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.J A N U A R Y,
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J anuar;', 1939.
WAltRANTS AND REGISTRATIONS. District Commissioner: Oaldeigh and MUl"rumbeena, :Miss F. Piesse, 7 l\1urrumbpcna Hoad, l\1urrumbeena. Brown Owl: 1st Rupanyup, .:'Il iss .:\1. M. Kendall. Tawny Uwl: 1st Rupanyup, .:'Iliss C. Kinsella. Captains: 1st Frankston, .:\[1':-;. 'Nillimott; 1st Kingsville, ':\lrs. Garnet; 8th \'ic. Lones, lIIis~ D. Ogden; 1st Pari_dale, Miss A. L. Ferguson; 1st Rupanyup, Miss 1<'. Greer; Illt Upwey, .i\1is~ X. Appleby; la Yarra\"ilJe, :\Li~ll K Carter. Lieutenants: 1st Brighton Beach, Miss J. \Vhile; 1st Caulfield, Miss L. Buggee ; 1st Daylesforu, MisÂť B. Lt>hmann; 1st Hastings, l\Ii~s 13. ~.I cntiplay; 1st Hastings, ':\<1iss .:\1. Stockton; ]st Huwksburn, )'Iiss J. Arthur; 11th .:\[alvern, Miss E. Burbridge; Nyah District Co., Miss G. Cant; 4th Richmond, Miss C. Hadley; 1st Rupanyup. ':\Iiss G. Kendall; 1st Hupanyu\>, Miss C. Kinsella; 4th South Yarra, Miss G. It "herts; 1st Sunshine, Miss M. Pritchard; 5t Kilda District Rangeri', Miss .:'II. !\"eatn. C'aclc 3rd Caulfield. Company: 11't Sunshine
Printed by the Hilton Preu (1929) Pty. Ltd., 223-26 Moray Street, South Melbourne. S.C.5.
"Matilda"
An Official Treasure Bag of Guidera' lnf ormation for Guidera of Victoria, Auotr.lI.. Price : 3/ - Per Year; 4/- Posted. Single Copie â&#x20AC;˘â&#x20AC;˘ 6eL each. Editor: MARGOT ANDERSON. Guide Headquarters, 60 Market Street, C.l.
JANUARY, 1939.
VOL. XV.
FROM THE STATE COMMISSIONER This New Year issue of Matil da gives me a n o pportunity to se nd good w ish es for I n39 to a ll Guides in Vi c t oria. I h op e t h at it will b e a happy yea I' fo r you a ll. It is starting hap p il)i f or Guiding wi t h a bout 600 Guides spendin g J a nu a ry at ou r ow n ho n.'> at B rita nnia C r ee k , a nd I ho p e, during th ~ year , h u ndreds m ore w ill h ave th e pleasu re of camp in g th e re . W e a re a ll looking forwa rd to the offic ia l ope ning of th e G uid e House on Feb ruary 18th by Lord Ham p ton. w ho is r epr ese nting the Chief SCOout at t h e J am boree. I h ope that you w ill b e ab le to b e prese n t at that opening ii' large n u mbe r s. Goo<l luck to yo u a ll.
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FROM THE ACTING EDITORS. T he Ed it or is in N ew Zea la n d on holid a ys , a nd Christmas Holi days have n e cessitat e d "Ma tilda" b eing' put t og et h e r in r a th e r a r us h , and so w e apo logise fo r a n y shortco m in gs a nd ask ro r yo ur g e n e ro us Chri stm as fee ling. A HAPPY NEW YEAR T O Y O AL L. I E .B.S.H.I.
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Ch ris t mas G r ee ti ngs have been r eceived from T h e Chie f Gui d e a n d Ch ief Scout. the F e d e ral Pre id e n t, H . E. Lad y Gowrie ; the Ove rseas Sec r etary at I. H.Q. ,Miss d e Re nzy Martin ; the Guid es of N e w South W a les ; the State Co mmission e r, So,uth A u stra lia, Mrs, H . L. Ry m ill ; th e Stat e Se cretar y, W est e rn Australia, M iss Egan; th e Guid es of P ort F ai ry; the Guides of Swan Hill ; M r s. C. Bu ckle y; Mrs. A. C. Be nnett; M r sl Gran t Cou t t s ; Miss D ell H ay man; Miss E . M. Fra n c is , South Afri ca; Mrs.
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Gordon, North ern Ire land; Mrs. Horton Lewis; Miss Ma ry Mills ; Miss P . Q. Pond; Mrs. Macph e rson, Engla nd; Miss Grace Smith, South Africa ; Mrs. Swain; Colin Te mpl eton Esq. ; Mrs. W e iman, India. --------000- - - -
WHAT ARE WE DOING? "Es irrt d e l' Me nsc'h , so lang' e r st, e bt." A!' lon g a s m a n strives, he will m a k e mistakes. These w e ll known words of Goethe 's ca me iuto my mind as I though of the old y ear just e nd ed, and t he n ew year a h ead of us. A ce rtain a moun t of co m fort may be d e rived from th e m whe n we t hink back od this ye ar of sadness and sorrow for a g rea t nu m be r of p e ople, of frustra tion and fe ar for some races, of the making of gra ve decisions and th e shouldering of tre m e ndou s r esponsibilities by th e lead e rs of othe r nations, by th e great difficulty for the thinking man and woman o,f the community in puzzling out his or h er own philosophy of life in a world of such turmoil and unre st, if in accepting t his idea of Go eth e's we acknowledge that the r e is a r eason b e hind all things, a guiding force and a plan at the back of all our strivings and aspirations; and that if we h a ve th e fa ith to carryon honestly, cheerfully, coura geous ly t o th e best of our abll1ty some thin g will evolve, a nd we will ultimate ly add our quota to the whol e plan. W e know that a boat cannot remain stationary in a rive r. It will eithe r drift down with th e ' c urre nt or by the expe nding of effort b e rowed up th e stream. W e know also tha t a bird n eeds to fly against the wind to mount upwards. In our own lives w e cannot stand still. It is eithe r forwards or backwards. And this brings me to some words that impresse d m e whe n spoke n recently by the headmistress of a girl's school at their break-up. She said tha t th e only girls in her school with who.m sh e had little sympathy were the "slack_ e rs." She also pointed out that all times had b een troublous Since the world~ began, but that
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MATILDA
certain essentials were always necessary in the characters of individuals i~ they wished to find themselves (fulfill their part of the Plan) in whatever times or circumstances or under whatever rule they lived. Courage, hon esty and hard work she advocated as some Clf the essentials, of course she did not mean only scholastic work. She meant their doing their own particular piece of work in the plan of life. All times have been troublOUS, but the work of the world must go on. One hears too many people saying nowadays, "well, it doesn't much matter, etc., etc., because anything might happen at any nioment in Burope, or Asia 01' India, etc., etc." And here again I stress what I said a few months ago, that the young person of to-day urgently needs a feeling of strength and stab!)i.9' for their proper deve lopm nl. Wc have such' a wonderful opportunity in Our Movement for creating l!- sane and happy atmospher..e for all Brownies and young Guides. Too many wise heads on young shoulders are seen under Brownie hats. Let us keep what we can of Brownie Magic he fore it is lost by th& fitting on of gas masks. Here in Australia> at least we can keep the feeling of tension, l unrestJ, and futility for planned work out of OUI' ompanies and Packs. After this year of tension even the grownups must take stock and ask, "can we live on OUt' emotions year aftcr year, and at this pitch?" The advance of sicence has peeded up life so much, we ask, is all this mental and nervous stimulous healthy. W e know it is not, but find it very difficult to avoid. But for the children we can definitely do soA:tething. "l!et us this year give them in their Packr; and Compan ies and Camps an atmosphere of stability,and security. of ordered life, purposeftjll a tivities and happ:ness. It is still a beautifulil world, and we are rushing so rapidly thrDugn it that we forget to look for beauty in it. Let us this year, as Rangers and Guiders, find through Guiding a sense of balance. L et us bring faith, tolerance, courage, and hard work to Guiding, with the thought that even if we .malte mistakes it doesn't matter as long as we are striving. Striving is advan ci ng, by advanGing we can find ourselves, fulfill ourselves" ap.<:J, wr~te ..off something of what we owe to hu.o;lan·ty as rarticipants in. the great un~ ilj~
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Pl!Ln.
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January, 1939.
GUIDERS' COMMITTEE. The Guiders' Committee met on Friday, 9th December. Representatives of Eastern, Outer Eastern, orth-Eastern and South-Western Division and Lones were present. An apology was received from Ranger Representativ e. Office-bearers elected for 1939: President, Miss \Vatson; secretary, Miss Newell; treasurer, Miss Davies (subject to her acceptance). Accounts connected with Conference were passed for payment, and £5 to endow Camp House for Conference Day, September 24th, by the retiring committee. The following metropolitan divisions wel'e unrepresented: Croyuon, Outer Southern, SouthEastern, vVestern, Brownies and Extensions. The next meeting will be held on Friday, 3rd February, 1939, at 8 p.m. at the Guide office. Guiders, please see that your representative is present! -MARY NEWELL, Sec. ---:0:---
THINKING
DAY.
