Dubbo+Zoo+08

Guides Bike Zoo and support Mallee Fowl media type="custom" key="1720141" Gumnut & Waratah Guides had a glorious time at the Dubbo Zoo on the weekend of August 16th & 17th. The Gumnut Guides arrived at the Zoo on Saturday afternoon, offloaded their bikes and then rode around the zoo with Junior Leader Rosie Betts (NSW Lone Guide) in the lead followed up by Jasmine & Vivian Evans on their tandem bike. The animals seemed to know they were coming and all came up to the front for them to see, even the tiger gave a great rumbling roar! After the bike ride the girls headed back to a Dubbo Guide Hall for dinner and campfire, fun singing and games. Then onto another Guide hall to sleep with approximately 50 other Guides from across the Western region – the hall was packed with wall to wall sleeping bags! Sunday saw an early start for the Gumnuts with a 5.30am rise to get to the Zoo for the early morning walk. Feeding the giraffe with its long blue tongue was certainly an unforgettable vision! The Waratah Guides arrived by bus from Coonabarabran that morning in time for a special Guides Own which was held by the lake. The Waratah Guides also had their bikes and as they were older they were given the responsibility to ride around the zoo in their patrols with mobile contact with the Guide leaders relaxing back at base. It was a nice change to see the Guide leaders relaxed and the Guides really enjoyed their responsibilities. Each year Guides from across the region raise fund to support Mallee Fowl breeding program at the zoo and this year was no exception with an official ceremony where each unit presented a cheque to zoo staff. This year the girls were very lucky to be taken on a mini bus, behind the scenes, to see the breeding enclosures for the Mallee fowl. There were two breeding pair and some girls got to feed the rather shy birds and to ask the Mallee Fowl keeper lots of questions. BRAVO to the leaders from Coonabarabran and the wider region for such a delightful weekend and a special BRAVO to Elizabeth Betts who coordinates this big event for the whole region.