By Renee Wood
A hive of empowering energy is being generated at the Healesville Railway Station, driven by a local mum who wants to support Yarra Valley family businesses and bring women together.
Healesville resident Georgina Ellis is creating a community co-op which will become a designated space to host workshops and somewhere to promote products made by local makers and creators.
Ms Ellis said her main focus is to host support groups for women and help build women’s confidence, while also eventually becoming a retail space.
“You are out in the country and there are a lot of younger families and younger mums coming through and I would love to just have a place to go where it’s fun, where it lifts your spirit,” Ms Ellis said.
The make-up artist felt there was a gap in the offerings for women and Yarra Valley makers, knowning first hand with her husband a leathersmith.
The co-op space named ‘Golden Affection’ is expected to open later in the year, however a monthly market has already been launched named the Healesville Railway Market, inviting Yarra Valley creators to set up a stall.
Both platforms will run simultaneously out of a shed at the railway station which was granted by the board.
“The whole idea behind the market was to create that point of sale for other businesses around the valley, and for everyone else to know that you don’t have to leave the valley to get what you need.”
As a mother of two young children, Ms Ellis hopes the co-op and market will help other parents find strength from following their passions.
“It empowered me that I wasn’t just changing nappies, making dinners, folding washing – it empowered me because I was supporting other women and definitely supporting other mums and dads in business, which is really important.”
“I really want to be able to put that back into the Yarra Valley and to show young people that you don’t need to go to the big smoke to get jobs.”
The next Healesville Railway Market will be held this weekend on Mother’s Day.
