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DEC E M B E R.
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MATILDA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
Qecemher,v 1939 . GUIDE SHOP.
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Thet:e are new bits of information contained in the diary as well as all the information for Guide 'l:en(ierfoot and much of second-class. The inside photos are th~ Guide Camping Hut. Hobart, Ta.Sma~ia and a view of the Ranger Camp at the Guide House, Victoria-both photob are very clear and good.
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Christmas Cards.
There is a good selection of Christmas Car'ds available this year,. but because of transport . diffIculties the full quota have not yet arrived SQ, all who wish to have these must apply early. , The prices may need some adjustment from the usual prices of 2d. and 4d. as the cost of tran~port has increased so much in the last month,
Writing Pads. We have a new range of writing pad!' a size larger than the last one which makes it a small quarto. It is very attractive with a design of a Guide in full hikinl:" kit out on the road. The envelope has a small Guide badge on the flap. The paper is in white and a suitable thickness to allow writing on both sides. Plain writing pads in the same quality paper can be purchased for the same price of 1/- per pad, envelopes beinl:" 6d. I think everybody will like these.
That Miss Boyes had been elected to the Committee of the Youth Hostels Association. Routine and financial business was discussed. Pr'esent 15/11/'S9.-Lady Chauvel, Mrs. Ebeling, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs. Littlejohn, Mrs. Orr, Misses Broadhurst, Cameron, Coles, Lascelles, Russell and the Secretary.
-So H. IRVING, State Secretary.
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The new Diaries for 1940 are now in stock. The scene on the cover represents a Ca!l1pfire at . ni·g·ht and th'e background is black, with the gold of · the campfire lighting up the figures around
. Tlk"lt seven cases containing 2224 garments had been despatched to England. That a Christmas picnic would be held at the Guide Hou~'e 01'\ 9th December,
Agreed.-That the Office and Shop should close at 1 p.m. on 23rd December and re-open on 3rd January. Reported.-That 3365 garments had been despatched to England and that donations to the Guide War Appeal Fund totalled £1812 / 10/ 2 t that a meeting of the Central Association had been held on 13th November and that members were to visit the Guide House on 11th December; that a letter had been received fr9m Miss Holmes, St. Catherines', expressing gratitude for the use of the Guide House; that Mrs. George Blackwood and Miss Margaret Brookes had agreed to be members of the State Council. Routine and financial business was discussed.
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Diaries.
Minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee held at the Guide Office on 2nd and 15th November, 1939:Present 2/11/'S9.-Lady Chauvel. Mrs. Ebeling, Mr:<. Edmondson, Mrs. Tate. Misses Boyes, Cameron. Coles', Lascelles, Moran, Purnell, Russell and the Secretary. Agreed.-'Bllal the a~n\.ial teport be accepted; that the MilduJ1l: Company should wear n3;YY.. socks as desired; that the suggestion ftom S(}.uth .' Australia to hold a Conference of ~qUiP~ent Secretaries be concurred with, that , tl1e Hampton Pack and.. Company should be '"transferred from the Brighton to the Sand ring ham district. Reported that the Town Hall authorities had a.pproved tho rebate on the rent for th" Walkabout. That a letter of congratulation on the success of the Walkabout had been received from the EKecutive Committee of the Association in South Australia. That a lettel' of appreciation had been received crom Dr. Newman Morris expressing great appreciation of the Associations' contribution to the , Red Cross Society.
Guide Story Books.
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Each year new editions of Guide siory books are published but the majority of the favoUlite ones are those of Mrs. Osbourne Hann. There is a large range of these story books for Brownies, Guides and Rangers. The price may !1-eed some adjustment, the usual price being 3/ -. but they will not be more than 3/6. Other good books for Christmas presents are "The Story of a Million Girls," "Guide Links" and "The Story of the Girl Guides." There are many others but it: is just as well to come and have a look.
Calendars, 1940. The two Princesses in Brownie and Guide uniform, also some very attractive photos of Guide scenes which have been r:nade up into calendars for 1940, Price 9d,
Printed by the Hilton Press Ltd., 223-25 Moray Street, South Melbourne, S.C.5.
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"Matilda" An Official Treasure Bag of Guidera' Information for Guiders of Victoria, Australia. Price: 3/- Per Year; 4/- Posted.
Single Copies, 6d. each.
Editor: E. H. PURNELL, Guide Headqua rte rs , 60 Mark et Street, C.l.
VOL. XVI.
DECEMBER, 1939.
EDITOR'S NOTE. As the January issue of "Matilda" has to be printed before Christmas, would contributors and sub-editors let me have their cop" by December 14th. -EDITOR. ---:0:---
CHRISTMAS MESSAGES. Government House, Melbourne. Dear Guiders and Guides,-This is my first Christmas Message to you, and I wish each one of you throughout the State a very happy Christmas. I would like to feel that on Christmas Day, you will, with me, be thinking for a few moments of all our Sister Guides throughout the Empire whose Christmas is not happy like our one, and of the many thousands of children of all countries who, through the war, are fatherless, unhappy, and war shattered. I feel we all are in surroundings so peaceful and happy in Australia, that we should in thankfulness spare a thought on Christmas Day to those children who will have no Christmas and no happiness. This I think should be our Christmas and Guide spirit for that Day. May the New Year bring you every happi · ness and prosperity. -RUBY DUGAN, State President. ---:0:---
CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM LADY CHAUVEL. In this December issue of "Matilda" I should like to send my best wishes for a happy Chri ~ t Il1as to all Commissioners and Guiders, and to their Companies and Packs. Many of you will be camping during the holidays, and I hope that the camps will be a great success, and very happy, and also that some of the people who were disappointed last summer because of the bush fires, will be there
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to enjoy them. I think, too, that all of us would like to send our best wishes for "good r a mping'~ to the Guides who will be representing the North Eastern Division, the Western Suburbs and the Southern Suburbs Divisions, the winners of the Walkabout competition. SIBYL CHAUVEL, State Commissioner.
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GUIDERS' COMMITTEE. At the meeting on Friday, November 3rd, • most divisions were represented. Next meeting to be held February 2nd, 1940, at 7.45 p.m. -L. DEMPSTER, Hon. Sec.
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RANGERS, GUI DES, BROWNIES. "Is it your Company birthday this month? If so, 'many happy returns of the day,' and
have you remembered the 'Thank you' Fund? It is your present to the Extension Branch as a 'thank you' for the privileges you enjoy as active Guides." -JOAN ALSTON. -------:0 ::-----
ALL-DAY PICNIC AT THE GUIDE HOUSE. A "Go if and as you please" Christmas picnic will be held at the Guide House, Britannia Creek on Saturday, 9th December. All Companies are asked to make their own arrangement9' as to transport and entertainment. Sugge&ted ideas for entertainment are hikes, sports, bathing, treasure hun t s, nature rambles, tracking and observation games. Convenor will arrange to have life savers in charge of the bathing, hot water for lunch and tea, and leaders for camp fire songs if required. Parent s, friends and members of Local Asso_ ciations are welcome. It is suggested that Guides bring family parties. As this will be the first general gathering on our own
MATI L DA
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property, we hope it will be a representativ~ and happy one. Those requiring hot water are asked to ring Mrs. M. R. Fairbairn (,Phone U.7173) by December 2nd, giving aproximate numbers in their parties. Cars leave 120 Flinders Street at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Fare 6/6 return. Parties would then have to walk from the main road turnoff. It is suggested to arrange with local private buses. It has been decided that a charge of 1d. per Guide, and 3d. per Guider, will be made fol' hot water. This will defray the cost of wood for the copper. Any surplus will go to the Guide House fund. On account of the regulations against lighting fires coming into operation on November 1st, Companies will not be able to make their own tea or cook anything. Will Guides who are bringing friends and relations please em¡ phasise this? Companies must come provided with their ¡ own billies, mugs,etc. Buses and cars are requested to enter vb Britannia Creek Road, that is, to approach tl-.e Guide House by the front gate. The Brownie paddock will be available for parking. A Life Savers' squad will be in charge of the swimming pool. Miss Moran will be in charge of the camp fire singing. Please inform Mrs. M. R. Fairbairn, 236 Kooyong Road, Toorak, S.E.2., by December 2nd, approximate numbers going, also numbers requiring hot water. ---:0:---
FROM "THE GU IDE." A Message From H.R.H. The Princess Royal. "At this time of national need I know that Guides throughout the country are doing splendid work in every field of service and my thoughts and prayers are with you in the great effort you are making. You will be called upon, as time goes on, to make sacrifices, and I know that you will do so bravely ar.d unNo complainingly in the true Guide spirit. nation rises above the level of its womanhood, and it is to the women and girls of Britain, many of them Guides, that the country looks for calm, reliable service in this time of anxious strain. 'So many of our Guiders have been called to the Women's Services and I am proud to
December, 1939.
think that their Guide Training has proved a ready passport into any field of work. To each of you called to the service of your country, I send my good wishes. "The fact that so many Guiders and Rangers are now on active service throws a special burden of responsibility on the Patrol Leaders, and I know that they will rise to this occasion as splendidly\ as did those other young leaders during the war of 1914-1918. "But to the general public I would say that these girls are young and the demand mad~ upon them is great. I appeal to all those women who can possibly spare the time, to come forward and give their assistance, particularly in the reception areas for evacuated children, from whom come countless letters, asking for the immediate formation of companies. "The children are eager to help, and the Guides are already proving themselves reliable workers under their girl leaders. "To all Guides everywhere I send my greetings, and I pray that God may give you courage to meet the strain of these grave days with the gallant spirit which has ever been the mark of our Movement."
