Community & Business
19 March, 2025
Gil Evening CWA helps visiting boutique bus ‘Frock the Outback’
One “Boutique Bus” on an inspiring outback trek. Hundreds of donated dresses. Three Central Coast volunteers on a mission to support and empower rural and remote women!
The Gilgandra Evening Country Women’s Association (CWA) branch doing what it does best when visitors drop-in.
Later this month, the ‘Frockin’ the Outback’ bus from the Central Coast non-profit Because We Care Boutique (a project of the Iris Foundation) and its volunteers will visit Gilgandra as part of an epic road trip that will take them to several communities across NSW and end in Broken Hill in April.
During this visit to Gilgandra, women of all ages from the town and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to pick up a free, high quality new or near-new dress from the Boutique Bus, and enjoy the hospitality of the Gilgandra Evening CWA.
Partnering with a number of local service providers who will assist in their respective communities, the Boutique Bus and its volunteers will also visit Wilcannia, Bourke, Cobar and Broken Hill.
Although the bus won’t personally stop in Warren or Nyngan, the volunteers plan to despatch boxes of dresses to those communities if needed.
Because they care
Organiser Paula Hardwick said the idea for the road trip came about through the community work of “Because We Care Boutique”, where she volunteers.
The Glenning Valley boutique supports women in the Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Central Coast regions who have or are facing adversity or homelessness.
It provides quality clothing to help women re-enter the workforce or undertake work experience, attend court or other important appointments, special occasions, and more.
The boutique receives donations of quality pre-loved outfits in very good condition, but also receives donations of new, unworn items as well.
Many items are top-quality brand names that would normally cost a lot of money if purchased in clothing stores.
An online business that recently stopped operating donated 400 new dresses to the boutique, Ms Hardwick said.
It means a good range of items are available for local women doing it tough.
“One woman [who visited the boutique last week] was a victim of domestic violence and isolated, and she came in because she’s got to go to family court [and has nothing to wear],” Ms Hardwick explained.
“[At the end of her visit,] we had her feeling so empowered. And she said, ‘I came in anxious, and now I feel powerful.’ That’s what it’s all about. That’s why we do it,” she added. The volunteers’ strong desire to extend these benefits to help empower women in rural, regional and remote areas who may not have access to quality clothing locally, led to the idea for the long, round-about drive across NSW to Broken Hill, Ms Hardwick said.
“I’ve really been seeing the great disparity between what is available out there [in the regions] and what we have in the city,” she said.
“I don’t think [city] people are aware, you know, so it’s been a real learning curve about understanding, empathy and compassion for what is happening out in your regions,” she added.
Gil Evening CWA hosts visit
Locally, the Frockin’ the Outback team will be hosted by the Gilgandra Evening CWA branch, with the branch looking forward to the event, according to spokesperson Helen Oates.
Supporting the event was important, she said, especially as not everything the CWA does is about raising money.
“We’re always very keen to work with and do anything for the community,” Mrs Oates said.
“It’s doing what we can to help where we can.”
The CWA will open its Gilgandra rooms especially for the visit and provide catering.
“We’re providing the venue and some morning tea so that this wonderful event can come to Gilgandra,” she added. “As I understand it, women will be invited to come in and pick an outfit, have a cup of tea, and go off with a smile on their face,” Mrs Oates said.
Through her work with the Gil Community Op Shop, Mrs Oates is aware of the growing level of need in the community due to cost-of-living pressures.
“I’m very aware of the needs, not only of our community, but Gulargambone, Coonamble, Lightning Ridge, Walgett, who always come through here on a regular basis, and how hard everyone from young mums right through to elderly people are all being impacted by the increased cost of living,” Mrs Oates said.
With mothers often prioritising the needs of children and partners over themselves, events like Frockin’ the Outback are a chance to support those women, Mrs Oates said.
The op shop will also receive a box of quality clothing during the Gilgandra visit.
For more details, follow Frockin’ the Outback event on social media or contact the Gilgandra Evening CWA or the op shop.
The volunteers are also accepting donations to assist with fuel and accommodation for the trip, and can be reached through the Because We Care Boutique website or social media.
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