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Guiding is one of the best things that happened to me. I became a Guider as a teacher. Guiding taught me so much – showing concern, sharing, appreciating the things done for each other, lending a hand, and sometimes a shoulder to cry on. My greatest blessing is my Guiding friends. They are always there for me, just a call away. Although I retired from teaching in 1995, many of my Brownies still call and visit me. A few of them are grandmothers now! We often talk about our Pack Holidays together. Personally, I loved Pack Holidays. The Guiding memory that always puts a smile on my face are our ‘Pow Wow’ discussions and preparations ahead of the camps. We had to choose the themes, songs, menus, games, crafts, etc. Till today, they still remember learning skills, like bed-making, table-laying, serving, housekeeping and simple kitchen chores. My entire Guiding experience has been very enriching and satisfying.

From mid-1950s to 1969, I was a Brownie, Guide, Lieutenant and Captain of 1 st Katong Company. The multi-faceted skills I learnt from my Guiding days have served me well over the years. My most vivid Guiding memories are of camping and endless outdoor activities that brought out my spirit of adventure. We became adept at pitching tents, making gadgets and stoking fires for cooking and campfires. Each blazing campfire gave way to pitch darkness and time to gaze in wonder at constellations in the star-studded night sky. We held midnight feasts quietly under canvas. We were lulled to sleep by chirping crickets and woken by golden oriole’s melodious morning call. Our interactions with nature taught us to respect and protect the flora and fauna around us. Miss Pike, my captain, taught us to leave nothing behind but our footprints. We learnt to properly bin trash and bury anything biodegradable before we left a campsite. I hold dear the friendships forged through Guiding. Our links and camaraderie continues with each Trefoil Guild activity I attend. Together, we visited Our Chalet in Switzerland in mid-2016. There’s no better way to bond in our golden years!

It was 1933. I was at the C.E.Z.M.S. School tennis lawn, engrossed in watching a 5 th Pack Brownie who had completed all her tests step up onto a low bench; she stretched out her arms sideways and walked towards the cheering 5 th Coy Guides! My Guiding journey started that day after witnessing the ‘Flying Up’ ceremony and accepting Brown Owl’s invitation to join the Brownies. Four years later, when I turned 12, I joined the Guides Unit under Captain Norah Inge. I learnt much from earning my 1 st Class badge, All Round Cord and Camper’s Licence, and serving as Lieutenant, Captain and Acting Chief Commissioner in 1965. We contributed to many Guiding milestones in the ‘60s: the opening of the new Guide House at Clemenceau Avenue; the introduction of a new Trefoil and amended Policies, Organisation and Rules (POR); Singapore becoming a member of WAGGGS; and, celebrating the Golden Jubilee of Singapore Guiding in 1967 with a Brownie Revel on Thinking Day. I remember receiving the Oak Leaf Award in 1959 and attending the Chief Commissioners’ Conference at Foxlease, UK in 1966. Through its Promise, Law and the 5-point programme, Guiding has inculcated values and skills for character-building and nurtured girls to become responsible citizens. Thanks be to God for sustaining and blessing the Movement. May the Light of Guiding continue to shine brightly!

As many British families were stationed at Singapore’s naval base during the 1950s, the Admiral’s wife approached my mother – who was then North Division Commissioner – to start Guiding for their girls. HQ Trainer Ms Chan Nah Moon, my mother and I visited the North Zone schools to recruit new Brownie and Guide members. 6th Coy became 2 units – 6th A and 6th B Coys – to better meet the needs of European and local girls. I became Guider of 6th B Coy. The Admiral’s wife formed a Local Association – comprising primarily of the girls’ parents – to further support Guiding, Guiding gave me so many fulfilling experiences and fond memories. We held many weekend camps at Pamela Hall in Sembawang; we even introduced a camping shield to boost camp skills excellence. In August 1965, we were camping in Jurong when news broke about Singapore’s separation from Malaysia. We all had to return home immediately for fear of political unrest. As a young Guider, I led 36 Guides to Manila and 30 to Melbourne for International Camps. Melbourne was very cold even in summer; many Guides felt homesick and refused to eat. To keep summer flies from our food, I tied a mosquito net to a tree for the girls to eat under. Guiding is truly inclusive as every girl is accepted and respected. We had several deaf and mute Guides from Canossa Convent; we used simple sign language to communicate and they even danced and “sang” along to campfire songs! We even helped a girl whose parents refused to let her go swimming because a fortune-teller had predicted that she would drown. I took a long time to persuade her mother and assured her daughter’s safety. The girl later achieved the Swimmer’s Badge and even went on to lead groups to Malaysia for snorkelling! I made many good friends in Guiding, like Mdm Chan Siok Fong and Mrs Segaram whom I worked with on GGS’ first Policies, Organisation and Rules (POR).