Girls’ Brigade Help To Overseas Groups

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31198, 24 October 1966, Page 2

Girls’ Brigade Help To Overseas Groups

Many new ideas had been put into practice in the Girls’ Brigade during this year’s trial period for amalgamation. These

changes stimulated interest and efforts being made throughout the country were impressive, said the president (Mrs J. A. Hollows) at the national council’s annual meeting at Woodend during the week-end.

The interest in overseas work had been maintained by' Volunteer Service Abroad and training courses conducted in Papua, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands, where a team of senior girls also assisted with training.

Two brigade officers were giving service through the Voluntary Aid Abroad scheme. Miss Shirley Morrison, on the staff at Goldie College, Roviana, in the British Solomon Islands, had formed a brigade company at the college.

Miss Ruth Turner was still serving in Western Samoa as a teacher, and although not free to give practical brigade service, kept up her interest in the work.

Training and fellowship given by New Zealand and Australian members had put the New Guinea brigade on a sound basis.

Many other avenues of service were open to brigade members. The Shui Hau School in Hong Kong, adopted soon after construction in 1964 by the pioneers of the brigade in New Zealand, had been supplied with more uniforms, ceiling fans and basketball posts in . addition to the annual donation. Parcels of children’s clothing had been sent to Epworth village refugee cottages, and many companies had supported C.0.R.5.0. and Operation 21. Two children were also sponsored by the brigade.

Service in New Zealand included assistance with the health stamp campaign and hospital visiting. Two training officers from Malaya and Western Samoa studying in New Zealand had been assisted by the scholarship fund. The challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh Award had been taken up many members. This year 312 girls were working at bronze level, 77 entered, 46 were at the silver stage, and seven were at the gold stage. A total of

84 bronze, silver, and gold badges and certificates had been presented. Ten Queen’s badges were awarded. The pioneer committee was again framing a programme to encourage and challenge the older girl. Much thought and practical experience had been put into plans and a very interesting programme was being presented.

I Grants from the GovernI ment (£2835). the J. R. Mc- ; Kenzie Trust Account (£600), the Institute Printing and : Publishing Society Ltd. (£2O), : and other groups were greatly ! appreciated. Without this as- : sistance some activities would I have had to be reconsidered, i About 160 officers from all > over New Zealand attended the meeting.