Building vital community connections this International Women’s Day 

 Ballarat Community Health’s Safer Pathways program hosted a vibrant event this week, inviting local refugee and migrant women to celebrate ‘International Women’s Day’ and to build their local networks. 

 Being involved in the community and having meaningful networks are crucial elements of wellbeing1. With stalls for local women to showcase their businesses, services or achievements and guest speakers and performers, the International Women’s Day event at St Paul VI Parish Hall welcomed women from across the Wimmera to come together and make new connections. 

 Ballarat Community Health’s Safer Pathways Coordinator, Rubylyn Mackley says community connection is a vital part of settling in regional Victoria.  

 “Creating strong social ties and building on other social determinants of health affects the lives of our community members positively,” she said. 

 “This International Women’s Day in Horsham, we brought women from all walks of life together to celebrate each other and their contributions to our community”. 

 “It was also an opportunity to showcase services available in the Wimmera region. Getting support beyond a person’s own household provides a sense of security for people,” Mrs Mackley said. 

 “Ballarat Community Health works hard to ensure that people across all of Western Victoria have access to social outlets, medical care and wellbeing programs to improve their health status.” 

 “This event showcased the incredible skills and talents of the local refugee and migrant community and brought people together in a celebration of individuality and diversity,” she said. 

 “International Women’s Day is an important day for us all to reflect on the contribution of the incredible women in our communities, and to recognise their achievements and influence on our lives.” 

 Speakers for the evening included: Mayor Robyn Gulline, Sherrine Clarke, Grampians Community Health, May Falcatan Rosello, and Sara Barron. 

 

To find out more about how Ballarat Community Health supports newly arrived women and their families, visit our website. https://bchc.org.au/service/immigrant-and-refugee-settlement-services/