Sandakan Girl Guides Celebrate 100 Years with Centennial Carnival

1 September 2025

SANDAKAN: The Sandakan branch of the Girl Guides Association is preparing to celebrate a historic milestone, its 100th anniversary (1925–2025) with a Grand Centennial Carnival on Sunday, 7 September 2025, at the Girl Guides Wilderness Park.

The day-long celebration will open with a ceremony at 8am, officiated by Mildred Rita Leong, President of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia (Sabah Branch). The programme promises a vibrant mix of activities for members, families, and the wider community.

Highlights of the carnival include competitions showcasing guiding skills such as solar cooking, gadget-making, knotting, kite-making, patch drawing, and team-building challenges. Guiding activity stations will also feature Kim’s Games, hand signals, tracking signs, handicrafts, traditional games, and introductions to World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) programmes, alongside activities linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Adding to the festive atmosphere will be game stalls and a community bazaar, offering fun, food, and fundraising opportunities.

Datin Winnie Khoo, President of the Sandakan District Girl Guides Association, said the centenary was a proud and meaningful moment for the movement.

“The 100 Years Celebration is more than just a carnival – it is a reflection of our journey, resilience, and commitment to empowering girls and young women. We welcome the community to come together and share this proud milestone with us,” she said.

The Sandakan Girl Guides Association, established in 1925 when North Borneo was under British administration, has for a century nurtured generations of girls and young women to become confident leaders and responsible citizens.

As part of the Girl Guides Association of Malaysia and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), the movement continues to empower girls through leadership, service, and sisterhood.

The Grand Centennial Carnival will take place on Sunday, 7 September 2025, beginning with the opening ceremony at 8am and continuing throughout the day at the Girl Guides Wilderness Park in Sandakan.