girl guides queensland annual report 2015

ANNUAL REVIEW

2015

ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAustralia • Bangladesh • Brunei Darussalam • Cambodia • Cook Islands • Fiji • Hong Kong • India • Japan • Kiribati • Korea • Malaysia • Maldives • Mongolia • Myanmar • Nepal • New Zealand • Pakistan • Papua New Guinea • Philippines • Singapore • Solomon Islands • Sri Lanka • Taiwan • Thailand • Tonga

ARAB REGIONBahrain • Egypt, Arab Republic of • Jordan • Kuwait • Lebanon • Libya • Mauritania • Oman, Sultanate of • Qatar • Sudan • Syria • Tunisia • United Arab Emirates • Yemen Republic

AFRICA REGIONBenin • Botswana • Burkina Faso • Burundi • Cameroon • Central Africa Republic • Chad • Congo • Congo, The Democratic Republic • Gambia, The • Ghana • Guinea • Ivory Coast • Kenya • Lesotho • Liberia • Madagascar • Malawi • Mauritius • Namibia • Nigeria • Rwanda • Senegal • Sierra Leone • South Africa • Swaziland • Tanzania • Togo • Uganda • Zambia • Zimbabwe

WESTERN HEMISPHERE REGIONAntigua and Barbuda • Argentina • Aruba • Bahamas • Barbados • Belize • Bolivia • Brazil • Canada • Chile • Colombia • Costa Rica • Dominica • Dominican Republic • Ecuador • El Salvador • Grenada • Guatemala • Guyana • Haiti • Honduras • Jamaica • Mexico • Netherlands Antilles • Nicaragua • Panama, Republic of • Paraguay • Peru • Saint Kitts and Nevis • Saint Lucia • Saint Vincent and The Grenadines • Surinam • Trinidad and Tobago • United States of America • Uruguay • Venezuela

EUROPE REGIONArmenia • Austria • Belarus • Belgium • Cyprus • Czech Republic • Denmark • Estonia • Finland • France • Georgia • Germany • Greece • Hungary • Iceland • Ireland • Israel • Italy • Latvia • Liechtenstein • Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta • Monaco • Netherlands • Norway • Poland • Portugal • Romania • Russia • San Marino • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Sweden • Switzerland • Turkey • Ukraine • United Kingdom

With ten million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from 146 countries across the world, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) is the largest voluntary movement dedicated to girls and young women in the world.

I am delighted to see, as Patron, that 2015 has been a very busy and successful year for Girl Guides Queensland.

The organisation remained closely involved in the highly consultative national review of the Australian Guide Program and the reinvigoration of the Olave program.

These processes have now reached the implementation stage. As Girl Guides Queensland approaches its centenary in 2019, these changes will position the organisation to prepare with great confidence as it enters its second century of wonderful service to girls, young women and the broader community in our State.

Also in 2015, Girl Guides Queensland showed its leadership and organisational skills in hosting the highly successful (and clearly fun-filled!) Great Bunya Gathering of over 1400 Girl Guides and Leaders from all over Australia, from New Zealand and from nine other countries.

Through these major events, but also through day-to-day activities at the local level where Guiding has its most immediate impact and influence,

Girl Guides Queensland continued to value and develop the self-confidence, sense of responsibility, and leadership skills of thousands of girls and young women in Queensland.In 2015, as every year, the sum of these activities represented a marvellous contribution to the strength and well-being of our State’s communities, and an admirable investment in our future.

I commend the report to the widest possible readership and, as Patron and a former Girl Guide, I share the pride of all in Girl Guides Queensland, from the youngest Guide to the Queensland Commissioner, in the impressive achievements of 2015.

Mrs Kaye de Jersey Patron, Girl Guides Queensland

From Our Patron

GGQ ANNUAL REVIEW 2015 01

As I take time to reflect on the achievements of 2015 and our journey together, I remain in awe of the strength and courage of our Leaders and all that we achieve. What a year of achievements!

As you know, our platform is based on the three very important elements of courage, strength and connect. Our priorities for 2015 were ambitious and required us to challenge our ways of working to find a more sustainable path forward. The load on our Volunteers and small support team is growing and not sustainable.

Our platform was reflected through our priorities as we needed to dig deep to find the courage to challenge sameness, the strength to keep pushing through the barriers and stay focused, but most of all to stay connected to enable us to reach the intended outcome. Together we have tremendous capacity and an unfailing belief in our mission and what we do.

It is why we do what we do!

SIX PRIORITIES WERE SET FOR 2015Great Bunya Gathering Host an international Jamboree

Kindilan Review Conduct a review (purpose and value - people, processes and resources)

Constitution Write a new Constitution to better suit our current and future needs

Women of Substance (WofS) Reinvigorate and extend our reach into community

Development of GGQ’s strategic and operational plans Build sustainable plans for future

Development of significant partnerships Enable us to fulfil our mission

How wonderful to report success stories with each priority.

GREAT BUNYA GATHERING2015 saw our limited resources even more stretched as our Volunteer Leaders, Support Centre team and management committees worked extremely hard to host a most wonderful international Jamboree - the Great Bunya Gathering (GBG). Donna Thompson, as the energetic Leader in Charge and her enthusiastic Assistant, Camp Manager, Cathy Crittenden had the vision long before the first GBG committee meeting. The purpose was to create an amazing back-to-basics experience for as many Guides as possible. And it was! Alongside our Australian contingent, 90 Guides from nine different countries attended the Jamboree. An outstanding memory for me was the remarkable dance presentation at our Opening Ceremony by the famous Malaysian dance troupe. It was breathtaking. The Opening Ceremony was enjoyed by everyone.

What an opening indeed! The oval gradually became a sea of smiling Guides faces. The acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land by local Elder Aunty Edna was both moving and so very special. The singing, the noise of happiness, the fire dancers, the sharing of campfire ashes, the laughter and the very emotional

02 GGQ ANNUAL REVIEW 2015

From the State Commissioner

COURAGESTRENGTH

CONNECT2014 - 2016

COURAGESTRENGTH

CONNECT2014 - 2016

COURAGESTRENGTH

CONNECT2014 - 2016

01

01

02

03

04

05

06

lighting of the flame; all combined to open GBG in style!

The feedback from the girls and the many letters from parents shout about its success. It was a very long three years in the making to create this experience for Guiding. It was only made possible by the cohesive effort of our very talented, committed and resilient Leaders working together. Thank you one and all.

The closing ceremony could only be described as emotional and spectacular! It was a beautiful collection of campfire songs, appreciation, the address by the Chief Commissioner, Robinette Emonson and a moving closing address by Donna Thompson. The inclusion of fireworks lighting up the magnificent Queensland sky wrapped up this amazing Jamboree in a spectacular finish. Bravo to every Volunteer Leader for stepping up and contributing way more than could be described; thank you to our Support Centre Team for their incredible behind the scenes work to ensure the Jamboree’s success, thank-you to the Dads and sons for all your hard work and thank you to our Board, Finance Committee and Members for supporting Queensland to host this event.

A HUGE BRAVO TO DONNA AND CATHY and a heartfelt thank you for your visioning and the incredible contribution you made in leading Queensland to host the 2015 International Jamboree for Girl Guides Australia.

KINDILAN REVIEWThis was a major decision by our Board to undertake a review of our largest Queensland recreational property. A project framework was developed complete with Terms of Reference, and a Steering Committee appointed. Donna Little, widely known in outdoor recreation, and a great friend to Guiding was appointed as the consultant to lead the review.

The high interest necessitated wider consultation. Donna’s extensive 67 page report to the Board highlighted Kindilan’s overwhelming potential for growth as well as the critical need to produce realistic short and long term costed maintenance plans. It also detailed the need to develop strategies that will sustain Kindilan as the commercial arm of GGQ.

Donna included local surveys showing the environmental corridor that exists between Kindilan and the increasing development of suburbia. The report also highlighted the urgent need to address the separation that exists between Guiding and Kindilan and the need for greater connection. The infrastructure that exists to support Kindilan was examined thoroughly resulting in the development of new reporting lines and agreed ways of working.

It was such a well-balanced report, recognizing what works and what doesn’t, taking the lessons from yesterday to produce a better business model for Guiding moving forward. GGQ Board, the Steering Committee (Kay Martin, Margaret Miller, Annalise Taylor and Paul Nicholls) together with the Kindilan Management Committee (KMC) were fully supportive and positive about the changes and the new pathway being created for Kindilan.

A rigorous recruitment process was developed for a new manager. The outcome was the very successful appointment of a new manager Jenny Neumann in September 2015. Thank you to Donna Little for a job well done and special thanks to the Steering Committee for their ongoing commitment to the project.

