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WORLD MISSION AIMS TO TACKLE CLIMATE CHANGE
JENNA DAROCZY
30 Nov, 2009 03:53 PM

Climate change wasn't always on the radar of Alexandra Hills Girl Guide leader, Nellie Mair, but she says it's "become an issue close to my heart, because guiding is close to my heart".

Nellie, 25, will take her passion for the environment and enthusiasm to learn more about making a difference to Copenhagen's Climate Change Summit in Denmark next week.

She is one of only three Australian women joining the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to attend the conference and lobby for environmental protection.

"I really see it as a chance to understand more about our place in the world when it comes to making a difference and having a say," Nellie said.

"I've tried not to get too caught up in the politics of it all, because you have to sift through all the information the media, the greenies and all sides of politics give you to try and work out the truth.

"But I do know that climate change affects the whole world, the world is going to be inherited by our youth, and my work is about preparing the youth for the future."



A girl guide since she was 7, Nellie sits on the State Program Committee, which sets the curriculum for girl guides in Queensland, and recently introduced an 'advocacy' badge.

"I've done Clean Up Australia Day since I was a kid, but in the last two or three years we've started to do a lot more conservation focused projects, mobile phone recycling is a big one at the moment," she said.

“Girl Guides are traditionally not into letterwriting, but with more than 10 million members worldwide, we’re hoping to change that.



“Next year – 2010 – is Year of the Girl Guide, and the advocacy badge will be about the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals, as well as trying to fight for or change local causes,” she said.

The UN’s Millennium Development Goals are based on: Ending poverty and hunger, universal education, gender equality, child health, maternal health, combating HIV/AIDS, environmental sustainability and building global partnerships.

The WAGGGS representatives will meet in Copenhagen on the first day of the conference to discuss their goals for the trip, before taking part in workshops, meetings, protests and networking for the rest of the trip from December 3-19.

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE REPRESENTING YOU

This first blog aims to introduce you to each of the girls and give you a bit of idea about what makes them tick and why they are super excited to represent the Youth view at Copenhagen.

Nellie (Speedy) Mair, 25 yrs, Alexandra Hills, QLD

Nellie has been involved with Guiding for 18 years. She is a Guide Leader and an important part of state Guiding teams. Nellie loves the outdoors and through her employment as an outdoor educator at Kindilan Outdoor Education and Conference Centre she has gained an appreciation for the environment. Nellie is looking forward to attending COP15 and discussing climate issues with other members of international youth delegations. She is a strong advocate for the 350 goal (350 ppm is believed by the world’s most respected Climate Change experts to be the level atmospheric carbon that we must reach for a sustainable future).

Allison Hooper, 24 yrs, Darwin, NT

Allison first joined Guides in 1993. During this time she has enjoyed many Guiding experiences, including attending multiple national and international events, and even camping in 60cm of snow in Finland. Allison is a Graduate Town Planner with the NT Government Department of Planning and Infrastructure in Darwin. In this role Allison looks at how infrastructure and development can be designed and used to reduce our environmental impact. Since moving to Darwin in 2008 Allison has been a co-leader of a Senior Guide Unit. She is looking forward to networking and getting to know other WAGGGS, youth and conference delegates and understanding how they act against climate change.

Abyilene McGuire, 26 yrs, Blackmans Bay, TAS

Abyilene, a Guide Leader of girls aged 7-11 years, works as a Senior Environmental Health Officer with Kingborough Council. Abyliene will be attending COP15 as a Girl Guides Australia representative for the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) delegation. Aby passionate about the environment and is great at sharing her knowledge and experiences of the environment and climate change with those around her both Guiding and the wider community.

Petina Blackwell, 25 yrs, Bendigo, VIC

Petina has been involved with Guiding for the past 14 years and has loved being involved in Guiding across multiple states. She is a Guide Leader for girls aged 5 to 9, and also an Assistant Manager for the Olave Program. Professionally she works for the Department of Sustainability and Environment as a native vegetation officer. Through her career and involvement with Guiding, Petina has developed a strong interest for climate change and environmental issues. She enjoys teaching young girls and women about how to make smart environmental choices and believes Guides can set a good example for the wider community.