General News
30 September, 2025
Local Girl Guides jamboree bound
Girl Guides from across the nation and beyond are coming together this week for this year’s Bush 2 Beach Jamboree.
A handful of Maryborough’s Girl Guides took flight over the weekend for a week of fun, connection, and adventure hosted by Girl Guides NSW, ACT and NT.
Their destination is Murwillumbah Showground, on the NSW northern coast, where they’ll make friends, learn new skills, and meet people from diverse backgrounds.
This week’s event brings girls aged 10 to 17 together from around the country and globe.
It goes to show Girl Guides, Central Goldfields district manager Belinda Pritchard said, are more than one small local group.
“We are part of this worldwide organisation that can actually have an impact,” she said.
Founded almost a century ago, Ms Pritchard said Girl Guides Australia remains relevant to this day.
From camping to cooking, giving back to their community and learning to advocate for what they believe in — Ms Pritchard said these are just some of the skills and values they teach.
“These are all really important skills that show them they can be self-sufficient and contribute to society in different ways,” she said.
It meant a lot to be excited for as five local Girl Guides prepared for this week’s trip.
But there was one adventure, a challenge, that most of them had little experience with — flying.
A challenge, however, that Maryborough Girl Guides’ Hannah Phillips has planned for.
“I’ve made myself this calming exercise in case I get really nervous while on the plane. I would talk to a friend. I would hold someone’s hand if they allow me to and I would think about my parents and take deep breaths,” she said.
Alongside her is Willow Curr, whose excitement overpowered any nerves.
“I’d think about how fun this camp is going to be,” she said.
Although only their leader, Harriet Thoroughgood, had been to the camp before, Hannah had a message for the community.
“Jamboree is going to be amazing and everyone should at least try it,” she said.
Ms Pritchard encourages any girls keen to join Girl Guides, especially if they’re interested in the outdoors, to get in touch to learn more.