Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling gave her address at the Girl Guide grand rally. Beside her is Mrs. Helen Sweeting, Girl Guide District Commissioner for East 1. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- The Bahamas Girl Guides Association held a
grand rally on Saturday evening on Government House Grounds, celebrating
the achievements of the organization under the theme, ‘100 Years of
Influencing Lives,’ with Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite
Pindling giving a “thank you” to the very dedicated leaders who made it
all possible.
Addressing the very large gathering that
included past and present members and leaders of the Bahamas Girl Guides
Association and friends of the organization, the Governor General
complimented the movement – as a “proud full member of the World
Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts” -- for having positively
influenced thousands of girls in New Providence and the Family Islands.
She conveyed appreciation for the contributions of
women who ensured the success of the organization: Mrs. Eulalee Kelly,
Ms. Barbara Brown, Ms. Gwen French, Ms. Betty Cole, Ms. Marjorie Davis
and Mrs. Clarice Granger, all of whom despite their professional
careers, she said, devoted their lives to making sure that the Girl
Guides Association continued to make an impact on the Bahamian society.
Giving
a bit of history, Dame Marguerite said: “Mrs. Kelly was the first
Island Commissioner. During her tenure, the Chief Scout and Chief
Guide, Lord and Lady Baden-Powell visited The Bahamas in 1930. A rally
was held during their stay. The Girl Guides Association also welcomed
Princess Alice. Mrs. Kelly is best known for her donation of the Kelly
building situated at Girl Guide Headquarters.
“Another
pioneer of the Girl Guides Movement was Ms. Barbara Brown. She started
Cookie Week, developed the Campsite in Western new Providence and served
as a member of the Western Hemisphere Committee.
“Ms.
Gwen French, Deputy Chief Commissioner, was responsible for camping. A
strict disciplinarian, she ensured that the highest standards were
maintained relating to uniforms, flag protocols and overall conduct
relating to Guiding.
“Miss Betty Cole, former
outstanding leader of the 6th Nassau Girl Guides, and teacher at
Xavier’s College, served also as deputy Chief Commissioner, Family
Island Commissioner, first diplomed Trainer and Chief organizer of
Thinking Day Ceremonies, Camp Fires and Association events. She
presently sits on the Fund-Raising Committee for the new building. She
also tested many Guides for Badges in various fields such as swimming.
“Miss
Marjorie Davis, despite her duties as a teacher at the Government High
School, and Administrator at the Ministry of Education, is the longest
serving active Guide leader. She served as an assistant leader of the
Government High School Guides in 1946 and went on to lead the company
for many years. She also served as Chief Commissioner, District
Commissioner and still is active on a number of committees, and is the
Girl Guides’ historian and quality assurance expert.
“Mrs.
Clarice Granger, who was Chief Radiologist at the X-ray Department of
the Princess Margaret Hospital, the longest serving Chief Commissioner
and current member of the Council, also heads the Shop Committee, chairs
the Fund-Raising Committee for the new Building and serves as
unofficial co-chair of the Properties Committee. She has also managed
Cookie distribution for the last 18 years.”
The Governor
General highlighted that under the leadership of these women, the
Bahamas Girl Guide Association grew tremendously.
She
added: “Their stellar contributions during the 1940s through the 1980s,
have been considerable. I should like, on behalf of The Commonwealth of
The Bahamas, to acknowledge and thank them for their outstanding work and dedication.
I
congratulate President Anita Bernard and Council Members, and all who
are actively involved in the Bahamas Girl Guides Association. I
challenge the current leadership to expand the movement, especially to
the Family Islands. May the Association continue its good work in
building positive and healthy lives. I thank you.”
In the third row at left is Dr. Gail Saunders chairperson of the New Building Committee. Dr. Saunders is additionally a former President of the Association, and obtained the highest badge when she was a girl guide--The Queen's Badge. She along with Lady Dawn Marshall and Mrs. Marsha Stewart, other Queen’s Guides, led the entrance of the Signposts showing the 10 decades since the establishment of Guiding in The Bahamas. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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Mr. and Mrs. John Phillpot came on stage to represent Lord and Lady Baden Powell, the founders of Scouting and Guiding who made their first visit to The Bahamas in 1929. Mr. Phillpot, president of the Scout Association of The Bahamas, reminded the audience that at the time Lord and Lady Baden Powell came to The Bahamas in 1929 the great hurricane devastated the colony. During the hurricane, Boy Scouts of The Bahamas were instrumental in saving the lives of many persons. Lord Baden Powell presented these scouts with medals for their bravery. (BIS Photo/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
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