Award for guide chief

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32778, 1 December 1971, Page 6

Award for guide chief

The highest Commonwealth award for service to the Girl Guide Movement, the Silver Fish, was presented to the Chief Commissioner of New Zealand (Mrs W. G. Turnbull) by Lady Porritt in Christchurch yesterday. "Everyone of us here knows just how well deserved this award is," said Lady Porritt, the president of the Girl Guides’ Association of New Zealand. “Mrs Turnbull’s work for the movement, both at home and internationally, and in particular in the emerging nations of the Pacific Islands where the problems are so vastly different from our own, has been inspiring as well as dedicated," she said. “We here, also know, that no one—anywhere in the world

—will wear this honour more gracefully or charmingly than our own Margaret Turnbull.

“She and. I, along with a small party, will be starting to walk the Milford Track one week from today, and it

is a comforting thought to feel we shall have at least one member with us who undoubtedly will ‘Be Prepared’ for all emergencies. “So may I, on behalf of all of you, offer my sincere and very warm congratulations, and say how thrilled I am to be associated with this happy occasion which so well and deservedly reflects the great work done by the Girl Guide Movement in New Zealand. It is with great pleasure that I now present Mrs Tumbull with this highest honour—the Silver Fish,” said Lady Porritt. Thanking Lady Porritt and the association for the award, Mrs Tumbull said she felt very humble and very proud. “WONDERFUL YEARS” “They have been 5J wonderful years for me as Chief Commissioner,” she said. But, she added, it was entirely due to everyone—from the youngest brownie upwards—who had worked so well in the movement that she now had the honour to wear the award.

Mrs Turnbull joined the association as an adult leader in 1941 and held many offices with distinction before she

was made Chief Commissioner in 1965.

During her time as Chief Commissioner, Mrs Tumbull has travelled widely throughout New Zealand, inspiring and encouraging members of the movement as well as arousing further interest in its work. She has twice represented New Zealand at Commonwealth Guide Conferences and has led New Zealand delegations to the past two World Guide Conferences. Last year she was elected to the newly-formed Asian Pacific Regional Committee.

Mrs Tumbull is the sixth guide officer to receive the Silver Fish in New Zealand.

Yesterday’s ceremony was held at the association’s national headquarters in Armagh Street, and was watched by about 200 guide council members, guide commissioners, and representatives of women’s and youth organisations. A speciallyinvited guest was the Mayoress of Christchurch (Mrs Alexia Pickering). In the photograph (above) Lady Porritt is shown congratulating Mrs Tumbull after decorating her with the award.