A Hamilton Clayfield Girl Guide has received the Young Everyday Heroes for her service to the community as part of the guides.
Jemma Philippi, a 17-year-old Ranger Guide, was given the award as part of the QBANK Everyday Heroes Award on October 11.
She has only been a girl guide for three years, deciding to join after seeing how much her little sister enjoyed it.
“Ruby kept coming home and she was always so excited about what she was doing, she liked the craft and she liked the social aspect,” Jemma said.
“We do a lot of craft activities which is fun, and obviously cooking – who doesn’t like cooking?”
“And then there is the service, it’s really fun to get out there and serve the community and just engage with them all. It’s good to see and speak to different people, get their different perspectives on the area,” she said.
Dorami Keyt, known as Winbirra to the guides, nominated Jemma, saying she had been “instrumental” in helping with the service projects.
“I’m thrilled to hear she got the award, it is well deserved,” Winbirra said.
Jemma said the service was completed with the help of the whole unit, and their projects included making up bags of supplies for foster children and rural schoolchildren, cooking for Meals on Wheels, and collecting bottle caps, which have been sent to Limbs 4 Life, where they are turned into parts for prosthetics.
She is a Grade 12 student at Kedron State High School and next year hopes to study Chinese and International Relations at university, and to become a guide leader.
Jemma encouraged other girls to join the guides, saying: “It’s lots of fun, and you build long-lasting friendships with people.”
Not all heroes wear capes – some bake Girl Guide cookies.
