INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day is officially marked over just 24 hours, but the Western District is busy with a week of events to celebrate its female residents.

Activities kicked-off with ‘Women Fired Up’ at the Tahara Rec Reserve on Sunday and will finish up this Friday, with an International Women’s Day luncheon, hosted by the Casterton Business Development Association.

On Sunday, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and Parks Victoria gathering at Tahara, where an all-female crew carried out an inter-agency strategic burn day along the Condah-Coleraine Road. 

The Women Fired Up event was organised by the CFA to create an opportunity for women to get together, practise and develop fire management skills, gain confidence in a non-emergency setting and celebrate International Women’s Day.

CFA’s South-West Region Vegetation Management Support Officer, David Muir said days like Sunday were part of the organisation’s five, 10 and 15-year plan to get more women involved in firefighting efforts.

“Women’s multitasking is better, they are thinking and seeing more – thinking about risks and it’s a safer environment that can be created that way, just by the natural elements of the difference between men and women,” he said.

“Days like this are very important to get women involved and build leadership skills, too many front passenger seats of the vehicles are males, women are often excluded from those types of roles, and we want women to become more involved.”

Days like this are very important to get women involved and build leadership skills, too many front passenger seats of the vehicles are males, women are often excluded from those types of roles, and we want women to become more involved.

CFA’s South-West Region Vegetation Management Support Officer, David Muir

CBDA Chairman, Owen Stephens said this Friday’s luncheon, to be held at Entwined Restaurant, would celebrate the great number of women in the local district who represented a range of industries and organisations – many of them in leadership roles – and who inspired other young locals.

“The CBDA believes that bringing women together and celebrating International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women, whether social, political, economic or cultural, so everyone is welcome to come along and join with other women, socially,” Mr Stephens said.

“We are excited to have Liz McKinnon for our guest speaker, as a local woman who has achieved so much, at such a young age and in a variety of fields.

“Liz is chairwoman of the Casterton Memorial Hospital board and general manager of Green Triangle Forestry Industry HUB; she was personal assistant to Denis Napthine, when he was the Victorian Premier.”

Friday’s luncheon will start at 12 noon.

Tickets are $22 and bookings are essential for catering purposes – phone Janet Burns 0417 583 760 or Karen Stephens 0417 527 200.