Celebrating local women on International Women’s Day Myall Coast Myall Coast - popup ad Myall Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - March 6, 2024 Boomerang Bags ladies at the Christmas Markets last year in Tea Gardens. INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day (IWD) has a local side too, and NOTA wishes to pay special tribute to the women who change our lives on a daily basis. Women’s groups with a local focus gather all over our towns and villages, each bringing a unique effort that deserves to be acknowledged this IWD. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au The Wednesday Craft Group, started in 1985, meets every week at the Hawks Nest Community Hall, allowing social interaction and useful skills transfer amongst its members. “Over time, the group has included charitable donations to local and other groups including the Free Clinic Bus, the local Rural Fire Service, the local SES, Westpac Helicopter, and Meals on Wheels, which are funded by our Mother’s Day and Christmas raffles,” Craft Group President Kris Whitely told NOTA. “Our annual Biggest Morning Tea proceeds go directly to the Cancer Council. “The women’s talents have also provided handmade items for the John Hunter NICU and bags to fill with necessities for new mothers in Arnhem Land. “We’ve also donated gifts to The Salvation Army at Christmas time.” The Pearls of Port Stephens have run their famous ‘Buy My Wardrobe’ recycled clothing stalls, as well as private functions raising over $40,000 for charities including Breast Cancer Research, domestic violence causes, bushfires and international disasters, to name but a few. “We have come together as just a group of friends from different fields,” describes their founder and ‘Mother of Pearls’ Kathy Gillespie. The Pearls often privately donate, and help run fundraisers and raffles, like at the Pindimar Markets and Easter book sale, as well as providing a chance for newcomers to network and socialise. The Tea Gardens Hawks Nest Boomerang Bags group recycles clothing into nappy bags, library bags, handbags, gift bags, as well as shopping bags. “We have had so much community support over the years and have raised thousands of dollars which is gifted back to community groups,” Julie Sims told NOTA. “Not only is Boomerang Bags a worthy cause, we have brought a wonderful group of volunteers together who have made lasting friendships.” The local sporting groups, including the ladies’ rugby and golf teams, continue to provide inspiration on and off the fields, too. Indefatigable, unstoppable, and unrelenting in their activities, from the international level right down the local, the ladies of the Myall Coast are the most community-minded and generous in the world, and we are lucky to have them in our lives. By Thomas O’KEEFE Lady Hawks give it their all in their chosen sport. The Wednesday Craft Group runs several fundraisers throughout the year. The Pearls of Port Stephens are among the jewels in our local area’s crown.
