table settings reflect the day

When you choose to have table napkins then you need something to hold them together. The use of glasses was really appreciated when we heeded off to the Italian Australian Club one year. The Guides felt that all their efforts were worth everything they had put into the day.

Other times the guides have either used a ready made napkin holder or they made their napkin holders, name cards and servietters.

different table setting to create for meals

At times we have created ourselves, or sat at professionally done table settings for different events.

These events have been at :

• late night suppers,
• Learning about our Four World Centers

• buffet meals,
• formal table settings,
• Japanese table settings,
• finger food
• smorgess board
• hostessing by the plate and requesting refreshment types.
• picnics formal or impromtue,
• around campfires
• sitting on the ground at camp

There are basic Guide traditions and ettiquete that we have shown all the Guides over time. As the Guides learn one thing another is shown. From making the table settings to suit the occasion, to how to eat, pass food, cut meat, handle knives and forks, use fingers, wash hands, communicate, basic table manners, to hosting, serving and doing the dishes.

Written by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District

Encouraged to be written by Clear Vision

Things to do for Girl Guides formal meal

• Will the formal meal occur?
  
• Decide Date
• Decide where and time.
• What is the theme to be?
• Who to invite?
  
• Plan menu.
• Decorations - where.
• table settings.
• Etiquette
  
• Activities and games.
• Who is doing what job?
• What are the Jobs?
  

Written by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District

Encouraged to be written by Clear Vision

This is the basic 2009 menu to work on.

Menu Chosen
Main Course
	Chicken	Roasted
	Beef	Roasted
	Salad
	Potates	Roasted
	Veges
Desert
	Chocolate Cake
	Merrianges
Afters
	Scones and Cream
	Guide Biscuits
Refreshments
	Fizzy drink
	Tea
	Coffee
	Cordial
	Milk
	Written by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Encouraged to be written by Clear Vision

Together the Girl Guides pool their ideas for the 2009 formal meal..

Now we pool our likes and dislikes
Foods we like	Foods we don’t like
Beetroot
Birthday cake
Cheese
Chips
Chocolate
Cup cakes
Ice Cream
Jelly
Lasagna	Broccoli
Lasagna	Chicken
Mums Cooking	Garlic
Mushrooms	Homemade bread
Nuts	Peas
Popcorn	Quiche
Rice	Spagetti
Rice Bubbles
Roast Potaoes
Slaswinga
Soft cheese
Steak
Tiny teddies
Veges
Written by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Encouraged to be written by Clear Vision

Girl Guides learning to have a voice at 2009 formal meal planning

Individual
Choose three things you like and one you do not like. Draw a picture or write their names down
Like	Not Like
Jelly
Roast Potaoes	Homemade bread
Birthday cake
Lasagna
Popcorn	Quiche
Cup cakes
Ice Cream
Veges	Spagetti
Slaswinga
Mums Cooking
Lasagna	Chicken
Ice cream
Steak
Tiny teddies	Peas
Chips
Chocolate
Rice Bubbles	Broccoli
Rice
Beetroot
Mushrooms	Garlic
Cheese
Soft cheese
Nuts	Meat
Chocolate
Written by Hazelwood and Churchill Girl Guide District Encouraged to be written by Clear Vision

Junior Birdsmen

Chant:
Oh my goodness, oh my soul, here comes the junior j bird patrol!
Sing: Up in the air, junior birdsmen,
(Make thumb and forefinger goggles over eyes,)
Up in the air, upside down
(bend head low)
Up in the air, junior birdsmen,
With your noses to the ground.
When you hear the grand announcement,
(Hands cupped over ears,)
That your wings are made of tin,
(Flap wings)
Then you'll know you're a Junior birdsman,
(Goggle eyes)
So send your box tops in.
You need five boxtops,
(Five fingers up
Four bottle bottoms,
Four fingers up
Three labels,
Three fingers up
Two wrappers,
Two fingers up
One thin dime.
One linger up
Zooooommmm!
Flyaway)


(Traditional, North America Summer Camp)

Basket ball in the park

At the end of first term 2009 when the Guides were planning out their program a few wanted ball activities.  Others wanted to have a BBQ, while still others wanted just to be outside later than normal. Friends were invited.


