Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): The inner north is filled with talented, hardworking and inspiring women. A few weeks back I had the chance to honour them at an International Women’s Day morning tea in the company of the Minister for Women. Our Northcote IWD awards went to three remarkable women this year who were nominated by their friends and colleagues. Jessamy Miller from the 5th Northcote Scouts has been working tirelessly to fundraise and improve the Scout hall and grounds. Laura Thompson is co-founder of Clothing the Gaps and has driven the incredible Free the Flag campaign for the Aboriginal flag—an absolute powerhouse. And Zowie Minchin of Zsa’s bistro is president of the Northcote Business Association and has brought together our local traders through the toughest of times, uniting them under the banner of ‘Northcote Rise’. Zowie also gave away free meals during the lockdown to out-of-work hospo staff and frontline workers.
These women are part of our inner north family and are each amazing role models for women and girls right across our suburbs. It was an honour to award them with their certificates and their special gifts, courtesy of Gus Berger from the Thornbury Picture House, in the warm surrounds of local venue Northside Wines owned by Charlotte Sewell and Jacob Davey. I want to thank Minister Williams for her powerful words about our collective work to drive better outcomes for women and girls and thank all the wonderful women from across my community who came and joined in the conversation. Bit by bit, the women of the north are changing the world.
