WOW Biloela
Biloela Civic Centre
31st May - 1st June 2024
WOW is taking place in coming to the Banana Shire to coincide with Biloela 100, a year of events to celebrate the centenary of this thriving Central Queensland community! Curated in partnership with the local community, we are developing a unique program of performances, conversation, storytelling and workshops – celebrating the achievements of women and girls living in the region, while recognising the continued problems of gender being a barrier to achieving life’s goals.
The Festival will commence on Friday evening with a unique opportunity to be involved in a special presentation from Belloo Creative, followed by a full day of activities featuring a range of inspiring conversations around women and business, career and job pathways in the changing economies of the region; women’s health in regional and rural communities; the on-going moves to make women’s lives safer, and the work of women leaders changing the law; and a celebration of women who keep our communities stronger and kinder places to be.
There will be workshops where you can learn a new skill including how to better manage your money, as well as a free marketplace of local, women-led businesses and services; a Healing Space where you can do yoga or have an impactful conversation on health and wellbeing and so much more! The festival program will also feature the much-loved WOW speed mentoring, enabling attendees to meet new friends and mentors, create a support network and share their hopes and aspirations and finish with a hilarious comedy show featuring the fabulous Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs.
Check out our WOW Biloela Festival Program 2024 below
Festival Activities
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Home To Bilo
Be part of the development of a brand new play based on the true story of the remarkable regional community in Biloela that changed a nation!
In partnership with the Brisbane Festival we are bringing Belloo Creative, a female-led award-winning theatre company, and 6 sensational actors with Sri Lankan, Chinese and Australian heritages to Biloela as part of the Festival. Witness a live reading of the play, created from the words of the Nadesalingham Family and the community who fought to bring them back to their adopted home of Biloela.
This will form part of our welcome night for the local community and all travelling to Biloela for the event. Not to be missed!
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Women Like Us
The Festival will wrap up on the Saturday evening with this stand up comedy duo sensation Mandy Nolan and Ellen Briggs. When it comes to needing a laugh, these women are front line responders!
The magic of the show is the combination of talents. The big, warm, outrageous Nolan and the laid back charisma of sharp shooting, natural born storyteller Briggs.
“Women Like Us” is stand up at its best. It’s about housework, chickens, love, feminism, small dogs, big butts, disappointment, resentment, sex when you’re drunk, fit bits, yoga farts and being a menopausal woman dealing with teenage angst. They’re overworked, overweight and over it.
Almost a decade on since it all began, they’re even funnier than they ever were. Mandy believes the secret to their success isn’t just that they’re both smart hysterically funny women. It’s their friendship. ‘While men are welcome we encourage women to celebrate their female friendships at our show - it’s a perfect girl’s night out!’
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Women's Work & Other Myths
To complement the Festival an exhibition will be held at the Banana Shire Regional Art Gallery titled “Women’s Work and Other Myths”, celebrating the creative capital generated by regional female artists and arts workers. This will take place from Wednesday the 15th May to Friday the 15th June 2024.
There is a reoccurring pattern within regional arts communities. Women share knowledge, skills and experience, often earned at great personal cost are given generously to their creative communities. Women so often are the grant writers, the teachers, the event planners, and the creative thinkers that keep the arts ticking.
“Women’s Work and Other Myths” plays with the historical use of the term “women’s work” used to downplay the importance of the female contribution to labour or feminine artforms. Drawing from the Banana Shire Council Collection, various private collections, and local arts groups, this exhibition highlights the valuable role of women in regional arts through their artworks and stories.
We are grateful for the involvement of the Council in presenting this collection for the Festival.
Be apart of the Festival!
APPLY NOW
Market Stall Applications Open!
Do you have a business or passion project that you would like showcase at the amazing WOW Biloela Marketplace? You could be apart of an element that brings such joy to the Festival! We are looking for any stalls from informational to arts and crafts, fashion, or even food!
To register or for more information please contact queenie@wowaustralia.com.au
REGISTER NOW
The WOW Bus is Back!
We are so excited to announce the WOW Bus is traveling to beautiful Biloela ahead of the Women of the World Festival this year! We welcome YOU to embark on an adventurous journey of fun, female friendships, empowering conversations, and a chance to make memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t just attend the WOW Biloela Festival, experience it by getting a seat on the bus and take in the awe-inspiring scenic views as you make your way to the Festival. You do not want to miss out!
Tickets for the WOW Bus experience for women in the greater Brisbane area to Biloela includes a full Festival pass. So, welcome all your friends and family for the trip of the year! The bus has been made possible through Mt Gravatt Coaches and our friends at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
