Now it's turning 30.
This year marks the three-decade milestone for the Lancaster Community Group.
Although Lancaster is in the name — as that is where the group was primarily based during its early years — almost every member is now Kyabram based.
The group was founded by Lynn Newton and Margaret Wade in 1991.
It was started as a way for women to socialise and that tradition has continued once a month ever since (except during COVID-19 restrictions).
Originally, the members would meet at the Lancaster Hall but as many women started to move into Kyabram, the group began to meet in town.
There even used to be guest speakers, but when a group of ladies haven't met for a month there's a lot of talking that needs to be done among themselves.
To keep with the light-hearted nature of the group, there's even a 10 cent fine if the ladies don't wear their badges.
“The years have been great,” Mrs Newton said.
“We all like each other and enjoy what we do. I have a great secretary and treasurer who do a wonderful job. I couldn't do it without them.
“The people are good. It's a friendship group because there are a lot of ladies who live by themselves.
“I think it's popular because it's very laid back. When we have a meal in town we can have up to 50 people there.”
Treasurer Joy Salter said the two founders saw a need for ladies on the farm who had nowhere to meet and "it spun off from there.”
Secretary Marg Woods said the group normally meets at a cafe or restaurant in Kyabram but tries to do about four trips per year outside of town.
“We need to think about the ladies who can't get on the bus so we try to take them somewhere local,” she said.
“We usually have four bus trips and that's for the ones who are more mobile and want to go out of town.
“Every September we do a longer trip (outside of the Goulburn Valley). The trips are always done during school holidays so we can use the school bus.”
Last year's coronavirus pandemic caused a 12-month halt to the monthly catch-ups until the 30th birthday lunch in February 2021.
“Although we didn't do any sort of Zoom catch-up, Marg made umpteen phone calls to check in on everybody to make sure they're okay,” Mrs Salter said.
Mrs Newton has held the position of president for all of the 30 years.
She joked that while she'll be "long gone", Mrs Newton hopes the Lancaster Community Group continues for another 30 years.
She laughed that no woman had attempted a coup to bring her down as president, "mainly because no-one wants it". Now she's president for life.
Mrs Newton said she could recall being told by two prominent Kyabram ladies that the group wouldn't last.
“They said we'd fold within six months; they said we wouldn't last,” Mrs Newton said.
“'Change your office bearers every six months — that worked!" she said with a laugh.
18°C