•
010
MAY,
1 941.
2
MATILDA
May, 1941.
UH lile FriendslllJ.l 01 a moiLer thele is no suh"litule . . . hili even a mother's love cannol bf' ,·o mpletely Idequate 1I1l1es~ it is based on something deeper than sentiment. [11 tilt· d:rricull days to come. your child's ·'next best· friend will be a bank book . . . the tanginltsign of your desire to safeguard the future Whether you have mu<;!1 money or very little weekly payments into a Savings Bank accounl quickly build up a shie ld whi!!h will proteC't your child agains t humiliation or comp lete de pendence on otbers. Open a Savings Bank account thi~ week. You will never regret it.
P
'k commOnW£ULTtf *
SHUlnlfS B Il n H Of'
AUSTHALIA
a Vf R 4.0 0 0 BR A NCH [~ AND P0 5 T 0 Ff teE
A(;
f N elf SIN A UST R A 1I A
,'Matilda" An OOidal Trealure Ba.. of Guiderl' Information for Guiden of Vidoria. Auatra .. a. Sln .. le Copieo. 6d. each. P rice: 3/ · Per Year; 4/ · POI ted. Editor: E . H. P U R NELL , 10 H erm itage Road, Geelong . Contribu t ions should reach t he Editor n ot later t h an t he 18th ot each mon l.h.
MAY, 1941.
VOL. XVII.
Lady Ch auvel has received the fo llowing letters from the Ch ief Guide. Paxtu, Neyl'i,
Kenya Colony East Africa This is to bring you my warm th an ks for your kind message of sympathy in my gl'ea t loss. I appreciate deeply all you say, and am most gJ"ateful [01' your g nerous thought for m e in this IAe l"\\"helming sorrow. The fact of this being shared by countless numbers of Scouts and Guides and other friends the wodd ov er does howeyer help quite a lot to lighten th e burden of personal grief. In the midst of this I am comforted by know· ing that he " 'as the happiest of men, and all his last mes~ages point to his desire that we should be h!lPPY too. OLAVE BADEN·POWELL. Paxtu, Nyeri. Kenya Colony Dear Lady Chauvel, I wa;; deeply touched at rec h 'i ng' yOUI' friendly messag'e, and whilst sending you this enclosed small letter of thanles, I feel I would like to add t hese few lines also, for you to make known to your Guides when opportunity occurs. Will you please tell them from me that the Chief Scout cared as much about the Guides as he did about the Scouts, and he expected us to do great things in helping to make this a happier and better world. All Guides everywhere have lost their best friend, but I trust that they will try and work with g reater energy than ever before, for they' can in that way show their thankfulness for what the Belo\'ed Chief Scout dkl fol' the m. So while se nding you my thanks, may I also send you my best wishes in the task that lies a head of you. Yours affectionately, OLA VE BADEN ·PO\\"ELL. C hief Guide.
A New Year l\1essage received fl"Om the Federation Fl'ancaise Des Eclaireuses thl'ough America. "This letter is a message fOl' our sister's throughou t the world with whom we are not able to commu nicate. Alas, they are numerous, and it is a blessing, thanks to you , that we can let them know we are thinking of them; and we w is h fo r t h em and for t h eir cou ntr-y t h !Lt the New y".r will !-.~:~)l;!' peace. We ourselves suffer and work. We feel that the suffering of our
No. 9.
country will bring' forth that which is best in us, and we work to that end with OUr whole strength. " 'e uphold our Guide ideals to which we remain faithful as well as to our ft"iendship". The di!<tress in our country is so gTeat that w e know it will take a long time to recover. \ \"e do not know wheth e r we ourselves will see that l'eco\'ery, but this does not deter us from giving towards that end, our faith and our ardour. MaDY a time " 'hen we were gathered together at Our Chalet, we reasoned thus when speakof our "'orld Mo\"ement, and if today we were only to look upon facts we might be tempted to doubt. But there remain with us \'alues which al'e of the spirit and imperishable, and 1'0 we believe alw!LYs, and in spite of everything, that Scouting (and Guiding) h!LS a message to give the world and that one day the world will hear it."
GUIDE WAR APPEAL All of us are very glad indeed to know that Mrs Littlejohn is much better and we hope that :>he will be out and about again before long, and back at her work for the Guide \Var Appeal. She was the originator of the scheme for the Guide "'ar \Vork, and has been its mo\'ing sp irit, and we miss her y e ry much indeed. You may be interested to see. wh n you come into our room on the 4th floor that there are now two maps hanging thel'e, one of Victoria on wh ich is mal'ked every District whi c h is working for OUl" Guide \Var Appeal, and one of Eng-land with every place marked to which we know the clothes from the Guide War Appeal have gone. Miss Russell is keeping' these up-to-date, s o if any of you should hear pt"ivately of some district to which our clothes have gone, I hope you will tell her. From someone in England who had seen a child dressed in our cl othes we received l'ecently a compliment not only on the 3.ppearance and quality of the outfit, but also on its extreme suitability for the purpose for which it was designed. \Ve also got a very nice message from someone who had been most impressed with the contents of some of OUI' cases for seamen which she had unpacked at Great Yarmouth. The total number of g'arments packed, up to date is 49,599,-42,525 for children, and 7074 for seamen. SIBYL CHAUVEL
"H:1\' you C\'cr thought what a world we cou ld mal{e if we put into peace endeavo urs the same e n ergy, the same self-sacI'iftce and co·operati o n as we use in the wastefu l n ess o f war?"-(Sir Archibald \Vave ll ).
4
MATILDA GUIDE WEEK
The President·s broadcast will open Guide ·Week. OUI' President, Lady D u gan, will open Guide \V eek w ith a broadcast over National Stations on Saturday, May 10, at 7.23 p.m, All Victor'ian Guides, Lones in fal' co m ers of the State, City Guides at their I'allies, Posts perhaps in hospital wards will be united in the message fOl' the week when each one rededicates herself to the best that Guiding can mean , Guide \Veek 1941-1<'01' God, my Country and myNeighbour, G. H. SWI 'BURNE.
"GO TO IT TO " ' IX 'l'HE 'VAR," -ChiE'f Scoul. GrillES'
WAR
wonK
Daylesford Guides an d Brownies are again d oing splend id wOI'k, and the best of it is that it is the Guides thems Ives and no t th E' . grown-ups wh o are doing it. They collect tinfoil. bottlE's, bones, any odd things they can and then se ll them locally. Th e n also in the local shops they buy wool and materials and make a rti c les for the Red C ross and Comforts F und. Th ey have made £5 0 altogether, and have divid ed it betwee n the Guid e Ambulan ce App eal. a local Ambulance Appeal, R e d C ross , Comforts Fund, e t c. As well, each Daylesford man on active service has had a 5/- canteen ord e r. and each nurse in the Middle East a present. This Company also had a rally and fet e, taking the idea of our Walkabout. Th ey had a dairy where they sold ail dairy produce, a farm, with all th e buildings to scale. and a r eal )(jtc h e n for th e cake stall. This is a reaily good record . don 't you t hink ? In Preston the Rangers h ave themselves m ade en ough money to send a £1 parcel to each of their r elatives at th e war. The Local Association h e r e meets each Thursday and works ail day at packing th e parcels and sewing. One of the Bendi g o Compa ni es bought vegetable seeds with Compa ny funds, Individual Guides then took the s eeds hom e and grew the vegetables, and as they beca m e r eady for market tool, them down to their Guid e shop to be sold. Another e xcell e nt idea. Have any of y ou thought of growing the herbs whi ch al'e so much wanted for OUt· troops abroad? Mrs, Coutts, District Commissioner at Waubl'a teils us in on e of her lette rs t hat the Local Association has invested £6 9 of its Building Fund in W a r Savings Ce rtillcatps. I have b ee n reading in t he "Council Fire" of the work of the Mobile Canteen in England bought with part of the £50,000 raised by th e Guid es of the Empire last year. Guiders have take n the canteen, a transformed horse box, the only large motor vehicle they could obtain, to serve a Pioneer Corps working at d em olition in one of the most
May, 1941.
bombe d cities of eas tern England. Local help was very scarce owing to the hazardous nature of the p lace. I n thE' midd le of their hard work there they received an S.O.S. from a Guider Red Cross Commandant in Kent. Canteen help was urgently n eded in thE' caves there. whel'e GOOO pf'ople shelter every night. The Guide Canteen \"'orl,ed from 4 "I.. '''. till li gn'" ·:Jul ;)t night, and gave a fortni~1tt's rest to 1l,e lo cal women who had quite worn . ht'm ',' I " ~S out at I hl' job. That is wonderful and thrilling worl,. but e ven if we haye to stick to more hum-drum things like raising money and sewing it is all doing a little bit towards the Chief Scout's message to the Scouts and Guides: "Go to it and win the war." N.M.
