General News
28 October, 2025
Jamboree success for local Girl Guides
Local Girl Guides returned from their national Jamboree this month with lessons learned and stories to tell.
A group of local Girl Guides has learned new skills and made lifelong memories following their Jamboree earlier this month.
This year’s Bush 2 Beach Jamboree brought together Girl Guides from across Australia and even overseas for a week of adventure hosted by Girl Guides NSW, ACT and NT.
Their time at Murwillumbah Showground, on the NSW northern coast, was taken in stride by the small group.
Central Goldfields Girl Guides district manager Belinda Pritchard said the week can be full of little challenges.
From homesickness, to the travelling, severe weather, or just personality clashes — Ms Pritchard said the group excelled.
“I have to say this little cohort did amazing,” she said.
It’s a success story that had first-time leader Harriet Thoroughgood at the helm.
She said everything from the hours of travel to the activities during the event went well.
A highlight for her was the beach day where they learned from local lifeguards.
The girls played some beach games, learned lifesaving techniques, and saw a demonstration of the lifeguards' drone.
Beyond the activities, Ms Thoroughgood said, were the new friends she made along the way.
“My favourite thing was probably connecting with other people who I had known as my leaders,” she said.
Now a leader herself, those people became her peers, and friends, and maybe one day even travel companions.
“I’m really keen to go to the New Zealand Jamboree in 2027 with a few of the leader friends I have made,” she said.
It’s an adventure that takes independence and resilience — skills Ms Pritchard hopes all the girls take from the Jamboree.
“I’d really like to see them ... have that confidence in themselves that they are amazing and they can do awesome things as independent people,” she said.
It’s a goal Ms Pritchard, nor Girl Guides, waits until the Jamboree to teach.
She said the guiding program puts a skill-building lens on everything they do — from the weekly meetings right through to their trips away.
“That is definitely really a thing I’m passionate about,” she said.
“That non-formal education where they learn practical skills and how they, themselves, can navigate some of those life challenges.”
It’s a mission made possible thanks to community support.
Ms Pritchard said the challenges of a regional unit mean the financial support from Zonta, Rotary and the Red Cross is critical.
“It’s leadership development. These are the future leaders of the world,” she said.