Mahalia Barnes performance to be a high note of new IWD Illawarra luncheon date
Adding a sweet note to the proceedings is Australian singing sensation Mahalia Barnes who will join keynote speaker and four-time Olympian Anna Meares OAM at the annual fundraising event.
International Women’s Day Illawarra media release: 8 February 2022
The 2022 International Women’s Day event is a highlight of the Illawarra calendar and this year the luncheon will again move to May.
Adding a sweet note to the proceedings is Australian singing sensation Mahalia Barnes who will join keynote speaker and four-time Olympian Anna Meares OAM at the annual fundraising event.
The powerhouse soul and blues vocalist who was inspired as a child by the music of legends such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Ike + Tina Turner and Wilson Pickett, has released three albums with her band The Soul Mates and will perform on the day.
Due to the current challenges of Covid-19 and the Omicron virus, the IWD Illawarra luncheon will be held on Friday, 20 May 2022 at the WIN Entertainment Centre. Tickets go on sale in March through Ticketmaster.
Funds raised through the luncheon are used to support local women’s services in the Illawarra and to support the annual scholarship program. To date more than $400,000 has been raised, helping to fund programs including those run by SCARF, The EVE Project, The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre and SAHSSI.
International Women’s Day Illawarra Committee Co-founder and Chair Vicki Tiegs OAM said Mahalia Barnes would add a powerful presence to the luncheon.
“Mahalia is a wonderful Australian performer whose powerful vocals never fail to touch a chord with her audience,” she said. “She also has an amazing story to tell and we look forward to welcoming her to the stage in March.”
Mahalia will share the limelight with Australian track cycling superstar Anna Meares OAM. Considered one of Australia’s greatest cyclists, Anna became the first Australian athlete to win four individual medals at four consecutive Olympic Games when she won bronze in the women’s Keirin at Rio in 2016.
The most decorated and successful female track cyclist in history, Anna has won 18 gold, 16 silver and 10 bronze medals at Olympic, World and Commonwealth Games level throughout her illustrious career.
Applications for the IWD scholarships are still open but time is running out to apply. There are seven scholarships of $2,000 each presented at the lunch to Illawarra women. Scholarship applications close at 5pm on Wednesday, 9 February 2022. For full details on categories and application forms, go to http://iwdillawarra.com.au/scholarships
International Women’s Day 2022 is on March 8 and the global theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias.
Email: info@iwdillawarra.com.au www.iwdillawarra.com.au
