Shire’s event to press for women’s progress

AWARD-winning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musician Jessie Lloyd and Lorne Sculpture Biennale artist Merinda Kelly will headline the Surf Coast Shire’s 2018 International Women’s Day (IWD) event, to be held tonight (Thursday).

The free community event at Lorne Country Club will shine a spotlight on women in the arts in the lead-up to the Lorne Sculpture Biennale (March 17-April 2).

Shire mayor David Bell said the event would celebrate the global IWD theme of #PressForProgress.

“This year’s theme is a strong call for people to press forward and progress gender parity.

“We’re proud that our event is going to recognise how female artists are pressing for progress.”

He highlighted Lorne Sculpture Biennale’s leadership to work towards gender parity, with the launch of its Women Sculptors Initiative in September last year.

“The initiative aims to help level the playing field for female sculptors, by celebrating their achievements and raising funds so that they can create and exhibit in the Biennale – Victoria’s largest free public outdoor sculpture event,” he said.

Ms Kelly is a major artist of the 2018 Biennale who will exhibit on the sculpture trail, which spreads from the swing bridge to Lorne pier. She has featured in various exciting Geelong projects, including the Iconic Industry Exhibition at the National Wool Museum, Mountain to Mouth and #Vacant.

Ms Lloyd curated the Mission Songs Project – a personal initiative to research and present a collection of contemporary Indigenous songs performed from 1900 to 1999. It focused on songs from the Christian missions, Aboriginal reserves and the fringes of township where Indigenous people were relocated.

The International Women’s Day event will be held at Lorne Country Club from 6.30-9pm. To book, head to iwdscs.eventbrite.com.au. RSVPs are essential.