– International Women’s Day
2016 eventCommittee evaluation Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory
Contents Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee ...... 3 International Women’s Day – a history ...... 3 #superwomanpose ...... 4 International Women’s Day 2016 ...... 5 Date ...... 5 Venue ...... 5 Accessibility ...... 6 Themes ...... 6 Format ...... 6 Welcome to Country ...... 7 MC/Facilitator ...... 7 Guest speakers ...... 8 Elaine Cooney ...... 9 Natarsha Bamblett ...... 9 Seema Abdullah ...... 10 Jeannette Collinson ...... 11 Dr Leslie Cannold ...... 11 Entertainment ...... 12 Sponsors/partners ...... 13 Audience ...... 14 Ticketing ...... 14 The Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee Award ...... 15 Resources ...... 15 Catering ...... 15 Suppliers ...... 16 Budget ...... 16 Advertising/Publicity ...... 16 Feedback ...... 17 Considerations for next time ...... 18 Appendices ...... 19 Appendix 1: Jorja Bromley ...... 19 Appendix 2: Budget ...... 20 Appendix 3: Publicity ...... 21
M16/17770 1
Page Appendix 4: Feedback ...... 25
M16/17770 2
Page Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee The Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee (GSWCAAC) is a community advisory committee (of the Greater Shepparton City Council) that is part of a broader network of Local Government Area (LGA) advisory committees across the state that are guided and informed by the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. The Charter recognises the need to increase women’s participation in key decision making forums in the community and in democratic governance. A three point action plan focussing on Diversity, Active Citizenship and Gender Equity guides the key strategic objectives of this committee. The GSWCAAC is made up of community representatives and Council Officers, and is supported by Greater Shepparton City Council. The GSWCAAC meets monthly and community members are welcome to attend as guests, with an annual intake of members undertaken in March each year.
Above: Some of the members of the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee.
International Women’s Day – a history International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women1 and is held on 8 March each year.
International Women's Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe.2
Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women's movement has
1 International Women’s Day website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/Resources Accessed 15/3/2016. 2 United nations website: http://www.un.org/en/events/womensday/history.shtml Accessed 15/3/2016.
M16/17770 3
Page helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women's rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.3
The theme of International Women’s Day in 2016 was ‘Pledge for Parity’. This theme is a global theme. The International Women’s Day website described the Pledge for Parity theme thus: “Everyone - men and women - can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly - whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.”4
#superwomanpose In 2015 the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee (GSWCAAC) became aware of research that indicated posing like a superhero can be beneficial for health and self- esteem.
The Harvard research (Amy J.C. Cuddy, Caroline A. Wilmuth, and Dana R. Carney) showed “…that if you pose like a superhero – in a strong, open stance with fists on your hips for just 2 minutes – there are actually measurable positive effects. Your power hormone testosterone rises by 8% and your stress hormone cortisol drops by 25%. And lastly, the research also showed that if you pose like a superhero for just 2 minutes you are more likely to take a risk.”5
The GSWCAAC decided it would be a great to inspire women to stand like a superhero and devised a #SuperWomanPose campaign in the lead up to International Women’s Day. The #SuperWomanPose campaign encouraged people to upload a picture of themselves standing like a super hero to the hashtag. Some of the results of the campaign can be viewed at: http://websta.me/tag/superwomanpose . Please note that this is a public hashtag so not all the pictures are from the GSWCAAC campaign.
The GSWCAAC launched this campaign on Friday 18 December at the Maude Street Mall in Shepparton. Some of the GSWCAAC dressed as super heroes to create interest in the campaign.
3 Ibid. 4 International Women’s Day website: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/Theme Accessed 15/3/2016. 5 Women You Should Know website: http://www.womenyoushouldknow.net/his-tedx-talk-inspired-us-to-get- women-and-girls-to- poselikeasuperhero/?utm_content=bufferd0632&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin.com&utm_camp aign=buffer Accessed 15/3/2016.
M16/17770 4
Page
Above: Members of the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee launching their #SuperWomanPose campaign.
The results of the #SuperWomanPose campaign were shown in a slide show presentation at the International Women’s Day event. The slideshow can be viewed by clicking on the icon below.
SuperWomanPose International Womens
GV Fancy Dress kindly supported the campaign by providing costumes for
the GSWCAAC super hero members.
International Women’s Day 2016
Date Tuesday 8 March from 6 to 9pm.