We ended up going to the Glendonald park ion Churchill.  Here there is a net ball and basket ball court.  Well half the court is net ball, the other half is basket ball.

After all the glass was swept away we were able to go on with trying to get a leader to throw the basket ball  into the hoop.  After a while she actually did it.  Much to her surprise.  But the Guides won the count.  Even Debbies 2 year old grandchild helped.  We put her on our shoulders then helped her throw the ball into the hoop.  We stood under the hoop.  She did better than the leaders.

The leaders might need practice gettintg the ball into the hoop but they can still pass the ball with force behind it!

 

Learning to march

Learning to march sounds boring. Done the right way is fun. We had fun. Even when you are asked to go back and do it again. And again.

First you start with remembering what one is your left foot! Once it is pointed out that Guide Salute with their Right and shake with their left things are easier. The left foot is the lead foot. we often mucked up.

To correct that there's the skip step. The one where you do a half step and repeat it a few steps later. That way the marching is all back in rhythm again.

Then when your finally moving when do you know when to stop. besides the person in front running stopping and you running right into them. That's where listening to the commands come into it. And doing the commands helps too.

Marching involves swinging the arms. The other arm to the foot that is moving. Or you may end up out of balance and falling into someone else.....the ground hurt's when there is no one to stop you falling.

The hand does not go further than the knee. If you swing the hand too far the steps get out of rhythm.

It took us a really fun time to get this marching stuff under control. then we got new people and we had to show them how it was done. That was really funny cause we realized how funny we looked when we begun to 'March'.

We learned to March so that we could be on parade and escort the colors when the Second World War Board of Honor was brought back to the Hazelwood South Hall. Then we did Australia Days, and Anzac Days. Everytime there was something that we wanted to march in there was new things to learn too.

We were working on our Explore: guiding, Our World and Friendship badges, others doing sections of our Create: Feet, hands, Ears badges. Some of us were doing more to their Junior BP and BP badges,

Similar but different causes confusion

Often games are played or similar activities are done through out the world. One game may have developed one way, another branched out some other and the original changed beyond recognition. Usually because games and activities spread as people spread, played in may different countries, across class and culture and with anything that is on hand.

The Churchill Guide Unit has up to 6 different primary schools making up the membership. Being a flexiable Guide Unit, with an age range of five to seventeen at different times a simple game or activity needs very clear rules. So now advacacy and self government help in keeping the rules clear to all. These rules are remade several different times over the years.

At different times various camp rules , games [ kick ball, skipping, sack races, craft activities, clean up duties] all come under scrutiny. Discussion is keped cool as the process of determining the rules is decided.

Do we all have an equal input around the discussion circle, in the patrols, patrol leaders meeting, at a committee meeting.

Accusions of Cheating

Learning to play by the rules of any game is difficult. add to this a splash of variance of the accusion of cheating often comes to the forefront.

The game then becomes a matter of behavior modification and tolerance / forbearance. Dealing with issues and volatile emotions rising their head and messing up a perfectly good game or activity.

Kick Ball : Churchill Guide Style

1) No head butting the ball.
2) No fighting over the ball.
3) Kick ball to the goals to gain points.
4) Put the goals on the ends of the field.
5) If tagged 3 times from opposite team member, the ball is to go to the other team.
6) Be a good sports person.
7) No cheating.
8) No swearing at the elders.
9) No rematches when you’re out.

Keep it up

Orginally this game came from Communicating September 2002 P 8. Over time several changes have been made.

Keep it Up!** players are in a scattered formation and try to keep a beach ball in the air as long as they can by hit­ting it before it touches the floor. Each time a player hits the ball, she says something relating to the theme selected. Examples include items in a first aid kit, sporting events, healthy snacks, what to take on a hike, safety hazards etc..

using the 'Silver lining' proforma

People have different gifts and talents. People look at other people from their understanding of life. Therefore using this chart has helped when trying to sort out what different affect people in various ways. Turning negative thoughts into positive thoughts and paving the way for a more creatively positive attitude and environment is a terrific thing to do. Used often with reflection and evaluations this chart becomes instinctive in it's use. Able to be recalled often .

Where are we?

