Do you know any of these women? If you do ask them about the Healesville Nite Chicks. Front: vice-president Sue Scott Vice and president Karina Hogen. Back from left: Lorraine Bolitho, secretary Becky Norney, Jan Nelson, Pat Sturdy, front, Faye Van Duin and Lorraine Hort.By Melissa Meehan
THE Country Women’s Association of Victoria (CWA) has opened a new branch, the Healesville Nite Chicks.
Spokeswoman and member Pat Sturdy said the aim of the group was to maintain a fun environment where friendships would grow.
Ms Sturdy invited women living in Healesville and surrounding areas to join the Nite Chicks to raise funds for the local and broader community, for purposes such as welfare assistance, emergency relief for families, and aid for local charitable projects.
“It’s not just tea and scones,” Ms Sturdy said.
Unlike the stereotype, members of the Healesville Nite Chicks range in age from their early 30s to their 80s.
“We don’t want to box ourselves into having a particular age group – that’s why we meet at night, so that working mums and single mums can make time to attend and take part,” Ms Sturdy said.
Ms Sturdy said all women were welcome to join the group. Car pooling could be arranged.
“If somebody needs a lift, we can organise it. It is all about building better community relationships,” she said.
The branch also has plans to organise exercise groups for members and a babysitting service for single mothers so they can attend planned events.
The CWA has raised funds for local communities all over Victoria, including $25,000 worth of toys, blankets, rugs and clothing for the Victorian Relief Centre and breast pillows and head scarves for chemotherapy patients at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.
Victorian CWA members have raised and given away $1.4 million to local charities and medical research.
