Over 100 local women gathered at the Bowling Club last Thursday for the “What Women Want” (WWW) night organised by the Department of Primary Industries.
The WWW night was held in response to the rural family gathering information night held earlier in the year in conjunction with the Bendigo Bank. That first meeting helped to identify the need for a special information night specifically for women.
Kay Nash from the Southern General Practice Network said, “During times of drought the whole community suffers and women often find they are missing out on social interaction with other women. The women of the Harden Shire were crying out for something for themselves, and the idea of the WWW night was established to give women the opportunity to tell us exactly what they wanted”.
“We expected the night to be all about the women and their needs, and we were hopeful that the night would be well attended, but the response was just phenomenal. The ideas were fantastic and it was great to see how enthusiastic the women of Harden are and how they desperately want to see the town moving forward. Everyone was really happy and positive and it was great to see the social interaction”, Kay said.
Guest speaker for the night, ABC Radio presenter, Genevieve Jacobs, spoke on how rural women often have to be multi-skilled, juggling work commitments with children and also running the family farm at the same time.
The women who attended the WWW night were asked to complete a questionnaire and share their ideas. A representative from each table was then selected to share the ideas generated with the rest of the women in attendance.
Some of the ideas that were put forward included; the establishment of a meeting place for a women’s group for networking and discussing issues of concern to women including health issues, a need for a gymnasium in town. A suggestion was also made to hold a singles night, and a men’s health night.
The night was well catered for by the wonderful ladies of the Hospital Auxiliary, and light finger food sponsored by Dick Kerrins and the Department of Primary Industries. Everyone who attended received a pamper pack kindly donated by Gloria Schultz, wife of local MP Alby Shultz.
One item that was discussed on the night was the possibility of the Harden Shire hosting the Women’s Gathering in 2011. The Women’s Gathering is an annual event that attracts over 500 women from all over rural NSW. The gathering involves building support networks, learning and sharing skills, celebrating the achievements of rural women and showcasing the host region.
The ideas and suggestions generated at the WWW meeting are now being evaluated before a report is made on just what women of the Harden Shire do want.
A women’s morning tea will be held at Whichcraft in Murrumburrah on Tuesday, October 7, where results of the WWW night will be discussed.
It is hoped that this could become an ongoing event.
For further information and for catering purposes for the Whichcraft morning contact Kay Nash on 0488 121 312 or email: knash@sgpn.com.au
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