Albany Inc

About Albany Inc

25.11.2025

Our last formal meeting of the year and we had 3 service badges to award.

15 years to Trish Travers

10 years to Janet McArtney

10 years to Rhonda Halden.

Thank you all for all your work over the years.

(We are all wearing orange to support the 16 Days of Activism against Gender based violence)

16  days in WA

 

Albany SI members dressed for the November meeting in orange for the 16 Days of Activism as they do every year,
This years THEME
There is #NoExcuse for online abuse
Online and digital spaces should empower women and girls. Yet every day, for millions of women and girls, the digital world has become a minefield of harassment, abuse, and control.
What can start small, on screens – a message, a comment, or a post – can quickly spiral into a torrent of threats and violence in real life. Private photos are stolen without consent. Lies spread in a matter of seconds. Locations are tracked. AI is weaponized to create deepfakes designed to shame and silence women.
This 16 Days of Activism (25 November – 10 December) join us as we rally for a world where technology is a force for equality – not harm.

16 days in WA  Vigil

A wonderful Vigil at Ellen Cove on 24 November 2025  to launch the 16 Days of Activism against gender based violence. In collaboration with Southern Aboriginal Corporation this year's theme UNITE was written in the sand and decorated with beach flotsam and candles. Jan Leamon from SI Albany shared her personal journey and Pamela Watts from SAC shared her poem Dream Dress.

 

16 days in WA

This year, Albany Soroptimists are joining with Southern Aboriginal Corporation and conducting a Candlelight Vigil at Middleton Beach on Monday 24th November to start the Awareness Campaign.

Mad Hatter Tea Party

We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to be a Sponsor for thus amazing event - the 2025 Mad Hatter Tea Party on Friday 3rd October from 10am-1pm at the Albany Town Square, hosted by headspace Albany.

You’ve forgot to wear a hat!
Don’t worry Albany Soroptimists will have hats available for you decorate.

More info https://www.facebook.com/share/1CjeZQRg8s/

 

 2025 CLUB PHOTO - celebrating charter April 24 1982

Taken at dinner meeting on 27 May 2025

 MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT

Deb Symes - Member for 20 years

My husband Rod and I left Perth in 1995 to enjoy the country life in a new business venture (although the 24/7 work we did was a bit harder than we’d imagined!).

I joined SI Albany in 2005 to volunteer to do activities that helped women & children locally & internationally after attending a fundraiser lunch. It was so much fun and inspired me to meet different women to my workplace friends. Since then, and since retiring from my profession as a Dietitian, I have been even busier with involvement with the Clubs’ projects, fundraising and social events. At present I Co-president with Kerry Oakley, which is great, as we both like to travel and seem to be able to coordinate it so that one of us is available to keep up with the emails .

I’ve loved working on the club’s projects over the years with like-minded women – the ‘Albany Women’s Centre Kare Kits’ donation drive, the ‘Multi-Sensory Time’ sensory kit website, Sausage Sizzles, helping out Girl Guides, TAFE students, “painting the town blue” for Mental Health week, planting trees, helping fund a Maternity clinic in PNG, providing food vouchers for Foodbank and so many, many more. Being a volunteer has been so rewarding in so many ways.

Albany Womens Centre Kare Kits - Project by Soroptimist Albany

Multi-Sensory Time - Albany Soroptimists

ROSALIND SAWYER  - Member for 32 years

Rosalind has been volunteering with SI Albany since she joined on 27 March 1993

She has held the position of President in 2008 and 2009 which includes chairing meetings and attending events representing the club. In addition, she has been membership convenor in 1996, 1997, 2006, 2007 and 2024/2025. The membership committee recruits new members.

In 2019 Rosalind, as a retired Occupational Therapist, convinced the club to start the Multi-Sensory Time Kit Project, to follow up on an idea for an experience to enrich the lives of dementia patients. Rosalind had approached Hawthorn House (Alzheimer’s day care centre) and received their enthusiastic agreement to be involved in the project. 

