'd with Naturc in the Company, wonder where on earth we shall begin? It isn't always our lack of knowledge, but rather the vastness of the field. Begin then with simple things first. We more often than not pass by the things that are most familiar to us-sparrows. "A bit too common," yet how many Guides can describe the colouring accurately? Do they know or rather have they SEEN. them having waterbaths, as well as dust baths? Do ' they know very much about the common weeds and insects th re are in their own yards and gardens? Here are some observations sent in-perhaps you will get some "brain waves from them."
The "Greenie" The honeyeater known as thc "GI' en ie", is most entertaining, as wh n feeding on blossoms he sometimes almost stands on his head, in an effort to thrust his beak into a hanging blossom. Slim and dainty in app a rance, with fairly long curved beak, he is greenish brown in colour with little patches of white below the eyes. His call is rather like "Wm-ieeee," the last part rather drawn out, thcn he will stop short and give just a quick cheery chirp. He is by no means timid, and does not flyaway when approached.
"Blue Fairies" These orchids, which ve call "Blue l!'airies," belong to the Caladenia species, and bloom during the winter and spring. They do not grow very tall, usually about 6 or 7 in ches high. I have found them growing in c lumps under ti-tree bushes, where it is moist and sheltel'ed, and evidently they prefer these conditions, as only odd ones are found in the open and then they are protected by tall grasses. Thc colour ranges from blu to mauve, five petals, two of which turn down lower than the others and the tongue is very pretty with a yellow' tip and three furry portions below.
Double Stocks. I noticed that the stocks are coming out double, in spite of thCj fact that the seed came from single stocks. (Double stocks never seed, 130 that seed has to be gathered from the single ones-some years the percentage of doubles resulting is high, other years the single percentage is high.-Ed. ).
Goldfish. Are not always "gold", but a muddy green. I have watched the different stages of colour they pass through-patches of gold appear.
There are two in my garden. I J?0ticed the younger one sunning himself near the lavender bush, wheY'e he had spent the winter sleeping. The large one awakened from his sleep last week. I was surprised to see how they had grow n. They are both quite tame and apparently have a good memory, because when the border-collie Pup came near them they were quite scared of him. They talte no notice of the oth r dogs, as they have b comc used to them. . -C.K.
I{een Observation and A Just Reward. Our first field day for the year proved to be one full of pleasant surprises. We spent the day at a new site, at Mount Waverley (only there is no mount), in a wooded paddock. As we approached the paddock, we noticed a jenny wren flying about, so we were on the lookout for the blue wren. Imagine our deligh t when we discovered 6 or 8 wrens near the spot where we "pitched our camp." We began looking for other birds, and in less than half an hour had discovered 9 different speciesswallows, willy wagtails, grey fantails, spotted pardalotes, blackbirds, white-eared honeyeaters, magpies, and another smitH bird which we haven't identified j It is very similar to the spotted pardalote, except for a bright yellow patch at the upper base of the tail, instead of the r ed. The nearest we could find in Leach is the ye ll ow Pardalote, but he says it is rare, and found in timbered country. We feel we aren't lucky enough to find a rare bird, and a lso, the sunounding country is mainly market gardens and orchards, with a few wooded paddocks. -M.E.A.
Note on Rareness of Birds. Perhaps some of you have noticed that birds with J'al'e after them in Leach are CODUllOD in your particular neighbourhood. One example I am thinking of is the Regent Honeyeater, marked l'aIl'e in Leach, but it could hardly be ca lled so in the City of Bendigo. Likewise the Brown-headed and Black-chinned honeyeaters. Th y can be seen and heard on almost any trip to the bush and very often in the garden or street trees. If you find your best gladioli split up the sides, you can be sure the brown-headed honeyeaters have been busy.. I would be g lad to hear of further examples from oth r districts.
Live Specimens are Best. Have you tried the effect of liv(' specimens on the Company? Believe me tilere's nothing like them! You are probably too busy to run a wog :JOX, because like all p(. .s this takes til11e. but whats wrong with collecting a few specimens from the garden on your Company meeting day? You will have no difficulty in
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May, 1938.
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gathering a selection of worms, slugs, and snails for a start. Then there arc slaters or wood-licc or "peabodies," if you prefer to cal\ them by that name. (Those grey things that li ve in rubbish heaps-but perhaps your garden is too tidy for such things?) In that casc you will have to fall back on takealls, wire-worms, cockchafer grubs, garden leaches, not to mcntion all the caterpillars there arc-wriggly g r een ones, loopers, some in leaves joined together with silk (especial\y on the asters). Then there are lhe black wasps lurking amongst the plants, seeking to catch th cse same caterpillars. Ants after aphids, aphids themselves, varying in colour according to their diet; spidcrs-all colours, as a protec tion against the wasps who will use them in their ce lls; lhe charming little ladybird; brightly coloured soldier-bugs-did you know th ey can fly? and if you arc lucky, a mole ricket will be yours. IAlstly we mustn't forget frogs and toads, beetles, moths and butterflies, and pra:,:ing mantis, grasshoppers, dragonflies- and here I must stop; but you can capture aJl thesc and more in your own garden. "Vould you lik to hear more about them in fulure "MaUldas"?
(,Toil1t Editors: M. BfI'l'T, N. 7Tl']SEI,TINN.) "In wishing wt' waste ourselves, In thinking we tirc ourselves, In doing wc double ourselves." ~-----000>------
ENROLMENT CEREMONY. Recruils in doorway Ot" di::;lanl corner of room (if there is only one r ec ruil her sixer may if desired accompany hcr). Brown Owl stands near toadstool in c('ntrc of 11all. Brownies standing in [t"ont of recruits: "Your way to Brownieland we bar, Unless you know what Brownies arc." Recruit: "I have learnt about lhc promise'." Sixer: "She has." IAlw, and Brownie ::;ong. Learnt to lend a hand to others. To smile when things go Wt'ong, Brownies quickly forming double line leading to toadstool:"Go along this magic r-athway We have made for you. You must make the Brownie promi~l' Be a Brownie too." Recruits walk up pathway and Brownies creep into a circle. Enrolment, Fairy Ring, Grand Howl. -H.G.
SOME GAMBS TO PLAY.
Singing Game. Hippily-hop to the barker's shop To buy a stick of candy. One for me. and one for you, And one for Sister Annie. Tun€': Mu lbel'ry Bush (adapted to fit). J\lt'thod: Brownies in pairs skip round in unison for first two lines, at 3rd line face action with fingers, 4th line outside Brownic moves on to IH'Xt partner.
Nature Observation. A simplc way to introduce observation to Pack is fOI" each Browni to place het" 1>'lt in a circle on the grass (recruits may be given a piece of rope) and write down a ll the things she' can see in ring. Could be played in pairs also. till'
-------00°>------GAMES. Guard~, and. Raiders. j )i\'id t Ill' Pack into two equal sides. At on end of th (' hall 01' ground place a quantity or .. tn'asun'," i.<' .. oats, caps, cushions, etc.; be hind a. marked line, al the othcr end, a line only. Thc GU:lI'ds stanu behind th trea. ure, and t ht' I'aiderd b hind their "homc" line; at the word "go." the' raiul'l's try to steal the treasure, and thp gllal'ds tl'Y to capture the raiders. Any raid I' grasping a tl'lasure may carry il home in safpty, any onp caught i.s taken to the ' Caplain or Lieute nant of the guard, (B.O. or T.O.) and asked to give thc Password-and test question- if she answers correctly shc may go free: if she is wrong. th e gaard' must tie her up with one ()f the three \cnots; if she is prope r ly tied, she slays a prls('ner, but if not, she has escaped. Changl' sidl's aft~r five minutes-count 1 Idark for eac h treasare capturt:n . and 2 marks for each prison r.
Parcels Post. Brownil's tic up parcels, and addt'ess them to thems('lv('s; they pay a penny for a stamp, chalked on 1.>y Brown Owl; they then form a big circle, ('aeh with her parcel, and one pers::m in the centre. Brown Owl calls out:-"The post is going ft'om Port Doris to Betty Bay", or Judith Town lo Mount Mat'gHet" (using Brownies names). Thc two mentioned throw their parcels to each other ~imultaneously while the person in th middl ' tries to catch one; if she does, the tluowe r of thl parc('l caught goes in the middlc. General Post mE'ans that everyone throws to th€' p ;'son mOrE' or less opposite to l}er. -P.M.N.
Brevities, Do you take the Pack outside for exe rcises or at least have :til do ors and windows open?
~ay, 193~.
