LISMORE WOMEN’S FESTIVAL RETURNS 8TH – 11TH MARCH 2023

March 8th is International Women’s Day and fttingly the launch of day 1 of this year’s Lismore Women’s Festival, hosted for 2023 by Northern Rivers Women and Children’s Services Inc. (NORWACS).

The festival runs from 8th - 11th March across a number of venues throughout Lismore and surrounds.

Lismore Women’s Festival is an inclusive event celebrating International Women’s Day and specifcally women of Lismore. Over 4 days women can join in to share experiences, learn new ways to reenergise and take time to discover new ways to enrich their lives. The festival is a welcome return after last year’s cancellation due to the foods.

Since 2017 the Lismore Women’s Festival has showcased local women sharing and celebrating their stories, businesses, activities, lives, dreams, passions, wisdom and learning and this year is no exception.

Opening on day 1 event host NORWACS welcomes all to morning tea and a series of 15-minute taster sessions from 10am - 1pm at their premises at 60 Uralba Street, Lismore. The sessions include presentations from the team at Heartfelt House, a program for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse, Sleep - Are you Getting Enough? and Mindful Self Compassion.

Kelly Banister, NORWACS CEO, comments: “We are delighted to host Lismore Women’s Festival 2023, it’s so important to recognise and celebrate women’s contributions to our community. The festival also provides the opportunity for women to pause, restore and connect with other women and themselves after what has been a highly traumatic time for our region.”

Over the 4 days of the festival there are a diverse number of events to celebrate women and give time to nurture and restore balance. The therapeutic benefts of the arts feature strongly in both visual arts, collage and mandala sessions and performance arts, instrumental band sessions and celebration of songs and movement. Health and wellbeing are essential parts of the festival and there are a range of workshops many free or by donation, for yoga, reiki and sound healing. Included in the program is an information presentation on breastfeeding while working, studying or volunteering, providing a safe space for breastfeeding mums to have all their questions answered.

Booking is recommended for sessions and full program details can be found on: https:// www.facebook.com/ lismorewomensfestival/

During the festival Lismore City Council will be attending both the Thursday and Saturday Lismore farmer’s markets to provide information on Safer Cities: Her Way program to deliver demonstration projects aimed at improving the real and perceived safety for women, girls and gender diverse people in our CBD. This is an opportunity for women to have their say on the implementation of this very important initiative. The program includes an informative Q & A on family law. Local solicitor and mediator, Tess Dellagiacoma, will answer questions to help women navigate effectively through this complex area.

Kelly Banister, NORWACS CEO adds, “The International Women’s Day theme of #EmbraceEquity is key to both our organisation and the festival. An important element of our work is to empower women and connect them to available support services. We look forward to welcoming all women and their friends to this celebration.”