When the Guides are trying to work out where there relatives are that live in Australia this is one of the maps we have used

STAND EASY

STAND EASY:

Command - Unit, stand EASY

The feet remain in the same position as stand-at-ease, but the hands and body may be moved. This position is used when a group are in position and waiting for the arrival of a VIP as in a guard of honour. To bring the group to attention, give the command: Unit, atten-SHUN. On the word 'unit' the group will come to the stand-at-ease position and on the final order come smartly to attention.



Practiced using the Ceremonial made Easy pamphlet.

STAND AT EASE

STAND AT EASE: Command - Unit, stand at EASE


The left foot is moved about 30cm from the right, weight is placed evenly on both feet; hands are held behind the back and the right hand clasped in the left. This is a more relaxed position and can be maintained for a longer time.





Practiced from Ceremonial Made Easy pamphlet

ATTENTION:

ATTENTION:
Command - Unit (or camp,
patrol etc), atten-SHUN

This position should not be maintained too long. The body is held erect, head and eyes facing front, hands by the side, fingers lightly clenched at the rear of the skirt or slack seam, knees and feet together.


From Ceremonial made easy pamphlet.

Giving orders

If the leader moves smartly and well, her example will be followed.  The leader is the pivital point of any 'command center'.  What people see and hear is how they too will react.


If orders are given smartly - they will be carried out smartly.  This is really important when dealing with many people in a crowded area.  In order to get the commands over to others the leader should have practiced using her voice so that when calling commands it is done clearly and therefore well.   Before the actual comands are given the voice box should have had a 'warm' up practice session.


During the commands the accent is always to be on the end of the word eg 'Atten-SHUN' or on the last word in the command, 'Quick MARCH'. Girls should be taught that they do not move until the whole command has been given.

Promise Ceremonies are Different too

The Promise Ceremony may be different for every Guide who makes her Promise.

Making your 'own' Promise  is different from the iniatial listening to others make their Promise.  When you choose for it to actually be your turn the time is special.  There after every time you renew, or someone renews or makes their Promise your memory may transport you back to when and where you initially made yours.  Even years later your memory will flash this on your mind.


So the Promise Ceremony is a special time. The creative setting made, the people invited, as well as those who stand up their with you are specially remembered too.

The Value of Ceremonies

Ceremonies give a sense of belonging and of achievement. Be the traditional or ceremonies that the Guides have created and carried out themselves.


In order to create a ceremony the Guides first witness and learn about different ceremonies.  The Promise, Flag Protacol involving unfurling of the Flag, Flag Flying, protecting the Flag,  receiving awards are a few repeatitive ceremonies that are carried out within Guiding.

Sometimes different symbols and familiar items are among the things there when the ceremonies begin.  Things like pictures, songs, toys, teddies, seats, buildings, trees.

A little about ceremonies?

Throughout the world Ceremonies and ceremonial form part of every heritiage. Guiding is world wide.  As such the Ceremonies practiced in Australia is similar to these through out the world. As a nation Australia is making her way to being multi-cultural whilst developing an Australian Culture, it's own Ceremonies and Traditions that are able to be shared and celebrated by all.  


Special occasions and a combined heritage are marked by the Nationally recognised Ceremonies.Australia Day, the Opening of Parliament House and Anzac Day are among ceremonies carried out each year by individual Guide Units or the comming together of many Guiding people.  Right down to the Guides within a Patrol celebrating the Promise Ceremony of a new Guide.. 


All the cereminies are important.  Having a regognised methodology as to how things are run, commands called, and actions expected or taken makes the running of such an easier job.  When a Guide moves on within her Guiding, from one age range to another, more depth to the commpands is given and expected in return.

Any interest in radio communication?

Hi all,

Thanks to Susan for the invitation to join the blog - my first blogging effort!

The Eastern Zone Amateur Radio Club meets at the Hazelwood South Hall on the first Thursday of each month, except January.

We can run training courses leading to people gaining their Foundation amateur radio licence. We will be running a course on Saturday 12 December, with the assessment being done on Sunday morning 13 December. This is probably too close for anyone that is interested but has not yet started studying.

You can find out more about the Foundation licence from the WIA website:
Discover amateur radio
Foundation licence

If any of the Guides are interested, let me or Susan know. We can arrange a talk about what is amateur radio as a starting point. If there is interest, we can start some training sessions if needed.