MATILDA
Do you leave Nature Lore fOl' 1 or 2 outings in the ycar, or do you get the Brownies in tcrested In thc trees, birds and insects right near your club room'? Do you know you can sell anything at a Jumble Sale-from a saucepan to a dress shirt¡? Remem bet' the 6th
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May,
-------000------BROWNIE GUIDERS'-PLEASE NOTE There have been quite a number of changes In the Brownie tests, a nd everyone should see the latest P.O. and R. for the up-to-date vel'Ilion of the recruit, Golden Bar and Golden Hand tests. The changes are very good and will be welcomed by all Brownie Guiders, For fu rther details read 'Odds and Ends' in the January Guid e r and 'Stop, Look, Listen,' in the February Guid e r of this year. Th ese articles exp lain the alterations separatcly and will be a great h e lp to Brown Owls. It is impe rative that the alter'ations al'e put into practice at once so that the c hildl'e n some lim e hence do not find they have been learning the wrong work and with disapPointm nt have to "et race their steps. - P.H,
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BROWNIE GUIDER'S OUTING. ''''hile the dictionary uses such expressions as a "gaggle" of geese, and a "chattering" of choughs; 1 can find no word descriptive of a numbe r of owls; so we shall have to be c ontent with the bare statement that on Saturday, 19th March, no less t han forty Brown and Tawn y owls assembled, some at Batman Avenue. and some at Malve,'n .Town Hall, at which places they were eollected by a large 'bus and three private cars for b'ansport to "Gipton." The tirst excitment was provided bY 'a pure ly impromptu effort on Uv' part of a ball of wool, Which, the door of the 'bus bing ope n ed by mistak e, leape d with agility onto the road and roll cd m e rrily behind us, unwinding its~lf at g"eat le ngth, and beir.g chased by it's own e r; this little matter being satisfactorily adjusted, we proceed ed as far as Seaford, where four or five spartan souls donned bathing togs and e ntered the sea with every appearance of e nthusiasm; they subsequ e ntly declared that. th ey had enjoyed themselves; but some of us found the wind too cold eve n to stand and watch them! , Once more on the road w e continued our )Na~ without furthe r incident through l" rankston, and as far along the Hastings road as the track which leads to Gipton; here the 'bus party disembarked and footed it, while the cars went boldly through the skiddy sand.
7
On arrival at Gipton, we stowed our knap!Jacks and packages of provisions, and most people took off their hats, as the wind having dropp ed consid erably, it was now quite warm; but it was soon to be much warmer. The par¡ty h aving split into sixes, ach six . was given a list of objects and information which th ey were require d to collect from the surrounding co untry within the space of ~ hour. Observing that the main pieces of information we re to be sought in diametJ'ically opposite di r ec tion s, the sixes split up, and set off, grimly determined to do or die. Anything from 40-55 minutes lat r, everyone was home again, a nd among the items of knowl edge which we acquired, were: (a) there are no dand'lions round about Frankston; (b) the dogs in the neighbourhood refuse to leave their owners, even with th owners permission; (c) snails a r e scarce; (d) it is a long way from Gipton to "Yo Olde Dutch Mille"; (e ) it is 'a ve l'~' long way from Gipton to Frankston; (f) cup'-moth caterpillars walk deceivingly about on Gum trees, hoping to be mistaken for Emperor gum-moths; and, (g) th horses in th e district ha\'e, since March 19th, showed a mark ed uecreas(' in th number of their tailfeathf'r~!
Two s ixes tied for a win with the loss of only one mark each. Congratu lations ! Following upon this display of energy, WP lin ed up, mugS in hand and received generous, and much app r'''c iated rations of tea, which we carried off. a nd e njo yed sitting in a big circle, mun ching our provi~ions, and chatte ring happily. After tea we separated into sixIo's again, and ,'e hea rsed "stunts" for mutual entertainment late r on, and as events proved the rehearsing was to some purpo e, for when we had made anothel' ci rc"", this time in the dark, and wrapP'd in coats against the eVf'ning chi ll and h eavy dew, the "stunts" perform d in the in tel' vals of song and rounds, proved very e nte rtaining and ingen iou s and weI' rend red the more theatrical by b'eing perform d in the "spot- light. " from one of the cars. Then, with the light s switched off. we sat in the darkness and list e n Hd to a d e lightful Cnmesc story. beautifully told, and finally, "Glo ;'y to Thee I1l.Y Goel. thi s night,"--and th('n "Taps"--and the e nd of a very happy afternoon, and so back to the 'hus, with a big yellow moon rising behind us , and thf' cars skidding and stickin g in the sand; everyhody tired but contented, and full of gratitude to the people who bad worked hard to make the outing a success, and give us all a rf'a lly (' njoyable afternoon. --P.M.N,
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REFRESHER COURSE. A Brownie Guiders' Refr'esher Co urse will be held dul'ing Jul y. Watch June Matilda for final dates. --Th e lma E. Mullin.
