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The
Founder of the Boy Scouts & Girl Guide / Girl Scout Movements was
Robert Baden-Powell, First Baron Baden-Powell of Gilwell, OM, known universally
as B-P.
The Boy Scout Movement was officially founded in 1908.
In 1909, a Boy Scout rally was held at Crystal Palace in London, and Baden-Powell was taken aback when a number of girls attended, proclaiming themselves to be girl Scouts. Baden-Powell invited his sister, Agnes, as the girls' leader and chose the name Girl Guides after the famous corps of guides in India who were "distinguished for their general handiness & resourcefulness under difficulties, and their keenness & courage".
Baden-Powell felt that the Movement for girls should be run by women, so in 1910 he asked his elderly sister Agnes to undertake the work of adapting his book of Scouting for Boys, for use with girls. That year the Guide Movement was formally founded, with the establishment of the Girl Guides Association.
In
1910, Baden-Powell, now Sir Robert Baden-Powell, retired from his army
career and devoted himself to Scouting and to the beginning of Guiding.
He attended camps, rallies and jamborees all over the world, and it was
during a world tour in 1912 that he met Olave Soames, his future wife.
After a brief courtship, the couple were engaged and married that same
year.
Olave Baden-Powell accompanied her husband on visits and tours, and soon became actively involved in the Guide and Scout Movement. In 1919, she formed the International Council to provide this essential link. The first International Conference was held in England in 1920.
In 1924, the first World Camp, combined with the Third International Conference , took place at Foxlease in the United Kingdom.
In the Fifth International Conference in Hungary in 1928, Conference delegates from 26 countries finally decided that the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts should be established, with a World Bureau as its secretariat.
Olave Baden-Powell was elected World Chief Guide in 1930.
Guiding Movement continues to thrive and grow. Nearly ten million girls and young women are members, in 140 Member Organizations worldwide.
Hong Kong Girl Guides' History and Development
|
1916 |
The first Company in Hong Kong was formed in the Victoria British School and the first Enrolment Ceremony was formed by Mr. Tollan. |
|
1919 |
The Girl Guides Association , the Hong Kong Branch was registered with Imperial (now Commonwealth) Headquarters in London. |
|
1926 |
Mrs. Bella Southern became Colony Commissioner. |
|
1936 |
Miss Buckwell became a District Commissioner and Assistant Colony Commissioner soon afterwards. |
|
1947 |
Lady Graham accepted the appointment as the President and Mrs. David Landale became the Colony Commissioner. Sea Ranger "Anson" was formed. |
|
1952 |
The Association expanded to include Extension Companies and Packs. It was the first time that the Association was reported in the Local Chinese Press. |
|
1953 |
A cadet Company was opened in Hong Kong and its Captain was Miss Anne Mackeith. |
|
1958 |
The World Chief Guide, Lady Baden-Powell, visited Hong Kong. Lady Black was welcomed as the new President. Lady Gould took over the position of Chairman of the Council and Mrs. A Hooton became Colony Commissioner. |
|
1962 |
Lady Baden-Powell, accompanied by Miss Helen McSwiney, visited Hong Kong again. |
|
1968 |
Colony Commissioner was passed to Mrs. Heather Hill. |
|
1970 |
A Commonwealth Trainer, Miss Margaret Flower, came to help the Association carry out the changes needed for up-dating and modernising their activities, known as the 8 Point Programme. |
|
1972 |
Mrs. Heather Hill resigned her position as Colony Commissioner, prior to leaving Hong Kong. Mrs. Margnerite Gordon, the Deputy Colony Commissioner, was appointed Colony Commissioner. |
|
1978 |
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association (HKGGA) was accepted as an Associate Member of WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts). A new logo was designed for the Association. |
|
1980 |
Mrs. Sally Leung MBE JP became Chief Commissioner. |
|
1981 |
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association was accepted as a Full member. Lady Youde became the President. |
|
1982 |
The new HKGGA Headquarters building was officially opened by the Governor, Sir Edward Youde. |
|
1983 |
Mrs. Jane Akers-Jones was elected Chief Commissioner. |
|
1985 |
Sea Ranger "Sea Lion" was formed. |
|
1988 |
Chief Commissioner, Lady Akers-Jones MBE, JP, led a Beijing tour and visited some of the local women and youth organizations. |
|
1990 |
In the 27th World Conference, Hong Kong representatives were elected into the Committee of Asia Pacific Region of WAGGGS. |
|
1991 |
The first unit of Golden Guides was formed. |
|
1993 |
The 1st "CYP and HKGGA Pow Wow Camp 93" was held at Qing SHan Hu in Hangzhou, and it was the organized by HKGGA together with National Working Committee of Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP). |
|
1994 |
Mrs. Rita Suen JP was elected Chief Commissioner. |
|
1996 |
HKGGA Training Scheme obtained the qualification certificate from WAGGGS in the 29th World Conference. Ten Trainers of HKGGA Training Team were qualified as Accredited Trainer |
|
1997 |
Mrs. Betty Tung JP became President of the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. |
|
1998 |
Mrs. Alice Lui So Yee-Lai was elected Chief Commissioner.
The 1st "Asia Pacific Friendship Caravan" was held in Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo and Hangzhou. It was fully supported by the National Working Committee of Chinese Young Pioneers. |
|
1999 |
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association now has more than 38,000 members. |
Our Symbol
The shape of Hong Kong Girl Guides Association's Symbol is based on the trefoil. Its notched edges recall the distinctive leaves of Bauhinia blakeana, Hong Kong's flower. The internal form of the symbol is a stylised version of the Chinese character Kwong meaning a ray of light of guiding beacon, a concept especially appropriate to the spirit of Guiding. When used in colour, the symbol will be mainly in mauve which reflects the Bauhinia blossom's colour along with red which is considered particularly auspicious by the Chinese.