Vatch the February "Matilda" for plans for the Thinldng Day celebrations at Guide Headquartel's and remember the date, 22nd FebrU ~\ry.
·-·S.H. I.
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MORAL REARMAMENT.
A Pledge of Self-Dedication. To the Editor of "The Times," from the Chief Scout. Sil',-1 will not dilate on the pressing need fOl' moral reg'eneration in the world. This has been fully explained by your several representative correspondents, but among them more than one has suggested that some practical line of selfdedication needs defining, a line s uch as can be followed by all without regard to difference of class, creed, or country. In case it may open suggestions to this end, may I quote a small incident of the Great War? I had many talks in France with the young soldiers who, on getting their orders to go to the front line, felt, as they said, "up against it" as they had no religious faith which wou ld help them face ihe ordeal. We had posted up in one of our recreation huts a copy of the Scout Law. One day a group of soldiers were studying this, and one of them as I'epresenting the rest came
January, 1939 .
MATILDA
across and asked, "Could a chap sign on to that?" And so it started; and we had to have postcards printed, g iving the Scout's Promise and Law, with a dotted line where the lads could "sign on." I may explain that the Scout's Promise stands as follows:I promise, on my honour, that I will do my best to do my duty to God and the King', to help other people at all times, and to obey the Scout Law. And the law, r eferred to runs thus:(1) A Scout's honour is to be trusted. (2) A Scout is loyal to the King, his country, his Scouters, his parents, his employers, and to those under him. (3) A Scout's duty is to be useful and to help others. (4) A Scout is a friend to all, and a brother to every other Scout, no matte!' Lo what countl"y. class, or creed the other may belong. (5) A Scout is courteous. (6) A Scout of his parents, Patrol Leader, or Scoutmaster, is a fl'iend to anim als. (7) A Scout obeys orders without question. (8) A Scout smiles and whistles under all difficulties. (9) A Scout is thrifty. (10) A Scout is clean in thought, word, and deed. Some four and a half millions of boy scouts and girl guides are to-day practising those tenets, not mel"ely in our own country but in over 40 foreign countries. Thus, a wide international brotherhood is formed whose spiritual relationship is further strengthened hy interchange of visits and correspondence on a liberal scale. In addition to the above numbers there are now many more millions of adults in those countries who have been through this training in their youth. To these the call h as just gone out, fu ll y to practi~e the spirit of the law in this time of crisis, and so to give the example around them of broad-minded outlook and recognition of "the other fellow's point of view." Thus, we have an experiment in this direction of moral rev iva l and widespread brotherhood a lready functioning among the younger generation. I am told that a certain tribe of head-hunters are sufficiently wise as to believe that the God of Evil is destined to rule the world altcrnately with the God of Good, and that just now it is the turn of the Evil one-whose name is Self. Those f'avages seem fairly u p-to-date in their deduction. (I write this on St. Michael's Dayan auspicious date for tackling the God of Evil.) To bring about the rule of God on earth today it has been pOinted out that a fundamental change of spirit in the conduct of our lives is essential; the interests of self have to give way to the exercise of love and consideration for oihe l"s. This means putting Into the practise of our daily doings th e simple creed g iven to us by
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Christ-namely, Love God, and love thy neighbour as thyself; a creed which can be accepted by all SOl1S of the Creator no matter what may be the form in which they are accustom ed to I"ecognise Him. The wide acceptance accorded to the scout promise at home and in a ll countries seems to ~uggest that some sim ple form of self-dedication migh~ be devised and sim ilar ly and more generall y adopted by adults. To appeal to the man in the ~treet it would have to be of the s implest chal'actc r and should pledge him to control himse lf anu hi s weaknesses, to be straight in all his dealings, to obey his conscience in every case, to be fr:endly and readily helpful to all others and to the community even at the sacrifice of his own desires. A pledge for carrying out such moral regeneration might perhaps be stated in writing in some such form as this:I will do my best, in my daily life(1) To do my duty to God. (2) To be a helpful fr iend to other people and so to do all I can to bring aoout God's r:eign of pe::tce and good will upon earth. Practise of the daily good turn, especially if it involves a certain amount of self-sacrifice, should gradua ll y bring about this babit of rightmindedness on those lincs. It is by the labour of minute individual cocl nterata tbat gTeat coral islands are pl"Oduced; it is only through the right character of its individuals that the moral ascendancy of a people can be built up. The new generation may not be church-going, but ihey have, I beli eve. a deep religious sense. They would say with Abr9.ham Lincoln, "If I could see a Church which simply said, Love God and love thy neighbour as thyself, that is the Church that I would join." The need for defence and armament has brought them in their thousands to sign on for national service, the need for mora l rearmament if straightly put to them would bring them likewif' e in their thousands to sign on for the service 01 humanity. Yours truly, -BADEN POWELL OF GIL WELL. The Boy Scouts Association, 25, Buckingham Palace Road, ~.W.1, Sept. 29. ---:0:---
FROM "THE GUIDER," NOV., 1938. Copy of a letter to '.rhe Lady Somers from The Dowager Lady Reading. Dear Lady Somers,May I, as Chairmfln of Women's Voluntary Services for A.R.P., exp l'ess to you and to all
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those Guides who bave been associ9.ted with you in emergency services during the recenL crisis, my warmest thanks for the wonderful help you have so freely given m', particularly in arranging the reception details of the evacuation scheme and in providing squads for assembling respiraLors and carrying out other em ergency duties. There can never have been an occasion wben the voluntary ,yet disciplined, spirit of the Girl Guides organisation 0 triumphantly just ified its ('lf, not only as the fltteRt spirit to animate a free peo,p le, but a:j the best spirit to animate a tackle a practical job. It has been a privilege to be able to work side by side with you and your colleagues during these difficult days. If you could see your way to publishing this letter in "The Guider" so that it may reach the widest possible circle of readers within the Guide Ol·ganisation, I should indeed be graieful, as I would not wish a single individual who has helped in the splendid co-operation you have given us to feel that her contribution of hard work and goodwill has not been most deeply appreciated. Yours sincerely, -STELLA READING. Chairman, Women's Voluntary Services. ---:0:---
JULIETTE LOW MEMORIAL GATHERING AT OUR CHALET. (By ALICE DROUGHT, Ph.D.) (Leader in charge of the American groups.) August llth-29Lh, 1938. This year marked tbe fifth Juliette Low Memorial encampment at Our Chalet at Adelboden, Switzerland. There were eighteen representatives from nine nations-a larger number of nations represented than for any previous Julictte Low gathering at Our Chalet. South A.frica and India eacb seni two delegates. These were two of the five countries not represented at the Silver Jubil ee camp at Camp Andree in 1937. Egypt, South Africa and Yugo-slavia, which also sent two represeniatives, had not previously sent members to a Juliette Low troop. Thus the circle of Juliette Low troop members grows and widens, and the handclasps around the world become sironger. The purpose of the encampment was twofold; ' to p'erpetuate the memory of OU!· founder, Juli ette Low, and to promote internat.ional under8tanding and friendship, which was one of her fondest dreams. '.rhe fI,·st objective was achieved through reading aloud "Juliette Low and the Girl Scouts," copies of which were presented to each representative. To achieve the second objective
January, 1939.
it was necessa,·y first to surmount the barriers of language and custom, and then to learn as much as possible about the various countries represented-about their GUiding, theil' camping, tbeir folklore and traditions. Each country was called upon LO teach some of its native songs and games and national dances, to cook a national dish, to contribute something· concrete of its national life and culture. The Juliette Low group had many sessions, di 'cussions, and excursions of its own, but joined the larger Chalet group for household tasks, Colours, and campfires. The day always ended with twelve or fifteen nations standing togethel·, shoulder to sboulder, singing "Taps" in thl·ee or four different languages. Music a nd laug'bter are universal languages, and there was much of both, for the atmosphere of the Cha let is one of kindliness, friendliness, tolerance. and joy. Mingled with it is the spirit of yo uth, at once hopeful, restle s, impatient, sympathetic, eage,·, enthusiastic, and cheerful. What are the results of encampments such as this? Many of them are small but significant evidences of mutual interest and respect: Netherlands giving England tbe beautiful lanyard that she had made; Yugoslavia learning to say in perfect English "Good night, sleep well"; American Cherokee Indian learning to speak French to Belgium, and many more. The permanent values are intangible, for they include an awareness of the fundamental similarities of people and of the common denominator of humanity; understanding and tolerance of other peoples and other nations; faith in people regardless of race 01· creed. ---:0:---
THE P AX-TIN G IN HUNGARY. The name finally chosen for the World Camp taking place in Hungary in 1939 is Pax-ting. The Boy Scouts expressed a wish that we should not use any term similar to "Jamboree." The Ch ief Guide and the Director of the World Bureau accordingly chose "Pax-Ting," which was one of the names suggested at ihe World Conference. and Miss Lindenmeyer writes on behalf of the Rungarian Guides that they are very pleased with this name. "Pax" meaning "Peace" embodies the aim of the World ASSOCiation, and the word was chosen in 1918 by the Ch ief Scout and Chief Guide to form part of the name of their English home, Pax Hill. They have also chosen it as part of the name of their new borne in Africa.-Paxtu. "Ting" is a northern word for gathering, and the most ancient parliament in Europe, that of
MA TI LDA
January, 1939.