This project demanded much of the Board’s time throughout 2015 with additional meetings and teleconferences to cope with the regular updates to ensure timely decision making.

The new ways of working mean that we say thank you and goodbye to the Kindilan Management Committee who has faithfully served and supported Kindilan for the last 16 years. We thank them very much for their hard work and their contribution to the development of Kindilan. I want to say how thrilled we are with our new Manager - Jenny. She is working so hard attending to the many outstanding issues and putting plans together to rebuild and rebrand a stronger Kindilan. Thank you Jenny and BRAVO!

CONSTITUTIONThis has been such a time consuming and laborious task for both the Constitution Committee and the Board. It is no easy process to build a Constitution that will be broad enough to meet our future needs and specific enough to provide a strong governance framework. There have been so many additional Board meetings to progressively work through all the sections. The commitment and perseverance of the Constitution Committee needs to be acknowledged.

I am very proud of the transparent and inclusive processes that have brought our Members with us on this journey of significant change. At the October State Council meeting, Members were presented with many of the proposed recommendations and changes. Our Members provided overwhelming support for the new proposed Constitution. We are most appreciative of the invaluable assistance provided by Heather Watson, Partner at McCullough Robertson and her constitutional consultant, Lesleigh Mayes.


03

02

WOMEN OF SUBSTANCE (WOFS)2015 saw a new approach to managing this important leadership initiative. A small team of experienced Leaders formed this committee in late April. The critical difference with this committee was the inclusion of younger and inexperienced Guiding women. The mentoring provided has led to excellent leadership development and created great opportunities for growth.

A tough but good decision was made not to hold a mentoring breakfast in 2015. That decision required courage by the committee but they recognised the need to ‘stop’ and allow the time to map out strategies to build the right pathway forward. Part of the process was to better understand the purpose, value and role of WofS for Girl Guides Queensland.

We sought partnerships to help us. Our friends at McCullough Robertson hosted a breakfast to enable us to share the WofS concept with potential corporate women. It was very successful and we are again most appreciative of Heather Watson’s support.

Westpac agreed to sponsor the Financial Literacy (another WofS initiative) workshop and together we ran a very successful workshop in March. Westpac are very supportive of our work in this area and we are thrilled as we develop this long-term partnership.

The combined support of McCullough Robertson and Westpac enabled Girl Guides Queensland to hold a Christmas function for potential corporate members. This was very successful. We have certainly succeeded in widening our target audience. I am so proud to report that the inexperienced members of the team (under guidance) organised this event championed by Tara Witney. Bravo Tara and the team!

A bright new future for a long standing and valuable initiative!


DEVELOPMENT OF GGQ’S STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL PLANS

This is another significant piece of work that will help strengthen and grow our organisation. It takes time to develop strategies and supporting operational plans that are inclusive, able to be understood by the membership and plans that will actually make a positive difference to our organisation.

We are Volunteer owned and Volunteer led. It is tough to make the dollars stretch to meet our requirements. Increasing legislation and compliance requirements add additional layers of work to the ever increasing load for both Volunteers and staff. The effectiveness of our planning is critical to our future. The Board has achieved good outcomes by diligently working together to achieve the strategic goals for Queensland. The goals include the business arms of Guiding as in the Support Centre and Kindilan. The plans have been rolled out to the Region Managers who have developed the supporting operational plans for their Regions. A great accomplishment for 2015!

DEVELOPMENT OF SIGNIFICANT PARTNERSHIPS

The State Executive Officer, Paul Nicholls and I have been working together to build partnerships with organisations whose values and commitment to community are aligned with ours. It is a slow process as there are many demands on the corporate world. Two of our success stories are the growing and very successful relationships with McCullough Robertson and Westpac. We look forward to their ongoing support and thank them for their commitment to assist us achieve our mission. Bravo McCullough Robertson and Westpac.

We have enjoyed very successful meetings with both State and Federal parliamentarians. We ensure that a young Leader accompanies us on every visit.

We are waiting to hear back on a significant funding proposal that will enable us to conduct Guiding in Indigenous communities.

04 05

06

OTHER SIGNIFICANT AND EXCITING EVENTS

1. Lone GuidingFor the second year in a row, Lone Guiding Leaders met as a group under the leadership of Lone Adviser, Sarah Ward. They worked to develop strategies to support our strategic plan and to find ways to make Lone Guiding more visible and active in Queensland.

2. Leadership development and mentoring activityI am overjoyed to report on the mentoring activity that is occurring at Board and management levels.

MENTORING AND LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE OUTCOME

Phillipa Jacomb Completed a year as the Minute Secretary for the Board

A great help to the Board. Positive learning experience for Phillipa including exposure to the Board that will assist her career

Katherine Gorton and Greta Keating Members of the National project ‘Voices Against Violence’

Development opportunity at a national level. Exposure to project planning

Amanda Nicholls GGQ State Coordinator for national project ‘Free Being Me’

Development opportunity at a national level to roll out a national program. Exposure to project planning

Tara Witney, Kyla Adams, Bronte Snowdon, Jessica Spence, Amanda Nicholls Members of WofS Committee

Development opportunities in promoting Guiding to the corporate world and event planning

Bronte Snowdon and Jessica Spence Volunteered for GATH project

Development opportunity observing strategy in practice and high level meetings

3. Improved support to RegionsThere is a continual refinement of all processes to ensure the best support possible is given to our Guiding Members. It is not easy with a small team and they do an incredible job. The hours for those leadership roles are too long and we need to address our ever growing workload in Guiding.

4. Building Indigenous partnershipsOne of my dreams is to have strong ties with Indigenous Queensland and to have combined camps where we share fun, friendship and learning. This process has started. We have had preliminary discussions with Mark Wenitong from Apunipima Cape York Health Council and Karla Brady from Inala Wangarra.

We are in the early development stages and have a proposal currently before Senator Joanne Lindgren. This is an exciting initiative for Queensland. We anxiously await the results.


GIRL GUIDES AUSTRALIAEqually, huge projects and reviews are occurring at a national level. Participation requires significant input and time from State Volunteer Managers, the State Executive Officer and me in my role.

1. Voices Against Violence This is a widely acclaimed WAGGGS’s initiative. Girl Guides Queensland will be participating in the pilot program in 2016. We are one of the key contributors with two project members, Greta Keating and Katherine Gorton, and me as the Australian Project Sponsor.

2. Financial LiteracyThis national project is progressing well but is still in the planning stages. This is another wonderful initiative for Guiding. This fully funded national initiative will assist our girls with skills to know how to have financial independence. Research shows females are sadly lagging behind in knowledge and skill on financial matters. It is expected it will be rolled out through Program as self-contained modules.

3. National Awards ReviewThis project was completed in 2015. The implementation will occur in 2016.

4. Policies and Procedures ReviewAn extensive project was undertaken to identify common policies across Australia. This will form the basis of a national Policy Review Project in 2016.

5. Review of Australian Guiding ProgramAn extensive consultative review across Australian Guiding culminated in the release of the recommendations in November. The strategies have been developed with the implementation staged over the next three years.

Each State Girl Guide Organisation (SGGO) has been asked to champion a recommendation. Girl Guides Queensland will take the lead in the sixth recommendation “Innovation”.

6. Risk Management ReviewA critical area of Guiding is our management and ever vigilant assessment of risks for every activity undertaken by our girls. This is a huge project. The policy was updated and approved in 2015. The implementation tools will be released in 2016.

7. Guiding at the House (GATH)This was an enormous marketing project conducted in Canberra to promote Guiding. All State Commissioners State Executive Officers, Girl Guides Australia Board Members and young Leaders from across Australia contributed to this significant event.

After two days of Management and Board meetings, there were 37 meetings organised across the following day with the various Federal Ministers and Parliamentarians from all parties. This was a huge initiative that included a mammoth morning tea hosted by GGA in Parliament House. Spark the Olave Initiative developed from their review was launched at GATH by Miranda Cummings Assistant Chief Commissioner.

The State Executive Officer and I are now working through the follow up meetings to build on those relationships. The proposal to conduct Guiding in Indigenous communities is just one exciting outcome from GATH.

Finally, I feel very sad that I was not able to visit as many Regions and gatherings as I had planned throughout the year. The visits I managed were wonderful and I thank the Leaders very much for their hospitality and welcome. My visits included the Olave conference at Kindilan, Camp Hill birthday celebrations, Wynola Promise ceremony, Award presentations at Goondiwindi, Walton Bridge/The Gap and Darling Downs, Kindilan Family Fun Day and of course Great Bunya Gathering.The role of the State Commissioner is daunting and challenging. It is also an opportunity to work with the best and richest resources ever. I am humbled by the work we do together in Queensland and the Volunteers that I meet. I love to spend time with parents and hear the stories about their girl’s growth and development. But most of all I am happiest when I spend time with our girls – the heart of Guiding. The reason we do what we do is to help build a better world by empowering girls and young women.

