Selina Cossgrove (née Robertson, 1849 – 23 October 1929) was one of the early developers of the Girl Peace Scouts movement in New Zealand.[1][2]

Biography

Cossgrove was born in 1849, probably on 21 May, at Cairneyhill, Perthshire, Scotland. Her parents were William Robertson, a farmer, and his wife, Catherine Campbell. The family emigrated to New Zealand in 1860, settling in Sandfly Bay, Otago.[3]

Cossgrove married David Cossgrove at Sandfly Bay on 11 February 1875.[3] David Cossgrove had met Robert Baden-Powell while serving in South Africa and when Baden-Powell published his handbook for scouting, in 1908, he asked Baden-Powell for permission to establish scout groups in New Zealand. Baden-Powell agreed; David Cossgrove established 36 groups by the end of 1908 and in 1910 was appointed chief scout for the country. [3]

Muriel Cossgrove, one of Selina and David's daughters, asked when there would be a group for girls to join. Her father requested and received permission from Baden-Powell, and Selina and David began to organise groups for girls. Cossgrove co-wrote Peace Scouting for Girls with her husband, which was published in 1910.[4] She supported the development of the movement by arranging camps, addressing troops and attending rallies and church parades.[3]

Selina Cossgrove died in Christchurch on 23 October 1929 and was buried beside her husband in Bromley Cemetery.[3]

Personal life

Cossgrove had eight children.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Girl Peace Scouts: a prophylactic against hoydenish romps". Te Papa’s Blog. 11 August 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "Cossgrove, Selina, 1849–1929". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Esplin, Margaret. "Story: Cossgrove, David and Cossgrove, Selina". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Be Prepared! Lessons from Peace Scouting for Girls (1910)". my.christchurchcitylibraries.com. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
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