If you have your own licence, you can communicate via amateur radio with others at any time. At a JOTA event, you can use the radio without supervision (within the terms of your licence).

Some may have some experience with CB radio - amateur radio has some similarities but is very different.

Cheers,

Peter

Butterly

We know what we are calling Rebecca ...it is Butterfly.

Choosing governace

Governance is about having the choice to choose, then knowing what to do with this choice.  All levels of Guiding are shown different processes for the same thing. 

  The 7 to 10's are called Dolphin Patrol.  We already have the Koala Patrol for the 11 to 14's.

There are different badges that the Guides have chosen to do.

We played Hop-Scotch. And we did some more of the Columbia badge. 

Some more Guide revieved their sashes and some badges.

There were
Special Badges - 100 year celebration, Jota/Joti,  2 round badges called Build a better World, Discover your Potential.

Some Guides got their Explore: Freiendship badges.

We are nearly finished some others too. They are

Explore: Our World, Life Skills,Guiding, Outdoors, Arts

Some have started their Explore: Faith Awareness and their Explore: Health and Fitness and Science and technology badges.

And we have also begun the :
Challenge Badges: Girls, Rope, Food, Fire, Hands, The Arts.

Theres one called the Bridges over to Argetina and we have started that too.

Unit Scarves near door.

From now on when we go into Guides we get the bag of scarves and put them near the door. Then we put one on for the night. After the meeting we leave them behind near the door...but not in the bag. That way the ones worn will be washed and made ready for nest week.

Our next job is to get the Unit flag stand ready to erect the flag. The Flag pole goes in the North side of the Building. That is where the roof is highest near the office door. A compass can be used to check this out.

After Guide and before the Color Party people put their scarves away they must put the Flag and its pole and the stand away.

Recieving that first badge.

When Youth members receive their first Sash it is important to them.  Then when they receive the first badges there is a positve wow factor.  Everyone present feels like they too are getting their first badges all over again.

In Novemebr  2009 two members received their sashes.  Also the badges that had been achieved to that date.  Besides the Patrol Badge some were special badges, while others were Explore and Challenge badges.

These badges were awarded today:
Patrol Badge: Koala

Special Badges: 100 years of Guiding badge.
     
Explore: Friendship, Guiding, Outdoors, Science and Technology, The Arts, Guiding. There are skill more to come by the end of the year.

Challenge: Food.

These youth members are so close to finishing other badges that they will be surprised early next year when they realise how close they were to receiving them.

 

For now though the challenge is to have these ones sewn on before we return next year[ January 20th 2010]. Now they are learning how to sew them on. Then they have finished the challenges towards their Create Hands Badge!!  I am sure that they will share and commiserate with learning to  hand sew with other people. Glad the badges are safety pinned in place.

Groundsheet

Next you will need a ground sheet made of any sort of waterproof material. You can buy ground sheets from a camping store, use heavy weight plastic or builder's plastic or an old shower curtain. Your ground sheet will need to be about 2 metres x 1 metre, a little longer and wider than your sleeping bag when it is rolled out.

I found that having the builders plastic really makes crinkles and russling sounds at night. Also the builders plastic is 'slippery'. The ground sheets that appear to be made of the matted plastic wear down slowly but you do not slip down wards so many times. As things should have at least two uses on camp have you considered how the ground sheet itself would be protected from ripping if you had to use it for an emergency shelter?

When you are sleeping, your ground sheet protects your sleeping bag and sleeping mat or air mattress from moisture and protect you from the cold. The warmth of your body draws the dampness up out of the ground and the underneath of the ground sheet will be quite wet in the morning even if the ground appeared dry when you laid the ground sheet down.

During the day your ground sheet will form the waterproof outer layer of your bedroll.

Sleeping bag

Firstly you will need a sleeping bag. There are basically two types of sleeping bags -ones filled with down or feathers and ones filled with synthetic material.
Down-filled ones are generally lighter, less bulky and warmer but they are mere expensive and harder to dry if they get wet.

Bags come in all sorts of shapes and thicknesses. Bags with a hood and drawstring around the neck will keep you warmer than those without. The warmest shape is called a "mummy" bag.
Choose a bag that has an insulated flap along the zip so that you don't get cold along the zip line and one that can be unzipped from the inside and outside of the bag.

