Eden has celebrated International Women’s Day in style, with a special breakfast fundraiser held at the Eden Killer Whale Museum on Saturday.
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Over 50 women turned out to enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast cooked by the Eden Service and Social Club Incorporated (ESSCI), with Friends of the Eden Killer Whale Museum raising a grand total of $500 for the McGrath Foundation.
After breakfast, guests were treated to the captivating stories of three of the area’s most prominent women; yachtswomen Tricia Lamacraft and Tracey Chubb, and author Susie Sarah.
Jenny Drenkhahn, Eden Killer Whale Museum secretary, said the diversity of the speakers helped showcase the exciting lives our local women lead.
“It is important for us to learn about what women in our community experience, but also bringing us the experience of other communities,” Jenny said.
“They’re all very different, these three, and it just so happens that these three are connected with the museum.
“We’re absolutely thrilled with the number of people who are here; it’s a great spot to have this function, and the ESSCI boys do a great job.
“It’s the third one we’ve had here, and it’s as good a turnout as any.”
The opportunity to raise money for cancer awareness and research was an especially important aspect of the day for Susie Sarah, who recently lost both of her parents to the disease.
The bestselling children’s author regaled the crowd with tales of her battle to overcome dyslexia as a child, right through to her success in forming a publishing company; an accomplishment that brought her closer to her mother.
“I had to take money out of my super fund (to fund my publishing efforts),” said Susie.
“You’ve got to know what you’re doing, and it’s scary stuff.
“My mother wasn’t talking to me at the time, but she started to talk to me again after she read the children’s books.
“I had a good six months of talking to her before she died of cancer two weeks ago.”
And after Tricia’s thrilling stories of Aboriginal smoking ceremonies in the Kimberley, and Tracey’s tales of raising her family at sea, the morning wrapped up with a rousing rendition of ‘I Am Woman’, before ESSCI volunteer Jack Dickensen led a chorus of “Stand By Your Man”.