Dame Susan Devoy: Tarnished Frocks and Divas

On Wednesday night I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Tarnished Frocks and Divas at Mills Reef.

While I had only heard positive comments about the previous shows, I had never had the opportunity to see it firsthand.

Intrigued by the genesis of this wonderful show I set about researching the beginnings and the story behind this now successful brand.

In 2003 an amazing woman, mother, daughter and friend lost her lengthy battle with cancer. Barb showed through her strength and passion for living, the importance of embracing and acknowledging life - each stage of it - and the corresponding challenges of those stages. Using Barb as inspiration, the mission of Tarnished Frocks And Divas is to inspire women to continue to challenge themselves, create new goals and to be a positive influence on their families their friends and the wider community.

They say life begins at 40 and these women are certainly a testament to that.

Interestingly some of those attending compared it with the Wearable Arts fashion show in Wellington.

Possibly an unfair comparison - an international show with a budget to match to what is in essence an amateur production produced by very enthusiastic and energetic volunteers.

It was simply a wonderful celebration of women.

I may be completely wrong but I sensed they were women with a multitude of talents, some probably lost in youth, and here was the opportunity to let loose without the inhibitions and self consciousness that comes as part of teenagehood.

It was just great to witness the multitasking abilities of all those women involved.

It looked like a sisterhood of females comfortable in their own skin, one of the positives that comes with ageing.

This event was part of the Real Festival, a nationwide raft of festivals and events that are running in conjunction with the Rugby World Cup.

The Lotteries Commission granted $9 million to different regions to support and promote activities.

I note Tauranga has its own calendar of events and that the Real Tauranga website states that the festival goes from September 9 to October 23.

Surely that must be a misprint - I have yet to see anything that resembles a festival.

One week into the World Cup and it is hard to believe that Tauranga has embraced this opportunity.

I am rather envious of all those towns and cities that have created an atmosphere that has been a welcome relief from the horrors of this year and have really put smiles on people's faces and generated some real positivity.

Mind you, missing out on hosting any games is a little akin to holding a birthday party without the guest of honour.

But where was the big screen down at the waterfront for the opening ceremony and the game between Tonga and our national team?

Surely you start as you mean to continue.

Obviously six weeks is a long time but I seriously hope that the events planned down at The Strand over the next couple of weekends live up to expectations.

It has to happen for the multitude of visitors that are expected to pass through or those who are arriving on cruise ships and equally so for us locals who are keen to be part of the action, just to prove there are no sour grapes over missing out on any matches.

I wouldn't consider myself a diehard rugby fan, but this is the biggest sporting event that we will experience in our lifetime here in our own backyard, so the chance should not go wanting.

I love the Jazz Festival for the vibrancy it injects into our city and I loved the Tarnished Frocks and Divas.

Both are real jewels in our crown and will continue to be so.

I hope we can look back and say the same about our Real Festival.