Bellarine ladies at Bennetts

THE Northern Bellarine International Women’s Day (IWD) function was held at Bennetts on Bellarine on March 18, complete with a luncheon and keynote speaker.

Jenny Wills from NBIWD said the event featured an unveiling of a Monica Hayes portrait, painted by Jenny Merkus, with numbers dropping from 122 to 65 due to corona restrictions.

“The NBIWD celebrations commenced in 2017 to honour the life of Monica Hayes, a feminist, local leader and community activist who was diagnosed with MND in 2015 and died in 2016,” Ms Wills said.

“Because of the contribution Monica made to the community the portrait is of interest not only to those who attended, but the wider community.”
Ms Wills said Bennetts was an amazing venue for women on the northern Bellarine to come together and celebrate IWD, engrossed by Indigenous keynote speaker Marsha Upill.

“Marsha has worked across all levels of government and the community and delivered a powerful and inspiring keynote address, she highlighted the historic as well as current injustices face by her people, in particular women.

“Another highlight was Dianne Bennett and Jenny Macauley sharing their unique experiences in a “Herstory” segment which celebrated the special contributions women bring to community wellbeing.”