Following the club's support a professional photographer was located to do the filming.  It was decided to concentrate on farming activities, as Albany and the catchment area is a farming area and many of the people attending Hawthorn House are ex-farmers. The shearing shed was the first subject.  The film and wool were taken to Hawthorn House for its first trial; it covered sight and sound with the DVD with touch and smell using the wool.  The kit was born.

Rosalind was the leader of the committee which worked really hard locating and trialling the various elements needed to produce a box containing everything necessary.  The club was successful in a financial grant and the project is progressing towards increased sales in 2021.

Rosalind continues to lead the committee – the kits will soon be available online

Multi-Sensory Time

https://www.facebook.com/AlbanyWomensCentreKareKits

Gillian Robertson

Gill first joined SI Albany in January 2012, paused her membership for a few years, but still helped with a few catering events held at Hawthorn House, Living Waters Church and St. Ives. To her delight, she was able to rejoin the Club in 2020.

Gill has participated in many projects over the years, including the recent Albany Womens Centre Kare Kits - Project by Soroptimist Albany box drive visiting a few generous people and organisations, project-led the inaugural WA Women's Hall of Fame in Albany, and the bread tag and bottle cap collection which became “bigger than we ever imagined” and eventually had to stop due to loss of processors up in Perth – it was extremely labour intensive and many of our Soroptimists became experts at sorting! Help and support for Solaris Cancer Care was also organised during the Covid19 epidemic which was gratefully received by that organisation at the time.

Nowadays the Club supports the newly established Albany Wellness Hub of Cancer Council of WA in Grey Street, Albany.

 

Carol Thomas - Member for six years
I have always had a commitment to my community as I believe that a happy and vibrant community is the result of the involvement and interest of its members. Over the years I have been active in my children’s activities as a parent support, committee member, costume maker, coach and mum’s taxi.
As they grew and moved into adulthood, and I retired from paid work I still wanted to be involved in my community in ways that interested and fulfilled me.
I attended several Soroptimist International Albany events over time and liked what I saw and heard. I like the focus on women and girls, the national and international reach that Soroptimists have and the practical approach the organisation has in what it does. Ground roots, hands on, working with and alongside is the approach that speaks to me.
I’m privileged to have been a member for some 6 years and have had a lot of fun being part of SI Albany.  Gill enjoys the easy friendship and camaraderie of our local, distant and International Soroptimist members, welcoming a few visitors to her home during a previous Regional Council meeting and has put her administration skills to good use in supporting and representing SI Albany.

 

 Pam and Jan Leaman

Members for 42 years

Why we joined

Late in 1981, Miss Barbara Wight moved to Albany. An active Soroptimist, she was disappointed that there was not a club in Albany. Not content to accept that, she contacted some local ladies and, with their help, sought out women who might be interested in a Service Club. A meeting was held at the Esplanade Hotel in November and the decision made to proceed with the formation of a club.

The Extension Officer at the time was Stella Giles and, with her guidance, the first meeting was arranged for January 1982 at the Esplanade Hotel. From there Soroptimist International of Albany was a going concern, gradually proceeding to the Charter Dinner which was presided over by President Barbara Wight. It was held on Saturday, April 1982, at the Esplanade Hotel at a cost of $20.

Over the past 42 years Pam and Jan have continued their participation in SI Albany as office bearers and hands on with projects and fundraising

Would you like to find out more about our club or attend our next meeting? Then let’s have a coffee & chat.

Phone Rosalind 0429447776

Or sialbany@siswp.org

Or message the top of this page 

Kerry Oakley

My husband Barry and I came to Albany over 32 years ago when we purchased the Amity Tavern on Albany Highway which we worked until we sold and retired. Unfortunately, the Amity Tavern is no longer around.... which is end of an era for sure.

As Barry has belonged to Surf Life Saving most of his life ....it was a no brainer that we would join Albany Surf Life Saving Club since we were in town and still to this day we Volunteer there. I was lucky to have the Life Membership bestowed on me in the year 2009.

My other Volunteering positions have been for Albany Agricultural Society where I was the Shearing Co-ordinator for our Shows over number of years. In that role it was up to me to get sponsorship, sheep, shearers etc to make sure we had 2 days of Show Shearing happening.

