Rotary’s bra collection program Uplift has relaunched, with community-donated new and used bras sent to women in the South Pacific islands.

Rotary community leader Steve Holmes said the bras made a difference in the women’s lives, who tend to not purchase the ‘luxury’ item, prioritising their children’s and home needs with their limited incomes.

“When the women receive the bras, they can then apply for jobs in the holiday resort areas,” he said.

“Without the bras, they don’t get those high-paying jobs.

“Bras to buy in those areas are quite expensive and of low quality, and they don’t have maternity or mastectomy bras either.”

Uplift ceased during COVID-19 restrictions, but has been relaunched by Wimmera Mallee Rotary Community Group, which includes the clubs of Horsham, Horsham East, Nhill, Warracknabeal, St Arnaud and Swan Hill.

Mr Holmes said new and second-hand bras were being collected and would be sent to Geelong before being shipped to countries such as Fiji, Tonga, Bali, Cook Islands, Vanuatu, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.

“They’re shipped out to wherever they’re needed – the last lot we sent went to New Guinea, and some might go to the Solomon Islands, depending on where the need is,” he said.

“It can lift their quality of life quite substantially.”

Mr Holmes said people could drop bras to Allison Roberts at Horsham Plaza centre management. 

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