Wamboin Community Association

The Wonderful Women of Wamboin

News Archives

21 December 2012

Mailboxes all dressed up for Xmas

Following last year’s inaugural Christmas decorating competition, the Wonderful Women of Wamboin (WWOW) again challenged residents to decorate their letterboxes. This year we provided three baskets filled with gifts for the first, second and third prize winners.

The WWOW were delighted to see such diversity in design. There were ribbons and bows, baubles and boxes, much tinsel and Santas of all shapes and sizes. Some were classic, some were humourous while others were clever or down-right quirky. I can definitely say Aussie humour is alive and well in the bush.

After viewing every mailbox, we then reduced the list to ten. This was no mean feat as the standard had indeed risen from last year’s efforts. After much deliberation we presented our shortlist to the judges. Pete Harrison, Mayor of Palerang Council and Darryl Bourke, President of the Bywong Community Association conferred for some time at our Christmas party before finally reaching a decision.

And the winners are: first – 64 Majors Close, second – 315 Macs Reef Road and third – 50 Merino Vale Drive.

Once again the local residents participated in creating a sense of community and WWOW will definitely organise another one next year. So put your creative thinking hats on to make 2013 bigger and better.

Click here to view photos of each of the finalists.

4 October 2012

Over the last couple of months we have enjoyed a variety of speakers.

In August WWOW enjoyed listening to a talk by one of our own, namely Sally Saunders. Sally is currently undertaking a 12-month intensive training program to become a guide at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA). So she was in the perfect position to give an engaging and informative talk on the history of the NGA, the breadth of its collection and the vast diversity within its education program. Sally graduates at the end of the year, so we look forward to visiting the NGA and perhaps be lucky enough to be guided by our very own WWOW. The talent in our group is limitless.

Then in September, local lawyer Jan Leonard spoke to us about end-of-life issues. She said ‘the law can serve us well if we plan ahead”. We need to make decisions now regarding money, accommodation and any medical care we may require in our declining years. She recommended we have a General Power of Attorney and an Enduring Power of Attorney. “We are living longer than ever therefore dementia will affect more of us”, Jan said adding that an Enduring Power of Attorney continues after we are incapable of managing our affairs. She also suggested we consider an Enduring Guardianship and an Advanced Care Directive. For more information search for ‘planning ahead’ on the NSW Government website where you can also download forms.

A few weeks later, local entity Chris Davies invited her sister Lesley Siegloff to talk about the evolution of nursing she has witnessed and been a part of over the last 45 years. Lesley is an associate dean and senior lecturer at Flinders University in South Australia but began her career as a registered nurse. So she is more than qualified to describe the journey of nurses from doctor’s handmaid to highly educated health practitioner. Her talk generated much comment amongst our members, a number of whom were registered nurses. It was a great walk down memory lane but also an opportunity to acknowledge the academic and technological advancement nurses have achieved in health and science today.

Once again, we produced drainage bags for breast cancer patients post surgery. In the last couple of months we made 64 bags. One of us (possibly the author) isn’t much of a seamstress but in August decided to have a go. After hurdling many difficulties eg incorrect tension, much unpicking, thread tangling and knotting, she managed to complete two bags and that was just sewing on handles. So take heart, anyone can contribute.

However, at the other end of the scale, two of our group with very nimble thimbles displayed a couple of stunning quilts they had recently completed. Liz Hendrickson must be the most prolific quilter I know. The pattern and colours in her quilt echoed those of a stained glass window. While Leatrice Behardien’s quilt displayed an intricate series of panels depicting thirteen fairy-tale-type houses. Each panel took one month to complete.

At the recent Wamboin Bonfire Night, WWOW’s curry stand proved as popular this year as in the past. In fact it was a complete sell-out yet again. Due to the energy and enthusiasm of a great core of women, we succeeded in raising substantial funds which we will inject into the local community.