Venue St Paul’s African House, 54 Poplar Avenue Shepparton.
M16/17770 5
Page Accessibility Each year the GSWCAAC aims to hold an International Women’s Day event that is as accessible as possible. The GSWCAAC takes accessibility seriously and tries to cater for all needs.
The GSWCAAC ensures the venue for the event is accessible for all abilities, caters for dietary needs (such as vegetarian, gluten free), and can provide hearing loops where required.
It is also important to the GSWCAAC that its International Women’s Day event is provided free of charge. Having the event free to participants enables a wider cross-section of the community to attend, despite possible socio-economic barriers.
“Being free, equal opportunity to attend.” Feedback from an audience member.
“Free event enabled my whole family to attend.” Feedback from an audience member.
Themes As mentioned previously, the global theme for International Women’s Day 2016 was ‘Pledge for Parity’.
The GSWCAAC’s International Women’s Day event was part of the Shepparton Festival6 which was held from 4 – 20 March 2016. The theme of the 2016 Shepparton Festival was ‘Be Consumed’. The GSWCAAC promoted their event in the Shepparton Festival brochure as: The Greater Shepparton Women's Charter Alliance Advisory Committee is holding a FREE International Women's Day event. All are welcome to come together to be consumed by the achievements of women, and to celebrate the benefits that women bring to the wider community. Be consumed by conversation. Be consumed by laughter. Be consumed by thought provoking people. Be consumed by good food!
The GSWCAAC wanted the 2016 International Women’s Day event to explore issues of gender equity and unconscious bias. With this in mind they titled their event ‘Stories of Prejudice and Pride’. Each guest speaker was asked to consider their own stories of prejudice and pride and share those with the audience.
Format The format of the International Women’s Day event was as follows:
· Networking opportunity, food and live music · Welcome to Country · Introduction and opening by Mayor Dinny Adem, GSWCAAC Charter Champion · Four guest speakers · Networking opportunity and food
6 For more information on the Shepparton Festival please see: http://www.sheppartonfestival.org.au/
M16/17770 6
Page · Final guest speaker · Question and answer session · Entertainment
Welcome to Country A Welcome to Country was conducted by Merl Miller from the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation.
MC/Facilitator Fiona Smolenaars of Innovative Outcomes was the MC and Facilitator for the event. Fiona ensured the event ran smoothly and also inspired and encouraged the audience to think about the ‘so what?’ – so what is the one action you are going to take to work toward gender equity? At the end of the event Fiona encouraged people to write their ‘so what’ pledge on a piece of paper and stick it on a board at the exit of the venue.
M16/17770 7
Page
Innovative Outcomes is a Victoria based facilitation business specialising in community development, strategic planning and project management.
Guest speakers
Above: From left - Elaine Cooney, Jeanette Collinson, Seema Abdullah, Fiona Smolenaars (MC/Facilitator), and Natarsha Bamblett.
The GSWCAAC invited four local people (Elaine Cooney, Natarsha Bamblett, Seema Abdullah, and Jeanette Collinson) to share their stories of prejudice and pride.
The GSWCAAC also invited Melbourne based ethicist and researcher Dr Leslie Cannold to give a global view of gender equity.
The GSWCAAC asked each speaker to provide a biography of themselves that was printed and available to audience members at the event. These biographies appear below.
M16/17770 8
Page “The guest speakers were so knowledgeable, captivating and inspiring. Loved every moment…” Feedback from an audience member.
Elaine Cooney Elaine Cooney is a journalist with the Shepparton News.
She began her journalism career in 2003, writing movie reviews and fashion pages but was swiftly drawn to the excitement of investigative journalism and breaking news before becoming Managing Editor of an international daily publication in her home country, Ireland. She has travelled across Europe and Northern Africa, South America and Southeast Asia and has called Ireland, Germany, Spain, India and Australia home.
While working at the Campaspe News in Rochester, she was awarded the best rural/regional report in print at the EVA awards, for excellence in reporting about violence against women.
Elaine continues to report on violence against women and is an advocate for equality between genders and ensuring female voices are heard in the media.
Her motto in life is "If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough". However, she can sometimes - albeit reluctantly - admit defeat; for example she has just recently let go of the illusion that any day soon she will become a pro wakeboarder skimming along the Murray.
After a few dozen lung-fulls of river water and a number of sprained limbs, she had to let that dream sail away…but there are some exciting challenges ahead for Elaine as she moves to Western Australia next month to become Editor of the Kalgoorlie Miner.
