There’s a lot of last minute badge sewing going on at the Springwood-Winmalee District Girl Guides group as they prepare for the visit of the Royal Highnesses tomorrow.
District manager Dianne Strahan who was rallying up a unit of “the littlies” (the five to seven-year-olds) last Wednesday evening at their hall on Singles Ridge Road, said the girls were “all very excited”.
Most of the 80 girls are expected to be at the hall where the Royals are expected to meet with the Rural Fire Service and plant a tree outside to replace the many lost in last year’s bushfires.
“Some of the girls will already be on holidays and are so disappointed, but most of them are coming and their mothers are madly sewing on badges,” she told the Gazette.
Mrs Strahan said the guides had been hit twice by bad bushfires — losing their hall in the 2000 fires and then losing a large shed and many irreplaceable large bell tents in last year’s firestorm at the same site.
But the Royal visit would bring much relief, six months to the day after the devastation to Winmalee and Yellow Rock.
“The girls are making cards, planning on bringing flowers, we’ve had to keep the word quiet but now it’s out and the other districts are hearing too.”
The couple arrive in Sydney from New Zealand today (Wednesday, April 16) and head straight to the Opera House for an official reception.
It’s the Duchess of Cambridge’s first visit and the first for their nearly nine-month-old baby, Prince George.
Prince William, second in line to the throne, has visited Australia several times, the first time also as a nine-month-old.
The Royals will meet residents affected by the recent bushfires during the day and will also take in a visit to Echo Point in Katoomba where the public will be able to see them.
Where to see the Royals:
Hoping to catch a glimpse of a future King? The general public can see their Royal Highnesses at Echo Point in Katoomba tomorrow (Thursday).
Well wishers are advised to arrive at the popular tourist site between 11am and noon.
“We are delighted to now share the details with the community so Royal watchers and well wishers have the chance to see Their Royal Highnesses in person,” said Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) chairman Daniel Myles on Monday.
“The Blue Mountains is one of the most recognisable, not to mention magnificent locations on the planet.
“It is fitting that one of the most recognisable couples in the world visit it.”
Further details such as the route to be taken by the Royal entourage will not be disclosed.