Everything we do is about our mission. There is no activity that occurs without this as the primary focus.

To empower girls and young women to grow into self- respecting, confident,

responsible community members.

The State Commissioner Team works very closely with our Support Centre Team – in particular the State Executive Officer - Paul and Lesley our Administration and Finance Manager. I am at a loss to know how to say thank you for their loyalty, commitment and hard work. Managing our budget is a nightmare but we see how their careful and stringent management, the challenging of current practices is chipping away at the deficit. We meet weekly to work through the constant stream of issues that occur. We would be lost without their support. Bravo and thank you.

My role is a service leadership role and one that requires both my heart and my head. The determining factor is always how the decision or expenditure will support our mission and impact our girls. Whilst my learning curve continues to be steep, please know my commitment never wanes. Thank you for your continued trust and support.

I remain your faithful servant.

Velia Nicholls State Commissioner Girl Guides Queensland


Heather PettigrewDistrict Manager and Learning Partner Browns Plains; Learning Partner Southern Cross Region; Member State Council; Member (non-voting) Board; Assistant State Commissioner

Holly HardstaffUnit Leader (2) Surfers Paradise; Region Consultant (Communications and Technology) Gold Coast; Member State Council; Member (non-voting) Board; Assistant State Commissioner

My heartfelt and sincere thanks to my Assistant Commissioners, Robyn Hulbert, Heather Pettigrew and Holly Hardstaff for their ongoing support, long hours and a positive we can do it attitude. Your support and friendship is beyond anything I could describe. Thank you from my heart to yours.

Robyn HulbertActing District Manager Dysart; District Manager and Learning Partner Goodna Redbank Plains; Acting Region Manager – Curtis, Dalrymple; Learning Partner Southern Cross Region; Member Finance Committee; Member State Council; Member (non-voting) Board; Assistant State Commissioner


Free Being MeGirl Guides Queensland is proud to be a part of an international partnership to support girls and young women to be all that they can be.

Together with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Girl Guides Australia is partnering with Dove to deliver a programme that will reach 3.5 million girls across the world by 2016. The partnership is a joint commitment to empower girls to reach their full potential in life through initiatives that strengthen body confidence and self-esteem so the way they think they look never holds them back.

Called Free Being Me the program will support our Guides to increase young people’s body confidence and self-esteem.

Through fun and interactive activities, girls and young women learn that body confidence and self-esteem come from valuing their bodies, standing up to social pressures, and supporting others to be more body confident. By working together, leading others and speaking out, participants are empowered to make a difference in their local and global communities.

In 2015, Girls Guides Queensland delivered the Free Being Me program to more than 700 girls and young women. More than 20 units took part in the project, with more than 385 youth members earning Free Being Me badges for completing activities that ranged from producing videos, making Free Being Me t-shirts to creating displays at local libraries and shopping centres.

Queensland’s 901 adult volunteer leaders play a vital role in achieving Girl Guides Queensland’s mission to empower girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsible community members.

Girl Guides Queensland provides a non-formal educational program that is dynamic and flexible while offering values based training in life skills, decision making and leadership. Through the Australian Guide Program, members are encouraged to:

ʞ challenge themselves, ʞ make friends, share, care for and understand others ʞ learn skills that will help them through life ʞ be active, healthy and strong.

In 2015, adult volunteer leaders in 17 Regions around the state delivered the Australian Guide Program to 4,281 girls and young women.

We welcomed new units in Malanda, St Lucia, Munduberra, Lawnton, Toowoomba, Gympie, Bardon, Flinders and Northern Beaches with a new District in Gympie West.

Empowering Girls and Young Women to Grow

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

550

600

REGION

YOUTH/ADULT MEMBERS

Andr

ew P

etrie

Bris

bane

Nor

thCa

prico

rnCu

rtis

Dal

rym

ple

Dar

ling

Dow

ns

Gold

Coa

stJo

hn O

xley

Maj

or M

itche

llM

ooge

rah

Flin

ders

Mor

eton

Sout

hern

Bor

der

Sout

hern

Cro

ssSu

nshi

ne C

oast

Trop

ical N

orth

Wid

e Bay


In keeping with the State Commissioner’s focus to strengthen all aspects of the organisation throughout the State in 2015, the staff at the Support Centre diligently worked to improve the services they supplied to our members. In a year that was dominated by the Great Bunya Gathering, we have delivered some significant achievements.

GREAT BUNYA GATHERINGGBG was very successful. It was the largest event hosted and managed by GGQ since Girls Celebrate in 2009. The entire team at the Support Centre was involved. New procedures were developed to efficiently process the volume of work required – in administration, technology and graphic design. The management of registrations and finances that sat behind the Great Bunya Gathering was extremely challenging. The majority of the 1,400 delegates paid their fees over several instalments. This equated to processing in excess of 4,500 individual payments over an eight month period.

GST EXEMPTIONIn 2015, we successfully provided our case for an exemption to paying GST on our membership fees. This possibility was raised at the beginning of the year by our auditors. It took extensive research of the strict criteria set by the Australian Taxation Office and analysis of our finances to finally prove our case. This has avoided a costly impact on our membership and state finances.

BISCUIT CAMPAIGNOur biscuit campaign in 2015 was a great success. Our biscuits arrived on time, in good condition and sold quickly. In fact, a new record was set at the Support Centre with the last carton of biscuits being sold from our state stock before 31 July. In all, 159,840 packets of biscuits were sold around the state – a record achievement. That equates to almost 27 packets of biscuits sold by each of our members.

2016 will be even better as we launch a new range of biscuits that will provide a greater financial return for all Districts. This is a good outcome that will go some way to rewarding the hard working members and volunteers who willingly give of their own time in this major annual fundraising event.

DATABASE AND WEBSITEOver the last 12 months, we have finalised several major improvements to the membership module on our database. The last component to be completed is the advanced reporting for various users and groups. Girl Guides Queensland is leading the way for all other State Girl Guide Organisations with the roll out of the membership, property and events modules.

In December 2015, we launched a new website for Guides Supplies with a new online ordering facility.

Months of work resulted in an improved resource that has won wide acclaim from members both in Queensland and around Australia. The time saved by our retail staff has been enormous.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIPSThroughout the year, we have strengthened our contacts and raised our profile at local, state and federal levels of government. Joint presentations with the State Commissioner have been well received with many offers of assistance.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENTA positive move forward in mid-year was the creation of a Property Committee. We have been operating without a Property Committee for the last two years. This committee comprises a dedicated team of people with considerable knowledge and skills. Its role is to provide strategic advice and guidance to the Board.

KINDILAN REVIEWIn early 2015, we commenced a review of all aspects of our operation at Kindilan – our most valuable property. The review concluded that it was obvious that Kindilan was an asset to retain, commit to and be proud of.

Jenny Neumann was appointed as Manager in September and has been working hard to improve facilities and re-establish Kindilan in the outdoor education market. As part of the recommended changes to the ways of working, this role is now reporting to the State Executive Officer instead of the Kindilan Management Committee. This has been extremely beneficial. The Kindilan Manager is also now a member of the Finance Committee.

MEMBERSHIPAttracting and retaining youth and adult members remains a challenge for Girl Guides Queensland, as it is for all other State Girl Guide organisations.

We recorded a decrease in total membership of 3%. This is consistent with the trend over the past three years.

Girl Guides Queensland, through its Strategic Plan, is working with the Girl Guides Australia Board and GGA Management Advisory Committee to reverse this situation.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENTOur overall financial result for 2015 is a surplus of $257,417. However, it should be noted that this includes profit from Great Bunya Gathering and the proceeds of the sale of a property – both of which were not part of the 2015 budget. These are extraordinary events and as such need to be removed to identify our true result. Consequently, we have actually recorded a deficit of $145,899 for the year.

From the State Executive Officer

YOUTH MEMBERS

Y1: Develop a sustainable youth membership base

Y2: Deliver a consistent and high quality experience for girls and young women across Queensland.

Y3: Create an environment where youth members have fun, develop friendships and a sense of belonging.


This is a pleasing result as it represents a 30% reduction in the deficit budget than was expected.

Since 2012, we have reduced our deficit result by nearly 63 per cent ($393K - $146K). This has been achieved with the assistance of Volunteer Managers who have contained their expenses dramatically; by vigilant monitoring of expenses across the organisation; rigorous management of our cash flow and a commitment to our stated financial goals for the year. We are on track to reach our goal of a balanced budget within the next three years.

Sincere thanks to both Lesley Jardine (Administration and Finance Manager) and Trudy Bonelli (Finance Support) for their outstanding efforts to help GGQ arrive at this point. Guidance from our Honorary Treasurer Kay Martin has been timely and valuable.

STRATEGIC PLAN 2015 - 2017A goal that was set early in 2015 was the development and implementation of a Strategic Plan to take us through to 2017. More than 35 volunteers and staff provided input into this plan – Board members, MACs (Managers, Advisors and Committee Chairs), Region Managers and Support Centre staff.

Our plan supports the Girl Guides Australia’s Strategic Plan and aligns our activities for the next three years to the same goals. This is a living document that will be progressively expanded and further developed as we advance.

Throughout the second half of 2015, Regions were particularly successful in achieving their specific goals in their Districts. The aim is to improve our completion rate at both Board and management levels in 2016.

Paul Nicholls State Executive Officer

ADULT MEMBERS

A1: Develop a sustainable adult membership base.

A2: Deliver a consistent and high quality experience for adult members across Queensland.

A3: Create an environment where adult members have fun, develop friendships and a sense of belonging

AS AN ORGANISATION

O1: Ensure a sustainable financial base.

O2: Improve Girl Guides Queensland’s governance.

O3: Be flexible in the way GGQ operates and achieves outcomes.

O4: Build the reputation and perceived value of the organisation

GGA GOALS

GGQ GOALS

To be Australia’s leading organisation for girls and young women

in leadership and personal development.

Empowering girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting,

responsible community members.

Provide innovative, fun, relevant and high quality non-formal learning

for girls and young women

Deliver high quality volunteer

experiences to the Australian

community

Be an efficient, effective and

productive organisation

GGA VISION

GGA MISSION

Keeping the Promise and Law

The Girl Guide Promise and Law is an underlying code of living.

Every girl and adult who is a member of Guiding throughout the world makes a Promise. The words are slightly different from country to country but the spirit and meaning of the words are the same wherever Guiding exists.

The Guide Promise and Law helps to strengthen each girl or young woman’s connection and commitment as a Guide.

Making or renewing the Guide Promise is a very special occasion. Even our youngest members are encouraged to think about what making their Girl Guide Promise for the first time means to them. In 2015, we were delighted that more than 1760 youth and adult members made their promise for the first time.

Girl Guides helps girls to learn life-skills and leadership while having fun, making friends and enjoying the outdoors. Everything that Girl Guides do is related to the four elements of the Australian Guide Program and activities are based on the seven fundamentals of Guiding:

05 Guiding Traditions Sharing in Guiding Traditions gives a sense of belonging and history.

03 Service Guiding Service encourages a sense of community.

07 Patrol System Participating in the Patrol System develops teamwork skills.

06 Leadership Development Experiencing Leadership Development improves skills for life.

04 World Guiding Exploring World Guiding builds peace and understanding.

01 Promise and Law Keeping the Promise and Law is the underlying code of living.

02 Outdoors Enjoying the Outdoors offers active adventure and awareness of the environment.

Over the last two years, extensive research and consultation has occurred right across the Australian Guiding community as part of the review of the Australian Guide Program. Queensland has been very active in this whole process. The outcomes from the Review clearly show that Guiding believes the GGA Program needs to improve and evolve. Broadly, Guiding’s highest priorities are to:

ʞ Increase the quality and consistency of our Program, focusing on delivering a truly girl-led Guiding experience

ʞ Increase the diversity and flexibility of our Program, strengthening our opportunities to reach more girls

ʞ Do more to support and strengthen leaders – helping them to build skills to deliver the Program

ʞ Communicate who we are and what we offer more effectively to the Australian community.

The Review has highlighted six major areas of work where we need to take action. A new project will launch in early 2016 to take us forward.

Our Peak Achievement Awards are aligned to the Australian Guide Program. In 2015, we celebrated with each of our members who achieved a Peak Achievement Award:

Australian Guide Program

The SevenFundamentals


171JUNIOR

BP AWARDS

48BP AWARDS

16QUEEN'S GUIDE

AWARDS

Enjoying The Outdoors

Camping and spending quality time in the outdoors has been a central theme of Guiding since the movement’s inception.

Without a doubt, it was the preparations leading up to and including the Great Bunya Gathering that dominated the year in the Outdoors.

During August, a group of five Guides from the Darling Downs Region certainly proved their outdoors skills when they competed in the Darling Downs Scout Association Operation Nighthawk.

The girls left home base at 9pm on the Saturday evening and returned at 3am Sunday morning after completing their hike and many challenge bases along the way.

After returning to camp, team leader Katie Rae said,

“I had lots of fun and was so proud of the girls for the persistence, determination and courage displayed on the course. Every Scout group we met was surprised to find a happy and bright Girl Guide group at 1.00 am on a Sunday morning; however, all the girls were cheerful and together we had a great time debunking the myths some of the Scouts had about us and making heaps of new friends. I must admit the addition of the Guide Biscuits on the actual course aided in making friends!”.

The girls competed as one of the 70 Venturer teams and placed a very impressive 9th!


GREAT BUNYA GATHERING

25 SEPTEMBER-3 OCTOBER 2015

More than 1,400 Girl Guides from across the globe converged on Queensland’s Lake Somerset for seven huge days of challenging outdoor activities over the September school holidays as part of The Great Bunya Gathering - Girl Guides Australia’s international Jamboree. Girl Guides Queensland were the proud hosts of this year’s Jamboree.

The Great Bunya Gathering comes from Aboriginal heritage, when groups travelled from across south east Queensland to harvest the nuts from Bunya trees. The last Bunya Gathering was believed to be held in this area in 1902.

At these gatherings, groups shared their food, stories, songs, dances and their knowledge. They conducted ceremonies and planned future events.

In 2015, Girl Guides conducted their own “Bunya Gathering” in this Aboriginal tradition.

Girls enjoyed challenging themselves, and were given ample opportunities to try new activities including raft building, high ropes, mountain biking, bush craft and orienteering; to learn skills in leadership, teamwork and self-esteem; to participate in youth forums and express their concerns on world issues; and to build international friendships and create memories that will last a lifetime.

90 participants came from countries including Malaysia, Bangladesh, India, The Philippines, Pakistan, United Kingdom, New Zealand, USA and Canada. The Queensland contingent accounted for 530, with the balance travelling from other Australian states and territories.

Girls (and leaders) had a fun and adventure filled time, with activities broken into six worlds: Splat; Splash; Squirm; Splinter; Squish and Swing.


This 10 day separation was one of the hardest as a parent. However, our child has grown

so very much, she is more confident; she uses her initiative

more and is more tolerant since being away. THANK YOU to all who worked tirelessly to make this a positive experience.

I had the BEST time of my life and I met some great new friends and leaders."

"

"

"


The GBG activities pushed me out of my comfort zone

and I felt like I thrived all week just attempting to

make the most of every moment.

It was a very exciting camp overall which

included everything from making new friends and

facing your fears.

It made me feel independent and I will

never forget my time in Queensland

THIS EVENT WAS ONLY POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE MAMMOTH EFFORT OF OUR DEDICATED GROUP OF 42 VOLUNTEER STAFF WHO ORGANISED EVERYTHING (EXCEPT THE WEATHER ON THE FIRST THREE DAYS!)

ʞ Camp Leader in Charge and the Camp Manager who worked tirelessly to see their shared vision eventuate

ʞ Catering – organised supplies for breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and supper for 1,400 participants over seven days

ʞ Equipment – from tents to cutlery and everything in between

ʞ Program team - produced amazing activities that included six “Worlds of Fun”

ʞ Transport Team – clockwork precision to move 1,400 people in and out of the site – on time plus all the daily offsite excursions.

ʞ Security and Risk – made sure everyone was safe and secure all throughout camp

ʞ Medical Team – helped all those who needed any medical attention.

ʞ Administration – responsible for everything from the necessary paperwork, communications, lost property and all those questions that needed answers

ʞ Leaders – managed the sub camps and activities

ʞ Olave – provided assistance and extra support for many areas of the camp

ʞ Health and hygiene – who would have thought – showers and toilets that Guides did not have to maintain?

ʞ International coordinator – an accomplished diplomat

"

"

"

"

"

"

Exploring World Guiding

Global experiences have been incorporated into Queensland programs in a number of ways to help Guides of all ages strengthen their sense of place in the world.

Girl Guides provides real opportunities for Queensland girls to connect with their international peers.

