SARAH Wright, Cole Flett and Jo Ware, of punk band Hot Mess, have brought a women’s music festival to life for the third year in a row, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
The event was held on Sunday 8 March at the Bellingen Memorial Hall, relocating from the Urunga River Stage due to weather.
The free festival was co-created with the support of Neighbourhood Centres of Bellingen Shire and brought together over 300 community members, along with a variety of popular performers and presenters.
The line up included eleven musical and dance acts, activities for children, a weaving space hosted by Aunty Frances Witt from Galangga Biindarray and a self-defence workshop.
News Of The Area spoke with Sarah about the origin and growth of the event, since its inaugural gathering at a local café in 2024.
“We had this experience of not having many opportunities to showcase female performers and knowing so many talented women across all genres,” she said.
“This year we were lucky to be successful with a NSW Women’s Week grant, which meant we could expand the program and offer appropriate financial reimbursement for performers.”
The community’s enthusiasm in previous years has given the organisers confidence in continuing to conduct the event.
Although coordinating such large events takes effort, Sarah says it gives her a lot of energy.
“We really wanted to embrace this year’s theme ‘Balance the Scales’, and help women be heard, to shape their own paths, and celebrate their creativity and strength.”
Saltwater Sistas runs workshops and mentoring in marine science, wellbeing and culture, and helped keep the kids entertained throughout the day.
Founder Rhiannon Mitchell is a marine biologist based at the National Marine Science Centre.
“Supporting this event is important to me because it’s about women’s rights, helps women to be seen and heard and increases connections so they have other strong women they can go to and talk to when needed,” Ms Mitchell said.
The event is estimated to have attracted over 300 attendees and will return in 2027.
By Jessica MILLER
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