Mitchell Shire Council celebrated International Women's Day with a special online event on Tuesday 9 March, featuring special guest Angela (Anj) Barker OAM.
Anj is a domestic violence campaigner and former Victorian Young Australian of the Year, and she shared her inspirational story as part of the event.
Anj was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2019 in recognition of her continuing community work in anti-domestic violence advocacy and education after receiving significant injuries from a violent attack by her ex-boyfriend. Anj also campaigns to stop young people ending up in nursing homes, as this is where she was for two-and-a-half years as part of her recovery following the attack.
This year's International Women's Day theme across the world was Choose To Challenge. The theme was based around the idea that we can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
The event was facilitated by Women's Health Goulburn North East, and we partnered with local business Wandong Collective to create a collection of gift boxes that could be ordered by attendees to enjoy during the event. All products at Wandong Collective are handmade and created by local women.
The event was also a fundraiser for The Y-House Foundation, a group supporting young people living in, or at risk of living in, aged care.
A recording of the event can be seen below.