Leaders of younger units gave their Guides a chance to participate in activities around Guiding’s World Centres. On a designated night, girls dressed up in the national costume, or a Guide uniform from another country, or sampled food from other cultures. This is always a fun and educational night.

Giving Service

Giving service reflects our commitment to make the world a better place. Service is about doing your bit to make the world a better place. Girl Guides carry out service projects in support of the local, national and global community.

Girl Guide units can be found in most communities across Queensland. Our organisation’s connection to the 155 local communities we operate in is strengthened by the valuable service given locally by our 367 Units.

In addition to participating in recognised community events including ANZAC Day and Clean Up Australia Day over 4,000 Guides from across Queensland had a busy 2015 engaged in local acts of service.

A snapshot of service activities from our Capricorn Region in 2015 detailed just how busy a typical Guide region can be. In 2015, the region gave service at the Cancer Council Fete Day, served at local ANZAC Day commemorations, assisted with high teas, ushered at the Yeppoon Choral Society Production, participated in beach clean-ups, race clean ups, tree plantings,


Postbox is a way Guides of all ages can communicate with a Girl Guide or Girl Scout in another by letter. This is a great way for Guides to find out what other Guides their age love to do in another country, their favourite food, music, fashion, how they have fun or just hang out. In 2015, we connected pen-pals from USA, England, Italy, Malaysia and Singapore.

More than 170 Guides from across Queensland joined around 500,000 Scouts and Guides from across the globe as part of JOTA/JOTI in October 2015. Jamboree on the Air (JOTA) and Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI) is an annual event Scouts and Guides from all over the world make contact with each other by means of amateur radio on the internet, or through Scout-operated Internet chat rooms.

Great Bunya Gathering provided an ideal opportunity for units, districts and regions around Queensland to put out the welcome mats and

entertained at retirement villages and assisted at Special Children’s Christmas Party. This is an impressive effort for a Region that was seriously impacted by Tropical Cyclone Marcia earlier in the year.

Guides from our Stanthorpe Unit in the Southern Border Region rolled up their sleeves to assist the local Zonta Club to assemble birthing kits to send overseas. The birthing kits provide a clean and safe birthing environment for women in developing countries.

Each year in the September school holidays, a camp called Agoonoree provides a Scouting and Guiding experience to children who have a variety of special needs.

These children are invited to attend the camp as guests and they participate in traditional camping activities. In 2015, almost 80 members of Girl Guides Queensland attended Agoonoree, providing them with the chance to extend their leadership as they worked in small patrols to look after the guests of the camp.

Ashleigh Van Bergen, a Girl Guide Leader said that it was one of the hardest, most inspirational and rewarding weeks of the year.

Sharing In Guiding Traditions

Our organisation has a proud and lengthy history. We encourage Guides to participate in Guiding traditions which help to strengthen the bond between Guides today with Guides of yesterday.

Some Guiding traditions are recognised the same the world over, while others are unique to units, districts and regions. Examples include skills, flags, ceremonies and campfires.

Our newly formed Tropical North Region (formed with the merger of Coral Coast and Tropical Tableland) looked to the past to mark their course for the future. They nominated the theme “Women of History” to help celebrate their first World Thinking Day as a newly formed region. Olave and Ranger units dressed up as famous women from the past who were forward thinkers and advocated to make changes to their world. More than 200 Guides and their leaders met in Kuranda for a day of activities.

While the Tropical North Region was busy forming a new chapter, other Regions marked significant milestones in 2015, with local units celebrating in style.

A gathering of 150 Guides and leaders from the Southern Cross Region gathered in Yeronga Park for a Centenary Rally in October. The rally marked the 100 year anniversary of the occasion when a few girls from Tarragindi approached the local Sunday school teacher Marjorie Grimes and asked her to help them start a Girl Guide unit. The girls had read the book written by Agnes Baden-Powell, “How girls can help build up the Empire”. This group eventually grew into the Girl Guide Association of Queensland which was formed in November 1919.

Our Sunshine Coast Region celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Gympie Guide Hut “Jacana” with fun activities including a fashion parade of past and present Guide uniforms.

Artefacts, such as past Guide uniforms, which are often used for unit programs and events, are an important tool to help Guides understand the organisation’s history.

Our team of archive volunteers play an important role in preserving these, and other artefacts to ensure they will remain for the benefit of future generations.

Archive team member Jill Hogrefe participated in 11 workshops and seminars including the Australian Dress Register seminar and QANZAC100 with other community organisations. This networking resulted in shared information and research opportunities. Our Archives team have been actively identifying opportunities to continuously improve processes. The team’s high standard of achievement is due to the assistance of Dallas Langdon OAM, Patricia Griffiths, Eleanor Lydon and Christine Brownridge.


make connections with international delegations. On the Gold Coast, Guides from the Burleigh Heads District met the Malaysian contingent at the airport with a friendship package while Guiding families from the Tugun District provided home hospitality after the Jamboree.

Travellers to overseas Guiding events included Michelle Clark and Marie Yamamoto who attended “Train the Trainers” in New Zealand and Sam Stacpoole who travelled to Sangam for “Be the Change”.

“I love that it’s a real chance to live by the Guide Promise and make a difference in the world” Ashleigh said.

Trainings No. of Trainings Participants

First Aid 8 115

Leader Qualification 8 117

Learning Partner 2 7

Management Qualification 1 8

Canoe Skills 3 40

Camp Skills 2 26

Archery 1 15

Region 7 134

Leadership Insights/Powerful Presentations 1 6

Trainers Conference 1 31

Implementing Food Safety 4 22

Keeping Children Safe 7 33

Advanced Youth Leadership 3 37

Total 48 591


Experiencing Leadership Development

Our Learning and Development team play an important role. They work hard to strengthen the skills and abilities of our volunteer leaders to provide a safe and engaging program for our youth members.

In March WAGGGS endorsed Girl Guides Australia’s adult learning and development program (Australian Learning and Qualification Program), the culmination of five years of work by Girl Guides Australia. Throughout the accreditation period hundreds of leaders, managers and trainers from Girl Guides Queensland have participated in surveys, reviews and trials to review and redesign the learning experience of our volunteers.

The accreditation recognises the quality of the Learning and Qualification delivered by Girls Guides Australia and state organisations including Girl Guides Queensland.

Each year, Girl Guides Queensland encourages young women within Guides to step up into roles at a State level. This provides wonderful opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Ultimately, this will assist them in their career development also.

THREE PARTICIPANTS FROM 2015 HAVE OFFERED TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES.

Phillipa Jacomb In 2015 I was given the opportunity to take minutes for the GGQ State Board. I had expressed a wish to develop my skills in minute-taking and to gain an understanding of how an organisation like GGQ is governed. The role of minute-taker allowed me to sit in on almost every Board meeting for a year and provided me with invaluable insight to the management and governance workings of a not-for-profit organisation. The position was difficult at times (and sometimes the hours were late) but I am so grateful for the experience and exposure this role has provided me.

You put your hand up and say “I want to give that a go”. And then you wonder where you will find the time.

But in the end, it is always worth it – the challenges, the experiences and the new friends that are found along the way.

Bronte SnowdenIn my role as a State Aide, I had the privilege to attend Government House, the opening of the Great Bunya Jamboree and be mentored by our State Commissioner. The mentoring that Velia provided was very valuable, positive and encouraging. It allowed me to develop my leadership skills and grow as an individual.

As a member of the Women of Substance, I was able to work alongside passionate and motivated women to help promote Guiding to the wider community. The breakfasts we ran were very encouraging and I am looking forward to the 2016 events and seeing membership grow!

Another highlight was attending Guiding at the House (GATH) with Jess Spence, our State Commissioner and State Executive Officer.

GATH was an incredible experience that allowed me to develop my skills, extend my knowledge about Guiding in relation to politics, network with other Australian leadership teams and share my passion for Guiding.

Jessica SpenceBeing selected to attend Guiding at the House with GGQ was a fantastic opportunity to represent Girl Guides Australia and advocate for GGA on broader societal issues.

My participation in Guiding at the House exposed me to wider networks within Guiding, developed my organisational and leadership skills.

This gave me fascinating insight into Parliament and its interaction with not for profit organisations.

Working as a member of the GGQ Women of Substance team has proved invaluable to my own self development and networking skills, whilst helping to provide similar opportunities to others. I have also been lucky enough to receive ongoing mentoring from the State Commissioner and members of the GGQ team which has supported my growth as a Girl Guide leader and emerging lawyer.


To coincide with JOTA/JOTI the Major Mitchell Region held a virtual region camp (VARC – Virtually a Region Camp) with four sites participating. The same program ran at the four sites, with each camp hundreds of kilometres apart. Guides participated in campfire (using phones on speaker) and sent texts to decipher codes and messages – creatively using technology to create a team experience.

