Celebrating International Women’s Day in the City of Whittlesea

Two local women will share their inspiring leadership stories during a live panel discussion to celebrate International Women’s Day on Wednesday 8 March, 2023.

Women of Whittlesea – Inspiring stories and candid conversations will be hosted by Kim Stadtmiller from the Hume Whittlesea Local Learning & Employment Network and will delve into stories behind how panellists Bobby Lama and Özge Sevindik-Alkan became the leaders they are and how they have built a supportive community through finding a common passion.

Bobby arrived in Australia from Nepal in 2007 in search of a better life and education. After leaving an abusive relationship, Bobby, along with a group of friends, created the Band of Women in Action group, aimed at helping young mothers and women/girls from a Nepalese background. The group provides information, activities, connection and support for women in the northern suburbs.  

Özge is a librarian, writer and director of the Australian Muslim Writers Festival. She co-founded The Right Pen Collective for Muslim Australian Writers in 2021 and co-authored the two Hijabi Girl junior fiction book series. Özge holds an honours degree in Journalism and a Masters of Information Studies (Children's Librarianship) and works as the submission coordinator for a literary agency. Her work has appeared in AMUST newspaper, The Guardian, Peril, and The Victorian Writer.

Administrator Peita Duncan said this free event would be a wonderful celebration of female leadership within our community, highlighting the inspirational journey of these two remarkable women.

“International Women’s Day is a day to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of women, and I am very excited to hear Bobby and Özge’s stories, two local women who have taken it upon themselves to build a community that provides support and empowerment to others by following their passions,” Ms. Duncan said.

“The event will also include a traditional dance performance by Wurundjeri women’s dance group, Djirri Djirri.”

Women of Whittlesea – Inspiring stories and candid conversations will be held on Wednesday 8 March at 10am, in the Great Hall at the City of Whittlesea Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang. The one-hour event will be followed by a light morning tea.

For more information and to register, visit www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/events