A crowded room of women listened with great interest to Sydney author Christine Sykes, when she talked about her new book “The Changing Room”  at the Grafton library on Thursday. The event was co-sponsored by the Grafton Library, and the Clarence Valley Women’s Inc.

Christine spoke about her years as a volunteer at ‘Dress for Success Sydney’ and how the stories of the unemployed women she had assisted to be dressed for job interviews, and the support of women for women, had inspired the book and the three main characters in her novel. A lively audience was keen to know about how to get a first novel published, how feminism and stylish dressing sat comfortably with each other, and how Dress for Success worked. Prue Leggoe, founder of Dress for Success in Brisbane, was also present to help answer questions about how Dress for Success works and how it could help unemployed women in our area.

Christine presented her book to Clarence Valley Women’s Inc committee member Robyn Bancroft and received from Robyn a beautiful commemorative calendar featuring stunning pictures women leaders in the indigenous community.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on Sunday March 8, and the theme for this year is Each for Equal. Clarence Valley Women’s Inc is holding other events in the Valley to celebrate the day. These will be Tuesday March 3 at Iluka library, luncheon from 11am on the theme “Women and Resilience”

On Sunday March 8, gather at See Park in Grafton to celebrate the day with a BYO morning tea from 10 – 12am.

On Wednesday March 11 at CWA rooms Maclean there will be a light lunch and music from 12.30pm.

Prue Leggoe