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May, 1938.
MATILDA
THE SIGN POST F.ditol': Ruth Denuy.
THE PIONEER BADGE . I think we; ha\'e all agrtled that very Guide should have th Hiker Badge, an €'xcellent preliminary to the Pioneer Badge, which seems to me to be the next stage of development of the out-of-doors interest. Th e holder of the Hik er Badge will ha\'e littl e more to learn in order to be able to "constl'uet a campfire, and collect, chop and stack suitable firing." Her cooking experience will pos ibly have included some of the cooking it ems (porridge, stew dumplings and frie d bacon comp l'ise the list); and our Guide will in all probability have done a gooo deal towards h l' First Class, including the Cook Badge, so that's that done. Then there is the lashing; of c ourse square lashing comes into the Second lass test, and the wise Guider will have taught it by m eans of gadget-making-not just lashing two p e ncils together and wond ring why, Many gadgets can be made in the clubroom with morse poles ; but lots of oth e rs can be made in the bush with the sticks that lie about-how's that fOl' the "object" of one of the hikes? Some of the "useful articles" mentioned in the syllabus (look it up) involve stitching. Of course the ideal place for making and invenling gadgets is camp, and the Pioneer Badge is esse ntially on for tll camping Guide, but it seems a pity to wait till she does go to camp before starting on some of th e work (or it-Camp could be the finishing ore, rather than b egi nning. The Companies that hike are the ones that also play scouting games-is your Company lik e that? If so, once the Guid s have the id ea (and they are always thrilled), le t th'm h e lp you organise the games, and later let them (perhaps two or three together at first) organise the games the mselves. The Guid es who have done this at hikes will not quail beth e Examiner; but r e m e mbe l' that the Examiner will not feel happy at all i( it is obvious that the test game is th first one tb e Guid€' has ever had anything to do with. The rest of the syllabus r e quires attendance at a wee k 's camp under canvas. Do your Gui des want to camp? Do you? Hav you don e anything about it? Remember Guiding Is an out-door movement. . . . The erection of screening is part of camp
routine, usually, and if the examiner knows w e ll be fore hand who are the candidates, w e can do something about helping the Guides to pre pare for this. There is also no r eason why Guides should not know be rOl'e camp how to pitch. ail" trenches, and r e pair tenis. ,T he pat l'ol Jobs in camp will cover the rest of this clause. The ];;xaminer for the Pionee,' Badge must b a C.A. or someone appointed through the ommissioner for Camping. -F. V. BARl"US,
-------00 0,------MYCUNBE N E.
'outh Australia found for us th e word Mycunbene for a sing-}'ong; a oi r('lc of sympathy, without a fll ·e. Jt is not nea"ly as genel'ally used as it shouid bl', and when it is u sed we fin I we h ave not the verses and wOI'ds to fit it. The calls to tbe campfire, th e inductions of a campfl"e, are all fo,· leaping flames. Do let us try to make our thoughts and acts "cal in th e reality of our country. ould a competition in Matilda be to write an induction for a Mycunbene? Instead of the leaping flam es of the fire, tbe wondrous Jig'ht of the sky, as the G-1'l'ai nOH'II
.~11I1
sweep" ill hi.• robes of ,Dlory I hl' piaills of til(' \V'esterll Way."
- ( DI'illkwater). Instead of ashes, the dry leaves that have fallen, but from them will I'ise He w vigour' from tbe gl'ound, as they give their life to the springing gl'ass; the leaves of our trees, pointing straight between earth and heaven; the width and glory of. our land, leaning u s by habit to obey our Chief as the Look Wide. and as we look wide with our eyes ac"oss the boundless la nd. so may our bearts look wide to the fellowship of the world? Tbis is just an idea, whieh r leave to . others to expand, G. H.. SWINBL RNE. \ \ in should b e pleased to receive entries in a competition fOI' a Myeunbene induction, and to pubJi~h several of the best in the Signpost Page. No pri 7 es, but the honoul' fjf pel'haps having your induction used at many mycunbenes should inspire you. -R.D.
May, 1938.
MATILDA
EXERCISES AND ACTIVITIES.
The Fourth and Last of the Series. AGILITY. (1) Skip anywhere-on sig nal bob down. and touch floor- stand-continue skIPPing- on sIgnal clap also over head-standing on toel;, and look up at hands. (2) Walk on heels-vel'Y small ,,;teps and back straig ht; do not stiffen body, (3) Run 8 long runs, 8 m edium !'Uns, 8 v ery small ones.