Iceland, has aJways been called the "Tin g." So Pax-ting means a Parliament of Peace, and we ho»e it may fulfil its name. ---:0:---
DIVISION
AND
DISTRICT
NEWS.
Echuca District. The Local ASEOciation has been very act ive for the past. twelve months, during which time we have added O\'er £50 to our H:lll Fund, bringing it to £150. A bridge party has been held to augment the funds of Local Association. The Guide Company held an evening to which parents were invited, and the early part of the cvening was occupied with the ordinary routine of their meeting to show the parents a little of lh eir work and play. L9.ter suppe r was served and the Guides waited on their mothers in a truly "Guide" manner. Brownies and Rangers each did some knitting fOI ' After Care of Paralysis. Brownies, on their own, sent 5/3 to Guide House, and our Local Association £1/1/-. Guides, Rangers and BI'ownies have had a mosi successful year and are full of enthusiasm. Guiders attended a get-together training niglit at. Kyabram, directed by Miss Hoffmyer. Kyabram joined Echuca Guides for a hike re('cntly. Echuca Guides intend inviting KY9.bram and Tongala Guides to their birthday party in November. I have since heard that both Companic:; have accepted. The Guide Company attended the Anzac servicc held in Paramoun~ Theatre.
Poowong D istrict. A dream h9.S just bee n realised at Poowongthe CU :dcs and Scouts have officially opened and dcdicatC'd their own hall. Some years ago this dream was formed and a ccm m enccment was made to gather the necessa l y money-then the 'depression period' came and we felt th9.t. we mus t only 'dream.' Two years ago we commenced to work-a bazaar brought us £40, followed a few months later with a garden fete in the garden of one of the Cub's pai'ents and over £20 was added. Then we were offer'ed a blocl< of land free and solicitor's fees to tl'ansfer it and a generous exchange with our 'neighbour' gave Uf; our land, situated quite centrally and yet where we can en joy ourselves and make all the noise we like, without disturbing anyone. Money seemed to com e st eadi ly into our bank account with donations, bridge parties and the schem es of one mother who collected poultry, calves, etc., and marketed them. Our dre9.ms formed plans by this time and the
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very generous offer of two local carpenters, who built the hall at a very low estimate, gave us our own meeting place. And still we planned and wor\{ed-to make our opening day one that would be enjoyed and remp.mbered by all-the date chosen was October 15. "Ve were delightell to have our State Secretary, Miss S. H. Irving, Miss E. Moran, and Miss L. Salmon (Dist. Com.) with us, and the Scout's representatives were Mr. G. "v. S. Anderson, Chief Com.; MI'. F. A. G. Sanders, Gen. Secretary; Mr. N. Peverill, Count.y Com. of Bass, and Dr. Appleford, County Com. of Lang Lang. Aftel' these visitors had inspected the guards of honor the ceremony commenced and it was impressive, not only to u s, but to the general public, who had arrived in quite large numbers. Mr. Anderson made the official opening and Mjss Irvin g dedicated the building. Afternoon tea was served at the local hall by membel's of the Local Association and Group Committee. In the evening Scouts and Guides held separate camp fires and at ours Miss Irving told us interesiing things about Guides, and as Guides from Lang Lang, Krowera and ten Lones were present, there were many very appreciative listeners. Th e final effort was a concert which commenceu wilh an interesting talk about 'Our Chalet' by Miss E. Moran and this was followed by a film of an International Camp. Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scouts all did their part to entel·tain a packed hall and a most appreciative audience it was too-a satisfactol'J finish to a most enjoY.lbl e day. Our dream had materialised and we were ha ppy-happy beyond OUI' dreams, because this largo crowd at the concert h9.d made our final payment on the hall possible.
P oowong Guides. After the 'epidemic' last year, we commenced with four Guides and now we have fourteen working very keenly for second-class badges. Now that we have a hall of our own, each Patrol is working for its Corner and its much more thrilling to be 9.hle to leave OUI' Corners "dressed up" than putting our treasures in a box as we used to do. This year we celebrate our tenth birthday and we are planning a trip to t.he zoo-the Brownies are coming too and perhaps, Matilda. We will tell you about that next month.
Poowong Brownies. Brown Owl-Miss V. McCord-is always busy -t.here are fifteen Brownies and Pack Leader is the only one to help. For the concert on the opening day of the hall, the Pack gave a delightful song and dance-The Flowers and the Fairies-and a play-'l'he Three Bears. This year
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MATILDA
the P:l.ck entered fol' tl1e Stradbroke Cup and had lots of fun; when the model:; wouldn't bake and an interesting time preparing each exhibit. Each year they send away a parcel of toys for Xmas cheer to those not so fortunate as themselves and a cake, the ingl'edients of which are provided by each Brownie. The p:l.rents Xmas party is always a feature and Father Xmas is generally there to give the Brownies' presents, made by themselves, to their mothers. -L.S.
Barwon Division. On 19th November, a Division Rally was held at Nelson Park The companies from the \Vestern District and Ballarat were invited. Unfortunately trnins were not very conve nie nt, so only (OUI' lots of visitors were able to come. Two representatives from B:lllm'at, the Beeac Guides and Brownies, the Lome Company, and Apollo Bay Company. The weather was better than expected, as a cool breeze sprang- up about middny, Mrs. Faulkner and Miss Irving came from Headquarters, and Mrs. Dennis from the Polwarth DIvision. Erecting and taking' down tentK a relay race, international signalling, and a first aid demonstration were the chief events. Some companies a lso included paddling. As the ground bad several sunken taps, which could be turned on, thus provid:ng sm!l.ll pools for those Guides to use, when not doing anything more active. The relay race was won by the 16tb Geelong Company, whicl~ was attending a Hally for the Ill'st time. Miss Irving handed the first Guide of the winning team a miniature boomerang, which had been sent to the Barwon Division by the Company at Alice E'prings. Th e cup given by Mr. Nelson Smith, who lent the ground. was won by 3A Getolong. This cup is given fOI' the Company with the best carriage and appearance in tbe Bal'won Division, and is held by the winners till the next Rally. Mr. Roy Birdsey, whose wife if' Captain of the 4th Geelong Orpbanage Company, was in charge of the description of the events. This was done by an electrical amplifier belonging to the Speed Coursing Association, whiCh was on the ground in a small tower. It certainly helped the spect!l.tors (among whom were Mr, and Miss Jacobs, the Mayor and 'acting Mayoress of Geelong, and Mrs. Brownhill, M.L.A.) to understand the even ts. Th e 15th Company is feeling lost at pl¡esent. The church, whose Sunday School hall was used by the Company has been pulled down and ree rected about two miles away. However, the District Commissioner is quite pleased as this means two Companies instead of one, Our campsite at Ocean Grove now has a name Bungarra. Miss Daintry Gillet, Ceres, is in ch:l.rge
January, 1939.
of camping in this Division . She hopes other districts will use the site, too. Water is supplied from the Bellarine Peninsula scheme, so is quite plentiful. Sand is also quite plentiful though the Camp Committee have worked hard planting buffalo grass. The bush wall has been replaced by palings on the we!l.ther side. This should make things more pleasant when a strong wind is blowing. - J .McK.
HORSHAM. Horsham had a camp over the last school holidays and invited 7 Guides and Guiders from Nhill and Dimboola. Horsham opened a new shack at their Guide camp and the building was much appreciated. Horsham, Dimboola and Nhill had a field day at Nhill on the local golf links on October 26th. Nhill Guides won a pennant and Dimboola Brownies won the Brownie pennant. We had our first Field Day at Horsham in 1937, and next year it will be Dimboola's turn.
Minyip, Murtoa and Rupanyup had their first field day at Murtoa on December 10th. Donald have just had a Fete to help payoff the debt on their new Guide Hall. Dimboola are to have a "break-up" party on December 16th, to which each Guide is to bring a likely Guide and help swell the ranks.
WOODCRAFT WEEK-END, SEPTEMBER 9th-13th, 1938. Foxlease more than filled my expectations, the white mansion horne in its picturesque garden setting, the spacious lawns, the park lands sloping away to meet the forest, which looked most inviting to explore. What place could be more appropriate for a woodcraft week-end? Such a thrill t o arrive at the entrance hall, the oldest part of the house, it remains to bear witness that "Foxlease" was a Forest-keeper's Lodge in the time of King John. Many changes have taken place since then, yet a secret charm still lingers in the oak paneled Tudor study, and the Adam drawing room called 'Scotland' after its donor. The logga converted into a dining room by "India" has glass doors leading out! to the garden. In each bathrooon hangs a qhaint notice: THE LEASE. Of this well watered spot Is short, extension can't be got Haste then! For in ten minutes more
January, 1939.
