On Thursday 8 March, the women’s Food for Thought Network (FFTN) in conjunction with Manningham City Council hosted 170 people to a sit-down dinner, in honour of International Women’s Day. It was a wonderful evening which celebrated the goals and achievements of FFTN and women’s accomplishments both locally and nationwide.
Varvara Ioannou, a Greek Australian academic and campaigner, founded the FFTN in 2001.
Each year the network runs events which promote women’s wellbeing in the community, and offers sponsorship to a woman who conveys the ideals of the network. This year the network chose Christiana Aloneftis, a Greek Australian aspiring soprano.
Fundraising from the dinner goes towards Christiana’s efforts to travel overseas to pursue her career.
The special guest speaker for the IWD dinner was Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner and ex-senator Nova Peris.
She was the first indigenous woman to achieve this in Australia. Nova spoke about the challenges she faced growing up and achieving her goals, including intergenerational trauma resulting from the impact of the Stolen Generations. She discussed the many challenges she faced during her career but managed to remain focused on her sporting career, which resulted in these wonderful achievements.
The MC for the evening was well-respected journalist Jo Pearson.
She introduced the speakers including FFTN’s treasurer, Amy Castos, who represented Ms Ioannaou who was unwell, and discussed the network and its activities.
The network includes lawyers, directors, and psychologists who ensure areas of discussion are relevant and important.
The mayor of the City of Manningham, Andrew Conlon – also spoke about the accomplishments of the council in terms of women’s representation on the council (five out of nine councillors) as well as many Greek Australians who have been elected to the council including Sophy Galbally and Mike Zafiropoulos. He also spoke of his amazing wife with whom he has eight children. As he finished his talk he said in Greek, “Zito oi gynakes!” (Long live women!).
The Food for Thought Network raises awareness about the barriers and enablers to women’s development. It assists women to realise their full potential by providing development and networking opportunities.
The next FFTN event is #metoo, an event inspired by the significant worldwide social movement which has become an important agent for change in the attitudes toward women in the workplace and beyond.
#metoo will take place on Wednesday 2 May at 6.30 pm at the Greek Centre (168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC).
Book at fftn.org.au or trybooking.com/UNNF