Guides across Queensland were challenged to work together as part of the State Good Turn for 2015. The theme for 2015 – “Walking together for a healthier Queensland” challenged girls and leaders to collectively put their best foot forward.

Patrols, units, districts and regions worked together to find inspiration to keep the momentum going.

Guides in our Major Mitchell Region, which includes a number of rural and remote districts and stretches a distance of 1,500km from one end to the other, used this distance to their advantage.

Nearly all Guides were equipped with pedometers and set themselves a collective target of walking from one end of the Region to the other. They seemed to have had so much fun doing it, that they found the energy to walk ‘back’ again, clocking up an impressive 3,500km.

Across Queensland, our youth and adult members worked together to walk a total of 33726 km. This includes the Queensland contingent at GBG. Well done everyone!


Participating in Patrol Systems

The Patrol System encourages leadership skills, teamwork, responsibility, peer support, learning, cooperation, confidence, fun and friendship. It is at the core of every Guiding activity and event.

The Wombat patrol from Burpengary’s Jabeeka Guides was one patrol that worked together to participate in the 2015 Hilda John Nature Cup. The brief for the Hilda John Cup this year was as a Patrol show how an interest in nature can develop through working with natural objects in craft. Examples of this can include using leaves to make a mask, grass or twigs made into bags or baskets, or natural objects arranged as pictures.

Wombat patrol members discussed and decided they would do individual masks as their entry and proceeded to work out what and where to look for items in nature to use. Apart from the glue everything they used on their masks was from nature with the backing coming from a bamboo plant. The Wombat patrol worked together to showcase their individual talents and were proud to be named the overall winners for 2015.

Some of our units in rural and remote areas are harnessing the power of technology to connect peers across the state. Girl Guides Queensland boasts five Lone Guide units and a full complement of leaders. Our Lone Guide units play an important role in connecting girls who are unable to attend regular meetings. Lone Guides communicate in a number of ways, including monthly newsletters, put together by dedicated Leaders, with contributions and letters from the girls, telephone and the internet.

With around 10 members, 2nd Charleville (Lone) Guides is based at Charleville School of Distance Education. The unit caters for girls who live too remotely to attend a regular unit. While the unit’s way of meeting and communicating is a little different, it doesn’t stop them from having just as much fun as other Girl Guides. Girls have weekly ‘on-air’ sessions where they use the telephone and Internet to hear and see each other, meeting face-to-face once or twice a year.

Our Lone Advisor is currently working with other Distance Education Schools with the hope of forming similar groups.

Strengthening Our SupportersThe success of Guiding depends on the adult volunteers who give their time and energy to support Guiding.

The parents, carers and other members of our community who make up our Support Groups work hard behind the scenes to make sure our Districts are well supported.

These groups are enthusiastic in supporting their Districts through fundraising activities ranging from sausage sizzles to selling Girl Guide biscuits. Their assistance at events including meetings, District and Region camps, Thinking Day activities, Clean Up Australia Day and ANZAC Day parades is invaluable. Their involvement in the care and maintenance of our huts is certainly appreciated by our Leaders and the organisation as a whole.


Beyond providing programs and activities for youth members, Girl Guides Queensland offers a number of opportunities for women of all ages and all stages of life.

The Olave Program provides opportunities for women aged 18 to 30. In 2015, the Olave Program welcomed many new members, as well as celebrated the formation of peer groups in Townsville, Lawnton and the reinvigoration of the Cairns peer group.

The Queensland Olave program also held their inaugural Olave Program conference ‘Alive, Alert, Awake’ at the end of January. There were 26 Olaves from around Queensland who attended as well as four interstate Olaves. Throughout the weekend the conference included networking, information sessions on Olave-specific topics and the Free Being Me Program, participation in the making of 50 dresses for the Dress a Girl Around the World project, abseiling, geocaching, trivia and Laughter Yoga.

Caitlin McGrath from Aspley Birrong Olaves was awarded the peak award for the Olave Program - the Olave Baden Powell Award.

“When I started my OBP I didn’t realise what a journey it would be! In completing my challenges, I was able to learn new skills, visit new places and make new friends from all over the world. A highlight for me was completing a four-day canoeing trip along the St Croix River between America and Canada (without capsizing once- I couldn’t believe it!)”

In September 2015, a new Olave Program framework was rolled out across Australia. The new look framework brings clarity and focus around what is important to our Olave Program members. It focuses on three aspects - community, adventure and self-development.

To celebrate the launch of the reinvigorated Olave Program, SPARK! Events were held across Queensland in John Oxley, Curtis, Moreton, Southern Cross, Gold Coast, Brisbane North and Darling Downs Regions over the weekend of the 12-13 September. Olaves sparked the Olave Program fire across the State in slightly different ways although all the events celebrated the Olave program and the people who engage in it across the state.

Girl Guides Queensland’s Trefoil Guilds play an important role in maintaining the connections of past Guide leaders and supporters, as well as current Guide leaders with the world of Guiding.

In late 2015 the Queensland Trefoil Gathering was held, bringing together 78 members from across the state. Long service awards were presented to 53 members with 40 years of service or more – collectively totalling more than 1,670 years of service!

Trefoil Guilds play an active role in providing service to their communities. The Queensland Trefoil Guild State Good Turn (usually held over two years for one recipient) was presented in 2015 to two worthwhile recipients. Trefoil members raised £1,750 for WAGGGS (Asia Pacific) to support leaders in developing nations to travel to Australia and New Zealand for training which will then be taken back to their home country.

Members also donated $1,750 to Lions Hearing Dogs to help people who are deaf to be more independent and allow them to continue living in their own homes and communities.

Strong Connections For Life


Properties In the first half of the year, asbestos audits were completed on all of our huts except those where Councils have undertaken their own audits.

Renewing leases with both Councils and the Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) continued to be a sizeable ongoing project. Councils are reviewing the terms in their new leases with the intent of assigning greater accountability to the lessees of the huts. Two common examples are the need for responsible planned building maintenance and greater access by community groups to our huts.

Insurance valuations were prepared for all Girl Guides Queensland huts on Brisbane City Council leases to ensure these huts are adequately insured. A small number of huts in regional areas were also valued. As a result, insurance cover has been increased on six huts. This project will be extended to all other huts in 2016/2017.

The hut at Hughenden was placed on the market for sale in December 2014. It remains unsold due to the severe impact of the long term drought and depressed real estate market in that area.

In August, a Property Committee was formed to take a strategic role in the management of our properties (freehold and leased), provide advice and guidance to the Board on property matters and potentially have an overview of our campsites. The Property Committee Chair is Myles Stanley with Elizabeth Gilchrist, Penny Worthington, Terrance Byrne and Paul Nicholls as Committee members.

This committee has already provided assistance with council leases, the insurance valuation project, potential relocation of the Archives and reviewing the Property manual.

KINDILAN OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND CONFERENCE CENTREKindilan Outdoor Education and Conference Centre is ideally located in Redland Bay area and tailors programs and services to clients including school and community groups, as well as corporate guests. 2015 was a year of change for Kindilan, with several long serving, permanent staff resigning. Jenny Neumann commenced as Manager in September.

Service and activities highlights of 2015 include:

ʞ delivering services to 11,700 people ʞ Kindilan Family Adventure Fun Day. Nearly 500 people enjoyed this event and

it was a finalist in two QORF Awards – Queensland Government Award for Encouraging Participation in Outdoor Recreation and the Brisbane City Council Outdoor Event Award.

ʞ Through a partnership with Uniting Care we continued to deliver services for the Grandparents’ Respite Program

ʞ The positive working relationship with Trefoil House continued

Facilities improvements undertaken in 2015 include:

ʞ A GaGa Pit was built by the Outdoor Education Instructors behind Koona Hall ʞ LED lighting was installed in the campground amenities blocks ʞ More than half of the mattresses in the Round Houses were replaced through

significant donations from the Districts ʞ The audio-visual equipment in Koona Hall was significantly upgraded ʞ Kinta and the Tilley amenities block underwent significant renovations over the

2015/2016 Christmas period – with further work planned ʞ Kindilan Hall was painted ʞ A Bratt Pan was purchased for the kitchen to ensure business continuity should

the Combi Oven fail. The Bratt Pan is available for Guide use (after training).

REGIONAL CAMPSITES Each of the regional campsites are managed by volunteer committees who are committed and passionate about their respective sites. They donate an enormous amount of their own time and effort to keep the campsites operational. Girl Guides Queensland gratefully acknowledges their ongoing dedication and commitment.

