Coffs Harbour Older Women’s Group signs +40 members in first year Coffs Coast Coffs Coast News by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 1, 2021 Kristi Knowles, owner of Pansabella Café in Coffs Harbour, presents to CH OWN. COFFS Harbour Older Women’s Network Group (CH OWN) has hit a milestone in its first year of operation, welcoming more than forty members. The group was formed in November 2020 and is an affiliate of OWN NSW Sydney. 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 With seventeen groups in NSW – the Coffs Harbour group is the only one north of Wyong. Coffs Harbour Older Women’s Network was formed in response to feedback by the region’s mature female demographic of more than 17,000 women aged over 45. Founding member and Group coordinator Lorraine Penn told News Of The Area, “The four founding businesswomen are passionate about helping women in the community age well by providing meaningful and engaging events, including social connections for its members.” One year on and they have welcomed more than 40 members from diverse backgrounds. “Members have indicated, by way of a survey, a wide range of areas of interest, which we have addressed at either forums, monthly guest speakers and/or workshops, including social dinner events.” Their Facebook Group has more than 180 members who share relevant information about upcoming events or articles of interest. Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/3396602137073536/about/. Although CH OWN is not a political group, they have embraced some real issues facing older women in Cowper. “One such issue is homelessness, especially for older women. “We are not interested in just hearing about the issue, we are calling for solutions to the problem and as such are working closely with State and Federal Members for Cowper, housing NFP providers and Coffs Harbour City Council,” said Lorraine. The group will be celebrating its first year of operation with two events, one during the day at 9.30am on Wednesday 10 November, where members and guests can read out their short story, up to 300 words, on what CH OWN has meant to them, or choose another topic to read out. As some members work during the day CH OWN will also hold a special social dinner event on Thursday 25 November at 6.30pm For more information about CH OWN go to www.ownnsw.org.au/get-involved/joing-group/coffs-harbour/ or contact Lorraine Penn on 0404 164136 or email coffsharbour@ownnsw.org.au. By: Andrea FERRARI (L-r) CH OWN founding members Yvonne Kachel, Committee Member and Lorraine Penn, Coordinator, with Yumi Lee, Manager and Natalie, Admin Officer, both from OWN NSW. Guest speaker at CH OWN: Kath Nicholls, Wellness Manager, Feros Care, aged care service provider.
