POOWONG resident Linda Harvey was recently honoured for 45 years of outstanding service to the Girl Guides at the Strzlecki – Boomerang Trefoil Guild’s tenth-anniversary celebrations.
On receiving the Good Service Award and the special Flowering Gum Award for her service to Girl Guides, Linda said, “It was a nice surprise, it was very nice.”
Linda joined the Woorayl Region group when she was 18, and later took on roles as a Unit Leader, Support Group Member and International Co-ordinator for Baw- Baw and Gippsland, and has organised many key events and reunions.
“It took you down lots of different avenues, firstly, as a guide leader and a brownie leader. I started with the Loch Unit many years ago, as a young adult, and then I opened up the Poowong Brownie Unit way back in the late 70s, I suppose it was; and it opened up a lot of different opportunities.”
The Woorayl Region later amalgamated with the Baw-Baw Region before then becoming the Gippsland Region about 15 years ago, as it is now known.
Linda has also been a key driver in establishing, fundraising and advocating for the Friends of Sangam Australia Group, which supports the Sangam World Centre in India – one of four international centres owned by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
“In more recent years I’ve been involved with the International Department of Guides Victoria, promoting international opportunities for young girls to take up the
opportunity to travel overseas with the Guides. Being involved with this, I’ve had the opportunity to go to India four times with the Girl Guides,” explained Linda.
“It’s on the outskirts of Mumbai, about three hours out of Mumbai, and it’s a place where guides can meet up from all over the world for different conferences and training, and to learn about India and cultural activities. It’s just a lovely, safe compound run by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.”
“And it’s the fun and the friendships that you make along the way,” added Linda, who will be heading back to India this coming February to catch up with all the friends she’s made over there.
The Strzlecki – Boomerang Trefoil Guild is a group for those with a history of Girl Guiding who want to stay connected.
During their tenth anniversary celebrations, the Guild also presented other members with years of service badges, amassing an impressive, combined 530 years of service.
The Guild meets monthly at different locations between Warragul and Traralgon. For information about joining contact Roxanne Purvis on 0438 348 301.