The event, starting at 10am at the New England Club and sponsored by NSW Department of Primary Industries Drought Assistance Program and NSW Farmers Association, is designed to enable women from rural areas to meet other rural women, exchange experiences, learn new skills, be pampered and generally enjoy a line up of interesting guest speakers.

This event follows the success of similar events held in Bingara and Barraba.

Jenny Croft, NSW DPI Drought Support Worker, said the interest in the first two events prompted the decision to hold another similar one in Glen Innes.

“It was only after the gathering held in Bingara demonstrated there was a real desire from women in the rural community to have contact such as this that we moved ahead and organised more events of a similar nature,” she said.

Rural Woman of the Year for 2006 Kate Schwager is one of six guest speakers scheduled to attend the gathering and enlighten other rural women on their experiences in rural enterprise and life. Her story is one of the highs and lows of living on the land, how the drought has impacted and her enterprising business.

Hosted by Jenny Croft, the gathering will bring to light some of the many health issues faced by people on the land through speakers including Kim Deans (Rural Financial Counselling Service Inverell). YWCA Wellbeing Program Co-ordinator Genevieve Marchioli will share her personal story, which focuses on the need for rural women to look after themselves, which in turn enables them to better help their families.

Barbara Gilmore (Hunter New England Health Drought Mental Health) will address the gathering on issues such as depression. Jenny Nay (Tamworth Centrelink) will provide a valuable insight into services provided by Centrelink.

Armidale-based women’s health co-ordinator Denise Piggott will present information on issues such as breast cancer awareness.

Other items on the agenda include morning tea, lunch and a pamper pack and some gentle, light-hearted exercise in the form of yoga - all free of charge.

“The idea of the gathering is to bring women together in rural areas,” Ms Croft said. “The drought has been a difficult time for not only women on farms but rural businesses as well.”

There will be a yoga/Tai Chi demonstration and a relaxation demonstration.

Interest from a wide cross-section of women in the community is already strong.

EFor catering purposes it is important to book in, so please ring Jenny Croft, Drought Support Worker NSW DPI on 0429 446 417, Mary Hollingworth on 6734 5254 or Genevieve Marchioli, YWCA Wellness Program on 0438148 044.