GUIDE HOUSE NEWS The Caretake rs' Co ttagel.i'und has r eached £232. s o the building has been started and by the tim e you r ead t hi s w ill be well o'n the way. Up to the April 6, donations had b een rece ived from : Lady Chauve l, Mrs. Blackwood, Miss L. M. Andrews, Brownie Guiders, BUt'wood and Hartwell L ocal Association Miss Muriel Drury, Miss Margaret Moore,' Miss Bush. Outel' Eastel'D Division Guiders, 1st Kew Compan y. Mrs. M. R. Fairbairn, Miss D. Col es, Richmond a nd East Melbourne District, 1st Seymour Company, Miss M. Hend e rson. Victorian Brownie GUid e rs, Miss P. M . Russe ll, Carisbrook Company, Guid e rs and Range rs of Monivae . Miss D. Holtz, Miss E. Moran. 1st Carlton Guid es, 1st Nyah Brownies, Mrs. J. P. Knight, Mrs. Howatson, Miss J . Brown. Miss M. L. Drury, Miss J . Ritchie, FIfteen Non-active GUiders, Swan Hill Local Ass?ciation. Miss M. B . Fowler, Miss H . CarnegIe. Yarraville District Guiders, Miss Barfus, Miss H. Purnell, Miss R. Purnell, Miss McKell a r , 1st C urlwaa Company, Cambe rwe ll North. Nyah District Local Association and Twigs. Next month we shall be able to tell you how the ~ainting Worl,ing Bee got on, on e of the dIsadvantages of putting things in "Matilda" is that you often have to write -your column before things have happe ned , but .we can te ll y ou that lots of people have ~pphed and some are going on Anzac morr,ang, and oth e rs at lunch hour Saturday-and ';ve expect the painting to advance rapidly WIth all hands to the brushes! -M. B .F.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS May lO-lB.-Guide W ee k . May 10.-Broadcast by the Stale Presid ent, Lady Dugan (see Guide W eek). May lO.-Rally, 1st Mount Eliza (see Ex. te nStOn Notes). May 10-11.-Working Bee, Gipton. May 10-H.-Working Bee ,Guide House. May 30. -vVorking Bee, Brownie Cottage.
MATILDA
May, 1941. YARRAVILLE DISTRIC'r
GUIDI;;
CAMP.
'rhe G uitle House. On 4th January 40 Girl Guides fr om Yal'raville and Footscray set out by train for th e Guide House at Britannia C r eel, near WarbUI'ton. As soon as the Guides arrived at the camp they were shown round the camp site, and had the different duties exp lain ed to them. Sunday, our first day in camp, dawncd bright and sunny, so we all jumped up as Boon as the whisLie went at 6.45 a.m. At 7.45 a.m. the Colours were brolwn and we had prayers. Th en followed breakfast. Daily the tents were inspected and points wc re given. At Court of Honour each Pall'ol dccided on a camp Patrol name-th ese were "LitLie Joe," "Wild Creek," "Kool,aburr(l," "Busy Bee" and "Blue Wren." At 3 o'clock the Blue Wren Patrol und er the leadership of Misscs Horsley and Roberts set out on an ove rnight hik. Each day a differcnt Patrol went out and returned to camp the next mOl'ning in time for Court of Honour. Th ese hikes proved to be very successfu l and en joyable. They went some distance from the main camp and then pitched their tents, c ooked their own tea and breakfast (mosUy they hiked to the falls for their brealcfast), and in the evening had a campfire where many n ew songs were learnt. On Sunday night, instead of having a camp-fire, we h e ld a Guides' Own. AfterWards the wood and water Patrol supplied the campers with hot baths. Then Q.M. had hot cocoa ready, and by 9 p.m. all were in bed, good nights said, and from each tent came softly sung "Taps." Monday arrived and now the camp was in full sw ing, and every Guide doing her share. When ord e rly wOI'k and insp ecti on were over came bathing in the love ly swimming pool and then f r ee time until dinner. '.rh e cook Patrol with Q.M. to guide them always prepared a lovely meal; canteen each day did a good trade in fruit and sweets; then followed rest hour when everyb ody in camp had to completely rest. After the r est period came afternoon tea, and then there were e ith er games, camp activities or hil, es to the falls or up the tim bpI' tracks. Tuesday dawned and everybody was up bright and early, r eady to e njoy another day of work a nd fun, each day finishing up with a camp-fire, bath time, and it is a great thrill to bath in the big tin tubs, supper. thcn lights out and "Taps." At the Court of Honoul' the Little Joe Patrol suggested that we should challenge th c W est Melbourne Guides, who were camping at the Guide House, to a sports afternoon, and the challenge was accepted for the 1"riday afternoon. Wednesday was another glorious day, and it was dccided to have swimming both in th e
5
morning and afternoon. Some of the Gui.des who had slept on the ground without palliasses and only the ground sheet and blanket und er them while on the overnight hil<e, decided to try and be true campers, and s leep on the ground for the rest of the weele On th e last night six of the younger ones s lept soundly a nd comfortably right out of doors with the bright stars above them. On Thursday morning we learned the sad news that our Chief Scout, Lord Baden Powell, had died. We immediately changed from our camp overalls into fu ll uniform and had a short ccremony when the flag was lowered to half-mast, and we stood with bowed h eads for two minutes' silence. Friday was again a lovely day, and all thc camp was eager fO I' the sports that were to be h e ld in the afternoon. We had swimming as usual in the mOI'ning, and Guides wc r c chosen for the swimming eve nts. At 3 p.m. both camps met on the croquet grcen for the running events, and when these were over, Wcst Melbourne were two points ahead. Everyone trooped down to the swimming pool, and again West Melbourne won by olle point, and s o won the sports with 37 points to Yarraville District's 33. The Captain o f the W est Melbourne team received a laurel wreath as the trophy. There was still more fun to c ome as Wil d ec id ed to have stunts for camp-ti re . 'l'hil store tent, camp dump, and tents were well raided for suitable geal' for the stunts. 'l'hc staff gave a very good show and very funny "photographing the wedding party." Each Patrol gave a stunt and we sang Guide songs in between each one. Also the Guides who had shown themselves to be good campers in every way were given a Woodcraft Badge. Th e "Vild Creek Patrol sang and acted "Sambo," the Busy Bee Patrol "Little Miss ,Muffett," the Blue Wren Patrol "Crocodilc," and the Kookaburra Patrol sang "I've An 'Ole in My Bucket" The Little Joe Patrol gave an exce llent charade. When the camp fil'e had died down to a mass of g lowing embe l's, we sang "By the B lazing Firelight," th cn "Bach Camp-tire Lights Anew," an<l then "Taps." No on e wa ntcd to get up on Saturday morning, for we were striking camp at 11 a.m., a nd it meant the end of a perfect week, but the Guides did theil' work well and weI' ou t of their tents ready for the next camp to come in. After the packing was done and a ll the lu ggage lab e ll ed and in th e garage, we had our last swim, then back fOI' dinner and the tlnal clearing up of thc camp site. We went to the croquet green for our rest period, then afternoon tea, buns, biscuits, fruit and mille At 3 p.m, the buses came for us and took us to the station. "Vhile wailing fOI' the train somc dccid d to walk down to thc Yarra River. We sang all our camp songs as well as many oth e l's in the train. We will all remembel' our most enjoyablc and happy 1941 Yarraville District camp.
6
May, 1941.
