International Women’s Day Event 2024

The IWD 2023 event raised over $4000 for The Sanctuary, a privately funded Gold Coast refuge for women, children and pets escaping domestic violence. Thank you to all of our supporters and guests who made the day truly special and hugely successful. 

In 2024 we are raising funds for The Sanctuary again! Come along for a fabulous day out to celebrate women, call for equality, and support an incredibly worthy cause.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is ‘Count Her In: Accelerating Gender Equality Through Economic Empowerment.’ This year, join the third annual International Women’s Day Charity Fundraiser, hosted by Empower House, at Hyde Paradiso for a fabulous day in celebration of International Women’s Day and raising funds for local domestic violence refuge, The Sanctuary. The brilliant panel of speakers will discuss what #CountHerIn means to them, as well as how we can ensure women and girls are given equal opportunity to build their capabilities and strengthen their capacity to learn, earn and lead. Your ticket will include a four-hour drinks package, champagne service, grazing board, a delicious meal, and gorgeous take-home gift bags.

This year, join us at Hyde Paradiso for a fabulous day in celebration of IWD and raising money for local DV refuge, The Sanctuary. This privately funded refuge is for women, children and pets escaping domestic violence. The Sanctuary provides refuge, safety, education, nutrition, and case management counselling yet It has no Government funding and relies heavily on contributions from the community at large. All proceeds from the day will go to The Sanctuary.

Date: Friday 8^th of March, 2024

Time: 10:30am – 3pm

Venue: Hyde Paradiso, Level 2, Peppers Soul, 8 The Esplanade, Surfers Paradise

Parking: Free for the day of the event, when you park under the Peppers Soul building.

Please do not drive if you plan to drink

 

  We will have another wonderful panel of speakers, as well as prizes, and entertainment. Book your tickets now!   Your ticket includes:

• 4 hour drinks package including bubbles, white wine, red wine, rosé, select bottled beers & ciders, all tap beers, soft drink & juices. 
• Champagne service and grazing table
• Delicious meal with something for everyone, on the menu this year:
  • King Fish Tacos
  • Lamb Skewers
  • Spiced Glazed Chicken
  • Popcorn Mushroom (VG)
  • Vegan/Vegetarian Menu: Popcorn Mushroom, Falafel, Cauliflower bites, and Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
• Gorgeous gift bags for you to take home
• Photobooth, Photographer, and Videographer to capture all the fun
• Support an incredible local women’s charity
• Meet new people and have a fabulous day out celebrating you!

 

The Speakers

FATIMA ABDALLAH

Fatima Abdallah, a Cultural Identity Coach and Diversity Consultant, stands at the helm of transformative change in the realm of personal and professional development. Armed with a Bachelor of Social Science in Psychology and Behavioural Management from Bond University, her journey encompasses nearly two decades of professional expertise intertwined with 37 years of personal growth.

Founder of You are the Focus Community Care, established in 2019, Fatima embarked on a mission to impact lives free of judgment, particularly supporting young individuals facing challenges like ASD, ADHD, and behavioural or emotional struggles. The organization’s focus is on fostering calmness, bravery, and happiness in these individuals, while also educating parents on effective routines and managing challenges through positive parenting.

As the visionary behind Ascending Self, Fatima’s personal story of resilience and determination in the face of cultural identity challenges propels her mission. Growing up as a young Lebanese girl in Australia, she faced discrimination and assimilation pressures, leading her to conceal her identity. Despite societal norms and expectations, Fatima has emerged as a passionate advocate for embracing cultural identity without fear or judgment.

Her coaching services aim to provide a safe and supportive space for individuals to explore and celebrate their heritage, fostering improved self-knowledge, greater self-acceptance, and increased confidence in reclaiming their identity. Fatima’s journey, marked by struggles and triumphs, serves as an inspirational narrative for those seeking to balance cultural expectations and Western influences.

 

Find Fatima Online

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ascending-self.com

HAYLEY DAVIS

Hayley Davis, a seasoned facilitator with diverse training in women’s empowerment, spiritual development, cold water immersion, yoga, Pilates, and meditation, is not one to boast titles. While deeply connected to The Sanctuary Refuge, a cause close to her heart, Hayley actively fundraises for them through annual events and small drives, raising a commendable total of $16,000 to date.

