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9 Ways To Celebrate International Women’s Day In Melbourne This Year

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Singer-songwriter Vera Blue in a blue dress. The blue sky can be seen in the background.

International Women’s Day is this Monday 8 March, but that doesn’t mean you only have one day to celebrate. There are plenty of events around Melbourne and online spanning over a week, as well as several female-led initiatives and activities that continue well into the year.

This year, it’s about embracing women in all their diversities, cultures and achievements. It starts with a keynote speech from 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame and ends with a stunning performance from Vera Blue and the MSO in a little over a week’s time—check out everything happening in between right here.

UN Women Australia IWD Nationwide Lunch

Tuck into this year’s nationwide International Women’s Day Lunch. Hosted by UN Women Australia, the event will feature a diverse line-up of guests speaking from capital cities across the country, including keynote speaker and 2021 Australian of the Year, Grace Tame. Lunches will take place simultaneously in every capital city and the event will be livestreamed and available on demand for a full week. The Melbourne lunch is already sold out, so make sure to book your tickets to the live virtual event to listen in on an impressive lineup of inspiring women from across the nation.

THE DETAILS

What: UN Women Australia IWD Nationwide Lunch
When: Friday 5 March, then available online for seven days following the event
Where: Various locations and online
For more details click
here

Vera Blue With The MSO | Everything Is Wonderful

Chart topping Aussie artist and female powerhouse Vera Blue will join the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a celebration of women in music for this International Women’s Day. Conducted by Vanessa Scammel, the special event will include performances by female composers, including Deborah Cheetham AO, Anna Clyne, Dobrinka Tabakova and more, before Vera Blue takes to the stage accompanied by an incredible orchestral symphony. 

THE DETAILS

What: Vera Blue With The MSO | Everything Is Wonderful
When: 7.30pm, Thursday 18 March and Friday 19 March
Where: Arts Centre Melbourne, Hamer Hall, St Kilda Road
For more details and to book click
here

Girls Can’t Surf | LIDO Cinema

Celebrate female surfing legends this International Women’s Day with a special screening of Girls Can’t Surf at LIDO cinema. Girls Can’t Surf follows a group of female surfers in the 1980s who crash into the male-dominated surfing industry, break down gender barriers and change the professional surfing world forever. The screening will be followed by a virtual Q&A with female surfing icons Layne Beachley, Pam Burridge, Jodie Cooper and Pauline Menczer, all of whom ride some serious waves in the film (and in real life) while fighting the patriarchy.

THE DETAILS

What: Girls Can’t Surf | Lido Cinema
When: 6.30, Monday 8 March
Where:
Lido Cinemas, 675 Glenferrie Road Hawthorn
For more info and to book tickets click here

Mister Bianco | Celebrating Women Dinner

The team at Mister Bianco in Kew are cooking up a storm to celebrate women’s achievements this International Women’s Day. While you enjoy your five course meal perfectly paired with wines by female winemakers, you can eat up inspiring stories from an impressive lineup of guest speakers. Channel 10 journalist Candice Wyatt will MC the event, and women from various fields will share their stories, including Prosecco Queen Melissa Brauer, Journalist Melissa Singer, Photographer Silvia Zanon and Artisan Cattle Farmer Sallie Jones. Tickets are $99 per person, and with all the incredible food, wine and inspiring stories, that sounds like a bargain.

THE DETAILS

What: Celebrating Women Dinner At Mister Bianco
When: 7pm, Tuesday 9 March
Where: Mister Bianco, 285 High Street, Kew
For more info click
here

Live Love Work | Port Phillip International Women’s Day Breakfast

Celebrate the hearts, souls and smarts of women at this virtual International Women’s Day breakfast event. Hear about inspiring women from the past, like St Kilda resident Muriel Agnes Heagney who spent her life fighting for equal pay, and women of the future, including Industry Digital Strategist at Microsoft (and Port Phillip local) Rita Arrigo, who will be speaking at this year’s event. Founded by three local female entrepreneurs, the Live Love Work breakfast will be jumping online this year with virtual worldwide access via Zoom— the event has sold out three years in a row, so make sure to secure your tickets now.

THE DETAILS

What: Live Love Work Port Phillip International Women’s Day Event
When: 8.30-9.15am, Friday 5 March
Where: Online via Zoom
For more info and to book tickets click
here

Little Dreamers Breakfast With Champions | Women Of Tomorrow 

The team at non-for profit organisation Little Dreamers are putting on a breakfast to celebrate and acknowledge women paving the way for women. The fundraising event will feature a panel of inspiring women, including co-founder at How Two Live and TWOOBS Jess Dadon, home cook and recipe creator Jessica Nguyen, Acting Senior Sergeant and Multicultural Liaison Officer at Victoria Police Maha Sukkar and Director of MCO Events Melissa Yu. And if the inspiring discussion isn’t enough, you’ll also get a goodie bag. 

THE DETAILS

What: Little Dreamers Breakfast With Champions | Women Of Tomorrow
When: 7.30-9.30am, Thursday 11 March
Where: United Co, 425 Smith St, Fitzroy
For more info and to book click
here

Surf And Sip At URBNSURF

Meet like-minded women and ride some waves at URBNSURF’s newest all-female surfing program. On the last Friday of every month, grab your girlfriends and surf a Cruiser Session or Play In The Bay with the support and guidance of the female staff at URBNSURF. After you’ve surfed as many waves as Sally Fitzgibbons, chill out and enjoy the sunset with a complimentary beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverage, courtesy of Three Blue Ducks. 

THE DETAILS

What: Surf And Sip At URBNSURF
When: 5pm, last Friday of every month
Where: URBNSURF, 309 Melrose Drive, Tullamarine 
For more info click
here

Plating Up For Success | Crown Melbourne

Is there a better way to celebrate the culinary achievements of women than over good food and wine? Crown Melbourne is doing just that, with a stellar line up of renowned female chefs serving up four delicious courses, including Crown Sydney’s Culinary Director Sarah Briegel, Ging Thai’s Head Chef On Saengyojanr, 88 Noodle’s Chef de Cuisine Meena Throngkumpola and the Atlantic Group’s Executive Pastry Chef Lisa Van Zanten.

For $149 per person you can indulge in a curated, Asian-inspired four-course menu, matched with wines by Head Winemaker from Sutton Grange Winery, Melanie Chester, while the four female chefs share their rich industry stories and cook up a storm before your very eyes. $10 from each ticket will go towards supporting the Alannah and Madeline Foundation. 

THE DETAILS

What: Plating Up Success | Crown Melbourne 
When: 12.30pm Friday 12 March and 7.00pm Saturday 13 March
Where:
Evergreen at Crown Melbourne, Crown Melbourne Level 3, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank
For more info click here

Need more girl-power? Catch some of your favourite female comedians at Melbourne’s International Comedy Festival

Image credit: Vera Blue

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