Also in September we celebrated our sixth birthday with founder Claire Ayling visiting from Goulburn. Who could believe that her germ of an idea has grown to this — a weekly get-together catching up with friends? Over the years we’ve raised funds for local, interstate and international causes, we’ve celebrated the births of precious grandchildren living near and far, grieved over the loss of two of our members, helped each other in times of need, celebrated birthdays, learnt new craft skills and along the way, we’ve had a lot of fun.

21 December 2011

Christmas Decorations in Wamboin and Bywong

This year The Wonderful Women of Wamboin challenged residents of Wamboin and Bywong to a Christmas decorating competition. The best gate and the best mailbox would each win a big basket of goodies provided by the Wonderful Women.

The community did itself proud. Tinsel, cut-outs, stuffed figures, Christmas balls and even lights adorned many gates and mailboxes. There were elegant decorations, humorous, clever and funny ones. Some entrants expressed their delight that children could both make decorations and see decorations for the holidays. And clearly, there were lots of ‘inner children’ competing as well.

The entries were judged by Pete Harrison, President of the Wamboin Community Association, Darryl Bourke, President of the Bywong Community Association, and Claire Ayling, the founder of WWOW who returned from Goulburn for the event. Judging was a challenge, but with the help of modern technology, photos of all the entries were reviewed on Darryl’s iPad after the drive around.

And the winners are:

Gate/entry: 1349 Bungendore Road, the Westwoods

Mailbox: 1259 Norton, the Clements

The judges want to give honourable mention to 145 Hogan Drive (the Taylors) in Bywong for their very Aussie rural scene and to all of Majors Close in Wamboin because of the large number of decorated mailboxes there, although many did not register for the competition.

The WWOWs hope this will be the first of many annual decorating competitions, with more people getting involved each year. They have agreed that next year any decorated mailbox or gate will be judged, so registration won’t be required.

Click here to view photos of all the entries.

20 October 2011

Our fifth anniversary was celebrated with lunch, and sharing of our wedding dresses, mothers-of-the-bride dresses and other clothing related to weddings. It was truly a display of wedding fashions over several decades. Much fun was had hearing the stories related to many of the dresses, and the tee shirt decorated with photos of three generations of family weddings!

The Bonfire night was a great success and the WWOWs had a busy cook-in the day before to prepare the curries. The funds raised by selling curries will soon go back into our greater community as donations. Thank you all who bought our curries and special thanks for those who said they enjoyed them.

Like to sew? Come join the WWOWs on the first Monday of each Month for an afternoon of making drainage bags for surgery patients at Calvary, especially women who are having breast cancer surgery. The bags are easy to make and allow you to apply any creativity you like. The sewing bees from noon – 3:00 ish are fun and social.

Like to knit? Join our efforts to knit trauma teddies for Queanbeyan Ambulance Service. The pattern is simple and the teddies very much appreciated by paramedics and children alike.

29 August 2011

Community Activities: In addition to knitting trauma teddies for Queanbeyan Ambulance, some of the WWOWs have been participating in Monday afternoon sewing bees to make shoulder bags to hold post-surgery drains. The fabrics and designs include a wide variety, for both men and women. Three bags have gone to personal friends; twenty bags went off to Calvary Hospital at the end of August. There will be more to come.

Wanderings: Members are off travelling again in Europe and Australia, while some came back with tales of New York City, Malaysia, Europe and a circuit of Australia.

Fifth Anniversary: The WWOWs have been gathering, sharing and doing things for the community for five years. While some members have sadly moved away, new members have joined. We all benefit from making friends in the community.

During these five years, the WWOWs have given funds to many community groups, as well as to a women’s hospital in Africa. They have donated handmade items, cooked lots of curry for bonfire nights, and hosted a luncheon three times for International Women’s Day.

On Monday, 5 September the WWOWs will celebrate their anniversary and say farewell to their founder, Claire Ayling who is moving on Goulburn with her husband Steve to run the heritage B&B, Mandelson’s of Goulburn.

