When Alicia Burchill was awarded the prestigious Wattle Award from Girl Guides Australia, it was a moment of both pride and reflection. Recognising outstanding service and long-term commitment, the award celebrated Alicia’s dedication not only at the grassroots level as a Unit Leader at Rochedale Girl Guides but also her broader impact across the Rochedale and Springwood Districts and the Southern Cross Region.
“I was honoured to receive the Wattle Award,” Alicia says. “It acknowledges my work supporting Girl Guides across various levels—from helping secure grants to upgrading facilities, to maintaining essential databases and mentoring other leaders. It’s been a rewarding journey.”
Alicia’s guiding path began in 1988 when she joined as a youth member. “I enjoyed it so much that I never left,” she laughs. Her decades of service have allowed her to witness firsthand the evolution of the organisation, especially in how girls now shape their own learning.
“Girl Guides is now a girl-led program,” Alicia explains. “If our girls are passionate about the environment, we focus on that. It’s all about what interests them.”
That empowerment, she says, is at the heart of the program. One of her favourite memories is watching young girls conquer new challenges in outdoor activities. “Whether it’s getting their kayak unstuck in reeds or learning to hit the target in archery, the satisfaction they feel is amazing—and as leaders, we feel it too.”
Alicia believes leadership is the most valuable skill Girl Guides instils. “It’s about confidence, communication, teamwork. These are life skills that matter now more than ever.”
Under Alicia’s leadership, Rochedale Girl Guides has made strong connections with the wider community through annual service projects. A recent high tea raised funds for Care Kits for Kids, just one example of how the group gives back while learning about compassion and community service.
But the journey hasn’t been without its hurdles. Like many volunteer-based organisations, Girl Guides faces challenges with recruiting new leaders. “Many of our long-time volunteers are retiring, and people are busier than ever with careers and families,” Alicia says. “Even giving a little bit of time makes a big difference.”
Despite this, her passion for mentoring remains strong. “I still get excited every week to go to Guides,” she smiles. “I love hearing about the girls’ weeks, supporting them through challenges and watching them grow into respectful young women in our community.”
Her biggest inspiration? Her own daughters, who are both Girl Guides. “Some of my favourite memories are going to Jamboree in Ballarat and Sydney with them,” Alicia shares. “It’s such a joy seeing them embrace something I’ve loved for so long.”
For anyone considering getting involved—whether as a volunteer or enrolling a child—Alicia has simple advice: “Just give it a go. Whether it’s weekly or monthly, your time will be meaningful—and the rewards are incredible.”
With leaders like Alicia Burchill lighting the way, the Girl Guides continue to be a place where girls grow into confident, capable women, supported by a community that believes in their potential.
