By Callum Ludwig
The Yarra Junction Girls have returned for the year and are welcoming any new members to come along and join them.
The group has been active for 21 years and operates out of the Yarra Junction Scout Hall for girls aged six to 17.
Guide Leaders Jane Sinton and Narelle Allison said Guiding offers girls a chance to experience a variety of activities with the aim of helping girls to become confident young women by encouraging the learning of new skills and taking on new challenges in a safe environment.
“Working in small groups (called patrols), girls, with the assistance of leaders where required, discover, decide, plan, implement and evaluate their activities. A wide range of activities are covered depending on the interests of girls in the unit they attend,” they said.
“Current Yarra Junction Guides are covering life skills, for 13+ girls this includes cooking, car maintenance, power tools, self-defence, first aid and other activities,”
“The younger girls are following a similar program, however being more relevant to their age such as bicycle maintenance, water safety and communication.”
Girl Guides get the opportunity to go on different camps, both indoor and outdoor, with activities including riding a possum flyer, caving and rock climbing. There are also opportunities for sleepovers, school holiday programs, sailing centre activities and longer camps (called Jamborees) both in Victoria and interstate.
Ms Sinton and Ms Allison said girls can make lasting friendships with others who enjoy challenging themselves and trying their best.
“They can learn new skills, often not taught at school, including leadership, environmental awareness and how to advocate (speak out) for themselves and others,” they said.
“Guiding offers the opportunity to earn badges in their interest areas, and if the guide chooses to, with the peak award being the internationally recognised Queens Guide Award.”
Older guides can also explore the option of applying for international events run by guide groups around the world.
Ms Sinton and Ms Allison said Girl Guides continues to evolve for the modern girl, ensuring the program remains relevant for today’s girl whilst maintaining their values and teaching traditional skills.
“Guides are girl-only providing a safe space without needing to compete to gain
opportunities in areas such as leadership,” they said.
“We are an organisation very involved in community events such as ANZAC Day, Clean Up Australia Day and Cancer Council. Units also do their own service, Yarra Junction has made toys for dogs in animal shelters and donated blankets etc.”
Anyone interested in joining the Yarra Junction Girl Guides can contact Ms Sinton at jane.sinton@guidesvic.org.au or Ms Allison at narelle.allison@guidesvic.org.au.
