Ladies farewell 60 years
It is the end of an era for the Brimpaen Ladies Social Club.
After 60 years and thousands of dollars donated to regional charities, a group that has been a social outlet for generations of rural women will officially wind up on Tuesday.
Originating from a Brimpaen Mothers’ Club formed in July 1959, it will be on the 60th anniversary that members meet for the last time, farewelling the banner of ‘Brimpaen Ladies Social Club’ with a traditional stall, raffle and afternoon tea.
Secretary Ann Dwyer, a member for 26 years, said the club’s demise had been anticipated for a while, as members grew old and died and office bearing duties became difficult to fill.
But she said the final hurrah would not be a solemn one.
“I was just looking back on the minutes of one of our meetings and we raised $8000 in one year, which I think is pretty good for a small group,” she said.
The final meeting will offer members a time to remember their achievements and complete one last act of generosity.
Mrs Dwyer said the group had decided at a June meeting to disburse remaining funds within the district.
“We’re donating $1000 to the Brimpaen Cemetery Trust to be earmarked for a whipper snipper,” she said.
“We are also donating $1000 to Wimmera Health Care Group’s Ladies’ Auxiliary and $1000-plus the balance of surplus funds will go to the Brimpaen Public Hall for maintenance work.
“Our funds in later years have been raised by our raffles and auction stalls at our monthly meetings, which is a remarkable effort by our ladies as we now only have 15 members.”
The original Brimpaen Mothers’ Club raised money for sporting equipment, books and trees for Brimpaen Primary School.
Mrs Dwyer said when the school closed its doors, the ladies group decided to continue under the name ‘Brimpaen Ladies Social Club’ for social gatherings and to raise money for charity.
During the next 60 years, the women hosted Australia Day breakfasts, fashion parades, cancer fundraisers and catered for clearing sales and funerals.
They also published a cookbook, including recipes submitted by district people and children, which gained nation-wide interest following a newspaper article about the club and its book.
Fond memories
President Rosemary Miller, 74, has been a member of the club for more than 40 years.
The former Brimpaen resident moved to Horsham, like many of the remaining members, about 11 years ago, but was still actively involved in the group.
She said she was sad to say goodbye to the club, though members would continue to meet socially once a month. “It is a sad thing. No one wants to take on the roles anymore, which I can understand because all the members are a lot older now,” she said.
“We have one in their 90s. We just feel it is time to wind up.
“It has been a very good club, the fellowship has been wonderful, lots of laughs and little jokes – it’s a social get-together.”
Mrs Miller will end her time at the club in a role first taken up by Denise Lamshed-garrett – the first president of the Brimpaen Mothers’ Club, who now resides at Natimuk Nursing Home.
Mrs Miller said the friendships she made, and the caring nature of the Brimpaen community, would stay with her.