100 Years of Guiding in Australia
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
This year marks 100 years of Australian girls and women promising to do their best, to do their duty to God, to serve the Queen and country and to help other people. To commemorate this significant organisation and its contribution to Australian society, Australia Post is releasing a series of stamps of guiding past and present.
Girl Guides Australia began in 1909 when Guiding's early advocates stated their desire to join the Scouting movement. It was considered inappropriate to have a mixed gender movement and so the Girl Guides were born. Since then, millions of girls and young women worldwide have enjoyed adventurous and exciting programs delivered in a safe and supportive girls' only space. Scouts founder, Lord Baden-Powell's sister, Agnes, took charge of Girl Guiding in its early years and was followed by Baden-Powell's wife, Olave.
In the early days of guiding many of the activities were considered unladylike - particularly the idea of girls camping. It is recorded that it was taken for granted that sleeping in tents was out of the question for girls - and how could they be expected to do their hair out in the open field? (All respectable young ladies had long hair in those days). It was suggested that: they should sleep in a barn and hang their clothing on nails on the walls. It was stated also that hobble skirts, high heels and tight stays (corsets!) would be banned.
Australia Post Philatelic Group Manager, Noel Leahy said, "guiding is still as relevant today as it was 100 years ago with the emphasis now on leadership and enabling girls and young women to grow into confident, self-respecting, responsible community members. We hope this stamp issue serves to remind people of the valuable contribution the movement has made to Australian girls and society as a whole."
This issue of three stamps features guiding both past and present. One of the stamps highlights the contribution of leading light Olave Baden-Powell. Formerly Olave St. Clair Soames she was born on 22 February, 1889, and as a girl loved country life and her pet animals. She never attended school, being educated by her parents and a succession of governesses and she lived what she described as a sheltered, happy but thoroughly useless existence.
This changed in 1912, when her father took her on a cruise to the West Indies. On board she met Robert Baden-Powell, the scout man, as she described him. They married that same year, despite the age difference of more than 30 years and in 1930 Lady BP was chosen as World Chief Guide, a position she held until her death in 1977.
The Centenary of Guides stamp issue includes 1 x 60c stamp, 1 x $1.50 stamp and 1 x $2.20 stamp, rolls of 200; booklets of 20; a stamp pack; first day covers; maxicards; a prestige first day cover with embroidered badge, and a stamp & coin cover (limited edition 10,000) and are available at participating Australia Post retail outlets, via mail order on 1800 331 794 and online at auspost.com.au/stamps from 31 August 2010 while stocks last.
