2026 International Women's Day Luncheon

Women carry the care economy: it’s time we elevate them & celebrate them!

Australia’s care economy turns over hundreds of billions and employs a predominantly female workforce (approximately 1.8 million). Yet challenges persist that include the leadership glass ceiling, workforce shortages, the gender pay gap and poor tech uptake in the face of unpredictable reform.

Undeniably it is women who hold up the Care Economy, who are at the forefront of reform, who drive impact and who must influence the future of Care.

About

The 2026 International Women’s Day Luncheon – “Championing Women in Care” celebrates South Australian Women in Care Leadership, the changemakers transforming our care sectors – including professionals from the disability, health, mental health, aged care, broader care and early childhood education sectors.

Hosted by Sector Leader and Community Builder, Cassie Day, this event is a rare opportunity for busy leaders and emerging leaders to genuinely connect while nurturing collaborative opportunities with like-minded values-based professionals across the South Australian Care Economy.

Real Talk, Real Insights and Real Strategies to amplify impact and influence.

What You’ll Gain

• Genuine connection with cross-sector leaders & changemakers
• Real solutions, insights, inspo and ideas to implement into your own leadership practice
• A moment to celebrate yourself and your team in amongst the busy-ness of business
• Contribution to the reform conversation and agenda
• Have space held by others in similar circumstances to you
• Reinvigorated energy, drive and momentum to take the next big steps for you

Luncheon Highlights

Together, we’ll explore themes of courage, resilience, advocacy and sustainable impact — professionally and personally.

• Event Emcee:                    Kate Burr, Comic Intelligence
• Opening Address:             The Hon. Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Women - TBC
• Keynote Address:             Taimi Allan, Mental Health Commissioner - SA
• Onstage Conversation:   Dr Gill Hicks OAM MBE, Global Speaker & 2015 South Australian of the Year, with Cassie Day
• Keynote:                            Cassie Day, Speaker, Consultant & Community Builder - Cassie Day Consulting

Join us at Morphettville Racecourse on Friday, 27 February 2026, 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM, and be part of a room full of women championing better outcomes for the people and communities they serve.

Event Details

📅 Friday, 27 February 2026
🕰️ 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM
📍 Morphettville Racecourse - Wolf Blass Event Centre
🎟️ Tickets: $197 pp (inclusive of GST & Booking Fee)

Your Ticket Includes

🍽️ A 2-course meal including Entree & Main
🍹 Non-alcholic beverages including Water, Tea, Coffee, Juice and Soft Drink
🥂 A glass of Sparkling on arrival + A selection of Wine placed on tables to share
🍷 Additional alcohol will be available for purchase

The Space & Other Important Stuff

• A modern fully physically accessible space - lift, escalators, rails, bathrooms
• An abundance of FREE carparking
• Large open space with floor to ceiling windows with natural light across the entire room
• Breakout spaces available - indoor and outdoor
• Two large screens fixed at the front of the room
• We are exploring with our tech partners closed captioning - updates to come
• For Companion Card holders -Unfortunately we are unable to provide free tickets for companions for this event.

🤝 Cross-sector connection, collaboration & networking

Celebrating South Australian Female Leaders Across

👶 Early Childhood
💪 Disability (including NDIS) & Aged Care
🧠 Health & Mental Health
💞 Care, Kinship Care and Carer Support 

🌟 A special afternoon to connect, be inspired, and celebrate women driving impact in care.

United Nations International Women's Day Theme for 2026: 

“Balance The Scales”

Highlighting the urgent need to ensure fair, inclusive,
and accessible justice for every woman and girl.

UN Women Australia CEO Simone Clarke said:“Balance the Scales is a promise for every woman and girl to be safe, heard, and free to shape her own future. In 2026, unjust laws, policies, and ingrained barriers still stand in the way of fair and inclusive communities. This International Women’s Day, we are calling on Australians to join a movement for real action – to transform our justice systems, amplify marginalised voices, and ensure equality is not the exception, but the rule.”

#IWD2026