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January, 1940.
"TO DO MY DUTY TO GOD."
He was a Man of prayer and it was His custom to attend a place of public worshi'!) on the Sabbath day.-Yours, etc., -NANCY CUNNINGHAM. Fingal, Tasmania.
TO THE EDITOR
TO THE EDITOR
The Editor,-To drop from the Promise the words "to do my duty to God," would be to strike at the very foundation of the Guide Movement, for Guiding means service, and the highest example of service is that given by God Himself in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. The Creator has only asked for one day of the seven, not because he wanted it for Himself alone, but because he knew that to bring His greatest creation, man, to perfection, it was necessary that time be given Him to cultivate the spiritual and moral parts of his nature, as well as renew the physical, and nowhere can this be done so effectively as in the quietness of God's House. "A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content."
Dear Editor,-In answer to Miss Tulloh's questions in hel:' letter in the December Matilda, I would like to say that peJ;Sonally I do not think it " would be a good ' idea to drop from the Promise the words 'to do my duty to God'." I certainly think it is a "good idea" for us all "to _consider honestly wha;;' these words mean," and from my personal ex-perience I feel that many Guiders do so con¡ sider those words, and honestly try to "40 something about them."-Yours, etc.,
I agree with your correspondent's statement - "Once we turn our thoughts away from selves and towards Goj we will find that things like Sunday hikes no longer need to be debated."-Yours, etc., -ELIZABETH ROSS. Castlemaine.
PRESTON DISTRICT.
Letters to the Editor
TO THE EDITOR Dear Editor,-You asked for opinions on the first part of our Promise-"Duty to God." I believe we must first find out in tlie Bible what duty God requires. of us. Jesus said, "Search the scriptures." John 5:39. In Hebrews 1:1 and 2 we read, "God, Who at sundry times and in divers manners spake unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son Jesus Christ. When one speaks to us it is our duty to listen and reply. Then in Philippians 2:12, it says, "Work out your own salvation." Christ is our salvation and I believe it means to work out Christ in our lives. We should walk as He walked. John 2:6. The honesty, loyalty, helpfulness, 'friendliness, thoughtfulness, etc., which was manifest in Him should be manifest in us.
-MERLE BUSH.
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District News On Thursday evening, November 12th, a social evening was held in the Guide Hall, Cramer Street, as one of the members of the Rangers was being married early tbis month. Miss Bird received some very nice presents from !ler many friends. Over 60 guests attended and after a very happy evening a fine su~per was provided. Also during the evening "The Beech" Patrol of the Rangers presented the PresidenL of the Local Association, Mrs. W. B. Howe, with a piano and a sewing machine for the use of all members of the Movement in Preston. This Patrol has worked very hard for some months to attain this object and all the proceeds from their stall at the bazaar went to help buy the piano for the Hall. Every girl in tile Patrol has worked very hard to help in this effort and the Patrol deserves great credit. Then a surp!'ise was forthcoming when a prei;ent was given b~' the members of the L.A. to Mr. and Mrs. Ross. Mr. Ross bas always helped the girls and every one connected with Guiding in 'Presto 1 and it seemed a fitting thing to do, to show our sincere appreciation of his many kindnesses to us all.
Printed by the Hilton Press Ltd., 223-25 Moray Street, South Melbourne, S.C.5 . .
"-
"Matilda" An Official Treasure Bag of Guiders' Information for Guiders of Victoria, Australia. Price: 3/ - Per Year; 4/ - Posted.
Single Copie., 6d. each.
Editor: E. H. PURNELL, Guide Headquarters, 60 Market Street, C.l.
VOL. XVI.
JANUARY, 1940.
A Happy New Year to Everyone-And just how happy it is wil~ depend largely on us, the women of the community, because we are to a great extent responsible for the ' atmosphere of our home-life and life in general. Are we meeting life with courage and kindliness or are we allowing ourselves to become overwrought? Many of us are apt to dwell too much on circumstances which it is beyond our power to alter and thus become bowed down by years of what mayor may not hap pen. In such ways our energy, endurance and courage are dissipated, our saneness of outlook and our usefulness lessened, and we are no longer capable of doing a job that is definitely ours-of keeping life as normal as possible. We must strive to preserVe inward calmnesR and a generous outlook if we are to give the children who are with us that sense of security which is their rightful heritage and if we are to help and not hinder those around us who are faced with making great decisions under most perplexing conditions. If the foundations of our life are right we know where to find unlimited power to help and guide us and we can answer with the Psalmist--My strength cometh from the Lord. -THE EDITOR. ---:0::---
FOR THE NEW YEAR. Few letters from England these days are without reference to evacuated children. The stories told are pathetic, sometimes amusing, often almost incredible. The "evacuated child" has opened the eyes of the more privileged people in E ngland and Scotland in a way that no amount of social study could have done. Lots of the children of course, have been disciplined and well cared for, and the October "Guider" quotes several examples of the pleasanter side of evacuation. Many people too are finding big opportunities for service in the training of their evacuees, for most of the children, even the worst ones, seem to be train-
No.7.
able where the mothers are not present. Again it must be realised that there are grateful, helpful mothers who are making the best of their very difficult position, but unfortunately many of them have not proved adaptable. A letter received, even as this is being written, says "Impress the Guiders with the fact that what we need is imagination. Hundreds of evacuees have gone home through sheer lack of adaptability - being too lacking in imagination to adapt themselves and therefore entirely unhappy in any house whose ways are different from their own. Yet almost everybody asserts that the children are quite manageable-even those whose manners and habits simply won't bear mentioning, are willing to learn." This comparison between the mothers and the children shows, to quote again, "how terribly soon they lose any sense of imitation or adaptability, for many of those mothers are barely out of their teens." The writer goes on to say ' ~And I know thE: cure; the Patrol System again, and camp ani more camp, and yet more camp." It would be interesting to consider what an evacuation scheme would reveal in Victoria. There would be less that is sordid, one feels, but can we assure ourselves that there are no future mothers growing up with little home training and no help from Guiding or any other similar organisation? And are we convinced that to those within our Movement we are giving the training that will prepare them, not, we hope, for evacuation, but to be adaptable where necessary and to run their homes so that their children will grow up clean and healthy in mind and body and with the spirit of tolerance and goodwill? In overhauling our Guide aims for the New Year, could we resolve: (1) That our work will be more real, (2) That it will be more • thorough, and (3) That it will help more to develop imagination. So much that we do lacks reality. A Guide "Passes her knots," or "does her rules of health, her nature, her law." Can we honestly
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feel that in the process she has become really dependable in her use of rope and string, that she has r~ally developed her powers of observation to some extent, that she will now take better care of her body and her surroundings, and have an appreciation of health and cleanliness, and that she will be a nicer person to live with because of the Guide Law; or has she merely passed some tests? It is worth while trying seriously to answer such questions. Our work must be thorough too. These mothers of the future who can be helped before it is too late, must receive lasting impressions, not superficial ones. And what of this imagination which will become later tolerance, and even vision? It begins in the Pack with imaginative games. It is continued in the Company in everything which helps a Guide to see and understand th~ other person's point of view - tracking and stalking, scouting games, acting, things international, the Patrol System in its true form where the Patrol in Council and the Court of Honour are realities in the Company, and above all, in the teaching of the Law and the Promise. A good Guide Company in one place changed the whole atmosphere of a small township. . So much can be done if Guiders have enough imagination themselves to see what is needed, enough understanding to realise how Guide training can meet the need, and enough unselfishness and sincerity of purpose to make this training real, and to make it thorough. -M.L.M. ---:0::---
ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Girl Guides Association, Victoria, was held at the Guide Office, on 24th November, 1939. Lady Chauvel, State Commissioner, was in the chair and the meeting was attended by about 130 members and subscribers. Lady Chauvel welcomed those present and read a letter from the State President, Lady Dugan, who was prevented by illness from being present . In moving the adoption of the Report, Mrs. C. O. Fairbairn spoke of the excellent response made to Mrs. Littlejohn's idea of providing warm clothing for children from evacuated areas and hoped that the Association would continue the policy of encouraging this children's organisation to work for children.
January, 1940.
