MANY records have been unwittingly destroyed, thrown out or misplaced over the years, but Brimbank District Girl Guides leader Carolyn Maggs hopes a story in the paper will help reconnect former Deer Park guides for their 50th birthday reunion.
“We’re trying to get all the people back together, to see where they are now, what they’re doing, for them to catch up with people they were Guides with,” Ms Maggs said.
She reminisces about the old times, pointing to the black and white photos that date back to 1983.
“They’d be all up and married now,” she said.
The problems of getting in touch with former Guides are practical ones.
Unlike males, who kept their name all the time, females married and went off somewhere else, Ms Maggs said. “And you have no hope of finding their address or anything like that.”
Ms Maggs, who turns 60 this March, first joined the Girl Guides when she was 12.
“And I’ve basically been in and out ever since. I was a ranger Guide, and then I became a leader for different age units over time,” she said.
One of the biggest changes she had noticed was the drop in membership numbers, Ms Maggs said.
But that was understandable, considering the numerous extracurricular activities kids could choose from these days, she said.
“Years ago, I don’t think there was a great deal of other-type activities,” Ms Maggs said. “But the Guides are still going.”
And their activities range from A-Z. “That’s the best way to describe it,” she said.
But their ethos remains the same: to provide a non-formal education program that is a dynamic, flexible and values-based training in life skills, decision-making and leadership; and the commitment to help girls and young women grow into confident, self-respecting and responsible community members.
“The little ones play games, of course, and they do craft, all that sort of thing. We go on camps, do abseiling, canoeing, sporty things.
“We also do service clean-ups and tree plantings,” Ms Maggs said.
And it had been thoroughly satisfying, she said. “It’s been enjoyable. It’s good fun working with the kids and giving something back to the community,” she said.
The Deer Park Girl Guides 50th birthday reunion will be held on Friday night 14 March 2008. Former Deer Park Brownies, Guides or Leaders are invited to attend. For details, contact Anne 9363 5752 or Carolyn 9311 1820.