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VICTORIA N GUIDES' WAR WORK. ' When the Victorian Guides first began t heir War Work, Lady Chauvel wrote to H.R.H. Princess Alice, the Commissioner for Dominions, and asked if our scheme for clothing evacuated children would be a practical way of helping during the war. Our first reply to Lady Chauvel's letter was a cable giving us the address of the Personal Service League-to which all our consignments are sent. On November 20th, the following letter was received from H R.H. Princess Alice. Brantridge Park, Balcombe, Sussex. 3/ 10/ 1939. My Dear Lady Chauvel,-Thank you very much for your charming letter of September 11th, containing such a delightful offer on the part of the Guides of Victoria to help our POol' people, many of whom are in distress JUSt owing to the circumstances of the War. I at once consulted with our chairman, Mrs. Sydney Marsham, as to the best way of availing
December, 1939.
MATILDA
ourselves of the kind offer, and how the Guides could help. Mrs. Marsham is also chairman or the Personal Service League, and suggests that if your Guides were to send all gifts addressed to her at 41 Loundes Square, London, S.W.!., they have all the means for handling clothing which our G.G. Headquarters have not. Your gifts would, of course, be classified as Guide contributions. The Personal Service League is a tremendously big organisation with branches throughout the country, so that you can feel quite happy about sending your work tq them. I will gladly tell their Majesties of your kind and loyal message, such warm-hearted thoughts are a great comfort in these bitter days. Never has this country been so prepared or so strong, the chief trial of the moment i3 being so ready, and. having to wait until oUI' services can be utilised. But we do feel uplifted by the knowledge that we and our Empire are as on~ in our great purpose. With warmest Guide greetings and with hopes this letter will reach you safely. Yours sincerely -(Signed) ALICE MARY. Enclosed with this letter was a list of gar· ments cO;1sidered by the Personal Service League to be the most urgently needed. This list corresponded almost exactly with the work we are doing. Up to the time we received this letter, we had despatched 3,977 garments. We have spent £1,600 and we have enough wool and material to continue work at least until the middle of January without drawing on our credit bank balance of £243. It remains for the Executive Committee to decide what war work the Victorian Guides are to do during 1940. Whether we continue with children's clothing or change over to another form of service, we will need more tha:J £243 during t he coming year, so please don't think that our credit balance is big enough. -P.M.R. From December 2nd the receiving and des.patch depot on the 4th floor of 60 Market Street, will not be open on Saturdays. From December 15th-January 15th the receiving and despatch room will only be open on Tuesdays and Fridays, but not on Tuesday, December 26th. From December 15th-January 15th the tacking workroom on 7th floor will be closed.
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The following letter has been received:Australian Red Cross Society. 42-46 Latrobe Street, MELBOURNE, C.!. Dear Lady Chauvel,-I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing cheque for £306/ 19/ 6, representing part proceeds of the "Walkabout," which your Association held in the Town Hall recently. I am handing this cheque to the Lord Mayor's fund, who will acknowledge receipt direct to you. May I say that this is indeed a marvellous effort on your part and the Society is very thankful indeed to receive such a generous contribution. I shall take steps to see that it is brought before my Council at its next meeting. Yours sincerely, -(Signed) J. NEWMAN MORRIS, Chai.rman, Victorian Council. - - - : 0 :- - The following Local Associations sent dor:a·· tions towards the refreshments at the "Walkabout." -PUGH, Hon. Secretary. Nurmurkah, Hamilton, Linton, Beaconsfield Upper, Maldon, Dimboola, Morwell, Kyabram, Donald, Pakenham, Tyabb, Yallourn, Terang, Deniliquin, Beeac, Euroa, Myrtleford, Poo·· wong, Baxter, Skipton, Hartwell, Burwood, Curlwaa, Lorne, Tatura, Ballarat, Camber well North, Smeaton, Colerain, Rupanyup, Nhill, Wangaratta, Broadford, Stawell, Werribee, Benalla, Croydon, Kyneton, Lang Lang, Somerville, Avenel, Daylesford, Dunkeld, Geelong, Colac, Aspendale and Mentone, Waubra, Carisbrooke, Kew, Minyip, Echuca, Maryborough, Bairnsdale, Heidelberg and Ivanhoe, Cohuna, Casterton, Cockatoo, Moe, Kerang, Parkville, Woori, Yallock, Northcote, Brighton, Essendon, Oakleigh, Murrumbeena and Carnegie, Sunshine, Caulfield, St. Kilda, Malvern, Mrs. Ritchie. ----:0::----
HOW THE FLOWERS AND BIRDS WERE GIVEN THEIR COLOURS.
A Flemish Legend. Once upon a time there was an angel who had never known any colours but the blue of his own eyes, the red of his own lips, and the gold of his own hair. Sometimes he used to push the clouds aside and look out of heaven at the world below murmuring, "Why is there
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MATILDA
no blue, red, or gold in the world?" In those days there were no bright colours on the earth. All the birds were black or grey, and all the flowers were white, and so the world looked a sad place, and the angel sighed. The sigh fluttered across heaven like the tiniest breeze, and God heard it and was sorry for the angel 'who wanted the world to be beautiful. He raised His voice and said, "13 someone unhappy? Who is sighing in heaven?" Then the angel hung his head and whispered, "It was I. My lips are scarlet, but there is no red fruit in the poor grey world. My eyes are blue, but there's never a blue flower to make the earth bright. There's not even a bird whose feathers are as golden as my hair." When he had spoken the angel began to weep, but God touched him gently on the shoulder and said, "Go down to the world and scatter colour to your heart's content"; and into angel's hand He put a paint box and some brushes. The gates of heaven were opened and the angel flew towards the earth, and as he sang, "Joy! Joy! Joy!" he splashed the sky with blue as bright as his own ey¡es. Laughing, he washed his brushes in the sea, and alighted tip-toe in the fields, scattering green as far as his eye could see. He skimmed across the meadows, and wherever he saw a daisy he gave it a centre as gold as his own hair. Hither and thither he flew, until before long al~ the flowers in the world were glowing crimson, and blue, yellow, mauve, and pink. As the wind blew they all seemed to be dancing with joy. Presently a sound of music filled the air. The angel looked up and he saw the birds coming from far and near. Piping, whistling, and twittering, they fluttered round his head a nd at his feet, calling, "Angel! Angel, dear, paint us too." The angel took his brushes, and dipped them into all his most beautiful colours. He painted t he bird of paradise, and the pheasant ,and the peacock. He painted the parrot, the blue-tit, and the canary. The birds were so pleased that they perched about on tree and rock, admiring themselves and watching the angel at his work. But the angel wa', beginning to feel troubled. The birds were still coming from far and near, and the colours in the box were growing less and less. The angel now worked thoughtfully and carefully. Sometimes he could only touch the tip of a wing or tail, or just a few feathers. The robin came hopping with his head on . one side, chirruping, "Angel, angel, dear, make
December, 1939.
