Contribute – Create – Collect – Curate

By Sonia Muir, Coordinator NSW Rural Women’s Network, NSW DPI

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I packed my bag with extra enthusiasm for this year’s NSW Women’s Gathering hosted by Women About Hay. The Saturday evening had a 60s and 70s theme and I do fancy a good dress up. Obviously so do rural women across NSW as most of the 250+ guests came dressed in an array of downright outrageous to positively radiant outfits found in back wardrobes or local ‘op’ shops. Rural women certainly know how to kick up their heels and danced until midnight outside under the clouds in between showers of rain.

The Saturday evening fashion parade featured an array of crimplene suits, short and long ‘frocks’ and the once ubiquitous jumpsuit. The cast of local models led by the incredibly funny compere Jan Audlist, provided many belly laughs and gasps of horror as past ‘statements’ were brought vividly back to life on the catwalk.

Friday evening was a chance to recuperate from our journeys, meet new friends and reconnect with others. A marquee had to be erected at the Waradgery Club as the main venue had been damaged a few months earlier. The marquee became the focus of many Gathering activities and helped to create a festive atmosphere. The drumming rain on the canvas featured throughout the weekend and was extra music to our ears!

The Hay Gaol, now a museum had been a girl’s reform institution up until 1974. Christina Green a past ‘resident’ of the Hay Institute for Girls showed incredible courage as she revealed horror stories of injustice and abuse. Christina was taken away from her family at the age of three and spent the next decade and a half on a rollercoaster ride of foster care and institutions. Her tale was both enthralling and very sad but showed how healing is possible with strong determination and support from others. It certainly made us forget the drought. I was also grateful to reflect on my own fortunate childhood and remember to always find the good in situations and focus on the positives in life.

I remember when Hay announced the dates for the 2007 Gathering many people thought it would be hot and dusty… well the drought may not have broken but the wet weather brought a returned sense of hope and no-one really cared about getting a little bit drenched now and again although the Sunday ecumenical service tested our resilience!

The service was held in a private garden at a stunning river bend location. The singing, inspirational words spoken and spirit of camaraderie helped to cope with the arctic winds sweeping across the plains. Who would have thought we’d need to pack ski gear for a November weekend in the outback.

The array of workshops included visits to Hay landmarks such as the historic Bishop's Lodge and the more quirky Westhaven property. Others provided opportunities to explore creative potential by making mosaics, arranging flowers or painting landscapes. Heritage walkers returned from their stroll around town with a greater understanding of the past and much Hay mud caked on their shoes. Women experienced kinesiology, learned to belly dance, how to use a digital camera and do simple car mechanics. There was something for everybody.

I particularly enjoyed listening to Gubba Woods a local Waradgery man enhance our understanding of local Aboriginal culture and customs.

Gubba’s daughter Lara performed the welcome to country as her brother Kurt played a didgeridoo.

There were trade stalls and the local shops provided discounts for anyone needing a little retail therapy.

The Minister for Women Verity Firth was engaging and enthusiastic as she experienced a Gathering for the first time.

Ms Firth also reconfirmed The Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald’s commitment to future Gatherings by pledging $30,000 for the next Gathering being hosted by Coonamble from 17-19 October 2008. Ms Firth spent the entire day and half the night mixing with women and learning first hand about their issues.

As women drove home in every direction I know they go back to their families and communities with new stories, more energy and secure in the knowledge that they are not alone and have developed some extra skills and inspiration to face challenges that lie ahead. Congratulations to Tertia Butcher and the Women About Hay team who have been working for months to design this year’s successful event and made everyone feel so warmly welcomed.

Gatherings are events where you go home with a multitude of new friends and contacts. For me personally, being able to spend time with my Mum (an avid Gathering junkie) as well as put faces to names and catch up with women from across the State make these annual pilgrimages a most rewarding and enjoyable experience I would not want to miss.

If you have never experienced the magic of a NSW Women’s Gathering then don’t miss your chance next year by marking 17-19 October 2008 on your calendar now. I look forward to meeting you in Coonamble!

'There are things that we can control. We can control our attitude and we can choose to believe in ourselves and the world and other people. Most people don’t know what lies within them until they’re forced to find out. If we did everything that we’re capable of doing we would literally astound ourselves. I want women to be brave, be bold, speak up. If other people can make a difference with their ideas and actions why can’t you? (Belinda Emmett quote from the Hay Gathering ecumenical service.)

Special thanks to the NSW DPI Drought program, The Uniting Church, The Salvation Army and Department of Community Services who all provided extra assistance which enabled over 40 women to attend the Hay Gathering.