Mrs. W. W. S. Johnston seconded the resolution. The balance sheet was presented by the Hon. Treasurer and its adoption proposed by Sir William Angliss and seconded by Mr. Colin Templeton. A Vote of Thanks to the Hon. Treasurer, the Hon. Auditor and the Hon . Legal Adviso!' was proposed by Miss Broadhurst and seconded by Mrs. Edmondson. Mrs. F. W. Faulkner gave an interesting talk on the Pax-Ting. ---:0::---
GUIDERS' COMMITTEE. At the meeting held on 3rd November, 1939, at Headquarters the following office-bearers were elected:-President, Mrs. Knight; Deputy President, Mrs. Dempster; Hon. Treasurer, Miss Oxley; Hon: Assistant Secretary, Miss E. Alfred. Division represented were:-Southern, Miss Oxley; Eastern, Miss Alfred; Outer Eastern, Miss M. Wills; Outer Southern, Miss B. Costain; South Eastern, Mrs. Knight; South Western, Miss H. Brown; Western, Miss Fenton; Cz:oydon, Miss Smith; Peninsula, Miss H. Martin; Trafalgar, Miss Guy; Portland, Miss Naismith (Proxy, Miss Watson); Extensions, Miss R. Lucas; Lones, Miss Broadhurst; Rangers, Miss Weickhardt; Brownies, Mrs. Dempster; Continuity, Miss Niquet; Past President, Miss Watson; Barwon, Miss Nancy Joynes; Berwick, Miss M. L. Drury. Preliminary organisation for Residential Conference was discussed and a letter sent out to Country Divisions. The next meeting will be held on 19th January, 1940, instead of 2nd February, 1940, owing to amount of work to be done re Conference. Watch Matilda for any news about Conference. -L. DEMPSTER, Hon. Sec.
Victorian Guiders' Committee 1939. RECEIPTS 1939. Feb. 1.
To Balance at bank (plus interest) Apr. 28. Proceeds of Picture " night . ·. ·. . Balancej from Party to June 30. " Miss Martin ·. ·. ·. Bank interest · . . . Sep. 1. " Balance from ConferSep. 30. " ence . . ·
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£
s. d.
2
0
8
2
4
2
0 0
8 0
8 5
0
5
1
January, 1940. Nov.
3.
" "
Donations from Committee, etc. .. . . . . Stamps received back from Secreta.ry .. ..
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o 14
0
0
6
0
£5 19
0
PAYMENTS ' 1939. Oct. 30.
Nov.
3.
"
s. d.
5 0 0 4 0 8 0 6
0
(From a Special Correspondent to the "Sydney Morning Herald.")
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0
The Girl Guides' Association's headquarters has been sheltering Madame Malkowska, founder of the Girl Guides in Poland, "l"ho has escaped to England and who is resting here for a while to recover from her most tragic experiences.
8 6 060
Although she is worn out in mind and body, she h!l.~ already begun to make plani" for the future, and is hoping to organise some sort of headquatter'l here to get in touch with those P'olish Guides who have left Poland.
£5 19
To Balance for Incoming Committee: Cash at Bank Stamps .. .... . . . . . . ... .
the septic tanks were on the air until someone had the sense to light the incinerator-No, I don't think any Central Association members will forget their day at the Guide House. -P.M.R. ---:0:---
POLISH GUIDES. £
By Donation to Camp House Fund Sundries Balance at bank " Stamps in hand
5
G 0
o
o 14
6
FRANCES DAVIES, Treasurer. INA WATSON, Chairman. ---:0:---
VICTORIAN GUIDERS WAR WORK. At its first meeting in 1940 the Execl,ltive Committee is to decide what war work the Victoria.n Guiders are to do throughout the year. In the meantime we are continuing our work for evacuated children, and over 7,200 garments have been shipped to London. It is expected that our credit balance will be some· where about £300 when the Christmas holiqays are over. Until January 15th the tacking room is shut and the receiving and despatch room is open only on Tuesdays and Fridays. CENTRAL ASSOCIATION. - On December 11ih the Central Association met at the Guide House. Twenty-two members lunched in the Camberwell room and later inspected the whole house and walked all over the grounds. Many members of the Central Association had not been actively interested in Guiding until the outbreak of war and did not even know there was a Guide House, but judging by their interest they will be very good ambassadors in the future. The weather was very kind and
Madame Malkowska, whose whole life has been one of service, was in charge of a school on the southern border of Poland when war broke out. Warned in time, she sent the children to their homes on August 28, and remained herself with 12 senior Guides and two orphans-a boy of nine and a girl of seven. On the morning of September 1, the school was practically destroyed by bom1;ls . • Madame Malkowska and her girl Guides managed to get on board an evacu ation train. This, too, was bombed, and as the passengers scattered into the fields they were machine·gunned from the air. "The Guides, obeying orders, scattered and lay flat, as they had been taught to do, and escaped without casualties," Madame Malkowska said, when she reached the London headauarters. "Afterwards they rendered firi"t aid to the other evacuees, many of whom were panic·striCken peasants, who had herded together and presented an easy target to the bombers, who flew so low the faces of the machine·gunners were clearly visible." At once these Guides who had. left everything behind them in Poland, saw, an opportunity for service, and took the orphanage into their care They are there now still looking after the Rumanian orphans and after the two children whom they brought out of Poland with them. l\Iadame Malkows ka herself made her way out through Yugoslavia. Italy and France. In England, worn and exhausted as she was, she asked to be allowed lo h elp with Guiding there. When . she heard that Guiding had made enOI'mOllS pro-
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gress in England within these last few war weeks her face lit up. "That is good," she said. "Now we must do what we can to help-all we can to help-but our most important work lies in the future. There will be a future. We must not lose heart. Juslice will t riumph. Now. more than ever, we need to educ~te ('ur children. "Look what the education of the Nazi Youth has done. Th ey were young-but so terribly young-the face of those mere boys, who shot <lown our helpless ]Jeop le. It is not their fault. They have been taught hate is right. But it can never be ri g ht. The most important thing is that we should k eep steady in hea rt and mind, and work in hope for the future. Our own children al'e the future." Madame Malkowska reported that there can be little hope for the Guides and Rangers left in WarE'aw. Their training, she told hea dquarters, took them where the need was greatest, and as patrol after patrol was killed others went out to take their place, doing simple acts of service. Every gir l in one patrol which worked at the main railway station giving hot drinks to the e vacuees was killed in one instant by a single bomb. As a m ark of recognition of the Polish Guides Her Majesty the Queen decorated Madame Malkows k::t with the Bronze Cross at Imperial HearI quartel'S in London. --------:0 :--------
THE PAX-TING. On Sunday, July 23rd, the British Contingent of Guides set off from Imperial Headquarters for the Pax-Ting at Godollo in Hungary. We numbered over 200 and were in the charge of Miss Irene Usher, and were called SubCamp 1. This Sub-Camp was again divided into five Groups, two from England, one from Wales and Scotland, and one Group Composite, as it was composed of Guides from overseas, British Guides abroad, some from Northern Ireland, and a few English Rangers. Northern Ireland being the largest number (12), we wore orange ties. There were five Guider:.; from Australia; three from New Zealand, two Malta, one India, one Kenya, one Hong Kong, one Jamaica, one Bermuda, a British Guide from Paris, and one from Switzerland and eight Rangers from England. Englands two Groups wore pale blue ties, Scotland purple, and Wales light yellow, and all our kit wail labelled in the same way making the sorting
January, 1940.
