Art show to benefit central Victorian women

Young women in need of emergency support, and women form Victorian farming families will benefit from money raised by a central Victorian art initiative.

Showcasing Women Artisans of central Victoria organisers are thrilled by the inaugural event’s success.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo and the Zonta Club of Bendigo collaborated to promote the work of the region’s women artisans and advocate for women in need. 

Sue Clarke of the Zonta Club of Bendigo said the service club was likely to create a new initiative to support young central Victorian women in need of emergency support using the funds raised.

The event at Dudley House in Bendigo on Saturday raised about $1500, which Rotary and Zonta will divvy up and donate to causes supporting women in central Victoria. 

“It’s a good start,” Ms Clarke said. 

“It was a teaser for us and it worked extremely well.”

Showcasing Women Artisans of central Victoria has inspired the two service clubs to work together more in future.

It also united 10 of the region’s women artisans, most of whom predominantly work from their respective studios. 

Rotary Club of Bendigo president Larrie Winzar said the artists were delighted with the number of sales and the number of people who attended, of which there were about 250. 

“The artists are keen to be involved again next year, and we are already planning,” she said. 

“Exhibiting together was a unique concept and gave them the opportunity to meet, discuss and support each other – something that, as artists, they rarely had the opportunity to do.”

Ms Winzar said Showcasing Women Artisans of central Victoria was the first combined project of the Rotary Club of Bendigo and the Zonta Club of Bendigo.

“This event enhanced the work both clubs do in advocating and supporting women in need,” she said.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo will donate its portion of the funds raised to its Starthrower project, which supports regional Victorian women to relax and enjoy a day away from the farm.

Ms Winzar said the woman would spend their day being pampered in Bendigo with a Rotary member.

Bendigo businesses cover all the guest’s costs. The accompanying Rotarian pays their own way.

Ms Winzar said the program was intended to help farming families experiencing hardship.

“By supporting women in the household we are actually helping the whole family,” she said.