Rejectamenta

City2Surf | 11 AUG 2019

Rejectamenta plural noun | re•jec•ta•men•ta | things rejected : a quantity of rejects : RUBBISH, REFUSE, WRACK (source www.merriam-webster.com).

For members of Girl Guides NSW & ACT and their families, Rejectamenta means much more. Rejectamenta supports the operations of the world’s largest fun run, the Sun-Herald City2Surf presented by Westpac, providing valuable volunteer assistance; collecting the rejected refuse of runners’ raiment and regalia. In 2019, more than 90 Girl Guides NSW & ACT volunteers picked up approximately nine tonne of garments discarded by 80,000 participants and loaded them into trucks. What happens next is the important bit. 

The collected clothing is shipped away by the Salvation Army and redistributed to the needy or sold at the Salvos’ Opportunity Shops in support of their initiatives in communities. This element of community service is fundamental to Girl Guides, with Service being one of the seven fundamentals that make up the Australian Guide Program. Rejectamenta is the largest State coordinated Service activity.

There are levels of service in what the Girl Guides do for City2Surf. As well as helping the Salvation Army help others, the clearing of the roads, parks and footpaths from the start line to Kings Cross helps keep participants, other volunteers and onlookers safe from tripping hazards. 

The coordinated efforts of our Guides and volunteers as they sweep in behind the pulsating packs of frenzied fun-runners also enables local and state governments to have roads re-opened as soon as possible at the end of the event.

For a quarter of a century Girl Guides have provided this community service. Find out how you can get involved with Girl Guides at girlguides-nswact.org.au and find us on Facebook @girlguides-nswact.org.au .
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