Book Now for our International Women’s Day Celebration - Sat 8 March
Published on 03 February 2025
Celebrate International Women's Day
Woollahra Council's International Women’s Day (IWD) event on Saturday 8 March 2025 will focus on women's wellbeing. Join Mayor of Woollahra Sarah Swan for a range of fun events including yoga, a free lunch and a creative art making workshop. Come along on your own or with a friend for one session or all! Everyone is welcome. Accessible venue. Bookings are essential so don't miss out!
Proceeds from ticketed events will go to the Women’s Housing Company so they can provide support services, that promote dignity, confidence, and skills for single women, women with children, and women experiencing domestic or family violence. By attending this event, you will be supporting vulnerable women and helping them to stay connected to local support services and schools. To make a direct donation to the Women's Housing Company, please visit the Women's Housing Company website. Note: Direct donations are tax-deductible.
When: Sat 8 March | 10.30am - 2.30pm
Where: Vaucluse Bowling Club and Community Facility
Please note: All activities are suitable for adults only.
Book your spot now!
Activities at the Woollahra Council IWD event include:
Mindfulness with the Mayor - Yoga Class
Welcome to Country, to be followed by a brief address from the Mayor of Woollahra (and qualified yoga teacher) Councillor Sarah Swan and Guest Speaker, Nada Nasser, CEO, Women's Housing Company.
Time: 10:30am - 11:30am
Bring: your own yoga mat and water bottle.
Cost: $15 (Bookings essential, limited spots)
Proceeds will go to the Women’s Housing Company
No experience needed
Please let us know at the time of booking if you need mobility support for the yoga session
Book
Reminder: Please bring your event ticket (a printed copy or on your mobile phone) to the registration desk, 15 minutes prior to the event.
About Nada Nasser, CEO, Women's Housing Company:
Nada Nasser is the Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Housing Company, bringing extensive leadership experience in housing and human services across government and not-for-profit sectors. She has a strong track record in strategy, operations, and growth to support disadvantaged communities, having previously led service delivery at Mission Australia and Housing NSW. Nada is passionate about social justice and improving outcomes for women in social housing, homelessness, and those at risk of homelessness.
Free lunch and a guest speaker
Join us for a light, healthy lunch, community connection and hear from Christina Gallant from the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District. If you have just finished yoga or would like to get a bit active, hop on the Bike n' Blend to make a smoothie and stay for lunch. Or join us before the afternoon art making session for a bite to eat and the opportunity to find out more about family support services in the area. Vegetarian options available.
Time: 12pm - 12:45pm
Cost: Free event (Bookings essential for catering)
Book
Reminder: Please bring your event ticket (a printed copy or on your mobile phone) to the registration desk, 15 minutes prior to the event.
About Christina Gallant, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District:
Chris Gallant is a dedicated health professional with extensive experience in the NSW Health system. She began her career as a Paediatric Speech Pathologist before taking on managerial roles in Children, Young People and Families, and Women’s Health teams. Since 2017, Chris has served as the Program Manager of Women’s Health within the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Equity and Prevention Service. Her role recently expanded to include management of programs supporting Priority Populations, such as Youth Health and the Carer’s program. Chris is passionate about preventive health and works to reduce health inequities for women, young people, and carers, advocating for greater access to healthcare and improved outcomes for those experiencing disadvantage.
Art Making Workshop
Join artists Melanie Booth and Bridget Stehli for a vibrant and inclusive textile workshop where we’ll celebrate the rich histories and evolving roles of women in society. Drawing inspiration from Mary Cassatt’s lost feminist mural and the powerful works of Faith Ringgold, participants will collaborate to create a stunning piece of art. Using fabric generously provided by celebrated Australian designer Lee Mathews, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore creativity, community, and the intersection of art and activism.
All are welcome to join in this empowering, hands-on experience! The final artwork will be auctioned to raise vital funds for the Women’s Housing Company. This is your chance to make art that empowers, supports, and gives back. All materials provided and no previous art making experience is required.
Time: 1pm - 2:30pm
Cost: $15 (Bookings essential, limited spots)
Proceeds will go to the Women’s Housing Company
Book
Reminder: Please bring your event ticket (a printed copy or on your mobile phone) to the registration desk, 15 minutes prior to the event.
Thanks to our Sponsor
Materials for the art workshop include a hand-picked selection of fabrics from the 25-year archive of our event sponsor, celebrated Australian fashion designer, Lee Mathews. Socials: @leemathewsau
Meet the artists and facilitators
Bridget Stehli, Image Credit: Chris Polak
About Bridget Stehli Curnow:
Bridget Stehli’s multidisciplinary practice includes painting, sculpture, and video, interrogating and challenging the visual language of popular culture from the 1970s and 1980s. Her work draws on the kitsch aesthetic of media from this period to provide an alternate perspective to the dominant heterosexual male gaze, exploring gender dynamics, spectatorship, and the performative aspects of human behavior.
Socials:@bindisteel
Melanie Booth, Image credit: Zoe Baumgartner
About Melanie Booth:
Mel Booth is an emerging artist interested in the in-between: the beings and objects that don’t fit neatly into Western classification systems. Booth uses her practice to interrogate systems used to identify and categorise, such as scientific classification, gender, politics, nationhood, and how these systems affect her perspectives and relationships with her surrounding environment. Multidisciplinary and intuitive, her practice combines materials and methods in non-traditional and fluid ways, reflecting her explorations of self and perceived boundaries.
Socials:@melboothart
Do you need child minding during the event?
We are taking expressions of interest for childminding support during the two workshop sessions. Depending on demand and available resources we may be able to provide a limited number of child-minding spaces. Please register your interest and details (number of children and ages) by Sunday 23 February, by emailing councilevents@woollahra.nsw.gov.au and we will respond back to you directly.
What is International Women's Day?
International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March) is a worldwide celebration of women's achievements and a spotlight on the collective rights of women within our global society. The theme of International Women's Day 2025 is 'Accelerate Action' with a focus on gender equality. The IWD 2025 #AccelerateAction campaign calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and challenges that women face.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality.
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Enquiries
For more information, please contact:
Telephone: 9391 7101
Email: councilevents@woollahra.nsw.gov.au