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It's 'tool time' at the Namoi Women's Shed

April 6, 2022

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The Namoi Women’s Shed is thrilled to have been awarded $13,731 by the Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal (FRRR) under the Future Drought Fund’s Networks to Build Drought Resilience program. The grant will support the purchase of a range of hand and small power tools to improve the Namoi Women’s Shed’s ability to act as a venue for training and collaboration. This will support the community to meet, and develop skills and social connections that support drought preparedness.

FRRR has awarded $3,084,346 to 60 local not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) in remote, rural and regional Australia for grassroots initiatives that will build their community’s resilience to drought with grants funding events, activities, training and small-scale infrastructure that assist communities build their capacity.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and a range of other donor partners, the Networks to Build Drought Resilience program focuses on agriculture-dependent communities. It’s designed to give local not-for-profits access to the funds and resources they need to prepare and strengthen their community’s response to future drought and climate change.

The Namoi Women’s Shed was formed in 2021 under pressure from the women of Narrabri and surrounding rural areas to provide a venue where women 15 years and over could gather to build connection and confidence through the joy of learning. Local women expressed a particular interest in learning trade skills including carpentry, mechanical, welding, and general home maintenance. The Namoi Women’s Shed operates under the auspices of Community College Northern Inland with Narrabri Campus Coordinator Rachael Anderson managing activities with the help of an energetic group of local women:

“We’re thrilled to receive a grant from FRRR, the impact this funding will have is immeasurable. The Namoi Women’s Shed exists to serve the women of our community and this funding gives us the opportunity to equip ourselves to learn new skills. We’re excited to now be able to run programs encouraging and empowering women, giving them the confidence to try new things as they create, improving and supporting our community.”

The group’s latest creation—Blue Belle, a life-sized chicken wire sculpted ball gown adorned with bluebells and matching parasol—was widely hailed as Belle of the Ball at Narrabri’s recent CREATE Festival 2022 held from 11 to 27 March. The festival is an annual community event that’s about community engagement, expression, celebrating innovation, and all things creative. The theme of this year’s event was “Illusion”.

Membership to the Namoi Women’s Shed costs $25 per annum with the group meeting each Saturday.

Connect with the Namoi Women’s Shed at https://www.facebook.com/NamoiWomensShed or call Rachael at Narrabri Community College on (02) 6792 6196 for information on how to get involved with the Shed or attend upcoming events. Rachael can also be contacted by emailing narrabri@communitycollegeni.nsw.edu.au.