Making It Matter

Much is said and written about how slowly women are gaining access to positions of leadership and power in the world. But after they get there, what then? What difference do we see from their presence?

‘Making it Matter’ is a conversation series curated by WOW Australia in partnership with QPAC and Griffith University, presenting the voices of women who have used their public roles or voices for change – who haven’t just ‘made it’ but are also ‘making it matter’.

Whether in politics, the arts, health, corporate, or education sectors, what are the changes they are leading?   In a world facing increasingly severe disruption from disease and disastrous weather events, how will gender justice form part of the solution for a safer and fairer world?

Once Upon A Time in Australia…

… the two highest positions in the country were held by women, 25th Governor General the Hon. Quentin Bryce and our 27th Prime Minister the Hon. Julia Gillard. In and out of Office they have both been leaders for change and champions for women and girls. Together they now reflect on their experiences, what they learned and their priorities and hopes for the future. 

For this next instalment in the 'Making It Matter' series, we wanted to make sure there was the chance for a significant number of school students to benefit from having the opportunity to meet with, listen to, and ask questions of these speakers. WOW Australia and its partners have sponsored seats for girls from a number of local schools to attend this exclusive event.  

12pm Friday 2 September 
This event is now SOLD OUT.

Customs House
399 Queen St, Brisbane City 4000
Your purchase of a ticket includes a two-course meal and beverages. The event will be filmed.

Presented in partnership with Griffith University, QPAC, and the Global Institute for Women's Leadership.

What a Way to Make a Livin'

Saturday 11 June, Lyric Theatre.

It's over 40 years since Dolly Parton penned those lyrics to the film and now musical ‘9 to 5’, so what has changed for working women in that time? As our mothers liked to say: A woman's work is never done!  If she works at home caring for her family, the value of that work is not captured in official statistics, although caring, cleaning and child-minding, if provided commercially, are recognised in the national accounts.  If she goes out to work, she can still expect to be paid less than her male colleagues for her efforts, encounter casual sexual harassment, retire with less than her male peers and still shoulder the lion's share of the domestic and emotional labour when she does get home!

 Let’s get real about ‘women’s work’ and how it is understood, valued and measured. What should it look like in Australia today, how do we ensure women can work in their field of choice to achieve economic security for themselves and their families?  Join us on stage for this lively, thought-provoking conversation facilitated by leading Australian economist Nicki Hutley and including singer, songwriter, actress Casey Donovan, Co-Producer of 9to5 Suzanne Jones, General Secretary of Queensland Teachers Union, Trustee of the Australian Retirement Trust Kate Ruttiman and First Nations mother, wife, volunteer and Managing Director of Iscariot Media Leesa Watego.

This conversation takes place immediately following the 2pm matinee of 9 to 5 The Musical. Everyone with a ticket to the musical matinee is automatically invited to stay for the conversation. Separate tickets for the conversation are not available for purchase.