Album of Girl Guide badges, 1980s-1990s

This album was collated by the Girl Guides Association New Zealand. It records a range of badges available to Brownies, Guides and Rangers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Badges were introduced in the very early years of the scout and guide movements, and were used to denote rank, achievement and efficiency. A range of fun badges were also available which guides didn't have to earn but could purchase and collect. Many of the badges in this album are fun badges, allowing guides to represent their particular interests or participation in specific events.

In the mid twentieth century about one third of the Girl Guide Association’s annual income came from sales of uniforms, badges, books and souvenirs. Shop stock was taken to every national conference, conference and camp, and the guide training centre, Ārahina, had its own guide shop. This album was used in the shop and gives prices for different types of badges (from 30c to $3.40).

References

• Bright, Judith. 2021. Conversation with curator at GirlGuiding New Zealand National Office.
• Dawber, Carol. 2008. Ambitious Fun: The Journey of GirlGuiding in New Zealand. Christchurch: GirlGuiding New Zealand.