Annie Mona Burgin (11 March 1903 – 15 June 1985), usually known as Mona Burgin, was a New Zealand teacher who was active in the Girl Guiding movement. She is principally known for her role training adults.

Biography

Burgin was the daughter of Anglican clergyman John Robert Burgin and his wife, Henrietta Jane Woollcombe. Born on the

Isle of Man The Isle of Man ( , also ), or Mann ( ), is a self-governing British Crown Dependency in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. As head of state, Charles III holds the title Lord of Mann and is represented by a Lieutenant Govern ...

, she came to New Zealand with her family at the age of 6. At age 17, she began training as a teacher at Auckland Training College. Burgin taught junior boys at Dilworth School from 1929 until 1960. Then she became headmistress of Hilltop School, remaining there until her retirement in 1968. While still a teenager, Burgin corresponded with and met Lieutenant Colonel David Cossgrove, the founder of the Girl Peace Scouts' Association. She revived interest in the movement in Auckland and started the St Andrew's Girl Peace Scout Troop in Epsom in 1921 as their Guider. In 1923, this group became the Epsom Cavell Company. In 1932, she spent a year in the UK, to gain experience and qualifications. Back in New Zealand, Burgin started the Rahiri Ranger Company in 1939. Burgin was leader of the first

GIS A geographic information system (GIS) consists of integrated computer hardware and software that store, manage, analyze, edit, output, and visualize geographic data. Much of this often happens within a spatial database; however, this is not ...

team into

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after

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Later, she led the first team from the World Association Training scheme, briefed to find and support Guides living in displaced persons' camps. She was awarded the Silver Fish, the highest international guiding honour, in 1945. In 1946, after she returned to New Zealand, she gained the Chief's Diploma. In the 1950s Burgin wrote the first New Zealand handbooks for Guides and Rangers, based on the British programme, but with local variation. Her teaching and training methods had a significant influence on the shaping of the Girl Guide movement in New Zealand. In the 1959 Queen's Birthday Honours, she was appointed a

Member of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding valuable service in a wide range of useful activities. It comprises five classes of awards across both civil and military divisions, the most senior two o ...

, for services to the Girl Guide Movement. She held several national positions, including Commissioner for Training, Commissioner for Camping, (both relinquished in 1948) and National Ranger Adviser (1953–64). Burgin never married, and died at her home in Howick, Auckland, on 15 June 1985. Every year on 22 February, known as "

Thinking Day World Thinking Day, formerly Thinking Day, is celebrated annually on 22 February by all Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. It is also celebrated by Scout and Guide organizations around the world. It is a day when they think about their "sisters" ...

" Rangers from Mona's Unit set off before dawn, while it is still dark, and they climb to the top of

Maungawhau / Mount Eden Maungawhau / Mount Eden is a scoria cone and '' Tūpuna Maunga'' (ancestral mountain) in Mount Eden, Auckland, New Zealand. The cone is part of the Auckland volcanic field, the tallest located on the isthmus. Geography The cone is a dormant vol ...

. GirlGuiding New Zealand Foundation Mona Burgin Scholarship is a scholarship enabling adult leaders from New Zealand to attend an overseas or New Zealand event or training, in order to refresh their enthusiasm and gain new ideas.

Works

*(?): ''Otimai: 1927-77''

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burgin, Mona 1903 births 1985 deaths Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting New Zealand educators New Zealand women educators Scouting and Guiding in New Zealand Recipients of the Silver Fish Award 20th-century Manx people Manx emigrants to New Zealand New Zealand Members of the Order of the British Empire

Biography

Works

See also

References