Community
5 March, 2025
Women to be thrust into the spotlight across the North West
There will be a range of events held to celebrate International Women's Day.
North West Queensland will put local women on a pedestal over the coming 10 days with a raft of events to celebrate International Women’s Day in the region.
The events begin in Richmond on Saturday morning with a community breakfast.
At Cloncurry that afternoon, Australian Olympic gold medallist Brooke Hanson will be the guest speaker at a cocktail-type function at the community precinct.
The event, put on by Cloncurry Shire Council, will feature a panel of local businesswomen who will discuss some of the key issues facing the local industry, as well as outside of our regional backyard.
Mount Isa’s big IWD event is being held a week later, on March 15 at the Civic Centre.
Hosted by the Zonta Club of Mount Isa, comedian Mel Buttle
will act as both MC and guest speaker in what is sure to be a packed event.
One of the fastest growing IWD events in the region is in Julia Creek, where a small group has formed Women of the West, which takes the reigns around March 8 each year.
Belinda Murphy said the Women of the West had another big day planned in 2025, with a fun run/walk before a gala dinner.
“We are a bit more organised this year,” she said with a smile.
“Last year it was sort of three weeks out from International Women’s Day when we worked out that nothing was happening (locally) and I rang Edwina Hick and said ‘let’s see if we can pull something together quick’, so we were very lucky to have some sponsors come on quickly.
“We set up a fun run and walk and then an evening event.
“What we tried to do was tap into the amazing women in the region and do a Q&A with them on stage and really just get everyone together.”
Edwina is now the president of the Women of the West committee, with Belinda secretary.
The latter said having an IWD event each March worked well in Julia Creek.
“It’s the start of the year and you’ve got people who haven’t seen each other for a few months over Christmas and rain and things like that, and then you’ve got new people coming into the area who don’t really know anyone yet, or starting work on a property,” she said.
“It really is just bringing everyone together and getting them going for the year.”
This year’s event will follow a similar format to the inaugural IWD gathering.
“After the fun run we’ve got some exciting speakers; a bit of a collaboration,” Belinda said.
“We have Angie Nisbet and Shona Larkin from FarmHER Hands and we’ve also got Joy McClymont, the fitness guru from Off The Track Training.
“Another of our guests is Sammy Campbell, who is an amazing lady from just outside Cloncurry.
“People would know her as ex-journalist, but she’s established a flower farm in the North West, which is unique in the Outback.”
Visit the Women of the West Facebook page to purchase tickets.
International Women’s Day in the North West
Richmond: Community breakfast at the Civic Centre from 8am this Saturday, celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Free buffet style breakfast provided.
Cloncurry: Afternoon cocktail-type function at the Community Precinct this Saturday from 2pm. Tickets $30 and includes drink on arrival. Gold medallist Brooke Hanson joins a panel of local businesswomen to discuss issues relevant in the community.
Julia Creek: Women of the West is staging a 5km run/walk at 5pm on Saturday before a formal function at the Civic Centre, featuring a range of guest speakers. Tickets $100 and includes a meal.
Mount Isa: The Zonta Club of Mount Isa is hosting its International Women’s Day event on Saturday, March 15 at the Mount Isa Civic Centre. This year’s guest speaker and MC is comedian Mel Buttle, Tickets are $100 and are now available.