Guides gutted

Teenagers could use a healthy dose of life lessons after community hut destroyed

How disappointing for so many young children to discover their beloved Girl Guides hut has been destroyed by heartless vandals. As we report today, the West End guides hut has been decimated, with every corner of the place trashed and foul graffiti splashed across every surface.

As she surveyed the damage, devastated mum of two Rachael Armstrong explained just what the club meant to the kids.

“They learn to cook and it gives them good life skills and engages them in a community group that does things for the community which is what we want youth to be doing,” she said.

“My daughters saw the photos and asked what happened. They’re shocked and upset and they said ‘how could they do this? It’s so evil’.”

Mrs Armstrong hit the nail on the head when she said the wholesome activities of the Girl Guides was what Townsville youth should be spending their time doing.

But instead of contributing to their community, three teenagers will face court over their alleged involvement in this disgraceful vandalism incident while other young kids and their parents are forced to clean it all up.

While the Girl Guides are devastated over the event and the loss of their personal items, some have already raised their hands to help clean up the vandalism and get their club back in business.

It should be the responsibility of those who trashed it to fix it up, paint the walls and apologise to every young girl upset by this.

Groups like the Girl Guides are so incredibly important within regional communities, fostering life skills, lifelong friends and community spirit that takes many kids into adulthood.

And as Mrs Armstrong said, it’s also disappointing to think that somewhere once considered so safe has been turned into a nightmare for so many kids.

One has to also wonder if those allegedly responsible for this crime were offered the same opportunities at a young age as those who love being part of the Girl Guides; and if they did, would they have thought twice about their actions?