27 May 2011

Quilts for Queensland: Some of the WWOWs are making quilts for a boy and girl whose father died the same week their grandparents lost their home in the flood. A series of blocks were made by individuals and then bordered by a few WWOWs after the meeting on the 23rd of May. Thank you, Margaret Ferrett, for coordinating the group and getting the quilts ready.

Winter Knitting: As the weather has gotten colder the knitting needles seem to have sprung up in many hands and jumpers, scarves and socks are emerging along with more trauma teddies for the Queensland Ambulance Team.

Tumbarumba: On Monday 16 May, a group of WWOWs headed off in cars to visit the Pioneer Women’s Hut at Tumbarumba. The local volunteers provided a lunch of soup with bread and sweets with coffee, and then opened the quilt museum they are developing but which is not yet open to the public. The quilts date from the 19th century and show how creative women can be. The Pioneer Women’s Hut is a lovely display of how ordinary women applied their creativity, working with limited resources, to decorate a home, make useful tools, and sew decorative aprons and clothing for children out of feedbags and scraps of fabric. Several of the WWOWs then stayed overnight and enjoyed the local shops and a restaurant.

Coming Up: The WWOWs will be off to the Darling Harbour Quilt and Craft Show on Thursday, 23 June—with a busload of WWOWs and friends.

26 February 2011

Monday mornings throughout February the WWOWs met, chatted, worked on crafts and shared stories. We also enjoyed two special events this month.

On 8 February, the WWOWs and their partners/husbands were invited to a tour of the wind farm on Currendooley Station. Looking up 60 meters from below, a tower seemed to sway. We heard a bit of history, and learned why sometimes a few are turning while others are still: each has a control monitor on the top and the central office shuts down some turbines if others are more efficient given the wind direction at that time. The working towers were quieter than we expected, and we learned the blades feather as they come around the tower to reduce both sound and strain on the blades. It was a fascinating—albeit very windy—evening. And there really is water in Lake George!

On 14 February, the WWOWs and partners celebrated Valentine’s Day with an evening gathering for wine and the usual overabundance from the “just bring a plate of nibbles” request. The party was a great place to launch the publication of Russ Ferrett’s latest book for 9-12 years olds—Great Cities of the World—with photographs and information that make it a must-have gift for the grandchildren.

Coming Up: International Women’s Day

Palerang Council has again asked WWOW to host lunch for International Women’s Day—the 100th anniversary. International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8th across the world. IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day when women are recognised for their achievements, regardless of divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic or political.

The Palerang International Women’s Day lunch will be held on Monday, 7 March, at noon at the Wamboin Community Centre. All women of the region are welcome.

30 January 2011

WWOW got off to a great start for 2011 with lots of chatter and agreement to:

  • Support individual families we know in Queensland
  • Celebrate Valentine’s Day with WWOWs and partners
  • Host the International Women’s Day luncheon 8 March for Palerang Shire at the Wamboin Community Centre
  • Learn to make cloth books with appliqués for grandchildren

We have also continued to share our stories of where we came from and how we got to this area. We have come from many parts of Australia and the world, and are building a great community.

29 November 2010

November was a quieter-than-normal month for the WWOWs because many were away visiting, travelling or tending to grandchildren. The decibel level dropped and surely no one in the immediate vicinity of St Andrews could hear. Not like the usual Mondays when the chatter and laughter can be heard a block away.

Based on group discussion and agreement, the WWOWs gave two substantial donations to Palerang-based charities as well as a donation to the Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia. The donations to Palerang included monies raised by selling curries at the Wamboin Bonfire and Fireworks evening.

We have also enjoyed several more personal stories of how members arrived in Wamboin, with tales of immigration, childhoods, families and adventures.

On 20 November we will hear a personal story about the wonders of cochlear implants. Then we will have a craft day on 6 December.

