The Olave Program

[Mission Statement]   [What is the OP?]    [Membership]    [Opportunities in the OP]   
[Awards in the OP]    [Uniform]    [Service Projects]    [History]   
[OP in Sutherland Shire Region]    [Region Liaison]    [Local OP News]   

Mission Statement

The Olave Program; a senior section of Guides Australia offers members aged 18-30, irrespective of status, the opportunity to further their personal development through actively engaging in training and activities in a peer environment with the opportunity to attain the peak achievement - The Olave Baden Powell Award.

What is the OP?

The Olave Program is for 18-30 year olds who have a connection with the Association and aims to provide young women with the opportunity to participate in their own program and support network.
The Olave Program is very different from the Australian Guide Program in that it is planned, developed and implemented by other young people with in the state.
In addition to this, it allows everyone within the age group the opportunity to work towards the peak achievement award for the program.
Activities may include anything from lightweight camping and surfing to public speaking and photography, to community service projects and international travel.

Membership

If you are involved in Guiding and your current adult membership fee has been paid and you are aged between 18-30 years old, you are automatically an Olave Program member - but the extent of your involvement is entirely up to you.
If you are unable to maintain a specific role within Guiding but are willing to accept the principles of Guiding and between 18-30 years then this is the ideal way to continue your membership with the Association.
It is not compulsory to participate in any of the activities if you feel that you don't have the time, the activities don't interest you or you simply can't afford them.
The key thing to remember is that Guiding should be fun for everyone, and sensational experiences can happen by participating in different activities with different people.

Opportunities in the Olave Program

The Olave Program provides the opportunity for young women to extend themselves in their supportive and friendly environment.
Olave Program members can participate in leadership and personal development weekends, adventurous activities and expeditions, training and national or international camps. Flexible programming ensures the Olave Program also provides plenty of opportunity for fun and social activities with Guiding friends.
Community service is an integral component of the program and Olave Program members can choose to be involved with local, national or international charity or service organisations.
For additional personal challenge, members can work towards a number of specialist skill qualifications or interest awards.
Whether for fun, self-development or professional career enhancement, the Olave Program offers opportunities for all its members.

The Olave Program in Sutherland Shire Region

The Olave Program in the Sutherland Shire has been running successfully for 3 to 4 years. There is currently a small but enthusiastic group of new Olave Program members who are keen for other young women to join them. If you are interested in joining the Olave Program, we would really love to hear any of your ideas and/or suggestions.

Sutherland Shire Region Olave Program Liaison

The Olave Program liaison for the Sutherland Shire is Sarah Pentecost.
If you have any questions or are interested in joining the Olave Program please do not hesitate to contact Sarah - she would love to hear from you.

Awards in the Olave Program

Members of the Olave Program may be Leaders, therefore, working towards their Leadership Qualification with Youth or Adults. As a recognised adult member, Olave Program members may choose to work on Adult Awards as described in "Guidelines".
Olave Program is the follow-on program from the Youth program of Guides Australia. For this program, members use the Recognition System, which consists of "Look Wide" and "Look Wider Still" for challenges and focuses to complete. Members of Olave Program can extend on these Level 3 Challenges as set out in "Look Wider Still" or complete challenges and requirements in "Guidelines". Not all challenges are included in "Look Wider Still" as it encourages youth members and Olave Program members alike to use "Guidelines".
The peak achievement in Olave Program is the Olave Baden-Powell Award. This Award involves the completion of six major challenges and requires the assessment of peers and self.

Service Projects in the Olave Program

The Olave Program is involved in many service and fundraising projects. A few of these are:

• The City to Surf held every August where the Olave Program members run a drink station along the route of the run
• Clean Up Australia Day
• Breast Cancer Day
• Sponsor animals at Taronga Zoo

The Olave Program Uniform

Olave Program members are recognised as adult members of Guides Australia. Hence are represented by wearing the adult member uniform that consists of two choices.

A Little History

The Olave Program, first called "the 18-30 age group", initially started in 1996. The formation of the group, comprising of young leaders, Rangers and other young women with an interest in Guiding, was a result of the newly developed Australian Guide Program (AGP); the first program was designed specifically for Australia and its conditions.
Under the new changes the AGP was designed for girls and young women between 5 and 18. The introduction of the new program gave no representation to those aged between 18-30. There wasn't an opportunity for them to participate in self development programs or a networking support body; it was for this reason that the Olave Program and its relevant committee was established to provide opportunities for all young women members, irrespective of status within the association.
The Olave Program is for any 18 to 30 year-old who has a connection with the Association and aims to provide young women the opportunity to participate and/or their own program and support network.
The Olave Program is very different from the Australian Guide Program in that it is planned, developed and implemented by other young women members.