Community celebrates role of women

Women of all ages and all walks of life united in song and spirit to mark International Women’s Day’s 100th anniversary.

Kicking off this year’s celebrations, the Broome International Women’s Day committee invited people to gather at Town Beach last week for a social family afternoon. Market stalls, children’s’ activities and local entertainment featured throughout the afternoon.

Broome entertainer Pauline Bin Sali opened the event and delighted the crowd before host Kerrianne Cox took to the stage to address the crowds.

She honoured women in a speech, paying homage to the traditional owners of the land and the significant part Australian women have played in the last 100 years.

She ended by treating fans to an acoustic set.

Local performers and speakers including Sarah Goyder, Radio Goolarri broadcaster Sandy Dann and Broome Youth Support Group coordinator Roz Wills also shared the stage, while Theresa Barker offered strong words of wisdom to all, highlighting the important role of mothers and women in society.

Saturday’s events brought out the confidence and creativity in all women, with a special art exhibition.

Women were invited to enter the competition, with the theme: What does being a woman mean to you? Women’s Day committee member Jennelle Marwick said they had received around 40 entries for this year’s competition.

To round off celebrations, the Respect Yourself, Respect Your Culture Wimmins Song event treated the crowd to an evening of musical talent, with guests the Naomi Pigram band supported by Briony Taylor- Brooks and DJ touche and

Sandy B.

The day of events were sponsored by local organisations including Broome CIRCLE, Healthway, Kimberley

TAFE, Marnja Jarndu Women’s Refuge and the Art House