MATILDA
The next will thunder at the door. My room wa.,> "'Vharfedale." From the pas.sage window I look ed into a walled sunken ga rden with a sun dial and a dove-cot, where white do\'es cooed and strutted about the lawn-and a tortoise slept in the sun. Two cats each with a kitten, a Dalmation and a red Cocker Spaniel were the other pets-"Rufus," ~he latter, was first favourite. Sessions usually take place in the dear old thatched barn, which has been converted into a hall, with leadJight windows and doors, a great open fireplace, round this log fire, we Hat on stools and held "Guides Own" on Sunday evening. Miss Walton and Miss Fazan held most of the 'lessions out in th e sunshine. Miss Seaman gave us physical culture on the tennis court-in our free time we visited a most inviting swimmi ng pool. FarLy-two Guiders were present, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, India were represented. I was the Australian. '1'he international situation became so grave, "Switzlands" parents phoned for her to return immediately, she very reluctantly left the day after arrival. The four Patrols at "Fox lease" are the "Chalf finches," "Chiff-chalfs," "Green finches," and the Rooks. I was a "Rook," and should I retul'n e.t any lime I would still be a Rook. Each Guider made something out of wood for her corner, many strange objects appeared as the foresi wood Is hard and green. We h iked through the forest, and learned different points of interest !lbout the trees, there were many varieties, lIaks, ash, beech, black 'poplars, silver furs, yew, cedar, larches and holly oak. W e picl{ed up fir cones and found the differe nce between those nibbl ed by squirrel or field mouse, or p icked by birds, and looked in vain for owl pelts. While resting under an oak, we discussed how to make plaster casts and smoke prints of le!l.ves. Lunch in the forest was great fun-our Patrol made cobhouse fires, the fish and sieak flanked on a reflecter was delicious, and a toasted maI'shmallow between two chocolate biscuits made an excellent sweet. Each evening' we had songs at the camp-fire, sight sitting on a bench encircling a huge log fire-the enchantment of Foxlease! It is through nature we appreciate the simple joys of life. -BETTY BELCHER.
9
HIKING-PART I. (From Girl Guide Magazine, S. Africa.) "I'm happy when I'm hiking!" runs the refrain of a popular song, and in those few words lies the answer to the question "'Vhy hike?" Hiking is fun. \Vatch the faces of your Guides li ght up when you propose a hike, or even a hiking game or cookery practice. And in Ihe best traditions of the Movement, hiking tea0hes while it amuses; teaches organisation and observation; cncourages originality and ingenuity; trains lazy memories (for what you leave at home you have to do without), and helps Guiders in that often rather difficult task, bringing Guiding out-of~ doors. It was a red-letter day when the powerth!lt-be in Buckingham Palace Road said "Let a hike be part of the first class test." There are all so rts of hikes. Tea, lunch or supper hikes, all-day hikes, overnight hikes, for which permission must be obtained from a Camp Adviser, but for the present let us consider the most common variety, the one-meal or half-day hike. Four things must always be borne in mindl1. Before taking your Guides for a hike, see that th ey know what to expect. This can be done at PI'evious meetings. by means of g1.r:1 CS ('nd talks on equipment, cookery and menus, snakebite tr.eatment, and so on. Occasional patrol leaders' hikes are of inestimable .value. 2. '1'he best hikes are small.
If you must take the whole company, let the Guides walk and work in sm:l.ll g-roups. Three people round a fire are enough. L 3. But in this country it is not safe f6r small parties of girls to wander about in lonely places. Choose a spot where there is no danger of children being frightened or molested and where help can be summoned in an em rgency. 4. Hikes are not picnics. What you need you carry yourself, and what you eat you cook yourself. The meaning of "to hike" is "to walk with goodwill," so remember that it is not quite the thing to get out of a bus and ml ke !:t. fire on the spot! Th e Guides should walk at i feast part â&#x20AC;˘of -r the way to the chosen spot, 'which should be shelte red without being lonely;9and shJuld.~il possible, be near drinking water a:'ol s UItable- fire ~ wood. These can of course be ca'f ried, bui areâ&#x20AC;˘ apt to be heavy and cumbersome for s~~~i' Guides. If you are hiking on private property, do not forget to obtain permission. Now let us picture a Guide' ready to cct off. #.
MATILDA
10
She wears, for ciloice. her uniform. completol with hat, stockings, and comfortable shoes. On her back is a small rucksac containing her ra· tions, matches, small First Aid outfit (and she knows the use of its contents!), sheet of newspaper, notebook and pencil, string, and her sharf of th~ group or patrol equipment, Le., towel, soap and cloth for drying utensils. If there is room she puts into the rucksac her jersey or lightweight mackintosh, but if not she folds it neatly and ties it on top of the rucksac. She never brings her heavy winter coat, nor does she carry an attache case nor a collection of paper parcels. From her belt hangs her knife, suitably sharpened, her mug in case she is thirsty en route, an!' a neat roll which turns out to be a very small grounds heet made of American cloth or other waterproof material, just large enough to hold herself. If possible she has a kidney shaped billy which can be tied on to her belt, but if she has an ordinary round one it must go into the rucksac, and her other possessions must be packed inside it. In either case the billy has a cover. Where, you ask, is her frying pan? Well, she can use the lid of her billy if s he must, but on~ can fry sausages over the kitchen stove any day, so let us strive to be enterprising when hiking, and use as few utensils as possible. Dry rations are carried in small bags , and wet or messy ones, Le., butter, jam or syrup, in cream carlons with lids. On arrival at the spot where a meal is to bl! cook ed, our Guide hangs her coat on a branch. rolls her sleeves up and her s tockings down (weather permitting) , takes off h er hat and gets to work. What she does next will appear in a future issue of this magazine.
January, 1989.
if you could travel on Friday or Saturday morning or afternoon.
In addition to the week-end Miss Andrews would be g lad to hear from any Rangers 01' Guiders who would be free to do odd jobs at the Camp House, any time after January 25th (as soon as the last camp fini hes), as there is so much to be done before the opening. \Vill anyone who is free to help please send their names, the time they can spare and possible dates, together w ith any helpful information about jobs they feel they cou ld do to Miss L. M. Andrews, c/o Girl Guides Association.
Last Matilda told you about our expenses, you will remember-this month I have lots to tell you about things that have been given to us lately. The room of the Guider in Charge is goi n g to be a very attractive shade of green with a qum appliqued with Australian wild flowers; and 3rd Camberwell Ranger Committee, in addition to the Camberwell Room, have given a window for the G.I.C.'s room, while Burwood and Hartwell District have given a lovely light Australian oak desk, and as we particularly want the furniture in this room to match we are hoping someone w ill help the Furnishing Committee to gE't a bed which would cost £3 / 15/ - and a chest of drawers £4/15/- in the same wood.
3rd Kew Rangers spent a very happy weekend at the House recently; they painted bedsteads cream to match the walIs, and went over all the mattress with a rust preventive paint! '1'he Camping Dept. are providing a lig ht cart for transporting camp equipment to the sites during the J a nua l'y camps, and afterwards it will be g iven to ·the property.
-B.K.B.
-------:0:-------
THE GUIDE HOUSE. Would you like to help to get the Guide Hou.Je re:l.dy for the official opening? A working bee is being organised by Miss Andrews for A.N.A. week-end (January 28th to 30lh), and lots of workers will be needed. Guide Patrol Leaders, Rangers and Guiders are asked to volunteer for this week-end, the cost will be kept as low as possible and will be for food and fares only. Further details will be announced In the daily press laLer.
If you can help send In your name to Miss M. Fowler, c/o Girl Guides ASSOCiation, and state
Did you know that Australian \Vildflower designs are going to be used wherever possible fo:quilts and furnishings? And Jots of people hav,> been asking about these quilts. Each square measures 25in. x 25in. and it takes 15 to make one quilt. Stamped designs will be ready in Februal'Y, so if you want to help by workingsome of these squares, apply to Mrs. W. M. Black. Main Street, Lilydale. Do you know that four hundred and forty-two people visited the Guide House iII. one month! (From Nov. 9 to Dec. 10). Sever'al Local Associations went up for the day, and five districts had field days :1t the Guide House, apal·t from odd week-ends and visitors.
Janual")', 1939.
MATILDA
So may the New Year be a happy one to you, happy to many more whose happiness depends on you! So may ea(.h year be happier than the last and not the meanest of our brethren or sisterllOod debarred their rightful share in what our great Creator formed them to enjoy. -(Dickens). The Brownie Page Committee wishes all B.own Owls and Tawnies a very Happy New Year and hopes that all will make a Ne,v Year n .:;olution to send in contributions and sugg-estions to Matilda in 1939. BREVITIES. Do your Brownies know why they salute '. ith two fingers, while Guides salute with three? Do you encourage your Brownies whether ti¡.ey are Golden Bars or only Tweenies, to turn the rope backwards when skipping.
Thinking
Day.
Next month "Matilda" is to be a Thinking Day Num ber, so will any Brown Owls who have letters or games from Packs oversea ' send them in f or inclusion in the Brownie Page, as we wa nt to make it as international r.3 possible.
