Women of all backgrounds celebrated

BASS Coast Shire proudly celebrated this year’s International Women’s Day, Thursday 9 March, with a community event honouring inspiring women and cultural diversity.

Deputy Mayor Bass Coast Shire Council, Cr Rochelle Halstead, said International Women’s Day was vitally important in marking the strong progress towards gender equality – locally and globally - while also acknowledging the work still to be done.

“It is a day for inspiration and change,’’ Cr Halstead told the 150 people gathered at the sold-out event at Phillip Island Winery in Ventnor.

The keynote speaker was Div Pillay, CEO of MindTribes, Co-Founder of Culturally Diverse Women and Board Director of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.

Local speaker Nicky Chung, President of Rotary Wonthaggi, Deputy Chair of Bass Coast Health, Board Member at South Coast FM radio and CEO of Australian Vietnamese Women’s Association, told of her family’s remarkable journey to Australia.
“After the Vietnam War, Nicky and her family of six fled their home country, leaving behind their loved ones, taking a risk in the hope of finding a better life. It started with a perilous boat trip, but the result has been the opportunity to make the most of living in the greatest country in the world, Australia,’’ Cr Halstead highlighted.
Maddy Harford, representative Bass Coast Refugee 
Sponsorship Group, also spoke at the event, sharing Khadija Moustafa’s powerful and moving story of how she and her family have settled since arriving in Australia and Bass Coast as refugees.
“Maddy asked the attendees: think about what you can do to include and support our refugee family in our community.”
The event was sponsored by Bass Coast Health, Phillip Island Nature Parks and Westernport Water.