By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
MULTICULTURALISM has become something of a badge of honour for Girl Guides in Springvale.
In a pilot program, the Guides have joined forces with Springvale Learning and Activities Centre to reach out to women and girls of diverse backgrounds, including migrants and refugees.
Erin Wicking, Girl Guides Victoria community development manager, is at pains to point out that Guides is not a narrow culture but has been an international movement across 145 countries.
“We have always been a multicultural organisation, always welcoming of girls of all backgrounds,” Ms Wicking says.
“If anyone knows how to embrace diversity, it’s the Girl Guides.”
One example is the group’s multilingual webpage “Welcome to Girl Guides”, which can be translated into 10 languages.
Springvale’s Guides units are set to double. Vacancies are open for a new unit for 5-9 year olds opening in term three, which will complement the 9-15 year olds unit.
Ms Wicking says Springvale – because of its diversity – was chosen as the kick-off for pilot projects such as Guiding Leadership Opportunities for Women.
Under the GLOW program, migrant and refugee women are taught life-skills such as conversational English, computing, leadership and first aid, and are placed for work experience at Springvale’s two Girl Guide units.
At the end of the program, they earn Girl Guide leader and volunteer co-ordination qualifications.
Ms Wicking says the skills learnt are transferrable for women wanting to re-enter the workforce or volunteer.
Guides is a different group since it axed ‘brownies’ and ‘rangers’ in the mid-90s. Rather than working to a specific plan, the girls are ‘guided’ by their leaders to pursue their own interests.
Along the way, the girls learn teamwork and organisational skills, Ms Wicking says.
“Leaders help the girls learn things by themselves. The girls have a really active role in what they do.”
For more details, contact welcome@guidesvic.org.au
