International Women’s Day lunch

Bass Coast Shire Council invites the community to celebrate cultural diversity this International Women’s Day, by joining a special lunch on Thursday March 9, at Phillip Island Winery, from 12pm – 2.30pm.

Join keynote speaker Div Pillay, guest speaker Nicky Chung, MC Deputy Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead, alongside women from all backgrounds – and allies.

International Women’s Day is a time for inspiration and change. Every year since 1911, this global day marks the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, while calling to accelerate women's equality. 

For this year’s Bass Coast event the theme is embracing cultural diversity.

“Council celebrates any opportunity to embrace and empower all communities in Bass Coast in their diversity,” said CEO Ali Wastie.

“This event will bring to life our mission to increase equality and appreciate all our uniqueness.

“Our International Women’s Day event underpins the Healthy and Inclusive Community Aspiration of the Bass Coast Community Vision 2041 created with residents last year.
“It embodies our goal to be caring, connected and welcome all people, celebrating and supporting diversity plus uniqueness.

“Gender inequality is not experienced in the same way by all women,” Ms Wastie continued.

“All elements of identity – including race, geography, sexuality and disability – influence how we experience the world, personally and professionally.

“Yet we know that diverse teams are better at solving problems, which is vital as we tackle the climate emergency and reconnect post-pandemic.

“Embracing cultural diversity is essential in challenging stereotypes and promoting societal change. Gender equality is a key pillar of this. Ending discrimination and bias – consciously and unconsciously – is a key priority for Council, as we end inequality across our entire community.”

Council invites the community to join it and to hear stories from women within our community and be inspired by our keynote speaker Div Pillay, CEO of MindTribes and Co-Founder of social enterprise, Culturally Diverse Women, plus Guest Speaker, Nicky Chung, CEO of Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, President of Rotary Club Wonthaggi and Deputy Chair of Bass Coast Health.
This event is not just for people who identify as women: everybody is welcome.

International Women's Day is a time for us all, regardless of gender identity, to acknowledge the progress that women have made towards equality – while remembering there is still much to do.

Achieving equality, building allyship and dismantling damaging stereotypes is as important for men as it is for women, so everyone is welcome to attend.

Bass Coast Shire Council sincerely thanks its sponsors Bass Coast Health, Phillip Island Nature Parks and Westernport Water for their continued support.

Tickets for Bass Coast International Women’s Day: Embracing Cultural Diversity are on sale now from basscoastinternationalwomensday.eventbrite.com.au

Thursday, March 9 from 12 noon to 2.30pm at Phillip Island Winery, 414 Berrys Beach Road, Ventnor.

Tickets $35 per person (includes two course meal and speakers).