They came from different walks of life but were united in a common cause.
On Friday, September 13, at least 200 women from Cobram and surrounds came together at the Cobram Civic Centre to connect, share their stories and treat themselves.
The event was facilitated by Cobram Community House in partnership with Moira Shire Council.
Cobram Community House manager Christine Osborne said it was a really good day.
“[I’m] really pleased with the attendance. I think there would be close to 200 people. It’s going really well. [I’m] really pleased, had lots of positive feedback.”
Mrs Osborne said attendance at this year’s event was even greater than last year’s.
“We had a lot of positive feedback from last year’s, which we built on,” she said.
Guests could access a suite of services, including mindfulness activities, health checks conducted by NCN Health, and hand, neck and shoulder massages by Vanity Day Spa and Fleur’s Massage in Motion.
“There was something for everyone,” Mrs Osborne said.
Janet Stevens and Erin Foster of the Royal Flying Doctor Service provided guests the opportunity to sign up to the organisation at their stall.
Dianne Raco from NCN Health said it was a fantastic event.
“It’s very well run. They’ve done an amazing job setting it up, and it’s just lovely to see the women getting together and laughing and chatting,” she said.
“It’s such an important thing that we look after ourselves because ... we’re no good to our families if we’re not well.
“So if we’re not well, we can’t support them and be who we’d like to be for them unless we are well ourselves.“
Moira Shire Council Administrator Suzanna Sheed opened the line-up of four guest speakers, who each spoke on various aspects of the importance of women’s physical and mental wellbeing.
The line-up of guest speakers included Anna Bruton from Anna B Physiotherapy, Mulwala, and Rachael Willis, a clinical psychologist from Pure Empowerment in Shepparton.
Kristal Burkes from Barooga Aquatic and Recreation Centre also spoke about the importance of physical movement and staying active, before getting the crowd on their feet to do some standing exercises.
Finally, Joel Male from Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals spoke about how the service worked and how the community could access mental health support.
“I think it’s lovely to see that everyone has embraced it, and people seem to be enjoying it. It just shows that real need for connection that everyone has,” Mrs Osborne said.