Becoming Butterflies

Heathdale women's group Becoming Butterflies launched their new name and a postcard to promote the group.

Becoming Butterflies ~ Heathdale Women's Group postcard

From Caterpillar to Butterfly

The focus and determination of a caterpillar
Remains unheeded as it strives and struggles
To leave the security and safety of its knowing,
To emerge in its full glory,
Spread its woings and embrace life as a butterfly.

Bernadette Reynolds, 2006

I came to the Heathdale women's group over 12 months ago. As a health promotion worker from WHW, it was my job to encourage women to get involved in 'a health promotion project'. From the beginning I was impressed by the women's honesty and by the respect they showed to each other and to me. The group shares dreams and disappointments and support one another through difficult times. When a women in Becoming Butterflies asks you, "How are things going?" You can be sure she really wants to know.

My involvement with Becoming Butterflies taught me about really being there. I thought I should provide support, encourage women to come up with an idea and to make these ideas happen. Its not so simple. After trying to avoid speaking about my life and my challenges I was told, in not so many words, that everyone matters. I learned to bring my entire self into my work, that as women we share common challenges. I learned that I can express myself and talk about my experiences without compromising my role as a health promotion worker.

After some time with the group it became clear that the main priority was to keep the group going. As one women said,
"I want us to share this with other women, I see women walking around Heathdale and wonder, does she know about our group"?

Becoming Butterflies ~ Heathdale Women's Group

So we decided on a project that would promote the group to women in Heathdale. Through creative workshops we made pieces of art that represent what the group means to members. The art works exhibited at the postcard launch were adapted to create beautiful postcards and posters that will be distributed to Heathdale women.

Some of the women were worried about their ability to be creative, but I think the postcard expresses something special. Women are resilient; we push past our self-doubt by coming together to achieve remarkable things.

Many people contributed to making this project possible, many thanks to Heathdale Neighbourhood Association for providing back up support to the group, to Wyndham city Council for providing funding for the launch and to Monika Schott who worked on the postcard. Thankyou to ISIS Primary Care for the ongoing commitment to provide a facilitator and to Women Health West for understanding that health promotion takes time. Most importantly, thankyou to all the women who have been part of Becoming Butterflies group, the project and for all the work you have put into this launch. Thanks Tracy, Maria, Yesinia, Jaspal, and Bernadette, I am truly honoured to have been part of your group.

Sally Camilleri, Women's Health West.

Maria's story

My name is Maria, I attend the Becoming Butterflies women's group. I'm going to tell you about my experiences and why I go to the group.

Bernadette's story

I have been a member of this women's group almost since its inception. The group gives every one of us permission to be ourselves.

Jaspal's story

After completing her food handling course the postcard launch was an exciting opportunity for group member, Jaspal, to launch her catering business.

Carla's story

To be a woman is a privilege. As a youngish woman I sometimes feel that I am floating in the world with huge sense of responsibility.

Becoming Butterflies Exhibition

The attached article was written by Maria Cirak, a member or the group and is her account of the above becoming Butterflies work being exhibited in January 2008

FIND OUT MORE More reasons to start your own women's group are available right here at Women's Health West.
Collective of Self Help has great ideas about how to start your own women's group here in Melbourne

We've also created a template to get you started on promoting your newly created women's group Women's Group Poster