me as red as your lips." But the angel had only enough colour for one stroke of the brush, so away he went, not a red robin, but a robinred-breast. Then came the blackbird. He gave a clear call like the note of a flute, and alighted on the angel's golden head. "Angel," he said, "do make me yellow, as yellow as your hair." But th~ angel had only a tiny grain of yellow left. so he used it for the blackbird's beak. Then because the colours were finished, he spread his wings and stood tip-toe, ready to fly back to heaven, when he heard a cry of disress. A little grey bird was on his shoulder cheeping pitifully, "You haven't painted me." The angel looked round, and tears stood in his eyes. "Will nobody help me?" he asked. With a sound that was like the most beautiful music, each flower and each bird cried, "Dear Angel, you shall have my colour if ib will help you." And the angel lifted up his voice and cried, "Joy! Joy! Joy!" as he sped from flowe r to flower, from bird to bh-d. He took a tiny speck of colour from each one, and put it with his most delicate brushes on to the feathers of the little fluttering creature whom he had forgotten, and ever since that day the goldfinch has been the prettiest of all birds. ----:0:---
BENED ICITE. Peal after peal of laughter comes from the kookabul"ras, and the moutains are wrapped in soft grey mi st, but there is no sound from the humans asleep in the tents or on the wide verandahs of the Guide House at Britannia Creek. The birds are waking. There is a twitte.(" from the sparrows, the cheeping of tiny thornbills in the creepers, the full throated chuckle of blackbirds in the leafy elm and a paeon of song from the thrush in the tippity-top of the pine trees. "0 all ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord, praise 'Him and magnify Him for ever." The mist lifts from the mountains.' A fufous whistler pretends he is a whip bird, and a mountain thrush decides he'll just show how well he can whistle in his own way. Blackbirdt; are having a wormy breakfast on the dewdrenched lawn. "0 ye mountains and hills, 0 all ye dews and frosts, bless ye the Lord." And still those humans sleep. "I don't wonder they're tired," said Mrs . Blackbird to her husband, "when you think of
December, 1939
MATILDA
all that they did yesterday. Talking before those noisy kookas started at dawn, tidying up the house, washing up the plates, peelinl5 the vegetables, riding the horses, swimming in the pool, hiking all the middle of the day, swimming again, and when the sun had gone down, lighting a camp fire in the paddock and doing all sorts of queer things round it. Some of their faces blacked. Really, I feel quite giddy when I think of it all. No wonder they're scund asleep." The hands of the kitchen clock point to seven. "What's the time?" says a sleepy voice. "Six O'clock," says another sleepy voice. "We haven't got to get up till 8 o'clock. I'm glad, arent yeu ?" "What do you think? Betty and Molly wouldn't stay in the tent. They said they saw a spider!" "Look at the hollies on that tree." "Look at the what? Oh, you mean ber ries, silly!" At last everybody is awake and ready in brown Or blue uniforms for church at 9 a.m. The Guide World Flag, with its golden trefoil on bright blue ground, flutters from 'the pole in the gentle morning breeze. Two horses look with interest as the Brownies and Guides from 2nd Melbourne (C. of E. Diocesan Mission), climb over the stile and take their places in Nature's own church. Tall spreading gum trees are the corner stones; a narrow track the centre aisle; grass and fallen leaves the paving stones. The sanctuary is complete with tiny altar and a log for the credence table. Candles flicker in the breeze and the pink roses in the gleaming vases shed their radiance on the cross and the silver altar vessels. Beyond are the trees and green paddocks stretching far away to distant hills of blue. The priest stands beside the altar and the hymn rises to join the songs of birds - "Breathe on me breath of God ." , There is a splendid talk from the Rev. C. J. Nash, Vicar of Warburton and himself a scoutmaster. It is based on the Gospel for the day, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's and unto God the things that are God's," and the lesson is brought home very plainly of the meaning of the Guide Promise and the Guide's duty to God and the King. The service goes on its way and there are over 20 communicants. A gang-gang cockatoo flies over the chapel, his red head showing bright in the sunlight.
Two white-backed magpies change places in the dark green pines. There is a sound like the tinkling of fairy glass as the cranky-fantails ' catch their breakfast of flies. And the Creator of all these wondrous things is very close to His children as they kneel in His Presence and "offer themselves, their souls and bodies to be a reasonable, holy and living sacrifice unto Him." "0 ye children of men, bless ye the Lord, praise Him aT.d magnify Him for ever." -Sister JULIAN, C.H.N., 2nd Melbourne Ranger Co. ----:0:----
ARE YOU A SECRETARY? "Miss Dash, would YOU . be Secretary?" "Oh, I couldn't, I wouldn't know what to do!" How many times has this been said? With the beginning of another year of activity in sight, perhaps a few practical hints might be useful. Other things being equal, it is a great advantage for a Secretary to have a typewriter (or someone who can do the typing) and a telephone. A careful check should be kept on any expense incurred in this respect and she should see that she is reimbursed. It is usual for the Secretary to be given a supply of stamps for correspondence by the Treasurer, and a note should be kept of how they are used. The instructior;s to the Secretary naturaly come from the committee, and arise from the meetings. The Secretary's first job is the recording of what takes place at the meetings, and these records are the ~inutes. At our Guide meetings the job of minute taking is not very difficult. However there are ways of making it easier. E.g., If a list of the Committee members is made beforehand, it is easier to tick off the name of each arrival than to write it in full. Apologies can be noted by marking the names "A." A list, called the Agenda, of the questions to be discussed and the business to be decided at the meeting should be prepared and placed befora the Chairman. A typical agenda might read1. Apologies. 2. Minutes of previous meeting. 3. Matters arising from Minutes. 4. Correspondence. 5. Finance. 6. Reports from sub-Committees etc. Any other business. '
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If there is a number of items on the Agenda the Secretary can then merely note the num· ber of the item in her rough note book III the majority of cases, only the actual resolution need be taken down, and these, of course, can be abbreviated as suits the Secretary, and written up in full in the official Minute Book later_ For example, a motion moved by Miss Brown, seconded by Miss Jones, that £5 be given to the local Red Cross Appeal, may appear in the Secretary's note book as-M. Brown, S. Jones, £5 to R C. (local). Minutes should be written up in the official Minute Book as soon as possible after the meetings and signed by the Secretary on the left hand side of the page. They should be clearly stated, so that if referred to at a - y future time it is easy to understand exactly whitt happened atthe meeting. Minutes are read and confirmed at the next subsequent meeting and signed in ink and dated by the Chairman to show that they are a correct record. Where the Committee requests that letters be sent, the Secretary should see that this is done as soon as possible, signing them in her official capacity_ Copies of all correspondence should be kept. An important thing, but one that is occasionally forgotten, is to see that the Secretacy has the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the committee members. Lastly, the Secretary's job includes helping the Chairman and Committee in any way. Unofficially helping the Chairman to see that members know each other, and unofficially helping the Committee by reminding th~ Chairman of any matter that is missed. A poor Secretary can spoil the work of a good Committee, but a good Secretary is worth her weight in gold. -HASBEEN. ----:0:---
MR. S. A. BUSH. During November, Victorian Guiding lost a very good friend in Mr. S. A. Bush, of Ben· digo. Mr. Bush was known to many Guides and Guiders, particularly to all who began camp· ing in "the early days." He believed very firmly in Guiding, and realised the great pleasure and help camping could be to girls, and he showed his belief in practical ways. When we began to collect camp equipment in
December, 1939
1923, he gave much helpful advice, and also for many years made much of our camp equipment, including the tent poles which we are still using. Many of our useful gadgets are his work. So many of us have happy memories of advance parties when Mr. Bush was with us, encouraging and helping us, and always expecting a high standard from every' camper. A special campers' toast: "To Mr. Bush," is still drunk at camps where any of his camping friends meet. Guiding here has lost one of its staunchest friends, and our gratitude to Mr. Bush for all he did for us can best be shown by good camping and good Guiding. -E.H.P. and F.V.B. - - - : 0 : -- South Yarra. The Editor: Dear Madam, Do you not think it would be a good idea to drop from the Promise the words "to do my duty to God," OR to consider HONESTLY what these words mean and DO somethi~g about them. In the first place it presupposes that we acknowledge a God to Whom we owe a duty, not just a vague something or other. If so we should be ready to acknowledge this God both publicly and privately. Our private recognition we call "prayer"-conversing with God, not merely, we hope, stating a long list of requirements. Perhaps it might not be in our scope to teach our Guides about prayer, but if we do we can remind them that as there are five fingers on the hand so there are five parts of prayers, and like the little finger, the smallest part of prayer should be our own needs. Our public acknowledgment we would cal! "public worship." Now if we think of this part in terms of ourselves only we probably will find that we do not get much out of it. If, on the other hand, we think of what we can give, we will find that as we give so we gain, and far more than we deserve. Once we turn our thoughts away from selves and towards God we will find that things like Sunday hikes no longer need to be debated-once we learn to worship we will find ourselves free to hike if we so need. It is simply useless, in fact it is positively harmful to teach a child her duty to Godhowever wel! we may do it, if by our actions we deny this duty. Children are not fools, it
December, 193\).
MATILDA
is what we are, not what we say, that counts. "I PROMISE TO DO MY BEST TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD," well, do we? Yours sincerely, -LEILA TULLOH. ["Matilda" will be glad to receive further opinions.-Ed.]
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December 26th: Ranger Camp Starts. December 27th: Training Week Starts; Camp craft Week Starts. January 3rd: Guide Office Re-opens.
