For International Women’s Day, reporter Oliver Lees spoke with Melton resident Val Fisher, who is responsible for coordinating the Women’s Support Group at the Melton South Community Centre.
What is your connection to Melton and Moorabool?
I was born in London, England where I worked as a dental nurse and then a teacher’s aide. I worked with special needs children aged five to eight and found it very satisfying to see their progress over that time. I’m an empathetic person and have always enjoyed the satisfaction of helping people.
I arrived in Melton in 2001 so it’s been 21 years now and Australia is definitely home, however I’m still trying to lose the Pommy accent!
How did you become involved in the Women’s Support Group in Melton?
I’ve been running the group for over seven years now, the manager of Melton South Community Centre, Pam Madej originally asked me if I would be interested in running a support group of some kind and it’s proved to be very successful. I have a qualification in counselling so I jumped at the chance to make a difference in our community. Many of the ladies that come to the group have been attending from the start.
Since I began running the support group I have realised that it’s a win/win situation. It’s good for me and also the ladies that attend.
What is the purpose of the group?
I am very excited to be able to put the word out further into our city and beyond because it is so important for women (and men) to have somewhere to feel supported in a confidential and relaxed setting.
It can be very difficult to find the strength to join a new group when you don’t know anybody, however, when they do manage to take that step, they soon realise that we are a friendly group in very relaxed surroundings.
Why is it important to have spaces where women can come together in an environment where they feel supported?
There isn’t much that’s off limits within the group, we discuss a large variety of subjects. The group is very important as a safe place for people to find support in many different situations such as family violence, grief, relationship breakdown, post-traumatic stress disorder as well as depression, anxiety or just general support through the everyday difficulties of life.
We occasionally go out for coffee or to a movie and some of the group members have made good friends through attending regularly. I run the group on a voluntary basis and look forward to meeting new members.
When I see the ladies in the group arranging to have coffee or go to a movie together I feel that my support has been worthwhile. By making friends within the group the ladies have immediately found a person who is in a similar situation and so can understand more easily the way they’re feeling.
The Women’s Support Group meets at the Melton South Community Centre every Monday, except public holidays, from 1pm to 2.30pm.
Anyone wishing to join the group can contact Ms Fisher directly.
Details: 0418667150
