West Coast women to shine on International Women’s Day

The West Coast is famous for its mineral wealth, its towering mountains, wild seas and magnificent forests.

Anglicare Tasmania is proud to bring another kind of wealth – the artistic talent of the women who live and work in this remote region – out of the shadows in an exhibition to mark International Women’s Day.

The exhibition will be held in conjunction with Strahan Primary School in the school hall between 10.30 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. on Monday 8 March. Everyone is welcome.

Kristina Plummer is a practitioner with Anglicare’s Relationship Abuse of an Intimate Nature (RAIN) program. She says she’s been thrilled by the high standard of contributions so far, which have ranged from drawings and paintings to sculpture, collage and textiles, submitted by women across all age groups.

“We are very excited to see the depth of talent in the West. Some of our artists already show their work but for others it’s their first time: it takes real courage to put yourself out there in this way,” Kris said.

“This exhibition is not a competition. It’s about giving all West Coast women a voice and a chance to shine. It recognises their creativity, their strength and resilience.”

Anglicare has a strong presence on the West Coast, with a team of two practitioners based in Zeehan and living locally. They are supported by staff and programs that are run out of offices in Burnie and Devonport.

“We offer a free, confidential and flexible service that covers parenting, children’s mental health and supporting women who are in domestic and family violence situations,” Kris says. “We can also connect West Coast residents with counselling services where there is financial hardship or harm caused by alcohol and other drugs and gambling.

“Our programs start important conversations and build relationships, with women, families and whole communities,” she said. “They help empower people to make positive changes in their lives and this will have huge benefits for the generations to come.

“We hope to see many familiar faces—and visitors who are out and about enjoying our region over the long weekend—at Strahan Primary School on International Women’s Day,” said Kris.

Last call for artists

Artists have until 26 February to submit their original work for exhibition. Entry forms can be found on the Anglicare website and at these locations:

Queenstown: Q West Community Gallery, Driffield St and Soggy Brolly Gallery, Orr St

Rosebery: Neighbourhood Centre, Agnes St

Strahan: Community Health Centre, Bay St

Tullah:  Post Office, Tullah Village

Zeehan: Zeehan Neighbourhood Centre, Belstead St

Exhibition details

The exhibition will open to the general public at 10.30 a.m. on Monday 8 March 2021 (International Women’s Day) at Strahan Primary School, 2 Bay Street, Strahan.

There will be official launch proceedings at 11.00 a.m. followed by a community lunch at which everyone is welcome. It will run until 4.00 p.m. that day.

For more information on the exhibition, contact Anglicare on 1800 243 232 and ask for Kris Plummer or Rachel Biddle.

Services available to people living on the West Coast

For more on the services that Anglicare offers to people living on the West Coast, download a brochure from our website here.