General News
26 June, 2023
Local events to support women and girls
Women and girls living in areas impacted by last year’s flooding are being encouraged to attend two free events this weekend. The Zonta Club of Central Goldfields were awarded one of 19 grants across the Loddon Mallee region to support the...
Women and girls living in areas impacted by last year’s flooding are being encouraged to attend two free events this weekend.
The Zonta Club of Central Goldfields were awarded one of 19 grants across the Loddon Mallee region to support the wellbeing and recovery of women and girls impacted by last year’s flooding.
The club is using the funding to host two events, both this Saturday, which include an introduction to Tai Chi and Mindfulness as Painting sessions.
Zonta Club of Central Goldfields president Joy Stephens-Jones said the club was eager to support the community.
“The 2022 floods and recovery efforts continue to impact women in the Central Goldfields Shire community,” she said.
“Many women in the Central Goldfields Shire are still involved in the cleanup and continue to experience financial hardship as a result of the 2022 floods.
“We are very pleased to be able to utilise the grant money to meaningfully support women’s wellbeing in what has been a challenging time for many.”
Zonta will be delivering two sessions, with the first to run from 1 to 4 pm for teenage women and the second, from 4 to 7 pm, for women over 20 years of age.
Both sessions will consist of an introduction to Tai Chi, a Mindfulness as Painting session for local women to come together, share an experience and reconnect with others as well as light refreshments.
The gatherings will provide a space for social connection and reflection as a way to promote good mental health and wellbeing.
“We know how valuable it is for our community to get back to something like a normal routine and these types of activities are essential to the recovery process,” Ms Stephens-Jones said.
Women’s Health Loddon Mallee, the lead agency in the region for women’s health and gender equality, has delivered $90,000 in flood recovery grants across the region since last year’s flood event.
The funds will be used to ease the impacts of the traumatic weather events of 2022, recognising the unique challenge that the floods have presented for women.
“We heard from flood impacted women in the region, many of whom were displaced, that they had lost access to vital resources and local supports that operated prior to the 2022 floods,” Women’s Health Loddon Mallee CEO Tricia Currie said.
“These grants have been allocated across the region to provide women with opportunities to regroup, reconnect and recover.
“We know that women face unique challenges in times of disaster. Women’s Health Loddon Mallee will continue our work, to counter the gender inequalities which are amplified during emergencies and disaster situations, with community front of mind.”
The events will be held this Saturday, July 1 at the Girl Guides Hall located at 90 Napier Street, Maryborough.
Bookings are essential and can be made by contacting Joy Stephens-Jones on 0417 769 139.