Join us this March to celebrate International Women’s Day with lunch on the river at Waters Edge, Brisbane for Freelancing Gems 4th annual panel luncheon event.

Hear from a powerful panel of business women and community leaders, moderated by Freelancing Gems CEO Fleur Madden, sharing their paths to success and how they have built their own financial freedom. Start the day with a Malfy Gin on arrival followed by a two-course sit-down lunch and a 3-hour beverage package, plus time for networking and fun times on the photo wall.

This year we are raising funds for Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ), to directly help vulnerable women through their Financial Abuse Prevention Unit (FAPU).

Financial abuse impacts the security and independence of women and their children, making it difficult to leave domestic violence situations, and can force survivors into long-term poverty. Currently, 25% of women are returning to an abusive home because they have no money or nowhere else to go.

The money raised will go towards funding a specialist DV Financial Counsellor. For each additional financial counsellor, another 150 women are supported each year.

This is an event for all champions of diversity - the women paving a path for others and the men who support us. We hope you will leave our event inspired to support, succeed and thrive together.

Event Details:

When: Thursday 7 March, 2023 - 11:30am - 2:30pm
Where: Waters Edge, Portside Wharf, Hamilton, Brisbane.
Inclusions: Enjoy a two-course sit-down lunch and three-hour beverage package including a Malfy Gin Rosa Gin & Tonica on arrival.
Cost: $250+bf public tickets / $230+bf FG member tickets / Table of 10 $2,500+bf / $2,970+bf corporate VIP table (inc. sponsorship package)

VIP Corporate Table of 10 includes:

Table of 10 x tickets with VIP placement
Company logo displayed on table
Logo placement on rolling presentation screen during event
Logo placement as event sponsor across event webpages and emails
Opportunity to donate a raffle prize + verbal mention at event
Opportunity to demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to being champions and supporters of women to your staff, clients and key stakeholders.

Your Panelists:
Wendy McCarthy AO, Mentor, Author, Speaker, Social Activist
Karina Hogan, Broadcaster, Producer
Sonia Stradiotto, Founder & Creative Director, Sonia Stradiotto Couture
Sarah Hackett, Managing Director of Place Estate Agents and Principal of Place New Farm
Panel Host & MC - Fleur Madden, CEO and Co-Founder, Freelancing Gems

Wendy McCarthy AO

For more than 50 years Wendy McCarthy AO has been on the leading edge of feminism and trailblazing advocacy for women's rights in Australia. From sheltered country schoolgirl to relentless campaigner for abortion and contraception, passionate teacher to lifelong advocate for education, to smashing that glass ceiling again and again and showing the way to subsequent generations of women, Wendy is a force of change.

She has impacted women's rights across the public, private and community sectors - in education, family planning, human rights, public health, overseas aid and development, conservation, heritage, media and the Arts.

Karina Hogan

Karina is a proud First Nations and South Sea Islander woman with more than 13 years in media and governance. She's a respected Journalist, Broadcaster, Content Producer, Non-Executive Director, and Businesswoman.

Her notable achievements include impact-producing the Logie-winning documentary, Incarceration Nation, which exposes Australia's justice system flaws. Karina serves as a committed Non-Executive Director for ATSICHS Brisbane, The Children’s Hospital QLD, and Junior Engineers. She's also the Chair of the national dance board, BLAKDANCE.

As a single mother to two children and a mentor to many, Karina's family and community are her driving force.

Sonia Stradiotto

Sonia is the Creative Director, CEO and Founder of Sonia Stradiotto Couture, which has celebrated 33 years of business. She is a true business achiever and a visionary in the changing and challenging world of fashion. Determined to keep alive Haute Couture and eclectic suiting in the Australian market, Sonia stands firm in her commitment to create well-cut suiting and glamorous special occasion wear.

We are thrilled to welcome Sonia to the FG International Women's Day stage this March, who has a fascinating story of backing herself when times were tough to build a successful long-standing business.

Sarah Hackett

Sarah Hackett is the Managing Director at Place Estate Agents and Principal of Place New Farm. Sarah began her career in real estate in 1997 and quickly grew to the top 1% in her field. In 2002, with the help of her two business partners, Sarah founded Place Estate Agents, a residential agency with a specialist focus on Brisbane. Since then, the company has gone from strength to strength, employing approximately 550 staff across 19 offices in the Brisbane region.

Selling high-end real estate and developing relationships with high net-worth buyers and sellers in both local and international markets, Sarah has achieved unrivalled reach in both the Luxury and Riverfront Residential Market and Prestige Apartment Project Sales.

A passionate advocate for females in business and empowering women, Sarah channels this passion through numerous activities. Consistently ranked as “Agent of the Year” and recently receiving such accolades as Australia’s Most Influential Woman in Real Estate in Australia and the #1 Female Agent in Queensland via The Courier Mail. Sarah is actively involved in recruitment and mentoring throughout the Place offices. With 67.8% of employees female and 50% of the Advisory Board also female. Sarah strives to inspire not only female real estate agents but also hopes to inspire the younger female generation.

Since 2019, Sarah has been a member of the Young President’s Organization, the world’s largest leadership community of chief executives, coming together to learn, strive for growth and make a difference in the businesses and world we impact.

Fancy a holiday to the Maldives?!

Our major prize partners, Snowscene and Sunscene Holidays present a tropical oasis getaway to the Maldives. This all-inclusive 7-night holiday is worth $7000 and could be yours for just $100 per ticket.

HOW TO ENTER: Purchase your major prize raffle tickets at the event to enter the draw. The winner will be selected and notified on the day of the event.

All funds raised for this major prize draw will be donated to Women's Legal Service Queensland.

Win a holiday to the Maldives with Sunscene and Snowscene Holidays

Major Prize Details

Sunscene Holiday with Club Med to the Maldives
Prize Valued at $7000
Adult’s all-inclusive Retreat with Club Med to Maldives
Travel before 31 Dec 2024

Prize inclusions for two adults:

Airport & Speed Boat Transfers
7 Nights Accommodation
All Day Gourmet Dining
Premium Open Bar
Over 60 sports and activities included
Day and nightly entertainment

Terms and conditions:

Room type is Superior room, twin or double occupancy. Based on 2024 travel; black out dates do apply. Rooms can be upgraded and trip extended at purchaser expense. Prize is non transferable or redeemable for cash. Can only be booked 60 days prior to departure.

About Sunscene and Snowscene Holidays
Snowscene and Sunscene Holidays have been organising snow & sun holidays for 40 years. Their valued staff have visited over 100 ski resorts worldwide and countless summer destinations.

Let their amazing female team of Travel Specialists plan for you your next snow or summer holiday to anywhere in the world. Whether you are taking the family for the first time or you are a seasoned snow or summer enthusiast, Snowscene and Sunscene Holidays pride themselves on their firsthand knowledge, experience and passion.