12 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Wednesday <strong>August</strong> 2 2<strong>02</strong>3
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday <strong>August</strong> 2 2<strong>02</strong>3 <strong>Selwyn</strong> <strong>Times</strong> NEWS 13 Popularity of women’s group growing • By Susan Sandys A FRIENDSHIP group at West Melton is growing in membership as district newcomers join. About 75 women belong to West Melton Women’s Group, the number having almost doubled from pre-Covid levels. Speaker organiser Isabel Kirk said the group meets for dinner, featuring a guest speaker, each month, at Larcombs Event Centre. Those joining were seeking connection. Members came from throughout the district, with some from Christchurch. “I think there’s quite a lot of loneliness in the community, particularly for people who move into <strong>Selwyn</strong> District,” Isabel said. The group was open to all ages. Current members were from their 40s to 80s. She said the group was established in 1995 by Isobel Knight, who was a resident of West Melton at the time. She modelled it on a similar group her mother had belonged to in Te Anau. “The group was particularly good for women who did not have children involved in the playcentre and school, or were away working during the day which meant they did not have the time to join any day time FRIENDSHIP: West Melton Women’s Group members gather for dinner each month. groups,” Isabel said. “The first committee was of five ladies whom Isobel rang to get together and an announcement was placed in West Melton News.” Forty-five women attended the first dinner, held at Langdale Vineyard Restaurant. The dinners continued to be held there until the earthquakes. The group had climbed to 120 members by that time, and there had even been a waiting list to join. However, membership dropped after the earthquakes due to a break in meetings. There were about 40 members in 2019. Covid saw another break in meetings, and now numbers were climbing again. For each dinner, members were seated with different people each time. “The beauty of it for me is you sit at a different table every month, so you are meeting six to eight new ladies each month,” Isabel said. She herself had joined after moving to West Melton in 2013 and meeting one of the group’s members through her church. “She invited me to the group dinner where I met local ladies, and like many have formed lasting friendships.” Member Gillian Roberts said one of the group’s members had responded to a post she put up on Facebook, saying she was new to Rolleston. “We met and chatted and she encouraged me to come and try the West Melton Women’s Group,” Gillian said. “It has been great, and I have met women who are from all walks of life, as well as enjoying listening to some very interesting guest speakers. In addition I have made friends, which has been a bonus.” Robyn Farrar, who has been a member for more than 20 years, said she had been on the waiting list to join before she and her family moved to West Melton. “I was so excited to meet such a variety of women from all sorts of vocations, plus great speakers and good food. I have learnt so much over the years from others, this is part of women doing community.” Guest speakers this year have included Lego Masters NZ semifinalists Rachel and Jason de Vries, <strong>Selwyn</strong> police Senior Sergeant Anna Lloyd and Louise Hoban-Watson of Christchurch Hospital volunteers. • If you would like to be a guest at a West Melton Women’s Group dinner, phone Lois Dobbinson on 03 342 9094 or email westmeltonwomens group@gmail.com 3CG EVENTS PRESENTS The YUMMI study. The role of cow, goat or sheep milk in the nutrition and health of older women. Milk provides important nutrients that help older people to maintain muscle and bone health, and low milk intake is often associated with poor nutrition in older adults. We are looking for female volunteers aged 60 to 80 years to participate in the YUMMI study, a 12-week research study investigating the health effects of consuming different types milk – cow, goat, or sheep. We will provide you with cow, goat or sheep milk powder to drink twice a day for 12-weeks, or you will be asked to eat your normal diet (control group). The time commitment for the study will be about 11 hours and you will attend five clinic visits. You will receive up to $220 in supermarket vouchers in recognition of the actual or reasonable costs involved with participating in this study (e.g. parking and/or travel costs). If you are a woman aged 60 to 80 years and can drink milk, we would love to hear from you. Department of Human Nutrition Ping Ong yummistudy@otago.ac.nz | <strong>02</strong>1 2798214 This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Otago Human Ethics Committee (Health). Reference: H22/067 LIVE IN LINCOLN C B AND ountry lues NIGHT MIDGE MARSDEN JODY DIREEN CHET O’CONNELL BAND WILDFLOWERS SATURDAY 30 SEPT TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM BUY LOCAL www.liveinlincoln.nz
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