Most sleeping bags come with a cover or stuff bag. Down sleeping bags are simply 'stuffed', feet end first into this bag. Synthetic sleeping bags are generally rolled up and slipped into their cover. If you don't have a cover for your sleeping bag you could make one or make a couple of strong bands of elastic to hold it together.

Sleeping bags inner bag

My mum used to use these in the sixties when we went camping. You got it . She learned this trick from her mum. And relearned it when she was a Girl Guide just after the second world war. How did you guess. Yes her mum was a Girl Guide Leader too.

Linen inner sheet
A sheet inside your sleeping bag will add to your warmth and keep the inside of your sleeping bag clean. Sew an old flannelette sheet into a rectangular bag shape - leave the sides open near the top. A warmer, lighter sheet bag can be made from pure silk lining material. Buy double your length and stitch the sides.

Australia Day in Melbourne

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag. For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year. The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball. At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.


Full Uniform is worn. Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats. Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Australia Day Jan 26th in Hazelood and Churchill shopping Centre.

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Hazelwood and Churchill shopping Center. (theory of this is great) As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.


Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends. Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / color party [with Scouts].


One draw back here is that we usally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before. When we do it will be posted here. So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Jewelery making

A combined effort. I'll hunt out my tools too.

in reference to: The Gipps Guides (view on Google Sidewiki)

Creating Training Aids

When you go to teach anything to anyone, yourself included, training aids are used. You may be so familiar with these 'aids' that you do not realise you are actually using them. So just to prompt your memory here is a list of possible aids that you have used.

Discussion,Evaluation, Time lines, mind maps, lists, art work, painting ,songs, creating /reading stories, artices, Word finds, the alphabet, computer programs, traditions, customs, unifrorms, other people, a chain of progressive knowledge, letter, radio or TV broadcasts, dvd, cd, activites, events, jobs, mentoring, parents, group action/ reactions .....

The more we get together

The more we get together is a song that was sung in 2005 at a camp fire. very soon after wards as part of the Achieve : Leadership part 2 this song was one of a few taught over a a month at Guides in preparation for a short campfire.

The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For your friends are my friends,
And my friends are your friends,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.


The more we get together, together, together,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.
For you know that I know,
And I know that you know,
The more we get together the happier we’ll be.



Campfire
6th August 2005,
Baw Baw Region sleeping under the Stars.

And another version of make new friends.

A terrific Song with regards to friendship.

Make New Friends Round
(You may want to use one verse per group)
Make new friends but keep the old,
One is silver and the other gold.

A circle's round, it has no end,
That's how long I’ll be your friend.

I have a hand, and you have another,
Put them together and we have each other.

Sew good friends wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home.

You help me and I'll help you,
And together we will make it through.

A fire burns bright, it warms the heart,
We've been friends right from the very start.

New made friends like new made wine
Grow and mature to the end of the time!

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special, but hard to find.

Friends are real and friends are true,
If you love them they will love you too.

Cherish friendship in your breast
New is good, but old is best;

Across the miles, across the sea
Friends forever we will always be.

Make new friends, but keep the old:
Those are silver, these are gold

Friends like you are one of a kind,
Very special but hard to find.

So good friend wherever you may roam,
You'll be welcome in my heart and home

Guide Law Song

The Guide law song is a catchy song to the tune of Old Mac Donald had a farm.

Written aimed at Phillipine Girl Guides the Laws are very similar to the Australian Guide Laws.



Guide Law Song Sung to the tune of "This Old Man".
Guide Law one, loyal and fun,
Loyal and fun says Guide Law one,
Helping other people, learning more and more,
Guides be true to the first Guide Law.
Guide Law two, helpful you, *i Helpful you says Guide Law two, Helping other people, learning more and more, Guides be true to the second Guide Law.
Guide Law three, considerate be,
Considerate be says Guide Law three,
Helping ........ «
Guide Law four, friendship sure, Friendship sure says Guide Law four, Helping ........
Guide Law five, animals alive, Animals alive says Guide Law five, Helping ........
Guide Law six, 0-be-d-ient , 0-be-d-ient, says Guide Law six, Helping ........
Guide Law seven, smile or gladden, Smile or gladden says Guide Law seven, Helping ........
Guide Law eight, never be late, Never be late says Guide Law eight, Helping ........
Guide Law nine, care of yours and mine, Care of yours and mine says Guide Law nine, Helping ........
Guide Law ten, good citizen,
Good citizen says Guide Law ten,
Helping other people, learning more and more,
Guides be true to the tenth Guide Law.


