Local teacher, Farah Rowhani is organising a fundraiser called ‘We Say Her Name’ to give financial and emotional support to women in the Northern Rivers. Farah was inspired by her childhood experiences and the recent events in Iran. As she says, with love and compassion, ‘I am Persian by birth but Australian by nature. My firm desire is to empower and assist the women in our community impacted by physical, financial or emotional abuse.’
The evening is to be a mixture of music, singing, comedy and a call for affirmative action. Local identities David Heilpern and Mandy Nolan are the guest speakers, with Mandy as MC. Welcome to Country will be facilitated by Aunty Delta Kay. Entertainment will include comedy by Mandy and music by singers Áine Tyrrell, Luke Vassella, Simon Chate, Tapestry Road, Parissa Bouas and Jasmine Soraya. All entertainers have generously donated their time and talent free of charge. An evening meal will be available for purchase on arrival.
Recent events in Farah’s country of birth, after witnessing and experiencing the suppression of women as a child and teenager, have strengthened her resolve to support and empower women. ‘In Australia, one woman is killed every week by her partner or former partner. This was highlighted as the very first murder in Australia in 2023 was a local lady. This statistic alone is not only a blight on our community but also indicates the level of support needed for those escaping abuse.’
Farah sees this fundraiser as the first of many. ‘My goal is to reach out to all men and women in our community to support and empower each and every one of us.’
The fundraiser is to be held on Saturday evening, 18 February at the Marvell Hall, Byron Bay. The evening will commence with meet and greet from 6pm and the show begins at 7pm. Tickets are $47 – the proceeds go to ‘Women Up North’, which is a local organisation that assists women and children who are experiencing domestic violence and abuse.
To purchase your tickets please go to events.humanitix.com/phoenix-of-gaia, or visit Facebook @ the phoenix of gaia. Further enquiries and information ring 0402 595 275.
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