Experience is a wonderful thing.

It enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.

The Absolutely Fabulous Red Hatters of Cabarlah recently had a surprise when Queen Joan announced at their weekly gathering they would finish early and drive to the local park and lookout, Picnic Point, to have photos taken to send to HQ for the "Hatters around the World" section. TableTop Mountain in the background looked surprisingly Hat shaped on the day. “We commandeered a few willing souls to take the photos, including visitors from England, a Photography student and a Journalism student and also a group of rather bemused Buddhists visiting from Singapore,” recounts Queen Joan who took a bag of sticks with her, so that they could "Run them along the Public Railings". After an hour or so of fun, they adjourned to the local Golf Club for lunch. Amid all the comments and chatter there, they were presented with a jug of beer and a jug of lemonade by two "lovely" tattooed young men who were delighted to see Older Ladies enjoying life.

Various games, including a pass-the-marshmallow stick, were all part of the celebration and games played at the 50th Birthday party and RedUation for Princess Carolyn  - Lover of Handbags and Shoes. Queen Joyous Jan from the Roving Red Hat Adventurers of Ipswich (QLD) was excited about holding their first RedUation in the lovely courtyard setting amongst roses and fountains at Dinmore Cottage Cafe.  “During the ceremony we had Dianne The Dopey Duchess, our drummer, on hand for music and drum rolls throughout our crowning and dubbing ceremony of Carolyn and naming of other Chapter members. The beautifully crafted bra hat  table centerpieces were made by Baroness Beverley Aroha of Crimson and Amethyst.  We welcomed two new members, Lady Lee and Lady Helen of Heavenly Hugs, and four visitors from other areas”, relays Queen Jan. “We are a small Chapter of twenty one ladies - all of who I treasure and appreciate and who uphold the fun and fellowship of the Red Hatters”.

The sun may not have been shining and the temperature was low......... but happiness and friendship shone warmly and brightly when 21 Shangri-Lars and 3 guests gathered at the Palace of Queen Nettie for lunch and a talk on using natural essences to enhance health and well-being by Veronica, who is a qualified counsellor and essence maker. “She is the daughter one of the original members, Lady Anita. The information was very interesting and ladies had a number of questions, which Veronica happily answered. As the Shangri-Lars already number 50 with many on the  'Ladies In Waiting' list, it was great that one of the guests was keen to start her own chapter.  It seems the wonderful friendship of Red Hat Sisterhood continues to spread far and wide”, relays VQ Jeanette.

Queen Nefertite (Denise) and the Sunshine Divas with Hattitude had a  fun and enjoyable time celebrating their 1st Birthday with a luncheon at the Pelican Waters, Club Pelican. 93 Red Hatters from different chapters joined in the partying, devouring a scrumptious meal and  Oh! so Red Hat delicious desert. Queens from around the area (with Di from NSW), posed for some happy snaps.

Amongst the 33 Rum City Red Hatters there were 7  Birthday Girls who so enjoyed  their August Birthday celebrations at the East End Hotel dining room. Carol certainly celebrated in style, having reached the magical 60th. Also amongst the attendees was (Queen Mother) Nancy who originally started the group 3 years ago. Everyone had a lovely night and enjoyed the meal, especially the sweets!! “This restaurant makes sticky date pudding to perfection and we've been doing a bit of a survey!!” relays Queen of Vice – Margaret.

Over 50 Red Hatters celebrated the 3rd Anniversary of the Redcliffe Ravishing Rebels at the Scarborough Hotel during August. (The chapter has been affiliated with the RHS in that time, but has existed in Redcliffe since 2001 and is amongst the few remaining groups since that time.)  A Fashion parade was the order of the day with six of the Red Hatters modelling the outfits that were supplied by the Woodford store called Fashionations. Queen Lynne relays it was an enjoyable occasion which included multiple raffles and door prizes and with other groups in attendance. Members from the  The Karma Karmelions from Woodford, The Caboolture Shangri-Lars and the new Redcliffe branch of the Merry Mystical Maidens all joined in the fun of the occasion. Everyone was delighted with the whole day with the compere on the day being Vice Queen Monica who was congratulated on doing such an excellent job, which made the function a great success.

The camaraderie of Red Hatters shone through in the small town of Broome (WA) when Sue of the Mesmerising M'Ladies, of Brisbane, met briefly (with just 10 minutes notice)  with the Queen Di Vomiero, Shirley and Wendy from the Pearly Girls of Broome. “It really brings home what a wonderful group Red Hatter's are - being able to meet strangers but instantly feeling  warmth and friendship.” Sue offers special Thanks to the Pearly Girls of Broome for adding that extra sparkle to her holiday in the West.”

Friday 8.08.08 was an auspicious date and special because the Olympic Games in Beijing were opened that day. Lady Di, Queen of the Delightful Damsels and the lovely Champagne Charlottes also had something even more exciting happening that day as they turned ONE and had the best party ever.  Fun and frivolity reigned supreme with the Charlottes coming in fancy dress with a terrific lunch and of course, superb desserts! Judy, Countess of Organisation well and truly lived up to her name by being the hostess for the event, with a perfect setting for the ladies. Lady Barbarella kept the Charlottes entertained with plenty of jokes and Damsel Jan, in disguise as a Birthday fairy bestowed gifts and blessings on the lucky Charlottes. Special guest at the party was Queen Nefratite, aka Queen Dee from the Sunshine Diva’s who looked sp smart dressed as a school girl…mmmm.  Queen Di of course gave her "Virgin Bride" outfit another airing.

Queen Sassy Lassie of Sass in Hats The Ashgrovian Ladies of the Hat (Shirley) relays news of their gathering at the riverside suburb of Bulimba. The main road, Oxford Street, has become a shoppers delight with lots of cafes and crafty shops and was just the place for the group to meet for some fun and fellowship. Queen Shirley recounts the adventure of the day:  “The comments, smiles and encouragement was very heady stuff especially when young and yummy guys in the cafes called out greetings and we got smiles and 'Love the hat comments' from passers by. Members of the public made comments and requested information. And so it went on all day. Red and purple feathers were offered around with two young men tucking theirs behind their ears! (As one was bald it was quiet a stand out!) After  handing out cards to various groups and singles we were approached by a  guy  wearing a purple shirt and he asked us if he could take our photo as he knew the poem  and had seen what a great time we were having. The day was completed with a champagne tasting. As it was the French stuff at around 70 dollars a bottle we didn't buy any, but we made sure we had great fun with the young server”!!