The South Illawarra Older Women’s Network (SIOWN) was established in early 2024 after a room full of enthusiastic and passionate women endorsed its development at an interest meeting. 

This is an exciting initiative for the Kiama, Shellharbour and Berry districts that brings older women together to share experiences, forge new friendships, identify opportunities to support each other and other women in the community, learn from guest speakers and socialise over afternoon tea. 

At the first general meeting in March the initial enthusiasm was still very much apparent. The ages of those attending ranged from mid-50’s to late 80’s and there were women who were born and raised in the district through to more recent arrivals. The sheer range and number of voluntary groups and other activities in which older women are already engaged was inspiring. 

SIOWN held a session at the recent Kiama Seniors Festival where Susie Pettit, a wellness coach, spoke passionately about wellness and mindset and Marilyn Martin, a dance and movement educator, got the women moving and shaking to music and yoga moves.

SIOWN is in discussions with the Older Women’s Network Theatre group to bring to Kiama mid 2024 their Adelaide Fringe Winner cabaret performance of Not Dead Yet. This death-defying show presents the challenges and triumphs of ageing. “The show is original, funny, moving and poignant and features performers from 60-90 who are still ageing and raging.”

SIOWN aims to promote the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older women. It is the newest of 17 local groups and 7 wellness centres across NSW that are part of the NSW Older Women’s Network New South Wales (OWN NSW). As the peak body the OWN NSW is recognised and consulted by government on such issues as violence and abuse, homelessness, transport, health and housing, as well as home, community and residential care.

SIOWN meetings are held on 3rd Friday of each month at Saints Peter and Paul Church Kiama, from 2:00pm till 4.00pm. The guest speaker on 19 April will be Mary Spillane from the Homestead of Hope.  At this meeting the results of a survey and conversations with older women on future potential activities and speakers will be workshopped and the Facebook page will be launched. 

The reasons women give for wanting to join SIOWN include extracts from the following conversations: 

“I love everything about the activities and causes I’ve seen on the OWN website and have read in the newsletter.”

“I’m interested to learn new things, and engage with speakers on interesting topics, and to catch up and meet new women over afternoon tea. I’m interested in healthy ageing, wellness, various other talks and activities.”

The annual membership fee is $35, and a $5.00 per meeting contribution for afternoon tea. Members are covered by insurance for activities and can subscribe to the OWN NSW fortnightly newsletter dOWNtime, as well as access a variety of online classes via Zoom, including Feldenkrais, Tai Chi, Chair Yoga, Ukulele and Crafternoon.

For further information contact:

Julie McDonald: (0409 760 225)

Email: [email protected]

Webpage: https://ownnsw.org.au