International Women’s Day: Kalgan Ladies Social Club celebrates 75-years of friendship and giving

With goodwill and kindness at their heart, women from across the region have found belonging within the walls of the Kalgan Hall for more than seven decades. The Kalgan Ladies Social Club has stood the test of time, celebrating 75 years of friendship and giving this year. What started as a social club to welcome new women to the rural Kalgan district has evolved into a place for ladies from across the region to find lasting connection. The club’s longest-serving member, 95-year-old Clare Evans, said her fellow ladies had been there for her through life's highs and lows, helping her find her place in a new town as a young bride and supporting her after the loss of her husband. Ms Evans was “carted off” to her first meeting at the hall by her sister-in-law 74 years ago and said she won’t stop attending meetings until “they cart me away”. “The Kalgan Ladies Club were lovely and all gathered around me when I was the first of the new war brides to come out into the Kalgan,” she said. “It has always meant a lot to me, they are fine people and I enjoy their company. “It has been very important to me because they are still my friends — in my old age as well as my youth.” Today, the club has more than 20 members, the youngest just 17, who meet once a month to hear from guest speakers, attend excursions and continue the club’s legacy of charity, fundraising for local causes. President Natalie Reeves said the group welcomed new members of all ages from across the region who wanted to enjoy the feeling of a good old fashioned country club. “The members themselves come from all backgrounds and they are all very interesting people so we can share our own stories and interesting lives people lead,” she said. “It provides the opportunity to share stories and establish friendships particularly for people who are new to the area.” For more information on the Kalgan Ladies Social Club, contact Ms Reeves on 9844 3500.