Twenty-four participants shimmied their stress away at a workshop last month in Greenvale, North Queensland which included a host of self-confidence building activities such as belly dancing and meditation. Presented by two Queensland women Phillipa Harris and Dr Diane Rodgers and coordinated by the Frontier Services Dalrymple Rural Family Support Service, the workshop was created to suit the specific needs of the community.

The title of the workshop ‘Woman of the Always Always (the Never Never) was fitting as in many rural communities women are expected to be ‘always’ there and often ‘never’ have time to focus on themselves. The two part workshop was aimed at bringing out each woman’s sense of worth, confidence and of course, to have a bit of laughter along the way.

The workshop was developed to meet the needs of people in rural areas and was adapted from successes of precious workshops.

Dalrymple Rural Family Support Service Coordinator Jeanie Brook said the day was a success.

“The workshop had an amazing response. Every woman from 16 to 70 was dressing up in scarves and participating in the dancing.”

The Frontier Services North Queensland Remote Area Families Service (RAFS) provided a half-day education session for the children to assist the mothers participating to relax during the workshop.

Participant Sandra Berry, from the town of Greenvale said the workshop brought women together and bridged the geological and social gap between town and properties.

“It was excellent in that it brought together the ladies from both the town and properties. Without these sorts of programs we don’t get to know the people on the properties. Now we can go to other gatherings and say hello.”

“It was a lot of fun. I think you learn not to take yourself too seriously. I remember coming home thinking that that was a really good experience.”