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OLD GUIDES-GEELONG BRANCH. With the object of renewing the interest of former Guides and Guiders in the work of the Geelong Girl Guide Association, a party was held on Thursday evening, April 20th, 1939, in the Y.W.C.A. Club Rooms The guests were welcomed by the Divisional Commissioner (Miss C. McKellar) who, with Miss Edith Purnell, explained the obpect of the gathering. It was decided to form an Old Guides Association. Mrs. Harry Fallow was elected President, and Miss Ruth Seward, Recorder. Mrs. Basil Hall, Commissioner District 2, spoke on the work of the Red Cross Emergency Service. After the meeting games and competitions wer e enjoyed and supper served. The next meeting took place on Septembel' 5th, at the same rooms, and a discussion was held after the minutes had been read. There was III good attendance and the camping members asked if the next meeting could take the form of a working bee at the Ocean Grove camp site. Accordingly ,on November 2nd, at 2 p.m., members rallied and a very pleasant and profitable afternoon was spent. Gravel was spread on the paths, rubbish removed and buffalo grass planted, while tent pegs and poles received their annual overhaul. Afternoon tea followed by a sing-song finished the day, and the Old Guides went home with memories of active Guiding days revivedl The next meeting will consist of a visit to the camps on Visitor's Day, after which there will be a recess until April. -v. FALLAW. ---:0:---
FORTHCOMING EVENTS. December 1st: Thinking Day, card competition closes. December 9th: All-Day Picnic at the Guide House. December 11th: Central Association meets at the Guide House. December 24th: Guide Office Closes. December 25th: Christmas Day.
Editor: ELSIE SYDES.
"This moming I sal\' a cobweb spangled with de\\'-white clouds, like fleece, blown across the cheel{; smelt the damp grass; watched the sky: felt the l[Lng of the cold air upon my cheek; smelt the damp grass; watched the mountain mi sts Cl'eep up the val ley, then roll away again all rosy pink."
Breakfast Hikes. Long mOl'ning¡f;. quite light at 5 a.m., warm, and hel'e \\' e al'e still in bed at 7, perhaps even 8, aI' maybe 9, if we al'e that sort of person or are ma king up some back rest. Shame on us!! If you haven't a lready tried an early hike-don't waste time getting' tog'ged up and washed, set the alarm, hop into some clothes and stick a few biscuits or something into Y0ur pocket, fiel::! glasses and bird book in hand a nd off you go. If you have already early-hiked you'll know what a thrill it is and this reminder will be quite enough.
Why Hike Early ? "Veil , there are birds everywhere. they don't stay in bed, first searching for their breakfast, later sitting in the i<uf! preening and digesting it. Rabbits will scuttle away. You will hear their warning thud made ' with the hind legs and see the white tail bobbing. There is a calmn ess, and most of a ll a freshness about the world. The s mell of wet gl'USS, a nd if you are early enough, sunrise and the awakening of the birds.
At Camp, Hike Early !! All the descriptions in the wOl'ld can't convey just what the early-hike is, 1;he only way is to put it to the test. so do make the effort and go out. Suggest it to your Guides and even if only one or two come, that's all the better, because numbers spoil that sort of a hike. I can hear you say, "Oh, but my Guides wouldn't be allowed" "My Guides would never come at that hour of th e mornin g." Well, what about camp? Go and ask the Com mandant if you and Mary and Susie can get up extra early to-morrow and
10
MATILDA
steal quietly out of camp on an ea rly morning ramble. Seize the opportunity.
y es, You Are Camping ? Why of course! And you are going on a breakfast hike? Of c(lurse! And yon will be doing' Jots of Nature Study? Yes! Prepal'e then so th!l.t you can get tb e most out of it.
December, 1939. gives you some g'ood illustrations of the sorts of grasses and it will be e:r.sier to identify from these than from any written description I can g i ve hel'e. Guirles will be attracted to the pretty s h ell grass and then there are two sorts of what I call "Shivery" grass-one like a very fine shell grass. the other much finer still , more soft and fuzzy looking. Let the Guides make a collection.
(1) PI'uctise look,illY for thill.qs in youI' Ya1'dell,
then you will be able to show the Guides how to stare. Turn over a stone or a log and note the wogs underneath. Look on bushes. If you don't practise before camp you will find it hard to suddenly open your eyes and notice all the little things that creep and crawl. (2) Many such as !l.nts and flies and other little nuisances you won't have to 1001< for, but you will be able to talk to the Guides about these if you take (~ little tl'onble ill J)l'epal'ation now .. (3) At the seaside you will have sea. c reatures, sea-anemones, cl'abs, seaweed, sea and water bil'ds, fish perha.p'S, insects and if there is ti-tree and scrub, honeyeaters and other birds. JIlak,e a study of one or two, say th e interesting sea-anemone or soldier crabs before Camp, then use them as a starting point 01' introduction for the youngsters. (·1) Inl!l.nd you will have insects, birds, fiowers, gl'asses and all the other things you will have the joy of discovering. (5) Wherever you al'e there will be the stars, lovely cobwebs-tind th e owners, possible late nests. Ma k e yourself COil versant with the main constellations, star s and planets. R empm bel' tile G-uic/es are ollly as keen ancl enth1tsiastic as we are ourselves.
RU"t,rMER ORCITJDS.-'1'he hyacinth ol'cltida tall leafless plant with many blooms of lovely pink flowers with brown 0'" purple spots Found at Guide House locality. Ducic Orchid.-Remarkably like a wild-duck in flight. The head, with its beak and eye-like depression form the labellum of the orchid. Petals and sepals are the wings. feet and tail. The wide hollow column is the body of the bird. Once when camping at Macedon at a Dec.-Jan. Camp one of these orch ids was brought to c'lmp for u s to see. Also an elbow m·chid. Greellhoods, sun orc/lids, scented leek ol'chid,
large and small tongue ol'chid, hammer and elbow and hm'ned orchids and lastly th e potato orchid. K eep lookin g this summer! T ell your Gu:des to look.
Grasses. "''''heat is the queen of the g,·asses." Leach "Australian Nature Studil's,"
p.
143,
Bird Baths. Encourage your Guides to have a dish for the birds to bath in this summer, safe from cats of course. Blackbirds are frequent visitors to ours, they do love a bath. GOldfinches come and drink on hot days, sparrows and starlings too, whilst the .latter also bath.
Young Starlings and Blackbirds. And talking of starlings, do your Guides know them a nd young blackbirds? The former are the same color all over-a greyish brown. There were ::;ix in our yard the other day and the parent fed two. I noticed th en what a white throat th ey have. My young blackbirds are such pets-all leg and no tail at first and very bespeckled. Now they are black on back, tail and wings and still a rich brown with speckles on the breast. How hard they found it to rise in a narrow Rpace and perch on the fence, in fact at first they just couldn't.
Bird Voices. Do get your GuideR to listen in camp to all the sounds and especially the bird notes. Let them learn from hearing the birds they can see, then recognif;e these tunes unseen. They will soon pick strange and n ew ones out. And now Good Camping and a Happy Christmas. ----:0:---
" D elay mak es an e a sy thing become difficult to accomplish and a difficult thing almost imp05sible." "The person who is to fi nd truth must be keen without bias and interested without prejud ice." " T hank God every morning when you get up, that you have something to do that day w h ich must be done, whether you like it or not. Bein g forced to work, a n d for ced to d o your best, will breed in you Temperance, D ili gence, Self-Control, Contentment, and a h u ndred virtues which the idle will never know."
10
December, 1939.
MATILDA
steal qui et ly out of camp on an early morning rambl e. Seize th e opportunity.
Yes, You Are Camping ? Why of course! And you are going on a breakfast hike? Of course! And you w ill be doing lots of Nature Study? Yes! Prepare then so t h at you can get the most out of it.
g'i ves yo u some good ill ustrations of the sorts of grasses and it will be e:l.sier to identify from these than from any written description I can g ive here. Gui<'les will be attracted to the pretty s h ell g rass and then th ere are two so rts of what I ca ll "~hivery" g'mss-one like a ve l'y fine s h ell g rass, the other much finer still , more s oft and fuzzy lookin g'. Let the Gu ides make a coll ection.
