Strathbogie Shire Council Celebrates International Women’s Day 2025
Strathbogie Shire Council is proud to host a special event in celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 on Friday, 7 March, embracing this year’s global theme, #AccelerateAction, and Australia’s theme, ‘March Forward’.
This year marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a global commitment to achieving gender equality. While significant progress has been made, barriers still remain, including the gender pay gap, workplace inequality, and the need for greater recognition of women’s contributions. ‘March Forward’ is a call to action for individuals, businesses, and communities to take bold steps towards lasting change.
Strathbogie Shire Mayor, Cr Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the event will provide an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while highlighting the ongoing challenges they face. “International Women’s Day is a time to acknowledge the incredible contributions of women in our community and beyond. Our event will bring people together to inspire action and create conversations that drive real change,” Mayor Ewart-Kennedy said.
The ‘Ladies Who Shoot Their Lunch’ Afternoon Tea will feature an exciting lineup of guest speakers:
Alexandrena Parker – a photographer & film director with 14 years of experience working across Australia and internationally. Born and raised in Shepparton, she has lived with Cystic Fibrosis, facing significant health challenges while also advocating for life-saving medication that transformed her health. This breakthrough allowed her to become a mother to her daughter, Ruby, and build a life in Melbourne with her husband, Michael. Her work is driven by a deep appreciation for human connection, storytelling, and capturing the beauty in everyday moments.
Annabelle Cleeland MP, Member for Euroa – Annabelle Cleeland MP, Member for Euroa, represents an electorate spanning 12,000 square kilometres. She lives on a farm near Seymour with her husband and three children, including her four-month-old daughter, Sigrid. As a new mother, she understands the challenges of balancing family and career, which inspired her to help establish a crèche at the Parliament of Victoria—creating opportunities for more young regional women to step into politics.
Tegan Clydesdale – A Fowles Winemaker who has been shaping the wines of Fowles since 2008. Starting as a Lab Technician, she built a deep understanding of winemaking from the ground up. While raising her family, she balanced part-time work before returning full-time in 2016. In 2017, she began formal studies in wine science, earning a Bachelor of Wine Science in 2022. Her dedication saw her rise to Assistant Winemaker in 2020, and in 2023, she was promoted to Winemaker. With years of experience and an unwavering commitment to quality, Tegan plays a vital role in crafting the wines that define Fowles.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, 7 March 2025
Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Venue: Fowles Wine | The Wine Shed
Transport will be available from Violet Town, Euroa and Nagambie– bookings are required
as places are limited.
“As mayor, I am immensely proud to lead a council comprising four female and three male councillors, reflecting a gender ratio that surpasses the state average. In the 2024 local government elections, women constituted just over 43% of elected councillors in Victoria, falling short of the state’s 50% target for 2025.
“Our council not only exceeds this average but also benefits from a workforce where women represent half of our employees, aligning with the broader trend in Victorian local governments.
“We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating women’s achievements, learning from their experiences, and committing to actions that push us closer to true gender equality,” Mayor Ewart-Kennedy said.
For more information and to secure your place, please visit http://tiny.cc/z0w8001. This event is funded by the Community Recovery Hub. The Community Recovery Hub is
jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
For more information visit https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/ or call 1800 065 993