By Jan Johnston of Stanwell Park CWA

In February, one of our members hosted a wonderful day teaching us the art of pottery. After moulding the clay, we came up with a complete array of pottery ideas – all shapes, decorations and colours. While a lot of practice would be needed to create some beautiful pieces that we saw displayed, we were very proud of our efforts.

We all commented that a surprising added benefit was how the process was so therapeutic. Probably due to a very patient teacher, who then undertook the final step of applying the glaze and firing.

Also of interest is a giving opportunity we found while researching significant Australian women. Our members learnt about Tanya Egerton, 2024 Rural Woman of the Year, who has spearheaded the Remote Opshop Project. This aims to ensure high-quality, affordable essential goods are redirected from landfills and distributed to remote communities.

What better way for us to help than to redirect our unwanted goods to a destination whose success relies on these donations?

Simply go to remoteopshopproject.org, select a remote community Op Shop to find a postal address and a list of suggested items to send, then buy a prepaid 5kg Australia Post bag, which costs about $24. This donation provides saleable goods for the Op Shop and all profits are redirected to communities. Easy to do and very worthwhile.

CWA meets at 15 The Drive, Stanwell Park at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month. Everyone is welcome