•
01
AUG U S T
1 9 3 9.
2
MATILDA
W ARRANTS, RE GISTRATIONS, ETC. Appointments: Division Commissioner : Mildura etc., Miss M. E. Cawthorn, Hotel Winters un, Mildura. District Commissioner: Birchip, Mrs, Neil Anderson, Commercial Banking Co. of Sydney Ltd., Birchip. Warrants: Captains: 3rd St. Kilda, Miss W. T. Gellie; 2nd Surrey Hills, Miss E. M. Ninnis. Brown Owl: 1st Hampton, Miss S, Rose. Registrations: Packs: 1st Rupanyup, 1st Yea. Company: 1st Newport. Ranger Company: 1st Swan Hill. Local Association: Yea District. Resignations : Division Commissioner, Camperdown, and District Commissioner, Terang: Miss G. Black, Mt. Noorat, Tel·ang. District Commissioner, Euroa: Mrs. Mallalieu. Cancellations : Captains: 2nd East Malvern; Miss M. E. Alfred; 5th Hawthorn, Miss L. Duff; 8th Hawthorn, Miss M. Jolly; 9th Hawthom, Miss R. Denny; 5th St. Kilda, Miss M. Macgregor. Lieutenants: 1st St. Kilda, Miss M. Clinton. Brown Owls: 5th Hawthorn, Miss M. Harris; 2nd St. Kilda, Mrs. Newman.
August, 1939.
January leads with 26 d9.ys endowed February a bad last 11 l\Iarch " ., 23 April ., " 22 May ,. ,. '. .. .. 20 June., " ., .. " . 17 Things are looking up, however, for at the time or \\Titing' Jul~' has more than either !\Iay or June, but 1001, next month and see what the total beco m es. Burn:ng' question \VHICH month will be completely endowed fjr~t ? .li:ndowmcnt donations received in June we I'e : Hi, 7th l\I<llvern Pack-a memor:al to a formel' Tkownie: £2 10 -,1st ""UlTag-ul; £1/1/-, :UOl'dialloc and Parkdale Local As~'ociation; £5/5, -, North l\lclhoul'ne, Pal'kville and \Vest Melbourne, \\'hile on this subject we may explain somet hing that troubles a lot of people, judging- by the questions which are asked about it. The lovely painl~d calendars which are shown on the notice hO:l.rd each month are kept as up-to-date 9.S possiblp and show the days which have been actually rn:d for, but obviously once the calendar is put up and donations come in during the month they cannot then be added to it. The green calendal' in the Meeting Pool is altered day by day, and in :'ddition to showiilg the days which have been ]l,'d fo,', ha::: all the days which have been promised though the money is still being raised for them So YOli \\' ill find that lots of days h:J.ve been n'trked off on the green calendar which are not "lIown on the records on the notice boarJ.
Gardening Activities.
GUIDE HOUSE NOTES. The great thrill this month is that an anonymous donor presented the committee with a cheque for £100 to pay for the instalation of the new septiC tank~.
Endowments. Many interesting things are happening about the Endowment Fund. Did you know for instance that January, the firsi month of the year, has more endo\\'ed days than any othel' up to the end of June? And February, which you would pxpect to be fairly high because so many companies start the ye9.r's work then, and there should be enrolments and birthdays, is the lowest. Then. al1'o you would think tho~e who could not get Thinking Day would have tried to get days near it. Here is a table for the first six months of the y~ar, you will see that we have not a compll'te monih yet:
The Ga"dening Committee are working very hard planting tl'ees and Shrubs to replace all tho~e which were lost during the drought iJecau~e of the dry, hot weather 9.nd the restricted wate,' , uP])ly, Donations towards the cost of new tree~ would be welcom ed by Miss Bre"dhurst, so if you were unlucky and lost you,' ori 5 inal tree pe rhaps you would like to help to pay for another in its place,
Did You Know. That a party of hardy souls left at the House in the intel'im bet,,'een recent Training.< used it as a base for ski-ing on Donna Buang and covered themselves with glol'Y and bruises? Tlmt Cohuna Local Association has sent £2,2/to the Furnishing Committee for something fOl' the !louse. and they are still deciding just what the something will he ? That the Twigs are going to make a model of the Hou~e for the \Valkabout ?
,'Matilda" An Qfficial Treasure Bag of Guiders' Information for Guiders of Victoria, Australia. Price: 3/- Per Yenr; 4/- Posted. Single Copie., 6d. each. Editor: MARGOT ANDERSON. Guide II eudqu"l'le ,¡s. GO Mn"Ket Street. C.l.
VOL. XVI.
AUGUST, 1939.
ROY AL MESSAGES. The June "Guider" contains the messages sent from Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal for Guide Week, May 8th to; 15th, 1939. The Queen's message reads: "As one who was a Guide and whose daughters are happy to be Guides, I am glad to send a message for Guide Week. "The Girl Guide Movement stands i.hroughout the world for service and readiness to help others. The qualities that go to the making of a good Guide are more than ever needed in the world to-day. "I trust, therefore, that Guides in ever greater numbers may come forward to fit themselves to become good citizens, and so s rve the country to whic:l they are proud to belong. ELIZABETH R. The message from the Princess Royal which recorded and broadcast is:"My thoughts will be very much with all Guiders and Guides during Guide Week. "I hope it will have a very real effect in stimulating the keenness of all those who already belong to the Guide Movement. "I should like to think that every Guide will recall her Guide promise during this week, and set herself to see if there are no fresh opportunities for service which she may 1,ave overlooked before. "I hope, too, that, as a result of Guide Week, many new! Guiders and Guides will come forward to be enrolled and to take part in that good comradeship which is the essence of Guiding. "In conclusion, I wish good luck and prosperity to Guides and Guiding all over the world."
No.2.
senting to become the State President and we all join in expressing to her our dee~ appreciation of her graciousness in so doing. The hundreds of Guides and Brownies who were able to take part in the guard of honou r at Government House on the day of her arrival were all thrilled when Lady Dugan made time to come close to them and speak to some.
LADY HUNTINGFIELD'S LOG. The Secretary to the Overseas Department writes as follows:-
"I have been most interested to meet Lady Huntingfield and see the wonderful scrapbook which you gave her on her leaving the State. She has most kindly lent it to us for a day or so to study, and I do think it is one of the best I have ever seen and the cover is particularly attractive."
v. as
STATE PRESIDENT. The Girl Guides' Association in Victor'a has been greatly honoured by Lady Dugan con-
ADDRESS BY OUR FEDERAL PRESIDENT. In opening the first meeting of the Federal Council of the Girl Guides' Association of Aust ralia on the 30th May, Her Excellency, Lady Gowrie, gave the following address, which she 1.1as very kindly permitted us to publish. "I first wish to thank you very much for wanting me to come here, and to say how very very g lad I am that so many of the States are represented. This gives us all a great feeling of co-operation, and I feel this is perhaps the most important thing in Guiding. Personally, in the Guide work, I have never felt that "State" feeling that exists to some extent in other circles. I feel we have always wanted to learn from each other, and to pool our ideas-to camp together and find out about each other, and altogether live up to those tremendous vows that we made when we joined the Guides. In fact, sometimes I think those
4
MATILDA
vows are rather frightening-ail we promise to do; and being human we often fall short of our ideal. But on the other hand I feel that it is so frightfully important that Commissioners should be the ones that give the right idea. It is the people at the top that absolutely make the whole spirit of the Movement. Therefore, it does put a terrific responsibility on the Commissioners. Amongst other things they must have so much vision-dealing with youth demands a great deal. Commissioners need to be thinking how they are going to help the children to be good Australians, prout! of their country and realising the glorious heritage of Australia. I ' have realised this heritage more since my husband became Governor-General-the vastness of it all and, the importance that each individual among this small population has; and if as Commissioners we can pass on that feeling of each chil.l really" doing something good for its country, and some really national work, we are doing just what is wanted, and expected of us. I do not want to make a sermon about it, but children should be given a feeling that, given the respon ibility, they can do a tremendous ¡ amount. I often think that when we feel we should like to be "the ideal Commissioner" we only have to look at the Chief Guide. No woman has more charm, sense of humour and broadmindedness, and that extraordinary spirit that catches everybody. With her at the head of affairEj we have our ideal. I do hope that Guides and Rangers and all of us will try to move about from one State to another. Every Guide that goes home, comes back with tremendous inspiration, and now that travelling is a bit easier and less expensive, I long for the day when we can go to other States and camp together and mingle with each other. Lady Somers, who did so mud. for Guiding and is in the heart of it all in England now, always presses this point: "Give youth a job and let them get on with it." Therefore, Commissioners need to have so much sympathy with the young that they know how to get the Guides to feel their responsibility and a desire to help their country. Once the Guide as an individual feels herself important, doing something worth while, we have engendered the right feeling, without this, they are apt to lose the excitement and inspiration of it all. I have much appreciated meeting so many
August, 1939.