Natarsha Bamblett Natarsha Bamblett is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wulpri, Guni Kurni woman from Shepparton with a keen interest in promoting cross cultural understandings; supporting women’s issues; empowering Indigenous youth to reach their full potential; and supporting peace and harmony across all facets of the community.
Natarsha is a self-taught Hip Hop artist, interested in exploring the potential connection between traditional and contemporary Indigenous music and dance. Her
M16/17770 9
Page business, Individual Spirits Dance Crew, emerged following the 2015 NAIDOC Week celebrations, where she was asked to put together a performance for a group of Aboriginal Elders. The joy she observed as they delighted in her performance, and the encouragement and feedback received following this, motivated her to set up her business.
The goal of Individual Spirits is to provide well informed knowledge to schools and the wider community, through fun and engaging hip hop performances. These incorporate aspects of Indigenous dance and culture, and aim to enhance self-esteem and confidence through supported participation.
Natarsha has a genuine appreciation of the diversity that Shepparton offers; proud of the rich and lively multicultural webs that it weaves. She sees this region as a great example of the Indigenous and wider community working together to achieve the best outcomes for all, and she is keen to foster this further through her business.
Natarsha believes that to live the life that you love, you must first love the life that you live, and to do this, you must come to love yourself, before you can truly love anyone else. When she is not involved with her business, she enjoys playing netball and basketball, and spending time with her much loved family.
Seema Abdullah Seema Abdullah is a certified Project Manager. Her 20-year career has spanned Pakistan, Malaysia and Australia, incorporating myriad roles. She has been a Senior Consultant at IBM Australia and an IT Project Manager at The Rural Health Academic Centre, University of Melbourne. She has also been involved in teaching and research and has lectured at universities in Australia and overseas.
Seema completed her Masters in Business Administration in Islamabad, Pakistan, where she began her career in the public sector. She won a Commonwealth Scholarship to study in an additional Masters Program at London School of Economics, returning from the United Kingdom with a Masters degree in Information Systems.
Seema lived in Malaysia for nearly seven years before migrating to Melbourne in 2004 with her husband and two young children. She was in Melbourne for five years before settling in Shepparton in 2009.
Since then, Seema has been actively engaged in her local community. She is a member of Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee (GSWCAAC) and has been involved in the Greater Shepparton Council’s Leadership and Community Engagement Program as a participant in 2014, returning as a mentor in 2015. Seema has organised many cultural community events and participated in many school events.
M16/17770 10
Page Seema values her strong cultural roots in Pakistan and is keen to embrace all that is beautiful and positive in her adopted country of Australia. Her interests include listening to music, singing, gardening, reading, and following Pakistani culture and art.
Jeannette Collinson Jeanette Collinson was born in Melbourne and her family relocated to Shepparton when she was a teenager.
She was diagnosed with a learning disability at birth and undertook special schooling.
She is employed part-time at Billabong Sweets and Treats, run by disability services and support organisation Connect GV.
In the past she has worked various jobs in the hospitality, cleaning, packing, postal and retail industries.
In 2015 Jeanette graduated from a women’s empowerment program held by Women with Disabilities Victoria. This leadership course rekindled her passion to help those women with disabilities who have survived family violence. She is working with a facilitator to establish a local support group. She is also a member of the Shout Out Shepparton Self Advocacy Group, which aims to give a voice to people with disabilities and is administered by the Rights Information and Advocacy Centre (RIAC).
Jeanette has completed courses in adult education, numeracy and literacy, diet and nutrition and public speaking. She is a determined individual and a good communicator who benefits from the support of her large family. She is happy to defy the stereotype of a woman with a disability – she lives independently with Ron, her husband of 22 years, and is an active community member.
Note: Jeanette delivered her presentation via a pre-prepared video. The video was made by Terri Cowley, a member of the GSWCAAC.
Dr Leslie Cannold
Dr Leslie Cannold is an ethicist, researcher, educator and public presenter on values-driven leadership, gender equity and respectful relationships. She delivers Keynotes, Panel Facilitation and Workshops for business, government, the education sector and not-for-profits.
Leslie is a regular on ABC TV’s Moral Compass with Geraldine Doogue and occasional columnist for The Age. She sits on a variety of health & ethics boards, committees and Tribunals and is the recipient of numerous awards and notices for her contributions to public life.