Running her business for almost three years, Hayley organizes Women’s Connection Retreats internationally, interstate, and locally, alongside women’s groups, workshops, spiritual gatherings, ladies’ days out, and Women’s Circles across the coast and surrounding areas. Her journey began with a monthly circle at the back of a yoga studio, emphasizing her primary purpose—to create spaces where women can connect, form friendships, and honour themselves. Her commitment lies in reminding every woman of her inherent worth and providing opportunities for self-care.

Hayley’s vision extends beyond mere events; it’s about making them accessible for everyone. Drawing from personal experiences of growth and self-discovery, she aims to eradicate loneliness and instil a sense of celebration and elevation in every woman. Her daily gratitude for the drive loneliness provided her fuels her mission.

Believing in the strength of collaboration, Hayley actively engages in business partnerships, seeing it as a way for women to uplift each other and become stronger collectively. She understands the significance of connection and considers it a crucial element in spreading her message to the world.

 

Find Hayley Online

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findyourcentrewomensretreats.com

COURTENAY RODWELL

Courtenay Rodwell, a Master Practitioner of NLP, Time Line Therapy®️, and Hypnotherapy, is a dynamic entrepreneur, transformative coach, and professional speaker. As a respected leader in the realm of personal and professional development, Courtenay has dedicated her career to promoting radical authenticity, personal power, and a passion for life. A proud member of the Professional Speakers Association of Australia, she has cultivated a thriving platform offering comprehensive consulting services globally.

Known for her unwavering passion and commitment, Courtenay employs a unique and transformative coaching style that blends empathy, intuition, experience, and strategic thinking. Her goal is to guide individuals and organizations toward breakthrough results, achieved through one-on-one consultations, workshops, courses, and motivational speaking engagements. Courtenay specializes in a wide array of areas, including trauma, anxiety, intimacy, professional advancement, holistic health and wellness, and work-life balance.

Courtenay’s behavioural re-patterning programs are highly sought after by professionals, entrepreneurs, and executives aiming to accelerate their personal and professional growth. Described by clients as a transformational powerhouse, she provides practical tools and actionable strategies to overcome obstacles, clarify goals, and achieve dreams.

Beyond her private-client practice, Courtenay shines as a captivating speaker, drawing from personal experience, recovery, and growth to deliver engaging and inspiring content. Her powerful messages motivate audiences to take positive, enduring action in their lives. Courtenay’s authentic and engaging approach deeply connects with people, leaving a lasting impact on her clients.

Courtenay’s success is a result of her relentless pursuit of excellence, genuine care for her clients, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. Through her passion for personal growth and neurological re-patterning, she has become a trusted advisor and mentor to many. Courtenay’s mission is to empower individuals and organisations to live authentically, unlock their full potential, and achieve extraordinary results, inspiring and transforming lives globally.

 

Find Courtenay Online

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courtenayrodwell.com

TRACEY GRACE

Tracey Grace, a Trauma-Informed Psychotherapist with a Post Graduate Degree, is a versatile professional boasting credentials as a Kinesiologist, Spinal Flow Practitioner, and The Richards Trauma Process Practitioner. As a Published Author, ex Paramedic, and Army Veteran, she brings a wealth of experience to her holistic mental health services. As an independent solo mother of two young boys, Tracey is not only an accomplished author but also a trauma-informed psychotherapist and multi-modality complementary health practitioner.

With a heart-led approach, Tracey founded a business dedicated to holistic mental health services, with a specific focus on trauma therapy. Drawing from personal experiences with domestic violence, coercive control, and childhood adversity, Tracey’s life purpose is to support and guide others through their unresolved trauma towards a life of thriving.

