Community Centre on Friday night. Pictured above are guest speakers Sam Longmore, Angela Elliott and Tanya Gilbert with emcee Seigrid Peters.
Cobar Shire Council last week held a WOW Week of Women’s events as part of International Women’s Day which aims to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
The week of women’s local events included the launch of a WOW podcast by local artist and businesswoman Seigrid Peters, meditation workshops, fitness and yoga classes, a morning tea, a session talking to school age girls (the Next Generation of women) and a snood making workshop.
The week also culminated with a networking dinner on Friday night at the Cobar Youth & Community Centre which brought together more than 90 women (and one male) to celebrate what makes women special and unique, what inspires them, empowers them and helps them to connect to others in the community.
The very entertaining evening was emceed by Sig Peters who welcomed three guest speakers, former residents Tanya Gilbert and Angela Elliott (nee Taylor) and also Sam Longmore from Yass.
Sig described the three as being “exceptional women who come from all different backgrounds and industries, women who have faced challenges in their lives, have built resilience and confidence within themselves and who are empowering others and are making positive impacts within their own communities”.
She posed a number of tough questions to the trio, including: What’s an embarrassing moment you can share with us? How do you maintain a work life balance? Who have been your biggest supporters in life? What have been your greatest challenges in life? Is there anything you’ve achieved that previously you thought had been impossible? How do you develop confidence and the courage to step outside your comfort zone?
Each of the three speakers were engaging as they very honestly and generously shared their experiences.
Tanya spoke about working and making her way in a male dominated environment, about being a mother and the importance she places on planning, and also accepting flexibility to be able to achieve what you want.
She also shared her confidence tip of “faking it until you make it”.
Angela said she was thankful for the “village she had around her growing up in Cobar” who helped her through her formative teenage years and how she juggles work and family (she runs two businesses and has three children).
“There is no work life balance, it’s just hard yakka, stress and fun,” she said.
Sam shared her experiences about the major adjustments she had to make in her life following two car accidents which left her with a disability.
She spoke about hitting rock bottom, being close to broke and giving up on the dream of becoming a mother and missing out on all the experiences that went with it.
Sam also spoke of the success she’s had in her business (which has also led to her studying to become a psychologist to help others) and her selection into the Australian Waterski Team to compete at the world championships in California later this year.
“If you don’t get the opportunity then create your own,” was Sam’s advice to guests.