July 2022 was spent in preparations for the Celebration of Womenspace’s 25^th Anniversary. It was a time filled with positive energy – creating the ceramic version of our Spiral for the outside wall. We were under the pressure to have it fired, painted, mounted in time, together with creating the 6 posters focused on highlights of the Womenspace’s history – and we made it!

The Anniversary Celebration highlighted the generosity of our membership, the importance of stories past and present, and the beauty of our place and its environment. It was well attended, re-connecting with members of various generations.

The energy of the September celebrations filled the first third of the financial year and reduced the disappointment of losing both yoga workshops and other initiatives and bookings due to a general feeling of uncertain times. Later in the year this situation re-set with the arrival of Mahjong Sandgate, the Laughter Club and space hire from outside. 

The weekly Cuppa&Chat strengthened in numbers and content, the monthly Full Moon events returned, and all the other weekly and monthly gathering progressed successfully, including three series of Writing Workshops; eight evenings of Women Weaving Stories (including presentations from a number of younger women), a successful outcome of the collaboration with Jabiru students, and recognition from Kedron Wavell Community Grant program to extend our work building the intergenerational relationships. 

Our statistics lifted from last year: over 1,600 women on our mailing list; 3,200 Facebook followers; 160 to 180 visits to our space per month – attending Create&Chat sessions, two Book clubs, Garden club and the gatherings mentioned above. We have 86 current/paid members of Womenspace.
 
Office Coordinator Karen Kaydee Dickson worked with us for exactly the 12 months this report covers. We thank her for her contribution to streamlining the office procedures. Further thanks to our management committee members who are not re-nominating: Kim Sambrooks, whose contribution to the 25^th Anniversary Celebration was significant, and Lyn Hickey, who dedicated time to the Womenspace management committee for a number of years – as a Treasurer and last year as a general member.
 
Thanks to the Secretary Ann Ingamells and Treasurer Kate Edmiston for their work beyond the duty descriptions, Ann especially for facilitating the Women Weaving Stories and Writing Workshops. Without their support I wouldn’t be able to fulfill the role of a Chair. Your re-nominating for 2023-24 is greatly appreciated!
 
We acknowledge the support of Sterling Hinchliffe MP and Councillor Jared Cassidy and their friendly staff.

Thanks to all who contributed to the wellbeing of Womenspace with their group facilitation, donation, care, and time – Kaye Abel, Moya Burridge, Barbara Wilson, Rhyll Pearson, Janette Hughes, Linda Coster, Denise van Gerrisheim, Karen Roberts, Sam Edwards and others.

Just to finish the 2022-23, in June:

•  We confirmed the appointment of our new Office Coordinator Georgia Woods and found a new tenant, Suellen Howarth. Our other tenant, Sharon Carroll, owner of the Double Two dress shop celebrated her 25^th anniversary in this venue! 
• We found a visioning board created in the years when Womenspace didn’t have a home but despite that had brave dreams and strong beliefs which over a decade became a reality. Inspired by that we began a process of dreaming about the next stage of Womenspace’s growth. We gave ourselves a year to test and formulate a plan of developing a strategy to become stronger and more independent – we have 9 months to go.

I am calling to members of this meeting, and through you to members of the wider 4017 community to recognise and evaluate the existence of this organisation in your life and as a community resource.
 
I appreciate you value and trust my contribution to Womenspace as Chair of the Management Committee, I would be happy to collaborate with others who are ready to start building experiences and skills needed for transitioning as within the next 12 months we need new leadership!
 
Thank you,
 Ludmila Doneman