International Women's Day - Identity and Transition

On Saturday I felt privileged to be able to attend an all day International Women's Day event hosted in my home town by the South West Women's Health and Information Centre. How inspriing it was to be in the company of such an amazing, diverse, intelligent, creative and talented group of women across all ages and walks of life. 

And how wonderful it is when women get together supporting each other. 

 The theme of the day was "Women as we age - identity and transition" and the fabulous array of speakers touched on this theme in various ways - from displaced lives through circumstance or war, taking up new challenges, and changes that happen as we go through life. 

The day was opened by the traditional welcome to country followed by an opening address by City Councillor, Betty McCleary on behalf of the City of Bunbury.  

We were then treated to an amazing performance by Viva Aerial Dance and Freespirit Trapese performers backed by the Bunbury Vocal Fusion Choir. 
The strength and flexibility of these aerial performers is amazing. Charlotte, the girl you see on the left is only 13.

Following this we heard several lively pieces from poet Kate Wilson, Marilyn Palmer from Edith Cowan University, Helen Shervington the chair of CinefestOz Film Festival (the largest regional film festival in Australia), indigenous Australian Naydeene Edwards (a moving story about looking for belonging and identity) and Cambodian Daravann Meek talked about culture and identity, special guest, political scientist, Karen Paget from the USA, ABC gardening guru Sabrina Hahn talked about the healing power of nature, Deb Perry entertained us with her spoon playing, and Josephine Wilson talked about her 2017 Miles Franklin awarded book, Extinctions, before we enjoyed a singalong with the amazing voice of Tracey Musham. 

A few quotes from the day -

• "there is power when we unite" - Betty McCleary
• "what she wrote became an antidote to her choked throat" - Kate Wilson
• "these lines (on my face) are my stories and they run deep" - Kate Wilson
• "stay conscious about the power of language.... language forms and creates our world.... choose words carefully.... be careful of the power of words.... look for opportunities to be involved" - Marilyn Palmer
• "transitions happen bit by bit...just get on with it" - Helen Shervington
•  Talking about her book - Last Days of the House - "the house helps me commune with my younger self... we are all in transition... we all look for our rock... and tell ourselves stories about our childhood..."  - Karen Padget 
• "the importance of finding someone to connect to... family is about love and connection... family doesn't have to conform and can change..." - Josephine Wilson

• "transition is a constant thing... sometimes it is difficult but sometimes the hardest things are the most important... it's ok to feel what you are feeling....it builds resilience... we don't allow out kids to explore things in their own time and make their own mistakes. Play is how they learn. As adults we forget to play. We take ourselves too seriously. We need to get away from screens...get outside...zone down..... Don't allow aging to get in the way of things you want to do - just find a way to do it differently. Don't think you can't do it. Keep learning..... We are one species among many. Everything is connected to everything else. We need gardens more and more in urban living for community health. It is so important to sit, listen, and just be. If you are not quiet you miss so much.... Remember that the person next to us is not better than you." - Sabrina Hahn

After a delicious lunch we were able to attend an array of half hour workshops - some serious and some just for fun!  I went to one with Sarah Evans about memoir and bio writing. Then learnt a bit about drumming with Felicity Dear, before de-stressing with Clair Connolly and Dru Yoga, finishing up with learning how to play the spoons with Deb Perry.  The basics are fairly easy to learn. I demonstrated to my family after I got home, and I think they are hoping I won't take it up - castanets around home is more than enough for them! 

 And a few final comments from the panel - 
"Transitions occur throughout our life and are ongoing....the roles we are fulfilling in the moment are not our true selves... life is messy - these experiences enrich our lives... invisible labour we do for love.... look forward without fear... think about all the women on whose shoulders we stand .... how we love is the most important thing.... all women are connected.... chase your dreams and passions... make a ritual everyday to sit, listen, look and hear and then fiddle with something you've always wanted to do."

 I was also able to have a space to sell some of my products - eco-dyed silk scarves and greeting cards, hand folded paper flowers, and cushions, tote bags and greeting cards featuring my photography. 

It was a fabulous day which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. Congratulations South West Women's Health and Information Centre for putting on such an amazing day in celebration of International Women's Day. 

 Thank you so much for stopping by.  Did you go to an event for International Women's Day? Perhaps you would like to tell us about it in your comments. I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.  

You might also like:-
Celebrating International Women's Day and Aging with Attitude - 2016
International Women's Day 2017 
The life of women in Australia's past 

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Pictorial Tuesday 

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Life in Reflection

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