Locals Lead!

Migrant and refugee women's leadership and participation in our community matters. Through their participation, advocacy, communication and engagement at home, work, in the community, and at all levels of the government, they play a role in improving community health and wellbeing.

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health warmly invites you to attend Locals Lead!, an event organised through the PACE Leadership program. We will be hosting a panel discussion celebrating migrant and refugee women's civic participation and highlighting their essential role within community spaces and local councils. While local councils can amplify women’s engagement in society, migrant women leaders can support local councils in providing good governance for the benefit and wellbeing of their community. 

We look forward to sharing an exciting afternoon with you - with great discussions, networking and delicious food at the State Library of Victoria.

This event is part of a month of celebrating International Women's Day, which calls for women's leadership and collaboration in our community within the digital era.

Speakers
Our panel will be comprised of brilliant community leaders, group organisers, councillors and community members, including:

• Esther Xu, Women’s Health East and former PACE Leadership participant (facilitator)
• Mayor Angelica Panopoulos, Merri-bek Council 
• Fortunata Maria Callipari, Hume City Council 
• Surya Ravindran, Wyndham City Council  
• Malavika Kadwadkar, Casey City Council and former PACE Leadership participant 

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About PACE Leadership

This event is organised through the PACE (Participate, Advocate, Communicate and Engage) Leadership program. Since 2009, PACE Leadership has been supporting migrant and refugee women to take the lead in their work, community, local government and daily lives. The program strengthens migrant women's skills, knowledge and expertise to access informal and formal leadership opportunities. Using an intersectional feminist approach, it aims to advocate for a more equitable future for all. To learn more about our program, please visit our website.

About MCWH

Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health is a national organisation that aims to improve the health and wellbeing through health education and information, training and advocacy. For more information, please visit our website.

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Acknowledgement of Country

MCWH acknowledges and pays respect to the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, on whose land we are meeting. Sovereignty was never ceded.

How to get there

Parking: There is paid street parking on La Trobe St and several pay car parks close by, including at Melbourne Central and QV. Three parking spaces for people with a disability permit are also available on La Trobe St.

Train: The nearest station to State Library Victoria is Melbourne Central. All trains that go through the City Loop will stop at this station. The venue is across the road from Melbourne Central. If you are travelling via v-line, you can transfer at Southern Cross station or North Melbourne station to Melbourne Central.

Tram: There are a number of trams that stop in front of the library, on the corner of Swanston St and Latrobe St. You can plan your visit here.

Bike: There are separated bike lanes in both directions on Swanston and La Trobe streets. You'll find bike racks on and near the corner of Swanston and La Trobe streets, Swanston and Little Lonsdale streets.

Accessibility

We endeavour to make our events as inclusive and accessible as we can. If you have any accessibility requirements, or any concerns about accessing the venue, including travel, please email us or mention it at checkout.

COVID Safety

You must be double vaccinated and have received the booster shot (or have an exemption). We may ask you to show your vaccination record on the day. If you are feeling unwell, are a close contact or have a current positive COVID diagnosis we ask you to rest at home and not attend. We encourage you to take a RAT test before attending, if possible.

Children and other guests

Your children and other guests, such as friends and family, are welcome to attend. Please make sure that you book a ticket for them, so that we can organise catering.

Contact information

For further information, please contact Mi or Feifei at paceleadership@mcwh.com.au or on (03) 9418 0953.