2026 International Women's Day Morning Tea

We are delighted to introduce three remarkable local women from diverse industries, each a master of her own destiny and driven by a clear vision for success. Their journeys have not been without resistance, yet they have continued to forge their own paths with courage and determination. By investing in themselves and backing their ambitions, they are not only achieving personal success but also actively accelerating progress within their chosen fields. Today, we celebrate their leadership, resilience, and the powerful example they set for others and welcome them sharing some insights into what International Women's Day means to them.

Join us for a morning tea and celebrate 2026 International Women's Day together.

• Date: Wednesday 11 March 2026
• Time: 10:30am - 12:00pm
• Venue: Ararat RSL Function Room, 74 High Street, Ararat VIC 3377
• Registration: Free, RSVP's essential. 

Speakers

MC: Cr Teli Kaur is the Deputy Mayor of Ararat Rural City Council and a passionate community leader dedicated to building an inclusive, welcoming Ararat for all. As Manager of Ararat Neighbourhood House, she works closely with local families, new arrivals and vulnerable community members to improve access to education, social connection and support services. She is committed to amplifying community voices, celebrating cultural diversity and creating opportunities for residents to thrive, and will bring this warm, community-focused outlook to her role as MC for Ararat Rural City’s 2026 International Women’s Day morning tea.

Rowena Murray is the Founder of Ararat Women's Shed, a new community-led space created to help local women of all ages connect, learn and build confidence through hands-on workshops, skill-sharing and social connection in Ararat and surrounds. With a professional background in media and communications at Ararat Rural City Council, she brings deep experience in telling regional stories and amplifying local voices. Rowena has spent much of her career working in radio, including roles with ABC Radio Melbourne 774 and Broad Radio, where she has produced and engineered programs that centre women’s experiences and perspectives. Through this work she has helped share powerful stories from women across Victoria and beyond, highlighting resilience, leadership and everyday acts of courage that often go unrecognised. At Ararat Rural City’s 2026 International Women’s Day morning tea, Rowena will speak in her role as Ararat Women’s Shed President about why she founded the Shed, how community spaces can change women’s lives, and some of the most remarkable women’s stories she has been privileged to bring to air.

More speakers to be announced.