By Mikayla van Loon
Yarra Ranges District Girl Guide volunteers have been receiving service awards over the last few months, recognising their unfailing commitment to training young girls in the guiding way.
Having handed out around eight awards so far, district manager Sandy McElroy said normally the groups would come together for a celebration to recognise service but with Covid-19 it has meant travelling to each of the groups separately.
“There’s still more to give out but it’s working on getting around to all the different people,” she said.
“The awards are ranging anything from five years, right up to the quite lengthy 30 or 35 years. Which is, when you think about it, it’s a pretty good credit, it shows that they’re enjoying what they’re doing and are passionate about being with us as a guide leader.”
Ms McElroy said leaders who have also completed their first year receive a certificate of service to congratulate them on their contribution to young girls’ lives.
Many of the leaders themselves have grown through the process of being a part of Girl Guides at a young age to becoming a leader themselves.
Seeing the progression of the leaders in their ability to teach, Ms McElroy said is one of the nice things about handing out service awards because it recognises their development, as much as it thanks them for their commitment to Girl Guides.
“The leaders are really very passionate from the point of view of seeing the girls grow because when they start off, it’s all about fun, and it’s still about fun in the end, but it’s all about fun and helping other people,” she said.
“One of the main things is working with the girls to teach them that it’s important for them to look at their community and do service. And yet at the same time, they get something out of it as well, the satisfaction of knowing that they’ve helped people.”
Leaders not only run their two hour sessions with their Girl Guide group but also do much of the behind-the-scenes work to organise camps or external activities.
“Working with families is important and making sure that we’re meeting the family needs as well. Leaders also work with the community, so the community knows that the Guides are there if they need to call on us.
“Each of the girls will have different goals as well because of their personalities and their abilities.
“So leaders need to consider making a flexible program so that we can include the different girls and make sure their needs are met.”
While recognising years of service to Guides is important, Ms McElroy said later this year the district will be handing out good service awards to leaders who have gone beyond their normal duties.
“By the end of the year, we’re hoping to be able to have face to face get togethers and be able to present people with good service awards which means they’ve gone perhaps a little bit above and beyond.
“No one comes and says to you, ‘you’ve done a good job’ on a weekly basis because we just don’t see each other, you’re only working as a little team.
“It’s nice to know when someone says to you, ‘I think you’ve done an extra good job’ and gives you a badge to wear on your tab. I’m looking forward to giving them out because we’ve got a number of ladies in our district that are deserving of extra care.”
The Yarra Ranges District comprises Mooroolbark, Yarra Glen, Yarra Junction, Healesville, Montrose, Seville, Mount Evelyn and Lilydale Girl Guides.