MATILDA
A DIFFERENT KIND OF RANGER CAMP
I think it was a good camp; there was a feeling about it of achievement-of setting- the goa l beyond the prize, Long deliberations before hand as to where and how, but at last it was decided to camp in one place and g-o out fo,' overnig-ht camps; and the place was a week-end cottage at Panton Hill, which supplied the necessary requirements: (a) cheap to get to; (b) near enough fOl' others to join at odd times; (c) ample water supply; (d) with easy catel'ing facilities; (e) could be left without guard for days on end, We set out with the idea of proving that we had some of the pioneering spirit of our earlyco lonist ancestors, We were proud of having inherited health and strength, and wanted to use them in some activity that required effort and tested our stamina, Boxing Day was hot but we stood the first test of hiking up-hill for Over three miles with rather heavy packs, which included hike tents, bedding, and some food, Pitching tents on convenient gal'den-beds or against helpful fences we got our bearings and settled in, and then reHted while we planned the next day's overnight hike to Ch "istmas Hills, working out distances and rations, Early to bed, and up distinctly "betimes" at 6,15, but even the pioneer spirit quailed a bit on h earing the roar of the north wind and feeling the heat of the sun, even so early, However, the spirit held, and an hour later than we meant to I'<tart, five laden Rangers (food seems far heavier than c lothing) slll.l'ted out, on short stages, resting longer than we walked because of the force of the gale; fOl'tunately the change came-the tOrln magnificent in its fUI'y- and finally, an hour late, we ,'eached St, Thomas', the youth Hostel where Mr"S, BU1'lei gh made us welcome and comfortable, How good that all-over wash was; and the meal on the verandah with the rain pouring down; and finally the long long s leep in hike tents pitched in the garden, lulled by the Singin g of the rain, The return journey next day was by a different route, and when the tracl< just petered out, we lunched, worked up the pioneel' spirit, and with map and compass plotted our course; and following a road that did not look lik e one except on the survey map, we reached home to find ourselves locked out by the others, who had gone for a walk! A nother day's rest, with more adequate preparations for the morrow, when the entire party of ten set out for St, Andrew's North, our ob jective being Clifden Farm, in the valley below Kinglake range, . 1r, and Mrs, Langley were most kinu, and permitted us to pitch our tentl'< right away up the valley, in an old orchard, beside a f<t!'eam that really did ripple! The camp looked picturesque in its setting' of orchard trees, so close to tree-fems and gully vegetation, An apple tree was the larder, a ford our bathing-place, and a pebbly shallow OUl' cQol store, That ni ght we had a real camp fire, and ,'etired early under th e loveliest ni ght -sky, "to listen to the stars singing,"
Departure next day was delayed while we inspected a most interesting collection of buttertlies and all kinds of insects , as well as varied "museum pieces," At last we started on that "short cut," "Just follow the fence", they said, "and you'll strike the road," But when the fen ce ravag'ed by bushfires, just lay down flat, we had to search among the leaves and sticks for the three rows of fencing wire! And then it gave out, and we map-lovers had recourse to the map, which again justified OU1' faith in it, for through the trackless bush it led us finally to an almost invisible track, and later to some Youth Hostel signs that cheered us conSiderably, as th~ grade was getting so s teep that one had to look long- in orde,' to find a foothold, However, even this had an ending, and after a mighty heave we found ourselves on a car road within a stone's throw of the Bald Spur Look-out, with tables, seatl'<, a ta nk and a fireplace-and the most magnificent view! It was rather late when we started for home, after some discussion as to how to reach the road "down there," Two map-r'eade,'S led the way, where there was no sign of a track, and after travel'si ng many elastic-sided miles, there, sure enough, we found ourselves between the fences indicating a Government one-chain road; and to make a very long hike sound shortel', we arrived safely, but really weary, at about halfpast eight, The meal ended at about 10,30, and washing-up was not finished so vel'}' long before the New Year Cl'ept in to find most of us sleeping peacefully, 'I'iring? Yes, Too much for a holiday? I think not, "Vo,'th while? Decidely, so we all thought; fOl' had we not lived for a week together, shadng wo,'k and fun in the special way one someone does in Guide Camp? Vve had been healthy and happy ; we had lived for days with the Earth and the Stars for friends, learnin g to listen to theil' voices, \Ve had found that one can live comfortably, detached fr'om conveniences of civilisation, with very little gear and a joyous elimination of "housewo,'k," We experienced some of the sensations of the explorers, and ce"tainly appreciated their achievements in the ligh t of our own small expel'ience!';, And had we not acquired also in some measure the sense that we were masters of OUt' fate? 'Phat we need not become the slaves of circumstance? That, with God In his heaven, we on His eal,th have a heritage which is also a challenge? In the words of one of our 1110ming thoug'hts at p l'ayers during the hike: " vVh en you arise in til e morning, give thanks faT the morning light, Give thanks tor y01/l' life a11d stnmgth, Give tha11ks for YOUT food {lmd give thanks tal' the joy of living, A.11d if per cha11ce Y01I see 110 I'eason for giving thanks, Test asslII'ed that tile tault is in your'selt,"
-YABING
Out of
the
foam
I
lurch ed
nnd
rou e
the
wav e,
,wimming hand oye r hand against th e wind, r felt the sea's vain pounding and I grinned, Knowing I was its masler, nol ils slave!
MATI
May, 1941. 1s t SAl\DRJl\GUAj)I, Tell\plestowe,
Th e 1st Sandringham camp, which wall held at T empl estow e, was run on the Patro l system. It was an "Indian amp," and each Guid e chose an Indian name which appealed to h r. A h eadban d of h essian about 3in. wide and long enou g h to g'O round th e hat and t"ail down the bacl<, was issued t o each Guid e. Som e Guides showed originality in working th ei r nam es on headband, small twigs neatly ' sewn on, o t h er s worked in thread 01' wool. etc. D co r a tions [0" h ead ban d s were awarded as follo\\'s:Grey td a ngl e of Felt with r ed bead in ce ntre: For cook ing one course of a m eal satisfactorily. Green f eath er: Had to observe a nd discover llomething of inte ,'est ab out a flow er, binI and insect. Squa,'e o r blue beads: For making a firm and usef ul gadget. White feath er with blu e spots: For h elpin gto e r ect a t ent and sc r ee ning. Trian g l e of r ed b eads: For lighting tl,'e satisfactorily a nd with on e m a tch. White f eath er with r ed spots: Awarded to Guides who kne w "what to do" and "what not to do in camp ." Circl e of gold beads: Discovering constellation sl1e had not prev iously seen. This id ea wo ,'l, ed very well, as it encou,'aged the Guides with theil' orde rly worl" anc] trained them in observation and various branch es of thei,' Guide tests. -M.N,
MY Hll'IU';SSIOK OF
CA~I1',
1st Saudt'lll rlmlll, Our Compan .I¡. 1st Sandl'ingllam, camped last month at Temp I stowe, It was my ve,'y ti,'st camping expe ri ence, and I had b ee l\ lookin g forward to it for weeks, eve n c ountin g the tim e b etwee n then and th e tim e of our u epa r tu r e, in hours. At las t we a,.,.j.ve:i at ou,' camp ing site, si ngin g merrily. uRo,,' \Ve Rattled a nd Roared" as the van bumped a long a v er y bad t,'acle When th e van p ull ed up, gazed wilh wonder at the chosen :'lite, "Vas it possib l e that 1enting for a whole Company and staff could be erected (as well as th e business of meal p r eparing, unpackin g , e tc .. done) before dusk? (You see, I h adn't b een to a n ythin g lik e a camp before.)
r
Tmagin e how surprised I was t o sec, in 'luite a twinklin g' of a n cye. g i r l s h er e-girl s t11 e,'e-gi,' l s everywhe r e -h elping with tentm'ecling, and to sec tents springing up lik e mushrooms. I hadn't much time t o look upon this busy scene, howev er. as a veteran camper Iyas already exp laining the mysteries
L ~)
7
A
of tent-erecting t o me, SOOIl I found mysel f as busy as the r est. What a lim I had dU"ing that glori oLls weel, of camping! The l aughter in (he gam s lI' e p l ayed , th e fun o f swimming, a closer und er stan din g of a ll natural life, lhe merrim en t of camp-fi r e sin g-songs, the beauty o [ the evenings, th e peace o f UlC nights, a nd the joy of th e pleasant morning - I w ill a l ways luwe lhe memory o f these things, for which 1 h ave to thank camp life, 1 'A' as very fortunate in hav i ng experi en ced campers as tent mates, wh o h elped me to become u sed to camp \\'ays. Afte ,' having spent. withou t doubt, the happi est ,,'eek of 111 y li fe there, I no longer looked upon earn p as a collection of tents. but as a place of \\' onderful fun and adventur, Is it any WOIl d el' that 1 have begun ca l culating the da~ s lo the next camp'! -Dorothy Munro, Guide,
A Gti lDE'S DIPRESSIOl\
01~
CAl\U',
1st Sandl'ingham,
Our cam]J was held at Temp l estow', an-I it waw the best camp I ha\'e been to, We p,'etended to be an Indian camp and a ll had [ndian h eadbands and names. To get a complete headband we had to pass tests in fite lig hting, cooking, gadget making, nature, tcnting and sc r eenings, find a constellation or sta,'s unl<nown t o us, and know how to l,e p lIle law of the camp, On cold days when we co uldn't swim in t h e River Yarra we p l ayed Indian games, One day the victorious side in on e of the gameR had a war dance around their captives, u sin g a n uptu rn ed tub and a mallet mu ffl ed in a hat f or a ton'l -to m and drum s tirl;:, On Monday afte"no on II'C \\'ent 1'0" a hike' to lhe t op of a hi ll where we had a b autiful vi w o f J1andenong, Haw-Raw and Plenty Hanges, We had our tea under some pine trees with al1 the world, as it seemf'd, sl,' tchod out at our feet. When we had a ,'ing-song und I' the trees, aftel' the sun haJ Slink, and the clouds abo\'e 1he rangf'S had turned pin!" L am sur most of us f It th" g,'eat li nk between Guides al1 over thc II odd in pcace and ill wal'. On Sunday cvening wc had Gnides' 011'11 on top of a hill. wh<>rc \I'e cou l d sec the f:un sinhllg", the sky groll'ing' darl,cr. and the stars coming out overhead. On visitors' day it rained for the main part of the afternoon, but everyone just laugh ed and enter tain d their v isitors in thf'i,' tents, showing- th m round quickly if the ,'ain sho wed signs of ceasing. After the visitors had gone the r ain stopped. and we had a buffet tea, At inspection each day a " d ribbon \I as g iven for the best tent and a green ribbon for th e next best. Fo!' o,'derl,\' \\'ork. a yel-
