As Girl Guides prepare for the 60th annual biscuit fundraiser this weekend one of the leaders proudly watching on will be NSW Commissioner Sarah Neill.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mrs Neill is only the second state Commissioner from the Illawarra in the Girl Guides 98 year history in NSW. Her five year term will include the centenary celebrations in 2020.
Mrs Neill was never a Girl Guide herself but got involved when two of her children did.
“My husband was a Scout. He was very keen for them to be Guides because he understood the opportunities they could have. Then the need arose for a leader and I put my hand up. I like seeing the young girls grow. There are a real opportunities for girls to develop their confidence, learn skills and have lots of different activities they might not otherwise have,” she said.
Like all the girls involved this Saturday she will be celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of National Girl Guide Biscuit Day. It will involve dozens of girls setting up biscuit stalls to fundraise for their Girl Guiding activities.
Ruby Reilly, 10, has been a Girl Guide for two years and really enjoys selling the biscuits each year because it has helped her grow in confidence. “I go door knocking to sell the biscuits”.
Ruby got involved with the Girl Guides when she was looking for something to do. All it took was one visit to the Fernhill Guide Hall for her to discover how much she enjoyed the activities such as beach clean-ups with the other girls.
Mrs Neill said the fact that girls such Ruby were selling biscuits six decades after the fundraiser began was a real testament to how the initiative has been embraced by so many young women in the region.
Girl Guides provides informal learning programs, fun adventures, international travel, camps, outings and national events for girls from all backgrounds, cultures and religions. Funds from biscuit sales support the delivery of programs that respond to the issues affecting girls and young women. That includes promoting women in leadership, financial literacy, awareness against body image stereotypes and gender-based violence.
“By selling biscuits, Girl Guides increase their skills in public speaking, social engagement, working together and financial management. Funds are then used in a variety of ways, most commonly by providing funds for the upkeep of meeting places”.
“By assisting with generating funds, Girl Guides also gain an understanding of how their hard work in selling biscuits benefits their Guiding Community. Girl Guide biscuits have become an icon for Guiding throughout Australia. The flagship Traditional vanilla biscuit, the Buttery Shortbread (gluten-free) and the bite-sized Mini Chocolate Chip biscuit with real chocolate chips make up the 2018 Girl Guide biscuit range. Give a Guide some change and she will make change. The proceeds from every packet of Girl Guide Biscuits goes back into guiding in your community, helping to develop the next generation of change-makers,” Mrs Neill said.
Girl Guide biscuits can also be purchased at www.girlguidebiscuits.com.au/shop-now/.
Facts about Girl Guides:
- Peak organisation for girls and young women in Australia.
- Provides leadership and personal skills development to its 22,000 members and is part of an international Girl Guides movement of 10 million girls in 150 countries.
- Mission is to empower girls and young women to become confident, considerate and responsible community members.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
