Social inclusion and empowered women were the themes of a special morning tea held at Benalla's Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, March 12.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
There were plenty of smiles and great friendships on display at Benalla’s Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday, March 12.
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Waminda house, and its link-up group, celebrated 12 months of the successful social inclusion program and International Women’s Day with a special exhibition and morning tea at Benalla’s Visitor Information Centre.
Waminda House Manager Leeane Bullard said the link-up group, which meets at the CWA every week, has been getting creative recently.
“So we decided we'd do something for International Women's Day,” she said.
“The exhibition here has photos from most of the creative group, which is centred around not just women, but also the things with special meaning in our lives.”
The photos can be enjoyed as individual pieces of art, however when reading all the stories and seeing them as a collection the exhibition offers more context and meaning.
“We've had a few tears this morning because some of the people in the group are actually the focus of the photos,” Ms Bullard said.
“It's just lovely for all these women to come together, celebrate International Women's Day and celebrate the group that's been created and the relationships they’ve formed.
“They're all strong women, and we've got our flexi-learning centre girls here who do the coffee at link-up.
“They come down every week, so they're featured in the exhibition as well.”
“It really was all about social inclusion and getting people together, and it's certainly done that,” she said.
Gayelene Arandall loves attending Waminda House's weekly link-up group.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
One regular at the group is Gayelene Arandall who has been going every week since it started.
“We’re into the second year now and the number of people coming along has just increased and increased,” she said.
“It's a family. We have people from all walks of life, and cultures, and it’s very inclusive.
“You don't have to be an art type person, you can just come along and chat.”
Gayelene said that while the group is open to men and women, it was lovely for the female members to come along and celebrate International Women’s Day.
“We need to celebrate who we are and what we contribute,” she said.
“Young and older, we need to be proud of who we are.”
Gayelene said she’d love to see more locals pop along and be a part of link-up.
“I just think it's a wonderful place, and it's a social inclusion group,” she said.
“And Leanne is so good. It’s just a great place to go.”
Anyone is able to pop along and be a part of link-up, which operates during school term times at the CWA hall on Bridge St East from 10am–11am for coffee and a chat, then continuing until 1pm for its creative corner.
Students from Benalla’s Flexible Learning Centre will be there to make barista style coffees.
New members can simply pop along and say hi. For more information, call Leeane Bullard on 0491 630 213.
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