State Commissioner Handover
On Sunday 20th September Prue Carpenter handed the baton of State Commissioner to Belinda Allen. Below is Belinda's acceptance speech and some photos of the event.
Acceptance Speech by Belinda Allen
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people who are the Traditional Custodians of the Land. I would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present of the Eora Nation and extend that respect to other Indigenous Australians who are present.
It is a huge honour to become the 16th State Commissioner for Girl Guides NSW&ACT. Firstly I would like to acknowledge the enormous amount of time and energy Prue, Sue and Sue have given GGNSW&ACT over the last 6 years to change the lives for many girls and young women. They have steered the Board to have the courage and foresight to make large structural changes to improve the long term sustainability of the organisation. A special thank you, to Prue who has been a wonderful Guiding Partner and Trainer since May, to bring me up to speed, to take over the State Commissioner role today.
It is a very exciting time to be stepping into the role of State Commissioner on the eve of 2010 – the year of the Girl Guide. This also comes with enormous responsibilities to ensure Guiding continues far into the next 100 years. After this weekend I feel we are in good hands with so many amazing women volunteering countless hours to empower the next generation of women with leadership skills and skills to take them through life and help make the world a better place.
I am proud to be part of a global organisation such as the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) – 100 years of changing lives, with its many opportunities and experiences available to Guides of all ages in 145 Member Organisations, including Australia and hence NSW & ACT. How amazing it is to have a WAGGGS delegation attending the UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen, Denmark later this year and led by Linden Edgell, Deputy Chair of the World Board. Linden is now a member of Girl Guides Western Australia but was a long time member of Girl Guides NSW & ACT. There is also a young leader from Girl Guides Tasmania attending as part of the delegation sponsored by The Australian Koala Foundation, as Girl Guides Australia is a Gold supporter. I am excited by WAGGGS Global Action Theme – “girls worldwide say together we can change our world” with its focus on the Millennium Development Goals.
I am very grateful to have Joanne Muller as my Deputy State Commissioner. Joanne has been a Guide member for 43 years, much longer than me. Joanne brings a wealth of Guiding and legal knowledge to the State team.
My Guiding life - I followed my sister into 2B Rose Bay Brownies where I first made my Promise and friends from other schools. I flew up to Guides having learnt amongst other things to knit, do semaphore and make a cup of tea. I left Guides at 15 with many happy memories when our Leader retired.
I reentered Guides in the late 80’s having not given it a lot of thought in the interim or seen evidence of Guiding as we moved states and towns, until our eldest daughter was 9 years old and wanted to join with her friends. For her to be able to join Brownies, I had to commit to be the next Support Group President! 3 years later, with a Leader shortage our two daughters asked me to be step into the breach. With some trepidation I put up my hand and took up the challenge by joining the East Lindfield Guide Unit with 24 girls. No regrets, what a buzz it was. We all had an exciting time learning new skills as we went and we were encouraged by inspiring girls - Jamborees, Unit camps, street stalls, BP Emblems, new recipes, wide games, making candles, Tingira, Araluen, Tara, Rose Valley, Glengarry, making shorts, teaching knitting, the rifle range, renovating the hall, the Olympic handball and much more. Onto the Region team, District and Division Leader, Guiding Partner: State committees – PR and International, Jamboree, Convention so it went. A stint as State PR Adviser, GGA Communications manager, Web consultant, Uniform Committee, Guides say…project Chair and NSW & ACT Board member. Lots of serious meetings, tea, and of course laughter. Guiding has certainly enriched my life and my families. The Guiding values gives me a wonderful code for living.
Our three children have all grown up and left home. Throughout my adult Guiding life, I have worked and volunteered outside Guiding. This will continue while State Commissioner.
I look forward to working with you all over the coming years particularly during 2010 as we celebrate 100 years of changing lives.
Thank you to my family and friends for your support and encouragement to step up into Prue’s shoes. I look forward the challenges and joys I am sure it will bring.
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