Structure

Administration

 

National Organisation

Guiding began in Australian States in 1910. In 1926 the State Girl Guide Organisations federated and formed a national Organisation.

Girl Guides Australia is the national Organisation. It is the coordinating body for the members in national and international spheres of Guiding. Girl Guides Australia was incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory in 1980. On 5 May 2011, Girl Guides Australia changed its legal status to become a Company Limited by Guarantee.

 

Membership and Purpose

The Organisational Members of Girl Guides Australia are the State Girl Guide Organisations provided they meet the eligibility requirements  set out in Rule 5.2(b) of the Girl Guides Australia Constitution which is:

(b) To be eligible to continue as or to apply as an Organisational Member a State Girl Guide Organisation must:

(1) be incorporated;
(2) be the co-ordinating and operating organisation for Girl Guides in a State or Territory;
(3) enter into and comply with an agreement with the company which will set out the requirements of the WAGGGS and other matters as required by the company; and
(4) comply with the WAGGGS membership requirements, as amended by the WAGGGS from time to time.

The Directors of Girl Guides Australia may also create categories of individual membership.

The Girl Guides Australia Constitution provides a purpose to promote throughout the Commonwealth of Australia and its Territories unity of purpose and common understanding of the fundamental principles of the WAGGGS as expressed in the Promise and Law.

Girl Guides Australia seeks to further the aim of the WAGGGS, to provide girls with opportunities for self-training in the development of character, responsible citizenship and service to the community.

 

Board of Girl Guides Australia

The governance of Girl Guides Australia is vested in the Board of Girl Guides Australia.

The Constitution of Girl Guides Australia describes the structure of the Board, its office bearers, purpose and obligations.

Members of State Girl Guide Organisations, supporters of Girl Guides Australia and other stakeholders may be invited to attend a general meeting and may be permitted to speak subject to control of the chairperson.

 

Office-bearers

Chief Commissioner: Appointed by the Directors of Girl Guides Australia for a term of 3 years and eligible for re-appointment for up to a further three year term.

Acting Chief Commissioner: In the event of a vacancy in the office of the Chief Commissioner the directors may appoint one of the directors or any other person to the office of Acting Chief Commissioner until a Chief Commissioner is appointed.

Chair: Appointed by the Directors of Girl Guides Australia for a term of 3 years and eligible for re-appointment for up to a further three year term.

Deputy Chair: The directors may appoint any of the elected directors, appointed directors or State Commissioners to the position of Deputy Chair.

 

State Girl Guide Organisations

Each State Girl Guide Organisation is autonomous and manages its own affairs, according to its own constitution. For practical purposes, any territory granted autonomy by the Board of Girl Guides Australia is designated a State.

 

State Administration

The following may be appointed in accordance with each State’s constitution:

  • State Council or Board;
  • Executive Committee or Executive Board;
  • State Commissioner;
  • Deputy or Assistant State Commissioners;
  • State Office Bearers;
  • Assistant Office Bearers;
  • State Executive Office; and
  • State committees.

Organisations within States is the responsibility of the State governing body.

Any State by-laws must be in accordance with the policy of Girl Guides Australia.

 

Right of Appeal

State Girl Guide Organisations must provide for a right of appeal by members and volunteers. Appeals and inquiries must be kept strictly confidential and be heard as expeditiously as possible.

Last Modified: 02/10/21 at 10:58 PM