Roz Patterson from Fussy As Cleaning Service with Women of the Murray regional coordinator Jayne Black.
More than 700 pre-loved clothing items found a new home when 63 women attended the inaugural Women of the Murray (WOTM) Swaps event in Tocumwal earlier this month.
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Held at the Tocumwal War Memorial Hall, the event combined a community clothing swap with a Women’s Health and Wellbeing Expo, bringing together 13 local groups, businesses and service providers.
Participants exchanged clean, wearable clothing using a simple ticket system, with one accepted item earning one swap ticket. The result was a hall filled with more than 700 items available for women to browse and take home.
The event was timed to coincide with Jean Hailes Women’s Health Week and featured displays and information aligned with the themes of Fuel, Move, Rest, Breathe and Connect.
Women of the Murray Tocumwal Region coordinator Jayne Black said the evening demonstrated the value of creating opportunities for people to come together.
“This type of event is an absolute need for the Tocumwal and extended community. We live in a space where the ability to connect with community members can at times be challenging, with every woman doing her best in her own space.
“This evening allowed everybody to stop, build connections, ask questions, learn from each other and see that within our town and nearby areas, we have some brilliant services available to meet our community’s needs.
Women of the Murray regional coordinator Jayne Black with her mother Donna McFarlane, from Euroa.
“It was never just about swapping clothes. It was about creating a reason to bring people together.”
The expo gave attendees the chance to meet local service providers, learn more about available support services and connect with businesses and organisations operating within the region.
Among the exhibitors was Fussy As Cleaning Services, with owner Roz Patterson praising the initiative.
“A huge thank you to Jayne and the Women of the Murray for hosting such a fantastic swap event in Tocumwal on Friday.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded women and connect with other local businesses, and a great way to get our name out there and promote what we do.
“Events like this are exactly what our community needs — we can't wait for the next one!”
The success of the evening was supported by a strong volunteer effort, with local businesses, community members and WOTM supporters helping collect, transport and sort hundreds of donated items before the event.
The Tocumwal Post Office assisted with clothing drop-offs and ticket sales, while Barefoot Boutique supplied clothing racks and hangers. Volunteers spent days preparing the clothing displays, while others managed last-minute donations on the night.
Food, mocktails and music helped create a relaxed social atmosphere, encouraging attendees to stay and socialise while exploring the swap and expo.
WOTM is now considering making the event an annual fixture, with plans being explored for another swap in April 2027 as part of Earth Month celebrations.
Black said the event had exceeded expectations and provided a strong foundation for future growth.
“We had an idea and our community gave it a chance. Sixty-three people walked through the doors, more than 700 items were given another opportunity to be loved, and 13 local groups shared what they can offer our community.
“For a first event, that feels like a pretty special place to start.”
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