Wh} Not Revel? Why not? I think the number of districts who revel could be counted on the fingers of O:1e hand . Wh y not more? I can hear the al'!swer: "We don't know anything about them." Well there is no hard and fast rule abou t Revels- just go ahead and plan out your own programme, but do remember that a Revel is not a Sunday School picnic, or sports, nor even a glorified Brownie meeting; it is the peculiar festival of the Little People in which we Brownie folk, alone among mortals, have been allowed a share. Here are just a ff'w "-lo's" and "dont's"-
11
ideas and suggestions which may help Brownie Guiders who are thinking of holding Revels this year. First the organisation. For a district revel all the Brownie Guiders in the district could meet and arrange the programme, but in the case of a Divisional, it would be easier and less unwieldly to have a Committee. This committee should be responsible for all th'~ arrangements. And now-where to have it? A garden is certainly the best and it is quite likely your Commissioner may have or know of someone with a suitable garden. Perhaps a member of the Local Association or a Brownie Mother may come to the rescue. Failing a garden, there is very likely a school with a playing field, but do have a hall to fall back on should the day be wet; to postpone a revel would be a bitter disappointment. The numbers for a Revel would be anything from 40 to 100 or over children, which as a whole would be too unwieldly to handle.
Therefore, the easiest way is to divide them into groups of not more than 20, each under a competent Brown Owl. One very attractive way I saw it done was, that as soon as each child arrived, she was given a coloured animal such as a pink pig, green elephant, etc., and she followed a streamer of her colour until she arrived at her own special corner where a large animal was perched in state. She stayed in that group all the afternoon and played games and had a treasure hunt and otherwise thoroughly enjoyed herself, even if she didn't know threequarters of the children in her group. One of the main ideas of a Revel is to mix your children up as much a <; possible. Plenty of extra helpers other than Owls and Packleaders are needed. The Rangers will be only too glad to help, and who knows, you may get some new Brownie Guiders or Packleaders. Don't forget the first aid outfits, for
12
MATILDA
small casualties do happen sometimes. Whatever happens, remember that good lavatory accommodation is most essential. Lastly, though by no means least impol-tant, tea! Plenty of time should be allowed for this, and one very attractive way of arranging this is to give every Brownie a magic penny (milk bottle top painted) with which she pays for her tea, which could be in :l coloured paper bag. When each Brownie has finished, she just puts the remains in a special litter basket and there is no mess or untidiness. Then a story from the Commissioner and Goodbye. This should be done in a Brownieish way as possible, not forgetting a Thank-you to the lady who lent the garden. Good luck, Brown Owls, and may you revel soon. M.E.H.
Daisy Chains. One Brownie is a giant, asleep in the middle of a ring formed by all the others, who skip round singing to the tune of "WaIting Matilda." Once some little Brownies Looking for good turns to do Found a big giant asleep on the plain, And they said, "Will you tell us?" For we'd like to make you one, How many daisies you'd like in a chain? How many daisies ? How many daisies? How many daisies you'd like in a chain? And they said, "Will you tell us, For we'd like to make you one, How many daisies you'd like in a chain." As they sing, the giant gradually wakes, anlt when they finish she calls any number under 8 in a very loud voice, and jumps up and chases them. They may run and dodge as much as they like, but the first one caught not in a ring of the right number becomes giant. -H.G.
A Compass Game. Mark the Compass points on the floor, and at each point place four coloured discs, each point a different colour. Brownies number so that sides are even. Brown Owl calls, "TwoNorth," and the twos in each rank run, the first to take a disc scoring- for the side. Continue until all discs are removed. Then call "North," and the Brownies run and replace the discs, the first to return the colour cor-
January, 1989.
rectly leaving her disc, the others must try again, till all are returned. Do not use the same colour always for the same point. -M.E.H.
TRAFFIC
RULES.
I.-Boarding and alighting from a tram. a. Wait on footpath until tram stops. b. When alighting go straight to the nearest footpath, except when on a Safety Zone. c. Wait until the tram stops. 2.-Pedestrians. a. Keep to the left on footpath. b. Pass other pedestrians on the right when overtaking them. c. Do not walk more than two abreast so as not to force others off the path. d. No games on footpath in busy streets, if path used for games in side streets make way for anyone passing. a.-Crossing Streets. a. Look right and left before crossing. b. Cross at rightangles to footpath. c. Cross as quickly as possible, without necessarily running. d. Choose safest place; special crossing, places where there are lights or a policeman. e. Take special care when crossing near a blind corner, from behind a stationary vehicle, in wet or foggy weather. 4.-Walking on roadway. a. Walk on right-hand side so as to face oncoming traffic. b. Do not walk more than two abreast. 5.-Alighting from a motor car. a. Choose door nearest footpath. b. If other door must be used look both ways for traffic before opening door. 6.-Brownies should know the meaning of policeman's hand signals. 7.-Town Brownies should know the meaning of the traffic lights-Red, Stop, Yellow. Finish crossing if part way over, if still on path do not commence to cross. Green-Go. Brownies who ride bicycles should know, to keep to the left, the correst hand signals, not to ride on footpath, not to double dink anyone, and not to cling to another vehicle. -D.H.
January, 1939.
13
MA T ILDA
THE
SIGN POST Edito1': Elizabeth AI/Ted.
that of thrift, and we would like to point out that an accident can become most costly.
NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA. In the last. issue there was published an article by the National Safety Council of Australia in "egard to Safety in the Home. This mainly Get out the causes of accidents, and how they could be prevented. Have you evel' stopped to consider the disadvantages that follow in the wake of an accident? There is, of course, t.he physicaL pain and suffering of the injured person, as well as the menta: angui"h and wony that is caused to those near and dear to the injured person, and the care ·that h9.s lo be bestowed makes often for vastly altered conditions in the home. In fact, it would be difficult, even perhaps with a simple accident, to calculate just what it costs. "Ve have spoken of the humanitarian point of view, but, if we take the other side of it and go inlo the que tion of monetary cost, there are r ome items that can be calculaed, and these, according to circumstances vary, but it is difficu lt to truly estimate what an accident may cost in cash and k ind. T he National Safety Council is aware th9.t one Qf the teachings in relation to Girl Guides is
To give a simple example. We had brought under notice some little time ago that a cyclist h9.d fai led to purchase efficient front and !·e:.tr lamps for h er bicycle. " ' hilst riding on a bu'y thoroughfare during hours of darkness without h er bicycle being equipped, as stated, with proper Iis'hting, she was knocked down by a car. The lighting could have been purchased for approximately 7/ 6, and the presence of this cyclist on the road would h ave been denoted to the motorist who was proceeding in the same direction as th e cyclist, 9.nd the chances are there would have been no accid ent. However, the girl was rather badly injured and spent some weeks in hospital. The act.ual out-of-pocket expenses to her family, even though she gain ed some monetary assistance by the fact that she was accommodated in a public hospital, was over £20. 'rhis, quite apart from the injury and s uffering, was surely nol. a good financial state of affairs, for, with the outlay of 7/6 this accident could have been avoided, The same principle applies in relation to the many home accidents that were pointed out In the 19.st issue of "Matilda," For instance , a scalding or burning accident may occasion what is term ed a second OJ' third degree burn, which may take months to heal. If this burn is on the hands, tile injured perf' on is p"actically totally incapacitated, and whilst having to be cared fOl' 9.S regards dressing and medical attention, has to have many Simple duties carded out for him until he is able again to use his hands. W e hear at times of musicians insuring their hand" fo,' enormous sums, sometimes such amounts as £20,000 to £50,000 having been mentioned, because of the great value placed on their hands from the point of view of earning their livelihood. Have you ever stopped to consider that there is not a great deal of difference between the musician's hands and YOul' own? For, after all, with the majority of us our hands earn our living, and these huge sums mi ght just as well be the
14
MATI LDA
insured amounts in r elation to anyone's hands. This Council has a postel' reading, "How Much Would You Take for Your Hight Hand," and showing a picture of a hand, as per the small representation of samc produced in this magazine. This gives food for thou g ht. In fact, at the ' back of aJl accidents is the qu estion of cost, whether it be from a humanitaria n or financial point of view. This Council is m ai nly con cerned with the humanitarian point of view in its campaign for the prevention of accident, but there is undoubtedly the question of the monetary cost that at all tim es enters into he question of preventable injuri es. We leave the thought with you that r esearch has proved tha t ove r 80 per cent. of acc idents are pre ventabl e, and that accidents would be practically eliminated if the individual w ere sufficiently educated to safe practices. Accid ents, as a m a tier of fact, as we know of them to-day, are a misnomer. Preventable injuries would be a far better term. Will you t a ke a thought at all tim es to eliminate these preventable injuries, thus saving the many disadvantages that follow in the wake of these preventable mishaps. ---:0::---
GAMES. Observat i'O n Ga me. Have stiff paper or cardboard cut into different shapes, such as triangle cross, swastika, cr escent, etc. Spread them out at one end of the room. Allow Brownies one minute to look at them, then tell them to run to their Six H omes and draw as many shapes as they can remember. The six with most drawings (correct) at the end of five minutes wins. ',,1:1
A l{not Game. Th e Guides make two long lin es down thc room, and all kn eel facing a partner. Each Guide lays one piece of cord on the floor in front of h er. A certain nu mber of counters or beans are put down the middle, one pile for each couple. Captain calls out the name of a knot, a nd the Guides pick up their co rd and tie that knot. The first Guides to fini9h the knot show it to their partners, a nd if they have tied it correctly they take a ('ounter from the pile. If it is incorrectly tied, th ey must do it again. When everyone h as fini s h e d tying that knot, one line moves down one place so that everybody h as a different partner. Then the
January.â&#x20AC;˘ 1 939.
game proceeds as before. Tlw Guide who bas the most numbe r of counters at the end win s.
