A ‘light-hearted lunch’ is planned for September 4 at The Capital in Bendigo, exploring health and abundance at all ages and stages for women in rural communities.

From a woman who celebrated her 90^th birthday by golfing her way from Bridgewater to Perth, to women establishing their careers in their 20s, LEAD Loddon Murray’s Leah Sertori said there would be six guest speakers spanning three generations.

“The focus is on living well and maintaining health at any stage,” Ms Sertori said.

Loddon Shire Citizen of the Year and keen cyclist Alice Leach, and avid golfer and Inglewood and Districts Health Service volunteer Betty Higgs will speak to what good health looks like for women in their 80s.

“They are absolute trailblazers,” Ms Sertori said.

Mrs Higgs was one of six nominees for the 2018 Minister for Health Volunteer Awards Outstanding Lifetime Achievement accolade.

Two teachers from East Loddon P-12 College, both of whom happen to be named Sarah, will share their experiences as women in their 20s.

There will also be two speakers aged in their 50s.

Ms Sertori said the event, which is ticketed at $15, was intended to be uplifting and inspiring.

The City of Greater Bendigo’s Jenny Pendlebury said women were the cornerstone of rural communities and families.

Next month’s event forms part of a concerted effort to support women in rural areas to be their best selves.

Related: Victorian Rural Women’s Network revival

It is one of a range of initiatives backed by the Central Victorian Rural Women’s Network.

The network was established approximately 10 years ago and has about 700 members.

Councillor Colleen Condliffe, of Loddon Shire, said she had seen the positive effects of the network in her community.

She said she was aware of friendships and business connections formed as a result of functions.

Women’s Health Week runs from September 3 – 7.

For more information about the lunch event, click here.

STALWARTS are being encouraged to nurture a new generation of leaders to retain vital skills, knowledge and contributions to the community.

LEAD Loddon Murray executive officer Leah Sertori said the organisation was part of a program encouraging ‘Women of Community’ to prioritise and practice self-care.

She said succession planning was among a number of areas of focus, particularly for volunteers in established roles who might be seeking to wind back their commitments in the foreseeable future.

Ms Sertori said it was important the next generation of leaders was ready to step up to those roles.

LEAD Loddon Murray is among a number of organisations in our region concerned that women leading change in rural communities risked exhaustion, as they were often volunteering across a number of organisations, along with paid employment and caring for family and community members.

Other groups and organisations involved in the ‘Women of Community’ program include the Central Victorian Rural Women’s Network, Women’s Health Loddon Mallee and North Central LLEN.

For more information about the program, click here.

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