It was with a sense of disbelief that I learned our beloved Women Who Sail Australia FB group had vanished this week. Gone. With no warning.
Apparently, FB disabled us.
As the implication sunk in, the tears rolled. Seven years of hard work and love from our WWSA members erased.
Some might wonder, why so emotional over a FB group? Perhaps because WWSA is no ordinary FB group. Rather, it is an extraordinary network of caring, inspirational, knowledgeable, supportive women. More a family than a social media group.
Over the last seven years, lifelong friendships have been forged. Emotional and physical support extended to women perhaps never met in person before. No matter what time of the day or night, or where you are around the world, a member is bound to be online, ready to offer advice or just a kindly ear.
What started out as ten sailing friends keeping in touch has grown to almost 5000 women. Our ages, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences are as varied as the vessels we helm (or aspire to helm) but the one thing we have in common is just that – boats.
We developed our own burgee, have a magazine, and of course our annual Gathering on the Bay.
As word of the disappearance of our group spread, messages of shock, concern, and support from members flooded in, including a surprising number from the male partners of our members, all expressing feelings from despair to outrage that such a valuable resource had been lost. Behind the scenes the admin team worked hard to resolve the situation and to find other avenues to stay in contact with our members.
The Women Who Sail Open Page kept members updated, as did the various WWSA regional and special interest subgroups.
In the early hours of this morning our precious network was restored. We may never know what triggered our temporary banishment but we are back!
As one member commented "The short absence of WWSA showed how many of us on the water rely on the advice, support and connections provided through this community".
Women Who Sail Australia sails on!
*Group photos above from previous WWSA Gatherings on the Bay.