In 1956, a young woman from Goulburn made the trip to Yass, calling to be part of the newly formed Girl Guides movement. These girls were bold; their actions were transformative.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Since then, the guides have been shaping the foundations of Yass, sometimes subtly, at other times with voices loud.
For the last 35 years Fiona Vickery and Stella Murphy have been leading the girl guides, undertaking camping trips and community services.
Even travelling with the girls overseas, the Guides doing their own organisation, budgeting, and itinerary.
“Some of these girls have never been out of the country, so these trips give them valuable skills that they will have for the rest of their lives,” Fiona said.
For both Fiona and Stella the Girl Guides is about empowering the young women of the community and giving them valuable life skills.
But both women have had enough, hanging up their badges they hope, by the years end.
“We’re really running out of enthusiasm to keep going and that’s not fair on the girls, so we hope that someone young and keen will take over from the two of us and carry on this important group,” Stella said.
“It’s not just the girls that get something out of this, but we have been given so much over the years, watching the girls grow and move into young women is the most rewarding part.”
One girl Guide Bella Knox says anything boys could do, girls could do too - and these girls believe they can do anything.
The Guides are pushing boundaries and making their voices heard, contribute to society and lead lives that can transform their communities.
“We make friends and do lots of fun stuff,” Bella said. “We learn so much outside of school. And, there are no boys so that’s really good.”
“I have been here for a year and there is so many things that are great about my time with the guides, it’s hard to choose just one moment.”
If you think you have what it takes to be the next leader of the Girl Guides contact the Guides on 6282 5328