Three patrols from The Basin Birra Li Guides, represented by, left to right, Rhiannon Lewis, Stephanie Franke, Sophie Bengough, Nicole Harwood, Emma Hamilton and Rebecca Ratcliffe, came back from Yarra Junction with gold pennants, while the eldest patrol also took out the prestigious Lady Stradbroke Cup.By Ed Merrison
A PATROL calling itself Bananas in Pyjamas has guided girls from The Basin to success in the prestigious Lady Stradbroke Cup.
Three patrols from The Basin Birra Li Guides took part in Guides Victoria’s annual competition at Britannia Park in Yarra Junction over the last weekend in April.
All three groups came home with gold pennants, with the Bananas in Pyjamas coming top of 20 competing patrols to take out the overall prize, the name of which derives from a cup presented to the Girl Guides Association of Victoria by the wife of a former Governor in 1926.
Guides Victoria state commissioner Ellen Boyd said guiding gave girls opportunities to gain practical experience and increase life skills.
“Developing social skills is an important part of growing up, and events such as the Stradbroke competition create important opportunities for guides to work together in a team environment as well as keeping with guiding traditions,” she said.
As part of the competition, the girls camped outdoors and undertook a range of tasks such as pitching tents, building fires, cooking meals on gas stoves and constructing bush furniture.
Basin Guides leader Sue Ratcliffe said the competition was not only about the set up and safety of the camp, but also about how the girls got on with each other.
“All of the girls did an excellent job. I really couldn’t be more proud of them,” she said.