Commissioners and Guiders in Australia and 1 have learned much from them myself and wish I could pass on something of what I have leceived. Thank you for letting me come to this meei.ing. I am pleasedl and delighted that you should have me here to-day."
MISS MARTIN'S VISIT TO VICTORIA. By the time Matilda appears this month , Miss Martin's official visit to our State will b ~ over, but she leaves with us much to think about, and dozens of embryo plans for our future Guiding. Perhaps t he most helpful point about her training has been that, rather than giving us completely new material, she has made us think and plan how we ourselve" can, on the lines she indicated, use the old ma terial in quite new ways to achieve better the purposes we all have in common as Guiders. Thirty-nine Commissioners were able to at¡ tend the Commissioners' Conference for part time, or for the full period; 15 Diploma'd Guiders representing nearly all the States attended the Diploma'd Guiders' Conference; Thirteen Ranger Guiders enjoyed the first intensive training we have ever had he-e . apar: from an odd class here and there, from aTlY overseas Trainer. The Training Week was attended by 26 Guiders. The two Training Classes held before Matilda went t o press numbered 32 and 53 Trainees, respectively, while 32 attended the first Outdoor training day. Twenty-three Correspondence Trainers realised new wayS of helping country Guiders when they met for an informal discussion; and 41 qualified Campers are longing for their next hike or camp in order to tryout some new ideas. Miss Martin also met the Headmistresse" of Schools, the Guiders of school companies, and the Commissioners of the district ~ concerned, and gave a very interesting address; and a well-attended meeting of members of Local Associations of both town ann country areas listened with int?rest t o an address by Miss Martin. We have made great demands on her time, her knowledge and her wisdom; and we want her to realise tha t we have all very deepb appreciated the light she has shed on some of our wonderings, and the in ~piration she has left with us to help us play the game of Guiding to greater effectiveness. -F.V.B., Assist S.S.
August, 1939.
MATILDA
GUIDERS' COMMITTEE MEETING. The committee had much pleasure in wishing future happiness to one of its membersMiss Potter, who is to be married soon. A letter from Lady Chauvel was received, expressing appreciation for the arranging of the party for Miss Martin. Conference details are published elsewhere in Matilda. Next meeting will be held on Friday, August 4th, at 8 p.m. MARY NEWELL, Secretary.
FOUND, at The Union House, after Miss Martin's party, C.H.S. tie pin. Owner apply to The Guide Shop.
GUIDERS' CONFERENCE. This is being held from Friday to Sunday, 22nd to 24th September. Plans have beell finalised as follows:FRIDA Y NIGHT, 22nd September: Discussions in sepal'ate groups-Brownie, Guide and Ranger. These will probably be held at Headquarters, but until replies are received to the circular enclosed with this month's "Matilda," definite places cannot be fixed. (Watch September "Matilda" and daily press). As requested by a number of Guiders, we are publishing all suggestions that have been received for discussion-the actual sub~ects wili be chosen from the following:That it is better to close a Company than carryon with an unsuitable or unqualified Captain. That subjects which are already taught (and by experts) in schools should not be part of the Company meeting. How do you use the patrol system, apart from relay games and roll call drill? Concrete examples required. What adventure games have you p:ayed? What handcraft do you do in your Company? Are we recognising the interest of the Guide;; in modern things? Why not have a Motion Picture Badge, for instance? A resume of what has been learnt at special training weeks or week-ends. Where practicable, the affirmative and negative sides of each subject will be taken by two
5
speakers before the subject is thrown open for discussion by the group. There will be a time limit, and the Chairman of the group will sum up. SATURDAY MORNING-FREE. SATURDAY AFTERNOONGeneral Conference. Guiders will meet in the Union House, University, at 2.15 p.m., and the Official Party will arrive at 2.30 and be welcomed. For the benefit of the General Conference, the leaders of each group from the Friday night will give a brief resume of the que~ tions discussed and the final summing up on the subject. Discussion on subjects of general interest to Guiding will then take place. They will be chosen from the following list, and will, where possible, have affirmative and negative speakers to introduce the subject before general discussion, as, at the Friday night groups. That large combined rallies militate against the well-being of the Company, and that, although they bring publicity to the Movement as a whole, they aloe detrimental to the heart of Guiding-the Guide herself. The Guiders' Conference-its use and suggested new forms. That, as a logical outcome of the patrol system, with the democratic election of leaders by the Company as a whole, District Commissioners should be chosen in the same way by the Guiders of a District. How may we attract new Guiders of the right SOl¡t? How can we get greater co-operation between the Branches? Tea will be at 6 p.m. (cost 116 per head), followec\ by, free time until 7.30 p.m. The evening programme will be a sing-song and learning of new songs for an hour, and then a talk and demonstration by the Women's League of Health, . SUNDA Y MORNING (24th). As it is hoped that a number of country Guiders will be in Melbourne for the Walkabout which starts on the following day, it has been decided, should numbers warrant it, to have a conducted motor tour to places of interest round the city. The success of this part of the Conference will depend on sufficient people offering the use of cars. A smalll
I'll A TIL D A - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - -- charge will probably be made on the ra1scngel's to cover the cost of petrol. (See circular). SUNDAY-Afternoon. The Guiders' Own will be held at the Melbourne Church of England Girls' Grammar School, Anderson Street, South Yarra, at 3.13 p.m. The name of the speaker will be announced in the September "Matilda," though we hope that it will be Padre Baldwin. Afternoon tea has not been arranged for, but it is available at the public kiosk in th'! Botanical Gardens which are just opposite the school. The Committee is asking each Guider attending at the University on Saturday to pay 3d. to cover the expenses-refl'eshments on Saturday afternoon will be provided free. To make this year's Conference a success it is necessary for YOU to(1) Read and answer circular carefully and promptly. (2) Make sure your Lieutenants and Tawnies know about everything and send in their own form, or are included with yours. (3) If you have a brainwave there is still time to send it in. (4) Come to the Conference and air your views.
WALKABOUT EIGHT
W ALI{ABOUT.
WEEKS
TO
GO!
SO LET'S WALKABOUT HARD! PLEASE AND THANK YOU IN ANTICIPATWN! From most places the reports are very encouraging, and, our hopes are high for a great success. It seems so long since the Walkabout was first talked about that I feel urged to say all over again, for those who are a bit hazy about it, just what this Walkabout is for, We have a Guide House! Many of yo'] haven't seen it; but it is yours all the same: and a very lovely place it is. If you could go thel"e, live there, work there an -\ en'ov yourselves as you surelv would, you woulcJ realise a great thrill of possession. Many of us who have had the privilege of living and working there have that thrill-that thrill
_ .
August, 1939.
attained from the careful planning of th~ house, and the keenness and the fun of carrying out the improvements that have been made there. We have been privileged and so we love the place. We wish to make it so, that everyone will be able to have the chance of going there some day; and we wish to make it so, that every Guide will have that thrill of possessioh that it is her Guide House. That, briefly, is the reason for the Walkabout. We are trying to build for the future as well as the present -and we are trying to put our house in order so that Guides in the near and far future will be assured of their pcs_ession. And it is there that we get down to mercenary details! To do that we need money. We have done wonders in the past; and now we require this last big effort to realise our dreams. We need £3000 to assure OUl' future and we have £2,200. Do you think we can make that last big effort? Our only hope is you, and so long as you have that thrill of possession, then we are certain to succeed. And so we have a Walkabout! For your interest, I am giving a plan of your stall (enclosed in Matilda) as submitted to me by the contractor who will be erecting the Stalls for the Walkabout. All stalls will be constructed to this plan, except the corner stalls which will only have one side wall. I wish to draw certain things to your noticethe back wall will be six feet, as already stated; this will be in three-ply Wood-but it will have an extra fifteen inches of wall-boarding above this, thus bringing the height of the back wall to seven feet three inches. The contractor has impressed on me the following point: He says, "For those stalls in the body of the hall, it would be wise to make a reg~ lation that no erection on the back wall should go higher than seven feet three inches. If so, it would make an ugly background and framework for the stall on the other side, which, perhaps, had not gone as high." Do you get the idea? So, would you please conform to this regulation? Another point to observe is this-the rail across the top of the stall to carry the name is not practicable, unfortunately; so, unless especially asked for, we must dispense with it. That is the reason why the extra fifteen inches has been added to the back . wall-to allow for a name, if you wish it so. You will notice in the plan that the side
August, 1939.
