Celebrate Gippsland women this International Women’s Day

Published on 26 February 2021

Gippsland women will be encouraged to challenge the status quo at a major International Women’s Day event in Warragul on 9 March.

Women in Gippsland and Baw Baw Shire Council have again partnered to celebrate the achievements and amplify the voices of local women at the evening event.

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women while calling for gender equity and an end to gender-based discrimination and violence. 

A diverse range of speakers will explore this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Choose to Challenge, in a jam-packed night at West Gippsland Arts Centre – sharing how they have challenged the status quo.  

Keynote speaker Sarah Davidson is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, author, podcaster, and former Warragul resident. Sarah’s podcast, Seize the Yay, explores the difference between success and happiness and how women can reclaim their ‘yay’. 

Cr Jazmin Tauru – one of the youngest councillors in Victoria – will share how she chose to challenge by standing for Council, and winning a seat, in the 2020 Council Election at just 21.  

The panel, led by Beyond the Fire documentary maker Danielle McAlpine Johnson, will include Victorian Farmers Federation president Emma Germano, 2020 Shine Award nominee Joy Heenan, CEO Latrobe Valley Enterprises Wendy Bezzina, and Multicultural Strategic Engagement Coordinator, Farhat Firdous.  

The event kicks off from 5:30pm with networking, music, platters and market stalls, before doors open at 6:30pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets are just $14, to represent Australia’s current gender pay gap of 14 per cent and all proceeds go to not-for-profit Women in Gippsland to continue its event and advocacy work.

To purchase tickets, head to the West Gippsland Arts Centre website at www.wgac.com.au or phone 5624 2456.

This is a COVID safe event.

Quotes attributable to Women in Gippsland founding member, Kerry Wilson: 

“We know inequality and lack of diversity continue to have harmful impacts on women and girls across Australia today. That is why Women in Gippsland is unapologetically committed to tackling these issues through events like this, building our online family, sharing the stories of local women, and campaigns like Put Her Name On It.

“This year our commitment to ensuring women from diverse backgrounds take to the stage is evident in the incredible line up of women.

“We choose to challenge the status quo and are committed to giving local women a platform to share their stories and in turn inspire and empower other women.”

Media enquiries: Kerry Wilson 0438 637 732

Quotes attributable to Cr Jazmin Tauru: 

“Tickets are limited but I really encourage young women to come along – I’ve attended this event a few years in a row now and always leave feeling inspired and ready to take on any challenges that come my way.  

“We have so many strong, inspiring women right here in Gippsland, leading our communities, leading organisations, or leading change. Come hear what they have to say.” 

Quotes attributable to Cr Annemarie McCabe: 

“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, Choose to Challenge, is relevant to everyone. We all have a responsibility to challenge gender discrimination and commit to calling out inequality. 

Quotes attributable to Cr Tricia Jones: 

“Baw Baw Shire Council is proud to once again partner with Women in Gippsland to celebrate International Women’s Day.  

“The work of International Women’s Day is vital in bringing attention to gender inequality. While incredible progress has been made in Australia, women still vastly outnumber men in insecure work, retire with significantly less superannuation, and are five times more likely than men to be victims of sexual assault. 

“This can only change if we all choose to challenge the status quo.”