An inspiring women's weekend

Committee president Mrs Wilma Chinnock urges anyone interested in attending to hurry and register for what is expected to be a weekend of inspiration on the October long weekend.

"It isn't too late for women to register, but we certainly urge them to get organised and confirm their attendance now," she said.

"We need to have numbers finalised by early tomorrow (Wednesday) and hope to have at least 300 women from across the State, and from all walks of life, to help make this gathering one of the most successful yet.

"Our Gathering's theme is 'Be all that we can be' which we believe covers the range of inspiring and entertaining speakers, workshops and activities we have planned for the weekend."

At the gathering participants will also have access to health and other government agency personnel, as well as a market featuring locally produced goods, displays and an art exhibition.

The Rural Assistance Authority is offering subsidies to assist a limited number of women in drought-affected areas to meet some of the costs associated with attending the Gathering.

To apply phone Sonia Muir at the DPI's Rural Women's Network on 6391 3611.

Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority is offering $100 each for up to 12 women from within its south-eastern catchment area to attend the Gathering.

For more information phone Jane Caldwell on 4224 9703.

Interested people should both register and arrange accommodation as soon as possible.

The Gathering gets underway on Friday, September 30, with a 'Taste of the Bega Valley' meal at the Bega Town Hall, and concludes early Sunday afternoon.

Keynote speakers include Jackie French, Belinda Green and Jo Moulton and there is a huge program of workshops and tours (see below).

Minister for Natural Resources, Primary Industries and Mineral Resources Mr Ian Macdonald will officially open the gathering, and it will be closed by the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women, Ms Sandra Nori.

For more information phonet Wilma Chinnock on 6493-8310 or Dawn Hollins on 6492-3005 or check the website at www.womensgathering.com

Women's Gathering workshop choices

FROM BOOKS TO CHOOKS - Jackie French. Explore how to get kids reading and how to grow just about anything.

DEVELOPING A DYNAMIC TEAM - Michael Kniepp. Great teams in the home, business and community don't just happen.

WOMEN IN SMALL BUSINESS - Presented by the Premier's Council for Women.

IS GAMBLING A PROBLEM? - Kate Roberts. Information to destigmatise problems associated with gambling.

EVERYONE CAN SING - Fiona Cullen and Anne Burrell. Experience the sheer joy of harmony.

HOW EMOTIONAL EVENTS AFFECT YOUR HEALTH - Traci Carse. Enhance your understanding of the link.

EFFECTIVE LOBBYING - Heather O'Connor. How to lobby government and other funding organisations.

STAYING HOME, LEAVING VIOLENCE - Susie Herbert. Enabling women and children who have experienced violence to stay safely at home.

MASSAGE FOR HOME USE - Carol Holden. Learn to relieve neck and shoulder stress with massage techniques.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET - Julie Hodgkinson. A hands-on workshop. B

WHAT IS YOUR BODY TRYING TO TELL YOU - Julie Waters. Learn how to assess your level of wellness.

HABITS FOR HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WOMEN - Mary Brell. Discover the most effective strategies for women to use in every aspect of their lives.

QUICK COLLAGE LANDSCAPE - Denise Sutherland. The basics of collage and make a stunning landscape collage.

NEVER TOO ISOLATED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE - Verity Jackson. How every community, no matter how isolated, can reap rewards.

LANGUAGE, POWER and RELATIONSHIPS - Kath Copley. Understand the nexus between language and power to explore relationships.

HOW TO SUCCEED AND HAVE A LIFE - Michael Kniepp. Lighten the load and get rid of the baggage!

JUGGLING WORK & FAMILY DEMANDS - Nancy Cogan. Dealing with the demands and commitments of being a worker, partner, parent and daughter.

BRING RITUAL BACK INTO YOUR LIFE - Debra Summer. Experience the possibilities of our own personal adult rites of passage.

FAMILY LAW - Andrew Warren. Answers to thorny questions about children and property.

