Joy was in the air at the Committee for Echuca Moama International Women’s Day lunch, held at The Venue at Moama Bowling Club on Sunday, March 2.
Attendees from all different sections of the community were treated to a day of recognition and conversation.
An in-depth panel discussion featured the insights of speakers Olivia Batchelor, Jamiah Clarke, Nicole Aquino, Nina O’Brien and Penny Silver, guided by Christy O’Brien, filling in for Fleur Ferris.
The women reflected on topics such as leadership, legacy, diversity and inclusion, and inspiration.
“I am what I think you think I am,” Nicole Aquino said.
“What I mean by that is, I hope you see me as who I think I portray.
“We are enough. I am and you are and we are.”
“Someone that inspires me (is) my lovely mother,” Olivia Batchelor said.
“She’s such a strong woman, she’s very well-educated and she’s such a beacon of support for me.
“Anyone that’s spoken to my mum would know that she’s a very warm and caring person.”
“My parents, they’ve always shown me the power of hard work and the love for exploring,” Jamiah Clarke said.
“I (also) had a teacher when I was at Moama Grammar and her personality was bubbly, caring, she always had a smile on her face.
“She always made an effort for me ... her traits have grown into what I aspire to be when I went into teaching.”
“People that do good, hard quiet work inspire me,” Nina O’Brien said.
“That don’t seek the spotlight, that make a contribution to others beyond themselves.”
“The inspiring women for me are the farming women, who face adversity constantly but stick with what they love,” Penny Silver said.
“They adapt to changing times and circumstances, diversifying crops and farming techniques.
“All of this is done while they’re trying to, usually, bring up a family and be involved in community projects as well.”
C4EM chair Cath Lees led the event, which also doubled as the launch of the 100 Extraordinary Women project.
“Think of it like a time capsule of who are the women of Echuca-Moama in 2025,” she said.
“We are going to call for nominations of 100 women across the Echuca-Moama communities and within a 50km radius.
“We’re going to select 100 women, and we’re going to interview them and take their photos and profile them.
“This time next year, I’m going to come back and present to you a book called A Snapshot in Time: 100 Extraordinary Women of Echuca-Moama in 2025.”
Andrea Ripon reflected on the incredible life of her late mother, Corale Oberin, a pioneer in the region’s hospitality industry,
The creation of a scholarship in Mrs Oberin’s honour was announced, giving a local woman the opportunity to undertake hospitality education, with applications to open later this year.
“Our mum was like so many women; simply extraordinary,” Ms Ripon said.
“Today we honour her, and all the amazing women in our lives.
“She would be humbled by this recognition.”
Nominations are open for the C4EM 100 Extraordinary Women project and can be submitted via tinyurl.com/100extraordinarywomen