This song was orginally published in the old Girl Guide magazine 'Matildia' in the mags Training Pages.


Enjoy learning the sang. Onece learned it is hard to get rid of from your head.

Attending 'my' place of Worship

It is my understanding that :
Guiding recognises that faith and worship is a very important factor in most peoples lives. Faith, belief and Worship enriches peoples lives in so many different ways.
Guiding itself is a non-religious, non-political organisation. This being said guiding supports those members who choose to attend places of worship and to express themselves in a respectful and diligent way that allows for them to respect and live with themselves, their family,community, their environment and the world around them.


Susan Connor

Measuring up to "My Best"

The girl Guide Promise asks you 'to do your best'....

Okay, so what is your best? Are you doing your best? What's stopping you? Once this has been sorted out where and what can you do to do better? Do you want to do better? What is your Goal? Figure out some little steps to get to your goal. Give yourself a time limit. What and how will you proceed [what will you do if] you don't meat this challenge goal?

And the music flows

Listening to different types of music adds variety to our lives.

Sometimes during the meetings CD's have been played. The Guides or leaders bring their CD's, check with the leaders that the CD's music is appropriate, and the Cd's are played as back ground music through the meeting.

Over the years there has been played: Guide songs and campfire singing, traditional Australian Aborginal music from different 'Nations'. Various other traditional music from other countries: New Zealand, Waled, France, Germany, American Indian, and Indian just to name a few.

Even Music from different music trends: The Australian Youth Choir, Abba, ACDC, Whitesnake, Celian Deyon, Jazz, Classical, Rock, Metal (heavy, fairy, light electrical,,) Pop...

Various compilations such as Aussie BBqs, Power Songs, Imprisonment tapes, Childrens Nursery Rhyme Tapes, International freedom CD's.

The lists just go on.

The Guides and their friends are checked re their knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety in regards to electricity, handing of home appliances, appreciation of noise levels, who running the show and who has over all power with regard to saying turn it off.

Organising meals.

Keeping up to date with these changes means that the guide Leaders are always checking up on what foods we eat and don't eat when they are helping the Guides organise a menu for a dinner, camp or other activity.

Assessing eating habits.

Things happen all the time as our bodies get older and / or more sensitive. In order for us to constantly keep up, look after our bodies we have to assess, regulate and change our diet regularly.

Keeting fit while being a Guide.

Sports Guides have played as well as attending Guides :

Netball, Basket ball, Tennis, Soccer, Skate Boarding, Bike Riding, Horse riding, Show Jumping, Sailing, Canoeing, Running, Athletics, Karate,Tai Chi, Swimming, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Belly dancing, ....

Learning to skip.

One meeting we all challenged Susan to skip. Yes she can go forward, backwards (not to well though) and even can loop it. She has to keep stopping though.

Scrapbooking is fun

Meetings making pictures, place mats, charts, decorating log and camp books, cards, invitations and just working together, having fun and doing our own thing too, while scrap booking have been terrific.

We cook meals too

Cooking a meal for the family following a recipe.

This was a meal that was a stew. Very nice it was.

Make a useful article for a friend

We made place mats for when we invited our Friends and Family to Guides for Dinner.

The place mats were made using scrapbook cutters, scissors, hole punches, lots of glue, drawings and paintings. Using stickers with gold or silver, or even glitter mucked up the laminating of the place mats.

Multi-tasking

Multi-tasking means by doing something once that something may be used for a mutitude of things. With this in mind there are fifty years worth of activities, events, evaluations, camps, service and all sorts of things that various generations of people have done. See how these things all fit in together.One person may use one event or task for one thing, another person will use it for something else. Try them, alter them, see how they work. Get back to us and make your comments known.

Making Cubby houses

Over the years that we have had Guide meetings there have been many cubby's made.

Some have used tables and chairs, others have had the climbing things outside. The materials for cubby making are in a box stored under the table near the office door. Big sheets of different varieties and colors.

