07 March 2023 | To all Adult Members, Trefoil, Junior Leaders, YAC |
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- UN Women International Women's Day
- CSCF Updates
- Treasurer: Position now vacant
- Clean Up Australia Day 2023
- Introducing Girl Guides Flyer
- Queen's Guide Award
- World Pride and Mardi Gras
- Archives & Preservation Training
- Essex International Jamboree
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Settling into March, I’m struck by the focus on global citizenship and inspired by the ways in which Girl Guiding comes together to build connection, enable advocacy, and empower girls and young women to make a difference in their world and in our world.
So many of you shared powerful ways you recognised World Thinking Day. A day to reflect on our global movement and recognise our place in the world as changemakers – resolute in our continued focus on gender equality, equity and justice and bringing forward a world where girls and young women can thrive. The WTD themes set by WAGGGS highlight sustainability and climate action, and so many of us joined in on Clean Up Australia – showing the opportunity when we come together, organise, and respond to issues impacting our world.
With International Women’s Day tomorrow, and its global UN theme addressing digital inclusion and digital rights, paired with the recent wrap up of Sydney World Pride, we have all taken stock of the work that needs to be done still to realise human rights. The ambitions but also the scale. We know gender equality is an accelerator for all and it is the tide that can lift all ships.
As I walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday as part of the historic Pride Walk wearing my Girl Guide uniform, I heard the rallying cries – climate justice is gender justice and gender justice is climate justice - and I am reminded that in today’s world, women and girls are most acutely and disproportionately impacted by climate change, while technology and digital inclusion can be a mechanism to empower, raise voices, make change, and ensure that nobody is left behind (while acknowledging the specific risks to women and girls online).
There is much to be done and right now, I am so inspired by the sustained energies and action of our Girl Guiding community to be the change.
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UN Women International Women’s Day |
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This past Friday 3 March, UN Women Australia hosted their annual International Women’s Day event across several capital cities. Members of Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT alongside staff and Board directors attended events in Sydney and Canberra as well as joined in online to the virtual hub and livestream.
We connected with the IWD official theme of ‘cracking the code’ in line with the UN global theme and considered the power of the Internet and digital rights. It was an inspiring day with incredible keynote speakers and activists that together, are leading the conversations for a more equitable world. Speakers this year included Tarana Burke, Founder of the ‘me too’ Movement!
Congratulations to the following Members who submitted a winning response to our IWD competition! It was so lovely to have you attend the UN Women’s IWD lunch, either in-person or online: |
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- Kerrin Alamango
- Ashlyn Hubble
- Alison Cappetta
- Jessica Hanley
- Vanessa Howard
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IWD is tomorrow 8 March – consider opportunities to share the theme with your Units/networks and fundraise for the impactful work UN Women is doing for the world’s most vulnerable women and girls, especially in the Pacific region.
Girl Guides and UN Women have a long history together (both locally and globally) and this continues our focus on the Sustainable Development Goals. |
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UPDATE—Girl Guides, a Child Safe Child Friendly Community |
Now that we are back in the full swing of another Guiding year, have you conducted the following Child Safe Child Friendly (CSCF) checks in your Units, Districts and Regions? Be sure to: |
- Check that all Leaders and Managers have completed their CSCF Training.
- Check that all Volunteers working with your Guide Unit on an ongoing basis meet the
- Guiding in Australia requirements for Ongoing Volunteers.
- Check that the GGA Code of Conduct is displayed clearly in your meeting place.
- Develop Unit Rules for your Unit meetings (see the “resources to Support Unit Leaders notes below)
- Discuss the ‘Tell Us What You Are Worried About’ form for Youth Members with Guides. Check that they know how to access the form and how to use it.
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Resources to Support Unit Leaders
As a Unit Leader it is important you look at ways to demonstrate Girl Guides is a Child Safe Child Friendly Community. It is recommended that Leaders include in the Unit program some activities that equip girls with tools to help them feel confident about their right to be safe and how to be safe.
There is an activity resource which can be used to help girls identify who are ‘My Trusted People’. It is available to be downloaded from the GGA Leaders & Managers webpage.
More resources will be developed during 2023.
