Sails Pitch

Jul 1950

These 41 excited Malayan Girl Guides were off on a trip of a lifetime - to represent their country at the Guide Jamboree in Perth. They weren't headed there on a budget airline, mind you, but the old-fashioned way - on the ship Gorgon. They were joined by royalty in the form of Tungku Budria, the Raja Perempuan (Queen Consort) of Perlis. It was the first sea journey for the 26-year-old queen, who was travelling with three Malay princesses and two sherifas (descendants of the Prophet Mohammed). Being a Guide was a badge of honour to those young girls, so before they left, Lady Gimson - Governor's wife and fellow Guide - had some advice: "We're all members of one large family and you are going to visit relatives in their own land. Make friends, learn all you can and let others learn through you the finest characteristics of your homeland." Well said.