MATILDA
walls do not come right to the front-the small pillars in front are eighi een inches square, and these can be used to support table tops 6ft. x 3ft. if required. This top would be shared between the adjoining stalls, thus giving each one a table 3ft. x 3ft. on each side of the stall to display the goods fo r sale. Or should you prefer it otherwise, table tops will be put on legs, and these tables can be used along the side walls, thus each stall, if they wish it, can have two tables 6ft. x 3ft. on each side of their stall. I am rather afraid trat the original idea of having shelves will be too expensive; but if any division particularly want::; them, then we will see what we can do abot' it. Of course, you can scrap all these sug P'(, ~ Â tions and make your own arrangements! But. in any case, we would like to know your arrangements. The contractor has promised tl' at most of the work will be finished before Monday; but he has asked me to find out which stalls will take the longest to erect; so that, should he be working on Monday, he will be able to get at them first, and allow the owners to enter early . That is the reason why we need all particulars about your stalls as soon as possible, so that we can make arrangements. Also, we need to know about th:} electric light. All stalls under the balcony will hav ~ special lighting; but for those stalls in th~ body of the hall, it is thought that the lighting i.here will be ufficient. But, should your stall need special lighting, this will be fixed ; but we want to know about this quite soon, so that we can contract for this. Thi s applies to all those who will be needing plugs for refrigerators, heating, etc. Here is a summary of all the things I want to know; and I would be so gl'ateful if YOll would answer them soon. Some of these requests were asked last month, but all replies have not yet been received; hence the repetition . Would you please do all i.his in writing, as then there can be no mistake. 1. We want a rough plan showing the lay-
out of your stall. 2. (a) Do you want special shelving? If so, send a plan of what you want. (b) Do you want table-tops on the front pillars ? (c) Do you want table-tops, on legs along side walls? If so, how many? (d) Are you making your own arrang-cments?
3. Do you want a bar running across the top of your stall? 4. Do you want special lighting on your stall? If so, where? '. Do you want power plugs? 6. Will you conform to regulation of 7ft. 3in and no more, on the back wall? 7. Are you in favour of producing a log book of events-as given in last "Matilda ?" If so, will you contribute? 8. Have you informed Miss Sutton, c/o Guide Headquarters, if you wish to do a dramatic performance on the stage? 9. Will you supply Miss Coles, c/ o Guide Headquarters, with items of interest for publicity? Please don't wait to be asked; but send it along. POSTER COMPETITION. The result of the judging for this competition will be too late for this "Matilda," but the printing of the winning design will be commenced as soon as possible. It is hoped that country and town divisions will make use of these posters as much as possible. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST; YOUR PATIENCE; AND YOUR HELP! CLARA BROADHURST, Walkabout Chief.
DIVISION AL NEWS. NEWS FROM BAIRNS DALE On Thursday, 8th June, members of the 1st Bairnsdale Guide Company entel¡tained their friends at a Social in the Temperance Hall. Each Guide brought a school friend and the President of the L.A. was the guest of honor. The invitation to their pals was a commercial one; they were charged 6d. to attend and ld. to enter the dart and quoit competitions. During the evening ol'iginal chorus songs were rendered by the Kookaburra and Clover Patrols and solo items by members of the Company. After a tasty supper had been served the Captain especially welcomed the President of the Association (Mrs. H . Saunders) and the announcement that she had presented the Company with three triangular bandages (one for each 'patrol), a set of roller bandages, and do St. John's Ambulance First Aid Book, waf; received with hearty acclamation. Patrol
8
MATILDA
Leader Betty Clark moved a vote of thanks to Mrs. Saunders, which was seconded by Patrol Leader Amy Beckley. The singing of Taps brought this happy function to a close. During the last week in May the Local Association held a picture night that was suitable for Guides. At a recent outdoor meeting in the park a rather amusing incident occurred. The Company was playing a nature game in Patrols and the objective was to find a nature object
August, 1939.
beginning with the letter B. After the game had been in progress a while a beseeching voice was heard to exclaim; "Please Captain hurry up and blow the whistle, I can't hold this nature any longer." I looked up to find the guide holding a struggling black cat in her arms and everyone joined in the laugh that followed, but we were not so amused when a few minutes later the cat made a dive fOl' the saveloys that were bein~ served, but were fortunately rescued by a lively Guide.
J oint Editors: Margaret Hezeltine and Mary Butt. If all Our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart. -Socrates. BREVITIES. 1. Brown Owls, have you ever thought or making out an annual balance sheet of your Pack funds? It is interesting to see just how much you have received and how much you have spent during the year. 2. Do you know that il'l the Golden Hand Test, it says "to knit a garment," this doe,,; not include tea cosies, etc. CHARTS. It has been said that this is the age of visual education, and to prove it we've only to think of all we have learned this way. Do you know the effect and cure of "night starYation," what the "drag free drops" accomplished on a cold and frosty morning; how the tom cat topped off a perfect day; what will happen if yon don't use such and such a soap and many other things which you didn't really want to know, and perhaps don't agree with now, but which yo~ 0 remember because you saw them happeni g? Well, then, can't we teach ou!' B wnies in this way?
Perhaps the dishes could each tell how they like their baths, so that the Tweenie could think out which to wash first, we could picture the face that forgot how to smile, and the hands which were never "lent" because the eyes didn't see the chances for good turnseach with a happy ending, of course; then there's the button which was nearly off and thought it was going to be lost till a Brownie saw it and sewed it on in the Brownie way; we might see Great Britain and the Union Jack growing to their present state and a seed could tell us ho"V: he liked his bed made, ann as a! seedling would say what happened when he got up, and so on through his life; and just think: of the adventures of the egg that went into a milk pudding! As well as these teaching charts, we have those that show the Brownies progress in test work, each drawing a picture or colouring in her own spot as she does each part of a test; then there are charts which tell us that thi" is the Elves or Fairies "home," and inspection on which each "perfect" Bl'ownie adds an apple to the tree or a whisker on the cat. If the Brownies haven't reached the stage of being "perfect" all over they might each get an apple or whisker for each nice thing aboLlt them; and the chart might be one tree or cat shared by the whole Pack, one for each Six,
August, 1939.
