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HOW IT ALL
BEGAN
GirlGuiding NEW ZEALAND - A BRIEF HISTORY
While
serving in the Boer War with Robert Baden-Powell, New Zealander Lieutenant Colonel
Cossgrove, from Christchurch, became very interested in many of Baden-Powell's
ideas of training boys to give service. On
his return to New Zealand in 1907 he started Boy Scout troops throughout the country.
Towards the end of 1907 Colonel Cossgrove's daughter Muriel and some of her friends
asked him if they could join in too. As there were no programmes available in
either New Zealand or England, Baden-Powell suggested to Cossgrove that he write
a handbook for girls himself.
Cossgrove's book, "Peace Scouting for Girls" was eventually published
in 1910.
Peace Scouts
| | GirlGuiding
was quite different then. "Girl Peace Scouts," as the first guides in
New Zealand were known, wore a khaki blouse and skirt, stiff brimmed khaki hat,
black shoes and stockings and a brown leather belt with rings for a lanyard and
knife etc. Girls aged between 12 and 20 years could become Peace Scouts. They
were very distinctive when they were out and about as they carried a pole, which
was used for first aid, rather than a weapon.
There was a strong emphasis on being "lady-like." In March 1912, New
Zealand became officially affiliated with Girl Guides in England. |
Fairy Scouts
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Girls aged between
7-10 could become members of groups called Fairy Scouts, and this group is what
has today become known as brownies. They wore white dresses with sailor collars
and Peter Pan style hats. For
successful recruitment into the Fairy Scouts, girls were expected to be able to
lace their boots, tell the time and skip on both the left and right feet. |
Joining
with the World Association
In
1923, the Peace Scout Movement became the New Zealand Girl Guide Association when
it joined the World Guides. This also saw the advent of the blue uniform. The
first headquarters of the new association were in Auckland, and the first group
to register there was a company called the Cavell Guide Company, which is still
very strong today. World
Association of GirlGuiding and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS)
WAGGGS
is made up of four regions - Western Hemisphere, Europe, Arab, Africa and Asia
Pacific, and comprises 10 million girl guides and girl scouts in 140 countries.
The mission of WAGGGS is to enable girls and young women from around the world
to develop their fullest potential.
GirlGuiding
New Zealand - Today
The
National Office of GirlGuiding New Zealand is based in Christchurch and supports 22
regions around the country. We have developed comprehensive and interesting programmes
that are girl-driven reflecting the ever-changing needs and interests of girls
of all age groups. The programmes and activities offered by GirlGuiding New Zealand
provide community involvement for thousands of girls and young women. The girls
who take part in our programmes acquire skills, test their abilities, learn about
working co-operatively and receive input and feedback from interested adults.
These are the ingredients that are associated with positive outcomes for young
people. Active community participation helps young people to express and reinforce
their identity. It is supervision by skilled adults that is one of the keys and
we do this with the talents and guidance that our leaders contribute. With their
support, girls are able to learn the skills; develop the positive behaviours and
the attitudes needed to fulfil their personal and career potential. |
