Newspaper Article 1976 – Girls’ Brigade award

Girls’ Brigade award

Miss Melva Mildenhall, captain of the Hastings, Baptist Church Girls’ Brigade Company, is the first Hawke’s Bay woman to be rewarded with the brigade’s 30-year service award.

Miss Mildenhall joined the company as a lieutenant when it was first formed 31 years ago, and was promoted to Captain the following year.

She has worked with the Hastings Company since then, except for six months in 1961 when she went to England to the diamond jubilee of the Girls Brigade International.

Miss Mildenhall first joined Girls’ brigade as a teenager in Wellington. She has since held most positions in the movement.

She said she feels this is a work she has been called to do by the church. “I feel as a Christian and a member of the church I should have a work in the church.”

Miss Mildenhall, assistant accountant at the Herald-Tribune, will be awarded the long service medal at a concert in the Hastings Baptist Church on Saturday night.

Photo caption – Miss Mildenhall