IT has been 100 years since the first Girl Guide troop formed in Swan Hill and on Sunday, June 18, there will be a lot happening to celebrate the milestone at the Swan Hill Guide Hall from noon to 4pm.
They have come a long way since Miss June Gillespie and 23 girls first met in the Presbyterian church hall in 1923, but the fundamentals of girls taking responsibility for their actions, being community minded and working in small patrols are as important today as they were in 1923.
State and regional representatives from the Guides movement will be taking part in the festivities.
Volunteers have been hard at work with lots of painting and sprucing up of the hall, purpose-built in 1965 after many fundraising events at a cost of 6000 pounds.
Swan Hill Guides district manager Leone Walbran said that the girls could choose the activities that their troop would like to do.
“They like doing cooking, they like doing crafts and camping is also popular.
“There is also opportunity to do a lot of leadership activities and of course learning social skills.
“They also have the chance to go to international camps, and when they reach 14 or 15 years they can do leadership courses and attend one of the five world centres.
“There is one in Mexico, India, Switzerland, England and Africa,” Ms Walbran said.
On the day there will be lots of displays of memorabilia, the opening of a time capsule from 2003, and afternoon tea.
A book has been produced for sale detailing names of leaders from the Swan Hill district over the 100 years as well as some personal reflections from past leaders and Guides and a collection of recipes from Guides and leaders both past and present.
There have been many changes over the years in programs, badges and uniforms.
All are welcome to join in the celebrations at the hall at the corner of High Street and Purtons Lane.