All the building material (sheets, tables and chairs) to be dusted down,refolded up and put away before the Guides go home. Cleaning up is important in play as well. Learning to fold materials is a pre-requesite for storage of tents.

Sometimes this methods just is not right for the occasion and the Guides will concentrate on coping life's lessons rather than build a cubby. So the wooden children's cubby is used by all ages.

Friends from other countries.

Two girls from another country came to our Guide meeting. Some of the girls already knew these girls from school.

They too are now members of the Guide Unit.

Doing things

Some of the girls who came to the disco and also the dance in the third term of 2009 have joined up and are becoming Girl Guides.

When you have fun and people see that things are happening then they think it is worth it. So they too give 'it' a go. Then when there is more people 'doing things' others still want to come.

Party Lights

During 2009 a shop had a special on. The leaders went out and spent some money on all sorts of lights to use at discos, party's and other things.

Unfortunately the disco ball was dropped ion the first night the Guides were looking at them.

Now there are cables missing. When we have more money there will be more cables.

The equipment we have and can still use is still fun to have. The District has spare extension cords and socket extensions.

Using the CD player.

There is a CD player where we meet. As long as the Guides organising the music show one of the leaders the C.D's before the CD player is used then it may be used in different activities.

Even played during the meeting time if they agree.

NOTE: All the CD operators need to have their Occupational Health and Safety checks by Debbie first.

Plan a party and invite your friends.

We planned a Dance at Guides for the end of Term three (2009).

We invited all different people. we had made invitations, and asked them to come too. Our parents asked their parents too.

We had fun, played outside, had cold drinks, lots of food, decorations and music. We also had games to play too.
The CD player was the one at the meeting room. The music was ours, The older girls organised the CD player.

Some of the girls we invited have now joined Guides.

Flag poles have their uses.

There are only three uses for a Flag pole.

The main use for a flag pole is to hold a Flag. More aptly known as "The Colors". Another use for Flag Poles are to center the ropes that peg the flag pole down. The third use for a Flag Pole is to give the Color Party a Job.

Flag poles are not used as entertainment props, dance poles, spare tent poles, dilly bag lines, prospective spare kindling even or anything else other than a Flag Pole. Boaring! but true. Boils down to having respect for the "Colors" and what and who those the "Colors" represent.

The Colour Guards Job desciption includes...

It is the Color Guards job to guide the Color Bearer from injury or harm. When the Color Bearer is carrying the Flag in the hoist she cannot see as the Flag pole and Colors are directly in her line of sight. For this reason the Color Guards stand so that their shoulders are able to Guide the Color Bearer. Nudging her to go one way away from possible danger or hazard.

The second job of the Color Guard is to assist in protecting the Flag - "the Colors".
This job starts when the Flag is handed over to the Color Party until it is handed back and protectively stored away again.

The third job is to listen and respond to the Color Bearers commands. This then assists the Color Bearer to have a Uniform marching Color Party.

Where do I stand in Colour Party?

Okay who is the main Guard of the flag? That is the Color Bearer?
There one Color Bearer and two Color Guards.
The Color Bearer stands in the middle with the color Guards on her left and her right side.

Stay with the Flag

In day's of old a Flag was a symbol of a group or tribe. Over the noise of battle soldiers could get easily confused and loose their direction. Different musical instruments were used to rally the soldiers on, call them back, give instructions and signal the winners or losers of the day. The winners obtained the others flag. Symbolising that the other team now 'owned' them.

So when the flag is away from it's protective case /packing until it is folded and replaced back into safety those that are the primary guards of that Flag keep a very good eye on the Flags were-abouts.

Should a Flag be stolen for any reason the side missing their Flag belongs to the other...until they can retrieve it back.

The primary carer for the Flag usually has the most experiance of the Colour Party. This Primary Guard is the one who has the job of handling, carrying /presenting the colours etc. Her color party members also guard the Flag and the Primary Guard.

When there are other members of the Colour Party under training the responsibility of the Flag is still the Primary Guards. Thus the Flags protection belongs to one but is shared and cared for by all.

28th November 2010.

A decision was made by the guides to wear the scarves, which scarves, where to put them so they were all available as they walked in the door and what to do with them after after the meeting.