of it very simple. Miss Alison Tennant, whom you will all remember as one of the Editors of the Kent County Song Book, was our Commandant. She was in charge of all the singing for the whole Sub-Camp I, and a most enthusiastic leader at Camp Fires. The British Contingent all wore the same uniform of Headquarters--blue with a Union Jack sewn to the right of the tie and brown shoes and ¡stockings. We set off in charge of Miss Nancy Greene, our Assistant Commandant -- Miss Tennant having gone ahead with the Advance Party-and had an uneventful Channel crossing to Ostende. There we found Miss Mansell waiting for us ready to put us in our special train, which took us right to Godollo, 22 miles past Budapest. We were about six to a carriage and had great fun evolving the best manner of sleeping during the two nights of travel. We each had a rucksac, haversack and kitbag, plus one small suitcase for three people for clean uniforms. The best manner of sleeping we found was for two in the luggage racks, then to fill up the carriage between the seats with kit, and four to sleep there; some lucky people had rubber mattresses--a great idea for camp. We crossed the frontier into Germany at. Aachen in the very early morning a r.d were met by some Deutscher Madel with bunches of flowers for us. We were met by more at Kolu, where we had breakfast, while the girls played and sang to us. We found them all very eager to make friends, and after singing Auld Lang Syne together and having a fleeting look at the Cathedral we went back to our train. We continued our journey alongside the Rhine, passed Frankfurt, Sud, WUI'zburg, Nurmberg, RegensbuI'g, Passau, Liuz and AmsteJ'ton, where we crossed the Hungarian border--again in the middle of the night--and arrived at Godollo at 5 a.m. on Tuesday 25th. During the journey the Patrol Leaders had been given a list of their Patrols which gave them some opportunity of sorting out individuals and our orange Group had begun to recognise each other quite well as India, Australia, Hong Kong, etc., by our arrival at Camp. We were met at Godollo by dozens of Hungarian Guides -- who would not allow us to handle any of our luggage--and the Advance Guard. Our Camp was situated in the beautiful park
January, 1940. of the Castle at Godollo, where the Regent, Admiral Horthy, was in residence. He was the highest Patron of Pax-Ting, the Grant! Duchess Anna was Patroness, Miss Antonia Lindenmeyer, President of the Hungarian Girl Scouts, was Chief of the Camp, and Miss ROZSl Zimmermann Leader of the Camp. There were eight Sub-Camps, each one having a Hungarian Sub-Group attached to it as well as a Hungarian Sister, who conducted us on all our excursions, and was the link between each Sub-Camp and the Central Office. There were about 3,800 Guides in Camp, .2,000 being Hungarian, the remainder from Great Britain, Eire, Switzerland, Slovakia, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Suomi-Finland, Norway and three Guiders from Lithuania. The organisation of the Camp was simple but effective. A central office, post office, store house, canteen and shops. All Displays and March Pasts took place on the Sports Platz, a large arena adjoining the Park. There was a Central Pax-Ting Place, where the World Colours were hoisted each day by different countries in turn, all the camp attending. Near by altars had been built for the different church services. All the entrances of the SubCamps opened on to this Central Place, and very varied and colourful were the different ideas for their decoration. A loud speaker woke us each morning, most Groups performed some sort of "daily dozen" to the strains of ~ stirring march. All notices in English, Hungarian and German were also given out in this way. Each Group cooked for itself, working in Patrols in the usual Camp fashion, one difference being the excitement for Q.M. of not knowing until the morning what food was coming, necessitating wonderful last minute ideas for menus. We had six Patrols, cook, camp, health, assistant cooks, wait and wood, and did not find the routine work very strenuous. As there were so many whistles about us we decided to try and do without them and had a system of coloured flags. Green meant all well, yellow was warning and was hoisted five minutes before a settled event, and red meant that you were late if you were not where you should be. Our days were quite full, as' apart from routire work we had to practise for the Displays and March Pasts, we visited other Sub-Camps, went swimming, or
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into Budapest shopping. Also there were very interesting excursions for the whole camp and mosb e~joyable parties for overseas people and leaders of the various countries. Outstanding events of the Camp were the first Ceremonial Hoisting of the World Flag on July 27th, Great Britain supplying the colour party, Miss Lee Steere, of Western Australia, being one of the members of it. In the evening the first W orId Camp Fire. This was held on the Sportz Platz and was a most wonderful sight. The British sang "Danny Boy," "Kookaburra," "The SkYe Boat Song" and "Rio Grande." Scotland danced a Reel, and Wales a Jig in costume. Most of the other countries danced and sang traditional songs and dances. The first Official Event of the Pax-Ting was the laying of a wreath by each country on the Unknown Soldier's Tomb in Budapest. All the nations with their colours presented a most ir.npressive sight in the beautiful open square in front of the Memorial to Heroes. From the square we were driven to see the opening of the International Guide Exhibition and then went on to the Royal Palace and won¡ derful view from old Buda; later we were given lunch in the garden of the Zoo. The Official Opening and the Pax-Ting March Past took place on Sunday, July 30th. During the morning Peasants in National costume came through the CampI dancing hand in hand and singing, then services were held for the Church of England, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and other religions at different times and places. In the afternoon we all marched to the Sportz Platz, where the salute at the March Past was taken by Admiral Horthy, who spoke to the assembled Guides. Displays then followed. England began by making a living Union Jack, the crosses of red and whitd were unfurled, and at a whistle signal, everyone ran and lay down, knelt Or stood to form the blue background with their blue hacks. Another signal and we turned and shouted together: "Jo Munkat" (Good work), "Greetings," "Guss Gott," "Bon Jour" and a final hilarious "Jo Munkat." There followed displays from other nations about which I would love, to tell you, but have not space enough here. At the end of the Camp on Saturday, 5th August; there was another March Past, 'the salute being taken by H.R.H. Prince Gustav Adolf, this was fol1owed by more Displays
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ending by- Hungary making a beautiful Pageant round a central figure of Peace standing in white and holding a dove aloft, which she finally let fly on high. In the evening another World Camp Fire, which was broadcast. Some of the other outstanding memories of the first Pax-Ting were the visits to the Camp of H.R.H. The Grand Duchess Anne, H .R.H. Princess Sybilla of Sweden, Madame Horthy, members of the World Committee and the British Legation. Holland wildly singing and dancing round any passer-by they trapped in delight at the birth of a Royal Princess. The sight of the Regent riding through the Camp on a beautiful white horse before breakfast and being cheered by each Group as he passed by. The excitement of relaying songs to Paris and Warsaw, a ld the many visitors of all countries that we had to meals and at all times through the camp. The wonderful excursions that we made, up the Danube to Estergom home in the dusk with the beautiful picture of Budapest especially flood-lit for our pleasure, through the wonderful caves at Aggteleki, across the roll-ing plains of Hungary, the Pusgta, where we saw the magnificent horses and the great herds of long horned Hungarian cattle, and the wonderful waves in the baths on Margarets Island, memories of pure beauty that we will never forget. And then delightful parties that were given so that Leaders of many lands and people from overseas could meet each other and exchange ideas and hear about each others troubles and joys. We had the honour of being invited to tea at the Palace at Godollo, by Admiral Horthy, alsa by H .R.H. the Grand Duchess Anna in Budapest, and by the World Committee to an International Tea on Margarets Island. But I cannot go on or the Editor will be sorry that she. asked me to write about the Pax-Ting! The outstanding feeling during the Camp was orie of co-operation, friendliness, and happiness. Every Hungarian Guide and even Brownie had a natural courtesy and dignified helpfulness that was remakable, and in spite of the tremendous .organisation and work by all the Hungarian Girl Scout Leaders, there were smiling faces everywhere, all on the look out to do what they could to make their Guide sisters comfortable and happy. Whether in Camp, in Godollo, or in Budapest, one felt the
January, 1940.
same friendliness and eagerness to do something for new friends. One cannot but feel that this Spirit and Will for Peace and Understanding which pervaded the wllOle camp, cannot dissolve into nothingness, but having undoubtedly made a strong and lasting impression on all who came in contact with it, will spread through them out into many- countries, bringing with it the true spirit of Guiding-Love and Service-that was lived by all at the first Pax-Ting. -ENID FAULKNER.
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GUIDES IN ENGLAND. What work can Guides do best in war time? All the world over Guiders and Guides have been considering this question. In England, and in Australia we have found an answer by helping evacuated children. In England there is so much to be done, and women are urgently needed to serve their country as ambulance and transport drivers, A.R.P. workers, Auxiliary Territorials, and in a thousand other capacities. This means that nearly all Captains, Lieutenants, Brown and Tawny Owls have found some special war work, usually in London, Or some large town, and Companies have been left to carryon in the country under patrol leaders, and to work out their own war activities. Very well they have done it. I heard of one Company who volunteered to bath 50 babies every day, babies who with their mothers had been evacuated from London to a large building near the Company Headquarters . You would probably like to hear something about the children for whom you have been working so hard. The Gloucestshire vil lage, where I spent the first war weeks, had promised to take its share of evacuees. They were to come, 40 strong, from a school in the very centre of Birmingham. On the morning of Friday, September 1st, we were ready and waiting to receive our visitors in the village hall. Tables were set, plates were piled with fat slices of bread and jam, and rows of tea cups stood waiting to be filled, but no sign. of the children. At last about 12 o'clock tbey appeared, escorted by their masters and mistresses. Nearly all had got up at five that morning for there was much to be done. Clothes had to be rolled up into a bundle, one day' food ration to be prepared, gas masks
January, 1940.