Bowline Prisoner. Each Gu'ide places h e r cord through h er shoulder strap. One has to try to catc h someone else by cat cin g the cord. If caught. she is tied up by th e captor with a bowline to somL object. If the knot is correct, she stays there. If in co rrect, she is set free and may join in the game again.
Snake Bite. Captai n prepares a list of questiOnS on snal~e bite beforehand. The Guides are in parto l lin es, as for¡ a r e lay race. Captain calls a number-that Guidll runs round a ehair at the end of the hall, a nd back to her patrol. The one back first is asked the question. One point is awarded for speed, and one fOr correct answer. If the answe r is incorrec t, the Guid e who returned to h er patrol second has an opportunity to answer the question.
Stalking. The centre of the floor is strewn with twigs etc., and overturned chairs, and the Guides a r e all at one end of th e room facing the wall. Each in turn is sent to the other end of the room a nd hus to try to get back through the obstacles without making a sound. Th e other Guides clap every time they hear a sound, and the Guide who does the journey with the fewest c laps is the winner, or the Patrol with the f ewest among them. This g-ame is very exc iting if played in. the dark.
Observation Trail. A trail is laid hy a P.L. , an d the Company follows it up in the usua l way. Then at the other end the P.L. asks a number of questions abou t the route passed over. ,T he Patrol with the greatest numb er of correct answers wins.
Treasure Trail. Two Guides go out to lay a trail in woodcraft signs. As they go along, they hide the treasure, repr sen ted by coloured cards. in trees, fences an d in the grass, leaving a corner of the cards showing. When they have had sufficient start, the r est of the C ompany follow the trail and Guides try to find the ca rds. Each Gu ide finding a card g-ains points for h e r Patrol, according to the (Continued on Page 1":,)
MA T ILDA
Jannary. 1D39.
15
7.
To make a balloon. A diving-bell. 9. A leaf-home.
Editor:
ELSIE SYDES.
THE TRIALS OF G.G.H.Q. Recently I had a letter which contained the sael news that a caterpillar had been left at H .Q. for me to collect, and by the time I got the letter the poor thing had been there some time (hence the " sad" news ) . However, I h.ad great faith in the powers of H.Q. to (~eal WIth an emergency in true Ranger fashIon, and t hey did. Now H.Q. says, "You can guess h ow unnerving it was to get the message that it had been left here for the nature editor. You might mention in your column that you do not live in Melbourne or we may have something more dangerous left." So now you kn ow, and the address is18 JUNCTION STREET, BALLARAT.
Nature Competition. Don't forget the Bird Lists or Nature Logs you are going to do in Camp. See December " Matilda."
Orchid Lore. We have a promise of some interesting notes on orchids for next year, so keep a look out for t hese, especially if you are an orchid ent h usia t .
Tarantula's Supper. The Tarantula or Voconia is quite harmless a nd is a great insect-destroyer. An observer writes-"There was a tarantula in the sitting room on Friday evening with a nice large cockroach in its :aws." Some people have queer tastes !
Why Do Spiders Spin Silk? 1.
2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
To form an egg-cocoon. T o line its hole. To form a turret. T o form a trapdoOl To make a web, or snare. T o make a suspension bridge,
These nine different uses are not all t he work of one kind of spider, as you can see, for the one who lines his hole with silk naturally does not use it to spin those beautiful cart-wheel webs we see sparkling with dew. The balloon of threael is the ltgo ~ samer" used by the young spiders to adventure out into the world. Some fine days you will see the ail' filled with these shining "gossamers."
Where Do The Birds Live ? Do birds prefer one kind of country to another, and if so, do you know where you are likely to find them? Open Country.-Walking along a road in open country, grassy paddocks over the fence, you will flush the groundlark or pi pit. He it is who runs swiftly over the ground, tilting his tail as he stops, on a gain, until you have lost him completely. On the fence will be jacky-winter, willie wagtail, in the winter r obin redbreast, hover ing in the paddock a restless fl y-catcher making his unmistakable grinding noise. On the telephone wires are neat r ows of swallows, perhaps some white front ed chats from the open paddocks. Big T rees.-Magpies and Mudlarks both frequent roads and make use of telegraph pol es for perches, but the magpies like countr y with some big trees dotted about. In the grassy paddocks you will find t he lovely spotted-sided finch . Goldfinches and si lvereyes are easily satisfi ed-they like both town and country, especially cultivated area s which mean human habitations and orchar ds and plenty of insects. Mou n ta in GulIifs.-Give us yellow robins, rufous fantails, cranky fans, thrushes, whistlers, white naped and crescent honeycaiers, scrub wrens, blue wrens, and deeper in the lyre-bird, coachwhip and pilot birds. Bigger T imber on t he Hills ides provides a home for the white-eared honeyeater, black . faced cuckoo shrike, butcher bird, laughing jackass. Bigger timber lovers a lso include wattle-birds, parrot", such as the crimson and rosella, trillers. Blossoms and Tr unks. -When g ums al'e in
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MA T ILDA
blossom look for honey eaters, wa ttlebirds. On the trunks of trees look for t r eecreepers running up and searching the bark as they go, sitellas going down, shrike-tit searching the cracks.
J alluary, 1939.
EXTENSION COLUMN.
Bushes and Ground.-Healthy, bushy country-yellow tufted honeyeater, babblers, tits. Blue wrens like thick cover, such as blackberries. Quails, s potted quail- t hrushes and Australian ground t hr ushes-look for these on the ground but be quick, because they have marvellous get-away. Water.-Here you will find moorhens, herons, the bittern, and all the kinds of water birds most common . In the reed-beds the reedwarblers and little grass bir d.
Putting Into Practice. The above notes are rather sketchy, mostly based on personal observation. Now you can make a point of noticing where Y OU see birds, whether in low bushes or tall gums. Write and let "Matilda" know.
Questions.
Editor: Joan Alston.
The " Thank-You" Fund. GUid ers, do you know that there is now only 10/ 6 in the "Thank-You" Fund? So many Companies forgot the Fund In 1938 - was you r Company one of th e guilty on es? P lease remember your "thank-yous" on your Company birthdays this year, and h elp the Post Companies to pay their way.
1.
Does a mosquito bite as soon as it lands?
2.
Name any insects that have beautifully veined wings.
3. 4.
Name any two-winged insects. Why is an insect called an insect?
A Camp for Extensions.
5.
Why does covers ?
There will be a camp for Extensions at the Camp House from the 6th to the 16th ()f this month. The tents will be pitched on the cottage camp sites and there will be about 30 Extensions present. As many as possible will be under canvas and the l'emainde r will be on the cottag verandahs. There are great plans for Natur observation games and archery contests-to say nothing of daily swims and probab ly some hike teas.
a
beetle need hard wing-
6.
Compare wings of bee and dragonfly.
7.
Where do the following insects lay their eggs Cockroach, earwig, cricket, codlinmoth, praying mantis, clothes moth, mosquito?
8.
N arne any insects that are like the mother insect as soon as they come out of the egg. Name any insect whose young are quite unlike the mother. How does a caterpillar move about?
9. 10.
Stars. How about getting out the book and brushing them up? At present Orion, the Seven Sisters, and Taurus are with us in all their splendour. On being asked a question the other evening I found I had got a bit hazy about things, so let's get out those "Guides To Southern Stars" again, while the stars are so splendid.
Mrs. Lamb, 27 Tintern Avenu e. Toorak, S.E.2, will be delighted t o hear from you a ll !
The Carlton Concert. The concert given for Extensions by the Carlton Guides and Brownie~ on Saturday. Decembtr 10th, was a great success. Although the weather was stormy, about 30 Extensions were able to be present. After the concert was over Miss Irving presented the 6th Past Guideds with an inscribed gold trefoil. This was given by Mrs. Riordan in recognition of their excellent work in the
Stradbroke Cup Competition in which the Com pany came second. We would a ll like to thank th e Carlton Guides and Brownies for a very enjoyable co ncert and the opportunity they thus gave us of meeting together. We would also like to thank all those people who helped so much by lending their cars and by helping to push chairs and prams.
Miss Foott was very pleased to receive an answ~r to her appeal for p e opl e who could tlo typing for Post Companies-but she would like to hear of some more as tbere are s(ill som(' Companies who nee d help in this direction. This year we regret to say that w.~ have to announce the resignation of two of ou r POHt Guide Captains. Anyone who would like to ta k e Oil this worlt could get in touch with Miss S. Foott. 24. MUI·· phy Street, South Yarra, S.li:. t. (0
is the ·'tides." The swimmer must get past the Guides who are acting as tides without touching them. The tides must make a loud "swishing' 'noise like the wayes all th e time, but they must not move. Once past the tides, the bandages may be r emoved, and the "sharks" starting from Point Lonsdale ma y c hase after the swimmers and try to catch (h em before they reach Point Nepean.