A second decision was made with regard to the Unit Flag. Yes they would like the Unit Flag there when they are at Guides. Where was 'there' to be though.

Nov 10th 2010.

This afternoon the theme of friendship was laced throughout the program. The things that were included into today's program were: Flag protocol, making choices (Self Governance), helping someone else (lending a hand (LAH) or service to fellow man), what have we done so far ( Self-governance) what are we going to do (Power-steering, Event-Management),

not being afraid of asking questions, (self confidence) making a combined decision, (peer decision making) doing something from the decision, Preparation for a Guides Own, Doing our own 'Guide's own', Closing the evening with taps.

Many ways of saying 'Thank you'.

There are as many ways of saying 'thank you' as may be expressed. Some of the ways used are as simple as giving and sharing of thoughts, poems, letters, stories, prayers, graces, vespers,songs, actions, laughter, dance, mime, waves, energy release activities, passing a piece of something around for all to hold and savior, showing of pictures, describing events and things.... The list goes on.

Given time I think everyone should have a go at expressing every one of these communication methods.

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What's a Guides Own?

With a group of people a very simple ceremony that says "Thank you" is a Guides Own. Usually based on a theme. You involve your own "Superior Being" and simply communicate a thanks using different communication methods.

Since every Guide has made her own Promise she is reflecting on her own beliefs. Therefor there may be a mixed bag of "Superior Ones" represented. As a participant there are many methods to show respect of everyone's wishes and beliefs.

Australia Day Melbourne

Australia Day celebrated as a State Event in Melbourne. This event has the Guides carrying a large Australian Flag. For this the day is primarily aimed at the BP's, Queens Guide's and OBPs presented the previous year. The years that I took Guides down who had achieved these Peak Achievement we had a ball. At the end of the march there we were in Government gardens joining in the festivities.


Full Uniform is worn. Take drink bottles full of water and sun hats. Make sure you are well fed before the ceremonies begin.

Australia Day 2009

Starting usually a 7am this local event is now being held at the Hazelwood and Churchill Shopping Center. (theory of this is great) As a Hazelwood and Churchill Event it is open to all aged Guiding personal and members. Event permission forms should be handed to the Guide Leader in Charge of the Guides on the day... signed by parent or carrer.


Previous years we have been asked to face paint as an activity while people eat and catch up with friends. Other times there have been odd jobs like the handing out of flags, song sheets, readings, hoisting the flag / colour party [with Scouts].


One draw back here is that we usally do not get finalisation of anything until the week before. When we do it will be posted here. So keep an eye out and email us when if you think you are coming.

Jota 2010 new call sign

For 2010 we will have access to a special callsign for Sunday 1100
onwards - VK100WIA. The callsign will probably be sought after overseas, and hopefully international propagation will be starting to pick up by then.

Planning for this event has already started. The radio activities will be running on the Sunday.

and we shook hands with..

The left handshake is a Link of Unity amongst the Girl Guides and Girl Scouts the world over. Representing a let down of shields and a trust in the other person.

Crawlers

That Smells...

Fire blanket used during fire season do smell. However they save lives when a person has no other alternative. They are made of real thick wool. The ones the Country Fire Authority use are red and heavy.

Here we are being 'emcouraged' to go under the blanket (alias smoke coming lower down).

Some of us really pose for photos!!!!

Look Wide Create Section Fire Try

Low down and crawling. :Feb 17th 2009

The Guides chose to go low and crawl outside.

New experience as the blades of 'sundried' grass and the earth were really hard.

So dust and grass went with them.

Who does it better

How is this done?????

Invite Country Fire Authority Schools training personal down to really show how its done. Here is a demonstration of how to really crawl fast under a down coming wall of smoke (alias red fire blanket).

Mate ship. That's what comes from team work,sharing of experiances, the highs / lows, sharing
of laughter and tears.

Wet Chux Chase.

This relay race needs two chux cloths per team.

Each person 'racing' needs their teams chux to get from one end to the other witout their feet touching the floor.

If you score thry these:

1 score point to each team member making it to the end line.

1 score point for each member getting to the end within a chosen time.

1 score point for each of the other teams members that you touch on the hand.... and so forth.

decide on the appropriate types of scoring available before the game is started.