'l'RUNK. (a) Stand feet astrid epun ch alternate al'm forward, twisting body from waist, not hip ; (b) kneel on hands and knees, swing left arm over head, look up at it. Repeat with right h a nd. (c) knees full b end-;-place hands . on flool' straig hten l egs (tl'y not to move feet back). Ang l'y Cats; (d) Sit-feet apart- try to pu ll head 011 to knee, by holding ankle and pu l ling, or hold both ankl es, pull h ead hetween legs. GAME LIKE MOVEMENTS. (1) ;Jack i n the Box.-Kneel< full bend, hands on floor- jump up and l and with feet togeth er, and al'ms stretched sideways. ('P,) Mous e Running Th1"01I .q h Ho/e.- Stand i ng with one ar'm raised forward to touc h w a ll, bend and turn under arm, keeping hand on wall all the time. (S) Push and PnU. -Gl"Uspin g opposite h ands on w!"its and holding on e leg up with oth el' hand -;pushing' and pulling continu ed until losel' drops raised leg, or faHs to floor. (4) (heeting L i k e U .1cLpull ese.-Sit on h eel", with hands on floor and head b ent downward, ,·tret ch body upwal'd and swin g arms forward a nd upwa rd above head. - B.B.
ON COURTESIES. How frequ ently does a Guid e wh en asked to give h er id ea s of the 5th Law, r eply "It m eans you give up your seat in the tram to an old Lady," a nd furth r promptings r e v eal v er y f ew other ideas. Th e following form ed part of a " C ourtesy J~vE' ning" a t parade Punctu a lity for Parade. The r eceipt of an apology for absence. Rising when b eing spoken to, Introductions in various forms-I. e" b etween Ullady and g entl eman; a young woman and an elderly man; a young and an eld er ely woman ; b E' twee n a group of m en and wom en , etc. (Th e (!;uid es dressed up for t h e parls) . An invitation was r eceived and r eplied to by the due date, and invitations for a w edding, and parties, etc., were c ompil ed; also a l etter notifying Captain of the intended a bsE' n ce on holiday of one of the Guides. At the end of the " session" th e Guid es took th eir l eave of Captain a s th eir hostess. - E ,B.
-------000'- ------
THOUGHTS TO TAKE HOME. Our Guides like th id ea of a short v erse or quotation to end the company m eeting wilh and take with them for th e coming week . What do other captains find? Perhaps they would give us a few.
H er e are sonle of ours: "Th er e was a n old b ear at the Zoo, Who never had tim e to f eel blu e. J<'or if h e f elt bored as h e walk d to and fro H e r E' v p rsed- and walJ< ed fro a nd to." "Eve l'y tim e som ething ni ce is donE' for YOll, Do som ething nic er fOI" som c on !l el se." "0 Thou who givest vision Unto those who love Th c. Oi Vl' us al so cou rage To mak e our dream s c ome true. " - FRANC ES DAVIES, Captain, First M .G .H .S.
---- --000-------
RANGERS' PAGE. ]~ dltor:
Elsie Armstrong.
