Four prominent Wimmera women will be guest speakers at an International Women’s Day event at Horsham Town Hall next week.  

A facilitated discussion will feature a panel of speakers including Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Tammy Smith, By Five Early Years Initiative executive officer Joanne Martin, Wimmera Women Connect co-founder Onella Cooray and Women’s Health Grampians act-on-site consultant Katja Fiedler.

The panel will explore a 2024 International Women’s Day theme: Count Her In: Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.

How women’s economic empowerment is central to achieving gender equality will be on the agenda, as panelists speak about topics such as access to childcare, the importance of women in decision making, and the role of women in the workforce, specific to the Wimmera and southern Mallee region. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit Horsham Regional Art Gallery and participate in a guided tour, featuring the ‘Know My Name: Australian Women Artists’, and ‘Don’t Define Me’ exhibitions with gallery director Lauren Simpson.

Organising committee representative Robyn Lardner said the event was the 10th of its kind in Horsham. 

“This year’s theme focuses on women’s economic empowerment, which follows well from our panel discussion in 2023 that highlighted the unique challenges women in rural areas face, especially concerning their participation in the workforce,” she said.

“There are currently ongoing efforts in our region to address some of the barriers affecting women in the Wimmera and southern Mallee, such as limited access to childcare and limited opportunities for women in male-dominated fields. 

“This event will provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the ongoing efforts in this space and what else needs to be done to improve women’s economic empowerment in our region.”

The organising group includes representatives from Horsham East Rotary Club, Women’s Health Grampians, Horsham Rural City Council, Federation University, Grampians Community Health, Ballarat Community Health Safer Pathways Program and Wimmera Women Connect. Priceline Pharmacy Horsham is also supporting this year’s event.

Tickets the Thursday 5pm event can be purchased for $15 through the Horsham Town Hall website at hthpac.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/130289.

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