I was lucky enough to Host King Charles (Prince Charles) at the time when he and Camilla visited Albany....it actually was his Birthday 14th November. So my claim to fame with my new best friend King Charles (Prince Charles) that not only were we on television but made the front Page of The Countryman that was distributed throughout WA....it amused family members who were Farmers....as what does she know about Shearing....

Since Disabled Surfers Association of Australia Great Southern Albany was formed, I have been from the beginning a Volunteer plus the President. It is such a rewarding role Volunteering and seeing those "Smiles on Dials“ as our Surfers are given an opportunity to surf at Middleton Beach in a safe environment.

Over the years I have also Volunteered at other Clubs in Albany when an extra pair of hands are needed. I feel that becoming part of Soroptimists International Albany was a good direction as we are helping women and girls from all walks of life as well as the broader Community, who would of thought 2 years on that I would also end up being Co-President of SI Albany alongside Deb Symes.

 

Janet McArtney (alias J2 as there are 2 Janets in our club, all born the same year)

Hi, I have been with Albany Soroptimists for 9 years. My association first started over 24 years ago when I answered a sponsorship from Albany Soroptimists to a ‘Women Going Places Conference’ in Albany. I was chosen, went to a fabulous conference and then asked to their meeting to tell them all about it. Of course, they asked if I would join and I said, “Yes, when my daughter leaves home” as life was hectic with a toddler, an elderly mother and a brother with a disability.

For years(24yrs) I followed the amazing work of the Albany Soroptimists via Facebook and other media. Then Rebecca left home for Uni in March 9 yrs ago, mum went into care and my brother gained enough funding so….. I rocked to a meeting in April and said, “Here I am, I said I would come when my daughter left home”. Yes, a bit of a laugh and amazement from all, but true.

Also… I brought an idea of the Albany Womens Centre Kare Kits - Project by Soroptimist Albany whereby Soroptimists are involved a community-based donation drive where schools, chemists and business act as Collection Points for the community to donate essential toiletries to the women and children at the Albany Women’s Centre/Refuge. It’s been a huge success and now its 8th year and has just kicked off with 60 Donation Points in Albany, Mt Barker and Denmark where the community digs deep every year to show their support for the women and children affected by family violence community,

I love that Albany Soroptimist took on board my AWCKK idea and recognised my Facebook and other computer skills so I can feel so useful. The projects I have been involved in are too many to list, worthwhile and enjoyable.

I love that I am helping local and international women. Keep watching these posts and you will learn more from our amazing, funny (and yes, a little quirky) Albany Soroptimists.

Would you like to find out more about our club or attend our next meeting? Then let’s have a coffee & chat.

Bronwyn O’Shannessy

Member for 18 years

I had been living in Albany for four years when I was encouraged to join SI Albany and I was inducted in January 2006. It is a great organisation to be involved with. I have taken on various positions in the club, currently treasurer after several years as secretary (second stint), not forgetting taking on president on two occasions. I spent over five years as the region ICT liaison, with a lot of input to the SIWA website and Facebook. I find there is always someone new to meet via our guest speakers at meetings and our club participates in a range of events. Until recently I enjoyed meeting other Soroptimists at region meetings and conferences. Now I participate virtually at meetings.

Outside Soroptimism my volunteering has been as a Justice of the Peace, where I do a stint at the signing centre once a month. To a lesser degree I am also involved with South Coast Lions, as a Lions partner. I also have a soft spot for Apex when my husband was involved, many years ago. Volunteering is very rewarding

 

Trish Travers

Member for 14 years

I joined the Soroptimist International Albany Club after being a guest speaker in my past work role. I like working on our local projects like the Albany Women's Centre Kare Kits (toiletry packs for the women's refuge) & Multi Sensory Time Kits (for people with dementia).

When I have been travelling in Australia & overseas, I have contacted & met with many Soroptimist Sisters for a coffee.

I like to meet with like-minded women across Australia & overseas.

 

 

 History

Soroptimist International of Albany started in 1982. However, much has been achieved in fellowship, friendship and service.