In 2023, Tracey achieved significant recognition with the publication of her first book, “The Depth of Her Survival,” which garnered the status of a number 1 best seller on Amazon. Operating a holistic mental health clinic nestled in nature in Tallai on the Gold Coast, Tracey offers one-on-one therapy, day retreats, and workshops aimed at addressing the root cause of unresolved trauma and mental health challenges.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Tracey is actively involved in volunteer work at The Sanctuary Refuge, a charity that holds a special place in her heart. Her commitment to healing and supporting others is evident not only through her private practice and published work but also in her dedication to charitable initiatives.

 

Find Tracey Online

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traceygracehealing.com

JOYCE SANTIAGO SAVAGE

Joyce Santiago Savage, an accomplished International Speaker and Life/Business Coach, is on a mission to Educate, Inspire, and Activate Ambitious Minds. With a focus on triggering their desires and transforming struggles into success, Joyce is dedicated to guiding individuals in crafting a life by their design.

Passionate about the profound impact of thought, Joyce has formulated an easily digestible formula for personal development, positioned as a pivotal starting point for positive life changes. Her keynote for 2024, titled “Gratitude and Goals: Your Way to Wealth,” is set to be a nationwide conversation, encouraging individuals to make uncomfortable yet transformative choices that lead to their full potential.

Joyce’s aspiration is to establish herself as one of the prominent Female Speakers in Queensland and Australia, delivering impactful and inspirational messages to those prepared to explore, experience, and embrace their higher selves. Having spoken in three countries in 2023—Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines—Joyce is committed to expanding her reach and global impact.

Find Joyce Online

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joycesavage.com

 

JACQUELINE NAGLE

Jacqueline Nagle and the Any Given Tuesday team are unapologetically in the Business of Wisdom Making. At Any Given Tuesday, they empower (predominantly Gen X) Women to find their voice, step onto platforms, impart wisdom and claim the power of influence, impact and authority, They exist to amplify the voices of a (mostly) invisible generation, capturing the wisdom held in their lived and worked experience to create positions of authority so they can impact, influence and advocate for the generations rising. Any Given Tuesday are an education and activation company – hosting events, programs, (digital) courses, and collaborations empowering the women in our world to reclaim identity and reignite purpose through the power of spoken words.

Underpinning everything Jacqueline Nagle does is a core belief in micro-economic empowerment at the individual level – especially for women. One of the proudest moments in Jacqueline’s life was getting 32 women off welfare payments, out of generational poverty cycles, and into work which gave them what they had never had before – agency and financial independence. From Jacqueline’s personal experience – coming from small town rural Australia – that the first step in securing that micro-economic empowerment is knowing how to raise our voice. To express ourselves. To be able to speak with strength, power and grace. To gift ourselves agency through the words we use and the stories we share. For Jacqueline, that small town girl, the stories shared by others were her university, speaking became her passport and there is no greater privilege in this world then to pass that on to you.

A Fifth Generation Entrepreneur with a fiercely strategic brain who holds the global designation of Certified Speaking Professional, a qualified Executive and Business Coach, Certified Master Practitioner in Neuro Linguistic Programming, and an Advanced Hypnotherapist, Jacqueline brings her unique lens on navigating relentless change, opportunity and crisis to her work as a speaker, educator and trusted advisor from the start up trenches to the C-Suite across Australia and the USA. Jacqueline’s strength is anchored in teaching others how to reposition themselves through the power of language and she has personally coached and trained 100’s of women in Australia and the USA to step into their power through speaking – by sharing her proprietary frameworks which underpin her client’s success, creating breakthroughs that ensure they are seen, heard, remembered, and paid. Jacqueline has appeared in media more than 3,000 times, spoken on global stages, delivered keynotes for organisations including Marie Claire (Australia) Magazine, and delivered more than 180 workshops. She has worked as trusted advisor to the founders of dynamic rapid growth entrepreneurs to strengthen strategy, positioning, strategic sales and communications. Jacqueline is a TEDx Speaker Coach, her training has been delivered to some of Australia’s major corporate brands including Tattersalls (The Lott), quadrupling their sales conversion rate) and her programs have been picked up by the Australian Institute of Sport Olympic Gold Medal Alumni Program in Canberra.