Target Ball.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
She would be very plt'llsed them _
17
MATILDA
January, 1939 .
h ClI l'
from
J. A.
-------000------(Continued from Page 11,)
colour of the card found. A r e d card counts one point, blue two points, brown and g r ee n three points each. To keep the Company together while playing this game it is best to work in Patrols, taking it in turns to lead the way. Those laying the trail should hide the cards against a back· ground 0If similar co lour, if possible .
Channel Swimmer. Each Patrol must choose: 1. Swimm e r . 2. Trainer. 3. Pilot. Other memb ers of the Patro l act as "tides" and "sharks." Prepare channel for each Patrol with ehall{) circle at either end for Point Lonsdale and Point N e pean. When the whistle blows, the trainer prepares the swimmer by removing h e r hat, belt and tie, and blindfolds her. The Pilot the n takes charge and may shout directions to the swimmer all the way along, but must on no account touch her. The first obstacle to b e ove rcom e is the rock (a line of chairs acr03S the ccurse), which must be climbed over. The next trouble
One patrol stands in the centre of an extend ed circle made by other players. Players in outer circle try to put patrol in ce ntre out by hitting them on the legs b low the knees, with the ball. The last of each Patrol to remain in goes into the centre for the final heat, so that the winner may be d ec ided.
Morse. Guides stand in a st ra ight lin e facing the Guid er. The Guider ca lls a lette r, and the Guides signal it. The first to signal correctly tak es a step backward, all the others who were correct stand sti ll, a.nd those who we re wrong take one pace forward. The first to touch the bacl, wa ll wins.
Compass Game. For,mation: Patrols in files. numbe r ed 1-16, each Guide taking two or more numb rs as r equire d . Marl, 16 points of the com] nss on the floor for each Patrol. In the centre of the circl e place 16 cards face down, each having one point of the compass writte n on it. At the whistle, No. 1 se lects a card, anti places it on what she thinks is the con'ec~ position on the compass. She l'uns bac l, to Patrol, No. 2 has her turn, and so on. POints are awal'ded for correct positions. --------000-------Subs. du e in February:-Miss Niven (South Africa), Miss J. Nelson. Miss Macgregor (St. 10 Ida) , Miss Whitehead, Miss N. Knox, MrR. Bruce Joyce, MisR 1 . McIntyre, Miss D. Curtis, Miss Costain, Miss D. Cooper, Miss I. Gray, Miss S. Cameron, Mif's J. Brown, Miss A. Bowman, Miss Black (Camberwell), Miss Williamson, MI·S. A rnott, Mrs. Sutcliffe.
18
MA T ILDA MYSTERY MEETING.
Actually this was as much a Morse Meeting as a Mystery Meeting, but as mystery is 1'0 much more glamorous in sound than morse, such was its title. It was a mystery in the sense that all the games were new to the Guides (or presented in a fresh way), that arrangements had been given entirely into the hands of the Guiders so thai none, not even the Court of Honour, knew what was on the programmc till it was placed on the notice board, and, finally, the whole programme was written in morse requiring to be deciphered to make it intelligible. U was made clear that morse cards could be used when wished. The programme was set out in the following manner with the addition of certain decorations as explained later. (The decorations are not necessary, but they add to the sen"e of mystery and the feeling of a "special" night). - . ./ . . -/--/- ... / /. -. /-- -/. - .. /. - .. / /
-.-./.-/.-.. /.- . . /1 .. - ./. -. /./. / /-/ . .j--/ . / /
-/. -. /./ . -/ ... / .. -/.-./.// .... / .. -. . -¡1-11 -I. -. I ./. -I ... / .. -I . -. /. / / .... I . . -/ - . / -/ I . . -. / .. / -. / -.. / / -/ .... I. / /
. -- ./. -I ...... /. --/ ---/. - . -/ .. / / .--./ .-1 ... / ... / ¡--1---/ .-./- .. // - . ./. -I ... / .. . . I .. / - . / -- . / . - . - / - . -- /I Roll call drill and inspection was carried out in dead silence, all orders being' conveyed by dumb sign; any Guide who spoke lost a point for her patrol! This was extraordinaJ"ily appreciated. A little free time was given during which the Guides could decipher the programme (or get others to do it for them!) and read any further nolices about games, etc. A notice about the treasure hunt stressed the usual points for an outdoor game, such as care when crossing a main street implying courtesy to drivers, unobtrusive behavious; and the seizing of opportunities for good turns. Each patrol would need a torch and Scout's Pace may be necessary to cover' the route in the time al\owed-20 minutes. 'l'he first two patrols were notified to leave the signs as they were, and the last patrol to collect them. To commence the treasure hunt each patrol was given a slip of paper bearing the first clue. This was written backwards and gave directions to the nearby house of a former Guider. Then' they received an envolope containing further clues. Also at this house they were to see a letter in the front hall-a circumstance that ap pea l'ed to cause great amusement. (They wou ld
January, 1939.
pass a letter-box on the trail). The patrols set out at two minute intervals. The envelope r'eceived at the house contained exac~ directions to the where9.bouts of further clues. Each clue was a single word written in morse and pinned to a lamp post Or fence. TheH' words made a sentence telling the position of t1w tr¡easure. Three or four wor"ds are enough. In this case pencils (16 for" 3d. at Coles) in th ,' particular" patrol colours formed the treasure, but the game has 9.lso been played as Hares and Hounds.' The patrols then may gain points as for an ordinary game, the winner' b eing the patrol which covers the distance in the shortest time, and exlra points being given for good turns and a neat report. The variation of morse lotto required more individual effort. Each Guide was directed to draw a large square on hel' paper and divide it into nine smaller squares about !in. to lin across. (The programme had been decorate d by a similar though smaller diagram, and with simple outline drawings of the objects use in this game, in a manner well within th e reach of any Guide). Captain signalled a word and allowed about one minute for the Guides to draw it. 'l'hree or four letter words are b ~st, such as ~un, moon, fly, girl, etc., and it was emphasised that the dr9.wings were not to be works of art but merely good enough to be recognised-every Guide is expected to be able to draw a little. vVhen the nine words were completed the patrol>; chang'ed papers. and any recogni><a hle object gained a point. 'I'he average of the patl'ol must be wOl'ked out by the leader-not high if many ha ve to resort to morse card". Find the Password, giving practice in quiet moving and "freezing'," also had a touch of mor'se in it. Captain stood at one end of the hall, the Guides at the other. Lieute nant was Captain',.. prisoner, and sat just behind her on a level with four' chair" (or however many words in the password), e3ch bearing three slips of paper-one for each patrol~with a word written on it in morse. Captain turned her bacl, to the Guides. One from each patrol may move at a time. and they had to creep up to the chairs without being heard by Captain. Every few moments C::tptain sudd~nly tUl"U~d round and any Guide seen moving was killed and returned to her' pII-frol while anoth e r Ilad a try. Each patrol had lo get one slip from each of the chairs, deciphel' the words and write out the complete password in English. This was to be taken up to Captain in the same quiet way, placed between her feet, and the prisoner carri~d off with a (Collclud('d on Page 20.)
;/
\.
A VIOTORIAN I
_
.,
WALKABOUT ....
~
We are going on a Yictoria1.t Walkabout towards the end of next Y3ar round about
you
th~
Do you know your own oountry:)
donVt~
So we will all take a
We are going to kill two
going to hell) t路he Guide House
Lower ... -=a.......Town _
~"'
Hall
You V'Jill pI'obably :find OU~;; that and laarn thingsQ
Walkabou~
bi~d~ with ~tS well"
one stone 9 be~ause we a~e We must build t;he Endowment
up a little fJ 'then we can stop worrY"ng about those that all establishments naturally haven
usual1a:o..n'l~.1
~'und
expenses
We are e7.ploring in DlvisiQlls thi:;i tim~" Ea\Jh one will hav a certain 6p~~~ (solid walls provided) to explore 1~n Each W.vision is going to find. out something of inlierest per:路 taining to its own locailtlo Something that is grown there~ or manufacture.d there or found there or an exciting incident of' early de ;ls of discovery or development ~ and will produoe it tiara with suitable articles for salun
It will be comntitiv't3"
Prizes 1'01' Post;ers and a true Pioneer Story ~op n-to Parents and R'latlons of Guides~o
0::.'
Inciden~
A big Meet mg will be held at ILQ" early next year wi'lih Representa.". ttves from DivisigD~ and Distr1ct~ to hear eaoh otherOs ideas, and to discuss and e-volve a definite s -'heme but think about it during -l;he
1.1ol.:days, pl-,ase
~
j~AUPLE?
A
St~asid~
Db-lsion
~ould.
dep:i,ct a s~!isHI.Q s~ene and. sell b@aoh cloth@5
aiid=toyS. at:c . ,~'~ run an oyst~t bar,
0:1' depJ.ot a scene of early dlsoove .. y that had occtrl" ,d at tha"G apotm p.:U..\S suitablt.1 ar路ticles for sal. "
~S-9yntr.l. &1fi_~ iJJE. cou.ld depict; an ino"i.deD."-' of OOJe.4~tS Vlcod. eJc \ of that J..o~a"'~i'路Yi bu"'ld fru:'~-
or
country. ma.ke a
illod.~l
early daysru or. make a pioneer :i."oom or if orcha.. d anE, se3l! fruit and jam",
G Q ~_ d CQ1lld '\iak~ the form of an all-~gQld exhibition" aT!' 'snades of gold , I,uoky nU.Q'ge~s. tr~t' , WQ
'-'
1 CQuld bu5.1d a scene out of.
sel'1r~kni'j'''ed tihings ~
V~Qo1L.
