Hervey Bay Club Activity Report

 

In mid-October the Zonta Club of Hervey Bay Inc partnered with WBWHC (Wide Bay Women’s Health Centre), CQID (Central Queensland Indigenous Development, GDPHCS (Galangoor Duwalami Primary Health Care Service) and the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre to provide a 3 day healing camp for women, with significant funding from the Office of Women.

In 2022 the Zonta Club had successfully applied for Office of Women funding to support a project, Women and Careers, to engage women and industry in diversity and inclusion, encouraging women to apply for non-traditional jobs and impact community perceptions of women’s roles. In partnership with Downer Group, Hyne Timber, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Kingfisher Resort, TAFE, the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre, Urangan State High School, Hervey Bay RSL and Wide Bay Women’s Health Centre, a successful program was held, targeting students and women who had been disengaged from the workforce for some time.

The project identified a number of areas to address to overcome barriers to women engaging in work.  Key to these recommendations was the need to build women’s confidence, IT, and job skills in a safe environment. An application to the Office of Women to expend the remaining funds was approved and the club then contributed to the costs of conducting the camp.

30 participants engaged in a range of activities with very positive outcomes, and members of Zonta attended the first and last days.

Accommodation and all meals were provided throughout the women’s healing camp.  These mealtimes allowed invaluable connection time that provided a relaxing time, sharing healthy home cooked meals that were served by staff at the venue.  This was an opportunity for the participants be pampered in a different way with meals prepared and served to the women.        

The Zonta Club advocacy chair attended the camp as a guest, providing information and awareness about what services and programs/activities Zonta Club of Hervey Bay Inc and Zonta International provide to young girls and women within our community, as well as Internationally, to build a better world for women and girls.  Participants who were interested in being Friends of Zonta provided their contact details. There were 4 participants who provided their details.     

Employment/Education Skills

The Local Learning Network, Program Officer, Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and the Project Officer for Skilling Queensland for Work provided information/education about options for the women to gain skills with following topics:      

  • Job interview skills
  • Job application writing
  • Job search skills
  • IT skills for job search and applications
  • Personal wellbeing and confidence building activities
  • Peer support networks and agency support links

Three women from the healing camp expressed interest in contacting the Project Officer to undertake the next Hospitality course. Information about workshops/programs that are being facilitated at the Tree House Wellness Centre, Urangan and Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre were provided to every participant.

Weaving/Mindfulness Art – colouring.    

A weaving workshop was held with rafia skirts and raffia bracelets, baskets made by the participants.  Most of the participants had never weaved.  This creative activity was fun and calming for all, it was essential to have this activity due to the high content of learning that was occurring throughout the camp.  This activity provided positive yarns, laughter, and commitment by the participants to complete their raffia skirts/ and or basket/bracelet.  This activity continued until the evening as the participants really wanted to finish their skirts/baskets/bracelets, and increased self-confidence as each participant embraced this creative activity.  1 participant weaved her Trauma Journey, different colours reflected her journey of anger, sadness, trauma, depression also included her resilience and strength to make positive changes in her life.     

Self-Care Activity

Yoga

A forty-five-minute yoga session was held to provide self-care, decrease stress and anxiety provide alternative ways to relax, a mediation was included in this activity.  Also, a foot massage with oils was offered. 

Shark Cage

Facilitated by 2 CQID trained workers.  This intensive information education session was part of the second day it was delivered over the day (6 hours).  A qualified Counsellor was on site to provide crisis intervention/counselling for any of the participants who attended this program.    The 5-step framework is a way of preventing and understanding violence against girls and women. It draws on a powerful metaphor and multiple psychological modalities for working in trauma informed ways to empower girls and women. The Shark Cage® framework is based on the concept of Universal Human Rights.  Learning about The Bill of Rights and reinforcing & strengthening their Shark Cages is empowering for girls and women of all ages.

Youth Co-Responder Team, Fraser Coast, a guest was invited to provide information/awareness of the program that has recently been funded in the Fraser Coast community to help break the cycle of violence.  Contact details were provided to participants with a self-referral made by one of the participants who was having challenges with her teenage son.   

Self-Care – Confidence building – Feel Good Look Good.              

Hair trims and mini massages were offered through the second day.  This pampering was a highlight for many women who were long overdue for a haircut.  Some of the women had never had a massage.    

Confidence Building – Karaoke

Entertainment on the second night included karaoke where a local private business facilitated this.  Most of the women participated in this confidence building activity with three women, singing for the first time in public.  Lots of laughter, dancing and singing. Increased confidence and self-esteem.

Self-Care Activity

Yoga

A forty-five-minute yoga session was held to provide self-care, decrease stress, anxiety, and provide an alternative way to relax; a meditation was included.  Also, a sound bowl that the women were invited to have a go at.  Every participant had a go at the sound bowl. Foot massage with oils was offered. 

Galangoor Duwalami Primary Health Care Service

Provided information about what services/programs they are delivering in relation health for families, through Closing the Gap initiatives. Information about the mobile outreach service that can be accessed in outer areas such as Torbanlea, Tiaro, Howard, Burrum and Poona.  Information bags provided to each participant.

Tree of Change

The participants were invited to do a creative art activity that included the following.

What is the meaning of the Tree.

Roots – Identity

Introducing who you are, your family and connections. Sharing their connection to country, family & friends. 

Trunk – Strengths

What are your strengths.  Looking at what strategies, tools have been used to be resilient.

Leaves – Turning Over a New Leaf. 

Participants were invited to turn over a new leaf, write on paper cut out leaves, something that they could do for themselves, self-care. 

Key Outcomes

  • One of the participants whilst on camp started a private social media support connection group called ‘Warrior Women’.   This private group is made up of women from the healing camp, providing positive quotes, information about events/activities/workshops etc that are being held in community. A check in and reflection for anyone who would like to have a say.  The theme/future motto from the healing camp is to build our own village. 
  • Social supports/connections with each other, also staying connected at other venues in community.   
  • Four women have expressed interest in being Friends of Zonta and provided their contact details.
  • Three women expressed interest in the Skilling Queensland for Work program and one facilitator participant is interested in membership. 
  • Two participants contacted Wide Bay Women’s Health Centre Inc to attend workshops (Act in A Nutshell) education information strategies around Anxiety/Depression.   
  • Increased self-confidence, self-esteem.
  • Connections to self, family, and community.
  • Cultural learnings through local knowledge.  
  • Increased awareness of what programs/services events are available in community through the social media group as well as through the stakeholders involved in this women’s healing camp.
  • Empowered women through awareness of boundaries, recognising healthy/unhealthy relationships.
  • Provided social support network to strengthen women and families.  

The Zonta Club of Hervey Bay seeks to continue this theme of economic empowerment for women at the 2024 International Women’s Day breakfast.