Grace Tame brings national conversation to Bendigo

SURVIVOR-advocate, bestselling author and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame will visit Bendigo this month for a special in-conversation event marking International Women’s Day.

Hosted by community network Women Connect, in partnership with Be.Bendigo, the morning tea is being promoted as a significant moment for the region.

The event’s organisers said the event reflects a shared commitment to equity and empowerment, while ensuring regional communities have access to important national conversations.

Ms Tame was named Australian of the Year in 2021 after becoming a powerful national voice for survivors of child sexual abuse.

Her advocacy played a central role in overturning Tasmania’s gag laws, making her the first survivor in the state able to speak publicly under her own name, and helping to drive broader legal reform and public awareness of survivor rights.

Today, she is the founder of the Grace Tame Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation leading national initiatives to prevent, disrupt and respond to child sexual abuse.

Be.Bendigo chief executive Hayley Tibbett said hosting Ms Tame highlighted the importance of connecting regional communities with nationally respected leaders.

“International Women’s Day is about progress, reflection and action,” she said.

“Hosting Grace Tame in Bendigo creates space for an important conversation and ensures our community is part of it.”

The event will take place on 27 February from 10am to 12.30pm at the All Seasons Hotel in Strathdale.

Tickets are available via Humanitix.