Girl Guides has been running in Western Australia for 110 years, and it is still going strong with 1,200 youth members across the state, aged from five to 17.
Over that time, some things have changed, including its promise and its uniform, and it is no longer selling biscuits as a fundraiser.
However, Great Southern region Girl Guide leader Tammy Flett said some elements, like camps, remained a key part of the program.Â
Two new Girl Guides at their promise ceremony. (ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy)
“For my unit, we drag out the old-fashioned canvas tents that I had as a guide, and probably generations of guides before us had,” she said.
Sienna Smith, 11, from Albany’s Weerlara Girl Guides, said there had been some adventures at camp.
“In my tent, in my section, towards the very end of the night, right in the corners, my tent decided to have these massive puddles, and half my clothes were full-on drenched,” she said.
“Luckily, I still had some dry stuff.”
A group of Girl Guides making slime at their meeting. (ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy)
Earlier this year, members of Albany’s Weerlara Girl Guides joined thousands of others at a jamboree in Queensland.
Among them was 11-year-old Emily Gilpin, who said the guides really enjoyed the “boogie” tent and getting to know Girl Guides from other areas.
Tammy Flett says being part of Girl Guides has led to great opportunities. (ABC Great Southern: Rosemary Murphy)
“We had this really cool quokka surfing badge to represent WA, and we could swap those for other badges from different places,” she said.
“It was a really fun time.”
‘Girl-led’ organisation
Ms Flett said a major reason for the longevity of Girl Guides was that it was a “girl-led” organisation, allowing the interests in each branch to shape the activities and events.
“If the girls are really into the outdoors, our program is outdoor-based,” she said.
A Girl Guides camping trip in Albany 1929. (Supplied: WA Girl Guides)
“We still cover eight fundamentals, but it’s done with an outdoor slant to it.”
Members also have a say in broader changes in the organisation.
“No change is done without extensive engagement with all the members, ranging from the five-year-olds right up to the older adults we have,” Ms Flett said.
Different Girl Guides uniforms on display during a celebration of 110 years of Girl Guides in Bunbury. (ABC South West: Anna Cox)
“When we had a massive uniform change leading up to our centenary, parents and the members got the opportunity to say what was important to them.”
Lasting connection
The Bunbury branch was one of the first to open in November 1915, and held a celebration earlier this month to mark the anniversary.
Among those attending was Margaret Short, who joined the Bunbury Girl Guides as a Brownie when she was six and is still involved 80 years later.
Girl Guides attending an event in Busselton in 1930. (Supplied: Girl Guides WA)
“It’s just a wonderful movement, and I think any child who wants to join is very happy,” Ms Short said.
“I have friends I met here when I was 15.”
She is not alone in having a lasting connection to the Girl Guides — there are nine Trefoil Guilds across WA, made up of women over the age of 18.