26 September 2010

September ended with a wonderful bonfire / fireworks night at the Wamboin Community Centre where the WWOWs sold homemade curries and cold drinks. (The rumour is out that the cooking team had a great deal of fund on Friday.) The Saturday night team were worked off their feet selling all but one spoonful of rice and curry. We raised just over $600 in profit, so in October we will all discuss and decide to what organisation we will make our next community contribution. Thank you to all who bought the curries, and special thanks to those of you who came back to say how good they were.

On Monday 13 September, the WWOWs heard a presentation from psychologist Janet Adams about depression and how to deal with it personally and how to help others.

We have also enjoyed several more personal stories of how members arrived in Queanbeyan, with tales of immigration, childhoods, families and adventures. We will soon hear the story of how the Wamboin St Andrews Church came to be.

The report is in: we have given more than 200 knit trauma teddies to Queanbeyan Ambulance, and when I looked last week there were more in the cupboard waiting to go. It’s a great project and lots of WWOWs have learned to knit to contribute.

Apologies to Clare Muston who delivered our August Tupperware Party. I gave credit in error to another Tupperware Representative. If you want or need more organised cupboards, freezers and pantries, need microwave ware, or want to carry a cake to a special function, just give Clare a call on 0403 714 307.

29 August 2010

August got off to good start as a number of WWOWs head off to the Canberra quilt and craft fair at EPIC (5-7 August). There were reports of lots of purchases and awed descriptions of some of the quilts.

On Sunday 8 August, the WWOWs and their partners enjoyed a shared bring-a-plate luncheon at Jane and Lawri Nock’s place in Sutton. Tours of farm and construction equipment fascinated many, as did the top of a lighthouse. The ‘collection’ almost overwhelmed the beauty of 2 collector’s Bentleys and 2 collector’s Rolls Royces. It was a great feast as well.

Several WWOWS returned from Europe, Africa and the USA. There were many stories to share as well as photographs of new grandchildren.

Three members shared their stories of how and why they came to Wamboin/Bywong region. One story traced a life begun on the land, one was an insightful story of an immigrant, and a third a story of overseas adventures before marriage and family. We are gathering a wonderful portrait of interesting lives and the diversity of our community.

We also met our local Tupperware sales representative, Emily Montesin (0403 765 803), who gave a great presentation and patiently listened to our stories of long-owned Tupperware. We bought more Tupperware to add to our collections. We can recommend Emily if any of you need or just want more organised cupboards, freezers and pantries.

31 July 2010

July has clearly been a winter month for crafts. There were scarves, jumpers and trauma teddies slowly descending off busy needles. A few of us made booklets for sewing and darning needles by doing tapestry designs in plastic canvas. Some of those are yet to emerge as complete ‘books’ with covers, but very good – and original – designs are emerging on the tapestry pages. Twelve WWOWs gathered around to learn how to make iris folding greeting cards from Sally, who had learned it only two weeks earlier from Lyn Randall (our local framer on Norton Rd) and her niece Charlotte Randall.

Claire Ayling and her husband Steve are working on the inventory of available furniture for refugees settling in Canberra. If anyone has furniture or draperies in good nick, contact Sally Saunders on 6238 3131. We hope to have a full inventory for Catholic Care (who manage refugee settlement in our area) within a few weeks.

We have shared three more personal stories of how individuals came to be in our area. They are all wonderful tales that result in shared laughter, tears and friendship.

August will get off to good start as a number of WWOWs head off to the Canberra quilt and craft fare at Epic. Some are heading overseas; others have just returned from Europe and the USA. Lots of gossip to share. Oh, and we celebrated two new grandchildren and two birthdays.

27 June 2010

In June, Yvonne and Steve Barret organised a bus for a trip to the annual Quilt and Craft show at Darling Harbour. Steve voluntarily drove the bus to Sydney full of WWOWs—very brave of him to agree to more than six hours of cacophony. The following Monday, those who went all exclaimed it was much fun. And there was even a report that Steve was willing to do it again. (Well, that’s what Yvonne said.)