BLUEWATER CAMPSITE AND TRAINING CENTRELocated 30 kilometres north of Townsville, Bluewater Campsite and Training Centre has facilities for indoor and outdoor camping with large open spaces and plenty of trees to provide shade. In 2015, around 2,000 people camped at Bluewater including Guide units, church groups, yoga clubs, craft groups, school groups and community organisations. In 2015, the bathrooms were refurbished in Bluewater House and repairs commenced on Big Hut. Both ends of the building were rebuilt. New doors, screens and awnings were installed. In 2015, the following grants and donations were received:

ʞ Caring for our Community grant to purchase new ceiling fans, a first aid kit and tools

ʞ Grants from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing covered the purchase of archery equipment, the installation of an archery range and enabled an instructor’s course to be conducted.

ʞ The Hayles Family Trust donated $2,000 towards the installation of a new stainless steel bathroom bench

ʞ Wilmar Sugar Pty Ltd donated a second-hand John Deere tractor/mower.


ELOUERA GIRL GUIDE CAMPSITEElouera is a 3-hectare campsite situated in a beautiful 485-hectare pasturage reserve. It is within walking distance to Mon Repos beach and the Turtle Conservation Park.

The campsite caters for Guide and Scout groups, church and school groups as well as family groups. There have been approximately 1,700 campers over the year. It has been another busy operating year with grants received for:

ʞ the replacement roof and upgrade of the large bunkhouse ʞ the construction of a basketball/handball concrete court with hoop ʞ a wall with a mural depicting the local environmental area ʞ planting of 400 trees –courtesy of a Greening the Boundary grant

Other work completed included replacement of the amenities block roof and converting the outside lighting making it more “turtle friendly”.

GARRADUNGAGarradunga Girl Guide Campsite is situated in Tropical North Region approximately 15 kilometres north of Innisfail and 90 kilometres south of Cairns Airport. Garradunga Campsite is used mainly by Girl Guide groups, although there is growing interest from other organisations and groups. The focus for 2016 is to promote the facility to schools in the region, as well as Scouts and other community groups. Highlights for 2015 include:

ʞ Construction of a 15m x 25m undercover activities area thanks to a grant from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sports and Racing.

ʞ Completion of the first stage of the obstacle course. ʞ Purchase of archery equipment from a grant through the GCBF with an Archery Range to be

constructed in early 2016.

KOOYALEE OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTREKooyalee Outdoor Education Centre is located in a bushland setting close to Rockhampton and the Capricorn Coast. The eye of Cyclone Marcia travelled directly over Kooyalee on Friday 20 February. The clean-up effort has been lengthy. The following families, individuals and organisations are thanked for their magnificent support:

ʞ The Pullar and Jones families ʞ The 24 members of Rural Fire Task Force Delta from south east Queensland who helped cut,

stack and pick up tree branches ʞ Aurizon for a supplying a bobcat and driver ʞ Neighbours Gordon, Tom, Kay, Paul, Brad, Jodi, Bob, Sandra, ʞ Councillor Glenda Mathers who organised for mulch to be delivered and donated trees and

shrubs from Livingstone Shire Council nursery.

In the 60 days following the cyclone, the Committee travelled in excess of 3,200Kms to spend 32 days cleaning up. A huge BRAVO to these volunteers!

Grants were received for: ʞ A 10m x 6m outdoor steel shade structure. Pavers were donated for the floor. ʞ $1,640 from Cancer Council Queensland for sun shades ʞ $3,600 from the National Bank for cyclone damage ʞ $2,064 from Livingstone Shire Council/Keppel Sailing Club Grant for new mattresses for the

cottage.

BoroniaNikki BurrellMichaela DuniganSue JenningsJulie LincolnMaxine LockmanMaureen Norman

BanksiaPatricia AbelLisa AbellCarolyn AtkinsPeto BealDanielle BuchananAmanda FarrellJudith FriemannBetty GoughJoan HarveyDebra JakesMary MathewsLyndie PeetJoan RileyMerle SmithDorothy StickensCassandra WassellSandra Windsor

1Thanks Plaque

Awards

Bar to BanksiaWylma ConollyHazel Macdonald

WattleDeborah FrostJacqueline McSwanCaitlin O’KeeffeKay Stevenson

Bar to WattleCarol Lincoln

EmuWendy Leabeater

Star of MeritCathy Shellshear

Kate ConnollyCaitlin HerdLily KennedyKatelyn LawsonElizabeth MeredithMelissa Nichols

Clare O’BrienKatie RaeKaitlyn ReadRebecca RobsonAshleigh ScurrMelanie Spratt

Alexandria StruthersAylana Watkins Shaeanna WatsonSarah Whitfort

GOOD SERVICE AWARDS QUEEN’S GUIDE AWARD

Long Service Awards

ASIA PACIFIC AWARDSLeaders Achievement for Unit LeadersLenelle AndersonKatrina ArnoldEileen EmerySusanne Phillips

Leaders Achievement for District or Region Managers Faye Lawson

O.A.M AWARDJan MacIntyre

7 Thanks Badge

Long Service Awards recognise the length of time a volunteer has supported or been involved in Guiding in Queensland, awarded in five year increments. These awards include the acknowledgement of the following types:Leader Long Service Combined Long ServiceSupport Group Long ServiceTrefoil Guild Long Service


Good Service Awards recognise the service and contributions that specific members of Girl Guides Queensland make above and beyond their appointment. They are presented to acknowledge the contribution of adult Members to Guiding at a local, State, National and International level.

The Queen’s Guide Award is the peak achievement award for youth members of Girl Guides Australia and provides members with an opportunity for extraordinary personal development and greater self-awareness. These awards are presented at our annual Government House Award Ceremony.

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

26

28

60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5

YEARS OF LONG SERVICE

LEAD

ERS A

WAR

DED

BOARD MEMBERS State Commissioner Velia Nicholls Assistant State Commissioners Robyn HulbertHeather PettigrewHolly Hardstaff (Appointed 22/07/2015)Honorary Treasurer Kay Martin Operations Manager Debbie Camilleri Members’ Representative Margaret Miller Kindilan Management Committee Chair Judy Porter (Term Ended 25/11/2015)

Elected MembersSusan Hayes (Appointed 27/03/2015)Janetta McDiarmid (Appointed 27/03/2015)Kathleen Neehouse (Appointed 27/03/2015)Lynne Price (Appointed 27/03/2015)Annalise Taylor (Appointed 27/03/2015)Melissa Veerhuis (Appointed 27/03/2015)

COMMITTEE CHAIRSConstitution Susan Hayes HR Committee Cassie Robins Keeping Children Safe Melissa Anderson Kindilan Management Committee Judy Porter (Position Closed 25/11/2015)Policy & Procedures Chair Abby Hodge (Appointed 01/11/2015)Property Committee Myles Stanley (Appointed 28/01/2015)Risk Management Advisory Committee Cathy Crittenden

OTHER STATE PERSONNELDuke of Edinburgh Award Liaison Cherelle Stager (Appointed 01/02/2015)

MANAGERSOlave Program Rebecca AtkinsOperations Deborah CamilleriOutdoors Donna ThompsonProgram Glenys TredouxLearning & Development Robyn Gibbs

ADVISERSAdventurous Activities Sandra Mackie Archives Jill Hogrefe (Acting)Arts Dorami Keyt (Resigned 31/10/2015) Amanda Nicholls (Appointed 01/11/2015)Awards Siegrid Matheve (Resigned 01/09/2015)Margaret Nicholas (Appointed 01/09/2015)Camping Rebecca Crittenden Environmental Christine BrownridgeInternational Joy Ord Lone Sarah WardSupport Group Joy Millett Trefoil Guild Susan Hawkins Water Activities Deborah Frost Women of Substance Gina Meibusch (Resigned 01/04/2015)

REGION MANAGERSAndrew Petrie Leiza Dunlop (Acting 14/04/2015)Debbie Lawrence (Acting 22/06/2015)Brisbane North Peggy Campbell (Acting 01/02/2014) Lynn Ricketts (Acting 27/11/2015)Capricorn Alison Kearney Curtis Robyn Hulbert (Acting 01/02/2015)Dalrymple Robyn Hulbert (Acting 01/02/2015)Darling Downs Estelle Dempster (Resigned 20/04/2015) Norrie Albury (Appointed 21/04/2015)Flinders Doree Hartley (Appointed 01/04/2015)Gold Coast Joy Ord John Oxley Dorothy Dalglish Major Mitchell Kathleen Crump Moogerah Deborah Jones (Resigned 23/10/2015)Karen Stokes (Appointed 01/02/2016)Moreton Jennifer Nielsen Nowra Sandra Byrne (Closed 2015)Southern Border Jill McCosker Southern Cross Kathleen Neehouse Sunshine Coast Glenys Kempe Tropical North Carol Lincoln (Appointed 01/01/2015)Wide Bay Gwenda Deem (Retired 15/11/2015 - Acting 15/11/2015)

