By Jed Lanyon
Women of the Yarra Valley will come together for the upcoming weekend to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) in Warburton.
Ten years ago, four Upper Yarra Valley friends established a quarterly event known as Women of Interest. Thanks to the commitment and hard work of Suyin Chan, Kerry Nicholas, Alison O’Brien and Anne O’Shaughnessy, many local women gained a voice as they shared their personal and professional stories in conversation with the community.
Women of Interest provided the opportunity for all to learn about the diverse invaluable contributions local women have made to society. Out of this project came the idea to create an annual celebration of IWD.
It began in March 2012, when Julie Grogan joined the group. The five developed a successful annual IWD collaboration with Yarra Ranges Council, with large events being held in the Arts Centre.
This year the group has decided to hand over the banner to other women in the community to help shine a new light on women’s issues.
Over the weekend on 7-8 March, a variety of events will take place in celebration of IWD.
On Saturday 7 March at 2.30pm, local women are invited to meet at Warburton’s Symphony 36 for an afternoon tea. Addressing the weekend’s theme of equality, there will be a discussion about Fulcrum Aid’s work in developing countries to help address inequality for women. (Contact Symphony 36 for more information).
Fulcrum Aid is a non-profit, relief and development organisation committed to resourcing local leaders within communities experiencing poverty and extreme inequality.
Fulcrum Aid director Verity Newnham said, “Despite significant progress in some parts of the world, women and girls continue to experience inequality and discrimination in many important parts of their lives, which can limit the choices and opportunities available to them.”
One of Fulcrum Aid’s programs is the Angatunyo Girls, which is a micro-enterprise project that provides teenage girls with a vocation, enabling them to remain in school and become financially independent.
Simple micro-businesses such as sewing uniforms for the local schools, making yoghurt and baking bread have potential to be life changing for girls who would otherwise be forced into a marriage arranged by their relatives.
Louise Wigg, project leader for Upper Yarra Body Image Group said, “Women can come along and have a cup of tea or a glass of wine … The idea is for women to come together and enjoy each other’s company,” she said.
“We want it to be a day where we as women can come together and support a project and hopefully empower other women who are less fortunate than us.”
On IWD on Sunday 8 March, another afternoon tea will take place at The Arts Centre hosted by the newly formed Women of Warburton (WOW). From 1.30pm, hear local women’s personal and professional stories and the roads they travelled to get there.
The event will include a discussion on how we can be our best selves and support one another, while enjoying qigong as well as local musicians and artists.
Event organiser Nicole Bechard said, “We’re doing this to provide a feast of different ways that women can celebrate women on this weekend.”
Ms Bechard explains that all are welcome to the afternoon tea.
“We know that there are men who support women as well, so our event is certainly open to men and women. That is something we want to make clear, because we need men to support us as well.
“One of the things I’m hearing is a call for women from this community to form greater links and to connect and support each other.”
As part of the celebrations, Yarra Ranges Council invites the community to gather in support of equality with a free showing of ‘On the Basis of Sex’ at 11.30am and ‘Hidden Figures’ at 2pm at The Memo and The Arts Centre in reverse order.