Leslie’s positive contributions to public life have been acknowledged through awards for Australian Humanist of the Year, an EVA award for gender-sensitive reporting and multiple
M16/17770 11
Page notices as one of Australia’s most influential public intellectuals and women.
Leslie has a BA from Wesleyan University in the USA, a Masters in Australian Studies and in Bioethics from Monash University and a PhD from the University of Melbourne.
She is a successful writer and has published books including What, No Baby? which made the Australian Financial Review’s top 101 books list, and a novel entitled “The book of Rachel”.
A cyclist with a lifelong dedication to Iyengar yoga and Pilates-based weight-training, Leslie currently works as the COO of the Aged Care Division at Functional Fitness Solutions.
Entertainment
Individual Spirits Dance Crew The Individual Spirits Dance Crew (led by Natarsha Bamblett) energised the audience with their special brand of modern dance/hip hop. The audience were thoroughly entertained by the pumping music, the humour, and the acrobatics of the dance crew.7
Below: Individual Spirits Dance Crew wowed the audience with their energetic dance routine.
7 For further information regarding Individual Spirits Dance Crew, please contact Natarsha Bamblett through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Individual-Spirits-Dance-Crew-1464513377178231/ or on her mobile 0459 906 761.
M16/17770 12
Page
Jorja Bromley The GSWCAAC were fortunate enough to secure the services of young emerging artist Jorja Bromley to play live music.
Jorja played guitar and sang whilst people arrived and mingled. The audience was also privileged to witness Jorja perform Beyoncé’s hit ‘Pretty Hurts’ which drew the evening to a close.8
For further information on Jorja Bromley see Appendix 1.
Right: Jorja Bromley provided outstanding live music.
Sponsors/partners The GSWCAAC is fortunate that local organisations partnered with them to provide the International Women’s Day event. Having such partners on board enables the GSWCAAC to continue to provide the event free of charge.
The GSWCAAC would like to thank the following organisations for their contributions and support:
· Greater Shepparton City Council · GV Fancy Dress · Innovative Outcomes (Fiona Smolenaars) · Ethnic Council of Shepparton and District Inc. · Primary Care Connect · Kildonan UnitingCare
8 For further information regarding Jorja Bromley can be obtained at: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorja.may28/ or by emailing [email protected]
M16/17770 13
Page
Audience Approximately 219 people attended the event. The audience was predominantly women.
230 people registered for the event. The GSWCAAC capped the registrations at 230 due to cost and venue considerations.
“Brilliant night, my 88 year old mum enjoyed it also, catered for all ages. Thanks!” Feedback from an audience member.
Above: The audience at International Women’s Day 2016.
“Great speakers, great to hear diverse voices…great to see diverse women who attended as well.” Feedback from an audience member.
Ticketing EventBrite was used for ticketing.
M16/17770 14
Page The Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee Award The GSWCAAC bestows an award on an annual basis to recognise an individual or group who has made a difference to women and the community. The GSWCAAC award is about acknowledging any individual or group whose actions impact upon women within the Greater Shepparton area in a positive way.
This award is presented to the recipient at the International Women’s Day Breakfast held by Soroptimists International Shepparton Inc. The award recipient and finalists names are also read out at the GSWCAAC International Women’s Day event.
The 2016 GSWCAAC Award recipient was Tracey Sofra.
Resources The GSWCAAC provides resources for women at their events. A resource table was provided at the International Women’s Day event.
The resources included:
· ‘Know the Line’ sexual harassment resources · Resources on forced marriage · Breast Screen Victoria resources
Catering Catering was provided by the ladies from the GV Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre.
There were vegetarian and gluten free options.
“Amazing food, interesting and inspiring speakers, general camaraderie was enjoyable.” Feedback from an audience member.
M16/17770 15
Page
Above: Delicious Turkish food was enjoyed by all.
Suppliers The following suppliers provided goods and/or services for the event:
· St Paul’s African House – venue · GV Turkish Islamic and Cultural Centre – catering · The Carrington Best Western Plus (courtesy of the Shepparton Festival) – accommodation for Dr Leslie Cannold · The Eco Store – gifts for the guest speakers · Avonlea Flowers – flowers · Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation – Welcome to Country · Connect Integrated Systems – HDMI compatible computer
Budget The GSWCAAC allocated a budget of $4500 (including GST) for the event. Money was also received from some of the event partners.
The total cost of the event was $5322.44 including GST.