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GGA Child Safe Child Friendly Updates |
Please note several updates have been made to some Procedures and Guidance Notes in the Child Safe Child Friendly Framework. These updates are provided in response to feedback and support current Girl Guiding practice. Changes are specific to the following Elements: |
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- Element 2: Becoming a Girl Guide
- Element 7: Health & Safety
- Clause 5. Transport
- Clause 4. Outdoor and Adventure-based Activities
- Clause 5. Overnight Stays
- Clause 17. Activities and Engagement with Third Parties (NEW)
- Clause 18. Duty of Care and Supervision (NEW)
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View CSCF changes
Visit Guidelines |
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The search is on for our next Treasurer! |
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David van Gogh is soon due to complete his term as Treasurer and finish as a Director on our Board. A heartfelt thank you to David for his significant contributions and service to Girl Guiding. David first joined the Finance Committee in August 2018, then appointed to the Board as a Co-Opted Director in September 2019. When Karen Lui finished her term as Treasurer (and following an open call for applications), David was appointed as Treasurer in March 2020. In this role he has served as Chair of the Finance Committee, and as a Member of the Executive Committee, as well as fulfilling his duties as a Board Director.
It has been great to work with David and I admire his significant experience, his leadership and his kindness. He will be very much missed around our Board table, but we wish him the best in his next chapter. His contributions have been important, and he has served diligently and capably, with a deep commitment to the Mission of Girl Guides. He is and will continue to be held in high esteem.
The Treasurer is a Director role, and has oversight of financial, property and audit matters relating to the financial position of our Association. The term is 3 years, with the possibility of a 2-year extension.
If you, or anyone you know, is interested in in serving Girl Guides in this position, please encourage them to apply. Members are also encouraged to directly contact me if they would like to further discuss the role |
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Read the Position Description |
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Clean Up Australia Day |
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Congratulations to everyone who stepped up in this year’s Clean Up Australia Day! Making choices for a better world today, and tomorrow, is a key part of the Girl Guide Law. And in 2023, it’s never been more important to look after our environment. Thank you to all those who gave up part of their Sunday morning to participate in this incredible event. |
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Updated Resource: Introducing Girl Guides Flyer |
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The widely used Introducing Girl Guides flyer has been refreshed to reflect 2023 GGA branding. You can download NSW, ACT & NT versions of the flyer by clicking the link on MyGuidebook > Quick Links |
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Download via MyGuidebook |
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Where to find it! |
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Queen’s Guide Award Information Session |
Interested to learn more about the changes to the Queen’s Guide Award and what it means for you? GGA is hosting a special virtual session for all Leaders, Youth Members doing their Award or interested in doing their Award, and parents/families. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and hear from Wendy Kirk, National Coordinator Youth.
Who: Youth Members 14+, Senior Guide Leaders, Parents + Families
When: Thurs 16 March (next week) at 7:30pm AEDT.
Where: Via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87576183868
Further questions about the session? Get in contact with Wendy at [email protected]
Registrations not required. |
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Mardi Gras & World Pride |
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT proudly participated in the celebrations of World Pride, held in Sydney this year, and continued our tradition at the Mardi Gras parade, as well as other key events over the course of late February and early March.
Sincere thanks to Julia Becker, Inclusion Lead for her leadership and for everyone who was involved!
We handed out friendship bracelet makers at Mardi Gras Fair Day, danced the night away at the Mardi Gras Parade while supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, got involved in discussions about intersectionality and the future of the LGBTQIA+ movement at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference, met some super cool people at the Sydney WorldPride Community Hub, and marched across the Harbour Bridge for equality.
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Keep reading to learn about all the awesome things we got up to! |
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Two sessions this weekend! |
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Gain first-hand experience and skills in archiving and conservation practices! If you’re interested in Archives, Records and Conservation of multiple media forms, our training this Saturday and Sunday is for you! This training will involve practical activities and see you taking action straight away on our archives collection at Northbridge.
Please note, while the full weekend training is encouraged, you’re most welcome to attend a day session (Saturday AM or Sunday PM). You choose!
What: Archives & Preservation Training
Who: Youth Members 14+, Adult Members & Trefoil Guild
When: This Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 March
Times: 9.30–12.30pm (Saturday) and 1.30–4.30 (Sunday)
Where: Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT Archives Facility, 296A Sailors Bay Road Northbridge NSW 2063
*parking available at the nearby Northbridge Oval |
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Register now! |
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What to bring:
Please wear enclosed, comfortable shoes and if possible, old clothes! For those who already have them, please bring along any protective equipment like glasses, a shower cap for long hair, white cotton gloves and a protective coat. We will provide P2/N95 masks to all attendees which will be required to be worn.
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Essex International Jamboree 2024, Chelmsford, Essex, UK |
10,000 Guides and Scouts from all over the world will camp together for a week of fun, discovery, and adventure, embracing the spirit of Girl Guiding and Scouting. A varied and exciting programme of activities including a range of adventurous, creative, and cultural activities is being planned, plus opportunities to meet new friends from around the world. |
Would you like to be part of the Girl Guides Australia Contingent? |
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Yours in Guiding,
Emily Milton Smith (She/Her)
State Commissioner
Girl Guides NSW, ACT & NT
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