“We can’t change this on our own”

Thousands of generations of strong and entrepreneurial matriarchs set the stage for the women who spoke at FW’s sixth International Women’s Day First Nations event. 

Presented in partnership with Witchery, Westpac and The BlackCard, this year’s panel was hosted by Indigenous health leader, Gabrielle Ebsworth. The lineup featured freshly appointed NSW Aboriginal Woman of the Year, Marjorie Anderson, domestic and family violence specialist Regan Mitchell, tech CEO Lisa Sarago and artist and media personality Yarraka Bayles.

Sharing some of the obstacles and stereotypes they’ve overcome, these leaders explored how we, as a broader community, can be allies in breaking down barriers for First Nations women. 

Lisa Sarago, proud Bundaburra Yidinji-Western Yalanji woman and CEO of Land On Heart

Lisa wears Witchery Double Button Blazer, Soft Pleat Pant, Asymmetric Drape Top, Deanna Heels, Faye Studded Belt and Ana Pearl Earrings.

“Through my work in the community and engaging within Indigenous tech professionals, I quickly realised that the industry is still not ready for that intersectionality of women, focusing primarily on just the gender without addressing those unique challenges faced by Indigenous women. 

“Those that have had the power and the opportunity to create change have chosen not to. They won’t have me at the table. And therefore I said, bugger you then, I’m going to create my own table. I did – and I called it Tiddas in Tech. 

“Our goals are to amplify the voices and visibility of Indigenous women in tech. Not only to advocate for them, but also to highlight how deadly they are. There’s some amazing talent out there. To promote opportunities for young Indigenous women who want to enter or thrive in the industry, but also to provide a supportive network to make sure that they stay in the tech industry and they grow in the tech industry. And they do it in a culturally safe and supportive way.“

Gabrielle Ebsworth, proud Wangkumara-Barkindji woman and healthcare professional

Gabrielle wears Witchery Ruffle Shirt, Knit Maxi Skirt, Kelsey Buckle Flats and Sofia Huggie.

“This year’s [International Women’s Day] theme, march forward, is nothing new for our mob, because it’s what we’ve always had to do. [Panellist Lisa Sarago] spoke about the story we all know too well, the ‘angry black woman’. I think pretty much every black woman has gotten that one at some point. And my response now is always, if you’re not angry, you’re not paying attention. 

“There is so much to be angry about and there’s so much to drive change. I think it is really important that we acknowledge that.”

Yarraka Bayles, proud Birri Gubba-Gungalu-Wonnarua-Bunjalung woman and Senior Facilitator at The BlackCard

Yarraka wears Witchery Sculpted Midi Dress, Luella Heels and Mina Stud Earrings.

“[I came] from the block in Redfern, growing up in the 80s, overcoming pretty much everything that sisters shared there before – family, domestic, sexual violence, to now have opportunities to be able to connect with people like yourselves. To overcome the obstacles and the struggles that have strengthened me. To use that in a strength-based approach – because I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor. I’m an advocate. 

“[I encourage people and businesses to] focus on being more relational, especially with your interactions with diverse and First Nations people… Rather than just introducing yourselves with your name and your job title, think about how we can get to know people for who they are and not what they do. 

“What that does – and I’ve experienced this personally when we train people, all around the world now – is it breaks down a lot of barriers. It allows people to be vulnerable. Get out of that comfort zone where the most growth and impact happens and you notice that, just as humans, we’ve got so much more in common than we do differences. So why not build on those commonalities?”

Regan Mitchell, proud Wiradjuri-Ngunnawal woman and Head of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Strategy at Our Watch

Regan wears Witchery Seam Detail Blazer, Scoop Rib Tank, Straight Leg Pant, Faye Belt, Vera Heel and Camilla Clip On Earring.

“The truth is hard to tell. I find it hard to tell, standing on platforms talking about some of the harsh and ugly realities of this country. It must be hard to listen to, but it’s empowering. [Wiradjuri-Kamilaroi man and journalist] Stan Grant said Australia doesn’t have a problem with truth telling. We have a problem with truth hearing. 

“Please don’t underestimate the power you all have every day with your friends and your families, in your workplaces. It could be on the sidelines of your kids’ sport, at the pub, wherever you are you can arm yourself with the evidence and speak to it. 

“I want to challenge everyone here today to really dig deep when you leave this room. Dig deep and ask yourself, am I truly doing the best I can in educating myself and understanding the truth of the ongoing harm and mistreatment of First Nations people in our country, in your country?” 

“We can’t change this on our own as black fellas. We’ve always known how to advocate for ourselves, but our voices are not heard in the same way as yours… Can you imagine a country where we could really, truly march forward together as equals? If you can imagine that. We can have it.” 

Marjorie Anderson, proud Gamilaroi woman and 13YARN National Program Manager

Marjorie is wearing her own clothes.

“One thing I did learn very early in life is breaking down road blocks. I wanted a pair of Lee jeans and a cheesecloth top and my parents couldn’t afford it. So I thought, I’ve got to get a job. I was 11 and I saw a paperboy job [advertised] in the newsagent. I went in and I said, ‘I want that paperboy job’. And they went, ‘you can’t have it’. And I said, ‘why not?’ And they said, ‘because you’re a girl… you’ve got to go into the pubs and sell the papers and we’d be worried about your safety’. 

“So I rang up my girlfriend, Leslie, and I said, ‘do you want to share a paper run?’ And she goes, ‘yeah, why don’t we?’ She wanted Lee jeans and a cheesecloth top too. So we went in, the two of us, and we said, ‘we’re going to share the paper run, that takes care of the safety issue’. And they gave us the job. 

“When we went into those pubs, they weren’t used to two little girls running in selling papers, so we got big tips. And we earned more sharing a paper run than the paperboys did. So that was a way of breaking down barriers.”

EVENT ARTWORK: Alysha Menzel
PANEL’S CLOTHING: Witchery
FLOWERS: The Floral Decorator
HAIR AND MAKEUP: Jaclyn Hnitko
PHOTOGRAPHY: Stephanie Simcox & Savini
LOCATION: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney