Rosslyn Smith has been a guiding light for 50 years

ROSSLYN Smith joined the Girl Guides some 50 years ago in Narrogin, then as a Brownie. Ms Smith soon became enamoured with what she could achieve and the camaraderie that came with it.

After living throughout most of the state, Ms Smith is now the leader at the Canning Sapphire Girl Guides. She has become a popular leader, who for 43 years has led young women in the pursuit of confidence, self-respect and empowerment.

“I don’t know life without guiding. Most nights I do something to do with the Guides; I do a lot of volunteer work,” Ms Smith said.

On the weekend, Ms Smith was recognised for her long service.

Parent Louise Harper said the Guide community was eager to celebrate the contribution of the popular leader of 12 youngsters.

“Rosslyn doesn’t look for recognition and is a very popular leader; the girls love her to bits,” she said.

Ms Smith said she was thrilled with the recognition, although she was happiest achieving quietly. She said in the time she had been in the Guides she has seen the organisation adapt to changing times, but stay true to its core values.

“In badge work the most popular badge is cooking, which was also my favourite… but the number of badges you can achieve is unlimited. You can create your own,” she said.

Ms Smith said her most exciting moments in the Guides were opening a car door for Princess Margaret in Kalgoorlie in the 1970s and carrying the Olympic torch as a representative of the organisation through Gosnells in 2000.

“The Girl Guides are important to me and I will continue to be a part of it,” she said.