Local women’s health group empowers community

SURF Coast Women’s Health Group last week hosted an evening of connection and laughter that brought together women of all ages and backgrounds to share stories and empower each other.

Intended to be the first of many, the Torquay Business of the Year’s “Women Out Loud” event was held earlier this month at the recently opened Torquay Taphouse in Baines Crescent.

 

 

Surf Coast Women’s Health Group co-director Courtney Weybury said the evening had exceeded expectations, with about 80 people in attendance.

“We’ve got some phenomenal, incredible, inspiring women in this community.

“We’re just trying to bring them together so that everyone can see what we have to offer here on the Surf Coast and who lives here.

“[It’s] that whole idea of trying to get people telling their stories and communicating and having that honest conversation, that people can connect and have that connection [and] hopefully learn things from each other.”

 

 

The evening’s theme was the “Three M’s”: menstruation, motherhood and menopause, and featured a multigenerational panel of six women who ranged in age from their 20s to their 80s.

“One or two of the speakers really spoke about the menstruation and that sort of component. There was a couple of speakers that hadn’t had kids,” Ms Weybury said.

“It’s just such a big thing in women’s lives, these three “M words”, and something a lot of people don’t talk about.

“We just wanted to raise awareness and for people to be able to talk and share that it’s something we all go through, and we don’t have to do it alone… that there is a bit of a village and a network here.”

 

 

Surf Coast Women’s Health Group is now aiming to host four Women Out Loud events a year, each featuring different speakers and different topics, and encouraged the community to “watch this space”.

The event raised more than $800, which will be donated to the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre.