You learn, that for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve

and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Another FUN month has been passed with lots of activities for the Red Floozie Fluffy Bunezs. Six Bunezs were part of a fundraising event by being the models for the fashion parade. The girls began the parade wearing their Red Hat attire which put a buzz around the room. The following week a Bling party was held at Q. Maizees home with Zarii and Lizz travelling down from Perth with their beautiful jewellery. The ladies ran to the trading table making sure that they did not miss out on acquiring some of the treasures. The Collie Cutie Pies also joined in the fun participating in the shopping eating and nattering and leaving with very happy faces and lots of BLING!!!! After Dark get-togethers are proving to be yet another fun-time, with new ladies joining the group each month with the most recent dinner being held at Barbados Tavern with the newest member, Ester winning the raffle.  The Bunezs are looking forward to their trip to Broome in October to participate in the “Zoom into Broome” weekend, as well as their “Bali Get Away” in 2009. Another luncheon was added to the activity list which was held at Leonies Mangrove Cafe' - where the food is just soooo yummy!!.  Then to complete that month’s events 10 Bunezs drove down to Dunsborough to join with other chapters for a fashion parade and lunch. VQ Margaret and Q Maizee met Phyllis - Grand Duchess of Bateau Bay who is 92. Sue so enjoyed her first outing as a Red Hatter and loved seeing all the colour and can't wait to buy her red hat. Of course to complete that day, and so like all red hatters, the ladies found some time to fit in some more shopping before heading home.

The Geraldton group – Scarlet O’Hairas – headed off on a Wildflower tour that took them to Gunnado Farm and Lookout. (The farm is so named, because the government was always gunnadoo something!!). Along the way they stopped off to see the wreath flowers growing along the side of the road.

So while some of us are enjoying the city sights, the WA gals are very lucky to be able to get in touch with Mother Nature who produces such unique displays.

Queen Nuts and the ladies had a great time singing on the bus, telling jokes and getting to know each other. “The farm consists of 300 acres of land owned and operated by the Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation. Marilyn, our host greeted us at the door and presented us with Damper and a cuppa (real tea leaves too)” recounts Ruth.

The Pretty Posh Princesses recently held their “annual conference” at the Club Capricorn. Agenda items included presentation of personalised coffee mugs, making boxes for red hatter wine glasses, P.J breaky, beauty parlour, dinner at restaurant, and lots of gossip (oops! event  planning).

The Highland Highnesses recently enjoyed a wonderful ride in a limousine. They started off with drinks and snacks at a members house and then boarded the limo for an hour and half ride around the city with a stop in Kings Park to view the city of Perth by night. They received a great deal of attention and many wolf whistles from bewildered young men who couldn’t believe such a group of mature ladies could make such a noise. Much champagne was consumed during the drive and the sound of ABBA songs could be heard every time they stopped at traffic lights. A great evening was finished off with coffee and cake and much hilarity and everyone having had a most enjoyable evening.  

The H/ Highnesses also got together with their sister chapter, the Rocky Rubies, and enjoyed a delicious high tea at the Leaf Tea Merchants in Mount Lawley.  They tucked into cucumber sandwiches and fancy cakes and tiny delicacies with pots of assorted tea, and naturally the ladies consumed vast amounts of food and had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Yet another whirlwind month has passed with a diverse program that started with the film “Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day”.  The movie and included lunch was great fun and good value.  The Strawberry Tarts also participated in the annual Anglicare/ABC “Knit-In” – and were proud to present 4 completed blankets and approx 400 knitted squares. Congratulations was extended to Duchess Dilemma - Maureen, who co-ordinated the lion’s share of the contributions. 

The viewing of “Mamma Mia – The Movie!” proved another fabulous night that had the ladies singing-along and toe-tapping to the great feel-good show that it is!!  Vice Queen Kerry organised a Garage Sale-ing which was again a successful venture, after which they had a “Bird & Bottle” lunch  (a spread of chicken dishes and BYO drinks), with extras hot wedges  sour cream, garlic bread, salad and desserts….None of them went hungry!!  

