Australia 2011

August 30 – September 3, 2011

The 2011 OB-PS Event took place in the sunny Gold Coast (Brisbane), Australia. Even following the tremendous floods in Brisbane earlier this year the Organising committee ensured that this would not did not affect the event.Brisbanegreeted us with warm weather and sun nevertheless amazing thunder and lightening was seen during the Welcome reception.

For some it was the first time visiting Australia, for some it was a happy return to a beautiful country that has so much to offer - from beautiful nature and wildlife to delicious cuisine and indigenous traditions. The event brought together 153 OB-PS members and guests from 13 countries. During the presentation ceremony 23 new members were presented and 5 Centenary Supporters received their certificates for completing their donations

The event concluded with home hospitality visits, where OB-PS members were welcomed to see Australian girl guides and their families.

Highlights of the event

Young women

During the Gala dinner and last day of the event, members were able to hear presentations from three inspiring young women. Members were able to see and hear their experiences and importance of being a girl guide.

The three young women were:

• Aby McGuire (Tasmania), who attended the UN Climate Change Conference - COP15, UN DPI/NGO Conference ‘Advance Global Health – Achieve the MDGs’.
• Susanna Matters (Australia) UN CSW inNew York in 2010, UNICEFAustralia Young Ambassador 2011-2012
• Signe Riemer-Sørensen (Denmark) Member of The Danish Guide & Scout Association since 1991, member of leadership training teams inNamibiaandLithuania, currently working as a postdoc in astrophysics atUniversity of Queensland,Australia

We are very pleased to share that Signe Riemer-Sørensen was presented as a member of the OB-PS during this event.

HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark in her speech raised awareness of the new WAGGGS global advocacy campaign to Stop Violence against women. Her Royal Highness called this campaign a fantastic example of how the World Association is making a real difference to the lives of girls and young women across the world.

Guest speakers

Linden Edgell, ex-WAGGGS Vice-chairman presented an update of the latest news from the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Highlights included the important role that OB-PS support represents for WAGGGS, update from the 34^th World Conference, the Young Women’s World Forum, the new World Board and the new WAGGGS advocacy campaign “Stop Violence against girls and women”.

Karen Spiller, a Principal at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School. Karen Spiller had teaching and leadership experience in both girls and co-educational Anglican schools for over 25 years. Her inspirational speech about girls and exploitation of over sexualised images highlighted the current situation in the world and importance of education and leadership skills for girls and young women.

Fundraising Success

OB-PS members from Australiaover the last year fundraised for an In Memoriam membership for Agnes Baden-Powell. Agnes Baden-Powell’s OBPS insignia and certificate was received by Joan Baden-Powell. OB-PS members and supporters were very generous in helping reach the target for this special membership.

A very big THANK YOU goes to “Gold Team”. The “Gold Team” was the Australian Host Committee and volunteers who worked very hard to ensure this event was an amazing success and who wore gold shirts to make identification easy.