More than 300 local community members gathered at the Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah on Thursday 2 July for No Small Thing, an inspiring evening presented by the NRCF Women’s Giving Circle.
Bringing together people from across the Northern Rivers, the sold out event explored some of the most important issues shaping our communities today, including gender equality, climate change, media influence and the health of our democracy. Through thought-provoking conversation and shared reflection, the evening encouraged attendees to consider not only the challenges facing our communities, but also the role each of us can play in creating positive change.
The evening opened with an Acknowledgement of Country by Bundjalung woman, chef and advocate Mindy Woods, setting the tone for an evening grounded in respect, connection and hope.
Guests then heard from an inspiring panel of speakers who each brought a unique perspective on the issues explored throughout the evening. Hannah Ferguson, founder of Cheek Media, shared her insights into the influence of media, attention and power. Isabelle Reinecke, founder of Grata Fund, drew on her experience using strategic litigation to drive policy change and expertly moderated the discussion. Robyn James, former Global Director of Gender Equity at The Nature Conservancy, offered a global perspective on gender equality and systems change, while Evie Wood, founder of Coolamon Community, spoke about supporting Aboriginal mothers through practical, community-led initiatives across Northern NSW, the Kimberley and the Northern Territory.
Together, the panel explored the complex challenges shaping the lives of women and communities today while reinforcing a simple but powerful message: although the issues may seem overwhelming, meaningful change often begins close to home. Through collective action, community leadership and people choosing to get involved, each of us has a role to play in creating a better future.
That belief sits at the heart of the Women’s Giving Circle. Through collective giving, members pool their annual contributions to fund grassroots organisations working to improve the lives of women and girls across the Northern Rivers. By supporting local organisations that understand the needs of their communities, members help create practical, lasting change where it is needed most.
Whether it is supporting women experiencing domestic and family violence, improving access to health and wellbeing services, strengthening opportunities for education and leadership, or helping women recover and rebuild following natural disasters, every grant made through the Women’s Giving Circle represents local people investing in local solutions. It is one tangible way our community can help address the issues discussed throughout the evening by backing the grassroots organisations already making a difference.
A sincere thank you to our remarkable speakers, everyone who attended, our dedicated volunteers, and the many event supporters who helped bring the evening to life. We extend a special thank you to Odette & Co, whose creativity, guidance and behind the scenes coordination were instrumental in making No Small Thing such a memorable and meaningful event. Additionally, we are extremely grateful to Macro Impact Consulting for helping us create a more inclusive event by supporting the provision of Auslan interpreters, ensuring more people could be part of the night.
If the conversations sparked by No Small Thing resonated with you, we’d love to welcome you to the NRCF Women’s Giving Circle. Together, we’re supporting local organisations that are creating lasting change for women and girls across the Northern Rivers. Join here.
Photo credit: Olivia Katz Photography
