NEWS from the WEST
The Highland Highnesses went to the Settlers Inn at York for their Christmas in July event and enjoyed a traditional three course Christmas dinner followed by community singing around the piano. Heather recounts their news:
“This was a good package deal which included all the food and drink and overnight accommodation – not sure they made too much out of the Highland Highnesses as we probably drank away most of their profits!!! We had a very interesting and informative visit to WA Newspapers. This was a three hour tour, which naturally included morning tea and yummy homemade biscuits, and we saw how our daily newspaper comes into print from start to finish.
We attended a magnificent performance of Mama Mia which had us all singing and dancing in the aisles, and this was followed a few days later by a great breakfast at the Dutch Butcher in Welshpool where they really went out of their way to give us good service and wonderful food and once we had filled ourselves to the brim, we went off to the Midland Fire Station where we were shown around the premises by the handsome, gallant and brave fire fighters who were very intrigued with the Red Hat Ladies. A very kind young officer showed us the latest fire engine and we were absolutely amazed and enthralled to see the vast array of equipment which these machines carry.
For another outing we also enjoyed an outing on the Shire bus to Avonbrook Winery for a delicious morning tea of piping hot tea and coffee and a large array of different flavour cheesecakes, and if this wasn’t enough we then proceeded to the Spencers Brook Tavern at Clackline where we fortified ourselves with a lovely roast dinner and quite a few glasses of wine.
Our Champagne and Charades night with hilarious results and we were amazed at how some of our shy and more modest members can act out seemingly impossible film or book titles once they have had a few glasses of champagne to give them some courage.”
Some things planned for next month include two theatre visits – one to see My Fair Lady at the Rolyestone Theatre and one to see Are You Being Served at Marloo Theatre. The Highnessess will also have DVD and Burger night where all the girls will sit around the fire and watch a chick flick whilst one of the husbands slaves away over a barbecue cooking scrumptious home made burgers and onions, which is as it should be!! A trip on the Shire Bus to Rockingham to visit Helen’s Hatters Haven will give all the opportunity to buy more clothes in a larger size, and some more bling to add to their collections.
The Strawberry Tarts have joined with the Glorious Gadabouts for some recent functions. One for the Christmas in July dinner at the Pavillion, even though it was June!! The other being a Quiz day held at the Maylands Yacht Club. On both occasions there was lots of fun shared by all.
A tour to the Woodside Guide Dog Centre was an eye opener (no pun intended). The building is very impressive with a lecture theatre and interactive centre. Ladies were able to try out many of the aids available and saw a short movie. They learnt so much and were so impressed that being blind does not stop these people leading an independent life.
Diane (Countess of Comic) hosted a lovely day in the beautiful Mt Lawley home of her friend. A genteel Soiree was enjoyed around the antique Grand Piano and an elegant afternoon tea was partaken, served on the dainty lace cloth and fine bone china with a delicate floral table centre. Then out came the 1940’s J Albert & Sons “Boomerang” songbooks with lyrics of those lovely old evergreens. The S’Tarts were in fine voice but the two nightingales of the day were Diane and her dear friend Brenda, who thrilled all with their duets.
When Deborah De Williams run in to Perth on her marathon to raise funds for breast cancer she was welcomed by a group of Red hatters and she was lifted by the support, after Bev had notified all chapters about the event. Deborah herself is a very warm and likeable woman and her determination to set the run around Australia record was obvious. She had suffered a fall, cut open her
knee, and after being stitched at hospital, she went right back out running. Wow, 50kms a day!
Stef (Queen MiniMum of the Red Hat Roos from Perth) is in the UK visiting family and while there met up as pre arrangedwith Queen Opal, Wandaoutside Marks and Spencer and went for a cuppa and a chat at the Bluecoat Chambers. (The Bluecoat, a Grade I listed building, is now an arts centre but was originally built in the early 18th century as a charity school.) “Appropriately fortified, we went shopping for some clothes for Betty, Stef’s mother in law, who lives in Greasby on the Wirral. We lunched in the new cafe in Rapid Hardware (who have taken over the old George Henry Lee Store), and then on to more shopping! We had a great laugh," recounts Wanda.
Even in the bleak cold weather, the Dinki Di Divas have been out there enjoying their events. They remain conspicuous, stunning and often their level of sound is higher than other patron at venues they may be at during an activity. Their aim is to let the public have the greatest regard for Red Hatters and endeavour to present that “dressed to kill” attitude at all times! In their endeavour to procure yet more purple items there will be a future opportunity to attend a "Pre-Loved” Purple Party. As Queen Elizabeth notes: "The longer you are a red hatter, the more purple you gather. In fact, have you noticed how your feet automatically take you to purple items in the shops?"
