Current Events and Programs
Byron Shire International Women's Day 2010
Women's Photos Celebrate Achievements
International Women's Day on Monday March 8th saw about 70 women and children attend the inaugural Women's Photographic Exhibition at the Mullumbimby Civic Hall. The event, put on as collaboration between Byron Shire Council, the Women's Resource Service and the Byron Shire Girls Group, was a huge success owing to the overwhelming contributions of women across the community.
The Exhibition organisers received over 125 photographic entries and were able to display 77 photos on the night, covering a diverse range of categories such as Bundjalung women, women in water, women in love, self expression and women through history.
As well as the exhibition, women were treated to an array of entertainment and speakers on the evening. The beautiful and melodic "Songbirds" (a choir of seven local women) sang inspirational songs to the audience and the Arakwal Dubay Dancers lead by Delta Kay performed a memorable "Welcome to Country" dance. Daisy Sowter, a representative of the Byron Girls Group spoke about the achievements of this group of young women in their community and their desires to empower young women. Mayor Jan Barham spoke to the gathering about the achievements of women in this shire and reflected on the road ahead for women into the future. Rangi Marie Fergusson performed two captivating Hip Hop pieces, integrating her youthful exuberance with strong themes of women supporting each other and using art and music to express themselves.
A "People's Choice" award was given to Tunja Lee for her photograph "Dyeing Day" , a beautiful image of an aboriginal woman.
"We were overwhelmed with the variety of entries received from the community and I had so many people approaching me at the end of the night saying how they are looking forward to entering a photo of their own next year" said Neroli Jager of the Women's Resource Service. "It was such an inspiring and enjoyable evening where people really felt the air of celebration of what women can and have achieved. We anticipate that in 2011, for the 100 year celebration of International Women's Day , that the event will be even bigger" said Neroli Jager.
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