Check out the latest update about Fonomarae!

FONOMARAE 2021 Expression of Interest Due 8th November

To Captains/Senior Leaders, Area Contacts,and Youth Reps

Please the Expression of Interest regarding Fonomarae 2021 which is due back to us by the 8th November 2019 (in 4 1/2 weeks). Please print and give out to all eligible girls in your company, ensuring you receive completed forms back in enough time for your Area Contact person to collate and respond to us, by the 8th November. We would love to see as many girls there as possible, which means getting all the information out now: the encouragement and excitement starts with you!

Please nominate an area contact person who we can liaise with throughout our Fonomarae journey. All we require from your nominated contact person is:

Nominated Area Contact name, phone number and email address Number of girls interested from within your AreaNumber of leaders interested within your Area (current first aid certificate required)Email this information fonomarae@girlsbrigade.org.nz

To help the process and provide accurate estimates, please communicate with your families your intentions regarding fundraising, etc. If they start now, it's a small amount each week they need to save/fundraise. Please note that all captains need to approve those attending from their company.

We have included a tear-off slip for the girls to return to you if they are interested. We don't need these, it is just for your benefit.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Yours in camping,

Judith Thomas, Porsha De Cleene and the Fono Team

Dorothy Dickson – the life of Girls’ Brigade in her time.

Dorothy was a valued member of Girls’ Brigade in Otago for many years and up until the time of her passing last week.

Her record of service is very impressive –Dorothy started as a girl at Girls’ Life Brigade and came through the ranks, being commissioned as a Lieutenant in May 1955 at 25th Dunedin (Kaikorai), progressing to Captain in February 1963 before transferring to 26th Dunedin (Mornington) in 1968 and was Captain there from 1972 to 1982.

During these 27 years Dorothy also held positions of Commandant of 2nd Battalion 1960-62, West District Commissioner, Records Secretary, Regional Secretary, Assistant Regional Commissioner, and a member of the Queens Award Panel.

Dorothy was also the first Girls’ Brigade leader to set up the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme through Girls’ Brigade for Otago and her girls were the first to receive their Gold Awards.

Even though Dorothy resigned from active leadership in 1982 she continued to support Girls’ Brigade by being on the Support Committee here at Mornington for a number of years, and was commissioned as the Company Chaplain for Mornington in the year 2000.

Dorothy was very active in the Guild of Friendship for many years, fulfilling the positions of Secretary and Treasurer.

Dorothy received her 10 year and 20-year Service Awards while as a leader, and in 1999 received her Girls’ Brigade National Commissioners Award for her services to Girls’ Brigade.

Dorothy attended the Girls’ Life Brigade Diamond Jubilee Celebrations at Albert Hall, London, in 1962 as part of the New Zealand contingent. She was a Major from the 25th Dunedin company and part of a group of 12 others from Dunedin – including Olga Scott and Bessie Webster. The New Zealanders had to present Maori actions songs and Dorothy always used to laugh that she was the only blonde Maori in the group. She was described as quite a figure on that trip – she liked a lot of fun and laughter, and also kept in touch with many of those from that time.

Dorothy was instrumental in supporting newer leaders and some of their recollections are:

“I first met Dorothy when I was just commissioned in 1964 and I was informed that Major Dickson would come and inspect me at work in the company and I was worried sick about having to meet this very high up person. She was very correct but friendly but it was a nerve-wracking time. Afterwards when I got to know her I wondered how I could have been so frightened by her.”

Other recollections:

“We were on Regional Executive together and I used to get a ride with her to meetings and we were laughing all the time! In the early days we went to the meetings with Mrs MacKay who was the 1st Captain at 26th Dunedin and was also one of the early GLB National Presidents. She was a lovely lady and Dorothy used to tell everyone that she was her grandmother as Dorothy’s mother was a MacKay, they were actually no relation but Dorothy thought that Mrs. MacKay would be good as a grandmother – so therefore she claimed her as one”.

“I recall Dorothy coming down to North East Valley to assist with marking of badge subjects when we were younger.”

