The Manawatu Women’s Group celebrates its 30th birthday over two days – 26 and 27 June 1998. The 30th celebrations include plenty of speeches from ladies talking about their experiences in the Women’s group. Quite a few out-of-town ladies attend, with games, cake-cutting, photo montages up for viewing and lots of reminiscing, before the ladies head out for a well-attended dinner at a restaurant open to all, even the men!
The Women’s Group was formed in 1968 by Barbara Hazelwood. Members met once a month at their homes, with their main purpose at the time to do sewing for the Market Day, which was a good fundraiser. They used those regular gatherings to have sewing and knitting competitions, with materials provided by the Women’s Club. The social gatherings later went on to include workshops such as ‘the art of applying make-up’ and the ‘art of floral work’, as well as cake decoration and the like!
