Women of the World Katherine
Katherine 12 – 14 September 2014
In 2013 Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre was selected to be one of only two Australian venues for the international WOW Festival. WOW stands for ‘Women of the World’ and is a global festival that celebrates the strength and achievements of women. The other Australian venue in 2013 was in Sydney under the umbrella of the Sydney Writer’s Festival. For Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre, in only its first year of operation, it was a huge honour to have been chosen to host such an important global event and to have the opportunity to present the voices and culture of Indigenous and non-Indigenous women from remote Australia. In 2014 WOW comes to Katherine again, back by popular demand.
WOW was created by the South Bank Centre London under its inspirational Director Jude Kelly, who will be joining us again this year. At WOW people of all ages and backgrounds come together to celebrate women’s achievements but also examine the obstacles that prevent them from achieving their full potential and contributing to the world. WOW presents the very best of recognised and emerging female talent across all fields including politics, the arts, economics, fashion, science, health, sport, business and education, and is made up of keynotes, talks, performances, exhibitions, workshops and networking opportunities.
The WOW festivals at Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre focus on Indigenous and non-Indigenous women’s concerns in the Northern Territory. Lisa Mumbin, a Jawoyn leader and GYRACC Board member has been appointed as the Cultural Advisor for WOW Katherine to liaise and ensure cultural protocols are followed and to advise on Indigenous women’s concerns.
Issues on the agenda for WOW Katherine 2014 include Women and Leadership, Domestic Violence, Young Women Making a Difference and Women and Business. Other topics are Remote Living, Indigenous Fashion and an Arts/writer’s panel. Confirmed speakers for 2014 are The Hon. Sally Thomas, first female Administrator of the NT, Katrina Fong Lim, Lord Mayor of Darwin, Anna Bligh, Kavisha Mazzella, Jude Kelly, Bess Price, MLA for Stuart, Debbie Kilroy from Sisters Inside, Isisara Bey from New York, and a host of other amazing Indigenous and non-Indigenous women from the Territory and beyond.
In 2014 the festival kicked off with a fashion parade featuring fabrics printed in Indigenous art centres from the region and modelled by young women from a YWCA program in Katherine.
Cath Bowdler 