By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Junction Girl Guides leader Vicky Sinton has been recognised for her volunteer efforts with a Casey Volunteer Award from Casey MP Aaron Violi.
Ms Sinton has been a leader at the Yarra Junction girl Guides for six years, having been a girl guide there herself growing up.
Ms Sinton said she learned so much and made so many fond memories during her time as a guide that she wanted to be a part of making that happen for other girls as well.
“The past year has just been a little bit extra busy for not just me, but I think a lot of guides leaders because we’ve been trying to make up for a couple of years of not doing many fun events. We try and do camps, day events, and other adventurous activities,” she said.
“Elyse [Schoch] who got an award as well, myself and others are a part of a team within the Yarra Ranges district to bring bigger adventures and help ensure we meet minimum numbers, which has helped us do sailing days, canoeing days and other camps which is great for giving girls more opportunities.”
As well as Ms Sinton and Ms Scoche, other girls guides who received Casey Volunteer Awards included Erin Allison (Yarra Junction), Margaret Brooks (Monbulk Girl Guides) and Samantha Curley, Sandy and Philip McElroy, Jaydine and Nathan Rumney and Marie and Chris Mutton (Mooroolbark Girl Guides).
Ms Sinton said that because girl guides has such a wide age range, it is important that girls have a range of opportunities.
“It’s hard to cater for all the ages with an age range from five years old to 17, it’s definitely enabled us to make sure we can provide a bit more of a variety to give those girls. Next year, we are planning things like horse riding, visits to the city for a day and other camps already,” she said.
“I would definitely encourage girls thinking of joining to do it because I personally think that they’re missing out if they don’t at least give it a go. At Yarra Junction, the leaders don’t plan too many events, the girls tell use they want to give something a go and we make it happen.”
Recently, Yarra Junction Girl Guides raised over $800 at a trivia and raffle night to go towards their members attending Jamboree in January 2023.
Ms Sinton said she thinks that being fun and spontaneous has made her a good leader.
“Sometimes I think it is really beneficial for an adult in a leadership position to show you can still get involved and have fun, to show kids there is a need for that. We had a water fight night a couple of weeks ago and I was saturated after being chased around with buckets and water guns so it’s definitely not boring,” she said.
“Guides was something that I’ve stuck around with because I was not a sporty child even though I gave things like netball a go and just never really clicked with it despite liking being outdoors. I had great leaders growing up and that made it a fun experience. Now when we have a camp or sleepover it’s pretty mentally, emotionally physically exhausting, but it’s always so rewarding just to know that they’ve had such a good time as well.”
The awards were announced on Saturday 10 December at Chirnside Park Country Club, with over 41 individuals and four community groups received awards for their time and dedication to the Casey community.
Mr Violi said volunteers and community groups are the heart of Casey.
“We are fortunate to have so many passionate locals working to strengthen our communities.
They give so much of their time and energy to the Casey community, it’s important that they
have their hard work recognised and rewarded,” he said.