During June, the WWOWs enjoyed two more personal stories as members explained how their lives brought them to Wamboin and surrounds.

On 21 June, Jill Gregory came out to Wamboin to speak with the WWOWs about the work she does, through Catholic Care, to help settle refugees in Canberra. Many refugee families who come to the ACT are from Burma and the Sudan, and can join small communities here. On average, these families have been in refugee camps from 10 to 20 years – some of the younger refugees were born in camps. Catholic Care is the ACT-based organisation authorised to implement the national settlement program managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

While the refugees are given basic furniture and clothing, they all need curtains, linens, cooking equipment. If anyone in Wamboin has such items in good nick, and is willing to donate them, please contact Sally Saunders at 6238 3131 and she will arrange to pick them up.

31 May 2010

Rumour has it that the WWOWs meetings were a bit quieter in late April and early May as 14 WWOWs headed off for 10 days in Bali. With drivers on call with their vans, small groups went off visiting historic sites, shopping, caressing elephants, white water rafting or visiting the beautiful countryside, while others did a bit more pool sitting and reading. The end of each day was a gathering at the huge pool for before dinner cocktails. Fun was had by all when they headed off to a batik factory and actually got to practice making a piece of fabric. Who knew batik making was so complicated?

Meanwhile, back in Wamboin WWOWs were learning a new craft involving yarns and plastic canvases.

In May, Peter Tolhurst came and shared his experiences teaching refugees on the border of Burma and Thailand. All the WWOWs in attendance were moved by his story.

And two more WWOWs shared their personal stories and how they ended up in Wonderful Wamboin.

Coming up in June will be more crafts, a group trek to the craft and quilting show in Darling Harbour, and a presentation on the work done to settle refugees in Canberra. The WWOWs plan to do something for these families.

29 March 2010

WWOWs in the Media

After our excitement to be a feature on the 666 ABC Morning Show in February, we were surprised to discover a Saturday feature reported on our trauma teddies for the Queanbeyan Ambulance service. The radio feature included an interview with one of those handsome paramedics who hand the teddies out to children. That seemed to give us all incentive, because in March more knitting needles had teddies hanging off them.

Seniors Day in Palerang

A group of WWOWs enjoyed the Seniors Day luncheon at the Lake George Hotel on Thursday, 25 March. Bungendore’s new pharmacist, Peter Doyle, spoke, as did Dr. Marjorie Cross from the Bungendore Medical Centre. Both speakers emphasized the opportunities and needs to plan for aged cares services in our communities. The Bungendore School choir gave a wonderful recital that was received with lots of applause.

8 March 2010

International Women’s Day

A Luncheon in Palerang

Palerang Council received a grant from the NSW Office for Women's Policy in the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet for a local event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2010. The Council asked the Wonderful Women of Wamboin to host a celebratory luncheon. Early on Monday 8 March volunteers began to appear at the Wamboin Community Centre to creative a festive venue. White draped tables were decorated with greenery and fresh flowers. Hand crafted wall hangings of rural scenes, more greenery and bouquets of colourful zinnias and roses decorated the room. Next the volunteer chefs arrived with a luncheon of cold roast chicken and salads of many types.

More than 70 women joined the luncheon including Palerang Councillors Catherine Moore, Judith Turley and Anne Goonan. Before the buffet lunch began, the women listened with interest to a presentation by Eleanor Gregory, a political reporter for ABC radio whose parents live in Palerang. The theme for the Day and for Eleanor’s presentation was: “How women can help stop poverty by 2015”. Eleanor shared many statistics from the United Nations to clearly convey what real poverty is and how many people suffer because of it—especially women. She then focused on poverty within our own country and culture, and ways many of us can help children escape the downward spiral of poverty through education.

