Women’s group ready to launch

DETERMINED to remain independent, a new Ladies’ Shed is set to open its doors on the Granite Belt, and aims to empower women and teach basic life skills.

The group, yet to be formally named, will cover skills such as changing a tyre, cooking on a budget and restoring furniture.

Founder Glenda Riley said the group was inspired by a Granite Belt Drought Assist volunteer after her husband passed away.

“We were talking with some of the other ladies around town and they all though it was a good idea, so we are going to run with it,” Ms Riley said.

“It’s still in the planning stages but we’re going to do it more like a workshop style.”

The accessibility of industry specialists and family friends have allowed some skills to be forgotten, Ms Riley said.

“It’s just these little basic skills that have been too easy to outsource when you can do it yourself,” she said.

“With the way things are and everyone’s budget being tighter they need to learn to do it on their own.”

A location for the Ladies’ Shed is yet to be decided and it is expected the group will meet weekly, unless working on larger projects.

Ms Riley said while learning basic life skills was important, the group would also give members of the community a chance to catch up.

“It’s an excuse to have some social time; it gives them a reason to make new friends and catch-up with old friends,” she said.

“It is going to be exciting and gives us scope to do a lot more around the community which is what we are looking forward to.”