(1) PI'aetise looldllg for i llin.qs ill YOllr {Iorelell,
then you will be able to s how the Guides how to s tar e. Turn ovel' a stone 01' a log and note the wogs underneath. Look on bushes If you don't pl-actise before camp you wiII find it hard to suddenly open your eyes and notice a ll the littl e things that Cl'cep and c l'aw!. (2) Many suc h as :l.llts and flies and other littl e nuisances you won't h ave to look for, but you will be able to tall{ to the G uid es about these if you tal,e a i'ittle tro1Lbie ill preparatioll )1 ow. , (3) At the sealiide you will have sea c reatures, sea-anemones, c l'abs, seuweed, sea and water hirds, fish perham;, in Hectli and if th ere is ti-tree and sc rub, hon eyeaters and other birds, ~Make a study ot one 01' two, say the interesting sea-an emon e or soldi er crabs before Camp, then use them as a starting point or introduction for the yo ungs ters, (,1) Inland you will have insects, birdR, 11owel's, grasses and all the other things you \\ ill have the joy of discovering, (5) Wh erevel' you are there will be th e stars, lovely cobwebs-find the owne rf', possible Jate nests, Make yourself conversant with the main cons te ll a tions, stars and planets, Rl'1W' 111 be,' tile G1Lides a"e oil ly as keen and C:ut htlSiastie as we are ourselves, FleMlIIER ORClfIDS.-'1' ll e hyacinth orelliel-
a tall leafl ess plant with many blooms of love ly pink flowers with brown 01' pUI1>l e spots Found at Guide House locality. D 'ue!,; Orehid.-Remark ably lik e a wild-duck in fl ig ht. Th e head, with its beak and eye -like depres~ion form the labellum of the orch id. Petals a nd sepals are tile wing-so feet and tail. Th e wide hollow column is the body of the bird. Once wh en camping at Macedon at a Dec.-Jan. Ca mp one of these ol'chids was hrou g ht to C'I ml) for U R to s ee. Also a n elbow orchid. Greellhoods,
slm o"ehiels, scenteel l eek. ol'eitid,
la rg'e a nd small tongu(' Qj¡e7Iiel. hammer and elbow and honled orchids and lastly the potato ol'chid. K eep looking this summel'! T ell your Gu:des to look.
Grasses, "vVheat is the queen of the grasses. " Leach "Australian 'ature Stud ips,"
p. 143,
Bird Baths. Eucourage your Guides to have a dish fOl' the birds to bath in this summer, safe from cats of course. Blackbirds are frequent visitors to ours, they do love a bath. Goldfinches com e and drink on hot days, spal'l'ows and s tal'l in gs too, whilst th e .latter a lRo bath.
Young Starlings and Blackbirds. A nd talking of s tarlings, do your Guides know them a nd you ng blackbirds? The former are the same color all over-a greyish brown. There we re >;ix in our yard th e other day a nd the parent feci two , I noticed then what a white lh roat they h ave. My young blackbirds are such pets-all leg and no t a il at first and very bespeckled. Now they are black on back , tail and wings ancl stil l a rich brown with speckles on the breast. How harcl they found it to rise in a narrow space a nd perch on the fence, in fact at first they just couldn't.
Bird Voices. Do get your Guid R to lis t en in c:l.mp to all the Rounds a nd especia lly th e bird notes. L et them learn from h eari ng the birds they can see, then recogniRe these tunes unseen. They will soon pick s ll'ange and n ew ones out. And now Good Campin g- a nd a H a p py Christmas. - - - - : 0 : - - - --
" D elay makes an easy thing become d ifficult to accomplish and a difficult thing almost impossible." "The person who is to fi nd truth must be keen without bias and interested without prejudice." "Thank God every morning when you get up, that you have something to do that day which must be done, whether you like it Or not. Bein g forced to work, and forced to d o your best, will breed in you Temperance, Diligence, Self-Control, Contentment, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know."
11
MATILDA
December, 1939.
(Editor: Margaret Haseltine.) "There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say. Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come roundapart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that-as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar oi the year when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys." -CHARLES DICKENS.
BREVITIES. Brown Owls, have you ever thought of having a combined break-up with the Guide Company ? It is great f un, besides being a good opportunity for the Pack and Company to meet. When making Christmas presents for mothers, don't forget the people who have been very nice to the Pack during the year? A little gift, especially if made by the Brownies themselves, will bring great pleasure be¡¡ sides being a very nice way of saying "Thank You." ---:0::---
CHRISTMAS GAMES.
Because the Wise Men once brought gifts To where a Baby lay. Christmas time, Happy time, Everyone is gay. So show us what you'd like to give Mother on Christmas Day." First Brownie in each Six draws a present in matches, and the best one chooses who th\} next present is to be for-Father, Grandma, Auntie, Sister, Baby, etc. -H.G. ---:0:---
CHRISTMAS PUDDING. Brownies in a circle and each Six is a family, its members being named Mother, Father, Mary, Tommy, Betty and Jackie. A circle of cardboard in the middle is the threepence and each Six has a plate drawn in their Six home equal distant from the ring. Brownies dance round singing to the tune of "Chestnut Tree." "Stir the Christmas pudding. Oh, it's nice. Sugar, eggs, flour, fruit and spice, You may find a threepence in it too. You'll be lucky if you do." Brown Owl calls a name and that member of each family tries to put the threepence 0 !1 her plate. She may carry, throw, push or roll it,but must drop it if one of the others catches her by the belt. Brownies getting the threepence on to her plate scores one for her family. Repeat till everyone has had a turn. -H.G.
---:0:---
Christmas Presents.
PACKING A BAG. Brownies in a circle in Sixes with a heap of matches for each Six. All dance round singing to the tune of Jingle Bells. "Christmas time, Happy time, We all get gifts that day.
To play this game you must make two lists exactly the same, of things that a Browniz would need on a holiday. Cut the pieces up an clgive one set to each team.
12
MATILDA
December, 1939
Brown Owl will then tell a story about "Mary's Holiday," every time an article is mentioned the Brownie with that slip will run out and place it in a case drawn on the floor. The first one with the article in the case leave!; it there, the other one takes hers back to her team. The first team to finish packing the .:ase wins. -L.N. ---:0:---
BROWNIE AFTERNOON. The Brownie Afternoon, which was held at "Lauriston" on November 11th, went off very ",ell, except that the Committee had a very busy morning gettir:g in extra afternoon tea for the Packs who did not send their names in until the last minute. It was a nice fine day and the gate taking;; showed that 178 people were present. We hope that everyone enjoyed themselves-two Packs said "thank you"-so we know that they did.
As a result of' the Afternoon, the Committee was able to hand £5 to the Guide Fund for Children from Evacuated Areas. Thank you, Brownies, for your support of our effort. -J.A. ---:0:---
SMILE AT THIS. Dear BrownaI,-how a you gettink on I am all writ I enjoyed my holiday did you. How are the other brownies. Margaret is all writ I had a cold when I came home, are you going to the walkabout I am will you writ to me ano tell me, how your getting on and the brownies. My Aunty has a baby and it is a boy. This letter isfrom Nancy Wood, My uncle has gone to ware, I can not tell you much. Margaret is going to writ a leter to you. I am sorry that I carnt go up again. Well I will close now good by. Yours loving Brownal, from NANCY.
---:0:--"No one is useless in the world who lightens the burden of it for anyone else."
Editor: Joan Alston.
EXTENSION GUIDERS Do not forget the Christmas picnic to the Camp House on December 9th . Companies are to arrange their own tran <; · port a nd meals. Bring your friends and relationsBUT, don't forget to let the Convenor, Mrs. M. R. Fairbairn, 236 Kooyong Road , Toorak, S.E.2., know your approximate nunlbers \ly December 2nd, at the late t. A charge of 6d. per person will be made, and hot water will be available.
- - -: 0 : - --
EXTENSION GUIDE CAMP. This is to be held at the Camp House from December 30th to January 6th. TRANSPORT is urgently required to tak:! children up and bring them back after th~ camp is over. Can anyone help us, please? VEGETABLE, FRUIT and JAM donation!; would also be v€ry acceptable! Miss Joan Alston, 5 Struan Street, Toorak, S.E.2., Telephore Windsor 2194, is the Camp Secretary. ---:0:----
3rd MELBOURNE RANGERS' "LAND WORK." Do you remember reading in October' ~ "Matilda" that there was a new Ranger Company-an open Extension Company, for bot'1 Extension and active Rangers? They are now starting "Land Work"! They have been given the use of some land near the Carlton Presbyterian Mission, and there they are going to grow potatoes marrows, pumpkins-in fact, everything for the Mission Soup Kitchen, except the bones!
December, 1939.
