By Dongyun Kwon
Yarra Glen Girl Guides are getting ready to send off Kerrie Steur, one of the leaders of the group, in December.
Kerrie Steur has served for Yarra Glen Girl Guides for 26 years and shared the burden of the leader role with Heather Dynes.
Ms Steur was sad to leave all the girls but had to make the decision as she has lately found it hard to lead the girls with different activities.
“I find it hard to do with the girls when they’re doing crafts as my hands are very painful, and Heather’s having the same problem. We’re both having trouble doing the fine stuff” the 63-year-old leader said.
“I’m not able to do what I used to do with the girls. My body’s giving out in places mainly in the hands and eyes.”
Ms Steur said one of her special memories with Yarra Glen Girl Guides was sleeping over for Anzac Day at the guide hall, McCracken House.
“The girls have a special night, we sleep over and get up in the morning, get our uniforms on and all ready to walk down the main street of Yarra Glen,” she said.
“Three of our older girls carry the flags at the front of the parade, so it’s such a proud moment every year.”
Not only Ms Steur herself but also her three daughters and one of her granddaughters have also got involved with the Yarra Glen Girl Guides.
Although her three daughters all left the girl guides, her 13-year-old granddaughter is still with it.
Ms Steur joined the Yarra Glen Girl Guides in 1998 after her eldest daughter had joined the girl guides.
Ms Dynes, another leader who has served Yarra Glen Girl Guides for over 40 years, trained Ms Steur to be a leader.
“When she came in and asked questions, I just thought to myself, ‘here’s another leader’,” she said.
Ms Dynes said she would miss her friend on many occasions although she could keep the friendship with Ms Steur as Ms Steur is locally based.
“It’s the friendship that Kerrie and I have had over the years,” she said.
“I will miss Kerrie’s sense of fun, great to work with, easy to work with. I get things organised, and then Kerrie implements them, I’m going to miss that.
“In the guide hall and the guide activities, I’ll really miss her because we rely on each other’s thoughts and we’re just used to working together.”
Yarra Glen Girl Guides is now planning to host a special celebration to send off Ms Steur over the Christmas party on 11 December.
“We’re having an afternoon tea and Kris Kringle [at the McCracken House], we have Father Christmas coming too,” Ms Dynes said.
“We’re inviting past people who have been here or families to come along too to say goodbye to Kerrie.”
The Yarra Glen Girl Guides Christmas party will be held from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
For more information about the event, contact Ms Dynes via phone on 0409 355 304 or email at yarralynne@bigpond.com.
