Women gather to celebrate International Women’s Day

A beautiful garden setting provided the backdrop for Strathbogie Shire Council’s International Women’s Day event on March 8.

The incredible ‘The Falls’ at Longwood East was generously opened up for the free community event which featured three amazing guest speakers.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks hosted the event and opened up proceedings by addressing the audience.

Cr Binks said International Women’s Day was an opportunity to pause and draw inspiration from all those who forged the way for women and children to be recognised mutually, fairly and lawfully, and for future generations to come.

She spoke about her role as Mayor and reflected on female leadership as well as the challenges and difficulties women face including pay disparities and family violence.

“I am proud to be Strathbogie Shire Council’s second female Mayor alongside our first female Chief Executive Officer Julie Salomon, and a team of five strong executive leaders, of which four are women,” Cr Binks said.

“Women are transformation leaders. We have a great balance of professional and personal leadership skills. Women leaders are easier to approach, we seek to develop others and we listen intently.”

Cr Binks welcomed another fearless female leader – Dr Lauren Woodman – who founded the world’s largest women’s wellness festival Seven Sisters at just 24 year’s old.

Dr Woodman took guests on a spiritual journey with their fellow peers where they were encouraged to discuss what empowerment meant for them.

“I had the privilege of attending the Seven Sisters Festival with some women dear to my heart and life in March 2020, between black summer fires and COVID lockdowns and long before standing for Council, let alone Mayor, was in the sphere of possibilities,” Cr Binks said.

This was followed by an interesting talk from The Falls head gardener Marcelle Stoove who spoke about her career in male-dominated industries, having previously worked as a truck driver in the Kimberleys.

She then explained the history of the garden and guests were taken on tours throughout the grounds with Marcelle and fellow garden staff.

“It was so interesting to hear all about the history and development of this incredible garden nestled into the foothills of the glorious Strathbogie Ranges from Marcelle who generously shared her wisdom and time with us,” Cr Binks said.

The evening was capped off with a screening at the Euroa Community Cinema featuring Hidden Figures [PG] – the true story of three women who worked for NASA.