GIRL GUIDE NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 2

GIRL GUIDE NOTES

[By Guidek.]

VISIT OF EAGLE OWL. Miss Aspinall, Eagle Owl for New South Wales, arrived in Dunedin on Friday afternoon after completing training weeks in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The Dunedin training began at St. Leonards on Saturday afternoon, when there were present Owls from Invercargill (one), Alexandra (one), and Dunedin (six), the last-named district having representatives from Iloslyn, North-east Valley, Knox, Opoho, and Central Mission (two). Of these, four will be in residence all the week, and another will stay in camp and come up to her work during the day. Of the six from Otago who enrolled for the whole period, four withdrew on Friday and one failed to appear. Two others found at the last minute, fortunately, that they could remain the whole period. There will be other Owls going for odd periods; the more the bettor. There are some captains taking advantage of learning something of Brownie work so that they may feel more at home when they visit their packs. This is much to be commended, and any captains will be welcome at any sessions they can attend. The training will continue until Friday evening. BADGE OP FORTITUDE. On Thursday evening, in Plunket Ward, Dunedin Hospital, a ceremony took place which those who took part in will not readily forget. Half-past 7 had just struck, and visitors had left the ward. The patients were settling down after the short half-hour of interest and excitement. In a bed near the door a girl lay with closed eyes and lines of weariness in her face, a face that to her visitors had been all brightness and cheer. Into the ward there came three people in a uniform more usually associated with the freedom of the out of doors than with the ward of a hospital. The provincial commissioner and secretary, a Ranger captain, and lieutenant had come to honour a fellow-Guider whose courage in the face of affliction that would have embittered many others has been a constant source of inspiration to all who know her. It is nearly two years since Bessie Robertson entered Dunedin Hospital this last time. During that period she has been paralysed from the waist down, and has at the same time suffered terrible pain in the upper part of the spine. Yet she has never grumbled, never grown morbid. Her interest in Guiding remains keen and unchanged. She was at one time captain of the Waitati Guide Company, and later took on Post Ranger work, becoming captain of the Otago Post Rangers. The Badge of Fortitude is in the form of a medal. The cross of St. Andrew in navy and white enamel, bears a gold trefoil at its centre, and the edge of the medal is outlined in gold. It hangs on a navy ribbon, attached to a bar of nav'y enamel, on which the word “ fortitude ” is outlined in gold. CALLED TO HIGHER SERVICE. After the above paragraph had gone to the printer word came that Bessie Robertson had been freed from the burden and weariness of her earthly body, so long a drag on the eagerness of her spirit, and had passed to the land of far distances, where surely her triumphant soul will find a now unhindered scope for the joyous service begun so bravely and well during her short life here. GUIDERS’ CLUB. The Guiders’ Club met in Wilson Hall on September 10, Miss Williams presiding, Miss Barron, Prov. Commissioner, and Miss Hay, prov. secretary, were present, and the following companies were represented :—lst Dunedin, St. Andrew’s, 4th Dunedin, Anderson’s Bay, Columha, Lone Guides, Knox Rangers, St. Anne’s, St. Hilda’s, South Dunedin Rangers, Mornington, Opoho, Ist and 2nd Caversham, St. Clair, and South Dunedin. It was decided to hold the annual sports day on Saturday, November 7. The following committee was elected to supervise arrangements:—Misses Williams, Wilson, M'Leod, Standage, Burgess. Chrystall, Anderson, and Rae. Miss Barron’s hike will be held on Saturday, October 10. Guiders will meet at the Stuart street tram terminus at 2.30 p.m., and from thence walk to Whare Flat. The majority will bo returning on the Sunday evening, but those wishing to do so can return on Saturday night. Resignation from office was tendered by the secretary, Miss Bennetto, whose place is being temporarily filled by Miss M'Leod. Captains were reminded that those wishing to do so could have company photographs taken at reasonable prices. Further information in this regard could be obtained from the secretary of the Guiders’ Club. Miss Barron discussed the recent Guiders’ training week-end, conducted by Miss Burgin, of Auckland, and also stated that the Guide rooms would be closing on September 29. In future it will ho necessary for captains to order direct from Dominion headquarters, except in the case of registered goods, which must be ordered through the provincial secretary. The list of registered goods can bo obtained from the prov. secretary, and also price lists. All orders must have postal notes attached covering the value of the order and postage. These registered goods orders will be fonvarded twice a month to Dominion headquarters, and it will be necessary for the orders to reach the prov. secretary on the first and third Wednesday of each month, in order to be fonvarded on the following Friday. A sale of goods will be held during the week preceding the closing of the Guide rooms. Mi ss Barron drew attention to the fact that one of onr Guiders had been awarded the Badge of Fortitude, which had been presented to her earlier in the evening. The badge itself is indicative of how much in esteem she is held by her fellow-Gniders. The meeting closed with taps. OWLS’ MEETING. At tho mooting on Thursday evening tho following packs were represented;— Anderson’s Bay, North-east Valley, Caversham, 4th Dunedin. Central Mission, Knox, Musselburgh, Macanclrew Bay, St. Andrew, Iloslyn. During the evening the Provincial Commissioner and secretary joined the Owls to speak of tho arrangements for training. Later Owls joined tho captains for some business, and then supper and singing. Ist CAVERSHAM GUIDES. To celebrate the eighth birthday of their company a very enjoyable evening was spent on August 26 by the Ist Caversham Girl Guides. We were pleased to be able to entertain the 2nd Caversham Company, members of onr committee, and the mothers of the Guidos. The evening was spent in playing games, competitions, and supper. The singing of our Guide vesper and taps concluded a very pleasant evening.