Local Girl Guides and leaders hiked part of the Gippsland Lakes Discovery Trail at Log Crossing recently, learning about the original use of the track as they enjoyed the bush of Colquhoun Regional Park.
Part of the Discovery Trail follows the original Mississippi Creek Tramway, constructed in the early 1900s and used until the 1930s to transport granite from the quarry located within the forest to construct the Gippsland Lakes entrance walls at Lakes Entrance.
As they learned about the route they were following, the guides also chatted about the plants, birds, and other animals that call the Colquhoun Forest home.
When the girls found mistletoe blossom on the ground, leader, Sue Grima (Blue Wren), pointed out the mistletoe plants on the trees above and told them the story of how the plant is spread by the mistletoe bird, a small bird with the male of the species having a lovely bright red breast.
The birds eat the berries from the mistletoe plant, however the seeds are very sticky, so when they are excreted, they get stuck to their bottoms.
They wipe their bottom along the branch of a tree to dislodge them, spreading the plants from tree to tree.
This new information resulted in quite a few giggles from the young guides.
At the conclusion of their hike the guides eagerly tucked into ham and cheese toasties made on the campfire back at the Log Crossing Picnic Area.
Such activities are loved by the local Guides but can only happen with the support of adult leaders.
Sue Grima and Di Dixon have numerous decades of experience as Girl Guide leaders, and thanks to the recent addition of Danielle Ferris to the unit’s leadership team the unit has been able to continue operations this year.
However, more adult support is needed for a viable Lakes Entrance unit in the future.
Sue and Di will continue to bring their years of valuable knowledge and experience to the unit but are keen for more women to get involved in this rewarding venture.
A great opportunity to gather further local Girl Guide information will be at the upcoming Lions Club of Gippsland Lakes Lionesses Community Expo to be held on Sunday, October 6, at the Mechanics Hall, Lakes Entrance.
From 10am to 2pm local clubs and groups will provide information on what they offer their community, including the guides who will share how rewarding life as a Girl Guide can be.
