Manningham Council is partnering with the Manningham Women’s Friendship Group at this year’s International Women’s Day lunch to fundraise for disadvantaged Cambodian women.

The event will feature guest speaker, Melissa Noonan, co-founder and CEO of Limbs4Life, sharing her story about being an above-knee amputee and the journey of amputees in a third-world country.  

Founder of Manningham Women’s Friendship Group, Helen Jurcevic OAM, said landmines remained a major problem in Cambodia. 

“After three decades of war, the country has one of the highest rates of amputees in the world,” she said. 

“More than 40,000 people have a missing limb as a result of stepping onto landmines.

“When a farmer ploughing a rice field steps on a landmine, they are killed or maimed and can no longer work to support their family.”

Money raised at the event will go towards helping young women develop new skills to make a living as they suddenly become the main breadwinner in their families. 

“We want to raise enough money to enable 25 impoverished girls at the Arrupe Centre to receive an education and elevate them out of their cycle of poverty,” Helen said. 

Manningham Mayor Cr Paula Piccinini said the day was more than celebrating the achievements of women around the world. 

“It’s also recognising the challenges women face locally and internationally,” she said. 

“We are very excited to welcome Melissa, as guest speaker and one of Australia’s most versatile media personalities, Lucy Holmes, as MC. 

“Our IWD event is an opportunity for our community to help make a difference in the lives of these young Cambodian women.”

The event will include a two-course lunch, drinks, raffle prizes and a live auction. Proceeds from raffles and the auction will go towards the initiative.

For more information and bookings, visit manningham.vic.gov.au/iwd

Event details 
Friday, 8 March, 12.00pm to 2.30pm
Manningham Function Centre, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster 
$70 (including booking fee and $10 donation)