Leading the way

An inspirational poem, specially written for the day by Mary Catanzariti, was one of many highlights at the International Women’s Day event in Griffith on Monday, March 8.

Mary’s attendance at the function to present her poems was organised by Intereach, which has supported her over a number of years to achieve her goals. These included obtaining her licence (she had previously used the Intereach Community Transport service), publishing her poetry, and becoming a public speaker.

At public speaking engagements Mary, who was born with Cerebral Palsy, shares her story of overcoming adversity and getting the best out of life.

The IWD event also featured Griffith woman and human rights lawyer Lucy Geddes, who spoke of her achievements and passion for women and law.

More than 60 women attended the picnic and various activities at Pioneer Park Museum, organised by the Griffith Women on Fire group with the help of funding and support from Intereach. This included cooking dishes which were gratefully shared by all at lunch.

Another of the day’s many highlights was a performance by Griffith’s Indian-Sri Lankan dance troupe, ‘Rhythm’. Attendees were also able to participate in drumming activities.

In an inspiring speech, Ms Geddes told those gathered that “women are the fabric that hold our community together”. She shared her journey from Griffith High School graduate to international human rights lawyer, with a message to “keep moving forward”.

“Every day in Griffith there are women who are making a difference quietly to those around them. International Women’s Day is a reminder to celebrate our potential as women as change-makers and leaders in our community,” she said.

Intereach Community Links Project Leader, Simone Murphy, who helped organise the day, described it as an “awe-inspiring event”.

“Intereach is delighted to have been able to support the Women on Fire Committee in bringing this 2021 IWD event to fruition.  The Women on Fire volunteers are an amazing group of women dedicated to promoting inclusion for women from culturally diverse backgrounds in the Griffith community.

“It is extremely satisfying to be part of such a successful day that celebrated the achievements of women. But, as we were reminded by Lucy, there is still much more to be done if women are truly to be treated equally in Australian society.”

Intereach team members from across its footprint (it has 17 offices in northern/central Victoria and the NSW Murray/Riverina) also participated in a range of International Women’s Day events.

Intereach staff across its offices in southern NSW and northern/central Victoria are raising their hands high to support International Women’s Day.

Staff are joining the challenge to pledge their support for the day and its theme #ChooseToChange. The Intereach challenge is being led by its International Women’s Day champion, Mardi Chartres.

The #ChooseToChange theme this year aims to highlight the importance of challenging biases and misconceptions, in the interest of creating a more inclusive and gender-equal world.

The global initiative is encouraging supporters to raise their hand high to show they are committed to ‘choose to challenge and call out inequality’.

“Members of our Intereach team have joined the challenge, pledging support by holding their hand up high and taking a photograph as recognition of their commitment,” Mrs Chartres said.

“These photos, from across our footprint, are our way of saying we support the day and its theme.

“As a collective, we have the means to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes and help forge an inclusive world,” Mrs Chartres said.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity, as groups come together to celebrate

women’s achievements or rally for women’s equality. The day is marked annually on March 8.

IWD has support of the 17 Intereach offices, which operate across the Riverina/Murray, central and northern Victoria and the Mallee, and its team of more than 400 employees and 100 volunteers. Intereach supports children and families, older people, people living with disability, mental health and carers.

Intereach’s Victorian offices will reopen to the public from Monday, February 22, after the Victorian Government’s five-day COVID-19 Stage 4 lockdown ended on Wednesday.

The organisation’s Victorian offices are located in Bendigo, Gisborne, Echuca, Swan Hill, Shepparton, Maryborough, Mildura and Seymour and are open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Intereach CEO Keryn Fox thanked her staff, participants and local communities for their understanding during the week-long office closures. She also praised her staff for continuing to deliver services during the Stage 4 lockdown, mostly via phone and video technology.

“Our staff, especially in Victoria, must be commended for the way they have handled these challenges. I’d also like to praise our participants for their understanding of the situation and for the courtesy they have shown our staff during these times.”

Ms Fox said Intereach would continue to monitor and follow government and health department advice around COVID-19 and that the organisation was well placed to respond thanks to its comprehensive COVID-19 Safe Plan.

Anyone with queries about Intereach’s COVID-19 response, or any other matter, can phone 1300 488 226.
Anyone showing symptoms of Coronavirus – such as coughing, fever, flu-like symptoms – should self-isolate and contact the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398.