The Hunter Workers Women's Committee (HWWC) is celebrating the success of its International Women's Day 2026 events, which featured a weekend of activities designed to celebrate, empower, and unite women across the Hunter region. Founded in 2020, the HWWC is a sub-committee of Hunter Workers that brings together women unionists from diverse industries including mining, maritime, transport, education, nursing, early childhood, aged care, disability, and administration sectors.
Sold-Out Dinner Kicks Off Celebrations
The IWD weekend commenced on Friday, March 6, with a sold-out dinner at Club Charlestown attended by 160 guests. Speakers included Amber Flohm (NSWTF, recent Deputy Secretary), Moniqua Reid (Union Aid Abroad), Angie Moore (MUA, National Women's Representative), and veteran Novocastrian unionist and feminist Janet Sutherland.
Inaugural Working Women's Festival
Saturday, March 7, marked the first Working Women's Festival, held at the Hunter Unions Building. The HWWC welcomed Wil Stracke (Victorian Trades Hall Council, Assistant Secretary) for an inspiring keynote address and a workshop on becoming viral social media activists. Other highlights included a Q&A panel on pathways to social change featuring local initiators Erin Killion (Hunter Community Alliance), Tahlia Hanson (CFMEU Construction & General Division, Organiser), and Randi Irwin from the University of Newcastle.
Hunter Workers President Leanne Holmes expressed pride in the festival's realisation: "The Working Women's Festival has been a long-held goal for the Women's Committee. I couldn't be prouder to have seen it come to fruition. To have all these amazing women come together, to share their experience, their knowledge and to know we all left that day with some new practical skills was just so empowering."
Rally at Gregson Park
The weekend concluded with the IWD rally on Sunday, March 8, at Gregson Park, Hamilton. Wil Stracke led the march, and attendees heard from local powerhouses Suzy Trindall (Community Disability Alliance Hunter) and Angie Moore.
HWWC President Teresa Hetherington reflected on the event: "It was an amazing weekend of sisterhood and solidarity. International Women's Day is a great opportunity to bring together the diverse communities of Hunter women, to highlight the common issues facing us, to celebrate the amazing work being done, and to form ongoing relationships of support. It's also a time to set the tone for the upcoming year. Watch this space!"
For more information about the HWWC, email women@hunterworkers.com.au.
