ROSEWOOD Women’s Club is celebrating three decades of support and connection.
Every Tuesday around thirty local women meet at the Rosewood RSL.
It’s a ritual involving morning tea and conversations about the ‘what’s and where’s’ for their social calendar.
Annette Andrews joined the group in 1995 and is its president.
“I joined not that long after it started. Back then it was held in the Farmer’s Hall in John Street,” she said.
“I saw a Rosewood Women’s Group banner outside and went in.
“There were about eight ladies there and they were all very friendly.
“I started going to as many meetings as I could and enjoyed it.
“When I retired, I went every week.”
The venue for the meetings changed from the Farmer’s Hall to the Rosewood RSL’s Memorial Hall after the former was found to have a white ant infestation.
“The RSL Hall is wonderful because it’s big and there is a lot of parking,” she said.
“I was elected president about 16 years ago and have held that role ever since.”
Curiosity had led her to a group that became a significant part of her life.
“I’ve made lifelong friends and enjoyed plenty of outings,” she said.
“It’s women supporting women, that’s what we do.
“We put our social calendar together during meetings and work out where we are going and what the activities are.
“Last week we went to an olive farm in Pine Mountain.
“We also ask the ladies who they’d like to hear speak at our meetings and try to accommodate that as best we can.”
There are 66 members and about 35 ladies attend the weekly meetings.
“It’s lovely to have the support of other women in the community and the friendships we’ve made along the way,” she said.
“Some members are socially isolated and may not go out otherwise, they look forward to their Tuesdays.”
The ladies help charities as and when they can.
“We give money to the community centre every year that goes towards their Community Cheer Hampers,” she said.
“Sometimes we help members pay for their excursions or lunches.”
The Rosewood ladies have loads of fun but there’s an activity Annette enjoys most.
“We are doing belly dancing next week and that’s so much fun,” she said.
“Members decorate and put [shawls] around their waists then dance.
“The belly dancing instructors bring their own stereos and they dress beautifully.
“They dance and then if we want, we do too.”
International Women’s Day and the group’s 30-year anniversary fall within the same week.
As the world celebrates the matriarchy, there’s a much smaller but equally valid group doing the same.
“Our group has also been an outlet for women who’ve lost their partners and are at a loss on how to fill their days and keep positive,” she said.
“It’s the support and care given that is of real benefit to those who would otherwise be lonely.”
