Mona Burgin
Encyclopedia
Annie Mona Burgin MBE
(11 March 1903 – 15 June 1985), usually known as Mona Burgin, was a teacher and active in the Girl Guiding movement. She is principally known for her role training adults.
Burgin was the daughter of Anglican clergyman John Robert Burgin and his wife, Henrietta Jane Woollcombe. Born on the Isle of Man
, she came to 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 team into Germany
after World War II
. 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 1959 she was made an MBE
for services to youth. 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" Rangers from Mona's Unit set off before dawn, while it is still dark, and they climb to the top of Mount Eden
. There they set up their little campfire and a flag-staff, and as the sun rises over the sea they raise the Guide World Flag, they sing the World Song, and they speak of some of the people and the countries they are Thinking about - and so they start "The Big Think" which then travels all the way round the world.
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.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(11 March 1903 – 15 June 1985), usually known as Mona Burgin, was a teacher and active in the Girl Guiding movement. She is principally known for her role training adults.
Burgin was the daughter of Anglican clergyman John Robert Burgin and his wife, Henrietta Jane Woollcombe. Born on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, she came to came to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
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
Dilworth School
Dilworth School is an independent full boarding school for boys in Auckland, New Zealand. All the boys attending are on full scholarships covering all education and boarding costs, as the school is owned and operated by a charitable trust....
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
David Cossgrove
Lieutenant Colonel David Cossgrove served in the South African War with Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Scouts and Guides in the United Kingdom...
, the founder of the Girl Peace Scouts' Association
Peace Scouts
Peace Scouts may refer to:* Peace Scouts, the original name for GirlGuiding New Zealand* Peace Scouts of California, an early group engaged in Scouting in the United States...
. 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
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, to gain experience and qualifications. Back in New Zealand, Burgin started the Rahiri Ranger
Ranger (Girl Guide)
A Ranger or Ranger Guide is a member of a section of some Guiding organisations who is between the ages of 14 and 25. Exact age limits are slightly different in each organisation. It is the female-centred equivalent of the Rover Scouts-Early history:...
Company in 1939.
Burgin was leader of the first GIS team into Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Later, she led the first team from the World Association Training scheme, briefed to find and support Guides living in displaced persons' camps
Displaced persons camp
A displaced persons camp or DP camp is a temporary facility for displaced persons coerced into forced migration. The term is mainly used for camps established after World War II in West Germany and in Austria, as well as in the United Kingdom, primarily for refugees from Eastern Europe and for the...
. She was awarded the Silver Fish
Silver Fish
The Silver Fish is the highest adult award in Girlguiding UK. It is awarded for outstanding service to Girlguiding UK combined with service to world Guiding...
, 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 1959 she was made an MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
for services to youth. 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
Howick, New Zealand
Howick is an eastern suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, forming part of what is sometimes called East Auckland. Due to the relatively numerous remaining heritage buildings and other historical remnants from its early European settlement past, it has been called "perhaps Auckland's most historically...
, Auckland on 15 June 1985.
Every year on 22 February, known as "Thinking Day" Rangers from Mona's Unit set off before dawn, while it is still dark, and they climb to the top of Mount Eden
Mount Eden
Mount Eden is the name of a cinder cone and surrounding suburb in Auckland City, New Zealand, situated five kilometres south of the city centre. The mountain is the highest natural point in the whole of Auckland...
. There they set up their little campfire and a flag-staff, and as the sun rises over the sea they raise the Guide World Flag, they sing the World Song, and they speak of some of the people and the countries they are Thinking about - and so they start "The Big Think" which then travels all the way round the world.
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.