She brings notes to our interview.

“I would never have had the career I had without Girl Guides,” Ms Laurenson, Lithgow’s new troop leader said.

“In my work I had many opportunities to get hurt or lost. The skills I learnt in guides is what I relied on. I was living in tents with no washing facilities and the only way I could cope with that is through the program guides’ fulfills.”

Laurenson’s work as an environmental scientist and fisheries researcher has taken her all over the world and eventually to Lithgow, where she has resided for the past 12 years.

In some cases her office was a tent in NSW’s bushland or on board a Russian fishing boat; adapting to different circumstances quickly is a skill Ms Laurenson has down pat.

Now she wants to share that competency with Lithgow’s youth.

“I rejoined Girl Guides in February this year, after a career break. I am completing the process to become a qualified leader. I’m interested in mentoring young women to give them confidence and skills,” she said.

“I want to empower girls with knowledge and inspiration.”

As a girl growing up in Victoria, Canada, Ms Laurenson progressed through the ranks and was awarded a ‘Canada Cord’, the highest guiding award, equivalent to the ‘Queen’s Guide’ award in Australia.

“The organisation is worldwide so the Australian and Canadian system are very similar. The biggest difference between now and then is that we used to wear cotton and now we wear polyester.”

The advent of the internet has also broadened communication between local groups.

“The opportunities are greater now. With digital technology girls have the chance to network with troops from different regions.”

Next year Lithgow guides will attend a jamboree in Sydney, which will play host to guides from all over the world.

Ms Laurenson, or ‘Dingo’ (her guiding name) said despite incorporating technology into activities Lithgow guides still maintain traditional aspects of guiding.

“I think Cheryl [Rutherford] and I believe in Baden-Powell’s original focus on outdoor and adventure skills. The girls in our troop will do activities like forging tent pegs, cooking outdoors, campfire skills and orienteering.”

The group has also welcomed a new junior leader, Lainey Holmes, and has been growing its numbers to twenty members over the last semester.

“We’re looking for new recruits, guides, leaders and support members,” Ms Laurenson said.