In Poli cy, Rul es a nd Organisation fOI' this y ear, w e arc r e mind ed that th e following are ~ om e of th e subjects most importa nt to R a nger training. (a) C itizenship. -.To comprise knowl edge of housing, publi c h ealth, l a ws of fac tory and IVOl'k shop, infant w elfare, us of vote, etc. (b) Wood c raft. -Camping, • esp eci a lly light ca mping , all-day hikes. O bser vation of a nim a ls, trees, birds, flowers, et c. Stud y of trac k s, e tc. ( c ) A rt and Liter a ture.- Visits to g a lleries, COn CE' I·ts, nota bl e buildings a nd b eauty spots. ompany libra r y, d ebates, d esignin g, a c ting, singing. (d) H a ndicra ft.-Leath er-work , bookbinding, toy-making, bask e twork, stenCillin g. ( f' ) Hom ec r a ft.-Cooking, with a knowledgE' of food valu es. and economi c m a nag·em ent. Dressmaking (wher e this i s not t a k en up as a tl'ad e ). C hild knowl edgE' , h ygi en e and hom e n ursing. (f) Ph ysi a l 'l'ra ining.- Ph y si cal exe r c ises, o utdoor' a nd indoor gam es, d a n cin g, swimmin g Hin cl' th e u n dE'l y in g id ea of R a n ge r-work is se rvi cE' , it should h e th c a im of Ranger s to Utk up flom e form of pu b lic se r v ice w h e r e possibl e. And th e H a n gN' T pst i s set ou t as follo w s: l . -Must h ave passe d the Gui de T end erfoot l es t. (A l'ccruit m ay th en 1)(' E' nl' oll E' d a s a Guid e if she wish E' s. ) 2.- Must know h o w Sc outin g a nd Guiding b eg a n , and h a ve r ea d "Scoutin g for Boys" or "GIrl Guidin g " or "The Fllory of th e Girl Guid s" or t hl'e(' ch a pte r s from 'Sto ry o f a Million Gir' ls" (th c h a p tc l' on h er' own co untry a nd two of h er o wn c hoice ) . Must know t h World Fla g and wll a t it sta nds for, * 3, -Must prove h er ability t o d eal with two Ilnexpe<'ted O('{'\Il"'en('es su ch as are suggested py certa in c l a uses o f the following badge t ests : H andywoman , I· irE' Bl'Igade ann R seu er; and know how to arl'est b l e din g. 4.- Must foll ow a map fOI' three miles in unknown country 01' coole a two-course m eal out of doors. Mu st know th e Hig hway Code, llnd must b ab l e t o u se a publi c t c l ephon call - box. 5.-M llst und t' I'flt a nd th e rules o f h ealth, a nd have taken 20 minutes exe r c ise in th e open aJr for 30 days, It pOSSibl e, cons c utivel y . (In exce ptional cas s, ex er cise by a n open widow may b e substituted.)
10
AI A 'i' 1 L D A
6.-Must have studied and understood the Guide Promise and Law, from the Ranger point of view, and prove herself dependable and steadfast of purpose by carrying out some d efinite unde rtaking fOt" others. .Some of the un expected occurre nces suggested by the Handiwoman's Badge-know where to turn off gas, electricity and water in your own home; put in a n ew spring in a door handle; renew washer on tap; splice a rope; mend a saucepan. And by the Fire Brigade and Rescuer Badge -know how to deal with shock, asphysciation (artificial respiration) unconsciousness, fits and fainting; calling the fire brigade and knowing what to do pending their arrival; use of extinguishers; how to drag an insensibl e person; how to u se a chute escape.
EditOJ': Joan Alston.
EXTENSION GUILDE RS' TRAININ G WEEK-END. Fifteen Extt'nsion Guidcl's spent tho Eigl,t Hour's Day wcpk-end at the c ottage on the property which Wp a ll hopf' will 800n belong to the Guides. We were fortunate in having [rs. Raven with us. She is the Commissioner for Extensions in New South Wales. B etween sessions on the Psychology of th e Crippled Ch ild; d esign, spacing and Illustration for Post Guide letters; suggestions for handcrafts, etc. W e swam in the beautiful swimming pool and sunbathed and watched the birds. We were thrilled to discover how very suitable th e cottage and the adjacent paddocks are for Extension Camping. The fire-tail finches came to meals and the gradients were easy. The only c ioud on the horizon was tho d e mise of Leonardo Lancia-Miss Black's car -who for many years has rendered invaluable service to the Extension Branch. It was typical of him to k eep gOing as best h e could till th o rear-guard had been r etu rned to their homes. -J.A.
THE GUIDE SHOP. New Bonks.
THE S'ÂŁORY OF THE BROWNJES. -Pl'ice, 5d.; Postage ld. A tiny book containing the story which is printed at th e beginning of the Brownie Hand-
May, 1938.
book. It is delightfully illustrated and would appeal to all Brownies, especially Tweenies. TROt GHTS ON THE PROMISE. -PI'ice, 5d.: Postag'e 1d. It is an inspll'ational talk, containing:-(l) An extl'a t from an address by the Bishop of Janow. (2) "My duty to God," by the Bishop of Bristol. (3) "~'he Foundation," by a Guider. 'I'his is very, very good, and should be read by all Guiders.
