Wellington ceremony marks top award for Guides

HIGH HONOUR: Alana Jones and Nina Lopes met through Girl Guides.PHOTO/RUTH KEBER

Four young Bay women will be awarded the Queen's Guide Award at a ceremony at Government House today.

Alana Jones, Nina Lopes, Brigette Horgan and Lauren Gibbs will be awarded the highest honour for girls in New Zealand by the Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, and his wife, Lady Janine, this afternoon.

Friends Ms Jones and Ms Lopes, who met through Girl Guiding, are excited they will be recognised for their efforts.

Ms Jones joined Girl Guides as a Pippin when she was 5 and Ms Lopes joined six years ago.

"I remember I learned to tie my shoes, it's the one thing I remember learning all those years ago," Ms Jones said.

Ms Jones said her mother and grandmother were Guide girls and she had enjoyed following in their footsteps by attending the weekly meetings, making friendships and going on new adventures over the years.

As a Pippin, she learned to tie her shoes and make new friends while as a Ranger she has completed certificates in subjects such as history and leadership.

The highlight for both girls was being able to go on a Girl Guide exchange to Hitachi, Japan, in 2011.

"It was the best trip, we were being pushed into a family that has a completely different culture, you don't have your parents around and it's just you and you have got to learn to fit in. It was a lot different to going overseas for holidays with your family."

Both girls now volunteer as young leaders within in the organisation and help with Pippins and Brownies. A leadership unit was the last practical module the girls had to do to receive their Queen's Guide Award.