Women NSW
2021 NSW Women's Week Grant Recipients
The events being held during 2021 Women's Week by the successful Women's Week Grant recipients are:
| Organisation name and website | Event/Activity Title | Event date | Area | Event details |
| Atholwood Country Women's Association | Women Striving to Survive - Better Together | Tuesday 9 March 2021 | Texas, NSW | This event will provide an outing for rural women who have been isolated due to the drought and COVID-19 to assist with reducing social isolation and to encourage participation. A stress free mocktail evening (alcohol free event) will be hosted with guest speakers on health and well being, relaxation techniques, and natural stress relief strategies. This gathering will give women of all ages the skills and confidence to better manage the stress of everyday living whilst allowing them to network, and encourage and support each other. The Country Women's Association is all about empowering women and children and encouraging women to better themselves with skills and knowledge and to be actively involved in their local community. |
| Ausrelief Limited | Understand Your Money: A Workshop for Survivors of Violence | Monday 8 March 2021 | Parramatta, NSW | Two financial literacy workshops will be held specifically for women-identifying survivors of violence. The evidence-based workshops will equip participants with the basics of personal finance. The delivery partner will be MoneyGirl (www.moneygirl.co), a social enterprise that has delivered financial literacy to hundreds of women across Australia since 2018. The workshop is designed specially keeping in mind the needs of young Australian women. The participants will access the workshops for free, and become a part of the MoneyGirl network for ongoing support beyond the workshop. |
| Bega Valley Shire Library | Likely Story: an evening of live storytelling and Young Women's Scholarship Awards | Monday 8 March 2021 | Bega, NSW | Likely Story is an evening of women's live storytelling for International Women's Day. Women of the Southeast are invited to share a personal story with others at an evening of live storytelling accompanied by live music from Golden Guitar nominated Southeast musical storytellers, The New Graces. Storytellers are invited to pitch their story and selected stories will be edited and coached by a mentor and rehearsed before the evening. The evening will culminate with the Young Women's Scholarship Award presentation. The benefits are multi-pronged: women can share their lived experience with their community; an evening of women's voices is empowering; women will be mentored to tell their story, to build their confidence and hone their presentation skills; women young and old can celebrate their achievements and challenges overcome; all women are encouraged to participate in an open caring environment; and shared experience promotes well-being to aid in bushfire recovery. |
| Boambee East Community Centre | Nyami (Woman) Empowerment Circle and Day of Inspiration | Friday 12 March 2021 | Boambee East, NSW | Led by Aboriginal Women trained and experienced in circle-work and drawing participants from all of community; Nyami empowerment-circle will assist women building connections and combating loneliness and isolation. Nyami's are women of power within Gumbanggirr culture and the driving force behind the circle. Beginning with welcome to country, the gathering will explore Aboriginal concepts of Dadirri and deep listening alongside self care. Circle-work leads participants to find the wise woman inside, learning to make empowering choices that uplift spirit and enhance their lives. The circle includes a workshop where each woman will create personal life journal assisting her in making choices and planning for change. This journal will become a tool to assist the women "ChooseToChallenge" and navigate their journeys. During lunch, female guests (a tradie, elder, mother, businesswoman) will share the stories of their journeys and how they have successfully challenged the norms. Each woman leaves empowered to make personal life changes. |
| Broken Hill City Council | Connect and Reset - Women and Girls Broken Hill | Monday 8 March 2021 | Broken Hill, NSW | The NSW Women's Week program of events titled Connect and Reset - Women and Girls Broken Hill offers all women and girls an opportunity to come together in an outdoor yoga/ gentle stretch class every morning at 6.30am and every evening at 6.30pm of NSW Women's Week in Sturt Park. The physical aspect of the program will be complimented by online goal setting workshops delivered by Zoom and email to help women and girls to set their priorities for the year ahead. These workshops will be delivered by a female-led local small business. The program of events will be open to all women and girls and be accessible, focusing on social and emotional wellbeing, physical health and strength and inviting women and girls to participate and to reach their own goals for the future, empowering them to find their bespoke path with guidance. |
