THE Capalaba Girl Guides will celebrate 50 years of community, friendship and leadership next month, with former and current members invited to reunite for a special anniversary event.
The celebration will be held at the Holland Crescent Guide Hut from 1.30-4pm on August 1 and will feature displays, activity sessions, a campfire and the unveiling of a commemorative 50th anniversary badge.
For BP Guild member Claudia Cunningham, the milestone is deeply personal.
The 78-year-old Mount Cotton resident was the original leader of the Capalaba Guide unit, which began with just eight girls meeting in a private home before relocating to Capalaba State College on Friday nights.
“It is a chance to celebrate decades of guiding at Capalaba, and all that guiding represents,” Ms Cunningham said.
“As an organisation, Guiding is the largest female organisation in the world.
“The aim of Guiding is to produce women who will make good future citizens.”
The Capalaba unit was established as the suburb experienced rapid growth under the Regional and Economic Development Scheme.
As the district expanded, so did Guiding, with Capalaba eventually supporting two Guide units, three Brownie units, Ranger Guides, a Ranger unit, Gumnuts and an active local association.
After years of fundraising, the Holland Crescent Guide Hut was built on Redland City Council land in 1981.
Ms Cunningham said Guiding flourished during the 1970s and 1980s, although membership had declined in recent years due to increased competition from other extracurricular activities and a shortage of volunteer leaders.
“Guiding offers a lifetime investment and so many opportunities. It also keeps young people out of mischief,” she said.
“It is such a benefit to children and to society in general.”
Ms Cunningham has been involved in Guiding since age seven with the 14th Brisbane First Valley group.
Her lifelong commitment has taken her around the world, including representing Australia in the UK in
1970, where she met Princess Anne.
Now a member of the Trefoil Guild, Ms Cunningham said Guiding continued to play an important role in her life.
“I’m still a Guide and I always will be,” she said.
“Don’t be fooled. It’s not just a youth thing.
“This is something that I have done all my life.
“When times have been tough, Guiding has been a wonderful support to me.”
Anyone interested in attending the celebration can contact Ms Cunningham via email at camorana.
enterprises@hotmail.com.
