Instead, the leaders and Guides arrived at their Whitelock St hall on Tuesday evening to find it vandalised.
The damage has been valued at more than $1300 by police, which is quite a lot of money for a small group desperate for members.
Deniliquin Girl Guides district leader Elaine Russell said it was a disappointing start to the year.
"Frida (Nolan) and I had arrived and unlocked the hall, ready for our first night of the year, and we noticed all the lights were on,” Mrs Russell said.
"Frida then peeked inside, saw the damage and said no-one was to enter.
“We felt lousy, and the children were not too pleased.
“It’s very disappointing, and we just looked at all the mess and wondered ‘why?’.”
Mrs Russell said most rooms inside the hall had been rifled through, with craft supplies and smashed glass jars strewn throughout.
The inside of the hall was also graffitied, and the hall’s first aid kit had been ransacked.
Police said there was also damage to the carpets, roller blinds and window flyscreens.
The Guides and police are yet to determine how entry was gained, as there are no apparent signs of forced doors or windows.
The damage occurred sometime after February 15, which is the last time one of the Guides’ leaders checked on the hall.
Anyone with information should call Deniliquin Police on 5881 9299 or CrimeStoppers on 1300 333 000.
Two thefts in one night
Two separate thefts between Friday and Saturday last week are being investigated.
In one incident, a car speaker was stolen from a car parked in Harfleur St, Deniliquin between 10pm last Friday and 6.30am Saturday.
The speaker is valued at $250.
While being charged, the key barrel of an electric scooter parked outside a Fowler St residence was removed between 9am last Friday and 8.10am Saturday.
Anyone with information about either incident should contact Deniliquin Police or CrimeStoppers.
7°C