Wall Charts. In addition to tho. e printed last month, we have also Knot Charts. Morse, Semaphore, and Hike tent-making, and a Patrol 'rent. A II these are 6d., plus 1 d. postage. HOW TO DO IT, PATROL CHARTS.-Price, 1/ 6; Postage 2d. 'ÂŁhis is an extl'emely valuable Pah'ol book, and it shows by photogTaphs all stages of Tendel'foot, and econd 'lass Tests, a lso Camping, etc. It is an inspiration for any Guide who is thinking or going to Camp, but cannot quite make up her mind. GILWELL COOKER-Pl"ice, 9/6; Postage, 1/ -. Thi!'< is a very bright suggestion fOl' D. Patl'o l jll'ize. It is an inducement fOl' any patrol to g'O hiking, as it contains in a ver'y compact space, a fl'yi ng pan, deep plate, billy, mug , a n(l small plat/'. SHEATH KNIVES.-PI'iees, 6/6 and 7/6. A new lot of Sheath Knives has just come to ha nd, They come fl'Om Finland, and have most fascinating hanule", as well as v e ry s uperiol' stel'l blades. The knives at 6/6 have Birc h-wood handles, and are beautifully patterned, and thE' ones at 7/6 are beautifully colou l'ed, in gl'een, red and blue. They al'e all contained in very ni ce, st I'Ong leathel' shl'aths. Th ey woult! make vt>ry nic o pl'escnt". ('OtrNCIL [<'IRE. \V e still have old copies or th e Council J"ire. All Guiders, Itangers, and Guides, should be encOUl-aged to read this paper, as it co ntains knowledge of wol'ld-wide events in Guiding. The majority of th e articles in English, some are in J~rench and German, but it would be possible to make armngements to have these translated. Th c price of thesC' is 6d., plus 1d. postage. CLARA BROADHlTRS'I'.
RESULTS OF SOAP-CARVIN G COMPETITION. The number of e ntries for this competition was very small, but there was a interesting assortment of "designs." Th e results were a.s follows:nder 14 years-Won by 3rd Camberwell Guid es. r ears-Won by 1st Melbourne Ovel' 14 Rangers. We shall be glad if the representatives of thC'se Companies will come and collect their 5/ - prizp'-money and spend it at the Guide Shop. Tho noxt competition will be advertised in the June issue of Matilda, and it is hoped that th e l'e will b a good number of e ntl'ies. The purpose of tho competitions is I'eally to foster handcrafts in th e Companies, and Guiders will
May, 1938.
11
MATILDA
find them a useful "fillip." Watch the next MATILDA. -CLARA BOARDHURST, Commissioner for Equipment.
to the Commissioner for Cam ping at Girl Guidp Headquarters. The Guider-in-charge will b,' )liss E. E. Moran.
"Up with my tent! Here will I lie tonightBut where tomorrow? Well, all's one for that" -Shakespeare
It has hpen decidpd to postpone til\' arrangt'ment of \!!eturt's in connection with tht'se tests as therp have been only 2 applications in each section. Classes will probably he arranged in A ugl1st or September if appliC'ations warrant it.
- - - 0 00' - - INDOOR CAMP TEST AND PACK HOLIDA Y PERMIT.
-------00 0------CAMPING.
-------00 0------CAMPCRAF'II AN U PIONEER BADGES.
The two sets of training for these badges have started off happily, there are fourteen guiders and rangers in the Campcraft course and nine rangers and guides in the Pioneer course. It is hoped that after this initial course, district or division org'anisations will arrange their own training in the Pioneer Badge work at any rate, the Camping Committee will always be glad to supply the tester. Companies represented in the present courses are Mirboo Korth, Glengarry, Lang Lang. S.R.S. Invincible, St. Kilda District Rangers. 4th St. Kilda. 2nd Prahran Rangers, 2nd Ivallhoe, 1st Melbourne Rangers, 1st Pascoe Vale, Malvel'll District Rangers, 1st Dandenong, 3rd St. Kilda. 1st Somen'ille. So we can expect some exciting camping activities in those districts in the near future.
-------000,------INF ANTILE PARALYSIS.
We have bepn advis('(1 by the Department of Public Health that as tho numbor of cases of infantile paralysis that is IJE'ing reported is now so small that it is not necessary to continue to enforce the special precautions which were drawn up at tl1P end of 1937.