MATILDA
8
low ribbon was given to the Patrol who worked best each day. In the evenings after tea we had a campfire if the weather was fine en ough . On New Year's Eve \\'e had a slunt night at camp-fire, and ach Patrol gave an item. There was a court scene, a Inannequin parade, an action version of Waltzing Matilda, and the life history of a fictitious character. On New Year's Day we invited the o\\'ners of the properly to our camp-fire, and sang them all our nicest songs. At this, our last night in camp, Captain read us a paragraph about leav ing camp. After "Now our camp-fire fadeth" and "Taps" we had prayers around the campfire and then hurried off to bed. The next day did not seem at all like tlle last day in camp because we didn't take the tents down as we were leaving them for another Company. As we went over the top of the hill we blew a rally whistle to those who were left. Thinking back over the whole camp I am certain that it was the best camp I've been fo; there was more Guide feeling about it, the Guiders were just like big sisters. When It rained or when things didn·t go quite righl, everyone set to with a will to help their' neighbours. Everyone wishes to r eturn agaill next year and have more work and fun in camp. -Euralie Hill, Guidc.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee of the Girl Guides Association, Victoria. 19th lJlcLrch: Present; Lady Chauve l, MI·s. Faullmer, MI·s. Edmondson, Misses Hanison, Moran, Ritchie, Ross Russell , Swinbul'll a nd the Secretal·Y. Lady Chauvel welcomed Miss Ross as a new member of the Committee. Agreed: That if necessary £50 shou ld be advanced to the Caretaker's Cottage Fund; that the Association should mal{e up the sum at present in the Capital Improvement .\1'und to the amount needed for painting the Guide How,e; that the tender of £266/10/0 of Mr. Harris for the new Cottage should be accepted. That, as P.O.R. was not being repl'inted during the war, new badges and major alterations to Tests which appear in the The Guider should be published in Matilda, that those wishing to do so couJcl work on them at once, and lhat they should come into general use three months after publication. Reported: That Area Commissioners wel'e if possible to attend the April Meetings of the Committee. Lady Chauvel thanked Miss Coles and Miss Harrison, Commissioners' and Guiders' representatives, for their help as Committee members. That Miss Alston had consented to continue as Commissioner for Extensions for 1941. That the files of the 'Vomen's Voluntary Register for National Service h ad been handed to the Authorities at the Town Hall. That Mrs. R. T. RobinFon had agreed to be our delegate to the Central Council of the Victorian Baby Health Centres
May, 1941.
Association. That a list of l'epl'esentatives to the Guiders' Committee h ad been received from the Secl·etary. Routine and financial business was transacted. 3I'Ct AIJril: .Present; LadyChauvel, 1\Irs. Blackwood, Mrs. BakewelJ, Mrs. Edmondson, Mrs, F a irbairn, Mrs. Pearson, Mrs. Tate, Misses Butt, Moran, Purnell, Ritchie, Russell and the Secretary. Lady Chauvel welcomed Mrs. Pearson and l\liss Butt, Commissioners representing 3l'd and 2nd Metropolitan Areas. Agreed : That the Annua I Report of the Federal Council be received. That it should be left to Districts to decide District celebrations of the 21st Birthday of Guiding in Victoria. That the Report of the Director of the 'Vol'ld Bureau on the work undertaken in the .S.A. from August 1940 to February 1941 be received. That A.H.P. classes s hould be held at Headquarters. Reported: That Lady Dugan would broadcast at 7.23 p.m. on the Saturday of Guide Week, ] Oth May, from National Stations. M. E. BUSH.
BUSH LORE Erlito/' Ilia 'Watso'll
Those of us who love the 'bush' would like to ssay thank-you to Matilda for the lovely prayer pl'inted last month under the heading of Happy Days. It is in the hills or by the sea, surrounded by the bush and the things we love there, that we gather the stl'ength to go back to our jobs "without faltering". This is the true bush lore.
Banksias The end of this month finds us well on the way to the cold of winter. with its enforced relit for most plants. After all this is the period when energies are stored for the g l'eat burst of spring activity. The problem of food over lhese months is n pressing one for many of our honey eating birds, and Nature has provided for this by the {lowerin g of the Banksias. You can see their cylindrical yellow heads of bloom on the heath land!'; and in the bush. It may not be s uch a popular food as the eucalypt blossom, but is very welcom6 nevertheless. The Banksia is named after' Sir Joseph Banks, and is limited to Australia; Western Australia leads with 43 varities; Victoria has 5. Grey Thrush Grey ThrUSh, whose 'pl'o pel" name Harmonica - is very fitting for one of our lo veliest :;inger.·. Its pure clear not e~ al'e heard lhrough most of our bushland. and the trim, quiet, friendly grey and brown bird is well known. It nests in the bush on the top of a stump or similar place, and builds with barl" roots and grass. In the winter it comes down and hunts for insects among our s urburban gardens. It is pal'licularly valuable because of its fondness for hard-shelled beetles of the borer kinds. In the f'pr ing it has a longer, richer song,
May,
M',A T I L:D·· A ··
1941~
This Month Watch For:Fungi: All the varities from the mushroom to the' 'earth star', the centre of which is a tiny ball' W11ich puffs out its ripe spores like curry powder when touched. Fungi are of all sizes and colour:;, and many sorts can be found round tho gardens. 'Wild Life' fOI' Apri l ha d a very good article, wit;h . photos of a number of varities.
Mother of All Emus During May, at 9 p.m. the Emu m ay be seen upright in the sky. This is what the aboriginals called the dark spaces in the SkY ' which mak e up thifl form. Look fOL' the Coal Sack in the Milky Way, this , is the head, from here the neck curves down into the stock y body and legs-remember to look for the dark patches.
Discovery Sme'ny, black mUd, hiding cravenly beneath ' groen, clean wceds; water oO'l:ing in and out of yoUr boots as you squelch' up and down over the tussocks-but do you care? NO! Not if you see a new, rare bird as we did at Little Hiver-the Mai'sh . Sandpiper. Exactly similar to our old friend the Greenshank, but about only twothirds i ts size. \Ve weren' t sure which it was until a spur-winged plover obligingly landed beside it. Then followed a feverish hunt through Leach to check on the measuremcnts (Heaven help the man if he h ad fallen in the mUd!) We came home with stockings hung out of th e \vindow to dry. And you can't get the mud Oltt o~ your toe nails for days, scrub how you will. But is was worth it.
1 t
~IARNOO
COUPANY SONG,
I promise on my honour That I will do my bCl'Il To serve my God and Countl'~' My King with all my zetll. To help a ll lijnd s of p eopl And to obey the law, Tllis is the pledge I vow to All oth er pleas befol·c. My honoul' shall b e trusted, My loyalty is true. A Guid e must be most uscf ul In h elping o thers too. A fri p-nd to a ll who n eed lill', A Sister to the Guides. Be cautious, be I,indly To animals besides. I must obey all or'der's, Thr'oug'h trouble I must sing; No matter what the hardship, A laugh must always ring. I must in thrift be steady, Be pur'e in thought and deed, That a ll the words I utter May show a true Guide's cr'eed.
9
To
God and King and C o untry, A cheerful gift we bring; . A kindly ,vord or action, A heart (0 love and sing, - By l\1ar'jori e " 'calhc r' l y,
EXTENSIONS Edjtot' : Sydncy Foott, Extension Guiders are, at the moment, bm.y with the Annual Training Week-end, which Is be ing held on May 3rd and 4th. The subjects and speakers are as follows, and a full repol't J\' iI\ be given in next month's "Matilda":Patrol System and Court of Honour in Post Co mpanies: Miss Jess Macdonald, The Psychology of the Handicapped Child, and ways in which Guiding can help: l\fis.'i Jess U, Boyes. ,Test Work for Post and Extension Guides: Miss Alston and Miss Foott. Games for Post and Extension Com pani es: Miss Dorothy Co l es. , .rrhe First Part o( the Guide Promise: Mis!! Merle Bush. 2nd Heidelberg Coml>any The company at the Austin Hospital had a , 'C ' T successfu l birthday party in April, whk 1) \\'as , shar'ed b.\' Guides in Wa"d 13 (both UP stairs and in the Respirator Ward) and in Ward 1 O. There are two patl'ols in Ward la, to eacll of whkh two Gllides from the Resp ir'ato r ",ra rd are atlached. In add ition to the Gllidel'!, the Distl'i ct Comm ission e r' (Miss Mal ing) and the Acting Commission er fol' Extensions (Miss Foott) were a lso present. Var'ious exciting games \\'ere played, including til e ]\fagie Ring, a f.lm sta r competition. a nd a so!',g titl es game, , Two recruits were a l so enroll ed. 1s t Mount E li za Company Th e Guide ompany at the Ol·thopa die Hospital, l "l·ankston. are holding their annual R a ll~' on Saturday, May 10th, at the hospital. All Guide" a,'e invited to this r ally, which gin' s the 1st Mount Bliza Company an oppO,'tunity of meeting and 'mixing with Guides f,'om m a ny active Companies. The ,'ally commences at 12.30, when every<rne h as lun ch together-the Hospi tal supplie" tea, milk, sugar and hot water-we take food and a mug each. The March Past will be at 3 p.m.-the more Guides rel)l'eSl'nted in the March, the mor'C exciting it is for the hospital Guides, so do please note it down as an activity for Guide 'Veek for your Company.