MATILDA
even one for each Brownie. Who makes all these charts? If Brown Owl does, she'll get a lot of fun out of it, and the charts will be quite a help in the Pack; if Tawny and Pack Leader help they'll have fun too, and the result will be still more helpful, but if you are the sort of person who can start the ball rolling so that the Brownies themselves make most of the charts; then they will learn so they can make them again while they make them, and afterwards by looking at them and they will all share the fun, and if the next generation of Brownies can't make head or tail of them, well they can make new and bette:' ones. -H.G. 01
PLEASE NOTE. The new section in the Golden Hand Test says that "a Brownie must tie up a parcel ready for the post using any slip knot." QU'te a few Brown Owls have been confused by this wording and doubtful as what knot exactly to use. The correct knot is the Packers Knot. ENROLMENT CEREMONY. Brownies in ring round Totem, a knock is heard at door. T.O. goes and opens it , Two Tweenies are seen , T'.O. "What do you want here?" Tweenies : "We want to be Brownie::; too!" And dance and sing the way you do." T.O. to B 0.: "Brown Owl, have we room f o!' two. An Elf and a Pixie true?" B.O. to Pack: "Have we room?" Pack: "Yes!" T.O.: "Come now then to Fairy Ring To Brown Owl make your Promise true Before you can Brownies be This is what you have to do." They come into Fairy Ring and are enrolled , GOLDEN BAR CEREMONY. Brown Owl first tell s ~he Browpies the story of the Golden Ground from the Brown Book for Brown Owls, then she says: "I wonder if any of my Brownies have been walking over the Golden Ground? All have a look at your heels, and see who has." (Earlier in the meet ing Brown Owl or Tawny should have put some spots of gold paint on the heels of the Brownies who an. to receive their Golden Bars). The Brownies who find gold on their shoes
9
are called into the centre of the ring. Brown Owl: "Yeu know that a Golden Bar Brownie stands firm with two feet planted on golden ground and two hands ready to lend? Brownies: "Yes." Brown! Owl: "Will you always do this"? Brownies: "Yes." Brown Owl then pins the Golden Bar on. Grand Howl. -M.E.H. HANDICRA FT FOR BROWNIES. Handicraft should be a part of Our Pack's work. It is a great t.hrill to' Brownies to be able to make things, so Brown Owls buck up and give your Brownies that thrill. What an opportunity lies before us with the Walkabout coming nearer. Here is something to work for. You will find handicrafts to suit Brownies that will be useful for your division's effort at the Walkabout , The following are a few rules to be followed and so make the teaching easier for you. Be sure to teach them the correct way of working in all things either in the method or in the use of tools, materials, etc. Do not give them anything that will take more than three or four meetings to complete. Be sure you know all about the handicraft before you start. Have all materials, etc., required and do not stint the same. Some, handicrafts should be or use to other people, thus bringing in service. Be sure the Brow!lies can manage the Craft you are teaching, but do not give them too simpler thing to do. because they love to learn something new and uncommon. Wide anel; varied are the handicrafts Brownies can do. Here are one or two new suggestions: A cushion for each Brownie to sit on in Pow Wow, these made of sugar bags, one bag makes two, the six emblem worked on them in wool filled with wollen material cut up and stitched about 2in. from the edge either side, this 2in. frayed out and so a fringe. Don't forget one for Brown Owl, Tawny, Packleadel' and of course a special one for visitors. Just think how many Pack Charts the Brownif' s could help you make and how much nicer, the charts will be to them if they helped with them. Put your Thinking Caps on Brown Owls and see what new handicrafts you can thrill your Brownies with. Don't forget to get Ta'wny ,. to help, she may be quite bright. -L N~
10
MATILDA
BROWNIE GOLDEN BAR AND GOLDEN HAND TESTS. Any Brown Owls who are single-handed might like to know the following method of doing Golden Bar and Golden Hand Tests, so that the whole pack can join in. Write our questions on small cards, some on Golden Bar, and some on Golden Hand tests. Sit in a Pow Wow Ring, with the two lots of cards in the middle, face down; each Brownie takes one card according to whether she is doing First or Second Class; she reads it out and then tries to answer it, while you count ten slowly; if she answers correctly she keeps the card, and this counts for her Six. In the middle of the ring one should have cord for knots, bandages for Fir~t Aid, etc. If you have recruits, you can make Out cards for them too. If a question crops up that no one knows, it is a good plan to tell them about it, but let the Brownie who took it have another chance.
SEWING BUTTONS. Turn Pack into a Work Basket. All hold hands in a ring. Choose one Brownie to be
August, 1939. the needle. She forms the eye with her arms stretched high above her head, hands clasped. A cotton reel stands very stiff with arms close to sides and when thread is drawn revolves. Scissors snip thread with arms held stiffly out in front. Thimble to push needle. Button stands on a mat, hands touching floor. Thimble pushes needle through and over button and to finish off goes round and round button. Scissors snip thread and everything is put tidily away in basket. A great deal of imagination is needed, but it will impress it on Brownies. TO THE EDITOR, Matilda Brownie Page. Dear Madame,-Could you publish some really exciting ways of interesting the Pack in the Union Jack and the Australian Flag, especially the latter. I have found that generally, the children know a little bit about it and are bored when Brown Owl starts to teach them. I should be glad if some othe r Brown Owls could write and tell of any successful methods they have tried. Yours, etc., NEW BROWN OWL.
HE SIGN POST E(Ziior : E lizabeth Alfred .
THE COURT OF HONOUR. If someone outside the movement heard you talking about a "Court of honour," and asked you what it was all about-"it a court-martial or something?" how would you set about explaining what a Court of honour actually is ~ Would you just brush it aside as a meeting of P.L.'s and Guiders held once every so often, or would you tell your friend that it is one
of the functions essential to the smooth running of a Company? That, with the Patrol System, it is one of the foundation stones of the Movement. That we cannot do without it -were we to dispens~ with the C. of H., then much of the compactness of a Company woulll be lost-the Captain or Lieutenant would get out of touch with the Guides, and the Patrol Leaders would be leaders in name only. You could go on to state the personal of the
August, 1939.
MATILDA
Court of Honour-Captain, who takes the chair, Lieut., P.L.'s, sometimes Seconds, and the Secretary. The meeting is carried on in a strictly businesslike manner-~hus giving the leaders first hand knowledge of the correct method of running a meeting and preparing them for position of responsibility later on. Beginning with the Court of Honour Promise-"On my honour I promise not to repeat anything personal that is di ~ cus s ed at this COUl¡t of Honour," the Leaders know that they can discuss any subject or person, having full confidence that it will go no further. The Minutes of the last Court of Honour are read by the Secretary, and any business arising out of the minutes discussed. Then Company Accounts are read, and Patrol Accounts-if any. Then Patrol Reports are produced-these l'eports are invaluable in that they give the Captain an insight into the wishes of the Guides with regard t o the general running of the Company, and how they are getting on with Test work, etc. They also give the Captain an idea Qf how much or how little "Leading" the P.L.'s do. After Patrol reports, any business which may arise is discussed, for example, the date and place of the next hike; the number of Guides going to the Brownies' party; entries for the district sports, and so on. With a new Company, it will be found that the Lieut. and Captain do most of the discussing. I once read that Guiding teaches the girls to think for themselves-I am now convinced of it. At first, my leaders scarcely opened their mouths (except to giggle)-and NEVER pl'oduced any ideas. But now, afte r a good deal of encouragement, the Leaders DO produce ideas, and DO join in the discussions. When any outside matters have been discussed, then is the time for the Leaders to discuss their little problems-hel'e is their opportunity for gleaning help and advice. It is at this time that the Captain learns what her Guides are really like-she cannot judg~ their characters in g hours per week, but it is through the Leaders, the girls who go to school or work with them, who know the Guides for what they are--whether they a¡re good or bad sports-whether or not they play the game of Guiding as the Chief Scout meant them to play it-that the Guiders can see behind the uniform which is worn once a week. All discussions having been quite completeci, the date of the next Court of Honour is fixed,
11
and the Captain then declares the meeting closed. The Court of Honour, as the governing body of the Company, should be held AT LEAST once a month. Where it is not possible to hold it more often, Captain should make a point of speaking with Lieut. and P L.'s for a few minutes before the Company Meeting begins each week. She will, in all probability, be forced to, because in any live company, little details are always cropping up for attention, and if the Captain tried to cope with them all herself, she would be grey in a month! In any case, it is not fair to the Lieut. and P.L.'s if they are not consulted-otherwise, why are they in office? Also, the fact that they are consulted gives the leaders the feeling of a sense of responsibility-ma.kes them surer of their positions as leaders, and helps them to gain self-confidence when running their Patrols. Very few girls are born leaders, and it is the Cap'ain's confidence in them that will inspire them and lead them to great heights. At the Court of Honour, I think, the Captain has her greatest responsibility. The spirit of the C. of H. is one of cheery comradeship-it is a time when the Guiders can approach to a greater extent the level of the Leaders. And it is this sense of "elder sisterhood" that is going to have the greatest influence on the leaders, and indirectly on the Guicles. This is the time when the leaders will see the Guiders more nearly as they really are-and it is then that they will juclgo them. It is impossible to lay too great a stress on the importance of the Court of Honour in ;t company-provided the C. of H. is the governing body, and not merely an extra meeting held once a month. -M.E.A.
