Inspiration: About 100 women gathered in Barham on Wednesday to hear from former Olympian Steph Prem, SheKan co-founder Shez Spiteri, and wellbeing educator and local farmer Katrina Myers. The inspiring event that spoke to the challenges women face was run by the council in recognition of International Women’s Day. Photo: Supplied
Women across the Murray River Council got together to celebrate International Women’s Day.
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Former Olympian Steph Prem and SheKan co-founder Shez Spiteri spoke to the attendees about their pathways to success and the challenges they faced along the way.
The council’s director of community and economic development Sarah Ryan said it was inspiring to hear from them.
"Shez spoke first, and she gave some tools for ladies to be able to go away and understand not only their own love language but the love language of people around them so that they can engage with people the way they like to be engaged with,” she said.
"It was fascinating to hear from Steph. Steph had come from a great setback. She was an Olympian who had a near-fatal injury. She talked about the determination and commitment it took to reach a space where she’s thriving in her personal and business life.
Great teachers: Shez Spiteri and Steph Prem inspired women as they talked about self determination and love languages. Photo: Supplied.
“She said you can’t just rely on motivation. Motivation may show up today, but it may not be there tomorrow. It’s about being able to look within oneself, be determined, be committed, and show up daily.”
Ms Ryan said it’s important to have events like this regularly for women and that the council looks forward to finding more opportunities for this.
Determined women: Steph Prem said that it was more than motivation that helped her overcome a near-fatal and career ending incident. Photo: Supplied.
“I managed to talk to ladies who had come from all parts of the shire, so there were people from Echuca and Moama as well as Barham locals. So that was great to see,” she said.
“While having the opportunity to celebrate International Women’s Week and International Women’s Day once a year, the impact of the day should extend far beyond just one day or one week in March. It should resonate in our actions, our conversations, and the choices we make to uplift women everywhere and every day.
SheKan do it: Shez Spiteri said hairdressing ignited her passion for boosting women's confidence, but it was in the corporate world of Bendigo where her personal growth exploded. Photo: Supplied.
“We know how busy women are in all the hats that they wear, so for them to make that commitment yesterday and take the time away from their busy lives to come and sit with us in a beautiful space beside the river in Barham and engage with these women who had some fantastic tools that we can live and learn from, it was just incredible."
Hard workers: Murray River Council crew organised for Katrina Myers, Steph Prem and Shez Spiteri to be part of the local International Women's Day event. Photo: Supplied.
Ms Ryan said the day couldn’t have been possible without the hardworking women in the council who made it happen, such as Beck Hayward, Tiana Cronin, Melinda Barrett, Rachel Cresp and Julia Druitt or the MC on the day Katrina Myers.
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