International Women's Day Festival Australia

Wednesday March 8, 2023, marks 112 years since the first International Women's Day (IWD). The Pig & Whistle are extremely proud to be hosting its third International Women’s Day event on March 4th, 2023. After the incredible positivity and inspiration that emanated from their previous Women's Day events in 2021 & 2022, The Pig & Whistle IWD festival is coming back with a line-up of breathtaking talent, creativity and game-changing movers and shakers from the Mornington Peninsula community and beyond.

This IWD Festival is all about inclusivity and community care. Starting the day with a traditional Welcome to Country Smoking Ceremony by Jillian West (nomuckerlener indigenous consulting and mentoring), IWD festival will be a feel-good, all-are-welcome, full-day wellness and arts event where you can kick back and be entertained by both touring and local artists as well as embrace some creativity and wellness workshops. Featuring yoga on the lawn, meditation, tarot reading, children’s activities and entertainment, workshops and live music, expect a transformative experience and a safe space for all attending. This event was created for women’s voices and stories to be heard and to celebrate and inspire each other. Intended for people from all diverse levels of society and for all gender identities to attend, this festival will help continue to break down aged-old gender constructions and discriminative bias in our community by providing a fun-filled and safe day for everyone. Nestled deep in the lands of Boonwurrung Country, The Pig & Whistle (aka The Pig), Main Ridge, is mostly known for its warm hospitality experience and the best British pub meals on The Mornington Peninsula. The pub surroundings are exquisite with beautiful gardens, landscaped lawns, a children’s play area, and a view that’ll have you wanting to set up camp the moment you arrive. This makes the grounds a perfect spot for the IWD festival; tranquil, yet free and funky with artistic pockets and creative spaces full of gold. The women of the Mornington Peninsula have many stories; some of struggle and some of heartbreak. But what binds their stories together is strength. This event will highlight the incredible bravery, strength, and creativity of women by sharing their stories during live performances of music, art and poetry. This event also shines a light on motherhood, spirituality, health, and wellbeing. There is also a focus on culture and first nations history -The wonderful people of Our Songlineswill be present on the day with mindful artistic activities that encourage cultural learnings in safe creative ways.

This year will feature headline artists such as Melbourne’s Miss Emiliaand Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung singer-songwriter and storyteller Carissa Nyalu(based on Boonwurrung Country). Opening the main stage is emerging singer-songwriter, Lily Clancy. Lily is a local Mornington Peninsula artist whose music promises to spark a flame. Catch this amazing talent before the rest of the world claims her as their own. Pushing boundaries with a live theatre improvisation, will be a multi-agedtheatre group called,The Sponties (founded by Carole from Dreamhouse Theatre). Along with many others, they will be performing on the community stage throughout the day. A space for local creatives to share stories and art. Author, vibrational healer and kinesiologist, Nanette Abbott will be speaking and holding a balancing workshop. Hear Nanette’s inspiring story and check out her demonstration and workshop based on her book ‘The Infinite Potential of You’ (limited spaces on the day).

You can bring the kids! This is a fun day out for the entire family with children’s activities, entertainment, and the ‘Arts Bus’-a mobile arts studio, theatre and music space, enabling Artist for Kids Culture to facilitate meaningful, thoughtful and therapeutic arts activities. It brings quality arts practices to children who would otherwise miss out.