Enlivening and inspiring women

A POT of Courage cafe had Barkly Square buzzing with conversation around ‘breaking the bias’ during last week’s International Women’s Day.

The social enterprise hosted a luncheon for 40 people, both women and men, in partnership with Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, featuring guest speakers and live music.

WRISC Family Violence Support CEO Libby Jewson presented, banjo-player and singer Shel O’Toole performed, and musician, Koorie education worker and This Girl Can ambassador Deb Lowah Clark also spoke and sang.

“Break the bias for me is all about coming from a First Peoples space. I’m really proud that I’ve worked really hard to find my identity as an Indigenous woman in Australia, so now I’m here, my goal is to be an advocate,” Ms Lowah Clark said.

“International Women’s Day is about women feeling inspired an empowered in all spaces. Older women are often not seen, and yet they’re the knowledge-keepers, and hold a wealth of information.

“As a gender, we are no different to many other minority groups who are often left off the list, out of meetings, still knocking at the door but when we come together, listen and see each other, we can remind ourselves of the importance of who we are in our identity.”

O’Toole not only performed but was one of the event’s organisers as a BENH volunteer. She said the program came together quickly, backed by the “collaborative and cooperative spirit” at Barkly Square.

“Women are the backbone of most communities and partnering with A Pot of Courage was all about building on our community,” she said.

“There was this energy in the room which was enlivening, with women engaged in conversation and getting to know each other, which was lovely to see.

“It was all about creating a space where women can come, talk, celebrate and acknowledge the difficulties we face, and being able to perform songs that I’d written about issues that especially impact women was a real privilege.”

BENH manager Sarah Greenwood-Smith said the afternoon was an “inspiring” one.

“It was so exciting to see so many amazing people come together to celebrate women, and to see A Pot of Courage thriving and filled again as the heart of Barkly Square is really special,” she said.