I have surrounded myself with wonderful women over the past week, with International Women’s Day giving me the opportunity to rub shoulders with an array of impressive females within our community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
One of the standout events was the Northern NSW Football Female Football Week Network Evening.
The network is aimed at developing and progressing women’s football within the wider community and ensuring that we promote, encourage, support, inspire and celebrate football for women and girls of all ages.
I also had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Local Government NSW International Women’s Day luncheon, which focused on increasing female representation at Council.
Increasing numbers of women are standing for election to councils, but we need even more to join the ranks to ensure local government truly represents the communities we serve.
I am proud that here in Lake Macquarie, I share a leadership role with the council’s first female chief executive officer, Morven Cameron (pictured).
I also attended the council’s International Women’s Day screening of the movie Suffragette, at Event Cinemas Glendale.
It was an excellent production that serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles of our pioneering feminists.
Perhaps the highlight of my ‘women’s week’ was hearing of the worthy award won by the council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer, Maree Edwards, who was recognised at the Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government, held in Sydney on International Women’s Day.
Maree, who is a descendent of the Wonnaruah People, took home the regional award for a non-senior staff member, in recognition of her ongoing work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Lake Macquarie.
Hers was a popular award as Maree is a well-known, highly respected and much-loved member of our community.
It is important to remember that women’s issues are family issues.
Everyone has a mother, sister or daughter; make every day International Women’s Day by doing your part to ensure that the future for all women is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.