FIVE years ago, Barbara Quinn formed a group she named ‘Havachat’, with the intention of helping women forge new friendships and alleviate loneliness.

Havachat was a success and this week the group had its first Annual Ladies Day Camp in the Mt Walker Church of Christ Hall.

Barbara was at the hall and midway through craft activities when she took our call.

“The ladies have just finished their hat burning craft and it was a big hit,” she said.

“They’ve moved on to resin work but it’s going to be hard to beat those hats.”

Barbara is committed to the group and said it helped women get outside and socialise.

“When I realised there were no groups like this in the Mt Walker area, I decided to make one,” she said.

“Some people are lonely and if they don’t have an activity planned, they stay at home alone.

“There are a lot of people like that, and I decided to link them up and help them to forge natural friendships.”

At first the group met once a month, but members told her that wasn’t enough.

“The ladies looked forward to the meetings and the socialisation that came with them,” she explained.

“I decided Havachat would meet once a week.”

The social group alternates between meeting at the Mt Walker Church of Christ Hall and cafes and coffee shops mostly in the Scenic Rim and Ipswich areas.

Craft supplies and activities are costly, but Barbara said she had things under control because she applied for grants.

“The Ladies Day Camp itinerary is planned using professionals who bring the tools and supplies needed to make whatever it is they’re showcasing,” she said.

“The hat burning craft cost $90 a person but we’ve charged the ladies $25 for the two days.

“We can do that because I’ve managed to successfully obtain grants that pay for the shortfall.”

Next up were crafts like jewellery making and cooking demonstrations.

If you’d like to be part of the group, look up Havachat online.