| Byron Youth Service | Women's Music Industry Empowerment and Skill Share | Saturday 13 March 2021 | Byron Bay, NSW | This event will offer professional development opportunities in the music industry through an event specifically designed to benefit women in regional areas. This will begin with a forum where experienced music industry professionals will share inspirational stories, skills and expertise. The group will participate in three workshops including singer/songwriting, music production and music industry promotion. Women will be mentored by experienced leaders and allow for creative expression and insight at a grassroots level. The final stage of the event involves a group live performance of all willing participants to share and showcase the skills learnt in the workshops, and for an opportunity to perform their original material. This event will encourage inspiration, collaboration and build relationships between local women who may be isolated in regional areas and work to promote gender balance within the music industry. Bringing these women together will help facilitate future employment opportunities in the Australian music industry. |
| Central North Coast Agricultural Society Ltd | Kempsey Showgirl Information Seminar and Competition | Saturday 13 March 2021 | Kempsey, NSW | The event celebrates young women aged between 13-25 in rural and remote communities. Young women are encouraged to become involved in agriculture and their local communities through their local show society. There are networking opportunities for participants to meet local female business women. The information session on day one prepares young women for the workplace through teaching skills including public speaking, interviewing, presentation, managing stress and, networking. There will be activities and guest speakers including business people to practice interview skills, a rotary member to talk about public speaking and, an inspirational woman to talk about her story. On day two the annual showgirl competition will be held to allow participants to implement what they have learned. The competition winner has the opportunity to represent the local community at the zone finals the following year and the Sydney Royal Easter Show. |
| Coonamble Shire Council | Women's Empowerment Morning Tea | Monday 8 March 2021 | Coonamble, NSW | Coonamble Shire Council has been approved to increase its number of councillors from seven to nine at the September 2021 Local Government Elections. Two of the current seven councillors (29%) are women, indicating women are under-represented in relation to the 50-50 split in gender for the population of the Local Government Area. A morning tea with a guest speaker—or panel of women—of proven capability will share their stories and advice to other women contemplating service to the community in Local Government. This advice will be focused on maintaining well-being and resilience while serving in public office, achieving work-life-service balance—especially for those with younger families— instilling confidence in attendees that they are capable to serve in such a role, encouraging them to attend future council meetings and to discuss the opportunity of serving as a councillor with their families. |
| Country Women's Association of NSW - Tamworth Evening Branch | Diverse Careers Panel Evening | Thursday 11 March 2021 | East Tamworth, NSW | CWA of NSW Tamworth Evening Branch is partnering with the UNE SMART Region Incubator (www.smartri.com.au) to focus on employment, career empowerment and workplace inclusion. This ties in strongly with the NSW Women’s Week priorities as well as this year’s International Women’s Day campaign call: #Choosetochallenge. The Diverse Careers Panel will bring together women working in positions and industries predominately held by men to discuss their choice of field, their career journey and any challenges they have faced along the way. The aim of the event is to encourage women to break down barriers of traditional roles and inspire them to pursue career pathways and goals they choose, rather than being defined through stereotypes. Key note speakers will include experts in women's affairs, human relations and regional education. |
| Early Links Inclusion Support Service | Combatting Teen Anxiety | Monday 8 March 2021 | Muswellbrook, NSW | The Teen Anxiety program has been developed by Psychologists specifically for young girls with a disability. The program incorporates a range of modalities from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to Interpersonal Psychotherapy, and includes psychoeducation and yoga-based concepts. The yoga-based components of this group will include mindfulness, physical postures, and breathing techniques, bringing in to focus the mind and body connection in helping to alleviate anxiety and promote self-regulation. Within this supportive environment participants will be able to explore personal difficulties and have a little fun at the same time! Topics that will be covered in the sessions include; Introduction to Teenage Anxiety, Developing Emotional Intelligence, How to Calm a Wandering or Overactive Brain, Managing Common Stressors, Self-Compassionate Pause, How to Quiet Down the Imaginary Audience, Building Connections with, Rest and Nourishment. The sessions will run throughout NSW Womens Week and will be available as one off or combined sessions. |
