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This article was published on Friday, 21 February, 2014. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Celebrating the many voices of women

Many Women, Many Voices starts at 5.30pm in the McIntosh Centre, Shepparton Showgrounds and is organised by the Women's Charter Alliance Advisory Committee. The event is sponsored by Greater Shepparton City Council and Women's Health Goulburn North East.

It will feature a panel of five women discussing the theme "Diverse Women in Leadership: Unlocking our potential in a changing world" and will also explore the theme of "Food for all is common cents; the relationship between food, money and health". The panel comprises Maria Dimopoulos, Diversity and Gender Consultant; Nyadol Nyuon, one of Australia's top 100 most influential African Australians; Felicia Dean, CEO, Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-op; Teena Knight, Orchardist; and Jean Varty, Principal Ardmona Primary School.

Maria Dimopoulos is a contributor to "Considerations for Australia's Next Woman Prime Minister" and a leading consultant with over 20 years experience in diversity and gender equality in Australia and internationally. Panellist, Nyadol Nyuon has engaged media and academia on behalf of Sudanese Australians, in particular on issues affecting the community's access to education, healthcare and women's rights. A significant number of Sudanese refugees have settled in Shepparton.

The evening will feature a Welcome to Country and performances from singing group 360 Degrees South and a female Samoan dance group and will include nibbles of multicultural food.

The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. The Women's Charter Alliance Committee is a community advisory committee of the Greater Shepparton City Council established in 2011 which is part of a broader network of LGA advisory committees across the state that are guided and informed by the Victorian Local Government Women's Charter. The Charter recognises the need to increase women's participation in the key decision making forums in the community and in democratic governance.

The GSCC Women's Charter Alliance Advisory Committee has been involved in organising International Women's Day (IWD) events for the past two years.

Bookings are essential. Women interested in attending the event can contact Emma Hofmeyer or Kate Montgomery on 5832 9479 or by emailing women@shepparton.vic.gov.au