Queen’s Guide Award winner Erin Allison

Queen's Guide Award winner Erin Allison (middle), Casey MP Aaron Violi (left), and Eildon MP Cindy McLeish (right) with many girls holding their awards. Picture: SUPPLIED

By Dongyun Kwon

Senior guide Erin Allison received the Queen’s Guide Award during the 70th-anniversary celebration of Yarra Glen Girl Guides.

The Queen’s Guide Award is the peak achievement award for Youth Members of Girl Guides Australia.

Allison said she was proud of herself that she made a big commitment to get the award.

“I started with the old Queen’s Guide which had three sections I had to complete. But then, I got transferred over to a pilot program in which I had to complete all the C’s of the 21st century, ‘communication, collaboration, commitment to learning, creative thinking, character, community’,” she said.

“And there were about four activities in each section for the Golden Endeavour which is the halfway mark and that was all about learning to participate and furthering my own endeavours.

“And then, the Queen’s Guide, I did two or three in each section, and that’s more about leading and encouraging others to be a part of it.”

Allison has joined the Girl Guide since 2011 when she was five and she said her mum, aunt and grandma were all involved in Girl Guide, but not in Yarra Glen.

“I just followed in their footsteps. My grandma told me Girl Guide is a great one for me to join which runs perfectly after time for school where I can learn many things,” she said.

Allison is the fourth Queen’s Guide Award recipient in the history of Yarra Glen Girl Guides.

Yarra Glen Girl Guides leader Heather Dynes said she knew the potential in Allison when she walked into the Guide Hall.

“I’m really proud of her. She immediately became of interest when she came here for the first time when she was five,” she said.

“She has achieved everything as we can see all of the badges on her.”

The 70th-anniversary celebration of Yarra Glen Girl Guides went off with more than 70 attendees coming along including passed guide leaders.