For children and young adults involved in Girl Guides, the friendships formed at weekly meetings and camps can become an important part of growing up. When illness brings financial difficulties to a family, maintaining those connections may be harder than it once was.
An initiative established in memory of Lawnton Girl Guide Madeline ‘Maddie’ Lawrence hopes to make that choice easier for others.
Known affectionately as Tully, Maddie inspired a community fundraising walk held at Murrumba Downs on 29 August. Beyond the event itself, Tully’s Fund is intended to help members of the Guiding community continue enjoying the experiences and friendships that played such an important role in her own life.
A Childhood in Guiding, a Lifetime of Friendships
Maddie was just five when she joined 3rd Lawnton Brownies, attending her first camp with the unit. She later progressed to 1st Lawnton Guides and Glasshouse Synergy Olaves, developing friendships and taking on new challenges as she grew older.
She also became a Junior Leader, helping organise activities and encouraging younger members to develop their skills.
Her original Guiding name was Tullawong, meaning magpie. When she began leadership training at 18, fellow members shortened it to Tully, a name that remained with her throughout her involvement.
Even during her cancer journey, Maddie continued participating in Guiding and attended her final camp at 23. She died in 2025, having remained involved in the Guiding community for much of her life.
The Cost of Staying Involved
Membership fees, camps and organised activities all carry costs. For families facing medical expenses or changes in their financial circumstances because of illness, those costs can become difficult to manage.
Tully’s Fund was established with the intention of helping youth and adult Guiding members in the Brisbane North and Glasshouse regions overcome such barriers.
According to earlier reporting, the fund is intended to assist with membership fees, camps and other Guiding experiences. The idea reflects Maddie’s own commitment to Guiding during difficult circumstances, with the aim of helping others preserve the friendships and opportunities that mattered so much to her.
Read: Undurba Student Leaders Leave a Lasting Gift for Their School
A Personal Tribute Beyond the Trek
The inaugural Tully’s Trek brought members of Girl Guides Queensland’s Brisbane North and Glasshouse regions together at Murrumba Downs on 29 August.
Participants collectively completed 3,433 laps, with the event enabling a $7,000 donation to Dreams2Live4, the Australian charity that supported Maddie during her illness.
Among those contributing was Jasmin, who had been an Olave alongside Maddie. She pledged to shave her head at the event, establishing a GoFundMe campaign in support of Dreams2Live4 and the new Guiding fund. The campaign page reported $2,086 in donations towards a $2,500 target.
Dreams2Live4 helps eligible people aged 17 and over living with advanced cancer and certain other serious cancer diagnoses fulfil personal dreams.
Tully’s Fund serves a separate purpose, focusing on financial barriers to Guiding participation. The $7,000 donation to Dreams2Live4 is not an indication of the amount available through the new fund.
Read: North Lakes Local Heroes Finalists Support Inclusion, Education and Recovery
For those who knew Maddie as Tully, helping another Guide stay involved would be a fitting continuation of something she valued throughout her life.
Published 1-Nov-2026
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