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slung on shoulders, and goodbyes to be said. Then the meeting at the school, the sorting into groups, and the long hours in the train. All over England for two days the same thing went on. Every train had its cargo of children. Ordinary travellers were asked on these days to travel only bef ore 9 or after 6. Most of our small guests were tired but cheerful. There were a few homesick, tearful faces, but , for most of the party it was a great adventure. Very few had been in the. country in their lives, and many spoke with a Yorkshire accent, so broad as to be almost a foreign language. Apples and plums were a novelty and disappeared as if by magic. One was forced to think of the future and keep a strict tally on each small boy. After a few hours the children were all sorted and billetd in their new homes, extra rations had been issued for another two days, so that the village food . supply should not become disorganised, and post cards had been dispatched to parents. In three weeks time what a change there wa s. Small pale faces had become round and rosy and oh so clean and scrubbed! The country had taken possession of these small slum dwellers from the heart of the Black County. The evacuation may be the turning point in thElir lives, and make them into strong and healthy citizens. There is much more I could tell you about England at that time. London became a strange city of sand-bagged buildings and trench scarred parks. The traffic shrunk to half its normal stream, and high above on a sunny day silver balloons gleamed in hundreds against a deep blue sky. Everywhere there was a friendly spirit abroad. In the streets, and waiting for buses the reserved Englishman would give complete strangers a friendly word. During the black out I had to make a long journey into the country. For hours I sat in a dim navy blue light, but it was not boring. Everyone who got into the carriage was eager to talk, and had something interesting to say. This may seem a small thing, but is, I think, typical of the spirit of the British public. They are going to see this thing through together to the end, and they are going to help each other, "even if it is only by cheering up a tediouil journey. -JOAN RITCHIE.
9 XMAS PICNIC.
The Go-as-you-please Xmas picnic to the Guide House on Saturday, 11th December, was a great success. I do hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did! It was a perfect day, miraculously tucked in between such wintry, stormy weather that we felt it must inevitably be a complete frost. Guides started arriving soon after ten, picked their s1?ots beneath the trees, and then went exploring. So many had never been before that everything was exciting. The Guide House, through which they poured continuously and frequently, the Brownie cottage - a delight in fresh cream paint, the swimming" pool-the attraction of the outing, the garden with its neat beds and lawns, the green grass and shady trees of the camp sites, even the cows in the distance with their melodius bells; all these had to be inspected by each and everyone to be believed. And it is all our own-that is the wonderful part? After all these years of scraping and saving, of effort and endeavour, our dream has been realised, and we have our Guide home at last. Tucked away at the foot of the mOuntains near Warburton, sheltered by tall gums, scented by wattle and tea-tree, watered by Britannia Creek, which runs near by, surely it is a dream home come true! Sanctuary from the bustle of city life, tended by careful loving hands, it is our Sleeping Beauty brought to life again after years of neglect. The part that pleased us most was how thrilled our parents and friends were with it, and as it has been their untiring effort that has helped us achieve it, this was an added delight to the day's outing. A modest sum was har. ded to Miss Broadhurst for the uSEl of hot water and ¡wood for the fire. Everyone brought their own food and had it where and when they pleased. A happy-go-lucky day ending with camp fire songs on the lawn. Thus, in this happy simple way we have come into our heritage. -M.R.F. ---:0:---
FORTHCOMING EVENTS. J anua ry 3rd : Guide Office R c-open s. J a nuary 15th: Tacking' Work-room Re¡O]l ~ Jlf;. J 9.nu:J.I'Y 29th : Austra lia Day Holiday February 22nd: Thinking Day .
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MATILDA
Editor: Joan Alston.
POST GUIDE ENROLMENT. Tuesday night, December 12th, was an exciting evening for four Post Guides, two from 3rd Posts and two from 5th Posts. They were invited to 2nd Carlton Company's Christmas party, and during the evening they were enrolled. Two Guides from 2nd Posts were also present at the party so the Extension Branch was well represented. -J.A.
------:0:----EXTENSION GUIDE NOTES. RANGERS! The 3rd Melbourne Ranger Company are having a week-end at the Guirle House on January 27th-29th. There will also be other Extension Rangers at this camp, and we would possibly have some vacancies for other Rangers who would be willing to help. Would any Rangers who would like to help please write to - Miss Alison Campbell, 41 Spring Street, C.l.
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LONES. Joan Miller, aged 14, ann Joan McPherson, 15, both of Marnoo, would like pen frIends. Also Lorna Reading, aged 12, of Wallaloo East, via Stawell. Also Margery Donald, aged 17, whose address is Central Road, Blackburn. She is d typist in the city and likes her work very much. She would like to exchange ideas with a country girl. I do hope some Lone:; will see this and reply; letters are such fun in the country. I still remember the thrill of the mailman's arrival at my first country home. He only came twic.e. a week and those afternoons were left sacred to the opening of one's letters and papers. (No radios 'in those days to keep one a~ed
January, 1940.
up-to-date with the news of the outside world!) He would rattle up in his shabby buggy to the cheerful barking of dogs in the station yard, and all and sundry would gather to greet him. He was certainly the hero of the hour. How eagerly we broke the seals of the bags, sorted th'3 letters and later exchanged our news! What can the town girl know of the thrill of the mail as she hears the twice-daily whistle of the postman in the town street? Christmas is almost upon us again with all its plans for the holidays, family gatherings and celebrations. And though our joy in it this 'year must inevitably be dimmed by the war, and our thoughts saddened by the knowledge of the suffering and terror caused thereby to so many people in other countries, we at least can doubly rejoice that we are in thi3 safe fair land and under the protection of our great mother nation-Britain. We are almost unique amongst the peoples of the world in not being in dread of invasion or annihilation; we can live our normal lives, and even plan ahead with a feeling of security because it is extremely probable that War for a second time will not touch our serene and happy land. So much we have to be thankful for that it is with a sense of extreme humbleness we should face this coming year. Who are we that we are so fortunate? In what way can we show our gratitude? That we have been spared for some specific purpose is evident. We were all created for some Divine plan, the working-out of which has been left to our OW11 initiative. WPatever we are capable of we must achieve, whatever we lack we must strive for, whatever we hold we must cherish. In this way only can we work out our destiny, and prove ourselves worthy of the great inheritance given us. To each one of us-young and old, rich and poor - is given the same opportunity, a capacity for service with its satisfaction in striving and achieving. And what greater chance have we of proving our worth than in this coming year, not knowing what it will bring us in anxiety, selfsacrifice or sorrow? How better strengthen ourselves than in carrying on to our utmost capacity whatever task comes our way? So in sending greetings for the New Year what more can I hope than that our lot be onp. of useful and successful service, knowing that the inner peace of mind is only achieved by strength of purpose? -M.R.F.
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January, 1940.
11
MATILDA
(Editor: Margaret Haseltine.) [ come to wish you all a good New Year. I wish and pray in rhyme sincere, A' guicl things may attend you. -Burns.
but fill in the games and ceremonies later. Don't forget to send in your Pack's favourite goame .â&#x20AC;˘
Send in any suggestions for the Brownie Page. ----:0:
I lear Owls,-
Now is the time for our New Year resolutions, and there has never been a more fitting time thl!-n this is, to try most earnestly to benefit from our New Year resoluions, so many of which are II-pt to fade as the year advances, until we resume once more our own swect way. Greetings to all Owls from the Commissioner for Brownies. ¡-V. A. TATE. - - - - : 0 : -- - -
BROWNIE GUIDERS Brown Owls, Tawnies, do you remember That at the Conference last September We asked your help that Owls might r'~ad In this page all the things they need? It seemed you WOUld. OUf hODe!> rose high'rhey've sunk since then. don't let them die. But bll us what you'd like in here That what you wish may soon appear. If you've a ques tion, ask it too. Wise1?cre Gnome will answcr' you. When you m ?.ke up a handi.craft, game, Or ceremony, it seems a shame To teach your Pack and keep it thereSend it to us that all may share. So, e\ ery Owl of Brownieland Here is a. ch:lncc to lend a hand. --H.G. :0:----
BREVITIES. Brown Owls plan out your programm:> for the year setting out the test work you want to covel'
THINKING DAY. Thinking Day falls next month and this year the Committee of the Brownie Page has a new idea. How about every Brown Owl who reads this pag'e, no matter where she is, sending in he I' Pack'" favourite game and we will publi!>h it in Matilda together with the name of her Pack. Matilda is sent to every State in Australia and many countries in the world where there are Guides. So, will Commissioners and Captains everywhere show this to their Brown Owls and Brown Ow ls pass it on to your friends who don't read Matilda beca u se it will be such fun to see what are the favourite games of Packs in South Africa and India and, who knows, your favourite game may be the same as theirs. Please, Brownie Guiders, send them in as soon as possible to Miss M. He~e ltine, 16 Alexandra Street, East St. Kilda, S.2. :0:- - - -
GAMES-FOLLOW THE LEADER. Brownies sit in a circle very close to one another. The "leader" begins by doing something to her right-hand neighbour-"shake her hand, or touch hel' under the chin." This is passed on from one Brownie to the next, the Brownie who <peaks, smiles or laughs is out. ,The actions should be done quickly and when circle has been completed, the Leader does ' some. thing else and so on. -WARATAH, New South ' Wales.
