Resthaven Resident 'Owl Lady' Celebrates 40 Year Devotion to Girl Guides

Lilian Richer, a resident of Resthaven Craigmore, celebrated a remarkable 40 year association with the Girl Guides in May this year. The 97 year old continues her involvement today as a member of the Trefoil Guild, an association for former Guiding and Scouting women.

To mark the 40 year milestone, Mrs Richer was presented with a certificate of service and commemorative badge by the Para Districts Trefoil Guild at Resthaven Craigmore.

"They all dressed up in their uniforms and held their meeting here," she said.

Mrs Richer’s association with Girl Guides began after one of her daughters joined as a Brownie.

"It was a bit of a sad beginning," Mrs Richer explains. "My daughter used to go Brownies until tragically she was knocked off her bike and died."

Whilst mourning the loss of her daughter, a friend asked Lilian to help out at the local Brownies.

Soon Mrs Richer was asked to become a Brownie leader, or 'Brown Owl', of the Elizabeth Troop. "The girls used to give me owls for my birthday and at Christmas," said Mrs Richer. "Then it became a “bit of a thing” for me to collect owls."

Mrs Richer’s room is filled with all types of owls – brown, pink, blue, small and large. "Some people know me as the 'owl lady'," she said with a grin.

Over the years, Mrs Richer held many roles in the Guides Association, including District Commissioner of the Elizabeth Park Guides. She spent many years as a quarter master on camps. As quarter master, she would organise the stores and cook the meals – not easy when you’re living under canvas and using wood-fuelled trench fireplace.

Her involvement with the Guides extended to assisting in the annual 'Carry-on Guides' show held at the Shedley Theatre in Elizabeth – with onstage and backstage roles. She attended last year’s show. "I saw people I haven’t seen for a long time," she said.

Mrs Richer commented that she’s not yet done with collecting owls. "My daughter’s going to Italy soon, and I’ve dropped a hint about adding a glass owl to my collection!" she laughed.

Congratulations Mrs Richer on 40 years with the Girl Guides.

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