| Firstchance Inc. | Women (Mother, Carer, Advocate, Superhero) today we celebrate you. | Wednesday 10 March 2021 | Charlestown, NSW | This event will celebrate up to 50 women who care for a child with a disability. These women face challenges on a daily basis that many of us would not have the strength to face. Often significantly changing their life trajectory to ensure their child has every opportunity to thrive in a mainstream community. This involves a strength to advocate, educate others in our community and a determination to succeed that is inspiring. Guest speakers will provide: - hope - showcasing success stories of adults with disability who have gained employment and are thriving in a mainstream community setting, - inclusion - speaking of the ups and downs of parenting/caring for a child with a disability, - wellness - making time for you, and - a break out session for young girls with a disability to celebrate their awesomeness. |
| Greater Hume Council | Home Grown Business | Tuesday 9 March 2021 | Holbrook, NSW | This event will be an opportunity for rural women to participate in an information session provided by the Business Enterprise Centre. This will be followed by a Q&A panel of successful local small, home-based and online rural businesses set up by women. Morning tea will be served with an opportunity to talk to local business women, share ideas, their success and view the range of products that they sell. An information pack will be provided to each participants containing a small gift and promotional information on local businesses run by women. The event will promote entrepreneurship and showcase a range of economic opportunities. The event will provide information and resources to those thinking of setting up a business or looking for an alternative source of income. This event will be held across four venues within the shire supporting local business owned or managed by women in the Greater Hume Council. |
| Illawarra Women's Health Centre | IWD Outdoor Market: Reconnecting and Rebuilding | Wednesday 10 March 2021 | Warilla, NSW | A survey by the Illawarra Women's Health Centre recently identified social isolation as one of the key challenges women faced during COVID-19. In response, they will run a COVID safe IWD Outdoor Market in the grounds of the Illawarra Women's Health Centre. Women will be able to socialise, reconnect, and rebuild community. Stall holders, local women selling handmade items and homemade food will have the opportunity to enhance their micro businesses. Opportunities will be available to connect with local women's organisations such Older Women's Network and the Country Women's Association. With cooking and craft competitions, and renowned local female entertainment - the day will be fun and engaging, supporting social and mental health as well as showcasing the Centre's health and wellbeing services. It will celebrate and promote women's financial wellbeing and security through supporting local women running stalls, selling food and performing music. |
| Islamic Women's Welfare Association | Empowering & Celebrating Diversity | Wednesday 10 March 2021 | North Wollongong, NSW | Islamic Women's Welfare Association (IWWA) will hold a women's gathering at the park to bring together women from diverse backgrounds and communities around Western Sydney to celebrate the participants achievements over the years. The excursion will be aimed at celebrating women's achievements and overcoming difficulties faced by Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women. A lunch will be provided and the women will be encouraged to share photos and stories of their lives and what they have achieved in their time. The lunch is a chance for CALD women to come together and celebrate what makes them unique. This gathering will be specifically aimed at senior CALD women and a presentation will be given on the services available to CALD seniors and women in particular. The presentation will provide participants with information on services, facilities and help available for CALD senior women. The presentation will be delivered in English and Arabic. |
| Jaanymili Bawrrungga Incorporated | Multicultural Womens Wellness Day | Monday 8 March 2021 | Bowraville, NSW | A wellness day to be held in Macksville (Rural town) to provide an environment for isolated women from different cultures, living in the Nambucca Valley, to come together and experience each others culture as well as provide a safe space to socialise. Also to offer health screening advice in an safe environment with weaving and art provided by local aboriginal women. The day will be open to aboriginal women as well as women from a CALD background, and isolated women. The aim of the day is to allow the women to experience cultural differences in a relaxed atmosphere which will aid in improving mental health, self-confidence, encourage community unity, expose the women to available services, and meet the practitioners. |
| Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre | Sisters Together | Monday 8 March 2021 | South Kempsey, NSW | Sisters Together day at South Kempsey Community Centre will include workshops by a Financial Capability Worker, relaxation activities, information about activities and resources for women across the Lifespan, lunch, and an opportunity for women to network. The Liver Van - which provides on the spot liver checks and the women's health nurse from Durri Aboriginal service, will also be there on the day as will Tame the Tiger - a stop smoking program, and representatives of Aboriginal Mental Health. This day will include Aboriginal and non Aboriginal women with a theme of Sisterhood and Support. Three lantern making workshops will be held in the weeks before IWD to represent shining the light on women's issues. Discussion will be led regarding issues relevant to women including health issues, domestic violence and mental health. |
| Leeton Shire Council | International Women's Day Breakfast @ Leeton Shire Library | Monday 8 March 2021 | Leeton, NSW | Leeton Shire Library’s project will be a breakfast held at the library. A local Aboriginal woman elder will present the Welcome to Country. The breakfast will be supplied by a local hospitality business and we will have a local schools hospitality students serving the breakfast. As patrons and invited guests enjoy their breakfast they will hear from a variety of guest speakers on the topic of health and wellbeing. The all-female line up of speakers will include the General Manager of Leeton Council, a local physiotherapist and business owner, a local doctor and business owner, and a high school student. The speakers will give a short and informative talk about health and wellbeing in their specialised field. After the breakfast three local business women will present free one hour sessions of mediation, general fitness and nutrition workshops for the guests. |
| Murrumbidgee Council | Women in Murrumbidgee Business networking event | Wednesday 10 March 2021 | Coleambally, NSW | The event aims to encourage financial education and networking among rural businesswomen from the three towns of Coleambally, Darlington Point and Jerilderie to aid both business and personal development. A financial guest speaker will cover current topics with practical, hands-on information to assist businesses achieve their finance goals. This event will benefit local business women through empowering them and giving them financial knowledge to plan for their future, as well as allowing them to meet other businesswomen from neighbouring towns. Supported by the three local Chambers of Commerce, resources provided on the night will be further shared with their members to plan for the sustainable future of our communities. It is anticipated that this will be the first of many events and activities which will bring together business communities. |
| Narrabri Shire Council | Embrace Challenges and Celebrate Success | Monday 8 March 2021 | Narrabri, NSW | Narrabri Shire Council intends to hold a breakfast event celebrating rural woman, encouraging women to embrace challenges and celebrate their success. Councils event is open to women of all ages, abilities and backgrounds with the idea that all women can be empowered to succeed. A number of guest speakers will give presentations at the event, showcasing their personal stories and networking with attendees, providing information and facilitating conversations amongst peers. Council event also aims to raise awareness about womens equality in the modern age with a focus on inspiring attendees to aim high and take on leadership roles within the community. It is anticipated that flow on effects from facilitating this event will be an increase in peer support, a recognition of celebrating ones own success and supporting the empowerment of women. |
| Ride Dungog | GRIT - Girls Ride Into Tomorrow | Saturday 13 March 2021 | Dungog, NSW | Girls Ride into Tomorrow is an innovative and engaging event for girls aged 10 - 16. Hosted on Saturday 13th March, it will bring together women and girls for an inspiring lecture, workshops, a panel session, breakouts and an inspiring film. Session ideas for the event include; CHANGEMAKER: How can you make a difference? There are actually plenty of opportunities out there. Let’s hear from some folks who know how to make it happen-- even girls, like you, who have done some pretty cool stuff. SPORT: Don’t sweat it! No, do! Sport, movement and exercise is critical for our mental health, our fitness and our energy levels. If you are thinking of dropping out of that sporting activity, we want to present you with other ideas. SOCIAL MEDIA: Not everything belongs on the internet- Let’s explore web safety and find out the best way to put your best self forward. |
| SEVENmile Ltd | Building Confidence to Empower Personal Growth | Friday 12 March 2021 | Seaforth, NSW | One day training will be held in 4 modules (9.30am – 4.30pm). ~ Empowering old/young women to step up, speak up and show up with confidence in their local community (or all areas of their life). ~ "Making the Most of Me", helping women take back control of their life. ~ Steps to Success for Women in Life & Work. ~ Empowering women to get back into the workforce/set up a business after Covid19. Topics and practical activities include: teaching NLP techniques that show women how to shift their state of mind quickly from negative to positive. The impact of positive language, both self-talk and communicating with others. Creating their vision for the future. Setting goals and being accountable for the outcomes. Sharing mindset tools to help overcome challenges, deal with stress, fear and self-doubt so women can re-enter the workforce (or start a business). |