Late in 1981, Miss Barbara Wight moved to Albany. An active Soroptimist, she was disappointed that there was not a club in Albany. Not content to accept that, she contacted some local ladies and, with their help, sought out women who might be interested in a Service Club. A meeting was held at the Esplanade Hotel in November and the decision made to proceed with the formation of a club.

The Extension Officer at the time was Stella Giles and, with her guidance, the first meeting was arranged for 12th January 1982 at the Esplanade Hotel. From there Soroptimist International of Albany was a going concern, gradually proceeding to the Charter Dinner which was presided over by President Barbara Wight. It was held on Saturday, 24th April 1982, at the Esplanade Hotel at a cost of $20.

The President’s Jewel was designed to reflect the history and beauty of Albany and its surrounds. The centerpiece of whales’ tooth scrimshaw depicts the Brig “Amity” and surrounding it, in sterling silver filigree, are some of the wildflowers of the Albany Region.

Friendship links have been established with SI Birkenhead (Great Britain), Lae (Papua New Guinea) and more recently SI Edmonton, SI Kisumu and SI Tynemouth, Whitley Bay & District. Unfortunately links are no longer maintained with Hachinohe (Japan), Albany – New York (USA), Elk Grove (USA), Benoni (South Africa), Brazilia (Brazil) and Albany – Oregon (USA). 

Projects

 Albany Women’s Centre Kare Kits Campaign 2025

Thank you for donations of miniature toiletries, although not suitable for the Albany Women’s Centre they were triaged and Albany & Regional Volunteer Service will use these essentials for the homeless and needy who attend the 'Breakfast in the Park/Square'. Miniature Shampoo, Conditioner, Shower Gel, Moisturizers and Tooth paste/brush. Handy as patrons can have a hearty breakfast and also collect toiletries required for their next shower.

Also Lynne, our amazing 'bag' lady' who made many Kare Kit bags over the years also made some blanket size bags which were dropped of today to Pivot Support Services. Albany & Regional Volunteer Service and AHA Great Southern www.gsaha.org.au. Thankyou Lynne

 

MULTI SENSORY TIME KITS

New banner November 2022

The five kits

Albany Soroptimists invested a number of years in this project and are excited about helping people who are living with dementia or other neurological disorders. Multi-Sensory Time Kits help people to recall memories through the senses. The Kits were designed under the guidance of an Occupational Therapist.   The kits assist to encourage happy memories and discussion, using five different themes.

The Shearing Shed   The Beach   The Kitchen   The Dairy   The Garden

This project was developed by the Soroptimist International Club of Albany Inc and was made possible by support from The Department of Communities and City of Albany Community Development Funding.   This project is now winding down, as we have limited kits left. More information

https://www.multisensorytime.com.au/

Background

People with memory issues nearly always remember past experiences. Tapping into these memories, reminds them of happier and more productive times and stimulates more memories of past experiences. One of our Soroptimist International members, Rosalind Sawyer (a retired Occupational Therapist), understood the need to have a full multi-sensory experience in order to achieve the best outcome. We use all our senses to understand the world we live in - sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell as well as our sense of wellbeing or happiness, and movement. We have produced these kits containing resources necessary for the experience, as we realise that people often do not have the time to find them. They are simple items and we have put them together in one box, for ease of use. They can be used by many groups, such as aged care, those with neurological disorders, mental health agencies and with children. This is the culmination of the project initiated by Rosalind’s enthusiasm. A small committee was formed in 2018. They worked with AtoZ Visual, a local film maker and photographer, to produce three kits in the series as a pilot study. This was helped by a grant from the Brandenberg Trust through the City of Albany Compassionate Communities Project. The pilot proved such a success, the Albany Soroptimists and Soroptimist International WA gave support to expand the project to include more topics/themes.    These 5 kits have been designed to help people who are having difficulties with memory loss and recall.    The aim is to help encourage happy memories and to encourage discussion with other people.

Each kit has a different theme. There are between 1 and 4 short, themed films to show. Each film is about 10-20 minutes long.   To be used together with the films, we have included several items that are commonly linked with the theme, for users to see, touch or smell.    The films make use of natural sounds and when used with our themed objects can stimulate many senses.   The more senses that are included, the greater and more satisfactory is the experience.