12
MATILDA BROWNIE OUT.
Brownies sit in a circle with one Brownie outside the door. Two of the Brownies change places and then the one outside is called in. She h!ls to try and guess who has changed. If she succeeds she stay!> outside and someone else has a turn. Allow the Brownie who is to go outside have a good look at the circle first.
January, 1940.
our best to publish one now and then. Only plea~ e let us know because it is your page and how are we to know what you want if you don't tell us. -MEH. ----:0:----
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STORIES FOR BROWNIES? \Ve have been asked by a Brownie Guider for names of books from which to tell stories to Brownies and to publish stories in Matilda. WeU, I think the best answer to this is to recommend -this Brownie Guider to tbe Brownie Library which is situated ill a cupboard in the Meeting Pool !It Guide Headquarters. There are clo:;;e on a hundred books of stories alOI)e there. among t.heÂŁe al-e such well-known ones as Ten Minutes Tales by Enid Blytton which are perfectly delightful and each tale ideal for telling Brownies, , I The Rainbow Cat by Rose Fyleman, Twenty 'l'eatime Tales, Whimsical Tales and many others. :r'here !lre Nature Stories, Legends, Australian Stories and books such as How to tell Stories to Children by Sara Cone Bryant. The last-named contains many useful hints on the telling of stories and some stories to tell. 'rhe l'e are of course the famous For Brownies and More for Brownies by Ursula Moray WIli Iiams whic}, no Brown Owl should be without. These not only contain stories but have games a~ well. Any Brown Owls who have read The Milly Mil1~ Mandy series will agree that they are ideal. fbr ' Brownies. Brownies adore them because these stoties are all about the doings of a little girl who might quite easily be a Brownie. There are three of the series and they are all in the Jibr!lry. I can recommend them for a Pack Holiday. And of course Winnie the Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Unfortunately we have not got the Dr. DoJittJe series in the librRry, but I can recommend_ them to tllis Brownie Guider. She will probably find that ! he will have to read them as otherwis') most of the delightful parts will be lost. As for ~tories in Mfltilda. At times we have "publh hed a story on the Bl"Ownie Page, .but ., G\~Jdl'rs must realise that when we do this, the :- -wl1We page if; taken up. We. would like other Brownie Guiders to let us know their opinion. on the nt~tter and if many are in favour will do
Editor: ELSIe SYDES.
The Chief Scout says, "I tove the rushing waters and the nodding forests of Canada, but I have been more awed by the depths and heightsl of the Himalayas and by the grandeur of those eternal snows lifting their peaked heads high above the world, never defiled by the foot of man, but reaching of all things worldly the nearest to, the Heavens." "You may say 'Yes, but I can't get to the mountains, oceans and primeval forests. How then am I to see and understar.d the wonders of Nature and her messages?' "You can do almost as much in your own country if you will come away from the towns and suburbs and get out into the open, into the woods and meadows--taking with you your little canvas home, your blanket, your cooking pot-and freedom." --From the "Girl Scout Handbook."
So unds in Camp. Last month I mentioned "listening'" in camp, especially to bird voices. Now I am giving you some other sounds, natural ones, not human sounds of talking and snoring which you will probably get too, Day sounds--the loud buzzy continuous noise of the cicada. He lives in the gum trees and on a hot day,,if you are in a locality where he abounds, you will not mistake his "song." But don't mix it up with the more jerky but equally persistent song of the "katydid" -that is what it keeps on saying, hence its name. Grasstt;>ppers, bees and other small insects all make smaller noises. Wasps make a loud zzzzzzzz when they are working on their mud nests. Night sounds--What is that chorus? Frogs -a high singing chorus and the loud "hlop" . of the single vocalist and a chorus of various "blop blops"--very musical in fact!
.J~nua~y,
1940.
13
MATILD·A
Crickets are very shrill and powerful-go close and listen, if you don't mind being deafened. Bats-squeak as they fly about. Boom of the bittern and the "mopoke" of th~ Frogrnouth-the latter is more a "oom, oom" sound-both these are a bit eerie to hear in the middle of the night. Other birds sing at night-Willie Wagtail on a moonlight night and also as reported in Matilda before, water birds frequently when flying, and plovers .. Birds in the daytime-Start with easy ones such as Willie Wagtail, magpie, thrush, mudlark, sparrow, starling, either the voice of a common bird or one that is distinctive. And as I said last month, start with the birds they can see, so that they can actually see it producing the song and make quite ~ur~ that the song belongs to that .pif d. I ' • Other sounds-Please send us any other sounds We haven't mentioned or any interesting experiences you have or a list' of your sounds.
Can you pick a blackwood? How? Which is younger a tadpole or a frog? Or are they two distinct creatures? Find a mosquito raft? Where did you look for\ it? What is it? What is the wasp putting in those mud cells? What came out of those small grey cups that are stuck o~ the gums? Have you ever watched a bird build a nest -how long did it take? Are there any wasps building on your site? Where are their ~~stS? I, ' What are the ants collecting or carrying? Have you found any caterpillars? Watch the scarlet pimpernel-on a fine day, on a dull day, was it the same? Do you know a grasshopper, a may fly, a dragon fly, a casemotb bag, a shield bearer, a millipede, a lacewing, katipo, processio'llal cat'€f'pillar, 'tig~'r moth, caper ' whitej ' COCK-cha"fer? You might see them in camp.
Stars. '
Can You DistinguishI
Camp is' a marvellous opportunity for star gazing. At preserlt there are three planets in a line-easterly andj westerly line-towards the zenith-from the east they are Saturn, Jupiter and Mars. Then in the west;, at sunset you can see Venus which is very big and bright. Orion (the saucepan), the Pleiades (seven sisters) and Taurus (the bull), bright Sirius (dog star) will all interest the Guides as they make such a fine display. Use Guide to "Southern Stars" and the chart in "Wild Life."
Log Books.
I
Are you n1aking Nature Log Books at camp? Take some brown paper and colour~d pencils then. Guides will love doing them and you could run it as a patrol competition. Thev can put iIi leaves, pressed plants, drawing~, star chart, bird notes, their list of sounds, ,answers to the following questions, in fact anything they like.
Could You Discover in Camp ? Why gum leaves hang-do , they?, Are ,all t~ gulls the same? What do gum trees shed?What are the ants after (no, not in 'the store tent) on any' bushes you can see th'e m 'running 'up and dbwn? " What is difference b~tween a cootamundra and a silver wattle?
When you first study birds you are very confident in s~ying what a bird is but when you have learnt a deal more you weigh things up first, as so many birds are very similar to other birds and unless you can get a good lopk you cannot pe sure which it, is, without ' some , guide. Can you distinguish - Scarlet from flame robin. Fuscous greenie. Black-backed from white-backed magpie. Willie Wagtail from restless flycatcheI:. Swallow from a martin. Silver gull from pacific gull. Duck from _a grebe (when they are both in the water). Rpsella from red-backed parrot. Pallid. frqm fantail cuckoo. Groundlark or pipit fro,rp.1 Ja,<;,~y winter. Tomtit from other .small tits., . Shrike ". . tit from whistler. Sitella from tree-creeper. Brown-headed from black-chinned hOl,ley-eate,r. Singing from yellow-faced honey-eate,r? ,,-', ~
"-
Did You Know? That baby birds have an extra tooth on the tips of their bills so that they can break out of the shell with it. When the.y are out and its use is ' finished it disappears? , ' That birds' feathers do not grow all" .over their bodies, but the main lines 'are one ' down , the back and two in front? The featl'fers !o~er lap - and the bird is of · course completely covered. ' This does not appl~ to the ~ wing - and tail feather's. -: -I. WATSON.'
14
January, 1940.
MATILDA
THE SIGN POST Editor: Elizabeth Alfred.
NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS. Another opportunity has come for us to turn over a page and start a new one. But before we turn ' over last year's page, let us look at it for a moment. \Vhat do we find there? Last year's resolutions fulfilled--or forgotten? Did we accomplish all the things we meant to do, or have we left them undone? Do you ever find that the year starts off very smoothly, and we are keeping up to schedule remarkably well, but as the months pass, the momentum speeds up-we al'e asked to go on this committee, or to do that job, or to take on such and such a companyuntil by the end of the year, we are travelling at such a rate that we've got to let some things go, or drop by the wayside. Which are tbe things we let go-the things that count to us, or to other people? It is a good thing, on beginning a new year, to check up on last year's achievements, so that we may resolve to continue what is good, and to catch up on the things wherein we failed. Let us make some resolutions about our Companies-hikes, for instance. Remember that Guiding is an outdoor game; the Guides adore hikes, but so often we let other things stand in the way. Perhaps Captain wants to go to a wedding, or play a tennis match-let Lieut. take the Company out! Have a regular date each month for hikes, and stick to it. Are your P.L.'s old enough to take their Patrols out? Encourage them to do this-the Guides did it twenty years ago-why not now? Then let us think about regular training of Patrol Leaders-if we want our companies to run smoothly, using the Patrol System, we must tI'ain our P.L.'s-they will appreciate their own special meetings, and it will give them extra confidence in their job, when they know that Captain and -Lieut. are helping them to do it properly. Court of honour-has tnat oeen held regularly
during the last year? Have the Leaders been given the opportunity to help run the Company, or have the Guiders done everything themselves? Let us make sure that this year we. remember that children are capable of taking on responsihilitief'_that they are able to begin a job and carry it through. I think sometimes we are apt to coddle our Guides a bit, and do things for them. Were you ever in a gang, or a secret society at school? I think most of us have been, and we were capable of all sorts of things, both good and not so good. We will find that our Guides are capable of practically anything these days, and it's our job to guide their capabilities in the right direction. Then let's think about Camp. Has the company gone to camp this summer or not? If it: hasn't, what has been the stumbling block? Captain without a Campel"s Licence? Then resolve to go to a Campcraft Week! Captain not keen on camp? Then at least she could encourage her Guides to go to a combined or district camp! Do not let next summer pass without the thrill of camping in it-begin now to think about it, and when Company meeings begin again, talk about it-and then plan for it. We cannot see what the future holds for us, but we can plan to a certain extent, so that life runs fairly smoothly. In our planning, let us remember that we are playing a children's game, . and thai the children come first. We lose sight o( that sometimes, and discuss children's problems from a grown-up's point of view. Remember too, that we are helping to build the character of a new generation-a generation which, in twenty year:::' time, will be deciding whether or not there will be wars, conferences, agreements. To what extent will their characters be affected through their having played in our Companies for four years or so? So we begin 1940-"in newness of life"-what shall bring to this new year? -M.E.A:
we
M A 1.' I L D A
January, 1940. GAMES FOR SECOND
CLA~S.
.
Morse Games. (1) In this game, the Guides stand up straight to represent a dash, and kneel down for a dot. The Patrols fall in behind their P.L.'s at one end of the room, each Patrol facing .a chair. Then Captain calls out a letter, say "C," and the correct number of Guides from each J;'atrol have to run up to the chair, and form the letter, the firs t standing, second kneeling, third Rtanding· and fourth kneeling. The first Patrol right gains a point. (2) The Guides sit in a circle and one i8 chosen to stand in the centre. The person in the centre then signals a letter in Morse and pointing to a Guide says "fish," "bird" or "beast." The Guide has to give an answer beginning with the letter signalled, before ten has been counted by the person in the centre. If she cannot answer she has to go into the centre and signal the letters until someone else changes places with her.
(3) Patrols sit in Patrol files, the first Guide facing front and the rest of the Guides face rear. Captain signals a letter to the front Guide who turns round and taps the letter in morse on the back of the next Guide who will then tap the same thing on the next Guide's back and so on until it reaches the last Guide who writes down what she has received. Meanwhile Captain goes on signalling· to the fro~t Guide who passes the letters down the Patrol. (Dots are made by the pressure of one finger, and dashes by the palm of the hand). No Guides are allowed to turn round and watch the signaller. and they must pass on exactly what they received. The Patrol getting the most number of words correct wins the game.
Health Rules. (1) The Guides form a circle round the P.L.'s who hold a list of questions in their hands. Music is played to which the Guides skip round, hands joined. When the music stops, each P .L . asks the girl opposite her the first question on the paper. If the answer is correct the Guide receives a bean, if wrong the P.L. asks the same question of the Guide on the left and rroceeds until she receives the correct answer. The questions should be short and requiring brief answers, e.g., should you breath through your mouth or your nose? (2) Cut out from newspapers and magazines, advertisements for soaps, tooth-pastes, cleaners, disinfectants, etc. and place them round the room. The Patrols sit in lines. No. l's are asked to find something they should use before break-
15 .
fast and after supper-toothpaste. No. 2'8 are told to find something for cleaning drainsPhenyle, Carbolic. No. 3's look for something which should be used before every mea l-soap. The first successful Guide in each case scores a Patrol point. (3) The Seconds, or all Guides who have passed their health rules, stand behind a table with all the books Oll health, etc., that they possess. The rest of the Guides scatter about the room and are chased by the P.L.'s who ask them a health question. If the answer is correct the Guide receives a bean and !!an be caught again. If wrong, she g·oes to the Information Bureau to find the correct answer before joining the group. P.L.'s should note when she comes back and make a point, of asking the same question again to see if the Guide has learnt the right reply. The winner of the mos·t beans wins points for her Patrol. (4) 'W rite down ·a series of questions and answers. Place the answers round the room' and give each Guide a question. As soon as she has found the right answer give her another question. See how many can be collected in ten min utes. At the next meeting, reverse the proceeding, placing the questions round the room and giving the Guides the answers.
First Aid. This game could be used when testing for 2nd Class. Have each section on a strip of paper, and give one strip to each Guide, who follows the instructions thereon. (1) Go out into the street and then read the rest. You have been knocked down by a car, and have a cut arm which is bleeding freely (this may have glass in it from the broken windscreen), and a sprained ankle. You are also suffering from shock. Someone is coming to find you-tell her what is wrong with you. (2) Go out into the street; you will find there someone who has been knocked over by a car. Ask her if you can help her. (3) " Then making a cup of tea, the kettle slipped, and bOiling water poured over your arm. The shock was so great that you fainted, and in f9.l!ing knocked against the gas stove, and you have a slight cut on your cheek. (4) No.3, when making a cup of tea, poured boiling water over her arm, and then fainted from the shock. In falling she knocked against the' gas stove and has a slight cut on her cheek. Will you treat her please? (5) \JVhen eating an apple, a small piece went the "wrong . way" and you are chOking. No. 6 will t:reat you.
16
MATILDA
January, 1940.
(6) Wb en NO. 5 w as eating a n a pple, a sm a ll piece went th e " wrong way." Trea t h e r for c hokin g plea se.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
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Minutes of a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, Victoria, held at the Guide Office on 12th December, 1939.
CHEESE DREAMS 1 ch~ese sandwich; fried in hot dripping. , If you do not wish to take a pan and dripping on your hike, have the buttered side of your bread outside, and the cheese inside, and toast on a griller. If toasted slowly, the butte"!' melts into the bread. (It is a good idea to have· t he crusts of the bread tied down somehow, as the cheese has a tendency to drop out when being turned over.)
NEWSPAPER COOKERY -_The method of 'Cooking in ' wet ne\vspaper< can be used for a variety of foods ---' chbps; steak, sausages, fish-may- all be cooked per·· featly in newspaper, and without being blackened or covered with ash. The newspaper peels off (you will find only the outer layer;; will be bUITled) and you have a perfect dish. EGG IN ORANGE SKIN First eat your orange, by removing about a third of the top of the orange, and then eating the orange with a spoon, removing all the flesh . Line your orange skin with greaseproof paper, break in your egg, replace the lid, and place in . the ashes. ---'----:0:---
GUIDE SHOP. f)~
i 'J
Owing to the difficulty of obtaining goods from overseas the Shop asks its clients not to send money in advance for goods which must be got from abroad. We would rather, under the 'present conditions, that goods were paid for on delivery. Pages for Patrol Readers.-This valuable book is now out of print and we will not be able to obtain any supplies in future. Increase in Prices.-The price of leather has gone up, and with it all leather goods and so, most reluctantly, we are forced to raise the price of newi Guide belts to 2/ 3 instead of 2/ -. Those belts bought without swivels attached will be 2/ -. Pouches will now be 1/ 6 instead of 1/ 3.