For a full budget breakdown please see Appendix 2.
Advertising/Publicity The GSWCAAC did not conduct any paid advertising this year. However, the event was promoted in the following ways:
· Through the GSWCAAC Members · To the Friends of the GSWCAAC
M16/17770 16
Page · Radio 3SR FM · Shepparton News · Poster · Shepparton Festival brochure · Greater Shepparton City Council website · Greater Shepparton City Council internal website · Greater Shepparton City Council internal newsletter · International Women’s Day website · Our Community
Please see Appendix 3 for examples of publicity.
Feedback The GSWCAAC provided limited paper surveys for audience members to fill out at the event. Attendees who provided email addresses were asked via email to complete the survey.
The survey was emailed to 124 attendees, and 45 people responded.
Below is a summary of the key feedback received.
· The majority (37.8%) of respondents heard about the event from the Greater Shepparton Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee. · The top three reasons respondents attend were: to hear the guest speakers (82.2%), to celebrate International Women’s Day (75.6%), and to network (24.4%). · All respondents thought the venue, the guest speakers, and the refreshments were just right or of high quality. · 97.8% of respondents said they would be likely to attend similar events in the future. · 66.7% of respondents said it was important to them that the event was free of charge. · The majority (77.8%) of respondents said they had heard of the GSWCAAC prior to this event.
Please see Appendix 4 for a more detailed breakdown of the feedback received.
M16/17770 17
Page Considerations for next time As with any event, improvements can be made. Below are some items that may need to be considered for the next International Women’s Day event.
· Running sheet – there was a lot on the running sheet for a three hour timeslot. Consider having less in the event. · Is the venue big enough? – The venue was big enough (just) for this event. If it is anticipated that more than 220 people will attend a different venue will be required. · Consider taking a gold coin donation – verbal (and written) feedback indicates that some attendees would be willing to make a gold coin donation with proceeds to go to a local charitable organisation.
M16/17770 18
Page Appendices
Appendix 1: Jorja Bromley
Jorja Bromley is a singer, songwriter, dancer and an actress. She was born in Geelong, and raised in the City of Greater Shepparton.
Jorja is currently studying an Advanced Diploma of Music at Oxygen College and has recorded a variety of tracks ranging from pop hip-hop, and rock, to songs she has written herself. She is currently preparing to record her first E.P.
Jorja performs both as a solo artist, and as a member of the group Black Lilac. Her goals are to become a professional singer/songwriter, taking her music as far as it can go.
Her motto in life is “there is no point competing in the race if you are not going to go for gold”; reach
for the stars and be all that you can be.
Jorja is self-managed and can be booked to perform for weddings, functions and events. She can be contacted via Facebook or email.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorja.may28/
Email: [email protected]
M16/17770 19
Page
Appendix 2: Budget Organisation Item Cost GST Exc. Cost GST Inc. St Paul’s African House Venue $404.55 $445.00 GV Turkish Islamic and Catering $2850.00 $2850.00 Cultural Centre Woolworths Drinks $67.13 $68.29 Kate Montgomery Tea and coffee $16.73 $17.15 Dr Leslie Cannold Speaker fee $750.00 $825.00 The Eco Store Gifts for speakers $181.82 $200.00 Avonlea Flowers Flowers $86.37 $95.00 Yorta Yorta Nation Welcome to Country $300.00 $330.00 Aboriginal Corporation Connect Integrated Information $220.00 $242.00 Systems Technology Individual Spirits Dance Entertainment $227.27 $250.00 Crew Primary Care Connect Sponsorship ($200.00) ($200.00) Kildonan UnitingCare Sponsorship ($300.00) ($300.00) Ethnic Council of Sponsorship ($300.00) ($300.00) Shepparton & District Total $4303.87 $4522.44
M16/17770 20
Page
Appendix 3: Publicity Below: Article from The Shepparton News, page 3, 21 December 2015.
M16/17770 21
Page Below: The poster for International Women’s Day 2016.
M16/17770 22
Page Below: Article from The Shepparton News, page 9, 4 March 2016.
M16/17770 23
Page Below: Articles from The Shepparton News, page 6, 10 March 2016.
M16/17770 24
Page Appendix 4: Feedback
M16/17770 25
Page
M16/17770 26
Page
M16/17770 27
Page
M16/17770 28
Page
M16/17770 29
Page
M16/17770 30
Page
M16/17770 31
Page
M16/17770 32
Page