By Casey Neill
MARGARET Brooks can’t imagine her life without Guides.
She’s now dedicated more than 40 years to the movement and can’t speak highly enough about what it has given her.
“Guides has given me years of fun and friendship,” she said.
“It has given me the opportunity to do things that I love – I get to play outside in the mud, hike through the forest, spend time with young girls and women, and along the way help others and the environment.”
It’s this attitude and her passion and commitment that’s recently earned her several awards – including Yarra Ranges Council’s Ian De La Rue Community Leadership Award at last week’s Australia Day celebrations.
“It’s getting a bit embarrassing,” she said. “I feel honoured and a little overwhelmed. I’m truly proud to be receiving this honour.”
During her years with Guides, Ms Brooks has organised weekly activities for her seven to 11-year-old age group and influenced many young girls who look up to her as a role model.
She is currently a Region Leader overseeing nine districts and has worked hard in this role to unite the region during challenging times.
Late last year Ms Brooks received a Guides Asia Pacific Leadership Award for her efforts – one of only five throughout Australia.
“I am really honoured but I’m humbled at the same time,” she said. “You don’t do it for awards, but you do feel pretty proud when it’s recognised.”
At the shire’s awards ceremony at Burrinja in Upwey on 26 January, Ms Brooks thanked her “ever-patient husband” Len, as well as her four children and other family and friends.
“Without his support and understanding, I’d never have been able to go off on weekends to have fun on camps and activities,” she said.
“And to be out every Thursday night for 40 years.”
Ms Brooks has watched hundreds of Girl Guides grow into women over the past four decades. Many have become lifelong friends.
“And I’m proud to say that Linda (Fullagar) – (Citizen of the Year) Andrew’s wife – was one of my first Guides,” she said.
“Guiding has given me a sense of belonging and empowerment. “I can’t think of my life without Guides in it.” As a teacher at Kallista Primary School, Ms Brooks has organised for children with a disability to visit the school to watch performances. “Another part of this award belongs to Kallista Primary School, a school dear to my heart,” she said. Ms Brooks has lived in Monbulk all her life and has shown great dedication to the town.
She has been an administrative volunteer at Oxfam for several years, plays piano at her church on Sundays, has offered her home to several international exchange students, is a respite carer, and is a strong advocate for her niece, who has a disability.
“Community is very important to me.
“I feel so lucky to have lived my whole life in Monbulk and in the Shire of Yarra Ranges,” she said.
