Beaut day for ‘ Blowhole Belles ‘

THERE are so many women "of a certain age" in Kiama who just want to have fun that the Red Hat Society Kiama branch's founder is looking at setting up a second group.

"I have had the most amazing response to the ads and stories," said Val Maitland, the "Queen Mair" of the group.

"We have about 30 at the moment, but usually you can have only about 18, so we might have to form another chapter."

The Red Hat Society was formed almost a decade ago in the US as a social club for women aged over 50 who wanted to have fun.

The name " and costume of members " was inspired by Jenny Joseph's poem Warning, which begins: "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple/With a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me".

Mrs Maitland decided to form a local branch after seeing the Wollongong group, the Steel Magnolias, at the Kiama Cup race day.

"I painted all the hats and at one stage I had about 12 down my driveway drying," she said.

"We've had some morning teas at my place and tried the clothes on and had lots of fun."

One of the members, Sue Daley, said she had heard the poem "a long time ago, before I retired" and had also seen a group of Red Hatters in Sydney and decided to join if it ever started locally. Last week the Kiama branch, unofficially named the Blowhole Belles, held its first "proper" lunch, organised by Charmaine Wheatley.

Amid the noisy chatter of the 20 members present were discussions about the best way to wear one's red hat, suggestions of activities for the group and a toast "to Val and to red-hatted ladies".

The group is women-only, which Mrs Maitland said had caused the odd spot of trouble.

"One man was very disappointed. He said, "Oh, I've got a red hat and it sounds such fun', but he couldn't come," she said. In the spirit of fun that dominated the lunch, one of the other members suggested men could join if they came in drag!