Around 40 women came together last Thursday night to celebrate International Women’s Day at The Old Vic Inn an event put on each year by The Canowindra Phoenix. It was a lovely balmy evening out on the old balcony overlooking Gaskill St. The women enjoyed drinks, canapes and lots of laughs with their friends and some lovely music by Nerida Cuddy.
The guest speaker this year was Robyn Lewis from West Wyalong who is a Smart Recovery advocate. At 15 Robyn turned to drugs and started using marijuana, which was followed by drinking and smoking. “At 17 I turned to amphetamines and at 18 ran away from home.”
She had a relationship with an older man, also a drug user, “and he got me into needles, which I continued for the next 35 years.” She was also on ice for 15 years, had developed a gambling addiction and was drinking heavily.
“I was a complete wreck, suicidal with no self-esteem or self-respect, and very angry.” I had tried all types of rehabilitation, counselling, doctors and psychiatrists. None of them worked for me. The turnaround came when her new GP introduced her to the
Smart Recovery program. “This program did not label me, there was no judgement and I managed my own recovery with the support of the group,” said Robyn.
“The weekly meetings focused on the last seven days and the next seven days.” Robyn has been clean for 20 months and her latest ‘addictions’ are being fit and healthy, and doing speaking engagements to tell her story.
The Phoenix are proud to report that $365 was raised on the night from ticket sales and raffles and this money will be donated to Smart Recovery Australia. The Phoenix would like to thank the following local businesses who donated raffle prizes: IGA, Canowindra Services Club, Canowindra Bottleshop, Synergy Hair and Beauty, Frock On and Jamberry Nails.
By Sarah Maynard