Sherelle Packer and Steph Bell-Dunkley are the co-founders of We Rise Networking, which is set to host an International Women’s Day event for the Mitchell Shire.
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Calling on all women of the Mitchell Shire, celebrate the power of your voice at We Rise Networking’s International Women’s Day event next month.
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Don a beautiful masquerade getup while dining and drinking at the Kilmore Trackside, and don’t forget to grab a special goodie bag on your departure.
The event, however, isn’t just an excuse to dress up and indulge in a delicious two-course meal.
We Rise Networking was launched in 2020 by Sherelle Packer and Steph Bell-Dunkley as an initiative to connect like-minded businesswomen.
The company has since grown to encompass more than 20 locations.
Sabine (Tia) Vine brought We Rise Networking to the Mitchell Shire in April of last year and quickly grew its Facebook group to over 200 members.
Ms Vine was inspired to bring the initiative to the north-east after attending an International Women’s Day event that We Rise held in Melbourne in 2024.
“It was the fact that I saw, and I felt, the warmth when I was there, of how women can support and empower other women,” Ms Vine said.
Every month, We Rise Networking hosts events in each location, centred around the connections between local women in business.
Attendees are provided with an opportunity to learn from a guest speaker talking about different aspects of business, with a focus on ensuring women can feel empowered to implement the tools in their own businesses.
They also have an opportunity to display products and services on the showcase table and promote their business.
The Mitchell Shire We Rise group meet monthly to foster empowerment and learn from other women in business.
The International Women’s Day event in Kilmore, which is one of six events happening around Australia, is at a larger scale and sets out to foster support for local businesses.
“Our mission for International Women’s Day is always to give back locally,” We Rise co-founder, Ms Packer said.
“Supporting local organisations that help and support women going through family violence is a big mission of ours.”
This year, We Rise has partnered with Love in Action, a community group based in three locations across the region which aims to offer food and supplies to those in need.
The event will involve raffling, the proceeds of which will go towards Love in Action.
Not only will the event be host to a sense of playful fun, which, as Ms Vine said, “we need it, all women need it,” but it will also allow women to celebrate all that has been achieved in the sense of empowerment.
The panel of guest speakers at the event will each be there to deliver a powerful message to the women attending.
The guest speakers include directer of Easy Reach Scaffolding Australia Leanne Tee Vee and nutritionist and mindset coach Stephanie Notley.
“It’s a reflection of how far women have come,” Ms Packer said.
“There is so much more work to do, but I think it is incredible now that we can have a voice.
“We can celebrate our own value in this world.
“It’s that celebration that we can continue to keep using our voice.”
The event will be held on March 8 from 6pm to 11pm.
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