Guide Week There will \) e no organised activity for Ext ensions all a body dul'ing Guide Weel" as it Is such a gm.nd opportunity of mixing with Guides from active Compani es, This can only happen, however, if Districts will invite Post and Jo.xtensi on Guides in their Districts to any "dos" which they may be having, It may in\'olve a certain amount of transport-such as
10
MATILDA
pushing a wheel cb.ait' 01' a pram along to your camp fire 01' church parade-but it you only rC'alised the joy which you could cause by letting Extensions join in with Guiding as whol e, J am sUl'e that you would always tal,e the troul Ie to find out any Extensions in YOUI' District and let thC'm share ~'ou r JOYS, 1 r you I,now or an l':xtension, 01' would III, to find out if there is one who co uld join you, pi ase let me know,
The Magic Ring A Game for Extensions 01' f osts at a party! Ingred ie nts: -A long piece of string, on which al'e stl'ung two or threc rings, Six 01' eight othel' rings, each with a folded slip of paper attached, The stl'ing is joined in a circle, and each C;u id e 01' Bl'ownie puts her hands on it, Then the rings are passed from one to anothel', until Captain blows her whistle, The slip oC paper on a spal'e ring is opened, and the Guides holding the rings learn that(a) Th ey gain five points, or (b) they arc out of the game, Ot' (c) those not holding tho I'ings win five points! Or whatever your Ingenuit~' devises,
WARRANTS AND REGISTRATIONS District Comm issioner,-Sandringham, Miss A, Grey-Smith; Warburton, :M rs, C, .J. Na.~h. Tawny Owl.-2nd Yal\ourn, l\Iiss D, Fox, Captain.-2 nd Brighton, Miss E, Wigley; 1st East Malvern (Koro\\'a). MisR V, G, Dobhi e: 2nd Fitzro~', Miss J, U. Boyes; 7th St, Kilda (Christ Chu rch) , Miss N, White: 1st Swan Hill, Miss J, Read. Ranger aptain.-YarraYiJle District Rangers, 1\'I1ss . Broadhurst. Local Association.-\Ventworth: Packs, 2nd Burwood (Kildonan). ompanies : 7th St. Kilda (Christ Chu rch): 1st ViTe ntworth. Cuncellatlons. Distl'ict 'oll1ll1issioner.-i\lal'lloo: Miss r. Weathel'l~'; Sandl'ingham: i\[1¡S. G . .Johnston e. Captain.-lst Curlwaa: Miss N. Jerroll1: 1st Mal'noo: Miss 1. ',"eatherly.
LONES J '13.n8 are getting' und er way for tlte "Lone Gflthering." It has been decided to hold it during the week-end of June 14th to 16th at the Gu id e House. From an:;wers received from \'arious Companies we are hopeful that it will be well attended. It is open to Lon e Guides, Rangers and Guiders. Its main object is to give to Guides and Rangers the joys of camping and companionship, and to Guidet's the interest of meeting the members of their Companies. If this can be achieved it will h elp to do away with that i"'olated feeling which is the hardest tiling to ove rcome in the Lone Branch. Those of you who have run Companies and only know your girls by name and by their Ictt pl's. will I'c:J.lisp what a stimulus it will Sh'" to both you and them to actually meet. Therefore I hope that you will make every
May, 1941.
effort to come, and to pr'evail upon YOUI' gil'ls to come also. "Ve want as many from each Company as can come, but In case this is difficult I would like every Comp3.ny to make a point of sending at least one girl, who would be a delegate and who would be able to take back to her Company alI that she had seen and heard and learnt. Opportunities will be given for the passing of practical tests, and the joys of active Guiding will be shown and practised. I need not point out to you that the re:o<ult of this would be of such tangible value and inspiration that it would he worth a very real effort to achieve it. I particular'ly urge every Guider therefore not to le3.ve a stone untur'ned in her endea\'our to stimulate in her Guides the wish to come. In the 8udget folIowing the Minutes which have just been eir'culated I hope you will all include the kit list required for indool' camps, and a letter explaining how they are run. It would be wise to explain this from the parents' point of view, as unless they have had experience of Guide camping standards, they are often nervous of letting their children loose into the lion's mouth as it were, Finance is another subject that should be discussed, so that the parents know exactly the position. As already pointed out in the Minutes, the L. L. A. is willing to help to a very genet'OUR degt'ee with the transport. Railway concession!'! oC course would not be practicable as there would not be a l'ufficient number travelling from the one distL'ict to merit a t'eduction. As far as we can judge the expenses of the week-end itself should not be more than about 10/- a head dependent of course on how many attend. If a girl were sent as a delegate from her' Company the Company-probably with the help of the L.L.A.-would be responsible for her expenses. Trains would 'be met so that the girls need not be nervous of atTiving alone in Melbourne, and hOl"pitaJity would be pl'ovided should a stay in Town be necessary either going to or l'eturning from the camp. Even the problem of uniform could be overcome if the L.L.A. knows in time tlte size of the gll'l requil'in g one, as they are confident of being able to eithet' borrow or by some other me3.IlS produce the articles. If all these things we I'e explained to the parents thl'Ough the Budget I think we would find the applications exceed our highest hopes. .\ s it is absolutely necessary to have the applications in by the 24th May. Guiders are UI'ged to proceed without delay. And please m a ke a r esolution to have one member at least fl'om every Company represented. It is hoped to have training- sessions for Guiders during the \\'eek-end, also testing in a ny practical work deliired, but it is important that all applications Cor test work "houJd be sent in in time fol' suitable anangements to be made, and time set apart for it. As all Guiden, will realise what inestimable value a week-end lik e this could be, it is m y earnest hope that the~' will co-operate in making it the success it desel'ves. But like e\'erythlng else In Guiding it depends on bow much we put into it, how mueh we get from it. which th e Iyr'ebil'd loves to imitate. ''''hen tamed. it will stay in the same place for yeat's.
May, 1941.
11
MATILDA
Guide week is almost upon us, and by now you must a ll ha ve formulated your plans as to how y ou are goin g to celebrate it, by attaining a s ta ndard in some s ubj ect whic h will fit you to be of some definite u se to your country. I would be thrilled to be able to I'ecord in this pa g e a Jist of those who have passed any test, or carried out any definite se l' vice during that pel·iod. I would be proud to know that Lones, althoug h throug h circ·umstan ces de prived of the usual contacts with comm\mities at large, have y et b een a ble to prove tha t s e rvice to one's country is possibl e in uns pectacula r wa ys and in quiet plac es , wh e re ve r the will to succeed fiouri s hes. M . R. F.
Browni es d eal' ly lov e to know ho w t h e o t h crs a r e pro:;, r'l'ss in g. n.nd to sec t h e res ults o f th e ir 0\\ n effort s wri tten u p , Som e o f th e folk a r e link ed w it h acti ve Pacl, s, bu t. a l a~ , it is sad to I'e la te, no t a ll. A lis t o f D is ll'iCts wh e re t h e l'" is no r' co rd o f Bro\\' lIieo; h a ving b ee n lin ked up in t hi s w ay is includ ed in this page . I wond e r if it is I'eali se d ho I\' d ifficu l t it is to get informa tion ove l' to y ounge r f olk by writing. and p e rh a p s a back\l' a l'd t ho ught to th e tim e of t h e "ep idem ic" w h e n m ost G u id e rs had to r ('sort to thi s m e t hod o f communi cation \l'ith th e il' Pac l, s. will m ake th em r ealise ! I Sin ce re ly hop s o!