FUNDRAISING AS COMMUNITY AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT - Jo Moulton. Making fund raising a potent vehicle for bringing community together.

SALSA - Matchitun. Learn a few salsa steps and the games and movements.

BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES THROUGH EMPLOYMENT - Cathy Duncan. how to create a sense of pride and belonging through work.

FENG SHUI FOR BEGINNERS - Virginia Comer-Kleine. Explore the basic ideas of Feng Shui.

DIGITAL CAMERA KNOW-HOW - Robert Hayson. Get the most out of your digital camera.

THE BASICS OF YOGA - Suzi Alesandra. Learn deep relaxation.

KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS - Mary Brell. Learn how to develop effective relationships.

TASSELS AND CORDS - Robyn Duncan. Make a decorative tassel for attaching to a key or household item.

NO MORE SOUL-DESTROYING JOBS FOR ME! - Krystiina Tighe. Formulate a bold action plan to focus on getting what you want.

NETWORKING FOR CHANGE - Sonia Muir and Allison Priest. Learn to manage change.

THE BLANKETS OF LOVE PROGRAM - Shirley Zions. A community quilting project supports families of babies who have died.

PORTRAITS IN PASTEL - Veronica O'Leary. Contour and free drawing working up to a portrait using pastels.

SOAP MAKING - Vicki Younger. Learn to make your own cold process olive oil soap in your kitchen.

COOKING WITH BUSH SPICES - Kay Saarinen. Incorporating Australian bush spices and greens into our treasured traditional recipes.

SUCCESSFUL CALF REARING - Dick Buesnel. Calf rearing by implementing sound dietary and health practices.

COPING WITH HEARING LOSS - Causes and treatment of hearing loss.

KITE MAKING - Dianne Delli Paoli. Learn how to make simple kites from recycled and easily found materials.

A SHARED JOURNEY - Janine Epere and Jeannette Willis. The work at Sherwood Cliffs Drug Rehabiliation Centre.

SHARE YOUR STORY - Averil Fink. Sharing our stories in a safe confidential environment.

POSITIVE AGEING IN THE COUNTRY - Helen Ellwood. The positive and negative aspects of living in a rural area as we age.

COSMIC WALK - Laurel Lloyd-Jones. The cosmic walk allows us a clear perspective of the role we all play in the well-being of our earth and our own future.

NAVIGATING CHANGE - Nancy Cogan. Explore different styles in responding to change and strategies for dealing with it.

THE DEAD CENTRE OF TOWN - Fiona Firth. What you can learn about local societies from your local cemetery.

STAYING SHARP AND SAVVY WITH ESPERANTO - Penny Vos. An introductory session in Esperanto.

ARTS PROJECTS FOR YOUR COMMUNITY - Jennifer Hunt. Learn to plan, fund, manage and arts project in your town.

MAKING SENSE OF CONVERSATION - Ann Shannon. Learn to have more effective conversation at home and in the workplace.

CARD MAKING - Iona Coleman. Decorative card making techniques using materials supplied.

DIET & HOME REMEDIES USING CHINESE MEDICINE - Virginia Comer-Kleine. Basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine.

ASSET PROTECTION - Andrew Warren. Structure your business to protect your assets.

FAUX CHENILLE - Mary Smith. How to create a faux chenille cushion using a sewing machine.

PASTEL STILL LIFE - Veronica O'Leary. Produce a still life in pastels.

OUR CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND WELL-BEING - Dr. Margaret Dean. The impact on a community of early childhood experiences cannot be underestimated.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE PADDOCK - Dr Anne Marshall. Use creative thinking to move beyond imagined realities.

AUSTRALIAN BUSH FLOWER REMEDIES - Trish Howard. Design your own remedy to take home.

GETTING INTO BED & BREAKFAST - Stewart Whyte. What it takes to operate a B&B.

CERTIFIED ORGANICS DEMYSTIFIED - Jim Croxford. How to convert to organic farming .