Inverell’s branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA) are working hard to start a whole-community conversation.
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A conversation focused on empowering young women to develop resilience and a sense of identity to prevent self harm.
In September, the local branch will run workshops for female students in the region and a high tea to inform community members with guest speaker Dannielle Miller.
Having to face her own insecurities during school after being severely burned as a child, Dannielle developed resilience and now shares her story with others.
As an educator, author and founder of Enlightened Education, her workshops encourage teens to decode the mixed messages they receive and help them develop self-worth.
Inverell CWA’s publicity officer Pam McLeay said the idea flourished last year after a Lions Conference morning tea.
“Kristy (McLoughlin) thought it would be a great idea if CWA could have something in Inverell to bring women together, celebrate the association and encourage membership,” she said.
Since then, the passionate ladies behind the local CWA branch have created an educational movement to empower future female leaders of this town.
“The pressure placed on young girls in this digital world has created an increase in self-harm statistics. There is a need now for more connected-ness and new online platforms for bullying.”
Kristy added that a student of hers, when talking about the wear blue for Dolly day, asked why it was just one day.
“She said ‘why does she get a day? Why are we not talking about this all the time?’ and I was speechless, I said ‘I can’t answer that because we should be,” she said.
On September 21, up to 300 female students from schools in the region will participate in a workshop with Dannielle at Inverell Public School.
The following day, a beautiful high tea afternoon will be held at The Inverell Club open to the whole community to attend.
There will be delicious food, a fashions at the high tea, champagne and of course CWA scones.
“Dannielle will also talk at the high tea, to better inform the whole community and to start a conversation, and hopefully a movement,” Pam said.
Tickets for the high tea will be limited but anyone from mothers, fathers, siblings, aunties, grandparents of young girls are urged to attend.
“People don’t understand the extent some young girls are going to with self-harm and destructive behaviours, or why they do it and we want to bring awareness to that.”
The ladies are very busily fundraising to cover costs of the high tea and workshops, thanking organisations and businesses already on board.
If you would like to assist, contact the CWA on 0427 978 156.
Useful services include Lifeline (13 11 14) for 24 hour crisis support, au.reachout.com which has several articles and tools on topics like exam stress, bullying and depression as well as an anonymous forum and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636) which provides mental health facts, resources for workplaces and schools, and various support options. The Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467 is a 24 hour helpline for anyone bereaved or affected by suicide.