 

Find Jacqueline Online

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anygiventuesday.com.au

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The Charity The Sanctuary provides refuge, safety, education, nutrition, and case management counselling yet It has no Government funding and relies heavily on contributions from the community at large. Domestic Violence is a pattern of abusive behaviour in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic  violence includes behaviour that is physically, sexually, emotionally, psychologically or economically abusive, threatening, coercive or aimed at controlling or dominating another person through fear. Domestic violence, in all forms, is a violation of basic human rights. Everyone, regardless of their sex, religion, nationality, race, relationship, or living arrangements, has the right to feel safe, and be safe, in public and at home. Domestic violence must not be accepted or excused. Saving Pet’s from Domestic Violence Our pet’s offer us unconditional love and stability for a woman experiencing domestic violence this bond is often targeted by the abuser. Pets are frequently caught up in the difficulty many people face in domestic violence situations when finding safe and affordable housing. People love their pets like their children so all too often they are prepared to stay in a violent home to keep them safe. The Sanctuary allows them to escape with their pets by their side. Unfortunately, pets caught up in domestic violence also became part of a control issue about who kept them. When domestic violence victims’ pets arrive at The Sanctuary, they join a mini-animal farm, which includes goats, chickens and exotic birds. We take in clients’ cats and dogs, as well as guinea pigs, birds and other pets. Our clients have their own yards where they can keep their animals. Having their pets here, keeps our clients happy and not on antidepressants to treat the separation anxiety caused by being separated from their pets.   FAMILY PETS CAN EXPERIENCE SIMILAR ABUSE AS THEIR OWNERS

• Physical abuse, being beaten, kicked or thrown against a wall.
• Emotional abuse, intentionally tormenting, teasing or yelling at an animal.
• Intentional neglect such as withholding  food, water, human contact and shelter.

Please help us support these victims today! Right now in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, there are many women and children who are not safe and desperately in need of help. You can make a real difference to young children and women in need by making a donation, volunteering your time, being part of a workplace giving program, providing in-kind support, leaving a gift in your will and more. We are a not-for-profit charity RETREAT FOR KIDS INC (registration number: CH2895) We need your help Your donation will go directly towards funding our domestic violence support programs and vital accommodation solutions. Your gift will go a long way towards changing the lives of women and children who are desperately in need. Thank you for helping us to create a better future. $10 – Children’s comfort items $20 – Essential underwear & hygiene products $30 – Pets vaccinations, medication, food & comfort $40 – A Mothers day/ Birthday gift for our treasured ladies. $50 – Buys a meal for all occupants of the refuge $100 – Pamper session for a woman such as facial, pedicure or nails CURRENT MAJOR PROJECTS REQUIRING FUNDING. Currently, we have a number of major projects required to be undertaken to achieve compliance with planning requirements and improve the facilities to enable us to deliver our essential services.  If you or a corporate partner are able to assist, the following are the projects:

• Family Unit 1 – The bathroom requires replacement with waterproofing and termite treatment of concrete penetrations. Estimated cost $4,700
• Family Unit 7 – We do not have facilities to accommodate a woman or child requiring wheelchair access, to comply with Government requirements and improve our service offering, this unit needs to be made wheelchair accessible. Estimated cost $25,000
• Landscaping and earth moving – much of the open space in the paddocks is not level and not usable for gardens and outdoor activities, with the area needing landscaping to improve the comfort of residents and improve their healing environment. Estimated cost $30,000
• Cover Children’s playground – The Children’s playground has no shade cover or protection from the elements. Estimated cost $22,000
• Replace Family Unit doors – the glass doors on the family units do not meet current building code requirements and must be replaced with impact resistant glass doors. Estimated cost $9,000
• Replace Family Units Roof and Weatherproof – the Family Units are not properly weather sealed and the roofing needs to be replaced. Estimated cost $10,000
• Community Kitchen – The current outdoor community bbq area needs to be replaced with a more hygienic “camp kitchen” for use of residents that is weatherproof. Estimated cost $7,000
• Decking around Family Units – The pet yards for 2 of the family Units are unstable and unsafe for pets, decking will resolve this. Estimated cost $15,000