International Women's Day

Inspired by this, the Second International Socialist Women’s Conference held in Denmark in 1910 approved the idea of an International Women’s Day. It was supported by 100 delegates from 17 countries. And so on March 19, 1911, the first International Working Women’s Day, as it was initially called, was celebrated with rallies in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Australia was slow to embrace the cause. Our first International Women’s Day celebration wasn’t until March 25, 1928. The rally was organised by the Militant Women’s Group of the Communist Party and held in Sydney’s Domain. Better conditions in the factory, shop and home, education for the working class and solidarity were key priorities.

In March 1947 the Sydney Tribune wrote ‘Many thousands of women in capitalist countries today are looking towards the conditions their sisters now enjoy in the Soviet Union and the near-socialist countries of Europe and are gaining new hope and inspiration for their own future and the future of their daughters.’

For decades, the day remained strongly connected with working women’s rights and often portrayed as a class fight against capitalism. Celebrations and demonstrations were the province of women in socialist countries and socialist women in democratic countries.

The 1970s is recognised as the period of heavy lifting for the women’s movement in Australia. The decade raised consciousness about those areas of a woman’s life which went beyond a working women’s rights—rape, abortion, medical manipulation by doctors, family violence and many others. But arguments that lesbianism was the only real political and sexual choice for women during this time also alienated many—both men and women.

As Mary Wright, an active leader in the women’s movement since the 1920s, said in an interview for The Australia Women’s Weekly in 1978, ‘Women’s Liberation missed the point. They put man against woman. It was an enmity thing … We don’t want to fight men. We like them. We need them. We just want to be equal citizens.’

A view echoed by the UN’s Women Goodwill Ambassador, Emma Watson, in 2014. ‘How can we affect change in the world when only half of it is invited or feel welcome to participate in the conversation? Men—I would like to take this opportunity to extend your formal invitation. Gender equality is your issue too.’

Men aren’t the only ones that have felt excluded from the movement. Hobsons Bay resident Pam Davison’s connection to the day has only been recent. In the 1980s, working as a legal PA, she recalls a lunch at the Lyceum Club in Melbourne that wasn’t open to ‘… the “nonprofessional staff” as we were referred to back then, as it was exclusive to “professional staff” only. We … assumed it was a Women’s Day for the professional woman. What I find interesting is that it was celebrating women and yet, the female non-lawyers were excluded.’

Perhaps, as Pam’s story highlights, the true value of International Women’s Day is as a reminder to women to value themselves and to challenge their own biases, not just as a reminder to others to reflect and reassess theirs.

In 2022, the aspirations of the women I spoke to for this article can be boiled down to living in a time ‘when we’re not judged by double standards’; not having ‘to be a certain kind of woman to be celebrated’; as an ‘opportunity to acknowledge [our] strength and be inspired by it’; and to ‘celebrate the direct and radical among us’.

Let’s also acknowledge those ordinary men and women who are chipping away at the tenets of the fabric of our society with a quiet, unwavering determination. A reminder that if the aspiration for a life, not just one day is to be fulfilled, our collective everyday actions and life choices are those that will propel us forward faster, further, deeper and higher.

Together, let’s Break the Bias.

Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre would love you to join them on Tuesday, March 8 to celebrate the aspirations and achievements of women around the globe. Participate in a restorative Tai Chi class (booking essential); nurture your creativity decorating a pot plant; or meet new friends over afternoon tea. See News & Events | Louis Joel Gallery (ljac.com.au) for more details.

Vicki Milliken is a freelance writer, Hobsons Bay Homegrown author and LJAC volunteer.

Altona Pier Revue Art Prize

The Louis Joel Gallery are seeking expressions of interest for a group exhibition focusing on Altona Pier’s heritage and redevelopment. This group exhibition is the culmination of the Altona Pier Revue Project, a community arts project celebrating change and transformation of Altona’s landmark pier.

Coinciding with heritage month, the Altona Pier Revue Exhibition will showcase the work of local artists responding to Altona Pier, its history, its redevelopment, and its future. Artworks selected for this exhibition will be in the running for a number of prizes, sponsored by Sweeney’s Estate Agents.

This expression of interest is open to local artists who are at all stages of their careers - from emerging to established and whose work speaks to the theme The Altona Pier Revue. Artists living, working, or studying in Hobsons Bay, Wyndham, Brimbank and Maribyrnong can apply.

All entrants must complete the application form by Sunday 24 March 2024 and send images of (up to) two artworks via wetransfer. Late entries will not be accepted.

For further information about eligibility for both the exhibition and the prize please refer to the Altona Pier Revue Exhibition and Art Prize Terms and Conditions at Terms & Conditions

KEY DATES

Applications Open: 26 February 2024

Applications Close: 24 March 2024

Selected artists notified by: 31 March 2024

Exhibition dates: 19 April to 9 May 2024

Install: Thursday 18 April from 10am

Artwork Pick up: Thursday 9 May from 4pm

Workshops

Gardening Q&A - Neighbourhood House Week 2019

A relaxed, friendly community Q&A session to celebrate Neighbourhood House Week. Whether you have a burning question, or are just curious about how other gardeners do things, bring along your gardening questions, share your knowledge, tips and tricks, and meet up with other people interested in the wonderful pursuit of growing things!

Morning tea provided | FREE EVENT

Thursday 2 May 10am-11.30am

Bookings via admin@ljac.com.au or phone 9398 2511 or visit: TRY BOOKING

Introduction to Crochet – Market Bag

Learn basic crochet techniques, common crochet stitches and how to read a pattern. Over three sessions participants will learn the basics of crochet and complete a market bag.

Thursdays 10am-12pm; 16, 23 & 30 May | Cost: $30

Bookings via admin@ljac.com.au or phone 9398 2511 or book online

Sourdough Workshop

Learn how to create and look after your very own sourdough starter culture. Workshop will cover the creating your sourdough starter culture, best flours to use, feeding your starter and different recipes for cooking with your starter including delicious sourdough pancakes!

Saturday 25 May, 1pm-3pm | Cost: $20

Bookings via admin@ljac.com.au or phone: 93982511 or book online

Pruning Workshop

Garden in need of a tidy up? Maybe you just want to gain some new skills in pruning? Learn about the principles of pruning for a range of flowering plants including fruit trees and roses. Learn how to prune for shape and size, correct pruning techniques and how to get the best from your fruit trees and flowering plants.

Thursday TBC 10am-12pm | Cost: $10

Natural Dyeing Workshop

Explore the possibilities of natural dyeing in this workshop series looking at dyeing fabric/textiles using natural items such as local plants and kitchen scraps. Learn about the different steps in the dyeing process, how to prepare your fabric or yarn for dyeing and best fibres for dyeing. This workshop presented by Tarius MacArthur as part Louis Joel's Reinvent, Repurpose & Restore event which is supported by Hosbons Bay City Council.

Wednesday 5th June 12pm to 2pm | FREE — bookings are essential

Bookings via admin@ljac.com.au or phone 9398 2511

Pickles & Chutneys

Pickles and chutneys are the ideal way to preserve your garden surplus. Discover the secrets of making superb relishes and chutneys. The session will cover using preparation of raw ingredients, cooking and bottling. All participants will take home recipes and a jar of delicious chutney.

Thursday 6 June 1-3pm | $10