PREPARING FOR CAMP. Now that summer is approaching, the Guide's thoughts turn to camp-or if they don't-it is the duty of the Captain to turn them in that direction-for Guiding is not complete without camp life. It may be found that some Guides seem to have no desire to go to camp. This may seem unbelievable to those who have experienced the thrill of it, yet there are quite a number
12
MATILD A
of such children. In most cases it is fear of the unknown-they do not know what to expect. The Captain should prevent this by makini5 the Guides familiar with camp doings and in training them throughout the year in what to expect and what to do at camp. This may be done by means of games and other activitiescarefully chosen and exciting, so that the Guides may not become tired of preparing for camp or lose any of its novelty when the great moment does arrive. One quite effective way of doing this is for each Guide who has been previously to camp to recount the most amusing incident of her camp experience, and perhaps also that which in! erested her the most. Good fun can be had when training Guide,; in the disposal of waste and rubbish in camp if the following game is played:Mark out several circles in the room asRefuse-pit, Day mbbish bag, pig-bucket, etc. (Don't just tell the Guides which is which, as the game then becomes a memory test also, and the Guides may know the right answer, yet run to the wrong circle). The Guides are in fi ies in patrols and numbered. A number is then called and also the name of some rub¡ bi s~ which will be found in camp, such as:Egg shells, fruit stones, tea leaves. The Guides whose numbers have been called then run to the pit in which they think they belong. Score two points for going to the right circle and an extra one if the first there. The Guides should be trained in knotting, especially in its application to camp uses. Knowledge may be tested by playing some sort of relay game-Captain telling a story of camp life in which val'ious emergencies occur, knoi.s being required to save the situation in some of these emergencies. Points are scol'ed for the Guides knowing when to run-only running when a knot is required, and for tying the correct knot. Perhaps one night Captain could give her Guides a large supply of match boxes, matches, old cork, paper, scraps and cotton>' and get each patrol to produce a model camp A thrilling half-hour can be passed in this way and camp will no longer be a strange, s0mewhat frightening place. Apart from practical training, the company should take as much hand in the preparation of equipment as possible. Mintie tins may be painted for storing biscuits, sugar, etc. Jam
August, 1939.
tins also are valuable, both for storing purposes and with half their side cut out, to be used as scoops. The children will love helping in this way. "That's my tin-I painted that." Great is the pride of achievement on seeing it on the table at camp! Also the Guides can be encouraged to make muslin fly-proof covers with elastic bands s('wn in, for jam dishes, pig-buckets, etc. Als') numerous other useful articles can be thought out for making beforehand, such as bath mats. Tenting should also be practised before going to camp, especially with new campers. The thrill will be more and the benefit far greater if exciting preparations aTe made some time before the actual camp and the Guides given the opportunity of taking a very active part in these preparations. -C.M.S.
GAME S. Ball Game.-Played in Patrols. A line is drawn across the hall, half way down. No.1 in each patrol rolls the ball along the floor and waits until it crosses the line, then she runs up and catches it, and throws it to No. 2 from the line. No 2 then repeats, and No. 1 runs to the back of the Patrol. So on until No.1 is all head of Patrol again. Important: The Guide must not run to catch the ball until it has crossed the line. Camp Game.-Each member of the Patrol is allotted certain articles needed for camp which she must remember. Captain reads out the list saying what each GuidI! has to remember, and repeats the list once only. Then they are all sent out, say for 4 minutes, to observe something. (Nature, or the Law being kept, or the Health Rules); on return, each Guide must write down her section of the kit list, and points are awarded for every article which is correct. Right About Turn.-Played in two teams of pairs. On the whistle, ] st pairs run, arm in arm, to the end of playing area, and back to patrol, touching the second pair, who then repeat. Every time the whistle blows, the pairs must do a right about turn.
PRACTICAL TESTING. (Continued) In last month's issue, we published an account of methods of practical Second Class
August, 1939.
MATI:SDA
testing at a hike; a similar test can be arranged indoors or round the ground of the hall, but it might include different things. First Aid seems the most obvious. Lieutenant or a senior Guide can be asked to iron, and suddenly give a gasp and sink to the floor with her hand still on the iron. Or a track going outside could lead to some bushes where a doll is hidden labelled as an accident case, and involving preparation of a bed, knowledge of local doctors, etc. Make use of the gardens, paddocks, kitchen¡, and other property of friends and parents. I have always met with interest and welcome wherever it has been possible to accept my request. I have taken Guides to make a bed at the Manse, near the church; sent them to the kitchen of a member of the local associat.ion; and borrowed the garden and paddock of a friend, to say nothing of our own home upon various occasions when it has not been too far to come. I believe we miss opportunities because we create the impression that there is nothing interesting for people to do with Guides unless they will give the time needed to become Guiders, but practical tests open alI kinds of possibilities. The test for the Law should be a final on£: only, because Captain should know the attitude of a Guide. Visits to home and knowledge of conditions and atmosphere, are useful, indeed necessary for understanding. The Guide should have done some special thing, for the testbeen polite to EVERYONE for a week-begun a bank account-carried out an order accurately when it involved memory and common sense, etc. Natural history should be tested as opportunity occurs. Growth in paddocks and in lanes and back right of ways can be studied. Insects are easiest in town, probably, and certainly interesting to watch. Real service can be done to Guides by freeing them from the fear of spiders and other crawly things. Visit private gardens and paddocks by lampJightfind out what is different in the evening. Signalling' must of all things be real, hence the interest of the special names for the letters. Test-can a Guide get a message over? Tops of kerosene tins make good signalling discs, especially for night time, outside the hall. In conclusion, the things Guides learn are current knowledge with all sorts and condi-
13
tions of men and women. Bring people to the company, and occasionally let i.hem test the Guides; watch for events in which plactical knowledge is used, and act the events-for example, the landing of the Dutch plane at Albury; stories of the Flying Doctor, and S J on. -G.H.S. Guiding is ReaL
Honeyeater Diary. On thinking this over I came to the conclusion that I picked a, very bad month for this, so I am extending it to the end of August. So now your diary can be for July, or August, or both. What have you got to do? Keep a honeyeater diary and in it enter all observations of these interesting birds, giving kinds seen, how many, where seen, nesting, etc . Feed Them On Sugar Honeyeaters will eat sugar, if you pu l, some out for them. Here is an observation that shows that they eat other sweet things too. Honeyeaters on the Box Trees. We have noticed that at present there are two knds of honeyeaters here; the blue-faced and the small yellow-grey that feeds on the blossom of the box trees. These trees are in the school ground and these small honeyeaters may be seen hanging on to the blossoms busily picking out the honey. Honeyeaters Eat Jam. A friend of mine left a tin which had some jam in it, on her verandah; hearing quite a noise we peeped out, and saw two biue-faced honeyeaters busily engaged in cleaning out the Birds That Don't Belong. I have seen quite a number of black magpies and gang-gang cockatoos about the creek. These birds do, not belong here, but have come down into the plains from the mountains during the recent bush fires. I was wondering if any other Guides had seen any strange birds in their districts. (Have you, Ed.?)
1-\
MATILDA
Fungus. On a recent trip to Wood's Point, I noticed some beautiful fungus. There were some shaped like a quaker's bonnet and beautifully coloured in striped variegated purples, while another sort was pure white in colour and shaped like a feather. It looked like a lovely piece of lace and underneath on the ground "vas a fine white powder. Up here on stumps we quite often see the fan-shaped fungus in red and brown colourings. They have the appearance of pieces of velvet. -N. Levings, Numurkah. Do You Know That plants and trees lay up a store of food for the winter. That trees store this in a special layer of bark where it is safe from the frost. That leaves do not fall off by accident. That plants sleep just like animals do. That the crocus is a very sleepy flower, and that it has a lovely tight-fitting overcoat to protect it from the cold and when it takes this off, it opens to the sun, rolling itself up again as soon as the sun goes under a cloud. Do you know any other flowers that clo~e when the sun goes under? That leaves alter their positions f01' sleeping. Go and have a look! That plants protect themselves from their many enemies. Sometimes by havin!\" an unpleasant smell, sometimes by having poisonous juices Or nasty tasting leaves. That spines, thorns and prickles are to keep enemies off. That a worm has no eyes.
August, 1939. That the leaves stay on the pines for about 3 years, then new ones come.
A WORLD PICTURE BOOK. The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is planning to publish a World Association Picture Book, which should be not only attractive and interesting for the Guides and Girl Scouts of all countries, but a muchneeded source of profit to the funds of our ARsociation. It is hoped to publish this book in time for Christmas. Mrs. Mark Kerr, Head of Publications, has written to ask if we could send a selection of photographs showing the activities of Guides in our country. She would like to have enoug'l to choose at least eight good ones from the set submitted. Photographs should show the uniform, but stiff groups are of no use; the sorts of pictures desired are:Camping, in characteristic scenery. Boating. Folk dancing. Signalling. Ceremonies, such as enrolment. We feel we should be able to supply some really good pictures from Victoria, and ask Guiders to look through their photographl; with the above list in front of them. Please write name and address on the back of any sent, and could. they reach Headquarters here by the 15th August? F. V. BARFUS, Assistant State Secretary.
