Marlborough Girl Guides reinvent traditions
Unit team leader Tash Stewart, left, and daughters Aimee, 16, and Lottie, 13, join other Marlborough Girl Guides at their car rally fundraiser on 19 April in Brayshaw Park. Photo: Evan Tuchinsky.
Tash Stewart has enduring memories of Girlguiding, and not just because she remains involved as an adult. She credits the youth group with instilling confidence which serves her still.
These days, Tash is unit team leader for Marlborough Girl Guides, mentoring three of the four age-level groupings. Daughters Aimee, 16, and Lottie, 13, participate actively among 60 girls who form friendships as they grow together.
In Blenheim, where the local organisation has its home base on Eltham Road, Girlguiding dates to 1926. That’s a centenary worth celebrating, and Marlburians will do so with an open house and a dinner on 2 May. Members will gather the evening before.
“It’s very exciting,” Tash said on Sunday morning as a half-dozen girls finished setting up for a car rally at Brayshaw Park to raise money for another jubilee, the national Jamboree 2027 in Hamilton.
Girlguiding activities have changed over 100 years. “We don’t do ironing badges anymore,” Tash noted with a laugh. Domesticity has given way to technology.
“We are current,” Tash continued. “We are relevant. It’s such a great place to empower our young women, set them up for life.”
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Current girls do find Girlguiding relevant. Aimee points to an emphasis on STEM – science, technology, engineering, mathematics – and badges awarded for achievements in the outdoors and in sports.
Aimee joined when she was 6; Lottie, at age 5. Both have forged deep friendships as well as leadership skills.
Oh, and there’s the fun: “Everything you do is really enjoyable,” Lottie said.
Pippa Joyce, 14, who gave Girlguiding a try two years ago, has made the same discovery. A classmate’s involvement piqued Pippa’s interest – “Sounds like me,” she recalled feeling – and while not knowing exactly what to expect, she found herself warmly welcomed. She appreciates opportunities for volunteering that Girlguiding provides.
The girls encourage others to, in Aimee’s words, “give it a go.” Pippa says to “get involved and don’t be shy to make new friends.”
Email [email protected] to contribute to the Jamboree 2027 fundraiser or inquire about Marlborough Girl Guides.