CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Mr THOMPSON (Herbert) (10:42): Over the weekend, people from across Townsville came together to celebrate a significant milestone in our city's history: a hundred years of the Castle Hill Girl Guides. I want to recognise this outstanding organisation and thank everyone who has helped it reach this remarkable milestone. For a century, guiding has helped generations of local girls and young women build confidence, learn practical skills, serve their community and become leaders.

That proud story began in 1925, when the fourth Townsville guides and brownies were established. In the same year, 148 people gathered at Kissing Point for a northern Queensland divisional camp. Leaders received training, and young guides learnt outdoor skills that would stay with them for life.

From the very beginning, their service has been at the heart of guiding. Historical records show that girl guides were always ready to lend a hand to the Country Women's Association, beginning a relationship that continues today. During the Second World War, Australian guides knitted and sewed clothing, sent food parcels to England and helped raise funds for air ambulances and the Guide of Dunkirk lifeboat.

That willingness to step up, get involved and help others is something worth celebrating. The Castle Hill Girl Guides have also shown the resilience for which Townsville is well known. Guiding went into recess locally throughout the war, but when they returned they returned with new purpose.

After the war, a guide hut was built, only to be flattened by Cyclone Althea in 1971. There have been other disasters and setbacks over the years, but the guiding community has always picked itself up and carried on, and that is the Townsville spirit. The same spirit can be seen at the Bluewater Campsite and Training Centre, where generations of young people have experienced camping, adventure, friendship and the great outdoors, supported by hardworking volunteers.

Castle Hill's impact cannot be measured simply through buildings, camps or fundraising drives. It's through real legacy. It can be seen in the girls who have grown in confidence, the women who have become leaders and the volunteers who have given their time to support others.

I just want to really highlight and thank the leadership of Sue Jennings and Hannah Torrisi. I want to thank them for everything they've been able to do, along with all the committees and the past leadership, and acknowledge Rachel Armstrong, a volunteer. Girl Guides will continue to flourish and thrive for another 100 years.

I just want to say thank you for everything you do for the Townsville community.