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CAMPER'S LICENCE FOR OCEAN GROVE SITE. A special test has \)(>pn drawn up which will tlntiUe Guiders to camp with their Guides at the site at Ocean Gro\¡e. A warranted guider over the age of 21 may tal<e t he test if she is recommended by the Commissioner and Camp Adviser. P.O.R. says (under the qualifications for Camper's Licence "Except by special recommendation from her own Commissioner and County Camp Adviser ,a Guider may not enter unless she has camped a week. or two week-ends under canvas, preferably in a Guide camp . . . . " A series of week-end camps has boen arranged in order that guiders may have training and be tested for this special Licence. The dates are 28th-29th May, 4th-5th June, 1lth13th June (holiday week-end) and 18th-19th June. The site is at Ocean Grove, and the Fee will be 15/-. of which 5/- deposit should be paid in advance. This Fee includes all weekends but no fares. There are already nine applicants for this course. More applications by guiders wishing to general camp experience will be considered if they apply by 12th May
-------000'------EASTER CAMPS. The following companies camped at Easter: 2nd Richmond Guides at "Gipton." I"rankston. 1st Melbourne Rangers at Kaloramu. 3rd East Malvern and Box Hill Ran~n'l's at Ocean Grove. 1st Corryong Guides at ~arie1. 4th Preston Rangers at Belgraye.
-------00 0------A RESIGNATION.
It was with great regret that the Camping Committee recch'ed from Miss ~lerle Bush her resignation from the appoinment of Camp Ad\'iser. Miss Bush received her Camper'" Licence at the First Victorian Training Camp in 1923, and soon after was apI'ointed Camp Adviser, and latcr Commissioner for Camping. It was Miss Bush who gave us the high standards of Camping that we ha\'e as our founda~~U--j)~)--j) --')--.u_ C' -t' -'O.-.II- C' ~I~I-{'i
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May, 1938.
MATILDA
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tion to-day. and she who inspired us with an ideal of what good camping could do for guiding artd for guides. No one can say how farreaching this is, and how mnch it will mean to our Camlling-to-be, we know only how much it is appreciated. We are very sad that Miss Bush is not going to be a C.A. any longer, but we hope that she will not give up camping altogether, and we say "thank you," very sincerely, on behalf of Victorian Guides, past and pcesent and future. -ELAINE E. MORAN, Commissioner for Camping.
-------00 0-------
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS. jih f\Pillf;, 1938.
Present: Lady Chauvel Mrs. Faulkner, Mesdames Edmondson, Littlejohn, Tate, Eadie, Ebeling; Misses Purnell, Swinburn, Bush. Boardhurst, Moran, Cameron, and Ritchie. RelX>l'ted ; That negotiations in c0nnection with the purchase of the Guide House were proceeding. That the Trainer visiting Australia next year from Imperial Headquart'rs would be Miss :;I.{artin, of Scotland. That answers to the World Bureau Youth questionnaire had been compiled at a meeting on 21st March, and had been sent to the Federal Secretary. That the total donations to the Thinkin!!' Day Fund to date amounted to ÂŁ16/18/11. That the Health authorities had approved the lifting of the special r~strictions placed on Guide camping during the polio epidemic. That Miss Bush's resignation as Camp Adviser had been accepted with regret, with appreciation of her past services to camping. That an All Australia Camp was being planned in Sydney for January, 1938, but that no details were yet available, nor was it known whether it would be for Guides or only Guiders. Leave of absence for onf' years was granted to Mrs. Eadie, Mrs. Guthrie, Mrs. R .L. Dennis. Mrs. H.I Docker, Miss Hayman.
- - - 0 00- - Appoint ment.
DISTRICT COMMISSIONER Geelong District II.: Mrs. Basil Hall, 29 Buckland ave., Newtown, Geelong.
Registration.
IN RECESS. 1st Noorat Company.
TRAINING. Brownie Training Classes. 'l~he first course tor the year began on Monday, 4th April, in charge of Miss Violet Hill. Brownie Guiders who wish to attend classes and cannot attend for this course should communicate with Mrs. Tate, Commissioner for Brownies, I'e suitable days and dates for the next course, which will be al'l'anged when sufficient applications have been received.
General Guide Training. The f;econd course will begin on Tuesday, Hth June. Ht the Guide Office, at 8 p.m. M. E. BUSH.
(Continued iI'om Page 2). Land's End and all experienced the satisfaction of having stood on the south-westernmost point of England. Many miles had still to be covered before we would be back at Foxleas<' ~o we were soon on the way again. Midnight found us on the road near Wimborne as the church bells rang out the Old Year and rang tn the New. High Jinks and Low Jinks came to a standstill and greetings and good wishes were exchanged, each probably thinking how differently she would be situated when 1938 was rung out.
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Cancelled Warrants. CAPTAINS. 1st Inverleigh; Miss P. Crane. 1st Traralgon: Miss M. Nixon. LIEUTENANT. 1st Black Rock; Miss P. Dannatt. BROWN OWLS. 1st Dandenong Pack; MiSS I. Cockram. 1st Murtoa Pack: Miss J. Harris.
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