That a worm lays eggs deep in the grounrldeeper than the snail or slug. That it has been estimated that there are 53,000 worms to the acre. That they raise ten tons of soil to the Rurface annually. That the shepherd's purse can be found no'ÂĽ. That a fir has flat leaves growing singly on the stem, while a pine has little bundles of two, three or five rounded leaves on the branches.
nROWNIE
HOWLERS.
SMILE AT THESE. "Brown Owl, have you ever been to Myer's?" "Yes." "Did you go on the alligator there?" Brown Owl: "And where are you specially careful to wash the cups, Joyce." Tweenie: "In the dish, Brown Owl."
August, 1939.
MA 'l' I LDA
15
THE RANGERS' PAGE Acting Editor-F. E. BATTEN. Study the book of nature that God hath spread out before thee, and [0 thou wilt stol'e up knowledge in tby brain and peace within thy heart. -Euripides. Rept'rt of Metropolitan Ranger Committee held 12tb July, 1939:Present: Miss Boyes, all committee members, and Miss Meek, Commissioner for Rangel's, N.S.W .. TIeported: June week-end showed a loss of £1/13/6. On l y 32 R!l.ngers attended. That by- law be substituted for propo~ed constitution . That 18 Rangers and Guidel's will be going to Mt. Bu ll er from July 22-29. ~neeting
Donations received for Ranger I'oom at the Guide House are: Miss Boyes, £4/12/6; Box Hill Hangers, £4 / 4/-. It is proposed to hold a Ranger Pan-Pacific camp at the Guide House during the summer of 1940-1, to be r un mainly by Rangers, with prefercnce to those holding the Campcr!l.ft Badge. -J. EADES. Hanger Secretary.
complete w i th etceteras, the three bedside tables. and the blinds for the French doors. It is hoped that every Ranger Company in Victoria w i ll take some part, however small, in the fUl'nishing of our own room. All gifts will be
recorded in a special book to be kept in the room, as also might be a vis i tors' book, to be signed by tbose having the honour to sleep there. There is still one quilt not adopted-perhaps the country companies would like to take charge of i-t? The matet'ials, complete with full directions, will be sent on request. Herc is a list of other artic les still asking for udoption : 4 beds at 22 / 6 each. 4 matLres>;es at £1 each. pillows at 3/ 6 each. 4 pl'>;. blankets at 21 / 6 each. 4 quilts at 25 / - e!l.ch. 19ft. Venetian blind-£1 / 3/ 10. Any offers should be sent to Jean Eades, 66 Milroy Street, Brighton, S.6. Hurry up or the pil_ low>; may be all gone!
------- :0:---
RANGER DINNER. This was a Ilew idea which had not been tried before, but from the enthusiasm and enjoyment one may gathel' it may be considered as all anual fixture in future. One hundred and forly-three Rangers attended, !l.nd a number came aftel'wards to share the p leasure of the campfire and singsong, and to hear M i ss Martin, Imperial Commissionel' for Cam p ing, tell about the Scottish lntemalional Camp. Evel'yone felt she had almost been PI'e: ent at thi" camp, and when Miss Boyef< told of tentative plans for an international Ranger Camp in Victoria within the next few years, the interest J"Un bigh.
-----:0:----
FURNISHING THE RANGER ROOM.
RANGER TRAININ G AT THE GUIDE HOUSE. Mi ss M8rlin'" way of taking a session on Company lI1anagement was to make the Trainees thinl, out, in Patl'ols, the I'espective advantagcs of the d emocratic and the totalitarian forms of S·ovc l·nment. 'rhese points we then applied to the I'unning of a R:J.nger Company, Tile next discussion (al so in Patro ls) was to decide the qualities required of (a) a good dictatol' ; (b) :J. good king or PI'esident; (c) a good Rang'er Captain. The summarised list of qualities requil'ed by a good Ranger aptain wet'e : "Vide sympatbies without sentimentality; a sepse of humour; stJ"Ong principles of living, witb ability to see other l)eoples' point of view; knowledge as wide as pOSSible, gained from a liberal
The Ranger Room at the Guide House has had its first distinguished Ranger v isitor-Mi ss Meek, Commissioner for Rangers in New South Wales, was one of its occupants during the Commissioners' Conference and Ranger TI'aining. SofaI', gifts towards furnishing include one bed
cduc!l.tion, not necessarily only througb ~chool, ctc.; good Imowledge of at least one subject; decifJiveness without "bossiness"; love of the outdoors and physical strength to be able to take pa l'l in outdoor activities; a sense of balance and proportion; tolerance; religious principles.
MATIL:t)A
16
A Hanger Captain shoulll h o.ve a memory of her own youth; be unshockable; be able to introduce the Hang'en, to oth er avenues of in terest besides Guiding, and above all, be approachable,
August, 1939.
everyone in
line 2 has had a
turn, the lines
change p l aces, When
everyone h as had a
tUrn at speech-
making, each adds up her total points gained, divides by number of speeches given, and reports
L1It1l0Sillg PCTSollality,- ln a discussion on the
her averag'e,
(Try this with yo ur company),
risk of imposing on e's own personality, Miss Martin chall eng(>Q us with this statement: "A wise
from each Patro l is secretly given an "item" by
Ranger Guider does not answer questions, and does not give advice," Much animated discus-
acts in d umb-show what it is she wants to buy,
sion took place, and we are still not quite sure
This is because she cannot speak the language
whether we agree comp l et ely with
of the country in which she is trying to shop,
this state-
/i'on; ign i:!h01Jpin,q,-This involves actin g, the Guider,
One
She then goes to h el' Pat,'ol and
ment, but the Train ees realised that, if we are
(The purchase of a cauliflower was fraught with
trying to give character training, we shou ld be
many d ifficu lti es when the Trainees played it),
l ess prone to answering ques tions from Rangers, im;tead of helping them to find the answers them-
Fu rth er notes of the training, in c luding games
selves; and it appea r ed that in giving advice we
and activiti es, will be published in future issues
are often pandering to our sense of our own im-
of Matilrta, in the Rang'er page,
portance!
-F,V,B.
" Character i s a record of the choi ces
--------- :0:---------
we have made," The next discu 'sion was on " 1Vhat do Ran,a eTs want," and th e points brought
GLOBE TRO'ITING.
the out
Vlere : ~n
Fun; something exciti ng anLl interesting; creation,
especially
out-of-doors;
fo,'egathered in K elvin Hall to hea,' an excitin g
friendship;
travelogue- " Globe T,'otting"-illustrated in the
scope for se,'vice; strai ghtforward inform a tion; a sense
of
achievement ;
aLlventure
true Fitzpatrick sty l e,
(f'ometh ing
difficult and risky). 1:01l [Jcr
Jul y 5th a crowd of Rangers and friends
re-
The speak er was Miss H, Meek, Ranger Com -
j >rogram HI es shou ld
be checked
fl~o n'l
time to timE' to make su r e they are being planned under the four beadings as given in Girl G uiding,
missioner fo,' New South \Va l es, who has recently return ed from a wo,'ld tour with a party of N,S, W , Rangers, ThrC'ugh the medium of the Ecreen and Miss
Other subjects for discussion were: How do you deal with over-talka tive Rans'ers? with the Rangel' who will not speak at a ll ? To Lleal with the latter, sugge tions fo, ' encouraging se lf-expression we r e:
Meek's enthralling descriptions, we joined "the seven touring Rangers," proceeding from Sydney to Dunkirk on the cargo steamer " Tricolo,'," Th rough l ocks and chann els, and over cobblestoned roadways, we travelled through Southern Bu,'ope,
Oll e Minut e Speeches-in pa irs, This was great
From Switzerland (and Our Chalet) we
dashed ove,' to England,
Leaving Foxlease we
fun, and showed g r eat po ,,,ibilities if done with
tour d
Range"
Jinks,' and 'Jingle Johnnie.'
Companies,
Form ill two lin es,
'ÂŁ11ose
in the first line eacl, decide on a subject for a :meech; at the whis tle, those in the se<'ond line are given th(> su b j ect by theil' partn er ill 1st lin e, and for a spec ifi ed tim e (1 minute) give a speech,
to
Scotland
aboard
this co untry was fog!