MATILDA
POST COMPANY NEWS. A Third Birthday. Saturday, November 11th, was a very eventful day for the 6th Post Guides. It was their third birthday and to celebrate it, they had '1 uarty at their Captain's home in Brighton. It was a glorious, sunny day, and the whole Company was able to be present - sixteen Guides and Captain (Mrs. O'Donnell), and Lieutenant (Nettie Senter) . The guest of honour was Miss Foott, the Assistant Commissioner for Extensior s, and during the afternoon she enrolled three Guides. Another exciting moment was when everyone played Lieutenant's scouting game-partly because it was a grand game, and partly because she passed the last part of her Pioneer's Badge with it. She had specially adapted it for Extensions. As it was a birthday party, pride of place on the tea table was given to a lovely birthday cake, and very nice it looked with its three candles. ---:0:---
AUSTIN HOSPITAL ENROLMENTS. The view from the Austin Hospital is always lovely because you can look out away over the country to the hills in the distance. On Saturday, November 11th, it was a lovely day and Ward 10 and Ward 13 were very attractive places in which to have enrolments. Miss Foott, the Assistant Commissioner for Extensions, was there, and she enrolled two Guides in the 10th Post Guide Company. The Ivanhoe Guides came up to the Hospital and though the ban on child visitors to the Hospital still holds good ,they were allowed to stand in the doorway with their colours. ---:0:---
HAS ANYONE GOT AN UN-WANTED PIANO ? The children at the Janefield Home for subnormals haven't a piano and would very much like to get one. Has anyone got one they don't want? These children find it much easier to do things to rhythm, so a piano would be a boon to them. The Superintendent, Janefield Farm, Mont Park (Tel. Greensbro. 42), would be glad to hear from you . -J.A.
13 LONES.
Dear Lones,-When the Editor telephoned to ask if my Lones' page was ready for "Matilda," I was horrified to find it is a month since my last letter, in which I invited you all to write to me, so that we might gradually become acquainted. And now I'll tell you an awful secret. Only one-and there are 200 Lones all told in Victoria-wrote to me! And she was a Guider. She said she was very muc'1 interested, which gives me encouragement to write again. So that when the Editor said "Have you written your Lones letter yet?" I felt inclined to say "Where are the Lones?" I know you exist. I have your names and ages and addresses tabulated in my book. I have your nearest towns marked on my map. I picture your homes and the lives you live. Yet I must feed my interest in you on my imagination alone, for without a response I can get no further in learning to know you. I have just looked up the definition of "to correspond" in the dictionary. I find it is "to communicate by interchange of letters with." So you see, it cannot be a one-sided partnership. I had hoped to pay some of you a personal visit before the end of the year, but not bein~ able to find anyone free enough to accompany me, and not having the courage to face a long country trip alone, I have had to give up the idea for the moment. So it must bl" by letters alone-for the time being anyway -that we can get to know each other. How about it? We have been very quiet since the Walkabout, so there is little of interest to report. I am hoping next year to start a Lones Association, to function like a Local Association, which as you know is formed from parents and public interested in Guides. They will be our Godmothers and our financiai backers, and will represent the approbation of public opinion and encouragement without which Guiding cannot succeed. They will be asked to subscribe 2/ 6 a year as in other Local Associations. I have written to all Country Commissioners and to others, who have Lones living in their areas, asking them to interest themselves in this scheme, and have already received encouraging replies, so that I hope when we all come back to work after our Christmas vacation to make it a going concern. In the meantime, if you know of any who
14
December, 1939,
MATILDA
might like to become members, please ask them to write to me. Knowing from experience the immense assistance a Local Association can give, I am very anxious to make a success 01' this, and so ask for your co-operation in trying to interest those around you in it. And now to show you that although I no longer live in the country myself, I have not lost the love or magic of it, I am sending you the fo llowing little poem. - - - - : 0 : - - --
NATURE. Whence came this gladsome feeling When earth and sky and sea Ring out with joyous music A symphony to me? Why does the earth lie quivering With eagerness suppressed? To hide upon her bosom The ground lark's tiny nest. Whence came this joyous music From earth and sea and sky? This morn I watched the mother bird Teach her young to fly. Where the still shimmering water Reflects the hills beyond, I see the busy swallows Skimming o'er the pond. Whence came this peaceful feeling Of a task nobly done? Ah, I have seen the swallows Feed their young. Where the creeks meander And waters laugh and leap, There I have watched the warbler From her nest shyly peep. Why does the air lie breathless At gentle eventide? The birds are swinging homeward To nestle side by side.
'1'0 the Editor. Deal' 1\Iatilda,The 2nd Caulfi eld District Hangers would like to 'heal' the views of other R::mgers on th e question of wearing silk stockings in uniform. \\'e have noticed that thi" practice is quite a com mon one. By continuin g to be careless in thi <; matter tl1e uniformity of dress among Rangers will become ve ry lax, and a lso the example to th e Guides will not lJe an admirab le one, "A Guide is Thrifty"; perhaps a wrong idea of thrift accounls for a number of the silk stocking's we see. Some girls may think that it is unneces"ary to spend 3/ 11 on a pair of Ii. Ie stockings when th ey already have a supply of silk ones. Surely this is false economy, for the uniform lisle stockings are very good wearing ones, and oullast many p3.irs of silk ones,
Out of dOQl's, hiking, and in camp, ~ ilk stockings are easily torn or laddel'ed, and theil' appearance immediately becomes shoddy and untidy, a lso th e heavier shoe" worn on these occasions tend to rub holes and ladders in the flimsy silk. Two more reasons for this habit may be laziness a nd vanity. The cries of "I can't. be bothered changin g my stockings" or "Thick stockings are not flattering to my ankles" may, alas! be heard. But we are sure that. good Rangers would never be g uilty of such thought 3 so we won't enlarge on th ese two suppositions. Perhaps you don't ag-ree with our ideas, we should be very glad to hear oth er point" of view, -2nd Caulfield District Hungers. --------:0 :---- - - -
WARRANTS AND REGISTRATIONS. Dist?'ict G01nlllissione?',-Bro'lc1ford:
Mrs, Neil,
Ham ilton StI'eet, Broadford. Ow/. - 1st Ivanhoe: Mig>; D. llrudshuw. Morwell: l\Tiss L. Sinehl.ir. 2nd YaJ'J'uviJIe: Mi.;s J. Miller. BrowH
1 st
r['au'llY
Otc/.-1st Maryborollg'h: Miss M. Wil-
lats. Captaill.-2ft
Melbourne: Miss
Lieutenallt.-2nd
~1.
E. Alfred.
Brigl'iton Beach: Mifll' E. M.
¡Wrig-ley. Why do I love the evening Of all the day, the best? 'Tis then that God and Nature Bid us sweetly rest. -M.R.F.
Pac/c.-2nd
F'ootscJ'aY¡
Gompany.-2nd
Essendon, Lowther Hall.
Spotswood, Docal Associatioll,- Yal'J'aville
District.
1st
)ecember, 1959.
15
MATILDA
THE SIGN POST Edito?': Elizab eth AI/I'ed,
"PEACE ON EARTH, GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN ," "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people . . . . Peace on earth, goodwill towards men." What does this mean to us this Christmas? Ir. a few weeks we are going to celebrate, with much gaiety and present-giving, the anniversary of the coming of the Prince of Peace. What are we personally doing to help bring about the Kingdom of. Peace-what can we do '! We are caught up in the turmoil of strife and bloodshed, with its insidious propaganda of hatred of enemies, its stories of atrocities"goodwill towards men." The birthday of the Christ Child is a day of great joy-let us make it also a day of prayer-prayer for wisdom in our judgments; for guidance for the leaders of the natio:- s, that they may strive for a just and lasting peace; for ourselves, that we may escape the tentac:es of bitterness and hatred, and may remain clear minded and open in our decisions, striving for a spirit of tolerance which may bring about "Peace on earth and goodwill towards men." -M.E.A.
------:0:-------
A CHRISTMAS GOOD TURN. Strolling through bush one day, a group of girls on holiday chanced to rest on a log outside a lonely home many miles from a township: In place of dainty curtains, sugar bags flapped through glassless windows. Througtl the open door, a small child could be seen on bended knees-polishing and producirg a shiny surface on a worn piece of linoleum. Brilliant flowers were blooming in the small garden plot and gradually children appeared - seven, if I remember rightly. They came
and spoke to us, and proudly brought out Mother, who chatted brightly in spite of all her hardships. She told us her husband wa3 2.way lookin gfor work, and how she had to carryall of the houshold water from a creek which was at least 200 yards away. Soon we were hiking along our way again, feeling quite touched by the cheery way thi" woman managed to live. Just as we were discussing how we could club together and help them, one of the children came running after us with an armful of beautiful flowers. Rather cumbersome for hiking-but a gift so gladly given. ? We planned great ideas of helping them, but as we all came from various parts, it just drifted on after our holiday was over, and nothing was done. Christmas was drawing near, and I had been thinking - "Company Good Turn for Christmas." Our Company had always given a certai:1 amount to a hospital at Christmas, which, although helpful, was give"! automatically. So it was suggested, instead of taking the money from Company Funds, perhaps they could save a little money which would otherwise be spent on sweets or pictures and some small effort could be held to raise more money, and the Guides could buy a toy for each child, make up a Christmas parcel, and make Christmas a little bright for this family in the hills, This idea appealed to the Guides, and this is how we carried it out. We procured the names and ages of the children. The P.L.'s and Seconds did the shopping themselves. Other members of the patrols wrapped the gifts in coloured paper, others labelled cards to each child and posted the parcel. We have done this for several years nok, and it is always an exciting evening spent before Christmas, and never ceases to have its thrill. We also pack in any suitable clothes we have collected fro mtime to time.
