(From left) Sivonne Binks, panel MC Deb Stockton, Lauren Mathers, Edward River Council Mayor Peta Betts and Gabrielle Cusack.
A popular day on the Edward River district calendar, the International Women’s Day event drew a large crowd to hear three of the region’s bright minds speak about their lives and careers.
‘Breaking the bias’ was the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day, marked annually on March 8 to recognise the importance of women’s achievements, and acknowledge areas where they may lack support or opportunities.
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About 170 people gathered at the Blighty Hall to dine, socialise, and listen to the panel of speakers.
‘‘Today is an opportunity for all of us to reflect on what we are doing to advance the status of women, and help forge a gender-equal world,’’ Mayor Peta Betts said.
Deb Stockton led the panel, which consisted of Lauren Mathers, owner of Bundarra Berkshires free range pig farm and deli, Murray Irrigation Limited executive general manager shareholder relations Gabrielle Cusack, and creative consultant and owner of Sivonne Creative, Sivonne Binks.
While Mrs Mathers discussed her achievements in filling a gap in the market of locally-grown pork, she also spoke of the difficulties of managing multiple businesses, projects, her personal time and interests, and her family.
Ms Cusack told the story of how she left rural life in Australia to pursue something other than what was prescribed for women when she was growing up; to study agribusiness, travel the world, work in countries such as the United States, England, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste, and garnering endless experiences in teaching, operations, logistics and more along the way.
Carving a different path, Ms Binks discussed how she moved to Mathoura and built a creative business from the ground up, and how she moored herself in a place where the arts are sometimes devalued.
Wednesday’s lunch was catered by the Naponda Hospital Auxiliary.
(From back, left) Hayley Purbrick, Jo Burn, Kate Armytage, Sonia Frost, Leith Tweed and Rachel Braybon; (front) Meg Marshall, Tarria Moore and Kylie Steenholdt.
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Hayley Symmonds and Helen Burnham.
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Jan Quayle and Helen Flisher.
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Maggie Barnes, Jan Renwick and Sarah Parsons.
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Tegan Lilford, Prue Branagh and Vanessa Flight.
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Charli Montgomery, Steph Brisbane and Caitlyn Hiskins.
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Grace Angel, Donna Smedley and Alison Wright.
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Kate Pitt and Sivonne Binks.
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Catherine Winfield, Rachael Pitt and Nicole Duggan.
