We’re Off Frockin The Outback

After picking up our bigger van Jan the Van we now had the task of somewhat thoughtful packing .

We knew that we had keep some dresses for our finish line with CWA Gilgandra so we had a huge bag of mixed dresses popped in the back along with a bag of gorgeous dresses that they could sell through their OP Shop .

After much careful consideration & sleepness nights we finally came up with a new plan

2 Huge bags with a array of dresses sizes , styles on hangers ready to place in racks , & during the day replacing with more dresses from our boxes . We also had the new dresses that Vicky De Carle obtained & we always had them on hand .

This plan was great in the speed we could set up , be ready & knowing that every single dress was lovely it made our lives easier.

Setting off on our Frockin the Outback we knew it would take 2 days of travelling to reach Broken Hill . I planned our itinerary & Cobar was decided on a 1st night stopover.

Quiet dusty town even for a Saturday night we discovered that this town even though big in population didn’t have a single clothing store other than a Vinnies open a few mornings a week . A authentic Nepalese dinner at the pub that night filled the spot & like the 3 bears we had a good sleep before heading for Broken Hill .

Our launch was in Silverton at Outback Camel Safari’s great place to truly showcase the amazing outback, as well as helping women in Silverton with something special.Petha Divine owns & operates the farm filled with rescued animals & of course the camels , a powerhouse of a woman ex police officer & kind generous human .

Quick bite at Silverton bakery which is lucky to have had French partissterre chefs working , Vickie said it was THE best ever chicken pie she EVER HAD in fact people come 25 kms from Broken Hill to indulge here

Launch was slow but Ginger the pig absolutely loved us . Petha & her staff received some gorgeous dresses . We booked the sunset camel ride a MUST DO ! Along with a visit to the Silverton Pub

Broken Hill

We had 2 service providers Catholic Care & Maari Ma 1/2 day morning at both giving us time for some downtime & discovery.

Our Frockin the Outback was a huge success in Broken Hill meeting various women from all ages & different challenges, domestic violence, health, financial, mental health issues, isolation etc.

We supported over 60 women directly as well as sending some dresses to a women’s shelter for 6 clients. The women & staff were overwhelmed, speechless with the amount & quality of dresses they had to choose from .

Some of the ingenious women who must travel hours to get medical treatment in town were also given the opportunity to receive some for the first time a new dress !

Amanda , Vickie & myself were treated with warm & kindness from both Catholic care & Maari Ma staff

ABC RADIO BROKEN HILL also interviewed me for a 45 minute segment with 4 songs of my choosing with my story , something I wasn’t expecting! Also our fabulous co founder of Iris charity Dawn Hooper came out to support us she was also interviewed by ABC Broken Hill .

You must visit Broken Hill

I truly wanted Amanda & Vickie to experience the far west so fit as much in as possible with visits to Bells Milk Bar a old 50s style milk bar with recreated kitchen, lounge room etc

A gorgeous afternoon at Living Desert Sculpture Park , along with a drink at the Palace Hotel famous for pub in Priscilla Queen of the Desert movie . Plus also a visit & reflection at the Miners Memorial

We enjoyed great coffee, lovely people & incredible experiences

Our next stop was Wilcannia about 2 hours east of Broken Hill.

Here we had 3 services providers work together including domestic violence service management with the energetic amazing Mary running this vital service. Just about the whole town of women came & took home beautiful dresses, handbags & pink care bags with hairbrushes, sanitary items & treats put together by our amazing Sharyn Becker.

This stop was amazing in many ways once the community warmed up to us they totally got into the fun & female empowerment dancing, modeling the dresses , there was much laughter , clapping & cheering.

We also were aware the DVSM had a annual fundraising fashion show which features most of the children in town from ages 6-19 so we provided about 2 tubs of clothing which the children get to keep after the show .

It was the first time some that white women came to help without having an agenda or dictating how they should live their lives was conveyed to myself , also highlighting the fact that to buy anything other than fuel & food meant a 4-5 hour trip to Broken Hill plus the feeling of being under surveillance when they sometimes do go shopping.

There were some lessons learned, but I would like to highlight the friendships that were formed and the wonderful day when we came together.

Off again feeling exhilarated we headed for Cobar . Another night in town with dinner at the “golfie” golf club , getting the “curto” courtesy bus there.

Cobar working with Catholic care we helped around 20 women from all demographics plus we featured in the Cobar Weekly.

A rainy afternoon drive north found us at our next location of Bourke . Our accommodation was sketchy to say the least , however there was security in the way of gates which were locked from 8pm. Plus we placed the entertainment unit against the door for added peace of mind. Not to mention our hobby horses glitter & sparkles that we slept with that time.

A new day but soggy start we worked with Catholic care & Marununka Aboriginal support. Again empowering women who some the the first time felt beautiful & pretty.Also a few women from the refuge came & received some beautiful garments .

Saturday was our last day , therefore the service providers were off. Luckily I’d made contact with the CWA GILGANDRA with the dymatic Helen Oates as my main contact.

Helen had informed me that their CWA was a major fundraiser for the town with various projects helping mainly women & children in her town.

Vickie , Amanda & myself had a special bag for the op shop which they run to raise much neeeded money to continue with their important work.

We were greeted with much gratitude and of course a beautiful morning tea from the ladies from the CWA .

The morning was a huge success as Helen & her team were busy putting the word out all over town .That morning around 50 women had the opportunity to take home some incredible beautiful dresses.

We were fortunate enough to have some money gifted to us from our Monday coffee & chat group to enjoy dinner on them , however we spent some of this kind donation on new nighties for the CWA ladies to give to women at the local hospital who were in need of something new & nice.

We enjoyed another fulfilling time again with new friends made, and many lives impacted.

Our last night we spent in Dubbo having a much needed cocktail & dinner in town

Last but not least we Vickie Johnston, Amanda Bignall ,myself , Sharyn Becker Because We Care boutique, Sue Lippott CEO Iris Foundation, Dawn Hooper founder & Board member of Iris Foundation would like to thank our amazing sponsors, service providers , volunteers & community without your generosity, kindness this project of Frockin The Outback would never had happened.

It was always more than giving women in the far west a dress it was giving them kindness & sense of worth, belonging & empowerment.

A worthwhile impactful Adventure to the Outback and hearts & minds to all those associated.