Nothing can beat the solidarity of women when they come together, and Inverell's newly fledged Women's Shed stands as proof.
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While not solving the world's problems - something they could probably do, however - the tea is the cornerstone to the group's power.
"The [shed] came about with frequent cuppas with friends and talking about why we had a Men's Shed but nowhere in Inverell for women," Lorraine Brown, VP and activities coordinator explained.
"Even now - we didn't expect it to be this big: we are getting between 200 at our lowest to 280 come through in one month, and we usually run abut 40 to 45 workshops."
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The idea circled around for about 12 months before a tangible step was taken.
With the help of friends Rhonda Davis - one of the instigators of Inverell Men's Shed - Eileen Read and Hazel Darby, research and collaboration cumulated in the very first public meeting on February 12, 2020.
Initially just to gauge the interest levels in the community, they were "overwhelmed".
"This was amazing with standing room only in the library meeting room," Ms Brown laughed, in nostalgia for pre-COVID gatherings.
The second meeting followed swiftly on the heels of the first, and a committee was formed to bring the Shed to life - then called the 'Inverell Women's Cottage', with the Community College offering their services.
But then COVID reared its head.
"When COVID hit us, we were doing nothing for quite a while," Ms Martin said.
"We tried phone hook ups and Zoom meetings just to keep in touch, which was better than nothing. We did lots of research during this time and kept in touch, had a Facebook page operating," Ms Brown added.
"Then the Community College got involved, gave us a place to be, so it was full on from there on."
They had their first workshop on August 1, and with a "huge" opening week while adhering to COVID guidelines, they had over 200 presentations in the first week.
They have now set up shop in the Church of Christ hall since December, around the time they changed their name from 'cottage' to 'shed'.
While the current COVID restrictions have put a dampener on presentations and meetings, they have been running waking groups, sewing, home maintenance, general craft, charity sewing, and even having ladies just calling in for one of their famous cuppas.
"We even have two lovely comfy chairs for the elderly to rest in or young mums to use for breast feeding."
They've currently been busy making masks - see their 'production line' below:
Ms Brown said at the end of the day, the Women's Shed was about providing a friendly and inclusive meeting place for all women in the community.
From forming friendships, developing new interests or skills, exchanging experiences, empowering and supporting others to achieve their goals while reducing isolation and increasing social contact, the Shed group is looking forward to seeing the women grow both personally and within the community.
"The Women's Shed is more tangible than other women's groups, as we have tools and machines which are available for use and instruction is given in how to safety use these - in a non-judgmental environment," Ms Brown explained.
"It's about giving women the ability to create their own friendships, their own network. That's why, for example, running a workshop on stuffing dog beds - everyone loves to do that and we give them all to our park. They sit around the table talking, making friends, and some of them don't have friends or family anymore."
With trips to Bunnings to learn how to make you home safe - cheaply - the women are picking up tips like planting roses under windows to stop people from climbing in.
"We also get a lot of women whose husbands who have assed away, and like myself - my husband has always and still does things for me, like fixing a tap washer. I had no idea how to fix a tap washer!" she laughed.
Head to their Facebook page to stay informed of their program and COVID-19 disruptions, or to inquire about purchasing hand-made masks. Their schedule can also be found at the Inverell Shire Library.
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