A life of guiding isn't for everyone, but many of the leaders in Mitchelstown and Kilbehenny joined because their daughters were involved and now find themselves still heavily involved even though some of their daughters are now mothers themselves.

At a ceremony recently, they were recognised by Liz Downes for their years of service, where some of them had dedicated up to 25 or 30 years, volunteering as girl guide leaders.

The guides currently have a full compliment of members in their groups of ladybirds, brownies, guides, senior branch and leaders across both Mitchelstown and Kilbehenny and Liz said that while the girls learn academically in school, the guides give them life skills that they will take with them throughout their years and eventually pass onto their own children.

Little girls join the community of guides as young as five and can work their way up through the groups until they are 24 and then many become involved as leaders.

Liz complimented the leaders for giving so much of their time up, as they volunteer for two hours a week, as well as putting hours of preparation in every week.

"What they get out of guiding is immeasurable, teachers always say that when they are doing projects, they can pick out the girl guides and in interviews for jobs, it is something that is recognised as well," Liz said.

Liz added that the guides can gain badges and awards through the girl guides in things like child minding, sports, health, first aid, fire safety and drug awareness among other things, adding that they are very lucky to have 27 leaders guiding the troops. 

"We fulfil the girls needs and equip them with the life skills to combat any academic or social challenges," Liz said.

She said that they have a full and varied programme of indoor and outdoor activities, with excursions, trips abroad and camping weekends.

In July of this year, they went on a trip to Tyrol Valley in Austria with a group of guides from Dublin, where they spent ten days and did everything from sight seeing and swimming to target shooting, hiking and bowling.

One of the leaders, Siobhan Lewis, proved to be one of the best at target shooting and the girls and leaders excelled in different areas and thoroughly enjoyed the trip.

Liz said that without the support of the parents and people in the community, guiding wouldn't be as successful as it is locally. She also thanked The Avondhu for their coverage and support over the years.

Guiding will now resume after the summer break, with the ladybirds returning on Tuesday, October 1 from 6pm-7pm and Friday, October 4 from 7pm-8pm in the Red Cross Hall.

Brownies will return on September 30 from 7pm-8pm and on Thursday, October 3 from 5.30pm-6.30pm in the Red Cross Hall and the guides and senior branch returned this week on September 18.

The Kilbehenny Guides will return on Monday next, September 23 from 6.45pm-7.45pm and the Kilbehenny ladybirds and brownies will return on Thursday, September 26, from 6pm-7pm in the Kilbehenny Community Hall. 

For more information, contact Liz Downes on 087-7689875.

Our group presentation picture at The Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, shows Girl Guide Leaders, front, l-r: Siobhan Lewis, Liz Downes presenting Delia McGrath with her 30 year service pin and Norma Connolly being recognised for ten years service. Back, l-r: Julia Rayner, Paula Delaney, Veronica Jackson, Triona Fitzgerald, Caroline Clifford, Sarah Walsh, Anne Murphy being recognised for 25 years service, Siobhan Donegan, Biddy Mullins and Martina O'Brien. Missing are: Helena Heenan, Orla Cotter, Catherine O'Keeffe (5 years service), Liz Crowley (15 years service), Elaine O'Brien Linehan (10 years service), Cathy O'Brien (20 years service), Mary Sheehan, Louise White, Justine Murphy, Mary Sheehan, Mary Fenton and Linda Sheedy (30 years service).

blog comments powered by Disqus