WOW Western Queensland (Longreach) 2022
4-6 March
Welcome to WOW Western Queensland (Longreach) which was held 4 – 6 of March 2022 on the traditional land of the Iningai and Bidjara peoples. This was planned in partnership with the women of Longreach, Red Ridge Interior Queensland, and Longreach Regional Council, to align with celebrations for Queensland Women’s Week and International Women’s Day.
Red Ridge will once again brought a WOW factor to celebrations by opening the event on the Friday night at Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre, presenting a Red Ridge the Label catwalk experience with the Diamantina and Georgina collections featuring artwork from Two Sisters Talking, Anpanuawa Joyce Crombie, and Aulpunda Jean Barr Crombie. A special feature included a unique one off design representing a collection from artworks by local Longreach artists.
You can watch a short video from the WOW Charleville performance of Red Ridge the Label here.
Check out the photos from WOW Longreach here.
The Conversation, Workshop Programs and Marketplace took place from 12pm on Saturday 5 to 12pm on Sunday 6 March which culminated in ‘The Future is Ours’ catered lunch celebrating International Women’s Day!
Saturday night went off with a bang, with comedian and mother-of-six Jenny Wynter & guests presenting the Funny Mummies Cabaret Spectacular.
Program
WOW events are a glorious fusion of conversations, workshops, performances and exhibitions. There are favourite WOW sessions, like WOW Bites, which are short talks, readings and soapbox moments on a wide range of subjects designed to inspire, engage and introduce new ideas.
Check out the full program of events from WOW Longreach 2022 below, or download a PDF copy.
Speakers & Presenters
Performances
Red Ridge the Label - From Canvas to Catwalk
Red Ridge will once again bring a WOW factor to celebrations by opening the event on the Friday night at Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre, presenting a Red Ridge the Label catwalk experience with the Diamantina and Georgina collections featuring artwork from Two Sisters Talking, Anpanuawa Joyce Crombie, and Aulpunda Jean Barr Crombie. A special feature will include a unique one off design representing a collection from artworks by local Longreach artists.
It will open with Central West Aboriginal Corporation’s dreamtime story of Matya as retold by Janeece Thompson about ‘How the Sun and Moon Came to Be’. A dynamic Catwalk experience will showcase 15 garments made by local seamstress in Isisford from prints by local artists some of who will be wearing their garments Walking Together in Harmony. Red Ridge the Label will showcase both the Diamantina and Georgina collection of high fashion modelled by local women and students, including women from Barcaldine, Longreach, Isisford, Blackall, and Winton.
Central West Music Makers
Central West Music Makers will bring like-minded, aspiring female-identifying musicians together in a lunchtime performance at the festival.
Funny Mummies Cabaret Spectacular
Looking to escape responsibility for a couple of hours? Come join “a giggle of Mums!”
That’s how comedian and mother-of-six Jenny Wynter describes a gathering such as the Funny Mummies Cabaret Spectacular she’s hosting with friends on Saturday night at WOW Longreach.
Wynter, an award winning comedian in her own right, launched Funny Mummies in a mission to improve mothers’ mental health through comedy and laughter.
WOW @ Longreach State High School
We are delighted to join with Longreach State High School to present a day of activities as part of the WOW weekend! Friday morning will see girls from years 11 and 12 have the opportunity to participate in a lively WOW Speed Mentoring, session with some of our speakers and women leaders from the Longreach community followed by a late morning tea to celebrate International Women’s Day with a guest speaker.
Students in years 9 and 10 will also get the opportunity to participate in the popular workshops from the MATE team at Griffith University, empowering students to become effective bystanders by providing them with practical tools and scripts to respectfully challenge problematic behaviour and be someone who does something.
For further details contact vmoll1@eq.edu.au or info@wowaustralia.com.au
Conversations
Snakes and Ladders
When women are starting out in their career, climbing the ladder from the bottom makes a lot of sense – more money, more influence, more security, more freedom to choose. Maybe (gulp) some of us are just genuinely ambitious? But along the way, most of us land on a snake or two – a life change, excessive work demands, or cultural assumptions about what women can and should do.
In this session we hear from leading Queensland women tackling that ladder, their leadership journeys and about their strategies for beating the snakes in the workplace. Facilitated by ABC’s Cathie Schnitzerling, this session will include contributions from Police Inspector Julia Cook, Deputy Mayor of Barcaldine Milynda Rogers and CEO of Western Queensland PHN, Sandy Gillies.
