Hands up for skills

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
WITH less spending money hanging around, more people are looking at getting things done themselves.
A group of women in Woori Yallock is getting together to get off the grid.
They plan to look at sustainable and cost-effective life skills that can be done in and around the home.
Woori Community House manager Sonja Mazar said it was about getting back to old fashioned ways, “the things we used to do before TV and the internet”.
“These things cost better in the long run and get you into the community,” she said.
“If you can spend two cents making your own soap instead of $2 at the shops, how can you question that?”
Barbara and Lisa Pownall have already signed up for the group.
The Seville East mother and daughter said there were many home repair skills they would like to learn.
“I want to learn things that mean I wouldn’t be reliant on finding someone who is reliable and doesn’t cost too much,” Barbara said.
“I’m interested in anything that helps me. I live a sustainable life but I’m trying to increase that knowledge.”
Ms Pownall said the benefits of being sustainable would be enormous.
“As a senior I can’t afford to have a lot of things done, plus keeping busy reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s,” she said.
“It’s almost impossible to sustain a reasonable lifestyle on a pension, and you’ve got to keep your mind active.”
For more information contact Sonja Mazar at Woori Community House on 5964 6857.