16
MATILDA
December, 1939.
The Mother writes back a delightful letter of appreciation. One year it was particularly touching wnen there were floods, and a bridge leading to their place was washed away. The children wept because Father Christmas wouldn't be able to come. Then Mother told them that the Girl Guide Father Christmaa had decided to come as far as the bridge, and Father could get the toys across somehow. Imagine how delighted those nips were. She also mentioned in her letter that it was the first time Father Christmas had ever remembered Mother and Father. We had enclosed a handkerchief for each of them. No doubt many companies have various ways of doing their good turn at Christmas, and this way would not always be practicable, but don't you think we should all make an extra effort and find some way in which we could help to brighten some home just by sparing a little extra time and thought fOl' someone who needs just a small pleasure to bring happiness to their hearts. Have you ever thought of finding a baby, child or family, which may need help through your local Baby Health Centre? Usually the Sister can give you an idea of a family which would be needing your help. Could there be a more fitting time than Christmas to help to care for a baby or small child? Let us, thel'efore, make up our minds to make the life of someone else happier this Christmas for our privilege of being Guides. -M.N. ---:0:---
Observe strict silence for three hours during any day. Find six kinds of grasses, and observe their ways of distributing their seeds. The Guides entered into the game with great gusto-the silence test was the great trial; at one meal, only the members of the staff were talking, with much sign language on the part of the Guides. Lots of them had to do the test two and three times, because they broke down in the middle-there was terrific disappointment when one Guide had only ten minutes to go, and she forgot, and said "Thank you"! An interesting point was that where the Guider might have felt lenient in such a case, the Guide wouldn't hear of it, and insisted on beginning again! Q.M. was a great ally in the cooking' section -what she must have suffered is not revealed, but all the efforts on the part of the Guides were very successful. In some cases, the sketch maps were excellent, and promised well for future First Class Tests. The care of tent., was encouraging, and the variety of grasse<l which the locality produced was amazing. Altogether, the Quest was very successful, and provided great interest for the whole week. It could easily be adapted to suit conditions at any camp, and might be worked out to include First Class work only - this would stimulate interest in the First Class test, and be excellent pratcice_ -"BARAK."
A COMPETITION FOR CAMP.
Requests have been made on occasions fol' more hike recipes and ideas for cooking at hikes, so here are some which Miss Martin gave us during her recent visit in Victoria.
At our Company camp last summer, we had an Adventurers' Quest, which, on passing, gained for the Guide and aboriginal totem name. The quest consisted of a series of tests, which could be worked for during the whole week in camp. Here is an outline of the testsCook a simple dish for the whole camp, such as scrambled eggs, stewed fruit, custard, etc. (To be passed by the members of the camp after eating!). Draw a sketch map from the camp site to the Post Office, showing any particular places of interest. Find a seagull's feather, and copy the imprint of a seagull's claw in the sand. Show ability to care for tent, and keep tent and personal kit in good order during camp.
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HIKE RECIPES.
DOUGHNUTS lib. S.R. flour; 1 dessertspoon butter; a little sugar; a pinch of salt; milk. Rub the butter into the flour with the other ingredients. Mix with enough milk to make a dough to roll into balls. Heat dripping in a pan, then drop the balls in until they are a light golden brown. Drain on paper ,and roll in sugar. ST FFED APPLES Core your apples, and stuff with dates, raisins, nuts, etc. Wrap in paper, which should tr..en be thoroughly wetted, and placed in the ashes. It should be cokked perfectly in 15 O!' 20 minutes.
December, 1939.
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THE RANGERS' PAGE Acting Editor-F. E. BATTEN.
Ranger Tests. At a special request of the Trainees, Miss Martin at the Guide House Ranger Training Week-end, gave some helpful suggestio_.s concerning tests and methods of testing. Referring to the Ranger Guider's job, it was pointed out that in many items we can "let the Company do the testing." i.~nowledge
of Books.
For testing, one can use variationson such Questions as: "What would you tell about Guiding to a child who asked you about it?" 'What would you tell about Guiding to the child's mother?"
Emergencies. An emergency "is a sudden juncture needing prompt action." Rangers need to be trained in such a way that they are prepal"ed fo~' emergencies-they have a prepared mind. An emergency is something unexpected; we can use the given examples of types of emergencies, or get tradesmen (policemen, firemen, etc.) to come and teach Rangers to deal with all kinds of emergencies. Demonstration is, of course, better than lecturing. When in doubt as to whether an emergency is "passable," consult the Company. There are games for practising and prepariâ&#x20AC;˘. g the mind "What would you do FIRST?" (ex. chimney on fire, gas escape, fallen horse, bogged car, key on inside of door, lost child, lost foreigner, dog fight, kitten 0:1 roof (including use of a ladder), etc.
Promise and Law. Why do Ranger Guiders "funk" this section? The Guide Law was framed fOl" children. Rangers can consider it through questions for discussion-for example: HOl_our - Making excuses; exaggerating; not carrying 0 u t promises; slacking; little deceptions; pretence. Loyalty - Gossip-hinting; divided loyalties; saying unnecessary things; taking credit. Helpfulness and Friendliness-Letting people be left out (cliques); meeting people half-way.
Courtesy - Difference between courtesy and politeness; stress good manners-do they matter? What are good manners? Get at the reason behind some apparently stupid points of etiquette. Courtesy in receiving as well as in giving. Letter-writing. Difference between an excuse and a reason. Courtesy to children. Kindnessto animals-Dogs in flats' circuses' zoos; caged birds; furs-feathers. 'Obedienc~ -Signing up f<Jr less hours than you have ' worked; sick leave; capital punishment; laws of land; customs dues; postage rates. "Is it your country you are cheating, or your own 'character?" "The love that asks no questions" is not ideal. Cheerfulness-Depends on character. Thrift-Of words, health, time; worrying; brushing clothes; saving effort; wise spending; long telephone conversations; saving other people's gas, paper, food. Food values in cooking; food waste; but "don't use yourself as a drain or a dustbin" by eating up remains you don't want. Judge quantities: e.g., water. Little exhibitions can be organised on Thrift: Thirty things illustrating thrift; uses of newspaper, dead matches. "Thl"ift is a sense of proportion." PURITY - Attack constructively from the point of view of th, ught_ It is the motive that makes things right or Wl"ong. Read quotations dealing with laws.
Discussions in Connection With Laws. The Ranger Company is friendly with its Captain,but does not stand up when she enters the room; does it matter? An over-age Ranger is offered half-fare in the tram; should she take it? In the cause of loyalty, is it ever right to tell tales? Is it ever permissible to tell a lie? Loyalties often conflict; in what order would yOU place (a) people; (b) causes; in order of loyalty? Mending a small hole in stocking. Being late for appointments. SItting up late at night. Sewing a hanger on your coat. Sitting on the grass. Giving dainty mOl"sels to t',e dog from your
MATILDA own plate at meals. "Sue had no time to wash the dishes, as she was NEVER late for Guides!" "Frank was always careful to take only one egg from each nest." Such discussions will bring out many points about several of the Guide Laws. -F.V.B. ---:0:---
REPORT OF 11th VICTORIAN RANGER CONFERENCE. Present.-Miss Boyes in the chair, and members of 17 companies. Report of the afternoon's proceedings:1. The proposed by-laws were discussed at length and amended. 2. It was decided to continue with the proposed Ranger Pan Pacific camp, and to turn it into an inter-State camp if the situation was such that it would be impossible for overseas Rangers to visit here. 3. The proposed fixtures for 1940 were discussed. Miss Barfus talked to the Rangers on their part in helping in the National Emergency, stressing the everyday things in which they could help. After tea an interesting talk on t he history of blood transfusion was given by Dr. Lucy Bryce, and illustrated by films shown by Dr. John Devine. Dr. Devine also showed a film which he took at Mt. Buller, when the Rangers were enjoying their week's holiday there. Finance.-There is a credit balance in the bank of ÂŁ24/3/ 9. The conference passed ÂŁ2/2/as a donation to the Thank You fund. Secretary's report on the year's activities was adopted. By-laws.-The by-laws, as re-drafted during the afternoon discussion, were adopted at the business meeting in the evening, subject to approval by the State Executive. Office-bearers. - Secretary, Betty Horsley (1st Melbourne) . Committee: laurie Wright (Box Hill); Gwen Roberts (1st Melbourne); Peggy Edmunson (Caulfield); Margaret Clark (Brighton District); Betty Newey (St. Kilda District); Wirnie Cozens (3rd Richmond); Myra Failey (Preston). Fixtures for 1940.-Combined myster y hike. Ranger dinner. Field day and swimming sports at the Guide House. Trip to Colin McKenzie Sanctuary. Jure week-end conference at Guide House. Moonlight river trip.