Present.-Lady Chauvel, Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Bakewell, Mrs. Ebeling, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs. Littlejohn, Mrs. Orr, Misses Cameron, Moran, Lascelles, Purr.ell, Russell, Swinpurne and the Secretary. Mrs. Bakewell was welcomed as a new member of the Committee. Reported .--That 7,200 garments had been sent overseas. That 22 members of the Central Ass'ociatior1 had met at the Guide House on 11th December. ' That~ Mrs. F. W. Faulkner had agreed to be Commissioner for Rangers for 1940. Agreed.--That Guide' war wor,k for 1940 }:>e discussed at th~ first meeting of ~e Exec~tive Committe in 1940. That the nomination of Miss V. Harrison a s Guiders' representative on the Executive Committee be accepted. That is was inadvisable, under war conditions, to proceed with plans for a Pan-Pacific Ranger Camp in 1940-41, bu.t that in March, 1940, the possibility of an Interestate Ranger Camp be discussed. That Mrs. Faulkner represent the Girl Guides Association on the Patriotic Group Committee of the State Advisory Council of the Department of Illformation. That Commissioners for Departments be reappointed, with the exception of Miss Boyes, whose resignation as Commissioner .for Rangers was received with regret. That a letter of sympathy be sent to Miss Bush. -So H. IRVING, State Secretary.
---:0:--God of the wildnerness, with Thy pure wind from the Northlands drive away pettiness, With the harsh winds of winter drive away my selfishness and hyprocrisy. Fill me with the breadth and the depth and the height of the wilderness. May I live out the truth which Thou has taught me by every word and thought and deed.
January, 1940.
MATILDA
CAMPING and TRAINING The Patrol Leaders' Camp will be held under canvas at the Guide House from Thursday, 21st March, to Tuesday, 26th March if tbere are enougb applications. The camp fee will be 15/plus f9.res (return rail Melbourne-W'esburn; 3/ 10 under sixteen; 5/9,16 and over; l/S, return bus). Campers will travel to camp on the evening train on 21st March and return to Melbourne on the evening train on 26th March. The sugge~tions for programme so far received include: -Special training for Patrol Leaders; 1st cla.ss; pioneer badge. Further suggestions will be welcomed . . It is intended to , help specially, . leaders who have been newly appointe? , As most companies do not re-open after the bolidays until February, Captains are asked to think about this camp in the meantime as E::tste,' falls so early this year. P9.trol Leade rs s bould hold the 2nd class badge at the date of application. 'l'her~ is no special age limit. but if too. )TIany apply, preference will be given to the younger ones, who have longer leadership ahead of them. Applications should be made by Captains, with written permission of the Commissioner. The following details must be sent with applications: Applic!lnt's name, age, company, patrol, date enrolled, dat~ passed 2nd class, date appointed P.L., proficiency or 1st class tests passed with
observe. such as meals, prayers, colours, etc. The rest of the time will be entirely free, and Guiders bringing Guides will be responsible for tlleir pto gramme. Provision will be made for hike meals. The fee from Friday evening to Sunday evening will be 6/- including return bus fare from Wesburn. Part time in proportion. Rail fare, in 9.ddition to camp fee:-Return to Wesbu rn from any s tation in Victoria if at least six are travelling together:-16 and over, return fare at single rate. Under 16, return fare at two-thirds single rate. (Melbourne-Wesburn, 5/9 sixteen and over. 3/ 10 under 16) . Applications will be accepted in tbe order th9.t they are received, and ~ ; hould be made at least two weeks before the camp. Deposit of 2/6.( for each camper, and Oiil ral'e (if ticket desired from Melbourne) must be sent. -with applications. Deposit will! -no.t Qe re ~unded if withdrawal is made less than Qne weelll before camp. Applicants should state cle9.rly for' which week-end they are applying. and by wllich' train they propose to travel; Frida:y evening, S,aturday morning, mid-day or evcning. ¡1 The first three week-ends will be held 2nd February (application date, 19th January; 16th February (application date, 2nd February); 1li.t March (application date, 16th February). Applications ::,hould be sent t~ tl e Hon. Camping Sec,'etary, Miss Harrison, .126 HJgh Street, Glen Iris, S.E.6.
dates.
Training Classes.
Patrol Leaders Camp.
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5/ - dep'osit and train fare if required
(S/ 10 under 16, 5/9 16 and over) must be sent with application. Deposit will not be returned if withdrawal is made after 9th March. Applic9.tions must be made to the Hon. Camping Secretary, Miss V. Harrison, 126 High Street, Glen Ilis, S.E.6 not later than 21st February, 1940.
Open Week-Ends at the Guide House. Las t month we announced a scheme to give Guides. Rangers, Guiders and Commissioners, an opportunity of spending a week-end at the Guide House. This year, beginning next month, if applic9.tion1' warrant it, a Guider will be in charge at the Guide House on the 1st and Srd week-ends of each month, except those that cover public holidays or school holidays. Captains or Lieuts. with the p ermisUon of the District Commissioner, may take a party of their own Guides. Rangers, Guiders or Commossioners are invited to make up sma ll parties or to apply singly. The weekends wil l be run on the lines of Our Chalet in Switzerl9.nd. Cooking and work of the house will be sha"ed among all those present. There will be certain set times that everyone i~ asked to
A series of classes of general Guidfl training for new and inexperienced Guiders and a series of classes of Brownie training for new Owls will commence at the end of Febru9.ry or early in March. It would be a help in making arrangements if Guiders could let the Commissioner for Train ing know, which nights it is abs olutely. out of the question for them to attend. Classes for Guiders in first class tests will b(;. held in the early months of the year. Guiders wishing to be tested in fil'st class subjects on 11 teaching basis, with a view to teaching them in their districts 9.re asked to get in touch with Miss M. Moore. Refresh~r courses, week-end trainings, etc. will be arrangad with pleasure if requested. Trainers will g lad ly viRit District Guiders' meetings at the invitation of the Comm issioner to discuss Or train in any guide subject (company management, 2nd class, 1st class, co-operation of com pany and pack, etc.). Ple9.se apply to the Commissioner for Training. There will be no Correspondence Training in
MATILD A January.
Training will be resumed in February. -ELAINE MORAN.
Camps being arranged in Victoria, as far as is known at present:Combined Ranger, F.V.B., G.C.H.Q. Training ''leek: Miss Hoffmeyer, 194 Barnard Street, Bendigo. Campcraft: C. Broadhurst, 457 St. Kilda Road. 1st Combined G;.G.: Miss Stamp, Menzies Avenue, Brighton Beach. 2nd Combined G.G.: Miss Z. Jermyn, Woori Yallock. Prahran District: Sister Lucia, 107 Charles Street, Prahran. Geelong District: Miss Holtz, 25 Grange Road, Kew, E.4. B9.llarat District : Miss Bunning, 15 Kent Street, Kew, EA. 2nd South Yarra (School): Miss H. Brown, 86 Anderson Street, S.E.l. Brighton District Rangers: Miss Stamp. 1st Brighton Beach: Miss A. Side a, 39 Sussex Street, Mid. Brighton. 1st Sandringham: Miss M. Nicholson, 19 Codrington Street, S.8. 3rd Bendigo: Miss M. Hoffmeyer, Extensions: Miss A. Campbell, 41 Spring Street, C.l. 1st Black Rock Indoor, not definite: Miss L. Fordyce, 62 Bay Road, S.8. 1st Essendon Indoor, not definite : Miss Anderson, 113 Primrose Street, Essendon. 1st Glengarry, outdoor: Miss N. Farm~r, Glengarry. 2nd Horsham: Miss Watts, 29 Bowden Street, Horsham, ----:0:----
WARRANTS AND REGISTRATIONS.
District Commissionel': ''\Testern Mornington Penin s ula, Miss M. Black, Stawell Street, Dromana. Captain: 4th Camberwell, Miss M. 'Vilis; 1st Fairfield, Miss M. Harding; 1st Heidelberg, Miss S. Gallagher; 11th Malvern, Miss E. Burbridge; 1st Moulamein, Miss A. McQueen. Lieutenant: 1st Apollo Bay, Miss S. McLeod; 1st Chelsea, Miss D. Ziegeler; 2nd Cheltenham, Miss A. Hunt. Company: 1st Wandin, 1st Yarck. Local Association: Yarck.
