2026 International Women's Day Luncheon with Cathy Freeman

We are very excited to launch our 9th annual International Women’s Day Luncheon with special guest, Cathy Freeman!

In partnership with Regional Australia Bank, we invite you to join us for a luncheon to celebrate International Women's Day at Newcastle City Hall on Friday 6th March.

Cathy Freeman is a proud Kuku Yalanji and Birri Gubba woman who was born in Mackay, Central Queensland.

She is a Commonwealth, World and Olympic Champion on the track in the 400 metres whose ‘day in the sun’ was winning a gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Event Details:

Date: Friday, March 6, 2026

Arrival Time: Doors open 12:00pm

Venue: Newcastle City Hall - 290 King Street, Newcastle

Ticket Pricing:

Concert Hall
$170 | Members
$180 | Non Members

Gallery
$85 | Members
$95 | Non Members

Once again, we’re offering two different seating options to accommodate demand and provide flexibility for those who may prefer a shorter, more casual style experience. 

Concert Hall

• Individual tickets or Tables of 10. To sit with your group, book a table of 10 or purchase individual tickets then make a note in your ticket order, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

• Inclusions: 2-course sit-down meal, 3-hour drink package, plus a donation to Cathy’s Charity Partner - The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health.

Gallery Level:

• Theatre-style seating (unassigned - choose your own spot when you arrive).

• Inclusions: Canapé style refreshments, drink on arrival, networking, plus a donation to Cathy’s Charity Partner - The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health.

After last year’s success, we’re expecting tickets to sell out fast.

Secure yours today to avoid missing this special event

Our Charity Partner

This International Women’s Day, Gen Collective is proud to partner with, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health – pioneers in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention – at our 2026 IWD event featuring Cathy Freeman, in partnership with Regional Australia Bank.

Founded by Dr Tracy Westerman AM in 2019, Jilya was born from a heartbreaking need: to reduce Indigenous suicides, child removals, and incarceration by building resilience and wellbeing in Indigenous communities. Through the Dr Tracy Westerman Indigenous Psychology Scholarship Program, Jilya has awarded 79 scholarships, supporting students from high-risk communities to become culturally competent psychologists – nearly tripling the national postgraduate progression rate.

In addition, Jilya has launched Australia’s first National Indigenous Psychology Clinic, providing culturally informed care to Indigenous Australians with complex psychological needs, and creating employment opportunities for scholarship recipients.

This IWD, we celebrate strength, resilience, and systemic change, shining a light on the incredible work Jilya does to transform lives across the nation.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors and partners

A huge thank you to our event naming rights partner, Regional Australia Bank, our gold sponsors Novo Finance, Keepr Property Co and Galah Cyber, our silver sponsor Governeering, and our venue partner, City of Newcastle, who have made this event possible.