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Hibiscus Coast local coordinator Barbara Hamer received the national Totara Award for outstanding service to Guiding at last month’s Te Tai Tokerau regional GirlGuiding Leader awards.
The award is given to a leader who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of girls, young women and/or leaders over a long period.
Barbara’s citation referred to her dedication to Guiding for more than 25 years, and her willingness to take on additional activities across the region to develop and mentor leaders, and raise the profile of Guiding on the Hibiscus Coast and North Shore.
Her role includes looking after and mentoring leaders, overseeing maintenance of the Orewa and Whangaparaoa Guide halls, stepping in for absent leaders, organising camps and activities and also attending national Guiding forums.
She recently became an Outdoor Activity assessor to enable local leaders to complete the training required by GirlGuiding NZ. Barbara is also a regular on various taskforces, including having been on the district biscuit taskforce for 20 years.
Barbara says that the rewards of this work are seeing girls grow in confidence and self-belief, adding that she has made great friendships.
Other local award recipients include Guide leader Clare Grimwood and Brownie leader Ann Ramsay, who received the Arataki Award in recognition of exceptional leadership skills; Ranger leader Nicky Clark who received the Te Kaiārahi Award for providing support to others; and Brownie leader Julie Burton who received the Asia Pacific Leadership Award that recognises the achievement of adult leaders.