AN IDEA HOW A BUDGET IS PLANNED BROWNIE PAGE Th e last m ee ting of th e Executive Committ ee expressed d e light at th e improve m e nt s whi c h have bee n m a d e to th e Brownie Co t ta ge. Eve ryon e who has s ee n th e cotta g e la le ly says how ni ce i t looks , a nd th e Executive Committee wish es th e Brownie Guid e rs' ommittee to know this, and th e y th a nk th e m a ll ve ry much ind eed .-V. TATE , Commls sion c r for Browni es.
'I'h e world is s o full or a numbe r of thing-II 1' 111 s ure w e should a ll be as happy as Kings. -Robe r t L . Ste ve n s on.
TO TEM, YOU SOMETHING AnOU'l' I'OST BROWNIES. POST BROWNIES!! Wh at o.l·e th es e folk ? h a ve h eo.rd thi s qu estion o.sk ed in th e M ove m e nt qu i te o f te n , som e tim es with a vo.gue fee lin g t h at it h as been h eard of som e wh e r e be fore, and aga in. as a thing n e v e r b e f.or e h eard . 1 must con fes s it w a s to th e s econd group I b e longed . but have m e nd ed my ways to th e ext e n t of b ecoming P ORt Brown Owl. If r cad e l's o r .. M a tildo.. .. apart f rom Owls .o.nd oth e l's in te r ested in Brownie Pag e . e ve r -' ge t as fal' a s this article. or do not pass ove r it. t h ey'lI p e rhaps b egin to und e rs ta nd what Post Brownies a r e. a nd m aybe "le nd a hand ." "/e'lI ' le t you know latc l' on wh a t you can do. 80 read on- WELL--Post Brownies b e long to th e Exte nsion Bra n c h (this bran c h includ es Guid es and Ro.nge rs) and a r e so called because th ey are unable to atte nd a ctive Pac k m ee tings. due to a t e mporary or p e rman e nt physical disability. a nd th e l'efore rece ive t h e m ee ting and tests by " Pos t ." on ce a month. W e a r e v e ry wid espread. a nd so d e p e nd on local Brown Owls a nd Brownies to give th es e folk s om e und e rstanding o f th e a c tive sid e- of Browni e wOI' k. Jus t think how difficult it Is to d esc l'i be a Fairy Ring on p a pe r! How much nice l' to s ee it don e ! 'What is important. too. is that th e v isiting Owl will le t Po:;ot Brown Owl know o f t h e progl'ess of th e c hild b ein g v isit ed . a nd a lso o f th e test worl, th a t has bee n su ccessfully passed . Th e
As you
will
r ead , a n
en d eavoul' is m ade
'0ing .k eepIllustra Budge t on th e lin es o f a Pae l< m ee ttions . o f course. p lay a ve r y bi g
part in t h ese pag es. A diffe r e n t s k etch . j f possibl e. h eads th e first page each mon th . th e n th e lette r s tarts in t h e f Ol'm o f a p ow wow. whi c h in c lud es n e ws of th e Pack . a n swe l'S to le tte rs. a nd Browni e doin gs. A story is always in c lud ed with illustration s and a poe m. h a nd c r a ft . a nd co m p e tilion s a r e i n clud ed a s s pace p e l·mils. Com pet itio ns a l'e based on tes t work wh e n p oss ib le. a n d s o n,(' tim es p e rmits n. p ass in th e p a l·tic ula l' ite m . Th e r e was a m e ntio n earli e l' o f ways to h e lp. Now t o te ll you o f a fe w. w hi c h wo u ld se rve a s "good turn s" f or' active B ro\\'ni es: -'(1) Ga th e l'in g pi c tures a nd p retty p aper. s uitabl e f Ol' use as cove rs. ( 2 ) Th e r e m ay bc a buddin g po e t in t h e P ack . an d perh aps s h e wou ld lik e to le t th e poe lll be p u b li sh ed in t h e B u d ge t. not forge ttin g COIll pe ti tions t h at mig ht be coll ec ted. to o. ( 3 ) And Guid e r s -do you fe e l you m ay h a ve two or thl'ee houl's to spa re o nce a month ? W e ll, th e r e is a n {'ed for folk t o c olour ill ust r at ions d ,'aw n i n - th e Budge ts. Ro thinl, it o ve r a nd Il't m e I,now.
HERE IS A COpy OF ONE OF THE TESTS FOR GOLDEN BAR WORK lUul'Y LeurllS About Hel' Tee th, One night as M ar ~' lay in bed. w is h in g h er tee th wouldn' t ach e. s h e s udd e nl y h ear d a voice from th e w ash s ta nd say, " H e llo." "Goodncss m e. w ho's th at? .. excla im e u Mary. "MI', Toothbrus h ." t he voi ce answe l'ed. " I' d lik e a word with y ou . H ow eve r' do yOU e xp e ct your t ee th no t t o aC' hc wh {' n y-o u n ev I' cl ean th e m 'I " "I don·t." Ma ry sa id meeJd y. "I h ave n ·t thought a bout i t. " "We ll . my c hil d." said 1\[1'. 'l'oothbl'lls h . "wh e n you hav{' ea te n a n yt hin g . little bits o f it stay in and a round your tee th . a nd if t h ey are le ft. th ey g o bad and Ge r ms o f d iseas e a r e quite likel y to com e th clI'e. Soon . T a rta l' wlii m a k e hi s appeara n ce and ma k e y o u r
:M A '1'-1 L j) A
12
teeth yellow. and Decay will bunow' into th em and make holes, Latel' you will hay!! toothache. and y Olll' teet h will need to be stopped. or perhaps th ey will havc to be pulle d out, Also. your food won't be chcwed prope rly ," "Oh deal', whatevel' sh a ll I do?" cri d ~1ci. ry t earfully, "Use me, and a g ood tooth paste; if you can't get any paste still use ME with lots o[ c lean water," continued Mr, '1'oothbrush, "Brush and wash these Germs ou t everT morning and evening, and swi ll lll e m out with mouthfuls of cl a n wate r , Do s o afte r VOUI' midday meal, too, if you can, bu t any~\'ay a lways in th e morning and at bc dtim e, and don't eat anything afte r ~' OUI' 'bedtir'tl e clean, b ecause it is very bad to s lecp with bits o f food in y our teeth , All this will h c lp to stop Tartar and Decay spOiling your t eeth, This is the way' "Brush y our npP<'I' teeth down from th e gums to the tips. and )'om' 10w('1' t('('tll up from the gums to th e tips, D o (his both at th e front of your tceth and behind th e m as well and a ll th e way round them, too, D o b e da r-ef ul not to miss tlle bacl, ones, N(,\' (,I' brush towards your' gums, bccause that push es th e m b ack, an d e ncourages Mr', Decay, Don't hit your gums with your b r'ush or th ey will b ecom e sore, and don't use too hard a toothbrush or y ou'll scratch your tee th and Mr, Decay will creep in, See that y our br' ush is w e ll rinsed out afte rw ards, and hun g out to dry," Can you remember a ll that, Browni e folk? W e ll, Guid e rs, don't you think that with suitable illustrations this would be something constructive to han g in a Sixe r co rn e r" and save Owls very many precious minutes at meetings, Othe r tests could b e treated (h (' same way, don't you thinl<I hop e you have s om e g limm e rin g abo u t Post Brownies now, And here a re a list of Districts where Brownies are not connected with active Packs:-Flemington, ar')ton, Cobu rg, Noble Pari" Brunswick, Elst rn\\'icl" Por'( Melbourn e, -A,D,S, A Brownie eheerio,
SIGN POST PAGE Editor: )IARJORTE NICHOL, 'OX,
I 'c annot think but that th e world would b e b e tte r and brigh ter if our teacher's would dwell on the Duty of Happin css as well as th e Happiness of Duty, -S ir John Lubb or ]c \-Ye ll! Guid e \Yeek is almost her'('! H ave y ou h e lp ed your Guides to pass a test for T e nd e rfoot, Second or 1- irst Class, or a Pr'oflc iency Badge? If s o, how proud you, will fee l wh n during Guid e Week a T ende r'foot steps up to b e enroll ed, or a Guide to l'cceiYe a Badge, to see th e sl1li le she g ives when sh e has accomlished that [or which she has , be e n striving so hard during th e past month s, "To sce that sm il mal,es Guiding- wor'tb while,"
,May, 1941.
