Waipā Girl Guides and leaders recognised at awards event

Some of the Te Awamutu Girl Guides Pippins and Brownies who received their highest badge at the awards event. Photo / Supplied

A Te Awamutu Girl Guides leader has been awarded the organisation's National Award of the Fern for displaying exceptional service.

Michelle Gillard, leader of the Te Awamutu Pippins, says receiving the award was a complete surprise.

The award was presented to her at the Girl Guides Regional Awards day at Putaruru College last Sunday.

The awards event brought together Girl Guides groups from Hamilton, Morrinsville, Te Awamutu, Te Pahu, Cambridge, Matamata, Putaruru, Tokoroa, Reporoa and Taupo.

A number of Girl Guides from Te Awamutu and Te Pahu received their highest badges. Fifteen Te Awamutu Pippins received their Gold Apple badge.

Te Awamutu Brownies Briar Ogle, Liza Ogle, Hazel Mallison and Olivia Cook received their Gold Koru badge and Te Awamutu Rangers, Billie Brown and Moya Fernanadez, achieved the Queens Guide which is the highest award in Girl Guiding.

Te Pahu Rangers Anna Carson, Jessica Storey and Jasmine Nimmo also received the Queens Guide.

Michelle Gillard (far right), recipient of the National Award of the Fern, with her family. Photo / Supplied

Local Girl Guides leaders were also recognised at the awards event.

Te Awamutu Guides leader Natasha Marwood received her five year bar for service and the Te Kaiarahi Award for providing appropriate help and support to others.

Te Awamutu Pippins leader Michelle O'Regan was awarded the Te Ara Award in recognition for being on the path to being an effective leader.

Te Awamutu Rangers leader June Lambeth and Te Pahu Guides and Rangers leader Sharlene Charleston were also acknowledged at the awards event following receiving the Asia Pacific Unit Leader Award.

This international award is given to those who have received a national award, made a significant contribution to their unit, continued to develop themselves in their role as a leader and maintaining a positive relationship with the girls or young women in their unit.

Additionally their unit has been involved in community projects and promoted the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts initiatives in their programmes.