Berita Harian, 22 October 1966, Page 9
-- Before WW1 --
The Girl Guides was born in Berkshire, England on 6 February 1909.
The World Scouts Movement was formed by Lord Baden Powell.
He was the Chief Scout and his wife, Chief of the Girl Guides.
** History of the Girl Guides
The girls at Pinkneys Green wanted their own society for women.
They included schoolgirls, shop workers, and domestic maids.
Lord Baden Powell registered the women's society under the Girl Guides (Pemandu Perempuan).
Lord Baden Powell was a fine soldier. However, the societies he helped formed did not involve military activities. Instead, they were formed to train boys and girls, men and women, to help one another, to be brave, to be law-abiding, and to believe in oneself.
The motto for the Scouts and Girl Guides is "Be Ready."
Their rules are one and the same.
The Scouts and Girl Guides movements expanded and reached other countries - British Colonies, Europe and America. They are everywhere today.
-- During WW1 --
By the time of the first World War, there were thousands of Scouts and Girl Guides.
The Girl Guides wore the original blue pinafore.
The Girl Guides worked alongside volunteers and the Red Cross.
They attended to the wounded. They did charity work to raise money for their coffers.
** Malayan Girl Guides
The Malayan Girl Guides was established in Kuala Lumpur in 1917.
The girls were not that social and were still shy at the time.
The first batch of schoolgirls were from the Methodist Girls' School in Kuala Lumpur.
The school's American headmistress encouraged the girls to establish the Girl Guides.
This Girl Guides was registered in India.
-- After WW1 --
The Malayan Girl Guides activities expanded between 1919 and 1921.
It expanded from Kuala Lumpur to other districts in Selangor, Penang, and Butterworth.
In 1921, a HQ Council was formed for all Malayan Girl Guides.
Its President was Lady Guillemard.
Its Chief Commissioner was Mrs Cavendish.
The Girl Guides was introduced to the other states.
Girl Guides training classes were held in Penang and Perak.
Seremban and Malacca established their Girl Guides after 1925.
In Perak, the Girl Guides opened sub-branches in small towns such as Batu Gajah and Tapah.
Even though the Girl Guides expanded rapidly, the members were girls and ladies
who could speak English; there were no Malay ladies.
The first Malay ladies who joined the Girl Guides were from Sekolah Kampong Baharu, Kuala Lumpur.
There were 50 people; they comprised Brownies and Girl Guides.
The beginners were Brownies, who then advance to Girl Guides when they gained experience.
They joined the Brownies on 13 May 1923.
They were known as Malay Brownies (Brownie2 Melayu).
The Malay Brownies then expanded to Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
The first all-Malayan Girl Guides camping or gathering was held in Malacca in 1932.
Following the first successful gathering, the second one was held in 1932.
In the meantime, many British women arrived from England to assist the Girl Guides in Malaya to train new members. Some of the women who had long served the Girl Guides left to return to their home countries. The ladies were bestowed medals for their great contributions to charities.
The Girl Guides published their monthly bulletin in 1935.
Lady Shenton Thomas became the President.
Sir Shenton Thomas was the British High Commissioner to Malaya.
The third gathering was held in 1933, one in Malacca and another in Kuala Lumpur.
The problem faced was training new members about Girl Guides activities.
An experienced British lady, Mrs Croft Watts, was sent from India to assist.
In 1936, a magazine about the Girl Guides was published in Penang, where its HQ was opened.
In the meantime, a group of Indian Brownies was formed in Kuala Lumpur.
-- Before WW2 --
As WW2 approached, another gathering was held in Malacca, and courses were held in many states.
-- During WW2 --
The Girl Guides activities halted abruptly during the Japanese occupation in Malaya.
-- After WW2 --
The Girl Guides was revived after the war, in 1946.
The HQ resumed its activities in 1947.
There were many historical records created by the Malayan Girl Guides.
In 1948, two members of the Malayan Girl Guides went to England to attend courses on Girl Guides activities. They were Che Lili Majid and Nona Ng Ooi Chan.
** Is this the late Dr Lily Majid, elder sister of Dr Ruby Majid - an early Malay doctor?
In 1950, the Malayan Girl Guides attended an international gathering and camp in Australia.
In 1951, five members of the Malayan Girl Guides won the Queens Guide prize.
In 1952, a group of Malayan Girl Guides attended a gathering in England.
In 1953, the Malayan Girl Guides which had served both Malaya and Singapore, separated to form two bodies.
In 1953, a Malayan Girl Guide, Che Hasnah binti Mohd Ali, was sent to attend a Juliette Low Guide course in Switzerland.
** Is this Tun Dr Siti Hasmah bt Mohd Ali, an early Malay doctor?
The Malayan Girl Guides was a busy body. It sent a delegation to attend many international conferences, new offices and many tents were opened, etc.
In 1957, when Malaya gained its independence, the Federated Malay States Guides Society combined with the World Guides Society.
In 1958, the Chief Commissioner post was held by a Malayan, Mrs Navaratnam.
Malaysia can boast of her Girl Guides activities as they are on par with those of developed countries.
** World Girl Guides
Malaysia is a member.
Lady Baden Powell remained as its Chief.
The body held its 19th international conference in Tokyo.
Pic caption: Lady Baden-Powell gave her speech at the Camp Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, England during the 100th birthday anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell.
Source:
Pemandu Wanita di-negeri ini lahir pada tahun 1917
Berita Harian, 22 October 1966, Page 9
