The words from one of the remarkable speakers summed up the event perfectly.

Goolum Goolum invited several speakers to voice why they "chose to challenge."

Choose to Challenge was the theme for the 2021 International Women's Day.

IN OTHER NEWS:

In a powerful conversation of sisterhood and vulnerability, these women came forward and shared their lives, struggles, and how they overcame the challenges they continue to face.

Tanisha Lovett spoke about her life story and didn't shy from her trauma.

"I like the idea of sharing," she said.

"I don't let my past impact my future."

She said public speaking could be very impactful, sharing her story of family violence, bullying and racism can leave many in tears.

She spoke about how she lost herself but wanted to change.

"My sisters needed a better role model,

"I started a life I could be proud of living."

Ms Lovett said in her speech how she still chooses to challenge herself.

"A few years ago I couldn't order food on the phone and now I'm public speaking," she said.

One of the only white women to speak was Bernie O'Shannessy, who shared her experience as a woman with a disability and choosing to challenge.

"Choose or chosen, sometimes we don't get to choose," she said.

"Sometimes being us challenges others."

She was hospitalised for six months last year, a challenge exacerbated by COVID-19 and the following restrictions.

Ms O'Shannessy said it was when she found out she was COVID positive, she was knocked back.

"I won't be able to fight this," she said.

She was thankfully asymptomatic.

"You have to draw on inner strength," she said.

"You think to yourself, how am I going to deal with this? But you do."

Ms O'Shannessy spoke about how being hospitalised made her feel "uncomfortable, unsafe and underappreciated" in many instances.

"People's expectations of you become lower," she said.

"You are not worthless.

"I am me. I am a person."

She said whether you chose or are chosen, seize every chance for truth-telling.

"If someone says something you don't agree with, say something.

"Say 'that's not right'."

Mother and daughter Robyn and Bianca Lauricella came up to speak.

Bianca spoke about overcoming a learning disability.

"We can do anything we put our minds to," she said.

She spoke about her love of sport and being a part of a team. Bianca had been awarded the Koori Sports Star award from Goolum Goolum and is a part of the All Abilities state netball team.

"I am passionate about my community and culture," she said.

"I can see my future being bright and successful."

Bianca ended with a message for all women.

"Women need to support each other and never put each other down," she said.

"We are all sisters. We need to celebrate each other and bring each other up."

Robyn Lauricella spoke about her work with language.

Ms Lauricella said she was developing a language first community hub in Dimboola.

She said that language is about everything.

"I feel privileged to be asked to speak," Ms Lauricella said.

"We need to come together as one."

From Goolum Goolum, Stevie Graymore recited one of her poems, called "Blood Letting", which terrified her.

"I am choosing to challenge the wall around my vulnerability," she said.

Ms Graymore said how the community caught her when she felt most lost, and they are some of the most powerful women she has ever known.

"They healed my heart," she said.

"You all matter. You are amazing.

"I am truly humbled to be here today."

Respected community elder, Aunty Pam, spoke last.

She spoke about the foster care system. Something that hit many people at the event very hard.

"I never knew my parents," she said.

"But I was placed in a good home.

"My siblings did not. It impacted their lives. They had bad times and it angered me."

Aunty Pam works with Share the Care; she said she was shocked when she learned 400 children from Warrnambool to Portland need foster care.

Aunty Pam said she had seen so many children taken from their parents. In her own family, it had been generations of children being taken from their parents.

"When I was younger I said to myself 'if and when I have children that was going to stop with me'," Aunty Pam said.

"United we stand, divided we fall."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: