Night of pampering for dairying women

Enjoying the Tararua Dairy Women's Network girls night out at RD1, Gill Charmley, left, Margaret Stephenson and Jill Ross. Photo/Christine McKay

Last week dairying women battled the wind, rain and cold, not to go to the cowshed, but for a night of pampering.

It was time to get the girls out as dairying women from throughout Tararua left behind their gumboots, kids and the weather with Charlotte Heald, convener of the Tararua Dairy Women's Network and her team organising a fantastic night away from the cows at RD/Farm Source. For many of the women, it couldn't have come at a better time.

"It's a wonderful night. It's been a hard season and this is a bit of light relief," Margaret Orsborn said.

"As a small community we need these sort of things and it's good to see so many young ones here - it's wonderful for the industry."

Friends, Gill Charmley, Margaret Stephenson and Jill Ross were determined to have a good night.

"It's great in here because we can't hear the wind or the rain," Gill said. "Who cares what the weather is doing?"

With plenty of local retailers setting up stalls, there were goods galore to tempt the women with Jill having to go in search of an extra carry bag.

"This is absolutely wonderful, a chance to get out and about and away from the pressures of farm life and it's nice for all the local businesses to be seen here," Charlotte said.

This was the third year Ada France of Dannevirke Hunting and Fishing had been at the event.

"Sales are going really well," she said.

Ballentynes staff also showed how well dairying women can scrub up when they transformed Jess and Heather from gumboots and parkas to stylish and swish, helped by make up by Melissa Monaghan and Cheryl Augusttine of Wards Pharmacy.

■ Photo page Saturday's edition of the Dannevirke News.