Celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026

Friday, 6 March 2026

On Friday 6 March, members of our Board, Executive and staff represented both Wodonga TAFE and GOTAFE at community hosted IWD events across the region, including the VTA International Women’s Day event in Melbourne, the Tatura Community House Breakfast, and the Business Women Albury Wodonga event. 

Across these events, we asked our people a simple but powerful question: 

Why does International Women’s Day matter to you? 

The responses captured the diversity, passion and purpose that drive our organisation. 

💬 They spoke about: 

• championing women’s rights as parents, educators and leaders 

• modelling empowerment for their daughters and families 

• creating workplaces free of gender bias 

• celebrating women’s achievements and leadership journeys 

• Strengthening the role that women play in industry and community partnerships 

• supporting migrant and refugee women to access education and opportunity 

• standing as visible allies and advocating for safer, fairer systems 

• and fostering inclusive, respectful environments where everyone can thrive 

Our leadership also shared deeply personal reflections on why showing up matters. 

Board Member Emma Olivier spoke about the importance of allyship and representation: 
“It’s always important to show up and be an ally so we can keep bringing others up behind us. Balancing the Scales means that we can all be at the table. As a person with a disability, that message is particularly important to me.” 

Her words underscore that gender equality cannot be separated from broader inclusion, that balancing the scales must create space for women of all backgrounds, abilities and experiences. 

Executive Leader Luke Surace reflected on the responsibility leaders hold in shaping more equitable systems: 
“Attending events like this demonstrates visible leadership commitment to gender equity across the Victorian TAFE sector. It’s an opportunity to listen, learn and engage with leaders driving meaningful change, and to reflect on how our decisions shape opportunity and inclusion.” 

On the theme itself, he added: 
“Balancing the Scales means recognising where systems continue to disadvantage women and taking deliberate action to change that. It means using leadership influence to remove barriers, amplify voices too often unheard, and ensure our decisions create fairer, safer and more inclusive outcomes across education and the workforce.” 

Across every response, from staff, teachers, executives, and board members — one message was clear: 
 
Gender equality isn’t the work of a few. It’s shared, ongoing and strengthened when we stand together. 

We are proud to join our community, partners and colleagues in recognising International Women’s Day. And we remain committed to building environments where everyone feels valued, respected and supported to thrive. 

Here’s to the women who lead, the allies who step forward, and the communities working together to balance the scales.