A full day’s program was offered.

We would like to acknowledge the Boorowa Ex-Services & Citizens Club for providing the venue, Richy Didge for the wonderful spread and flowers from Native Botanical.  The theme this year was “Fear on the Frontline”.  

This event has developed its own momentum over the twelve years it has been running and attracts women from a wide area.

Hospitality was extended to ladies travelling from far afield including Cowra, Grenfell, Yass, Young, Harden, Cootamundra, Carcoar, Bathurst, Wagga and Canberra.  

The program was composed of four inspirational speakers:

Claire Beath, “Yoga (and Sertraline) Saved my Life”

Ramble Om Yoga

Claire Beath took the floor and gave what was a very personal and powerful presentation how “Yoga (and Sertraline) Saved My Life”.  

Claire has done more in her twenty-five years than most have done in a lifetime with an adventurous spirit Claire departed Australia and the security of her family immediately after leaving school which took her on a life changing journey.

 Claire adjusting to her new lifestyle soaking up the adventures, cultures and meeting people from all over the globe establishing lifelong friendships.

She learnt to turn her hand to almost anything and pushed herself to the limits. Although it was not all roses, as she had to face her own mental health struggles which traveled with her.

 Claire gave a very candid talk on the fear she felt and the turmoil inside her and the realisation that there was something much bigger going on.

Claire told how she suffered from anxiety and depression from a young age and how she had to face her fears. Claire discovered Yoga, and embracing her practice through Yoga learnt about self-care and self-love which took her on a spiritual journey.  

She explained how Yoga was so beneficial for her mentally and physically.

After studying in India Claire has found her place now as a Yoga Instructor and has set up her own business Ramble Om.

This was a courageous and honest reflection of growing up in a small rural community and the fear and pressures of what some would consider “getting it right”.

 Through her practice and the right support, she has found peace and acceptance and wants to share her knowledge and experiences with others.

Claire gave the audience a taste of what she teaches concentrating on the breath.

She is looking forward to furthering her studies and helping others.

Emma Rossi – “Media and #MeToo, Women in the Workplace”

Media Guru and Advocate for Women’s Empowerment

Emma Rossi has energy to burn and is a passionate advocate for women, she spoke with conviction about how women need to unite and speak out about reporting sexual harassment and bullying.  

Emma as a mother of three daughters herself, appreciates that together we need to change the culture and the fear of being judged.

Emma gave her own personal experiences of sexual harassment and how women were brushed aside if they spoke up, or were too afraid to speak out as they felt their complaints would not be taken seriously.

 Emma shared her experiences travelling the world as a successful Journalist and Foreign Correspondence.

She told how she became involved in establishing Mary’s House a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Sydney.

Emma emphasizes that we needed to keep working relationships professional and that we all deserve respect.  

She closed with tips on what to do when being subject to harassment and encouraged women to take action, find a mentor and support each other.

Emma certainly left the audience feeling empowered to stand up for ourselves, to take action to stamp out inappropriate behaviour.

As part of Emma’s contribution to the day she has requested that a contribution goes towards the Young Crises Accommodation Centre which supports women in the Hilltops region.

Yvonne Allen - “FEAR – A Friend or Foe when it comes to Living and Loving?”

Psychologist, Matchmaker, Relationship Mentor, Author, Futurist, Media Personality

Yvonne shared her story of how she established Yvonne Allen and Associates.

 She spoke about overcoming your limitations and risk taking.

Yvonne touched on loneliness in today’s society even with all the technology and how communication is the key.  

How women need to download with other women which is important to their wellbeing releasing feel good hormones.

Yvonne spoke about the meaning of friendships and love being founded on friendships and establishing relationships, and how it is a basic human need to “love and to be loved” but how we fear being vulnerable in relationships.

Rachael Stevens, “From Brokenness to Bravery”

Multi-Award Winning Female Communicator

Rachael Stevens is one incredible girl who has proven that through adversity comes strength of character, compassion and reasons to live.  

Rachael shared her very personal story of how she came to have a severe eating disorder and was diagnosed as “insane”.

How being in psychiatric institutions demoralised her and how she lost her identity and sense of self-worth.   

She was looked upon as a “problem to be solved”.

Rachael told through one person’s compassion in a desperate hour with a few kind words how she chose to live, fight and “stay another day”.

Gradually with her health improving and having the right support she has become more resilient from her experience and wants to help others.  

She captivated the audience expressing her feelings through poetry and has penned a book from her diary “The Skeleton Diaries”.

Rachael encouraged the audience to reach out to others and be “brave enough to help” and “how we fear what we misunderstand” and how “stories transform fear”.

This was a compelling account of a young person suffering in silence and the feelings of helplessness and fear of speaking out.

Rachael is now studying and is so pleased to have “stayed another day”.

There was not a dry eye, you could have heard a pin drop.

One of the important aspects of the day is the networking opportunity it provides for women creating a safe environment often sharing personal stories and developing friendships and starts conversation.  

The ladies also had an opportunity to tell their personal stories about women who have inspired them in their life.

We would like to thank our sponsors for their continual support of International Women’s Day in Boorowa.   

We certainly could not hold this event without their support.

Hilltops Council, Boorowa Community Bank, Boorowa Arts and Craft Co-op, Local Land Services South East, Country Women’s Association – Boorowa Branch, Boorowa Lions Club, Boorowa Community Landcare, Rotary Club of Boorowa and the Rural Women’s Network.  

We would like to acknowledge the Business Houses who took the opportunity to support the event those being: Boorowa Pharmacy, Boorowa Classic Cuts, Vanity Hairport, Bliss Hair & Beauty, Debs Remedial Massage and Natural Therapies, Louise’s Beauty & Spa and Walsh’s Country Kitchen, Home Finch, The Old Police Station B&B and Dwyer’s Cottage.

We would like the acknowledge the women continually who support this day and especially those who travelled some distance to attend.  

Another successful day for the women of Hilltops Region and surrounding districts.