'High
Jinks,'
'Low
Our first g limpse of
Howeve,', as conditions
improved we visited many in teresting localities, Unfortunately a mishap in the projection room caus d a black-out, forcing us to rush to Sand-
the 1st lin e partner meanwhile g ivin g points for
.-ingham, where we reached the climax of our
information g iven, humour, fluency (points ar-
journ ey in a meeting with the King and Queen,
r .J.nged beforehand),
At th e n ext whistie, all
Despite the unhappy fact that we were unable
s top, and pClints are a ll ottcd; and those in line 2
to see a nd hear about all the slides, the even ing
move on one, a nd then it a ll s tarts ag::tin,
was most en joyabl e,
\Vh en
August, 1939.
MATILDA
17
The Company was also looking forward to visit from Miss Martin.
.l
SPRING CLEANING! ·~ COMPANIES AND PACKS-have ' you been growing out of your uniforms lately? The Extension Branch would be very grateful for second-hand uniforms of all sizes. Svme Extensions wear uniforms so rarely that it is n needless expense for them to buy new ones.
Editor: Joan Alston.
THE WALKABOUT. GUIDES AND GUIDERS! You will finJ many things that you need on the Extension Branch's tables at the Walkabout. You wiII be able to watch while a fancyknotted lanyard is made for you; or perhap" you would like a blue scarf with the gold trefoil knitted into it. There wiII b trefoiIembroidered handkerchiefs too, anc\ Guide Christmas cards for your overseas correspondents. Miss Joan Alston is the Secretary for the Extension Branch's part in Walkabout. Address: 5 Struan Street, S.E.2. If any Extension Guiders need materials for their Guides or Rangers, will they please apply to Miss Foott, as she has been given numerous· pieces of every size and description. [o'RANKSTON VISIT.
Last month the Acting Comm issioner for Extensions and two Post Guiders paid a visit to the Rangers at the Craft Hostel and the Guides at the Orth opaedic Hospital. Unfortunately it was both wet and cold, but fortunately the Rangers had a lovely log- fire, and the view over the Bay from the Hostel windows was as lovely as ever. The Rangers were very busv working fN the Ini.ernational Craft Exhibiti en to be held in Great Britain towards the end of th;s year. Among other things, they were doing dressmaking, smocking, needle-weaving, loomweaving, Medici work and Richelieu work. At the Hospital the Guides looked very gay with their yellow hair ribbons and scarlet blankets. The three recruits were feeling very excited as they were to be enrolled quite soon.
PLEASE remember us when you are tidying and send them to Miss McArthur Caml) · bell, 41 Spring Street, C.l. Mark the parcel "Extension Uniforms." CAR APPEAL. Last month we asked if there were any people who could spare an occasional Saturday afternoon to drive the Captain of the Ja'nefield Guides to her Company meetings. So faI: we have had only one reply. Are ther<~ any others who could help us in this way? Do please let us know even if you can only spare ONE afternoon. Miss S. Foott, 24 Murphy Street, South Yarra, S E.l, will be VERY glad to hear from you! LEAVE OF ABSENCE Miss Allison Campbell, the Commi f sioner for Extensions, who has been on leave for six months, has been granted an extra three months and will not be returning to the Branch until October. Miss Joan Alston, who also has been on leave, will be returning to the Post Brownies on September 1st. COMPANY NEWS There were several Extensions at the welcome to His Excellency, Sir Winston Dugan and lady Du.gan, at Government House. Two . from 2nd Post -Guides, one from 1st, one from 3rd Post Rangers and one from the Post Brownies. Miss Margaret Cleland, Captain of 3rd Pos:; Range~ s, has had her work chosen to bp sent to the International Craft Exhibition in Great Britain, as the best example of knitting from the Craft Club which is at ached to the Victorian Society for the Care of Crippled Children.
MATILDA
13
August, 1930.
CAMPING and TRAINING Training Classes. A course of e lementary Guid Training will begin at Gil") Guide Headquarters, 60 Market Street, on 24th Augus~, at 8 p.m. sharp. Uniform will be worn and Guiders are asked to bring sandshoes. The fee is 3d, per class, The course will consist of about ten weekly classes and tbree field afternoons on 2nd September, 16tb September and 7th October, The field aCeernoons are a very important part of the course f:O every Guider attending the training is specially asked to keep these dates free, Guiders who have not previously been nominated for train ing should bdng a nomination form signed by the Dislrict Commissioner,
Quartermaster Training. A week-end of training in Quar~ermastcring is planned to take place at the Guide House on 21st22nd October, Applications from those who wi, h lo attend must reach the Camping Sect'etary before 21st September, and the wccl{-end cannot be held if insufficient applications arc held to make it financially possible,
Guiders' Week-End Camp. Guid!'rs who would like to "try camping" are urg'ed to apply for tbe wecl<-end-7th-Sth OctoI.el', which 1iss Bunning is holding at Gipton Camp Sile, The fee is 9/-, which includes fare; send 2/6 before 20th September to the Camping Secl'etary, 'rbe week-end is fOl' inexperienced cam pel's primarily, but others may apply to fill any vacancies,
Licensed Guiders' Camp. Guiders holding the Camper's Licence will camp at Gipton over the Cup Day week-end holiday, Suggestions fo r activities to include in tbe programme wi ll be welcomed,
Camp First Aid Test. Details of requirements were Jlublished in the Ju ly issue of Matild:!., The coul'se will beg'in in the first week in SEptember, and entries must reach the Camping Secretary by 24th August. Guiders may ateend merely for the extra knowledge to be gained, but those wishing to do the teo t must have written nomination from iheir Commissioner,
Indoor Camp Test Certificate and Pack Holiday Perinit Course. It was !<uggested that three town classes and two week-ends at the Guide House comprise this course, the week-ends being an innovation, Applications should be sent to the Camping Secre-
t<:try not latcr than 21th A ug'ust, a:; it will be necceeary to book thc time at the Guide HOll ~ e, provided enough ' apply to do the course to malte it pm sihle to hold it,
Summer Camping Programme. Summer Camping, Programme was published in detail in the last issue; the following is a summ:lI'y:-Combined Ranger Camp, Boxing Day over New Ye:!.r; Patrol Leaders' Camp, 5th-12th January, for P,L.'s under 15 (on 1st Jan,), second cla!'s, with two years' Guide service,
Combined Guide Camp. 'ombined Guide Camp, 13th-20th Janutll'y, fOl' Companies whose Captains have no Camper's Licence, Not more than six Guides (this may include one Guider) from any Company may apply, ::lOd must be undel' 15 years 011 1st January, 1940, have one year's Guide service; and preference \\'ill be given to 2nd class Guides, li'ee fOl' any of the above camps-22 / 6, plus fare:; (rail return from Melboul'lle i:; 3/10 under 16; 5/ 9 over 16; bus fare, return 1/3 from station,
Guiders' Camp craft Week. Guid e rs' Campcraft \Veek from 27th December, to 3rd ,January, for genemi 'ampcraft training; Lu'ders nomin::tted by theil' Commissioners may be tested fOl" the Campe,">; Licence, l"ee 22/6 to 30/ -, according to number attending, ELAINE E, MOHAN: 'ommi H:;ioner for Cam]Jing and Training, -------:0:---------
TilE 36th VICTORIAN TRAINING WEEK. The 36th Victorian Training Week, held at the Guide House from 7th to 14th July, was an inspiration and a joy to all those of us who were there, We were tremendously fortunate in that Miss Martin, the Imperial Headquarters Trainer, was present, and her methods of training, her ideas, and her songs gave us much mental acUvity. Miss Bush, as Guider in charge, and Misses Moran, MacLeod and Holtz, our trainers, were extremely helpful, and Miss Drury, Q,M" looked after our bodily needs and comforts very effectively. Trainees arrived from Camperdown, Chocolyn, Benalla, Euroa, Nagambie, Mirboo North, Yallourn, Trafalgar, and Swan Hill, as well as from the metropolitan area, ancl much interesting discussion took place on a wide variety
Supplement to "'Mat.ilda?t August
I
1939 , CLjNFERENCE coL_
~.
Nam~
~
Are you c:oming"f'
o
0
p
q
0
0
BrO:J nie to Guide Group a Ranger
0
flre you coming in the a1't0rnoon'? evening?
~
o
0
C
r
o
.3
00
0
>
0
Q
for tea?
morning ,
(a)
Are you coming?
"b)
Are you \uilling to supply a car? How many passengers can you take?
