By Hollie Harris
To coincide with Queensland Women’s Week and International Women’s Day, Women Initiating New Directions Organisation (WINDO Inc.) will host the Sunshine Coast’s official International Women’s Week Festival from 5 to 11 March, which will celebrate, explore and advance the diversity, contribution and changing landscape of women in our community.
The WINDO International Women’s Week festival aims to contribute to positive social and cultural change for the empowerment of women in the Noosa and Sunshine Coast region, which is home to around 300,000 women and girls.
In 2018, Australian women are still far from socially equal to Australian men. Australia ranks only 35th for women’s equality according to The World Economic Forum’s most recent Global Gender Gap Report, lagging significantly in women’s economic and political empowerment. In addition, Australian women experience a high incidence of violence, with one in three Australian women reporting having experienced physical violence and one in five Australian women having experienced sexual violence.
Head along to one or all of these fantastic events at this years International Women’s Week Festival:
*Window To A Woman’s Soul – Photographic Exhibition, 6 to 30 March, 9am – 5pm at The J, Noosa. Free admission.
Dedicated to the extraordinary women of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast, as nominated by our community, this exhibition features 24 stunning portraits by renowned local photographer, Susan Hudson, to the audio-visual backdrop of highlights from each woman’s story, as interviewed by Noosa FM’s Women’s Conversations presenter, Josanne Falla.
Gain a rare glimpse inside the inner worlds of local identities including Sandy Bolton, Meg Lawrence, Toni Powell, Leanne Walsh, Andrea Kirwin, Aimee Sherriff and Dahlas and Lana Rogers.Local sponsors of this exhibition include Noosa4Sale Real Estate, Noosa Today, Laguna Signs and Elantis Premium Funding.
*Just Don’t Shimmer, Shine – Seminar and Morning Tea, Tuesday 6 March, 10am – 12noon at The Noosa Parks Association Environment Centre, Tickets $15.
What does it take for women and girls to feel strong, safe, powerful and heard in our community? Five inspiring female speakers share their incredible stories and real life learnings. This great event will also include morning tea and a chance to mingle with like-minded women in the community. Special guest speakers include:
Rachel Clancy – Hit The High Notes
When Rachel was told she had advanced Stage 3 cancer of a rare genetic strain, she walked away from running an organic farm to pursue her passion for singing. Fifteen years later, the professional performer and artist shares with us how pursuing her dream helped to save her life.
Karen Marsh – Creating Safe Relationships
After escaping domestic violence with her young son, Karen became a psychologist and counsellor passionate about understanding the causes of domestic violence. Her pioneering work teaches women, men, girls and boys how to move beyond family dysfunction, create safe relationships and heal.
Emma Hicks – Live Life On More Than Baked Beans
Life experience taught Emma that it is vital for women to be financially educated to stand in their power. Her mission is to teach women how to better manage their finances to build the life they truly desire and protect themselves and their families.
Dr Nycole Prowse & Dr Lisa Raith of Peripheral Arts – The Wild Women’s Project
What is true Empowerment? Through the power of storytelling from Women Who Run With The Wolves Nycole and Lisa explore their experience that the revival of intuition is an integral part of the initiation into womanhood.
Local sponsors of this event include Noosa Council, Noosa Today, Commonwealth Bank Tewantin and Elantis Premium Funding.
*Let’s Hear It For The Girls
An evening of entertainment, Thursday 8 March, 7pm – 9.30pm at The J, Tickets are Members $35, non-members $42 and teens 13-18 $32.
An evening of inspiring and thought-provoking speakers, music, singing, dance and laughter as we celebrate the incredible diversity, contribution and changing landscape of women in our community, this will be a great all-inclusive community event for women, men and teens.
Guest speakers include:
HUSNA PASHA (The Project) – Being a [muslim] woman in the 21st century, interwoven with her own unique story, inimitable style and comic relief, media personality Husna dispells the myths and shares her views about how we move towards greater unity.
SARAH GALE (Project Runway Australia) – After decades of leadership in the competitive fashion industry, Sarah shares her views about the aesthetics of the soul through her pioneering work and revolutionary self-discovery program, Wearing Your Worth™.
PAUL TRIBE – Highly engaging, Paul is an experienced international leadership trainer passionate about men’s health and actively involved in community workshops with not-for-profit group, Men’s Wellbeing.
Plus special performances from Andrea Kirwin – Rachel Clancy – St Teresa’s Catholic College Choir & Rock Band ‘Soul Collective’ – Noosa House of Dance – Musica Choir – Tio Kurun Waran with artwork from Peter Mulcahy.
This event is proudly powered by Noosa New Age Plumbing & Gas and supported by Queensland Government, YWCA Queensland, Noosa Today and Stay Noosa.
Learn more and get tickets at www.windowomen.org
