Rosemary Derwin Girl Guides Australia 60th Anniversary Interview

Girl Guides Australia Celebrates their Girl Guide Biscuits Diamond Anniversary

Girl Guides across Australia are proudly celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of Girl Guide Biscuits– 60 years of selling Girl Guide Biscuits. Saturday 26 May is the official National Girl Guide Biscuit Day when thousands of girls will be setting up biscuit stalls to fundraise for their Guiding activities.

Being one of the largest organisations in the country open to girls and young women from all backgrounds, cultures and religions, Girl Guides Australia provides informal learning programs, fun adventures, international travel, camps, outings and national events to its members.

Funds from biscuit sales enable Girl Guides Australia to support the delivery of programs that respond to the issues affecting girls and young women. This includes promoting women in leadership, financial literacy, awareness against body image stereotypes and gender-based violence.

Acting Chief Commissioner, Rosemary Derwin says, "National Biscuit Day is a reminder of the serious purpose behind Girl Guide Biscuits as monies raised go towards assisting Girl Guides to develop valuable life skills whilst boosting their confidence and helping them to reach their full potential in an environment where they share fun and friendship."

Ms Derwin adds: "Put simply, when a community member buys our biscuits, they are buying into our future female leaders. It is no surprise that many of the most respected female members of society in Australia, from Premiers and Cabinet members to corporate leaders to media personalities, are former Girl Guides."

More than just a tasty snack, Girl Guide biscuits have become an icon for Guiding throughout Australia. The flagship Traditional vanilla biscuit, the Buttery Shortbread (gluten-free) and the bite-sized Mini Chocolate Chip biscuit with real chocolate chips make up the 2018 Girl Guide biscuit range - a treat for everyone!

Girl Guide biscuit sales have started and can be purchased through Girl Guide units around the country and sales locations are listed online at www.girlguidebiscuits.com.au/shop-now/

Girl Guides Australia is the peak organisation for girls and young women in Australia. It provides leadership and personal skills development to its 22,000 members and is part of an international Girl Guides movement of 10 million girls in 150 countries. Our mission is to empower girls and young women to become confident, considerate and responsible community members. https://www.girlguides.org.au/

Interview with Rosemary Derwin, Chief Commissioner of Girl Guides Australia

Question: How will Guides across Australia participate in fundraising drive 60th anniversary?

Rosemary Derwin: Girl Guides across Australia are proudly celebrating the Diamond Anniversary of Girl Guide Biscuits– 60 years of selling Girl Guide Biscuits. Saturday 26 May is the official National Girl Guide Biscuit Day when thousands of girls will be setting up biscuit stalls to fundraise for their Guiding activities.

Question: Can you tell us about the Girl Guides Australia biscuits sold, in 2018?

Rosemary Derwin: More than just a tasty snack, Girl Guide biscuits have become an icon for Guiding throughout Australia. The flagship Traditional vanilla biscuit, the Buttery Shortbread (gluten-free) and the bite-sized Mini Chocolate Chip biscuit with real chocolate chips make up the 2018 Girl Guide biscuit range - a treat for everyone!

Girl Guide biscuit sales have started and can be purchased through Girl Guide units around the country and sales locations are listed online at www.girlguidebiscuits.com.au/shop-now/


Question: Can you share your earliest memory with us, of selling Girl Guides biscuits on the National Girl Guide Biscuit Day?

Rosemary Derwin: I have been a Girl Guide for many years. I was a Brownie in rural NSW in the late 1960s. I remember coming home from school, putting on my uniform and, carrying a box of biscuits I set off to door knock on my neighbours' doors ever hopeful that they would be ready to buy my goods. I was very proud and felt very responsible.


Question: What originally inspired you become a Girl Guide?

Rosemary Derwin: I had been long awaiting turning 7 so I could join Guides as my two sisters were already Girl Guides. I had watched them go to their weekly meetings after school, go to camp, polish their badges and have lots of fun. Now girls can join Girl Guides at five years old and start enjoying the adventure sooner. How I wish I could have joined when I was five!


Question: What does being a Girl Guide mean, in 2018?

Rosemary Derwin: For me being a Girl Guide in 2018 is leading the organisation and chairing the national Board. It comes with responsibilities that I didn't ever expect to have when I joined Girl Guides all those years ago. Girl Guides in Australia in 2018 is one of the largest organisations in the country open to girls and young women from all backgrounds, cultures and religions, Girl Guides Australia provides informal learning programs, fun adventures, international travel, camps, outings and national events to its members.
National Biscuit Day is a reminder of the serious purpose behind Girl Guide Biscuits as monies raised go towards assisting Girl Guides to develop valuable life skills whilst boosting their confidence and helping them to reach their full potential in an environment where they share fun and friendship.


Question: Why was it important for you that your daughters to also become Girl Guides?

Rosemary Derwin: I attribute Girl Guides to helping shape me into who I am as an adult. It helped me develop confidence and has provided so many opportunities that I can't imagine I would have had if I was not a Girl Guide.

I am a true believer that we need to give our children opportunities to grow, learn and explore so they can be equipped for all that life will bring them. Both my daughters were Girl Guides. They loved their Guiding adventure and acknowledge their Guiding experiences have contributed to who they are as women.


Question: What does the money, that Girl Guides fundraise, go towards?

Rosemary Derwin: Funds from biscuit sales enable Girl Guides Australia to support the delivery of programs that respond to the issues affecting girls and young women. This includes promoting women in leadership, financial literacy, and awareness against body image stereotypes and gender-based violence.

Put simply, when a community member buys our biscuits, they are buying into our future female leaders. It is no surprise that many of the most respected female members of society in Australia, from Premiers and Cabinet members to corporate leaders to media personalities, are former Girl Guides.


Interview by Brooke Hunter