I
,
o
c
~
0
•
0
• "
)
0
(Fill in one section only) c 40
If JOu VI 8nt 8ccommodation; or are able to offer it pleafie write d ire c t to Mrs Ivl o Dempster 10 Maline; Hoadij Canterbury, h o 7 o Phone W) 4~28" 0
i)
Pl e a~ e
do nOT send in a ny money with thi s circular ret urne d to the ~ecretary
i
which nhould be
Mary .lJewell,> 5 20 Puut Road~
South Yarra ;. :) , E ~ l
0
'""),
.
"
!
1\
Ill1 ..
,~.-
~)"
------".END
S~ l
\'\1 \ t
~)" e ,,,'
1u
\
t-\ G\."\ \\ CL,II
H'L \ LivJ ~
I C1
'1)
(~
.
1 ~_ _ _ _- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
August, 1939.
MATILDA
of topics, round the great log fires each day. It is quite hopeless trying to decide what one enjoyed most, or what was one's most hilarious moment-but possibly the session which had the trainees quite helpless with laugMer was the one concerning health rules, when each! patrol had to make a list of every occasion wqen the health rules would be observed in the day of a Woman Gardener, a Farm Girl, a School Teacher, and a Typiste. When the patrol dealing with the Gardener said she walked to work for exercise, the whole company just collapsed! Pictures of residents at the Cottage Skating along the path to the House and hanging on to trees as they rounded the bend, and of one Cottager who slid from the end of the ramp to the nearest tree, having just changed into her last clean overall, bring to mind the tremendous fun which all of us had. To turn to the more serious aspects of the week, Miss Martin's very helpful Guiders' Own will be remembered by all of us as being thought-provoking and illuminating-and the subsequent free time, when we could do just as we liked, taking sandwiches and fruit with us for our lunch, was spent by most of us very profitably. One day was devoted to discussion on hiking, and practical hike cookery, when after following a trail we found ourselves in the camping paddock, and cooked our lunch in patrols. Miss Martin expressed amazement at the amount of food we managed to consume-but perhaps this was because we had learnt so many new recipes, we wanted to try out as many as we could! Patrols experimented on kabobs, sausages in banana skins, wet paper cookery, damper twists, banana custard and cheese dreams-the staff confined its cooking efforts to eggs in orange skins! The host of games we learnt were of a wide variety, including singing, ball, relay, observation and wide games. These will appear in the Sign Post Page periodically for Guiders who were not able to benefit from the practical application of them at the week. Our camp fires each night were "very special." Miss Martin taught us lots of new songs, and her final story, on the last night, about Eeyore and his birthday, held us enthralled. Miss Bush rec~ived requests for a continuation of the story of Scout Busynose,
19
and we are still wondering if she can do something about this. On our last morning, the new World Flag, which was presented to the Guide House by the 1938-39 Campcraft Week, flew at the masthead, and we were all quite thrilled to see this symbol of international friendship flying at our Victorian Guide House. The wide scope of subjects which were included in our sessions was tremendously helpful and interesting, and I am quite sure that this Training Week will be long rememberell as one of the happiest and most instructiv~ we have spent. -M.E.A.
GUIDE SHOP. Annual Reports.-The new Imperial Headquarters report for 1938-39 is now here. It is the same style as last year and is most interesting indeed. It mainly consists of photos showing the two princesses, lovely photos of camping, Brownies, Rangers, Sea Rangers, etc. This book is well worth the 11- from a point of view of interest and especially publicity. Order now, as the supply is limited Postage 2d. Girl Guide World Maps, 6d., plus 1d. postage. This is a map of the world with drawing of Guides of the different countries drawn into their own countries. These are quite thrilling and interesting and would be a good basis for a patrol competition if each patrol possessed one. I have seen one painted and they really look most fascinating indeed. They could be mounted and made a permanent feature for the patrol. Guide Belts, New Design.-These have been advertised before at 2/ -, but the suggestion has come that some districts who are wanting cheaper belts might like to purchase these without the swivels, thus making the belt cheaper. It would be possible to sell them at 1/ 6. Should Guides want to purchase tht! swivels later they could be bought separately and simply slid on to the belt. They would be 3d. each. So, when ordering would you please say which design of belt you need, old style, new style, or new style without swivels. C. BROADHURST, Commissioner for Equipment.
Printed by the Hilton Pre ... (1929) Pty. Ltd., 2U-26 Moray StrMt, South Melbour-n â&#x20AC;˘. S.C.D.
I
;
20
MATILDA
Au .ust, 1939. ,
·l~~u-.o-~o~~_ o_~
" i
II, Evan Evans II
, i . i
I'TY. LTD.
GSO-S ELIZABETH ST.•
--
~mLB.,
•
! .!I I
C.l.
OdS r~otu.sen to the Girl Official canGy~sd G,oA u) es ss~;o~.. . Special OonressiOl~~"'~'~i~es ' To all Girl GuidI' ~tln'j~ ... {~~.\, , \Yrite for Particular~ to Your HeddI quarters. or Direct to Us. TE;'\TS and FLYS, GROUNDSHEETS, , CA;\fPI;,\G GOODS. FLAGS. TRA VEL , RC'GS, CA;\[P BEDS, WATERPROOFS, , SLEEPING BAGS, MATTRESSES. I , ,
i ! ! i I, I
!I
i
I -,.
.
I, ,
!
i i !
---
SPORTING
I.
i i
GOODS
\Ve have arranged to allow ConcE'ssions on all Sporting Goods. Write to us for Our List, Prices and Particulars. Tennls, Golf, C11cket, Baseball, 'Basketball and Indoor Games.
I !
--
I
,
Sl:PPORT THE FIR~1 WHO SUPPORT YOU
!•
L CI_ u_ _I_n_~o_cl_~'1_11_1'--~~_"
'I
_ 11 _ (I _ II~_I,_)_._n_o _ l_u _ U-"-'~ _ OI
i
I!
.
.
f
I
! I !
THE MUTUAL STORE
,
COLLEGE WEAR DEPT.
II
i i
features Keen Valuts from the Special
i
I i i
Girls' Doctor Flannel SCHOOL BLAZERS
Ii
The ideal Blazer for School or " College wear. Super quality - Ductor Flannel in Navy. FinishI ed with Silk Ribbon Binding. I::llJecially Priced
-
I
21 f
!' I,
-
Tailored Fuji Silk SKIRT BLOUSES.
'
-,
I ,I ·,
20in. to 27In., 7/11; lOin. to 13in.. 8/6; 3Gin.
t~~n~":~sY:T.yn~'~ ~~~~"~ L.I M I T E 0
,I
a_._D_._._a_._e_a .... _a_Clm.a_a .. a_a_
l
MEETINGS oFt EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 6th July, 1939. Present :-Lady Chauvel (Chair), Mrs. Ebeling, Mrs. Littlejohn, MisE'es Coles, Lascelles, Boyes, and the Assistant Secretary. Guide House.-Mrs. Littlejohn reported that the account fo~ the septic tanks had been paid wit han anonymous donation of £100 given for that purpose. The Committee recorded their gratitude for this generous gift. The Committee expressed satisfaction at the progress of the endowment fund, and thanked. Miss Bush for having originally suggested thpscheme for the endowment. Miss Maisie Fawcett had agreed to act as the Guide representative on the League of Youth Governing Council. Thinking Day Fund had closed on 30th June at £5/ 0/ 2, which would be sent to the World Bureau, les!' exchange. Business arising from Federal Council Minutes.-The Cenotaph Flag, in the care of Victoria for this year, would be placed suitably in the office at Headquarters. Plans were made for a guard of honour to welcome Sir Winston and Lady Dugan on their arrival on 17th. Leave of absence for a further three months was granted to Miss Alison Campbell, Commissioner for Extensions. 19th July, 1939.
Present: Mrs. Edmondson (Chair), Mrs. Ebeling, Mrs. Orr, Mrs. Tate; Misses Broadhurst, Cameron, Lascelles, Swinburne, and the AE'sistant Secretary. Mrs. Edmondson welcomed Mrs. Robin Orr as a r.ew member to the Executive Committee. Progress report on the Picture Night to be held on 1st August was received. Plans were discussed fOl' the party to be held on 27 ~h to give L.A. members an opportunity to meet Miss Martin. It was reported that Lady Dugan had graciously consented to become State President of the Guides in Victoria. -F. V. BARFUS.