Girl Guides group told Christian influence ‘doesn’t fit’

The former leader of a local Girl Guides unit says she has taken her daughters out of the group after they were told they couldn’t run a Christian unit anymore.

Yesterday a Word on the Street caller raised concerns about the Healesville group with Tom Elliott on 3AW Drive.

Former unit leader Cherida Anderson said while head office wasn’t trying to shut the group down, she was told the Christian influence ‘didn’t fit.’

Click PLAY to hear Ms Anderson explain more:

But Girl Guides Victoria CEO Amanda Kelly said while they encouraged girls to explore their spirituality, teaching one faith could be considered exclusive.

‘We don’t have people teaching one spiritual tradition,’ she said.

‘So by being a Christian Guides group, it explicitly says other spiritual traditions may not be considered in the group, that’s what we didn’t want to happen.’

Click PLAY to hear from Girl Guides Victoria chief Amanda Kelly: