Guided over a century

By Kath Gannaway
HEALESVILLE Guide leaders Robyn Argent and Joyce Kerr between them have around 75 years of service to Guiding.
Robyn, now Acheron Region District Leader, was eight when she became a Brownie at Olympic Village Girl Guides and Joyce a mum in her early 40s when she put her hand up to become a leader 27 years ago.
They said this year as the Guide movement celebrated its centenary it was both busy and exciting.
Acheron Region Guides came together at 10am on 10 October, 2010 for the Flying the Flag event to mark the centenary and celebrate being part of an international movement with more than 10 million members in 145 countries.
Throughout the year, the Healesville guides have been working on their centenary badges.
Robyn who became a leader at 16 says Guiding still offers girls the wonderful opportunities, and more, that it has given her over the years.
“We do the same sort of things we have always done but there is now a bigger choice of activities and a lot more challenging opportunities,” she said.
Joyce became involved when her daughter Narelle became a Brownie and stayed on when her daughter left Guides.
She says she can’t imagine not being part of what she says is a wonderful organisation of girls and women.
“I like being with the girls and going away with the leaders, meeting new people, new situations and adventures,” she said.
Robyn said Guiding could open up a world of opportunities in terms of what the girls do as Guides, and through leadership opportunities.
“We have four world centres where they can stay or work and great support networks,” she said.
Guides and leaders will receive a commemorative $1 coin minted especially to celebrate the centenary.