Hear Their Voice - First Nation Women's Forum

Event Details 
Date: Thursday 5 September 
Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm (Doors open at 7.00pm)
Location: Performing Arts Centre, Corner of Upper Heidelberg Road and Noel Street, Ivanhoe  

This First Nations ‘Deadly’ Women’s Forum, held in conjunction with Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School, will provide an opportunity for a curated conversation between a panel of five local First Nations women. This is a chance to Hear their Voice regarding the journey they have taken and continue to be on, as they strive to bring significant change and achieve success in their field of expertise, and ultimately, in their community. The challenges they have faced and the lessons they have learned as First Nations Women are important for us to know. We need to understand how we can genuinely support them to address the challenges and sustain authentic change. The funds raised from registration will contribute to the development of a ZCMoY First Nations Young Leadership Award, for a female who demonstrates leadership in the community. 

Chair: Sharon Nelson-Kelly
Sharon is New Zealand Maori and her tribal affiliations are Rongomaiwahine ki Kahungunu from Pakipaki, Hawkes Bay. Sharon has comprehensive operational and strategic experience working in Human Services in the Government sector and has been a member of Zonta for 18 years.

Panel: Lois Peeler
Lois Peeler is of Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri heritage. Following in the footsteps of her parents and other family members, Lois has had a lifetime of involvement in Aboriginal community development. She was also the first Aboriginal fashion model, and toured Vietnam at the height of the Vietnam War, becoming one of the subjects of the hit play and then internationally acclaimed movie The Sapphires.

Panel: Rose Falla (Class of 1991)
Supervising Magistrate Falla is a proud Wotjobaluk/Wemba Wemba/Mutti Mutti woman born and raised in Melbourne. Her Honour’s involvement with Koori Court began in 2001 when she was working in the legal policy unit of the Department of Justice to help establish the first Koori Court in Shepparton.

Panel: Allira Dryden (Class of 2018)
Allira Dryden is a proud Yorta Yorta & Dja Dja Wurrung women living in Narrm. She works as an Engagement Project Officer for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and has been working within the Aboriginal community since she was 15 years old.

Panel: Alana Ryan
The Deputy Head of Humanities at Ivanhoe Girls’, Alana Ryan has been a history teacher for six years and specialises in Australian history. Her Aboriginal heritage is from her mother’s side, with connections to Ngarrindjeri, Wotjobaluk, and Gunditjmara peoples.

For more information https://www.ivanhoegirls.vic.edu.au/newsletters/hear-us-first-nations-women-forum
Please note: This session will be recorded. 
*First Nations word for fantastic