January, 1940.
RANGERS' PAGE A PRAYER OF A CAMPER. God of t hE; hills, grant me Thy Strength to go back to the cities without faltering, Strength to do my daily task without tiring and with enthusiasm, St rength to help my neighbour who has no hills to remember. - - - :0 : - - -
REPORT OF RANGER COMMITTEE MEETING. Held on Wednesday, November 30. Present: Miss Boyes and members of the outgoing. and incoming committees. Winnie Cozens was elected treasurer for 1940. Reported: That 17 Companies were represented at the Ranger Conference, which s howed a loss of 19/ 10; that Miss Boyes h as ,'es ig ned as Commissioner for Rangers and that Mrs. F . Faulkner is the new Rangel' Commissioner; that the first fixture for 1940 will b e a moonli g ht river trip on February 22nd, convenor to be Pegg-y Edmundson. The first Committee m eeting for 1940 will be on Febt'Uary 6, at 6.45, at Headquarters. JEAN EADES, - - - - : 0 : - - - --
Hon.
Sec.
THE STRENGTH OF JOY. (811 Sir J/'r ancis Young7wsballd, Chairman of the World Congress of Faiths.)
(From The Council l"ire, October, 1939.) We are living in a time of crisis. Always we shall be living in times of crisis. And the crises will tend to becom e more and more world crises. 'rherefore. we must leal'll how to acquire the tempel' and the discipline to deal with each succeeding crisiS-how to live together on this planet in decent neighbourly fashion. Always there will be times when individuals will have vigorously to af'sert themsel yes, resolutely claim their freedom, and stoutly maintain their individuality, whether th ey be individual persons. or nations, or religious sects. Other occasions there are, or should be m ade, when the emphasis must be on the unity-when the aim must be to reconcile differences, and on what is the common concern of all achieve agreement. \/iTe should try to sound the k eynote which will
January, 1940. I'end lllu3k through \Vorld Congress of \Vorld Association of Both w:1nt to realise of the spirit.
MA.TILDA the whole: \I'P through the Faiths, you through your Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. spiritual affinity-a kinship
Let me explain by a personal example what I mean. 80me yell rs ago when walking a lon g a road in Bclg-inrn I was run over by a motor cal'. A crowd with agoniHed expre~Hions collected round me. f'howed the utmost concern for me, and did all they could to help me. And the point I wish to make is that no one enquired ",hethel' I was Aryan 01' non-Aryan. whether I was Belgian, French, German, Dutch or English, whether my religion was Hindu, Muslim or Christian. and if Christian whether I was Orthodox, Catholic or Protestant. None of these Questions did they ask of me. They sprang to my help be'cause of their felIow-feelillg. I was a human being like themselves. What hun me hurt them. Now, I am not the only person who has ever been run over by a motor car. \Vhat happened to me then happens to hundl'eds every day of the year, In Belgium, France. Germany, Italy, Eng'land, America, every single day hundreds of persons are being run over, and thousands are experiencing and showing this fellow-feeling. MOtOl' accidents are very painful, but they do at least awaken in men a sense of human solidarity. The instinct is there aJl the time. It only needs the occasion to awaken it and' make men aware of its existence. Thousands of cases every day testify to the spiritual affinity th~re is between men. The instin ct of human solidarity is an established fact.
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feeling, the common human kindness. which was shown towards him, an utter ftranger. And at t he other pnd of the scale aU the happiness that men Jl'Hl. e,-er dreamed of-that and far morelhe mystic's experience. In the words of St. Petcr they "rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Thus besides unity there is joy. The two are interdependent, insepal'3.ble and reciprocal. Unity produces joy and joy produces unity. .\nd joy gives strength. "Ilenew in us the strength of joy." prayed our English writer, Hobert Louis Stevenson. Faith may remove ordinary mountains. But joy would remove the whole Himalaya. It is the most potent force in the worldstrongel' even than love. For happiness is both lhe original begettel' of love and what we most desire for those we love. Of a ll joy, the joy of religion is far the greateo;t. And men permeated \\ith it and abounding therefore in the strength which it can give will carry everything before them_ All unimofity. all resentments will wither in their presence, every obstacle they will take in theil' stride. And they will not be able to help loving their neighbours not only as themselves, hut far better. 'Vith that JOY Which comes from intense religious feeling, with that strength which comes from joy, and with that g'entleness which comes from strength, we would fearlessly face even the world as it is to-day, with all its fear and suspicion, atl its rancour and animosity, atl its poverty and suffering. What some would strive to accomplish by means of brute force we would attain by the strength of joy. With all the strength of this joy that is in us we would arouse to vivid potent life the instinct of human solidal'ity that it laten in all men, give a mig'hty drive to the world, provide the needed spiritual dynamic to atl political activity, and turn the jostling units of a crowd !rHo the joyous coherence of a cho ir.
Far rarer than these examples. but not altogether unccmmon, are the experiences of certain persons of unusual sensitivity who in some crisis of theil' lives, in some moment of supreme tension, become stil l more acntely conscious of the oneness of alI being. Among Asiatics, Europeans and Amel'icans alike, and among Hineus and Muslims, as well as Christians, I have personally met several such mystics-men and women who have known what it is to be filled with an Indwelling Presence as with a. rushing' mighty wind, such as the earliest Christians experienced on the Day of Pentecost, and who have become intensely aware of that S:ime unity in the spiritual world that science has established in the world of matter.
'Ve know well that discipline is l'equired and that sacrifice mUH be made. But the discipline we foresee is self-discipline, and the sacrifice selfsacrifice. Eaeh will sing his own note, but be required to sing it true-sing it in tune with the music. Each will be expected to give of his best to the joy of tIle wbole, but all wiJl help each to be himself to his best. Reciprocity there must always be: Each for all and all for each_
Now this sense of oneness is accompanied by a feeling of great happiness. Long after the pain has been forgotten the sufferer from an accident glov" with joy at the I'emembrance of th'! fellow-
With unshakabl e faith in the llltimate goodness of thlng~ we will go steadily forward. Already out of the vel'Y agony of the world is springing U\J a new appreciation of happiness. It is being
20
MA TILDA
prized as no;ver before. Men are clutching at it us drownin.; men to a straw. The fiercest revolutionaries and the most dictatorial dictators proclaim a happier world to be their ultimate goal. \Ve. on our part. would make happiness not merely the goal. but tile means. 'l'he only way j 0 make a h3.ppier worlel is to be happy ourselvcl'_ \Ve ll1u:;t try to make our happiness ripple ill ever-widening circles till the ends of the earth al'e reached and our goal will be won; the sense of a common humanity will bave been awakened in men. Col01l el Sir Francis Younghusbanc! is a vel1J distinguished soldier, t"aveller, explorer a.nd administrator.
He was head of the British Mi~sion
to Thibet ill 1902, alld negotiated at Lhasa the "'ca,ty betlceen Great B"itai,n and 'l'hibet.
He
WO.8
jo r se~'e'-al years British Resident in Kash-
mil'.
Whil" President of the Royal Geographical
January, 1940.
;~~f"'-'I~_'_~~O _II_)_O~
IEva~y!vans I ,iI
voted his life to the World Congress
0/ FcMtM, of
Canva.s~ Goods House to -the Girl
Guides' Association. Speclal OonCesstollB off list Prices To all Girl Guide Organisations Write for Particulars t-6 Your Headquarters. or Direct to Us.
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TENTS and FLYS. CAMPING GOODS. RUGS, CAMP BEDS. SLEEPING BAGS.
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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 by-
THE
State Savings Bank OF
Victoria J. Thon/ton Jones, General Manager. Head Office: Elizabeth St., Melb01Lnte.
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GROUNDSHEETS, FLAGS, TRAVEL W ATERPROOFS'I MATTRESSES.
SUPPOR,T THE FIRM WHO SUPPORT YOU
Lf~
Are You Doing Anything About It?
it • I
SPORTING GOODS We have arranged to allow Concesllions on all Sporting Goods. Write to us for Our List, Prices and Particulars. Tennis, Golf, CrIcket, Ba8ebftll, Basketball and Indoor Games.
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which he is President.
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lfe has tvritUm several bool,;s on. l'e-
I(gion and philosophy, and of late years has de-
Official
I
Society he organised the fil'St expeditio,1t to Mcn~11t Evel·es t .
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680-8 ELIZABETH ST., MELB., _. C.1.
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