This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) themes, “Give to Gain” and the United Nations call to “Balance the Scales”, are more than slogans across the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast. They’re being brought to life through a vibrant calendar of events celebrating generosity, equity, creativity and community connection.
“This International Women’s Day, we are calling on Australians to join a movement for real action – to transform our justice systems, amplify marginalised voices, and ensure equality is not the exception, but the rule,” said UN Women Australia CEO Simone Clarke.
Across the region, that call to action is being answered in meaningful and inspiring ways.
Giving that grows: Byron Bay
The Northern Rivers Community Foundation (NRCF) Women’s Giving Circle will host a special evening at the Byron Bay Surf Club on March 12, shining a spotlight on the power of collective generosity.
The NRCF Women’s Giving Circle is a growing collective of 160 women (and counting), each contributing $1000 annually to support women and girls across the region. Sandra Duncan, Donor Engagement Manager and member of the Circle, explains the unique model.
“Half of the $160,000 gets distributed to local causes and the other half is invested and will exist in perpetuity. The investment processes are then distributed to other local charities helping women and girls,” said Duncan.
The result is both immediate impact and long-term sustainability.
Past grant recipients include the Muli Muli Local Aboriginal Land Council, which used funding to deliver education in nutrition, wellbeing and family resilience through cooking workshops and creative arts activities.
At the IWD event, guests will hear from Support for New Mums, another recipient organisation, with guest speaker Lynda Wiles discussing how NRCF funding has strengthened the group’s work. Dee Cosme will also share her lived experience as a new mother and how vital the organisation’s support was during those early months.
Professor Tamsyn Crowley from Southern Cross University will speak about her research into how supporting women strengthens whole communities, reinforcing the broader message that when women thrive, everyone benefits.
Duncan says the evening is about more than fundraising. “The event is really about how, on International Women’s Day, we can showcase how we support each other as women.”
The Byron Bay event will run from 5pm to 8pm on Thursday, March 12, with canapés, handmade pasta and a complimentary glass of bubbles.
Creativity and conversation: Coffs Harbour
In Coffs Harbour, creativity takes centre stage. Arts Mid North Coast is presenting an exhibition at MAKE/SPACE from February 22 to March 8 responding to the theme “Balance the Scales”. The exhibition explores how art can help imagine fairer futures, offering creative reflections on equity, gender balance, power, care and justice in our homes, communities and the wider world.
For early risers, the Coffs Harbour IWD Breakfast at the Racing Club and Function Centre will run from 6.00am to 8.40am. Keynote speaker Kate Toon, award-winning writer, educator and podcast host, will share insights drawn from her work empowering women in business and life.
Wellness, weaving and storytelling: Lismore
Lismore City Council has curated a thoughtful program of events celebrating women’s wellbeing and cultural knowledge.
“Womb with a View” on March 5 will see speaker and broadcaster Mel Brampton discuss women’s wellness at The Quad, while “Weave with Widjabul Wia-bal Women” on March 8 invites participants to learn basket weaving using locally gathered fibres at the Lismore Regional Gallery. Weavers Val Smith and Penina Welch will guide attendees through the cultural and creative process, connecting participants with both tradition and community.
Community breakfasts and open celebrations
Further south, the Grafton Chamber of Commerce will host an International Women’s Day breakfast at the Good Intent Hotel from 7am on Friday 6 March, welcoming people of all genders “to come together in support of equality, connection, and community.”
In Urunga, a free community celebration at Morgo Street Reserve on Sunday March 8 will run from 10.30am to 6pm, featuring music by female and non-binary artists, along with speakers, market stalls and workshops — creating a festival-style space for inclusion and expression.
Meanwhile, the Hastings Businesswomen’s Network will hold a breakfast at Rydges Hotel from 6.30am to 8.30am, with guest speaker Ali Flynn discussing her work as a high-performance mindset and resilience coach.
A region united in action
From grassroots giving circles and arts exhibitions to wellness talks, weaving workshops and community breakfasts, this year’s International Women’s Day is a powerful reminder that change happens both collectively and locally.
With such a full calendar of events, locals won’t have to look far to mark the occasion. Whether through conversation, creativity, generosity or shared celebration, the region is demonstrating exactly what it means to give, and in doing so, to gain, while continuing the work of balancing the scales for women and girls everywhere.
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