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For women by women: EmpowHER celebrates Women’s Health Week with live event

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Monique Camm getting interviewed by Kelly Scorey and Alisha Beavis about incontinence and pelvic health during the live podcast recording for Women’s Health Week. Photo by Jemma Jones

A live podcast recording brought over 100 women together to connect and listen to one another about the importance of women’s health.

Over 100 women, and a handful of men, packed into the Kyabram Plaza Theatre on Friday, September 6 for the EmpowHER Women’s Health Week celebration.

EmpowHER is a Kyabram-based non-for-profit organisation that aims to connect women in the community through social events run throughout the year with Women’s Health Week one of the biggest on their calendar.

The theme for 2024 Women’s Health Week, which ran from September 2 to 6 was ‘Your voice, your choice’ and to make the week, the EmpowHER committee used the voices of two of Kyabram’s most ‘humerus’ talent to host an event about women’s health.

Kyabram's own Alisha Beavis and Kelly Scorey, the dynamic duo behind the Two Humerus Nurses Podcast, captivated the audience with their live-podcast session on Friday night.

Two Humerus Nurses Podcast hosts Alisha Beavis and Kelly Scorey came out from behind their microphones and made their way on stage for the EmpowHER event. Photo by Jemma Jones

Following a light dinner provided by the Kyabram Bakery in the Plaza Theatre ballroom, the doors to the theatre opened and crowds began to wade in.

As the audience settled, the charismatic hosts took centre stage, kicking off with a witty monologue and engaging the crowd in a hilarious round of ‘Never Have I Ever’, featuring uniquely female experiences.

By the end, the crowd were warmed up, the two hosts were in sync with the audience, and the first of two guest speakers made their way on stage to applause.

Christine Anderson spoke about her experiences with Parkinson’s Disease, what she gets away with because of it, and how she doesn’t let the disease define her. Photo by Jemma Jones

The first guest speaker was Christine Anderson, a well-known figure in the Kyabram community for anyone she taught in her years as a teacher, or who have heard her talk in her advocacy for Parkinson's disease.

On stage, she recalled the moment she found out she had Parkinson's disease when at 56 she noticed she was not walking normally.

After visiting a GP who referred her to a neurologist, the diagnosis was set in stone.

Ms Anderson’s candid and often humorous insights, prompted by Alisha and Kelly’s questions, painted a vivid picture of life with Parkinson’s, underscoring her determination to live life on her own terms.

The second guest of the night was Monique Camm, a registered nurse and an expert on incontinence and pelvis health in women from GV Body Rejuvenation.

Kelly guided the conversation with Ms Camm, using her personal experiences and difficulties with incontinence to prompt information and advice for everyone in the audience about the importance of pelvic health

In a standout moment, Ms Camm led the audience through an engaging pelvic floor exercise, cleverly comparing the muscle movements to an elevator's operations – a simple yet effective technique for preventing incontinence.

To conclude the evening, EmpowHER committee member Michelle Sing presented the two hosts and the guests with flowers and their thanks for contributing their time to the event.

“It is our privilege to be able to connect all the women in this room together and to share some stories and have a laugh,” Ms Sing said.

For those unable to attend or eager to revisit the enlightening discussions, a full recording of the event will be available on the Two Humerus Nurses Podcast, accessible via Spotify and Apple Music.

Special guests Monique Camm and Christine Anderson with the two hosts of Two Humerus Nurses Podcast Alisha Beavis and Kelly Scorey. Photo by Jemma Jones
It was a girls night out for Laura Howard, Naomi Cartwright and Olivia Cartwright. Photo by Jemma Jones
Judy Ross, Carmel Moore and Kaye Atkins were excited to get in the theatre to watch the live podcast. Photo by Jemma Jones
Kyabram Plaza Theatre volunteers Alicia Cunningham and Carmen Nicholson were both stoked to see such a turn out for the event. Photo by Jemma Jones
EmpowHER committee and volutneers (back) Shannon Miller, Brittany Hicks and Ebony Pigatto (front) Carmel Shelly and Michelle Sing. Photo by Jemma Jones
Lisa Sheils, Tara Elso and Morgan Holt enjoyed the Friday evening at the Plaza Theatre. Photo by Jemma Jones
Podcast hosts Alisha Beavis and Kelly Scorey did a crowd selfie that saw the whole theatre wave to the camera. Photo by Jemma Jones