Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha yesterday consented to grace the Girl Guides Day celebration at the Orchid Garden Hotel in Berakas.

Her Majesty, as the Royal Patron of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association, was greeted on arrival by the Chief Commissioner of the association, Dyg Hjh Siti Hafsah binti Haji Abdul Halim and members of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association.

Accompanying Her Majesty to the event were Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa'adatul Bolkiah, the President of the association, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah, Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, the Vice-President of the association and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam.

Prior to the event, Her Majesty and members of the royal family had a photo session with the committee members of the Brunei Darussalam Girl Guides Association before Her Majesty signed the Royal Parchment.

The ceremony began with the singing of the national anthem followed by the recital of surah al-fatihah and reading of 'Doa Kesyukuran' by the Assistant Chief Commissioner of the association, Pengiran Hajah Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin.

In her welcoming remarks, Dyg Hajah Siti Hafsah said the association had organised many activities that were included in its 2011 annual plan, which among them were World Thinking Day 2011, which was held in March, the National Al-Quran Reading Competition, as well as World Peace Day.

Aside from that, the association also actively organised trainings, camping courses, sanitation care, tadarus and khatam al-Quran. In December this year, the association will be hosting the 'Sharing Cultures Brunei Darussalam 2011', an international event which will be participated by the World's Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts especially in the Asia Pacific.

In concluding her speech, Dyg Hjh Hafsah thanked Her Majesty, who is the Royal Patron of the association, for Her Majesty's continuous support to all activities organised by the association.

In conjunction with the 60 years establishment of the association, Her Majesty presented special awards to two veteran members for their long service since 1951 until today. They were Datin Paduka Hajah Zaharah binti Haji Idris and Datin Paduka Hajah Jusnani binti Haji Lawie. Both recipients were appointed as Life Vice-President of the association.

Her Majesty also consented to present long service badges to 10 members who have continuously assisted the association in implementing and organising programmes and activities for the development and progress of the association.

The three members who received gold badges for contributing 20 years of service to the association were Dyg Noriah binti Haji Dollah, Dyg Hjh Aisah binti Haji Mohammad and Dyg Hjh Maimunah binti Abdullah.

Receiving silver badges for contributing 15 years of service to the association were Dyg Aida Hj Abd Rahman, Dyg Hjh Masnah binti Haji Md Daud, Dyg Kaniz Abdul Shakoor and Dyg Hjh Norlelawati binti Haji Abu Bakar.

Meanwhile, Dyg Muliana Haji Umar, Dyg Hjh Bidah Haji Amit and Dyg Wan Zainab Ariff bin Mohd Zain Ariff who had contributed 10 years of service to the association were awarded with bronze badges.

The presentation of such awards hoped to motivate all members and leaders within the association to keep up their excellent service and commitment, as well as to continuously participate in programmes, projects and ideas be they welfare, community service or any sorts of activities for the development and progress of the association.

The highlight of the celebration was Her Majesty cutting a birthday cake in conjunction with Her Majesty's birthday, after which she received a 'pesambah' from members of the association. Before leaving the ceremony, Her Majesty and members of the royal families received greetings from members of the association.

The Girl Guides Day was celebrated in conjunction with Her Majesty's birthday to gather all members of the association at one event and to foster closer friendship among its members. - Borneo Bulletin (17th Octopber 2011)