“Dorothy was always a very happy cheerful person to be around - you sure could count on having some good laughs with her, even to not too many weeks ago when I last visited her.”

“Dorothy was a very generous lady who gave her time freely over the years to her girls in her care within our organisation, Girls’ Brigade.”

“Dorothy was well liked and respected by all who knew her and she had a very bubbly personality and was a much-loved leader.”

Right up until her passing Dorothy always took an interest in what we as leaders were doing now in Girls’ Brigade and the girls achievements. If she could she always attended girls/Company/Area events that the Guild ladies were invited to and supported fundraising endeavours.

She is accurately described as being great fun and there was never a dull moment round her. She was a happy person who enjoyed the company of others. This is so very true of Dorothy and the number of Girls’ Brigade leaders (old and current) here today is a tribute in itself to how loved Dorothy was by us.

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Dorothy will be missed.

Girls’ Brigade New Zealand – Awesome Leadership Course 2019

On the 17th-21st July, Awesome Leadership was held at the Hunua Falls Camp in Auckland. This year the course was a combined North and South Island course. A total of 35 girls attended the course from across New Zealand and leaders from Auckland and Christchurch. Our theme for camp this year was “Choose Real” the Choose Real Campaign is all about taking a stand to transform our culture and the way girls (and everyone) see themselves and the world - as whole, complete, not lacking, beautiful, so worthy and more!

The course kicked off on Wednesday night with an evening of speed gaming, much like speed dating the girls moved around the tables playing a board game for 3 minutes before moving onto the next game and a new partner picking up the game where the previous pair had finished. Everyone had a great time learning new games and playing some they hadn’t played in a long time whilst meeting other camp attendees.

On Thursday we began our level sessions, we were excited to launch a new syllabus for Awesome Leadership this year based on a similar programme run by GB Australia. Thursday evening we had a craft night, we painted and decorated wooden inspirational words and made macramé key chains while waiting for the paint to dry. The craft night was a hit and some amazing artworks were created.

Friday was a busy day. Level 2 girls braved the weather and went tree planting in the Waitawa Regional Park for their community service activity. They were joined by Charlotte Saunders (GBNZ National Commissioner) and Priscilla Penny (GB International President) and managed to plant around 200 trees. After a morning of planting, they came back to camp quite wet and rather muddy but very excited about what they had achieved. Whilst level 2 were playing outside in the rain the level 1 girls took part in a warmer community service activity learning how to knit and crochet peggy squares beside a warm fire as part of the little squares for little sprouts project set up but the organisation little sprouts. With the help of our two cooks Judith Martin and Lynne Prior, the girls were all knitting and crocheting in no time. In the afternoon, level 1 and 3 were also privileged to spend some time talking and sharing with Priscilla and Charlotte joining us for our afternoon sessions. Friday evening we relaxed with a movie night complete with ice cream sundaes and popcorn. The girls decided on the movie Brave, hoping to get some tips for their archery session on Saturday.

Saturday was an exciting day, the morning was level time then after lunch the girls were split into three groups for an hour archery lesson each at the Kokako lodge. It was just a short walk from our camp past the Hunua falls that were spectacular given the amount of rain we had had over the last few days. Everyone had a great time testing out their archery skills and a couple of girls even managed to hit the bullseye. The excitement continued into the evening as the level 3 group was in charge of preparing and hosting the awards night and dinner. The evening was a fantastic way to end the camp, the level 3 girls had decorated the dining hall beautifully as well as set up an amazing photo booth and dance floor for after dinner. Everyone was buzzing but eventually, we all got to bed.

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day but sadly our last day at camp, after our final debrief level session we cleaned up camp in record time meaning we could make the most of the sunny weather and try out the team activity challenge obstacle course at camp. This was a fun way to end camp before everyone headed home to get ready for school on Monday.

It was a privilege to work with such an amazing group of young ladies who will be our future leaders. A special thank you also to our level facilitators and assistants this year, the course would not have been able to run without your dedication and willingness to encourage and support our young leaders.

Michelle Martin

Awesome Leadership Course Convenor 2019

Be:Joyful Prayer Resource

We are very excited to announce the availability of 10 scholarships to attend the 2019 Awesome Leadership course! The GBNZ 2019 Awesome Leadership Scholarship is to assist ten young women (GB & IFG, aged 15-25) to attend the 2019 Awesome Leadership Course by covering the registration fee. Application is to be made by the 7th June 2019. For more information and an application form:

Heading to the GBNZ AGM in Wellington in June? Here are all the documents you need to keep informed and know the agenda for the meeting. Able to ....

GBNZ Shop Pricelist available here.

Please note the GB Shop price list has been updated for 2019. This includes a handling fee for all orders received and processed. Prices effective 1st April 2019.

Date: Wednesday 17th July, 5:30pm to Sunday 21st July, 1pm

Where: Hunua Falls Camp, Auckland

Cost: $240 (includes the cost of the course, food, accommodation, activities)

The course is open to any GB & IFG members from Year 10 onwards. GBNZ's Awesome Leadership is a dynamic training program equipping young leaders with skills and qualities for life-long leadership. There are three levels presented in camps and training sessions with follow-up practical activities back in girls' GB Company or IFG Unit.

Registrations and payment due 24th May. These must be accompanied by the captain/senior leader sign off form.Download registration form hereDownload leader sign off form here

We are very excited to announce Rebecca Howan as our speaker for the 2019 GBNZ AGM. Rebecca Howan is a follower of Jesus, a worshipper and communicator, and a lover of people. She loves the Church and serves at The Salvation Army in Newtown, Wellington, home to a beautiful messy community full of people from all over the world and all walks of life. Born and bred in Wellington, Rebecca attended the 8th Wellington Girls' Brigade Company and gained her Queen’s Award in 2011. Following this, she began studying at the New Zealand School of Music and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Classical Performance - Voice. Choral music has remained a passion, and she is a current member of the New Zealand Youth Choir and the Tudor Consort. Rebecca now works as an Executive Assistant at New Zealand Red Cross, but in her spare time, she enjoys going for walks, meeting with friends for coffee, and travelling the world. She also loves to communicate through writing and is currently a young writer forChristian Today NZ.

The Board has received a nomination for the position of National Commissioner-elect. This will be included with a pack of AGM documents.We have had an offer from Central Districts to host Fonomarae 2021. At the AGM Central Districts will make a presentation to promote the event.We are working with an Area who is considering hosting Conference and Youth Forum 2020. Further information will be available in due course.

Please register early as there are limited spaces. Please RSVP by 17th May. Download registration form here

Youth Forum - testimonial from Emily Cross

I really enjoyed going to my first Youth Forum which was in Nelson at Bridge Valley outdoor centre. It was a really cool experience with girls from all over New Zealand coming together to have a great time in community together. The whole vibe of Youth Forum is so exciting. The part that I enjoyed most was the getting to know others and what GB/IFG was like all round NZ. I have made some great friends from Youth Forums and it really helped me with opportunities such as going to Fonomarae and coming on to the Youth Board. Even though we do have to do some official stuff like voting and listen to people talk the youth reps are always really good at getting all that out the way at the start so that we can focus on having fun. If you are interested in attending Youth Forum, please RSVP by 26th April. Download registration form here

GBNZ is shocked and utterly saddened by the events in Christchurch on Friday 15th March. Our prayers and sympathies are with those affected by the tragedy and for all our members as the effect of this is felt across the country. Messages reached us from across the world praying for all our sisters and their families in Christchurch. We are by no means experts, but below are some links to information and resources to help support your girls and their families through this time.

How to talk to kids about trauma - The Parenting Place

Ministry of Health - Helping Children

Ministry of Education - Supporting Children & Young People

Anglican Youth - Helping young people process the Christchurch Tragedy

Presbyterian Youth Ministry - Helping young people process the Christchurch Tragedy

1st North Shore made a Peace Garden at the front of their church, in remembrance of the events in Christchurch (pictured above).