INSURANCE, budgeting and transition to retirement were among the topics covered at six Financial Literacy for Women workshops held in Mount Gambier last week.
Over 120 women took part in the sessions, which also covered payday loans, superannuation and income streams in retirement.
The workshops were facilitated by business women Roslyn Taylor who earlier this year was selected as one of 12 women from across rural Australia to attend a National Rural Women’s Coalition e-leaders program in Canberra.
As part of her application she was required to submit a project she would like to run in her own community which led to the Financial Literacy for Women workshop program being formed.
Ms Taylor said she was concerned with the lack of financial literacy in the wider community and the ramifications it can lead to like homelessness, poverty and stress.
“It is important all women are well informed to ensure they have the financial skills and knowledge to understand budgeting, saving and managing debt,” Ms Taylor said.
“I believe the workshops chosen for the five day program have addressed these important skills.”
The Salvation Army’s Karyn Hicks and Department of Human Services representative Trudy-Anne Doyle were the financial literacy educators who led the sessions, which followed the official launch on September 9.
Ms Taylor said she hoped the program would be run annually.
“It is so rewarding to see so many women learn new skills and hear how they are spreading their new financial knowledge with their grandmothers, daughters, mothers, aunties and nieces,” Ms Taylor said.
“The ripple effect will be amazing, 120 women will each tell another 10 women.”
