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Women from across Yorke Peninsula and beyond will come together this October for an afternoon of connection, creativity and conversation, with one of Australia’s prominent rural voices heading to the region for the returning YP Rural Women’s Day.
Catherine Marriott OAM will headline the event on Sunday, October 18, joining 7NEWS presenter Casey Treloar at The Stables at Halcyon in Sandilands for its second year.
After selling out in its inaugural year, organisers are bringing the event back with more time to catch up, four new hands-on experiences showcasing Yorke Peninsula businesses and a raffle supporting women unexpectedly admitted to local hospitals.
Proceeds from the raffle will fund Women’s Care Packs, which provide toiletries and everyday essentials to women admitted to Yorke Peninsula hospitals who may then be transferred to Adelaide for treatment without having time to collect their belongings.
Last year, packs were delivered to Yorketown, Maitland and Wallaroo hospitals, alongside a $1000 donation to each.
Wallaroo Hospital Acting Director of Nursing Amanda Waters told organisers the packs provided practical essentials as well as comfort and dignity during an unexpected hospital stay.
For organiser and co-host Natasha Mahar from The Sparkle Biz, that is exactly why the initiative remains an important part of the event.
“A woman turns up to hospital with nothing, and because 150 women had a good afternoon at the Halcyon Stables, there’s a care pack waiting for her,” she said.
While the event supports the wider community, organisers also want the afternoon itself to give rural women a few hours where they are not responsible for organising everything for everyone else.
Co-host and Halcyon Stables owner Nicky Mattschoss said the day was designed to give women an afternoon entirely their own.
“Most of the women who come are the ones holding everything together, at home, on the farm, in the business, in the community,” she said.
“For five hours, someone else is doing the food and someone else has organised the day. All they have to do is turn up with their friends.”
Feedback from the inaugural event has helped shape this year’s program, with organisers adding more informal spaces and more time for guests to simply catch up.
Picnic tables and umbrellas will be set up on the lawn, while comfortable seating will be available during the speaker sessions.
There will also be four new hands-on experiences, each run by a Yorke Peninsula small business.
Guests can create a floral arrangement at the Bloom Bar with Little Kalkabury Farm, contribute to a Community Canvas with artist Belinda Wundersitz from The Perfect Pot, make their own scent and hand cream with Angela Hamilton from Zeste, or head to Vinyl on the Verandah with Neil from Peninsula Records and Books.
Catherine will take centre stage during the afternoon, drawing on her experience across agriculture and regional communities.
A Nuffield scholar, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to agriculture and regional communities and speaks nationally and internationally about rural leadership and connection.
7NEWS presenter Casey Treloar will MC the event, with roaming food from Ash Catering, a welcome cocktail and plenty of time built into the afternoon for guests to relax with friends.
Natasha said organisers wanted to bring high-profile speakers to Yorke Peninsula while continuing to showcase the businesses and people already based in the region.
“The number one thing we heard after last year was: more time with the girls,” she said.
“So we’ve built it in, less formality, picnic tables on the lawn and nothing rushed.”
Yorke Peninsula Rural Women’s Day
When: 12pm to 5pm on Sunday, October 18
Where: The Stables at Halcyon, Sandilands.
For more, click here.