Gottage=garden flowers = and
n
The Division where the first Baby H.alth CDuJ,d
run a Cr t.H:; he , and so on
[111d
Centrefetc~.
so on
was established
BJ,.~ush up your B:rQi;as of YOUl' District and
Delve in'to the Annals and Archivef-t> sued your Repreaentat1ve a:.ong burst= ing with Bl'igh-t deas to the first Meeting next yea (dat announced later: of -tho Gr~a'"
Victorian
Walkabout o..!.
193~
)
January,1939.
MATILDA
19
CAMPING and TRAINING A VISIT FROM AN OVERSEAS TRAINER.
boree; also the Hawkesbury and perhaps the South Coast.
This year Australian Guides will ha\'e the privilege of a visit by a trainer from Imperial Headquarters. Mis Margaret Martin, who is Co.mmissioner for Camping for Scotland and holds the Red Cord and Green Cord Diplomas, will spend the greater part of the year in Australia visiting the different States giving training and help in all branches of Guiding. It is some years since we have had a trainer fronl overseas :1nd it will be :1 wonderful opportunity for us all to refresh ourselves in our guiding and to get all the latest news and ideas. Victoria will have Miss Martin from June 20th to the end of July, during which time we hope 1:; hold a Commissioners' Conference, a Guiders' Training Week and a conference of Diplomaed Guiders from all parts of Australia. There will also be ciasf;cs arranged for those whose job pre\'ents them from attending the Training Wcek. Full details of Miss Martin's visit will be published later. but meanwhile Guiders should make a note of the dates SO that they will be free to make as much as possible of this splendid opportunity.
New South Wales Ranger Moot,
Camps at the Guide House, DecemberJanuary, 1938. 26th Dec. to 3rd Jan, Guiders' Campcraft Wuelc 27th Dec. to 4th Jan .. Guiders' Training \Veek. 27th Dec. to 4th Jan., 1st Combined Guide Camp. 5th Jan. to 13th Jan., 2nd Combined Guide Camp, 3rd Combined Guide Camp, 4th Combined Guide Camp, 5th Combined Guide Camp. 6th Jan. to 16th Jan., Extension Camp. 14th Jan. to 21st Jan., 6th Combined Guide Camp, Prahran District Call1p, East Mal_ vern. 15th Jan. to 23rd Jan., Northern Dh;sian Camp. 21st Jan. to 28th Jan., Melbourne !"'pn:""lulgt;
Co
SYDNEY VISITS. A parry of 26 Guide:;. in charge of Mis:; IrYing, '.\lrs. Ebeling, Miss H. Brown and Miss Gillespie, will lea"e for Sydney on January 3. Besides taking part in Girl Guide Day at the Jamboree they will explore Sydney, the Bridge and the Zoo, visit Glengarry and the Jam-
A party of 28 Victorian Rangers with Mi:;s J. U. Boyes as Guider-in-charge, leaves for Sydney on 28th December, to attend the Ranger Moot, arranged by the New South Wales Rangers. Their programme is as follows;Programme. 29th December, 1938-9th January, 1939. Thursday, 29th December.-Morning; Arrivals; welcome. Friday, 30th Dec.-Morning; Visit to Taronga. Afternoon; Arrivals, Welcome. Evening; Camp fire Zoo, via ferry. Hike lunch. Afternoon; Taronga and return to city via bridge; Evening, 8 p.m., Theatre party. Saturday, 31st Dec.-Morning; Scouts' Jam¡ boree; hike lunch. Afternoon; Jamboree. Ranger Guiders' Conference. Evening; New Year's Eve party. Talk by the Flying Doctor. Sunday, 1st January, 1939.-Mordn6¡; Church. Afternoon; Excursion up Parramatta River to old Government House, etc., or Figtree Trip on Lane Cove River (see talkies being made, etc.). Evening; Church, 8.30Bridge and pylon by night. Monday, 2nd January.-Morning; Koala Park or Fort Dennison and other alternative trips. Afternoon; Opening of Rangers' Conference. Evening; Stunt camp fire. Tuesday, 3rd Jan.-Morning; Discussions, Rangers' Conference; Afternoon; Handicrafts. Visit to Vaucluse House. Evening; Hike tea, and visit to lighthouse, etc., at South Head. Wednesday, 4th Jan.-Morning; All dayexcursion by bus down South Coast via Bulli and Bald Hill. Afternoon; Vis:t Metal Manufacturers at Port Kembla, swimming. Evening; Camp Fire. Return to S'ydne7 after dark. Thursday, 5th Jan.-Morning; Visits. Afternoon; Handicrafts. Discussions. Evening; Talk by representative of B.M.A. Friday, 6th Jan.-Morning; Hawkesbury River Trip to Palm Beach, via train; Afternoon, Launch, tram and boat. Evening: Return via Manly, 8 p.m. Camp fire. Saturday, 7th January.-Morning; Glengarry. Hike lunch. Afternoon; Guide day
MATILDA
20 display ~_ _ .~
at Boy Scout J amboree. Evening: &o~ts' camp fire. unoay, 8th Jan .-Morning: Church. Afternoon: Closing of Ranger Conference; Evening: Rangers' Own. Slides made from photographs taken on N.S.W, Rangers' European trip, Monday, 9th Jan.-Morning: Departures. Afternoon: Departures.
1939.
of a meeting of til<' Executive COI11mittel' held at the Guide Ofliee on 7th Deeembel', 1938:Ptoesent.-Lady Chauvel. ]\[rs. )·'aulkner. ~lrs . Edmondson, Mrs. TalC'. Misses Broadhurst, Cameron, Moran, Purnell, lUtchie. Hussell and the Secretary. A/l:l-eed.- That · the State Commissioncr send a letter to all Commissioners and Guiders P"oposil.g a register of adult Illembers of the .Assoeiation for service In tinl"s of national emergency. That the following Commission.'rs for lJepar~ ments be re-appointed for 1939:Brownes, Mrs. Tale: Camping, Miss Moran; Eql>ipment, Miss Broadhurst; Extensions, Miss Campbell; Assistant Com .. Miss Foott; Hospitality, Mrs. Orr; Post Box, Miss kelly; Rangers, Miss Boyes; Tests and Badges, Miss ~loor". T. aining, 1\[iss Moran. That the Office and Equipment Depot be cl osed from 24th December at 1 p.m. to January 3rd at 9.30 a.m. That Miss Ruesell and Miss Ritchie be responsible for the Office and Depot during the Secretary's absence in Sydney with a party of Guides visiti ng the Jamboree. Tnat Mrs. Fau llmer bc responsi b le for forl111.laling a scheme for a Hande raft Effort in 1939. S. H. IRVI:-<G, State l;jpcretary.
,
i~o~-.o~_ u..-u~~~[
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II Evan Evans iI PTY. I,TD. 680 -8 E I JIZA B ETH S'l'.,
,
i
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~mJJB.,
C.t.
Offieial Canvas Goods House to the Girl Guides' Association. , Special Concessions off Ust I~l'ke.<; To all Girl Guide Organisations o \\'rite for Particulars to Your Head_ quarters, or Direct to Us.
,0 o
I
~.[inutes
-
Januar~',
I I,
I
TENTS and I"LYS, GROeXDSHEETS, CAMPI XG GOODf', FLAGS, TRAVEL ReGS, CAMP BEDS, WATERPROOFS, SLEEPING BAGS, MATTRESSES.
I
0
! ,
i ,0
i
I 0
I I'
I
SPO R T I NG GOODS °1 \Ve have arranged to allow Concessions on all Sporting Goods. Write to us for ')'11' List, Prices and Particulars. Tennis, Golf, Cricket, Baseball, BasI;:etball and Indool' Ga mes.
j
SC PPORT THE FI1UI WHO SUPP ORT Y OU
~.-n_~"'-~_ D _ a _ a _ _" -
THE MUTUAL STORE fea tures Keen Values from the Special
I
I
COLLEGE WEAR DEPT. Girls' Doctor Flannel
SCHOOL BLAZERS
- - - - :0 : - - - (COldilltlCll froll! Page 18.) "If a cold night and it i!; possible to prevent r u sh. the Guides from continuing an lib. w ith fi n d the password, finish with a wa rming game. Give it a n ame appropriate to the evening, s u ch as "C harlie over the Water" as "Dashingly Dotty," or "Cat a nd l\fouse" as "Dot and Dash." Though this meeting was chiefly to give pract ice in morse, it m ay b e seen that It fai rly wen in cludes ou r four main points in Gui ding. - M.L.
Tailored Fuji Silk SIHRT BLOUSES. 20in. t o 27in., 7/11 ; 301n. to 33in., 8/6; 36in. to 39i n. , 8/11; 42 in. to 451n ., 9/11.
THE MUTUAL STORE
Fli..,dera S+re,,+
,e _._._ .... _._._ ... L I M
M"lbourne
I TE D
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