Inaugural Jeparit IWD Riverbank Fiesta a Great Success
Published on 04 March 2025
Hindmarsh Shire Council, in partnership with the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee, was thrilled to host the Jeparit Riverbank Fiesta to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 on Saturday 01 March 2025.
The Riverbank Precinct at Jeparit was abuzz with activity, including market stalls and food vans creating a lively border around the lush, grassed area. The market stalls provided a wide range of goods from plants to customised hats, and there was a smorgasbord of food available, including Thai, hot chips, Chinese, and hot jam donuts.
Angela Murphy of Ballarat and Grampians Community Legal Service gave a presentation about the various services available to people within the region, and then Monica Revell, Hindmarsh Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, hosted a panel discussion with incredible women working in male-dominated fields. The panel consisted of Angela Ballinger (AFL Victoria Region Manager for Wimmera Mallee and Sunraysia), Cara Hadzig (CFA Captain of North Wimmera Fire Brigade), and Darcie Landrigan (apprentice electrician with Laser Electrical). The panellists openly shared their experiences from within their workplaces, as well as ideas for how women can pursue careers in male-dominated industries - it was an uplifting and encouraging presentation.
Following the panel, attendees were treated to the musical stylings of the fantastic band, ‘Shannon Tatt and the Flipside’, who performed a variety of songs of differing genres. Their set included cameo performances by some brave Jeparit residents who were invited onto the stage to sing Neil Diamond’s classic, ‘Sweet Caroline’ and The Choirboy’s anthem ‘Run to Paradise (Jeparidise)’ with the band.
The celebrations continued long after the sun went down!
International Women’s Day first occurred in 1910 and is held annually on 08 March. It is a day to highlight and celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness about discrimination, and take action to forge gender parity. Due to conflicting events, the Jeparit Riverbank Fiesta was held the Saturday prior to the actual date of the 2025 International Women’s Day.
Hindmarsh Shire Council and the Jeparit Town Advisory Committee would like to thank all who attended and participated in making the Jeparit International Women’s Day Riverbank Fiesta a fantastic event.
Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer