City’s women recognised
City’s women recognised
March 11, 2010
Section: News
BRENDAN CRABB
bcrabb@laketimes.com.au
SHELLHARBOUR City Council yesterday recognised the contributions and gains made by women from throughout the city at an International Women’s Day picnic event.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
The picnic took place at Centenary Hall, Albion Park.
The aim of the event was to pay tribute to the strength, diversity and spirit of women within Shellharbour City.
“Shellharbour City Council is aiming to recognise the issues faced by women in our community through the picnic,” council’s community planner Jennifer Brady said.
“This event focuses on the strength and diversity of women from culturally diverse backgrounds as well as ensuring our community recognises the contribution made by local females.
“Our previous consultations have told us that women are struggling with family and work commitments on top of society’s expectations of them within the community.”
The event was attended by various groups including the Illawarra Filipino Association, Illawarra Islamic Women’s Social Association, the Country Women’s Association and the Women’s Health Centre, Warilla. Representatvies of several of these groups also addressed the gathering.
Ms Brady said the intergenerational picnic had provided women from diverse backgrounds with a forum to come together and share their stories.
A range of cooking workshops were conducted before participants took part in a diverse series of themed workshop activities.
Last year, the council’s manager of communications, Neryl East, was appointed as ambassador for the National Steering Committee of Women in Local Government for 2010.
She also addressed the gathering at the event.
“A day such as this is incredibly important, as women play a huge role within our community,” she said.
“This is a thank you in order to recognise women of different backgrounds who are playing an important role within our community and drawing attention to that.”