Do we tak e our Guid es out of door's e nough and play the game of Guiding as it sh ould b e't Mee tings held in a h 'a ll during th e winter months can st ill have a touch of th e outd oor atmosph e r e b rou ght in, '1'ry , this Woodcmft h ik , Wood,craft Hike " Note : Good for usc in winter, ' Space : Large room , , Equipm e nt: Pictures of birds, cons.lellations a n d blue prints of ]eaves, plants and twigs arc placed around the room .' Woodcraft signs S~l OJlld a lso be used and a r ea l stor'y may b e prepar'ed by bits of c h a rred wood to r'esemb le a deserted fir'e, tracks of a nirrials, etc, lrocedure: Th e Capta in explains that they are a ll to tak e a hil( e in th e room; the Patrols then dra w to see which on e starts fir'st; t h ey set off at inte n 'als, P,L.'s or Guides 'chosen by the Patrols armed with pencil and pap e r , ' Each Patrol is to mal{e a yal'n of what 1:hey see and note the various plants, constellations, twigs, birds, e tc" passed on the way, 'At the e nd of th e hik e, Patrols are give n a few rHinutes to write the story, P,L.'s r ead their stor'i es a nd th e Company selects th e b es L- ( I" rom "Gi r'] Scout Game BoOI{"), -M, N ,
GUIDERS AND RANGERS HELP WANTED! A Working Bee on the grounds of the Cottage , h as b een arranged for the week-end, l\~ay 30-J\lne 1, 1 ~ 4 1. Come and assist to )mprovl'! the outside appearance or the Cottage, Wjll those who can come to this Worl{ing B ee, please notify Miss D, Holtz, 2~ Grange R~ad, K ew, EA, by Tu esd ay. May 20, WITHOUT FAIL, e nclOSing ,5/9 for train fare, Please state if c oming on Friday eve ning or Saturday mid-day, If sufficient people are travplling, concessi on fares will b e available, Appr'oxim ;tte cost of board, 5/-, Fares extra, ' . -D, HOLTZ,
GUIDERS' DINNER At the Guider s' Committee meeting held on 4th Apri l, a :s ub-com mittee was ap pointed to investig'a t e the possibilities and advisibility of holding a Guiders' Dinnel' this year', 'l' hey (July enquired prices etc, from various c:lfE\$., n.~d found that 3/ - per head was the lowest quotation suita ble to our n eeds, (\Ve know from past experien ce the standard of catering we r'equjrc,) So muc h for the fill a nc;al side of th e ques tion! !-lowevrl' on the prinCiple of "Fir'st Things First" -a r'e ve jtLstt ified, dur'ing- this time of extreme National Emergency, in alTanging a function whi c h after all is ]Jurely a social event? Therefore, unl ess the Comm itte j'eceives some direction f rom those whom it represents, it will move no fUI't\ler in the m atter, ,. 0, G, M, KNIGHT, Chairman
May, 1941.
13
MATILDA
RANGER PAGE Minutes of the V iC'tori an Range r Committ E' m ee ting h e !d at H eadquarters on Thursday . March 13. 19H. at 6.30 p.m. Presenl.-Miss Bush. in the chair; Rangers: J o yce Bryant. Pame la Dyke, Peggy Edmondson, Isabe l LOw. Beryl McNee, Margaret ME'Ilor, Ethel Pres ton. Greta Roach. Haze l Sampson. Margaret Shaw and Beatrice \ Vilson. As ~lrs. Faun.ner and ~1iss Ross weI' Ullab le t o iJe presen t. l\Iiss Bush acte d as Chair,nan. An apology was rE'cE'i ve d from Myra Far ley. The mi nutes of the previous meeting werE' read and confirmed. Business Arising Crom the l\finutes, F rom four' n om in ation s r eceived. Dorothy P reston , of 3rd R ichmond. was e lected to th e Gipton Sub-committee. No decision was made as to what will be don e with profits made this yea ,' as onl y th,'('(' Compa nies have sent in suggestions. Four Commi ttee members have received answe rs t o their letters to country districts. The co u ntr y Compa nies were interes ted and wish ed to continue to corresp ond. A r e port on t h e Range r swimming sports was read by the Con vener. Pame la DykE'. This fixture was w e ll attended and very successful. The Swimming Cup was presented by Miss W ei khardt to the w inners . 3rd Melbourne Rangers. Finance. The balance in th e bani;: is £ 25/9/1 1. As this balance in the bank has been built up ove r a numbe r o f yea rs, it does not actually b e long to th e girls at prlO\sent in Rangering. A n effort was made to find some statement of the use fOl' \vhich it was intend ed, a nll although none c ould be f ound in the old min ute or cash books it is t hought that it was t o be use d to endow 01' furnish a room at th e Guid e House. Th e Committee d ecid ed to suggest in th E' next circular that £15 b e paid to the Guid e House Endowment Fund or th e Caretakers' Cottage Fund, At the 1941 Conference it will be suggested that ea ch Comm ittee shall begin the yea ,' with a ce rtain s um o f money in th e bank , which sum shall b e left intact, if possibl e, at the e nd of the yea r. The Treasure r I'e porte d thal the R a nge,' branch is the only on e which sends out c i,'culars for its fixt ures, all oth e r branches USe "Matilda" onl y. No d ecision was mad e on this matte r . Correspondence. A letter was received from Miss Busl, thanking the Committee for the donation o f £1 given to Headquarters by the 1940 C om mittee. Th e Gipton Committee asked if it would be possible for the Ranger Committee to supply Gipton with three palliasses and 2 groundsheets. Greta Roach, Isobel Low and Ella Low each donated a palliasse, but the Com mittee d ecid ed that th e mon ey f or th e groundsheets c ould not be given . Th e n ex t meeting will b e h e ld at H ead -
quarters on Friday, Apri l 4, at 6.45 p.m. The meeting then c losed. MINUTES O F THE VJarORIAN RANGER CO)llnTTEE HELD AT H.Q. ON FRIDAY, APRIL 4 , 1941. ·'~'pl'esent.-Range ,'s: Pame la Dyke, Peggy Edm ond::-on , Myra Farley, Isobe l Low, Beryl McNee, Margaret Mellor, Ethel Preston, Greta Roach. Haze l Sampson. Margaret Shaw, and Beatrice WilHon. Apologies w ere recE'ived from Mrs. Faulknet' and Joyce Bryant. Greta Roach was e lected to the chair. M inutes of the previous meE'ting were ,'ead and co nfirmed. Business Arising f l'om the jU illlltes. It was d ecided that profits made on fixtures this YE'ar will be given to the Guid e War Appeal. Wheth e r the Committee will co ntinu e to send out circulars or use "Matilda" onl y for ce r tain fixtures was discussed. and it was d ecided that an experim e nt will be made in July when notice and arrangements fo r t h e Ranger dinn er wi ll be publish e d in "Matilda" onl y. Basket Ball. Two basket ball teams, kn own as 1st Essendon Range rs a nd 4th Preston Rangers. have been ente r ed in the Victorian Wom e n' s Basket Ball Association.
First Aid Box. Haze l Sampson h as b een made responsibl e fOI' the hiring out and re plaCing o f kit in the Ranger First Aid Box. Finan<.' e. The balance in th e bank is £ 25/9/11, which includ es £1 o f T·h a nk You Fund subscriptions. C-ol·.respondence. A lette r was r ece ived from Miss Jean Robe rtson on behalf of the Brownie Guiders' C ommittee asking f or Rangel' helpers at th e working bee on the Brownie Cottage from May 26 to June 2 next. All Committee members are to get in touch with their Companies about this matter, and a nswe rs are to be sent to Miss Robe rtson be fore April 17. Date of Next l\feeting. The n ext meeting will b e held on May 9, at 6.45 p.m . The m eeti n g then c losed.
}<~rida)'.
TO ALl, VICTORIAN RANGERs. The Victorian Range r Committee wlshee all Companies a happy Guiding year. Begin by making the Thank You Fund happy and sending along 2/6 donation on YOur Company birthday, You could encl08e this donation with YOur ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION or 2/6 , which is now du e. Please make postal notes payable to M . Shaw, Collins Street. Me lbourne. Untillancial Companies cannot be c irc ularised (I'~ m em b er th e cost of statione r)' '8 g oing up and UP!)
