Frockin The Outback……More than just a dress Part 2
THE DREAM AND REALITY
A Gentle Reminder
Most of the organisations I volunteer for are grass roots. Case in point Beacuse We Care Boutique, we don’t have paid people doing our socials, grant applications etc it’s up to our incredible volunteers. However what we do have is the direct results that come from helping others. So please excuse my attempts at videos etc .😂😂………..on with the story
At every opportunity I was telling people about our plan, explaining that we were only taking dresses as we learned from our experience at Because We Care Boutique, it may take three pairs of pants to fit the right fit and matching the top, so dresses were chosen in order to get more clothing to rural NSW.. Finding the right service providers & the relevant people to contact.
As luck would have it, I reached out to various friends in different organisation’s for assistance. For example, a colleague at Orange Sky was an experienced mental health nurse in charge of the region we were heading to, and she provided me with valuable referrals.
It was great to hear what other organisations were doing and what different methods of connecting were being employed, and I took all the advice that was offered
Our team Sharyn, Amanda , myself & now Vickie decided we would do our dress call out after the summer break combined with fundraising to pay for fuel, accommodation & van hire.
The 3 amigos Volunteers with Kara holding Sparkles
Having made countless social media posts, made silly videos, and sent countless emails, ABC radio Central Coast finally expressed a interest & we had a fabulous on air interview with Scott Levi.
After a few months, NBN Central Coast news contacted us again we were lucky enough not only to talk about Frockin the outback but also our valuable service .
Finally we were contacted by Gina Jefferies of Star 104.5, who was interested in learning more about Frockin The Outback as well as our little grassroots charity, Because We Care boutique.
Amanda in her NBN news interview with Amber Griffin
COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER AS ONE!!
Once the news got out we were lucky to get beautiful dresses donated by various groups. After our radio interview when Gina graciously donated a beautiful gown that will be a great asset to the woman who wears it, Inner Wheel Tuggergah Lakes, Inner Wheel Gosford, Lions Club, as well as public generosity following the radio interview.
Funding came from a lot of woman driven businesses. As a result, I must acknowledge them since without them we would not be heading in the right direction out west.
Pilates Body Shop Robyn & Sean Alverez , Lions club of Wyoming East Gosford, Emma McBride , Clown Doctors, my Qantas colleagues .
Also Sharyn & Chris Becker held a 80’s trivia night that was not only a fun night out but a success in raising funds.
Onshore Fitness run by Kara Holmes also came to the aid in terms of promoting us & beautiful donations of gorgeous dresses by the amazing women that come together to dance & support one another . We had a dress drive & dance class which was fun & great impact. Our gorgeous instructor Angela was pivotal in connections in Wilcannia.
300 NEW DRESSES
Our amazing boutique volunteer & advocate Vicki de Carle saw online that a online business was finishing up business & had these beautiful cotton dresses to give away so Vicki took 2 trips to gather this incredible donation to make sure we had new dresses in all sizes to give away
Sharyn Becker with Brad our 80s dress up winner what a couple of spunk rats
Funky Friday Dance & Dress Drive lead by the beautiful Angela Moloney who also provided a valuable contact with the Wilcannia School.
UPS AND DOWNS BUT MAINLY UPLIFTING
Currently still fundraising & trying to create interest we have been fortunate in talking & meeting inspirational people. Most importantly the communities we are going to help are “beyond excited “ this is what drives us.
Of course we have sadly faced the cold hard truth of racist comments & commentary based on lack of knowledge and understanding.
We have overcome this challenge knowing that at Because We Care, we provide assistance to all.
Asking for help & accepting help is not easy & all of our volunteers are extremely humble to embark on our journey
That’s why this venture is more than just giving women a dress it’s about trying to understand the great divide from our cities to country regions.
The economic imbalance, the decline in country towns , cost of living pressures for everyone. So come along with us while we Frock The Outback & hopefully see the positive impact we hope to have for all women , girls & community as a whole .
Some of our coffee & connect community watching with glee our Funky Friday Dance
Vickie & myself with our donated boxes from Bunnings
OUR EPIC VENTURE WILL UNFOLD.
We will be posting on our event page @frockintheoutback2025 through Because We Care Facebook page . If you want to be part of our mission tick that you are going & you will be see daily updates .
It is my honor to serve as a volunteer for Because We Care Boutique in memory of my dear friend Jan Mary Brennan, who I honor through my work at FROCK THE OUTBACK in her honor. The van which I’ll call Jan the Van after my dear friend Jan Mary .Jan’s heart was always full of love to anyone who asked or needed it. She was a beautiful daughter, incredible sister, inspirational friend and a joy to be around plus a truly woman with style, class & humanity.
Stayed tuned soon we will stocking Jan The Van up with beautiful thoughtful dresses & setting off into the sunset as we FROCK THE OUTBACK Giddy up
My absolutely beautiful friend Jan Mary Brennan who always a fashionista but with a heart that was beyond words. Always thinking of others , always giving what she could . A truly amazing,beautiful & inspirational woman.