International Women's Day 2004

BEYOND THE PICKET FENCE: A CELEBRATION OF DIVERSE MOTHERS

Tracy Bartram – comedian, speaker, singer and former radio announcer – was the star attraction at Women's Health West's International Women's Day community event on Tuesday 9 March 2004.

Held at the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing in partnership with the Council for Single Mothers and their Children, the event was attended by over 140 women.

'Beyond the Picket Fence: celebrating the diversity of women in 21st century families' was jointly presented by Women's Health West and the Council for Single Mothers and their Children. As well as speakers and a delicious afternoon tea there was also kids' entertainment.

Women enjoying iwd lunch Women enjoying the event at Wyndham Events Centre.

This was the fifth International Women's Day celebration organised by Women's Health West, and the first ever in Wyndham

"We were so excited to bring an event like this to the outer West for the first time," said Women's Health West CEO Melissa Afentoulis. "International Women's Day has been celebrated around the world since 1911. It was a great chance for women to get together to both stand up for their rights and celebrate their achievements."

In recognising the diversity of women in modern families, WHW wanted to celebrate the contribution of all mothers and particularly single mothers.

"Single mothers have come a long way in the 30 years the Council for Single Mothers has been around," says Liz Branigan, CEO Council for Single Mothers and their Children. "But there's still so far to go. This is a chance for women to celebrate how far we've come, to look at future challenges, and to find out what supports are available."

From left: Liz Branigan of CSMC, Kay Darvaniza MP, FARREP Worker Fartun Farah, CEO Melissa Afentoulis and Tracey Bartram.

Speakers included Helen Yandell from Western Suburbs Legal Service, who spoke about the rights of women in the family, particularly the recent media debates and Parliamentary Enquiry on joint custody issues. Fartun Farah from the Fertility Access Rights Education Program at Women's Health West spoke about the experience of refugee mothers.

Joy Murphy Wandin, Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri people, joined us again this year and gave a moving tribute to the courage and strength of Indigenous women and their commitment to family.