STATE COUNCILLenelle Anderson (Resigned 24/03/2015)Melissa Anderson (Retired 27/03/2015)Carolyn Atkins Joan Barber (Appointed 23/04/2015)Jenny Baxter Courtney Black Lynette Buckley (Resigned 25/02/2015)Peggy Campbell Vikki Carsburg Frances Chatterton (Appointed 23/03/2015)Leonora Cox Rebecca Crittenden Chantelle Currie Joanna Dempsey (Retired 27/03/2015)Janice Dutton Ann Farley (nee Jones) (Retired 27/03/2015)Peta Fray (Retired 27/03/2015)Kylie Gomes Helen Gray Robyn Harte Natasha Hendrick Paulette Huggins Phillipa Jacomb (Appointed 27/03/2015)Janet Jenkins Jennifer Keyt (Resigned 20/10/2015)Helen Lauder Wendy Leabeater Beverley MacGregor Sandy McCarthy (Appointed 27/03/2015)Janetta McDiarmid (Appointed 27/03/2015)Irene Miles Sylvia Milner Joanne Needham Beverley Nielsen (Appointed 27/03/2015)Mary Otto Nicole Parrott Petrina Pershouse Susanne Phillips

Judy PorterLynne Price (Appointed 27/03/2015)Michelle Price Denise Rodwell Judith Rogers Robyn Rollason (Leave of absence 30/09/2015)Cherie Rope (Retired 27/03/2015)Louise Sefton (Retired 27/03/2015)Bronte Snowdon (Appointed 27/03/2015)Carol Stanbury (Retired 27/03/2015)Annalise Taylor Melissa Veerhuis Sarah Ward Alison Whitehead

STATE OFFICE TEAMState Executive Officer Paul Nicholls Administration and Finance Manager Lesley Jardine Support StaffCarla Black Trudy Bonelli Joanne Englefield Jamie Hill Jennifer Keyt (Part Time)Sue Lane (Part Time)Beverley MacGregor (Part Time)Kris Marsh (Appointed 09/03/2015 - Part Time)Amanda McMillan (Resigned 12/03/2015)Carol Mokrzecki Kimberley Stanton (Part Time)Steven Veltmeyer (Appointed 07/04/2015)Susan Westbrook (Part Time - Resigned 23/12/2015)

KINDILAN TEAMKindilan Manager Jenny Neumann (Appointed 8/09/15)Rebecca Fox (Resigned 12/03/2015)Assistant Manager Kerryn Rolley (Resigned 25/09/15)Program Manager Andrew PerryCST Manager Yolande Ng Office Manager Michelle Black (Part time) Catering Manager Roslyn RideoutCasual Catering Nathan Irvine (Resigned 30/06/15)Program Co-ordinator Jessica Ash CST Officer Jill Duffield Accounts/Payroll Officer Amy Ellis (nee Harris)Outdoor Education Instructor Harrison Koller (Appointed 5/01/15) Ivan Mort (Appointed 26/10/15)Casual Outdoor Education Instructors Margaret RoweMaria CooperLaurinda Janlewicz (Appointed September 2015)Mitchell Adams (Appointed 5/01/15)Duncan Chadwick (Appointed 1/12/15)Christina Reushle (Appointed 5/01/15)Jennifer Veale (Appointed 6/07/15)William Hall (Appointed 14/12/15)Maintenance Officer John Fisher Housekeeping Sue Richardson Amy Britten (Resigned 18/12/15)Melissa Hohenhaus (Resigned 18/12/15)

State Personnel


SUPPORTERSDue to the generosity of our supporters, we are able to deliver on our mission and to continue to provide girls and young women with the opportunities, skills and the confidence that they will need in their future lives.

Girl Guides Queensland values the support in whatever form is provided. We gratefully acknowledge our Advisors and Supporters.

GGQ ADVISERSA B Phillips – Insurance BrokersKay Martin – Honorary TreasurerMcCullough Robertson Constitutional LawyersMcGees – Real EstateMills Oakley Lawyers Property Solicitors UHY Haines Norton – AuditorsThe Three Bookkeeping & admin services

GGQ PARTNERSAustralian Koala FoundationBlueprint Technologies AustraliaBunnings WarehouseQueensland Youth AllianceSmart SuppliesDepartment of Communities, Child Safety and Disability ServicesDepartment of National Parks, Sports and RacingSenior Enquiry Line – Grandparent Respite SchemeSt John’s Ambulance AustraliaUN WomenWestpac

GREAT BUNYA GATHERING SPONSORSIn 2015, we were amazed and so grateful for the substantial support we received for our Great Bunya Gathering Jamboree. Organisations stepped up providing more than we had ever hoped for. Thank you to all these wonderful supporters.

Girl Guides Queensland is Volunteer owned and Volunteer led. It is a self-funded organisation. A huge team effort is required – every year – to deliver the Guiding program around this vast state. It also requires – every year – enormous funds to be able to provide the infrastructure to support our passionate and dedicated Volunteer workforce.

We are indeed fortunate to have generous organisations and individuals who assist us financially or in kind. These funds allow us to deliver essential programs and resources to girls and young women in Queensland.

Girl Guides Queensland does receive funds via grants from government, trusts and other funds. In 2015, over $544,000 was received as grants to enable Districts to carry our repairs, maintenance and upgrades on Huts, and to purchase equipment and resources.

2015 SUCCESSFUL GRANTS

Dept of Natural Parks, Recreation, Sport & Racing $111,758.00

Gambling Community Benefit Fund $379,095.00

Dept Communities, Child Safety & Disability Service $14,025.00

The Redland Foundation $4,764.00

The Cancer Council Queensland $1,811.00

Redland City Council $4,747.00

National Bank $3,600.00

Brisbane City Council $5,731.00

Get Started $18,525.00

$544,056.00

BEQUEST PAYMENTS

Perpetual Trustee - McKimmin Charity North Queensland $7,490.00

The Trust Company $11,916.00

Public Trustee $1,000.00

Robert & Alison Hayles Charitable Trust $2,000.00

$22,406.00

DONATIONS

L. McMurtrie $520.00

Queensland Community Foundation $375.57

$895.57

OUR SUPPORTERS


Kangaroo Bus LinesfarandafreshWoolworthsBidvest foodserviceCamp SomersetBunnings WarehouseCountry Quality MeatsGCWeb.com.auPresto Pizza & PastaBlack Wolf

OfficeworksAustralia ZooDreamworldSigns EtcLions ClubNew Zealand NaturalAbbey ArcheryPolar IceBrisbane Valley Hire

GIRL GUIDES AUSTRALIA NATIONAL OFFICESuite 103, Level 1, 100 William Street,Woolloomooloo NSW 2011T: (02) 9311 8000 F: (02) 9319 7453E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES NSW & ACTLevel 2, 55 Holt Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010Postal address: PO Box 950 Strawberry Hills NSW 2012T: (02) 8396 5200F: (02) 9211 5911E: [email protected] www.girlguides-nswact.org.au

ACT Region Office T: (02) 6282 5328E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES NORTHERN TERRITORY55 Ross Smith Avenue, Parap NT 0820Postal address: PO Box 2, Parap NT 0804T: (08) 8981 3628F: (08) 8941 1147E: [email protected]/nt

GIRL GUIDES QUEENSLANDUnit 1, 132 Lutwyche Road, Windsor 4030Postal address: PO Box 739,Fortitude Valley QLD 4006T: (07) 3357 1266F: (07) 3357 1066E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES SOUTH AUSTRALIA63 Beulah Road, Norwood SA 5067T: (08) 8418 0900F: (08) 8132 0424E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES TASMANIA17 Clarence Street, Bellerive TAS 7018 Postal address: PO Box 8,Rosny Park TAS 7018T: (03) 6244 4408F: (03) 6244 4804E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES VICTORIA129 York Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205Postal address: PO Box 827,South Melbourne VIC 3205T: (03) 8606 3500F: (03) 9699 6277E: [email protected]

GIRL GUIDES WESTERN AUSTRALIA168 Burswood Road, Burswood WA 6100Postal address: PO Box 780,Victoria Park WA 6979T: (08) 9355 4586F: (08) 9355 4589E: [email protected]

Our mission is to empower girls and young women to grow

into confident, self-respecting, responsible community members.

www.girlguides.org.au

girl guides queensland annual report 2015

Documents