| Tarcutta Valley Landcare Group | Women's Day at the Oberne Hall | Saturday 13 March 2021 | Oberne Creek, NSW | A Women's Day at the Oberne Hall will be held, which is an area that was heavily impacted by the Dunn's Rd fire. The day will start with a yoga session and morning tea, and a talk on women's financial literacy by Sprout Education. This will be followed by a catered lunch. The afternoon will focus on talks from women working in agriculture. A panel discussion will take place which will be focused on working on the land and the impact that it has on landcare. |
| The Social Outfit Incorporated | Sew, Weave, Create: Learning New Skills Together | Monday 8 March 2021 | Newtown, NSW | Sew, Weave, Create! presents a series of live and online sewing and craft classes designed to reach, engage and empower women from refugee, asylum-seeker and new migrant backgrounds. The Social Outfit Incorporated has 6+ years of experience supporting and empowering refugee women through training and employment - research indicates this is the key to positive settlement experience and social integration. Their workshops build on cultural strengths whilst teaching new skills in a safe and inclusive environment. Classes are designed to: - Build social cohesion& community connection - Introduce students to new skills, ongoing classes and employment opportunities Monday 8th - Make a 3-layer facemask ONLINE Tuesday 9th - Make-Do and Mend (5 mending techniques) ONLINE Wednesday 10th - Weaving101 ONLINE Thursday 11th - Embroidery ONLINE Friday 12th - Basketry LIVE CLASS Saturday 13th- Half-made, never finished LIVE CLASS Sunday 14th - Setting up a sewing/craft business ONLINE Sunday 14th - Financial Literacy ONLINE |
| University of New South Wales | Improving financial wellbeing, financial literacy, and mental health outcomes for financially vulnerable women in NSW | Monday 8 March 2021 | Kensington, NSW | For a variety or reasons, financially vulnerable women are regularly unable to access the tax advice they need. By providing free, independent tax advice to vulnerable women, financial wellbeing and literacy is improved. This is key for improving women’s mental health by eliminating the psychological burden of tax problems, and supports women in situations of financial abuse. This project, supported by the UNSW Women's Wellbeing Academy and the UNSW Tax Clinic, enables financially vulnerable women to access free, independent advice in a safe way. Referral systems with community organisations across NSW are already in place to enable this activity to progress during IWD week. Women will receive a 1 on 1, 90 minute online session with an independent registered tax agent. The impact of the pandemic has not been gender neutral. Vulnerable women are in need of access to tax advice to support their financial wellbeing now more than ever. |
| Wagga Aboriginal Women’s Group Incorporated | Leading Sista’s | Thursday 11 March 2021 | Wagga Wagga, NSW | The Wagga Aboriginal Womens Group will be partnering with Mindful Warrior to present “Leading Sistas”. The event will be an inspiring and empowering evening for Aboriginal Women and girls in Wagga and Facebook Live. The attendees will also be given valuable tools in goal setting and career planning. A panel of inspiring Aboriginal Women will be invited such as Ella Havelka, the first Aboriginal female in the Australian Ballet, and Dr Faye McMillan the first Aboriginal Pharmacist in Australia. The panellists will engage with the audience and share their stories about achieving their goals and the obstacles they have had to overcome to achieve their goals; such as racism, and being the first Aboriginal female in their field. At the end of the panel discussion and questions, the audience and special guests will break into yarning circles to talk about goal setting and career planning. |
| WILMA Women's Health Centre | Staying resilient and empowered in difficult times | Wednesday 10 March 2021 | Campbelltown, NSW | WILMA Women’s Health Centre has been providing evidence based women’s health and wellbeing services for over 34 years to women in the Macarthur area. They are located in Campbelltown, NSW and their service provides a safe, empowering and welcoming space for all women. WILMA will deliver two empowering and supportive workshops for women in the Macarthur region (which includes many remote and rural areas) on staying resilient and empowered in difficult times. There will be a special guest speaker; Petrea King from Quest for Life Centre who will deliver this powerful and inspiring online workshop to women via Zoom. The talk will centre around self-care, wellbeing and coping with stress, depression & anxiety during difficult times. The major benefit of having these workshops online will be the ability to reach a greater number of women from vulnerable, rural and socially isolated communities. |
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Last updated: 02 Mar 2021