Mother Nature – Our relationship with the land
She’s the wellspring of our very existence as a species, and of everything good that it takes to nourish us and our survival. But she can be capricious, handing out drought, cyclones, floods, fire, disease and insect plagues, with terrifying consequences for communities and individual human lives. How can we develop a better understanding of how to live with Mother Nature? And when it gets really tough, how can we find sources of strength and support?
In a session facilitated by Griffith University Adjunct Professor Anne Tiernan, with contributions from Verity Morgan-Schmidt Principal at Gheerulla Creek Consulting, Leann Wilson, Managing Director - Regional Economic Solutions, Grazier Jody Brown and CEO of Desert Channels Group, Leanne Kohler.
A Place Called Home
Home is more than the roof over our heads - it's our history, our people, somewhere we feel safe, accepted, and connected - where we know who to call on for a laugh or a cry, or a hand when things get tough. For people coming new to a community, these vital connections have to be built from scratch, and maybe across barriers of language and culture. Even locals whose circumstances change - who lose a partner or a business or retire into town - can find themselves struggling with loneliness, and the need for new social structures and relationships.
So how do we make the connections that turn a place into a real home? Join Christine Castley CEO of Multicultural Australia as she facilitates a session exploring this topic with Presenter for ABC Western Queensland Heather Hale, traveller Izabela Glebicka and artist Tracey Harbour.
Interview the Hon. Quentin Bryce
We are delighted to welcome to Longreach the WOW Australia Patron and former Governor General, the Honourable Quentin Bryce.
30 Years of Landline Women
In its 30 years, ABC Landline has seen the role of rural and farming women change from being legally considered as ‘sleeping partners non-productive’ or ‘home-makers’ to a young female farmer winning the 2020 Apprentice of the Year. Women, young and old, throughout that time have shared their stories of how their success has been in working smarter not harder.
Celebrate 30 years of the ABC flagship program with host Pip Courtney and three generations of women from the land including Joy McClyrmont, Keelen Mailman and Elizabeth (Thumper) Clark.
The Future is Ours — incorporating an International Women’s Day lunch
To bring to a close our WOW Longreach weekend we will celebrate the UN International Women’s Day with a lunch, including a closing performance from Central West Music Makers and a closing address from Queensland’s Attorney- General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence Shannon Fentiman, followed by our final conversation The Future is Ours. The future — with all its challenges and opportunities — is in the hands of the next generation. We invite the heroes of tomorrow to share their hopes and fears — what the challenges are for them as young women today and what changes they would like to see in a conversation facilitated by ABC Queensland presenter Maddie McCosker, Queensland Rural Ambassador Teri Sommerfield, TFFF Advisor Sarah O’Brien.
This session will also include lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day and a closing address.
Workshops
The ‘Yarning Circle’
Hear Bidjara/Kara-Kara businesswoman Leann Wilson impart her First Nations teaching through the power of the yarning stick as she shares ‘Gidyea Log’ yarns. Be inspired by the Green Ribbon Story, and unpack the Blue Ribbon Story using the Six Kangaroo Principles.
How to be more than a Bystander
Join Michael Jeh from the MATE Program at Griffith University for a conversation about the role of the bystander in preventing violence before it occurs and/or calling out behaviour that is problematic, in safe and respectful ways.
Are You Talking to Me?
An interactive session where participants will have the opportunity to learn and practice powerful mindfulness techniques to assist in dealing with the pressures of daily life and support overall wellbeing.
Making Change: Collage Poster Workshop
In a time of fake news, mass media and global unrest—poster design can capture attention and has never been more relevant. In this workshop we invite you to collaborate with Designer Rae Cooper and Creative Producer Nicola Holly to explore how collage can be used to express your perspectives about the state of the world, issues impacting your everyday life and feelings that you want to express.
Your Finances - Your Questions Answered
Join the team from QSuper to point you in direction of managing your money towards financial independence, understanding how much you really need to save for retirement; what to do when things don’t go to plan (separation; loss of partner; loss of job) and in partnership with DV Connect understanding financial abuse, the danger signs and resources to help.
Throughout the day QSuper representatives will also be available for one on one sessions – open to all not just QSuper members!
Get HEaRd - HER stories, HER voice
Radio 4EB will teach you how to develop your story idea, hone your interview techniques and create your own podcast in targeted 'masterclass' at the event.
