Nothing’s changed

NO surprise the PM is seen hiding behind his wife’s skirts. He puts his wife and children in the forefront of yet another disaster and uses that excuse as a deterrent against sexual exploitation.

So tell me this. What has changed since the 60s and 70s when many women working in organisations were not treated fairly and were subjected to sexual misconduct on behalf of male colleagues?

I do not see any behavioural differences in the workplace today. These perpetrators are still getting away with it. They scuttle off into the background, irreproachable and anonymous.

It goes without saying, though, history will repeat itself once again; so watch this space.

R. DWYER, Kearneys Spring

DURING tough times women often bear the emotional load alone, but a new initiative is giving women a place to let that go.

The Granite Belt She Hive Ladies Shed became the brainchild of Granite Belt Drought Assist co-manager Glenda Riley after chatting to women across the region.

“There were ladies who didn’t want to join a service group like Lions because they didn’t want to be obligated to do something all the time, they didn’t want to join a crafting group, they just wanted a space,” she said.

“We’re all living through this difficult time. We’ve all been there and sometimes you just need to be able to talk about it.”

Despite having the group in the works for about 12 months, Ms Riley said those pressures were made more apparent by the pandemic.

“With some people going into quarantine, by choice or not, it made us realise we do need to stay connected,” she said.

“Even though we can pick up the phone or FaceTime, it’s not necessarily enough.”

The shed hoped to hold arts and crafts workshops on topics including journalling, drumming, jewellery making and more.

“We’re hoping to get funding to run what we’re calling expressions through art,” Ms Riley said.

Granite Belt She Hive Ladies Shed is at Fred Rogers Recreation Camp, overlooking Storm King Dam and is open on Thursdays 9.30am–2.30pm.