Women’s Day event

By Meagan Kruger

MORE THAN 50 women from Brisbane to Byron gathered at Potager in Carool last Wednesday, March 8, to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD).

Sourdough Business Women (SBW) hosted this year’s event in the stunning hinterland location. Upon arrival, guests gathered in the beautiful gardens of the multi-award-winning restaurant before enjoying a delicious threecourse meal featuring local produce and vegetables grown at Potager.

“Throughout the year, SBW gathers women from across the Northern Rivers to connect, learn and inspire,” Amy Coli, Regional Liaison for SBW, said.

“IWD was a great opportunity to create a wonderful event that raised the conversation around gender equity. We achieved this by showcasing three talented food and beverage producers in our community.”

Guests heard stories from Katerina Lazareva, Byron Fermentary; Lucy Ashley, Shuck Oysters; and Keri Algar, Cabarita Spirits; and how they overcame challenges, obstacles and gender bias to grow their innovative businesses.

“SBW is proud to create a space for these incredible women to share their triumphs. Guest feedback indicates that they valued hearing about their diverse challenges and lessons shared,” Ms Coli said.

Event emcee, local businesswoman Tania Usher, founder of Blue Ginger Picnics and My Daily Chai invited guests to raise a glass to each other and to our commitment to an inclusive world.

“In a climate where many parts of our world are stained politically, economically, socially, environmentally, bringing women together in a gorgeous space, such as Potager, helps to filter positivity and inspiration back into families, communities and beyond,” she said.

The event also provided a platform for Southern Cross University to present a scholarship to a female student, Christina Langley, a talented woman doing incredible research for our environment.

Another focus of the day was to remind women to never underestimate their impact on the world.

“So often women are busy getting through a day they forget to acknowledge the many accomplishments of their minute-to-minute problem solving,” Ms Usher said.

“They are deflecting disaster, nourishing loved ones, caring for others without a second thought as to the importance of their role.”

As well as this annual IWD celebration, SBW host engaging and inspiring events each month throughout the region.

In addition, they offer a mentoring program designed to provide expertise, support and guidance to women in business.

This free (other than a small registration fee) mentoring program is a valuable resource for women no matter their stage of business.

Ms Usher concluded the IWD event by thanking the guests for their contribution to community,

“On behalf of the SBW committee, we’d like to thank you for what you’ve done in the past, what you’ll go forth to do in the future and for contributing to the incredible positive energy of today,” she said.

Pottsville church turns 40

By Jo Kennett

A CELEBRATION marking the 40th anniversary of the blessing and opening of Saints Mary and Ambrose Church, Pottsville, will be held on Sunday, March 19, at 7.30am Mass, followed by morning tea and celebrations in the St Ambrose School Hall. The church was built on land donated to the parish by Ambrose and Mary Brown, who had previously offered their home as a place for the celebration of Mass at Pottsville.

The church family has grown over the years and has built St Ambrose Catholic Primary School also on the land donated by the benefactors.

All parishioners, residents and visitors are very welcome to attend.

COME AND SHOP WITH YOUR LOCAL GROWERS AND MAKERS.

EVERY SATURDAY 8AM-11AM

29 DURANBAH ROAD, DURANBAH

Phins up! The big talking point is the newcomers on top of the table with two wins when everyone (including me) thought they would battle.

Old Wayne has the new boys flying and more importantly playing tough and for each other.

I’m sure that would have been his mantra all pre season around ‘effort’.

Their challenge is to maintain that standard but they are going to win their fair share of games this year that is for sure - I think they have become everyone’s second team early in 2023.

The disappointing story from the weekend was the racial slur aimed at superstar Latrell Mitchell.

It’s a worry that even though the game (and society) is doing so much in the Indigenous realm of Rugby league these incidents are still occurring.

Further to this incident, Nicho Hynes once again proved himself a quality human and wonderful ambassador for the game and Indigenous culture with his response to the situation - it would be great if the game and country had more people like him.

Parra have struggled early going 0/2 and the challenge continues against a fresh Manly this weekend.

The Broncos have got tongues wagging early doors and Kevvies boys are flying.

Reece Walsh was extremely exciting in his Broncos debut and it’s only up for the Broncos.

The Tigers v Knights was a borefest. Both teams are in real strife here and more so proba- bly the Tigers considering the lack of personnel the Knights finished with.

Multiple suspensions out of this game as well and some lengthy ones for important players. Both teams need to improve very quickly. Speaking of improvement, the Dogs found the form many were expecting from them in 23 to dismantle the Storm.

It was an entertaining performance by the lads from Belmore and they get a real chance to go back to back this week vs the Tigers.

The Dragons got off to a great start (albeit slowly) to put pay to our Titans who were nothing short of poor and probably had this game pencilled in as a ‘W’.

The Q Cup kicked off on the weekend with some debuts to local stars Jaylan de Groot and Oskar Bryant for the Gulls who went down narrowly to the Capras.

Mustangs star Toby McIntosh was 18th man for Burleigh and will play Cup in the not too distant future.

The Lisa Fiaola U/17s ladies side and Open Women’s Northern Rivers Titans trained at Ballina on Sunday with 40 of the best ladies in our region being put through their paces in what bodes well for the future.

The Open men’s NRT side were successful against North Coast last weekend and will travel to Woollongong this weekend to take on Riverina for a spot in the final of the prestigious Country Championships.

See you at the footy.

Quinny