GIVING TO GAIN: A COMMUNITY UNITED FOR IWD 2026
Since launching in 2021, the Revesby Workers’ International Women’s Day (IWD) event has grown into one of the Club’s most anticipated annual celebrations—an empowering tradition that continues to evolve in scale and significance.
Guided by the 2026 themes of “Give to Gain” and “Balance the Scales,” the March 6 IWD event brought together community members, leaders, and advocates with a shared purpose: to champion gender equality, spotlight women’s achievements, and raise critical funds for Biyani House – Revesby’s Women’s Shelter.
The event welcomed inspiring voices on the main stage, each bringing a powerful message of resilience, leadership and community spirit. Natalie Cooney, widely recognised for her advocacy and influence across business and community sectors, spoke to the strength found in collective generosity. She emphasised that giving across communities delivers more than tangible outcomes—it sparks possibility, strengthens unity and lays the groundwork for lasting change. Equally compelling was Molly Croft, a young leader whose deeply personal story of resilience resonated with the audience. Molly reflected on her Metastatic Osteoblastic Osteosarcoma journey, noting that her illness has never defined her; instead, her strength has been shaped by the women who stand beside her and support her.
Adding even more star power and insight to the event was a special panel discussion featuring two iconic sporting figures. Tarsha Gale, a trailblazer in women’s rugby league whose legacy continues to pave the way for the next generation of female athletes, joined Tom Sermanni, an internationally respected football coach of the Matildas and long‑standing advocate for the advancement of women’s sport. Together, they offered candid perspectives on gender equity in sport, the importance of representation, and the progress still needed to level the playing field—both literally and figuratively.
In a testament to the generosity and spirit of the local community, this year’s IWD event raised over $66,792.95 — the largest amount ever raised since the Revesby Workers’ IWD tradition began. A significant portion of the fundraising success came from the live auction, which was supported with a range of exceptional donations. Contributions from DSA, Canterbury Leagues Club, the Parramatta Eels, the Sydney Roosters, the Matildas, Leagues Club Australia and Nora O Art helped drive bidding to new heights.
The fundraising effort is vital because Biyani House plays an increasingly critical role in supporting women and children escaping domestic and family violence in the Canterbury‑Bankstown region—one of the highest‑need areas in NSW. Since opening, Biyani House delivered life‑changing support, providing over 150 women and children with safety and stability, and delivering 7862 nights of care and protection to families in crisis. Demand continues to grow sharply across the Women’s Community Shelters network, with requests for assistance rising by 20% in the past year, and one in two women seeking crisis accommodation still turned away due to a lack of available beds.
