Oh What A Night! Boomi Rural Ladies Evening

Firstly, apologies for my lack of blogging/social media/doing anything of late – we have been away from the farm for the last couple of weeks. As is usual for us, it was totally last minute, and we weren’t even sure what direction we were going take until we literally got to the end of the driveway and decided to head North to the coast. I am not going to lie – it was totally divine to get away from the dust and lack of greenery, let me tell you!

Anyway, back to my original reason for a blog post – the Rural Ladies Evening was run at Boomi on the 13th of July. Close to 70 rural women gathered in the (very!) small town and squeezed into the Memorial Hall. It was such a lovely night – I remember looking around the room at one point and my heart was full to the absolute brim.

I witnessed old friends finding each other again after many years. I watched many women learn new skills and gather information that they can now use in their everyday lives. I could feel the weight of stress unanimously lifting from shoulders as everyone made themselves at home and just…relaxed.

This was despite once night fell, we realised the lights in the Hall didn’t work properly! Bugger! (We ended up just calling it “mood lighting”...)

Shanna Whan absolutely just blew us out of the park with her opening address, speaking to us about mental health in rural areas and her latest project Sober in the Country. I will write more about Shanna in another blog post – she is totally deserving of a whole page to herself.

Other workshops were presented by Trysh Morris from Stage One Fashions Goondiwindi (How To Make Your Wardrobe Work For You) Clare Warby from Luxe and Humble Mungindi (Table Setting and Flower Arranging for your Next Party), Chantel Guyer from Auburn Cottage Moree (Introduction to Chalk Painting) and Carla Dillon from Little Bear Essentials Goondiwindi (Essential Oils and how to Use Them In Your Life). Each and every presenter gave the women in the room something unique and precious from their own heart, and from all the positive feedback I have received from our guests, it was very much appreciated.

Dinner was good old fashioned country cooking from the Boomi Community Co-op. Oh man, take me back so I can get some more of that Honey Mustard Chicken!

The Co-op also ran a raffle to raise some funds so they can get through the tough time that the drought is dealing them. I am so thrilled to announce that we raised $1200 which will see them stay open for a little while longer (thank goodness!)

Looking back, I think I can be brave enough to call the night a “success”. I am also going to be brave enough to try and do another one – so watch this space for further details!

Thanks to everyone who helped me out: The presenters.

My volunteer helpers. The Rural Maker Stall Holders. The Ladies who bought a ticket and came along.

And thanks to YOU. For reading this and supporting all the Rural Makers out there.

Cheers

Sam x

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