Two members of Ballinamallard Girls’ Brigade, Rebecca Murray and Jessica Glenn were recently presented with the Queen’s Award, the highest award attainable in Girls’ Brigade.

Having received their Queen’s Award badges at their Ballinamallard Girls’ Brigade display at the end of March, Rebecca and Jessica were invited to attend the Girls’ Brigade Northern Ireland annual Queen’s Award presentation ceremony on Friday May 10 in PCI Assembly Buildings, Belfast to celebrate their success. Rebecca and Jessica were two of 43 girls who successfully attained the award this year and were eligible to attend the celebration ceremony along with their family, friends and Girls’ Brigade leaders. Guest speaker at the ceremony was Reverend Cheryl Patterson who encouraged, blessed and challenged the girls. Mrs. Marlene Steele was also in attendance at the ceremony and shared her experience of attaining the Queen’s Award back in 1953.

The Queen’s Award syllabus is a major undertaking for the girls, over a period of two years working for the Award, the girls were required to undertake six elements: community service over a period of six months, GB company service, submission of an in depth project assignment to a high standard, completion of two initiative tests, pass a two hour written study paper and final interview, whilst also playing an active part in life of their church.

The Queen’s Award is the highest award attainable in Girls’ Brigade, run to agreed international standards in GB companies all over the world. Nursing homes, charity shops, home and overseas mission teams and youth organisations in NI are just some of the organisations which benefited from the voluntary work undertaken by all the girls.

As well as attaining the Queen’s Award, Rebecca and Jessica, along with fellow Girls’ Brigade member Leah Smyth, were presented with their Brigader Brooches on the night of the display. The Brigader Brooch is the second highest award attainable in Girls’ Brigade and, as per tradition, the award was presented to the girls by their mothers.