Interested participants can also engage in a series of on-line workshops pre-Festival and then attend the 'masterclass' at the event.
A small team from Radio 4EB will be in attendance with their Outside Broadcast Van and participants will have the additional opportunity to interview speakers and performers and broadcast live on digital radio.
African Dance
Experience a little taste of East African culture with this vibrant, fun and energetic dance workshop suited for all levels. The Imanzi cultural performers will guide you through a tour of renowned styles from Rwanda to South Africa, sharing the stories, dress and songs of this region, accompanied by live drumming.
Plus! WOW favourites
WOW Bites
WOW Bites are short talks, readings and soapbox moments on a wide range of subjects designed to inspire, engage and introduce new ideas. Come and hear the incredible stories from local women and Festival guests.
WOW Bites have been made possible through support from QSuper.
Speed Mentoring
A WOW favourite — join speakers and women from Longreach in a fun mentoring session with young girls from Longreach State High School at 10am on Friday 4 March. Alongside other Festival participants and speakers from across many fields — artists, journalists, business women, WOW speakers and women with no label at all for four 10 – 15 minute mentoring sessions over an hour long session.
Marketplace
The WOW marketplace is a key feature of every WOW event! Find time shop and relax with stalls featuring for local artisans, women led businesses and regional services for women and families from health, community and government organisations. Have your chance to contribute to the new Queensland Government Women’s Strategy or book a place in a one to one advice session from Festival sponsors QSuper.
Luminescent Longreach
Luminescent Longreach is a 23 minute spectacular night time light and sound experience designed to delight, entertain, inform and move. Stand amongst iconic aircraft as world class projection mapping and 360 degree immersive sound brings the 100 year story of Qantas to life with the mighty Boeing 747 serving as a primary canvas. Told through 3D animation, traditional animation and illustration, Luminescent Longreach weaves an unforgettable narrative through time, a story of the daring spirit of early aviation, of iconic aircraft, wars, distant places and outback innovation.
Qantas Founders Museum are doing a special Luminescent Longreach show and a special price for WOW Longreach Festival ticket holders on Thursday 3 March 2022 at 7.30pm. All attending the WOW Australia Festival in Longreach are eligible for the group rate discount of $20 per person.
Bookings are essential by either calling and asking for Carrisa Jesberg or via email to info@qfom.com.au.
Park Run at WOW Longreach!
Join us on Saturday morning at 7am for a 5km walk, jog or run event at Old Thomson River Road, Landsborough Highway, Longreach. The event is free – people can register if they want to be timed – register on the website – link below.
All welcome, all levels – all about participation and involvement, and there is a Lions Club BBQ breakfast and fruit platters afterwards. No registration required and is free.
It’s a Pink theme for International Women’s Day and WOW Australia, so dress up, come along, have fun, and celebrate women and girls!
Accommodation
WOW Australia has a fabulous accommodation partners this year.
Mitchell Grass Retreat
Step inside one of our luxury ensuite tents, the perfect base for your Outback Queensland adventure. Take in the spacious open plan layout, European appliances, sumptuous King bed with gorgeous linen and beautiful bath… this is truly 5 star outback Glamping. Settle in, pop the champagne and relax on your private deck gazing out to the surrounding Mitchell Grass Plains.
When booking via phone or online, let them know you are here for the WOW Australia event for a discounted rate.
Travel to the Heart of the Outback
Draw a line through the centre of Queensland, and you’ll come to Longreach: the outback town on the Thomson River, so named for its position on its longest reach.
Its river may have been what first drew its population to settle in the centre of Queensland, but it’s the promise of country hospitality that keeps visitors coming back to this outback town, whether it be by road, rail or air.
Covid Safety at WOW Longreach
Being COVID Safe is a shared responsibility. We want you to enjoy WOW Australia and stay safe. Please follow COVID Safe practices when attending WOW Australia events.
WOW Australia events are delivered within Queensland Health’s COVID Safe Events framework.
Please check and follow all venue entry requirements. Festival attendees aged 16 years or over must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof of vaccination (or proof of medical exemption) on entry to the festival venue. Visitors must also check in using the Check In Qld app.
Stay home if you are unwell - this includes if you have a cough, fever, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or any other flu-like symptoms.
At present, masks are required to be worn indoors and wherever you can’t maintain 1.5 metres physical distance from others.
If any changes take place to these requirements, we will update our website and contact ticket holders accordingly.
