Miss Marie Iles

Press, 26 December 1987, Page 14

Miss Marie Iles

Miss Marie Louise Iles, who for 37 years was general secretary of the New Zealand Girl Guides’ Association, has died in Rotorua. Miss Iles’ long association with guiding began in Greymouth where she was a Brownie leader and District Commissioner. In 1934, she was appointed general secretary, and under her leadership, sound administration practices and financial policies were introduced. In 1936, she. initiated the opening of guide shops and agencies, and introduced an insurance

policy to protect the movement. In spite of a severe shortage of voluntary leaders during the war years. Miss Iles encouraged the association to undertake many projects. For her contributions during this time, she was awarded the M.B.E. and the Silver Fish, the highest guiding award. Miss Iles was also involved with other com-munity-based organisations, and was the association’s delegate in the formation of the National Youth Council, Corso, and the Joint Guide and Scout

Committee. She represented New Zealand Guiding at four world conferences, organised trips for groups to international camps and conferences, and instigated residential holiday programmes for Pacific Island students. In retirement, Miss Iles continued to serve guiding locally in Rotorua, and nationally as a life member of the association and as the author of “65 Years of Guiding in New Zealand.” She was awarded an 0.8. E. in 1970.