For their final event for the month, the lovely Gloria delighted all with a recital of poetry, readings and nostalgic memories. “Thank you so much, Gloria, and also to Audrey and Gary for inviting us so warmly into  their home” relays Queen Bev who is hoping to rally around some participants to form a RED HATTERS CHOIR that will perform in a Seniors Concert held in Perth during October. Meanwhile the S’Tarts make headway on their Scrapbook at every opportunity.

The Exec committee of the Dinki Di Divas endeavours to cater for all their members. Their activities of late have continued to be a source of enjoyment to all involved. The Ten Pin Bowling activity turned out to be a real education to those who participated in the day.  How does one choose a suitable bowling ball …how does one work the bowling lane and how do you find the food hall on foot?????  Good times were had by all but none were invited to join the local Bowling Club!

Exercise is recommended if we are to expect a better life.  That’s why you’ll often see a DDDiva exercising their bodies as well as their mouths!  BOTH are enjoyed on their weekly walks.  Not a week goes by when they are not stopped and asked why they are dressed alike – red hat (or sunshade) and purple jeans and jacket.  “No” we don’t wear designer gear but boy did Judith - Dame Pixie Pie make that quite obvious as she was seen striding it out with the bright Target sale sign on the back of her jeans for all to see. Nothing like getting a bargain and flaunting it.

The Divas also drew even more attention on their routine Burns Beach walk with Marlene - Marlinka Madame  De Plonk casually walking along with a “pinkie” on her shoulder – not every day one sees a lady wearing a red hat, dressed in purple, with  a pink and grey galah on her shoulder!  To explain…. this galah befriended her along the pathway, and was happy to perch on Marlene’s shoulder and walk the rest of the way!  After much searching for its owner without success, they finally found a loving home for the very friendly, talkative feathered friend.

In true Red Hat fashion, Gail - Lady of Good Deeds hosted her MORNING TEA which extended into lunch. And on a pretty Sunday they traveled to CARILLEY ESTATE WINERY for lunch enjoying great food and company.  FRAN - Grand Duchess at Large may be the most senior DD Diva, but what an inspiration Fran is to all and she loves to take centre stage to share a joke or two. Fran keeps herself busy with her craft work and is always willing to share her 85 something years of love, life and humour.

A particular event was the Xmas in July celebrations that included the Reduation of Sharen - Baroness ‘d Bubbles with  Glo (fresh from achieving honours in her Master’s Degree)  presenting their newest RED HATTER with her individual and unique Reduation Certificate.

Understanding that Sharon has an involvement in hockey………  Queen Elizabeth explains about a feature on the day being Cynthia’s latest presentation:

 “I know you will find it hard to imagine but it actually happened before our eyes, Cynthia - Tsarina of Theatrix - decked out as the keen hockey player complete with Pat Cash head band, enacting Sharen’s skills on the hockey field.  Depicting the sophisticated young Sharen on her first overseas skiing trip, it was Janenne, - Lady Lustalot  hobbling in looking like a 20 year old (sort of) in spike high heels,  crutches and the glass of champagne – reminding all of Sharen’s fall in the snow and breaking an ankle but still  making the most of the trip.  Sharen the foodie – well Patsy - Princess Paddy Melon  reminded us of Sharen’s love of the good food (with her champagne, of course) and this has brought us up-to-date with Sharen the waitress  Lady Gail of Good Deeds impersonated those skills perfectly.  This was all performed while Glo narrated the verses she composed which aptly described those 5 lives. Divas, all decked out in Sharen’s Hockey team uniforms, formed a guard of honour, an arch of hockey sticks, under which Sharen walked to be gowned by Joanne - Baroness von Bargainz. The Reduation was complete with “Baroness “d Bubbles” then changed into her stunning new purple outfit, her red hat, lovely jewellery and of course the red boa while happily and excitedly sipping champagne!  What a transformation. 

Special thanks was extended to the wonderful hosts, CYNTHIA and VIC, and to all those who so willingly volunteered their talents and support to ensure that every DDDiva had such a merry CHRISTMAS IN JULY!    Once again it was a living example of the love and respect one has for each other…and that it really is tremendous fun being a red hatter with the DINKI DI DIVAS.”