And what have the Divas been up to lately?
The Red Hatters Trivia Challenge was a gathering of almost 100 Red Hatters at the Maylands Yacht Club. Sharen - Baroness ‘d Bubbles - chauffeured 7 DDD’s who arrived to the awe of the most glorious sight … a room full of red and purple fluff, flounces and fashion to feast their eager eyes on! Fiona was scribe and Evelyn - Lady Lollipop - was the runner! It was obvious that Kate - Princess Positive Elbow Rubber - was in good form – she knew all the names of Henry VIII’s wives as well as the names of Elizabeth Taylor’s husbands. This turned out to be trivial information not called upon.
But Kate did solve this one: “You can dance on it, it is present at all parties, it is sharp and can cut you and in the end it disappears from view” – did you get it? The answer was ice.
Although other Divas contributed equally in answering some rather difficult questions, they didn’t win any prizes, but gained much from the fun of it all.
19 Divas also attended the musical presentation of Chess at Limelight Theatre where they were very impressed with the cast of about 50 amateur actors, singers, dancers who performed like professionals. The story line, acting, staging and costuming all added to an impressive cultural experience. 
Birthday celebrations are really enjoyable and the Divas love that thrill of sharing in the joy of those ladies celebrating their special occasion. The Birthday Lunch at Café Elixir was a rip roaring! Success. Their most mature, wise, witty, delightful Diva Birthday girl Fran - Grand Duchess at Large - was a welcomed guest. As Fran doesn’t drive, she is limited to what she can attend but thanks to Sandra - Lady of Leisure - she willingly transported Fran to and from the event. Other birthday girls were Dianne - Countess of Cruising, Margaret - Marquise Maggie of Miracle, Pam - Lady Lemon Tea - and a delightful new member in Anne - Gran Annie of Mindarie, as well as visiting red hatter, Ruth Countess Dehavachat from Geraldton. Shirley - Lady Chatterly - organised individual birthday cupcakes, complete with candles. 
The joint was really jumping with enthusiastic patrons all obviously enjoying the food and the ambiance. But, when the Divas arrived, their presence made the café look the best place to be in Wanneroo…..and it really was. It was a day of fabulous food shared joy of being together to celebrate.
The DDD’s Christmas in July promises to be a wonderful event with some activities that will surely entertain all. No doubt the Divas will again be flaunting the purple! They also plan to attend the Mundaring Festival in August when carpooling will be organised so as many members can get to browse through the Gourmet Produce Market and some of the many other attractions that have been put on to highlight the day. This is being heralded as a fantastic local affair – free cooking demonstrations – a truffle outlet, truffle dog demonstrations, a food Piazza, a kitchen emporium…..really so much to see and do.
Helen - Queen Purrfection of the Raspberry Ripples of Warnbro, WA, runs a shop from her home selling a wide range of clothing from casual as in Capri sets including separate T-shirts and Capri pants. Dressy suits in tops & pants, tops & trousers, separate dressy tops, trousers & skirts, winter jumpers, long vests, twin sets, Dresses, Scarves, Shawls, Feather Boas, Hats, handbags, Evening Bags, Fascinators, Jewellery, Stationery as in Diaries, Shopping Lists, Bookmarks, Fridge Magnets, Umbrellas, Gloves, Tights, Foot Fuzzies (like slippers with non slip bottoms), socks, Shoe shaped wine corks(metal),singing Teddy Bears, Betty Boop Dolls, little Old Biddy statutes. Some of the clothes have Red Hat embroidery on them others are just plain purple or red so they can be worn elsewhere.
To contact Helen email herbd7@bigpond.net.au Phone: 08 95934143.
The opening of a new coffee shop called the Dome in Geraldton was just the calling card for the Scarlet O’Hairas to arrange for a gathering there. The ladies went along in their hatting gear with Heather really dressing up for the occasion in a funny sumo outfit, that only she could get away with. Much fun and laughter resulted. There is no doubt, red hatters do find the joy in the moments shared with one another. Their croquette day was another example of that. They had two teachers to show them the ropes and no doubt they would have had as much fun with the red hat ladies. There was as much laughter during the tutouring and games. And they all enjoyed lunch in the company of club members.
