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Press Release – Dublin, 21/05/2024
Friday 12 April 2024 marked a big occasion for the Irish Girl Guides Brownie Branch as they celebrated their 110th anniversary with great enthusiasm and joy. To mark this milestone, Irish Girl Guides is proud to announce the launch of their new Sixes Emblem Badges. The Badges, now available for purchase online, offer a fresh look to the Brownie experience.
Irish Girl Guide Brownies are aged 7-10, adventurous girls who embark on a journey of discovery and personal growth. Central to the Brownie ethos is the ‘Six System,’ a Six is a group of Brownies working together as a team on activities.
Brownie Sixes were started in 1914, when the younger girls requested to join their older sisters in Guide. Originally Brownies were called Rosebuds, but they very quickly asked for the name to be changed, as they thought it was “too soft a name” for their adventurous natures. The agreement was reached that the Sixes were to be named after Fairy Folk – Imps, Gnomes, Fairies, Sprites Elves and Pixies are Sixes in common around the world. Each country then has their own special Fairy Folk – In Ireland we have the addition of Little People and Leprechauns.
Every Six has their own group name, Badge, and song (to know more about it, please look at the attachments). Each Six is led by one of the group known as a Sixer, she is supported by another of the group called a “Seconder. These groups use teamwork, problem-solving, and have a commitment to inclusivity and empathy.
“We decided our Brownie Six emblems needed a refresh, not only because they were originally designed in 1914, but also because we wanted to add a touch of Irish to them by using the Celtic knot in the background, to update the fairy folk and to include all the girls but also, from a practical level, to allow the Brownies (and their Owls leaders) to see at a glance which Six they are in.
As with all things into the Guiding world, before releasing the new Six Emblems, our young members reviewed the designs and voiced their thoughts on the new design.
Our Brownies from Tir na nOg Brownies said: “I love the colours, so bright and cheerful, like our Brownie smile!”
Our Brownies from Tivoli, Dublin “Wow! I love, love, Love the fairy folk on them! So pretty!”
The Brownie Branch Committee are delighted to release the new badges, and hope they last another 110 years!”
Through a three-year programme, Brownies engage in a comprehensive program that encompasses Global Citizenship Education, linked with the Sustainable Development Goals.
They can earn Interest Badges and Journey Badges, reflecting their dedication to personal development, skills and knowledges learning, and global awareness.
For more information about Irish Girl Guides and the Brownies, visit our website.
About Irish Girl Guides:
Irish Girl Guides has about 10,000 members across Ireland. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,600 volunteer Leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens.
Press contact:
Celia Melcus
Public Relations and Advocacy Officer
01-6683898 ext. 104