The weekend of the 22 & 23 October 2021, saw a gathering of like minds for the inaugural Resilient Women festival on the Scenic Rim. Created from a partnership between the Making Good Alliance and Scenic Rim Regional Council, with support from WOW Australia, forward-thinking women gathered to share stories, listen to invigorating conversations, and partake in a variety of innovative workshops.

Friday night’s Resilient Women Arts Dinner was packed out to hear the conversation and enjoy dinner and entertainment.

The Friday night Resilient Women Arts Dinner was booked out, and commenced with a heartfelt Welcome to Country from Wangerriburra Elder Aunty Livina. This was followed by a stirring conversation featuring Mununjali/Wiradjuri First Nations artist Kim Walmsley, horse whisperer and metal sculptor Colleen Lavender, professional photographer and accidental adventurer Carin Garland and co-founder of Outland Denim Erica Bartle. The conversation, facilitated by Bronwyn Davies, explored the memorable pathways of each of the women, how they came to be where they are, what resilience means to them, and advice for others. Key messages included making sure to follow your passions, being willing to fail – and get back up again, understanding that life is full of unexpected pathways and that we must seize opportunities when presented. After such food for thought a smashing dinner was served, followed by entertainment from singer-songwriter Clea looking as if she stepped straight from a stunning 70’s folk band record cover.

Saturday was a fun day of action with workshops, marketplace and panel conversations taking place across the two venues, the Vonda Youngman Centre and The Centre for Regenerative Arts. The day kicked off with a slew of fascinating and engaging workshops, including a make-your-own brushes and inks workshop with Kuweni Dias Mendis, weaving using plant fibres and recycled materials with Therese Flynn-Clarke and an upcycling masterclass with slow-fashion advocate Jane Milburn.

Wangerriburra and Mununjali elders took part in many aspects of the weekend’s celebrations, including a warm Welcome to Country from Wangerriburra Elder Aunty Livina (far right).

The first conversation for the day was facilitated by the sparkling Dr Anne Tiernan and explored the barriers to and strategies women use to become resilient leaders. Teacher, university administrator and public servant Leigh Tabrett advised us to examine what pushes our buttons and puts us at risk, and to go back to our guardians and supports when back up is required. Director and CEO of QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Professor Fabienne Mackay spoke of finding her strength and powering though challenging opportunities, even when we are set up to fail. Scenic Rim’s longest serving Councillor Virginia West asked us to reflect on what is our leadership style, and to remember when the pressure is on, to be yourself and be true to your values.

Colleen Lavender ‘makes sparks fly’ in a demonstration of her metal sculpture making.

Our second panel was themed Financial Security for Women – Your Question’s Answered and was facilitated by former senior financial advisor Susan Rallings. The panelists consisted of Product Manager for QSuper and Brisbane Zonta Advocacy Committee member Kate Rose, founder of Femeconomy for-profit social enterprise Jade Collins and Tamborine Mountain business woman Gina Story. The message was clear across all three speakers - know your worth. Take the time to understand how your financial resilience can impact your life, realise that your purchasing power has more influence than you realise, and get financially literate.

Hannah Clifford ran a powerful MATE Bystander session, which drilled into bystander techniques focused on violence against women, as well as racism, bullying and harassment. Participants shared their concerns about how to intervene when the affected persons are struggling to want to separate themselves from violent situations, and a deep conversation on this issue ensued.

WOW Australia Executive Producer Cathy Hunt chats to Resilient Women producers Sue Rallings from The Making Good Alliance and Bronwyn Davies from Scenic Rim Regional Council.

WOW Australia Executive Director Cathy Hunt and Cynthia Kennedy from the Queensland Government’s Office for Women and Violence Prevention got down to brass tacks in the afternoon conversation. In an interactive session local women were invited to share their concerns, among which the question was raised, why are we always trying to fix women, and why is there not more focus on fixing the problematic men? Women’s business is always framed as if it exists in a gendered vacuum, and its time to change that conversation. Additionally, the point was raised that we are never going to fix the economy for women and girls when we continue to use such an old paradigm of what the economy is, when the type of work that women does is not even recognized as having value.

We were also entertained throughout the festival with a beautiful roving lyrebird and a trio of cheeky scrub turkeys courtesy of the award-winning local ensemble, Goat Track Theatre.

As the day faded to evening, a lively marketplace began, with music, dance workshops, and delicious Middle Eastern food being served. Guests gathered around open drum fires, creating a warm and welcoming ambience for reflecting upon the powerful themes of the day. The local Cauldron Distillery served up some of their signature liquors, the perfect digestive for a day full of inspiration and insight.

Nadia Jade attended Resilient Women on the 22 and 23 October 2021. Image credit: Philip Gibb