14
M A TILDA CAMPING AND TRAINING Elai11e M01"an
The Pioneer Camp This was an experiment, the first time we have had a special Camp for testing the Pioneer Badge, in fact the first time w e have run a Guide Camp on these lines. FOI' the grea ter part of last year hints on preps l'ing for the Badge Test were published in MATILDA and the Guides of several Compani es spent their Saturdays practising hard. 20 Guides and 6 Rangers from 13 Companies were present. There were foul' Patrols, two were "made up" Patrols, and two consisted of Guides who hsd applied en masse. Each Patrol was sent a Patrol Kit list beforehand and the Guides were asked to get in touch with on e another before CamP-which they did, even if it could only be by letter -and to choose Leaders and Emblems. As the train brings Guides to the Guide House at something after 8 p.m. it is too late to pitch Camp, so the first night was spent camped in rows on the verandah, in order to get the earliest possible s tart in the morning. On arrival at the Camp Site the Leaders were shown four sites for the Patrol Camps and foul' piles of camp gear. After P9-trols had pegged claims for sites they started to erect Camp. Each Patrol had two s leeping tents and its own lat. and wash cubicle; the latter was e r ected with great ingenuity in t he bush with the aid of much rope and the minimum use of poles! Fire-places were prepared, sma ll grease-pits dug, and verp soon the first g9-dgets began to appear. Testing began almost at once and Guiders were in great demand to "pass" tent pitching, screening and wood-piles. The weather was perfect and plans could not have worked out more smoothly. Each day the whole Camp met for Prayers and Colours. Patrols mixed for Scouting G9-Il1es. The rest of the time was spent in caring for and improving Patrol Camps, cooking Patrol meals and tests fOl' the diffel'ent sections of the Badge syllabus. All this was entered into with great v im by all the campers who appeared to enjoy thl'oughly every minute of the Camp. Rations fo r 24 hours were given out each day and stored in Patrol Larders; visitors to Patrol Camps were proudly s hown the safes m ade from butter muslin and sticks, string bags for vegetables and ration bags for dry rations; Tthe best use' had been made of neighbouring trees on which these were hung, \' ery neat and ship-shape. M9-ny and various were the gadgets "without string or nails" as well as those requiring lashing. all were useful and well constructed. One section of the test requires the cooking of dumplings, bacon and stew and porridge. £>001' Q.M.! She would be peacefully sitting at her own meal in the Guiders' Cornel' when there would be a rush of Guides with the results of their labours to be t!LSted and tested. One morning she tasted so much bacon a nd porridge in alternate layers that she really did not need her own breakfast! At night all gathered around in the firelight for songs and stories and on Sunday evening the Guides' Own was held around the campfire. On the last day ten proud campers received their well-earned Pioneer Badges and ten others were
May, 1941.
told that they might still earn the Badge if they completed the few remaining tests within a short time. One Guide who had to leave on the early morning train, received her Badge the night before; it was immediately sewn on to her uniform to be worn home. because "Captain" was going to meet the train! The Camp broke up with many groans of regret and the determination to go on and "do" the Campcraft Badge next time! Training Courses Signalling Classcs-So far there have not been sufficiE'1lt applications to warrant forming this class. Will Rangers and Guiders who wish to join please wI'ite to Mis:;; Macartney at the Guide Office by 31st May. The class will not commence befol'e the beginning' of July and applicants will be notified of place and date. Required of those attending is a thorough knowledge of the Morse Code includin g the phonetic alphabet, and s ignalling and reading at second class standard. ·Woodcraft ·\Veel.'-A Guiders \Voodcraft Camp will be held under canvas at the Guide House in the September Holidays. from 30th August to 6th September, if there are sufficient applications. If you al'e k een on any branch of woodcraft you s hould tr'Y and come; if you want to leal'1l about woodcraft you s hould come, for Britannia Creek Valley provides unlimited opportunities fOI' woodcmft of a ll kinds from fun g i and ferns to Scouting' Garnes. CanLIJ First A.icl T est- The class fOI' this tesf will not commence until July as our lecturer will not be available until then. Th e syllabus of the classes will be published in MATILDA and those wishing to renew their certificates may attend whichever classes they feel will help them most befol'e the Test. Refresher and First Class 'l'minill.l J-Classes will be held at the Guide office on 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th June at 7.35 p.m. sharp. The fee is 3d. pel' class. Equipment required is note-book and· pencil, compass if available and sandshoes. The Field Day in connection with the course will be held on 21st June at Ivanhoe BI'idge from 2.30 to 5.00 p.m.
Open Wet'k-ends These are being he9-vily booked in advance, and applications are accepted in ·the order in which they are received. Guiders who are planning to go with their Guides are advised to make plans well ahead, apply early and avoid di!'<9-PPointlng the Guides. The fee is 6/ - per head including bus but not rail fare. The full week-end is from Friday e ve nin g to Sunday evening but parties may come for part time and will be charged accol·dingly. Guides must be accompanied by their Guider. Open to all CommiSSioners, GUiders, R9-ngers and Guides. Open week-ends will be held as follows: June 6-8. 20-22. July 4-6, 18-20. Aug. 1-3, 15-17. Sept.. 19-21. Oct. 3-5, 17-19. Nov. 7-9, 21-23 Applications must reach the Camping Sec. Miss Harrison, 126 High Street, Glen Iris, S.E.6, not later than two weeks before the week-end concerned, 2/6 deposit must be sent for each camper.
MATILDA
May, 1941.
GIPTON WORKING BEE
Camper's Licence The following Guider:; have passed the tests for Campel"s Licence: Mrs. R. D. Bakewell, Benalia. Miss S. Morris, Hamilton.
GUIDE HOUSE GROUNDS AND GARDEN If applications warrant it th~ Working Bet· advertised in last "Matilda" for May 10 and 11 will still be held . Later Worl{ing n~es will be June 21 and 22 and July 1~ and la. All applications to be sent to Miss Broadhurst. c/o Guide Headquarters. at l east a week befol·ehand. enclosing 5/9 for ' fare and stating wh ether you will be going on the morning or afte rnoon train on thc Saturday. -C. Broadhurst.
GUIDE SHOP "VH[STLES are no longel' availablp. Companies will n~~d to do somc im provising or to make an effort to call in a ll whistles that hav(' passed out of the Company. There is a small bool, available called "Silent Drill." which can be used in the COIll pany-price 1/-. This can be made inter~st ing and calls for more observation and sl'ifcont~ol from each individual. Ver~' good training! -C. flroadhllrsl. Bool,s are tools with which ,,'(' ,,'orl,-without th~m we c~ase to (;'1'0 \; .
In accepting the privilege sight of the responsibility.
15
J11a~'
\I'P
not los('
'r au remember we told you to Keep Saturday, May 10 (or the whole week-end) frep for the Working Bee at Gipton, Frankston. Now that Guide Week has been arranged to begin that week-end. some willing workers J11a~' find themselves unabl e to come. Howeve r. others who are free (and willing) are r eminded to send in their application at onc(> to Miss G. Eo Onians. 13 Myamyn Street. Malvern. S.E.3. Tell her whether you are gOing fOI' the day or the week-end. and whether you will go down in the morning 01' afternoon. Have you b('en co llecting sump oil for us? You remember we are going to paint th(> fence with it. and are counting on a goodly quantity. Can you bring any paint brushes with you, by the way? Tell Miss Onians this, too-and if you could bring some hedg<> shears. . . . ! A variety of jobs awaits you-and lo ts of fun. as usual. -F. V. Barrus.
PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED "Adventuring" South A usb'alia; "The Couneil Fire"; '''I'he Girl Guide Courier" Western Austnl.lia; "The Gid Scout Leader" U.S.A.; "Te Rama" New Zealand; "The ViTaratah" N.S."V.
What th(' day holds for us. li t's in tht, way we use our God-given Oppol'tunities.
Printed by the HILTON PRESS LTD., 223-27 Moray St.-e«. South Melbourn". S.C.;;.
16
MATILDA
May, 1941. RED CROSS FETE
SHELTER It is easy enough to t ake coyer when it rains-if you happen to be near cover.
The best "cover" from life's rainy days is a bank account. BE INDEPENDENT ! Build yOul'S up in theSTATE
SAVINGS BANK OF VICTORIA ~21
The Guide Emergenc~' Comp:lny was ver,. fortuna t e in having perfect weathcl' fO I' t he fete in the garden of 1\1rs. C. P . Broadhurst. The gross takings were £81/4/4, and nett total £80/10/9. This s u m is speciall y good. when you consider \\"e had no la r ge and expensive goods for sale, and tllat entry for all competitions was a penny. \\'e feel our work has been rew:l.l·ded; the ~TOUPS did \\'ork hard for the different stalls and competition:;. but. our work would ha\'e been u~eless, without people to huy, and, we were eert:linly 10~'ally :-;UP]lorted hy our friendS. The number of Guides and Brownies waB quite impressi\·e. From Lady Ch'lu\'el, to the ,mullest Brownie, we arc very grateful to you all, and it is because of your generous intel'eHt and help, we have such 3. large sum to hand o\'er to the Hed Cross. \\'e al'e deeply grateful to !\Irs. Broadhurst. The lovely surroundings were an added attraction and we are \'el')' much in 11er deht for her per"onal intel'est and help. ;\L MOOHE Huperintenc1ent
BRAXCHES - - 387 AGEXCIES
Head Office, Elizabeth Street, 1\1elb. X.
n. 'VILLIA:\IS,
General )Ianager.
YOUR CREDIT IS GOODUSE IT AT
II II u?/,~~/~~, -V~~r:~.
LeaI'll to lil'e a day at a tillll' .<tud Idthill tllat CO", pas.' 1)(' brarcst,
ylllll'
l)Cst
alit!
* FURNITURE * CARPETS * LINOLEUM * RADIO * PLAYERS * PIANOS * SPORTS GOODS TRADE IN - . Your old furniture, player piano or radio will be accepted at its full present day value as part payment on any new requirements. Trade in and save at Christies.
~. ~y.
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