The past twelve months demanded so much of us all, and as we move into the next phase, a new year, there’s an abundance of fresh opportunities for renewal.

Join 1 Million Women Founder Natalie Isaacs, Gumbaynggirr Elder, Aunty Bea Ballangarry OAM and Talking Sticks Founder, Mel Greblo in a heart-warming, inspiring and celebratory yarn up on renewal this International Women’s Day.

Our yarn up will traverse our collective care for Mother Earth, activating change, deep listening, inner renewal, and renewing the world - together.

Natalie Isaacs is a force of impact, Founder and CEO of 1 Million Women, a global movement of women and girls who take practical action to fight climate change by changing the way they live. Under Natalie's leadership, 1 Million Women has become one of Australia's largest networks acting on climate change and is rapidly expanding internationally, with more than 800,000 women and counting. She is a pioneer in the gender and climate change arena in Australia, and is recognised and supported by some of the world's most influential women climate leaders.

Aunty Bea, a proud Gumbaynggirr Elder is a born storyteller, a published poet and is pro-active in most facets of community development. Aunty Bea believes that circle work and rituals bring out the heart of each person’s ‘story’ and story is at the apex of any growing community. She is pro-active in the community for social justice, economic advancement and political change in a variety of ways across many openings. Aunty Bea is Co-Chair of Southern Cross University Gnibi Elders Council and a member of WOW Women of the World in Coffs Harbour, an established community group that focuses on Honour, Respect, Connect, Courage and Empowerment.

Mel Greblo founded Talking Sticks back in 2015 with a deep respect for, and connection to First Nations Country, culture, and story. Since then, Talking Sticks has hosted international leaders, engaged over 7,000 people in self-leadership development through poetry, better business practices, ritual, story, art and music. Steeped in a social ecology philosophy and framework Talking Sticks offers pathways to renew our own inner lives in order to renew the external world around us.

In the spirit of this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, #ChooseToChallenge, our yarn up will challenge you to step up this year, or step more fully into your purpose, and inspire you to take action, starting close in, to walk with women all over the world to renew ourselves and our planet.

Be sure to grab a copy of Natalie Isaacs acclaimed book, Every Woman's Guide to Saving the Planet' when you purchase your tickets. Thanks to our friends at Bookoccino, you can collect in store at Avalon, or they'll send to anywhere in Australia for $10.