Robyn Webster says becoming one of the first Maleny Girl Guides six decades ago, helped to shape her into the woman she is today.
So much so, the long-time Maleny resident is still heavily involved in the group.
Ahead of the Maleny Girl Guides celebrating 60 years in the community, Mrs Webster takes us on walk down memory lane, sharing some history and revealing why people should get involved in the organisation that’s been going strong since 1926.
It all began on September 26, 1962 when a number of community leaders and women met in the CWA meeting room of the Maleny Community Hall and formed the first Maleny Girl Guides Association.
Leaders were approached and trained in preparation for the first intake of 12 Girl Guides and nine Brownies (recruits aged seven to 10).
Twelve-year-old Ms Webster was in the first intake of guides.
“We did a lot of fun and exciting things like camping, hiking, outdoor activities, cooking and making gadgets,’ she said
“I am sure the experience help shaped me into the woman I am.
“There is a saying, and I believe it is true for any of us who seek to get the most out of the opportunity that being a guide provides: ‘once a guide, always a guide’.”
Guides met at the Anglican Church Hall for a while, until Crown Land was procured in Cedar Street, Maleny.
The Maleny Guide Hut was constructed with a huge input of donated goods, volunteer labour and service club support, and was officially opened on April 24, 1965.
As a senior girl guide, Ms Webster became a Brownie pack helper and then a qualified assistant Brownie leader.
She married in 1971 and her ‘Brownies’ formed a guard of honour.
A group of senior guides wanted to continue guiding and become Ranger Guides – Ms Webster was approached to be their leader – and the first Ranger Guide unit was formed.
She continued in that role until the end of 1976.
Ms Webster’s daughter became a Brownie in mid-1981 and so began her next chapter with Maleny District Guides, this time as a member of the support group.
She recalled a wonderful band of volunteers who under the guidance of Isobel Bryce, would be rostered at the local Cranney’s and then Boxsell’s Saleyards, to feed the hungry folk who gathered on cattle sale days.
“I distinctly remember one bitterly cold damp July day in the mid-80’s when we had ‘sleet’,” she said.
“Isobel and I struggled to keep up the supply of hot water for the cups of tea for those ‘customers’ huddled around.
“We all appreciated Isobel’s dedication. For many years she was at every sale with all the equipment ready for us to come and join her with our home baked goods and sandwiches.”
At the beginning of 2014 she was treasurer, and in March 2017 she was approached to become District Manager and currently still holds that position.
Today, the club still holds a very close association with Maleny Service Clubs, Government Representatives, Local Businesses and community member.
“Without this support we would never be able to meet the ongoing cost of keeping Maleny Girl Guides available for the young girls of our wider Maleny Community to enjoy the fun, friendship and adventures that Girl Guides provide,” she said.
“We are grateful to the women of our community who stepped up to the challenge and the many hundreds of young Maleny girls and young women who have reached the peak of their guiding experiences and gone on to continue to take their place as Leaders in their world.
“As adults, we are volunteers with many opportunities as women to be our best selves in keeping with the guiding mission of empowering girls and young women to discover their potential as leaders of their world.
She described her service to the organisation over the last six decades as extremely fulfilling.
“It’s amazing being part of a group that’s helping to nurture young girl into young woman,” she said.
“Seeing these girls mature and see where their life takes them and still staying in touch with them means the world to me.”
Mrs Webster said the upcoming celebration of the group turning 60 was a good chance for the organisation to fundraise and take in some new recruits.
She invited past, present and future guides aged five to 15 as well as parents and affiliates to the Maleny District Girl Guides 60th Celebration Afternoon on Sunday, November 27 from 2-4pm.
The celebration will be held at Maleny Guide Hut at 17 Cedar Street, Maleny. Entry is $5 and multiple prizes raffle will be drawn. RSVP by the 18 November to malenyDM@guidesqld.org
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
