AFTER 40 years, Swan Hill Girl Guide leader and district manager Leone Walbran was finally recognised for her contribution to Girl Guiding in Swan Hill when she received the Wattle Award on Monday.
It’s been 20 years since the award was presented in the Swan Hill district, as it recognises a guide’s long-term commitment to their role and their impact on the girl guides in the local area.
“You don’t do it for the award, but it is nice to be recognised,” Ms Walbran said.
Unlike most guides, Ms Walbran’s introduction to the Girl Guides came after she was well into adulthood.
“I wasn’t a guide as a child, but I had a friend who was very involved in guiding and became interested in it myself,” Ms Walbran said.
“I guess it was because I liked being around children as I was also a teacher for over 40 years.”
While the Girl Guides’ focus on children, Ms Walbran said their are many opportunities to grow skills as an adult.
“The opportunities are endless,” she said.
“I’ve done a lot of things I didn’t expect to do and picked up a lot of skills.”
“And I don’t plan to move on from the role just yet.”
Ms Walbran said while guiding is fun, it is also challenging and requires leadership skills.
One of her first camping trips as a guide in Swan Hill ended with everyone knee deep in water.
“When we went to camp at Cohuna, it rained and our site was flooded, so we packed up and stayed in town for the night,” Ms Walbran said.
“It was an interesting experience.”
Apart from camping around the state, Ms Walbran had the opportunity to travel internationally.
“Girl Guides have centres around the world, including India, where we helped disadvantaged children and women,” she said.
Having guided generations of girls over the years, Ms Walbran has seen things change over time and has celebrated many milestones such as the centenary of Victorian and Australian Girl Guides as well as Swan Hill Girl Guides’ centenary last year.
“I like to watch the girls grow in confidence and always hope they become the leaders of the future,” she said.
“While things have changed a lot, Girl Guides will always remain a place where girls can be themselves, and learn leadership and social skills as well as challenge themselves to do some wonderful things.”