December:, 1939.
Basket-ball.-A meeting of all companies in teres ted will be called in the new year. Sports pennant was presented by Miss Boyes to 4th Preston. The meeting closed with taps.
By-Laws. 1. That there shall be a committee known a!> the Victorian Ranger Committee. 2. The committee shall consist of a chairman who shall be the Commissioner for Rangers, secretary and treasurer, and ten ordinary members, four of whom shall cor.stitute a quorum. 3. The secretary shall have served one year on the committee before taking office. 4. The committee shall be elected at the annual Ranger conference, from nominationi! forwarded by the companies. 5. Ordinary members of the committee shall be elected by preferential voting. 6. No company shall have more than two representatives on the committee. 7. No ordinary member of the committee shall hold office for more than two consecutive years. 8. Each member of the committee shall be responsibLe for metropolitan and country divisions allocateel at the beginning of the year, and one member of the committee shall be responsib:e for Lones and Extensions. 9. Minutes of com mit tee meetings, announcements and reports of fixtu res shall be published monthly in "Matilda." 10. Company secretaries shall acknowledge each circular on the form provided. - - - :0 : - - -
RANGERS OWN. Dr. Atkinson, of the Brighton Methodist Circuit, was the speaker at the Rangers Own Service this year. It was held in the garden of Phelia Grimwade house, by courtesy of the Melbourne C. of E. Girls Grammar School, and was attended by 57 Rangers. The subject of the address was the quotation:Follow the Christ, the King, Do good, fear God, right wrong, honour the king, else wherefore born? Dr. Atkinson spoke of the mystery surr ounding life, and the necessity to have a creed that would guide us through its perplexities. -1. DUGA N, Convenor.
December, 1939.
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CAMPIN,G and TRAINING . .;.'
Summer Camps. . "Vord is coming in from many companies of plans being made for camps in the holidays. According to applications "up to the beginning of November, approximately 214 guides will be camping at, the Guide House. including 30 Extensions and in addition to GJ.1iders at the Training Week and Campcraft Training. Many others are planning to camp at "Bungarra," Ocean Grove; "Gipton," Frankston; Eltham, Templestowe, Gleng'arry, and the Guide "Shack" owned lJy the Horsham Guides.
Patrol Leaders' Easter Camp. It has , been decided to hold the postponed Camp for Patro~ Leaders J~ex\.. Easter, under canvas, at the Guide House, if there are enough applications. There will be no ' special age limit, but if tOG man~ apply pr!lf.erence will b.e giy'~n to the younger ones who have longer leadership ahead of them. Leaders should .h91d, the 2nd class badge at the date of application. Suggestions for the programme will be welcomed, It has already been suggested that First Class anti Pioneer Badge would be included, Applications should be made by Captains, with written permission of the Commissioner. The last date of application will be in the middle of February. Further details will be published next month. Note that Easter falls in March next year.
Open Week-Ends at the Guide Houae. Have you never stayed at the Guide House? \VeIl, your chance to do so is coming! Next year, beginning in February, on the 1st and 3rd week-ends of every month except public holidays, if applications warrant it, a Guider will be in charge there. If they wish Captains or Lieuts. with the permission of the District Commissioner, may go and take a party of their Guides. Or, if you are a Commissioner, a Ranger or a Guider you will be able to go by yourself or with a party. The first three dates are 2nd February, 16th );<'ebruary, and 1st March. It is proposed to run these week-ends somewhat on the lines of Our Chalet in Switzerland. The cooking and work of the house will be shared among all those present. There will be certain set times in the programme such as meals, prayers, colours, etc., the ,'est of the time will be free, and Guiders coming in charge of Guides will be responsible for their programme. Provision will be made for hike meals. The fe'e from Friday evening to Sunday evening will be 6/- including but fare from Wesburn. Part time in proportion. Fare: Return
from Melbourne if at least six are travelling together, 5/9 adult, 3/10 under sixteen. Applica c tions will be accepted in the order that they are received, and should be made at ieMt two week.~ before the Camp. Deposit of 2/6 for each camper, and railway fare (if ticket desired) must be sent with application. Deposit will not be refunded if withdrawal is made less than one week before camp. Applicants should state clearly for which week-en~ they are applying and by which train they propose to travel: Friday evening, Saturday morning, mid-day or evening. Apply to the Hon. Camping Secretary, Miss Harrison. 126 High St., Glen Iris, S.E.6. -ELAINE MORAN.
Testing First Class. The following are some notes given to us by Miss Martin of a test held at Foxlease. It was suggested at a First Class Conference recently, that if they were printed in Matilda., they might suggest interesting methods of testing on similar lines. The test is for 16 Guides, moving round. Numbers 1 to 6-Start Judgments. 7 to 8-Follow Compass to Link. 9 to 10-Follow Compass to Cottage. 11 to 12-Go direct to Link. 13 to 14-Go direct to Cottage. 15 to 16-Go direct to Cottage.
Points to Stress. Let Guides work in pairs, one being tested. Others learn what is expected. Use of numbers instead of names. Helpers.-District Secretary to receive certificates; Examiners for Judgments; Examiners for Emergencies; Examiners for Origin (perhaps District Commissioner); 2 motorists for map (L.A. or Guiders); 2 victims for emergency (Guides). Cel,tificates from Captain re thrift, influence, training tenderfoot, etc. Passed,-Swimming, Hike.
Walk Not Included. (1) In Barn (I.e., Guide Hall). take names, check certitlcates from Captains, give each Guide a number tower and mark it against her name. Divide into lots. (2) Judgments on tennis court (I.e., playground). (3) Give compass directions to get to Link. (a) via drive and road; (b) via back dri ve. Start with compass, but after that without.
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20
(4) Motorist stop pairs on the way. Ask 0 where sh els 0,· the map; (b) nearest A.A. (R.A.C.V.) Patrol and P.O.; (c) sketch map to station. (5) At Link Emergency (a) clothes on fire from stove; (b) child unu'scious at gate. Here if wanted, Scouts pace to I ,etor can be put In. (6) Questions on origin, Scouting for Boys, etc. It was suggested that this can not cover all First Aid required. ----:0:-----
·~_'_U_O_D_U.-.u~'-'I
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Evan Evans f'TY. LTD.
680-8 EIlli • tJETH ST., MEIJB., C.1.
Otrlcial Canvas Goods House to the Girl GUl/'CS' Association. Special Cvi\.:es&OIL!l ott LIst Prices To all Gl Guide Organisations Write tor Particulars to Your Headquarters, or Direct to Us.
GIPTON SITE.
TENTS and Ii'LYS, GROUNDSHEETS, CAMPING GOODS, FLAGS, TRAVEL RUGS, CAMP BEDS, WATERPROOFS. SLEEPING BAGS, MATrRESSES.
Now that the outside cooking fireplace has been installed, it has been found that the charge for fuel, i.e., 1/- per day, does not cover the amount used. The fuel charge will therefore in future be 1/6 per day. F. V. BARFUS.
SPORTING GOODS We have arranged to allow Concessions on all Sporting Goods. Write to ue tor Our LIst, Prices and Particulars. Tennis, Golf, Cricket, Ba8ebalJ, Basketball lind Indoor Games.
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CAMP KITS FOR SALE. Several sets of tent poles (ridges and uprights) ; Hessian latrine screening; Hessian wash-cubicle screening; Latrine furnishings; Kitchen equipment-good assortment. Apply first to - F. V. BARFUS, at Guide Office.
December, 1939,
I
SUPPORT THE FIRM WHO SUPPORT YOU
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Are You Doing ~ Anything About It? I MOST girls dream about 'money,' and of how useful it would be, if they had a larger share of it, but not everyone takes steps to make her dream a reality, The most practical thing to do , is to start saving. For the one who saves, far and away the best help is a passbook issued lJy-
"'HE
State Savings Bank OF
Victoria J. 7'ho -r lltoll Jones, G€l1t1'l'al Manager. H ead Office: Elizabeth St., Melbourne.
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