After enthusiastic applause, the group enjoyed lunch complete with champagne and a raffle drawing. They finished with a variety of cakes, tea and coffee. Based on the noise level of conversation, everyone had a good time. Lots of photos can be seen on http://wamboin.org/wwow/.

23 February 2010

WWOWs in the Media

Someone said we all get 15 minutes of fame. In February the WWOWs got what we are all hope is just the first of many. A young reporter for 666 ABC chose WWOW for the first of a series of radio spots about community groups around the ACT. She visited WWOW on 15 February to meet and interview members. On 22 February, at 11:30, Alex Sloan of the 666 ABC morning show played the WWOW story including interviews with Claire Ayling and several members. The WWOWs all listened intently at the morning meeting.

The reporter, Lucy Nash, was quite taken with a gathering of more than 30 trauma teddies being prepared for delivery to Queanbeyan ambulance. The photo below even made the 666 ABC website. She also admired quilts, knit rugs and the finished appliquéd pot holders that were started in January.

Learning about Cyber Crime

On 22 February the WWOWs learned about cyber crime and fraud from Alistair McGibbon—an international expert who is part of our Wamboin community.

Did you know that 50% of Australian PCs have no virus protection? WE ALL NEED TO ACQUIRE AND UPLOAD VIRUS PROTECTION NOW! We also need firewalls to close off the open ports that malicious searchers can get into. Alistair provided brochures about McAfee, one source of protection.

We also learned about sex offenders, identity fraud and other key issues. The fundamental lesson: USE COMMON SENSE. And if anyone you have never met in person asks you to send money via Western Union, beware: more than 90% of all fraudulent scam artists use Western Union.

31 January 2010

The WWOWs have had a creative January. Women experienced in the art of appliqué have been teaching the uninitiated by guiding them through the process of making appliquéd pot holders. Flowers, butterflies, leaves, fish, pigs and chickens are emerging in a variety of fabrics and embroidery stitches. Lots of encouragement could be heard coming from those who were knitting or gossiping over coffee and tea. Cynthia Budd made a delicious birthday cake and Jayne Davis brought in more of her beautiful posies for the five January birthday girls.

Two WWOWs were rewarded for their creativity at the Bungendore Show. Katrina Trewartha won first in her category and the Best Exhibit in Show blue ribbon for a quilted wall hanging of amazing detail and beauty. Kerry Garland entered four creations and won four prizes! What a group.

The WWOWs continue to contribute to our community and many more knitted ‘trauma teddies’ are ready for delivery to Queanbeyan Ambulance. We are using up lots of left over yarn, keeping our knitting needles clicking and providing something soft for children of all ages who are, unfortunately, picked up by ambulance. The WWOWs also donated $200 to the Red Cross for the Haiti earthquake rescue efforts.

23 December 2009
The Christmas Challenge

On Monday, 21 December about 40 WWoWs gathered for coffee, cake and the viewing of The Christmas Challenge. In October, members were offered a ‘green bag’ (You know the type, from Woollies and Coles) and two strips of fabric with the challenge to transform the bag.

Wonderful Women took up the challenge with gusto, and the results were nothing short of amazing. There were:

  • carry bags that will draw notice anywhere and everywhere
  • two Christmas present delivery bags
  • a planter complete with the potted plant
  • a knitting needle case
  • a clutch bag to carry wool and knitting
  • two dolls
  • a mouse pad
  • a Christmas stocking
  • a double sided bathing costume
  • and a trivet

The whole exercise demonstrated how much creativity we all have in us and how much fun it can be to share it.

The WWoWs also celebrated the December birthdays of Liz Hendrikson, Margaret Ferret, Marion Richards, and Sally Saunders. Everyone enjoyed a delicious cake baked by Cynthia Budd and the birthday girls each got a posy from Jayne Davis‘ garden.

After the Christmas week break, the WWoWs will enjoy another year of speakers, events, coffee, gossip and friendship.

08-11-2024