PHOTOS: Toowoomba celebrates women at Protea Place’s IWD event

There wasn’t an empty seat or a dry eye in the room at Protea Place’s International Women’s Day event. See all the photos here.

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Emma Meiklejohn, Gabriella Behr, Maddison Hill, Lindy McLean and Hayley Darcy at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

More than 100 people gathered to celebrate and recognise International Women’s Day (IWD) in Toowoomba.

Protea Place Women’s Support Centre (PPWSC) chief executive officer Amanda Dalton said since hosting the first in 2019, the IWD lunch had become one of its signature events.

“It is a day we can all make some noise and celebrate the achievements and recognise the challenges faced by women,” Ms Dalton said.

“We always say ‘every day is IWD at PPWSC’ and we truly believe that.”

Inspiring the sellout crowd of 156 people, were guest speakers Dr Lauren Humby, Alison Kennedy and Melissa Keogh-Lancaster.

“This year we wanted to honour local women who had faced adversity – each of their journeys are very different but very much share a common thread of adversity, trauma and the challenges that life can throw at us all,” Ms Dalton said.

“Their stories are deeply personal, highly emotional and confronting, however there is also a strong message of resilience, strength and dignity in overcoming difficult life events.”

Lisa Seydel (left) and Anita Houldsworth at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Chelsea Saldumbide (left) and Anna Radel at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Janelle Prior (left) and April Long at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Janelle Prior (left) and April Long at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Robon (left) and Harriet Ryan at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Paula McGuire (left) and Donna Prestridge at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Emma Meiklejohn, Gabriella Behr, Maddison Hill, Lindy McLean and Hayley Darcy at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Loretta Stuart, Terri Boyce and Sarah Parry-Okeden at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Emma Hayward, Emma Arthy, Emma Brown and Tess Woodall at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Michelle Brodie, Melissa Hopkins, Helen Wagner and Rachael Welsh at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Janelle Prior (left) and April Long at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Andrew and Sarah Wielandt at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon guest speakers (from left) Melissa Keogh-Lancaster, Alison Kennedy and Lauren Humby at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Annette Scarborough, Natalie Fogarty and Tiffany Ernst at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Emma Menyweather, Ashley Gray and Veronica McKeon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) guest speaker Melissa Keogh-Lancaster, Suzanne Mason and Tracy Curless at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Chelsea Saldumbide (left) and Anna Radel at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Annette Scarborough, Natalie Fogarty and Tiffany Ernst at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Emma Menyweather, Ashley Gray and Veronica McKeon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Sharon Learmonth, guest speaker Lauren Humby, Kay Priebbenow and Bec Meppem at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Jacintha Wilson (left) and Chloe Kemph at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Jayne Tyson, Annie Sendall and (celebrating her birthday) Teresa Smith at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Lisa Seydel (left) and Anita Houldsworth at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Georgie Carswell (left) and Annie Smith at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Robon (left) and Harriet Ryan at the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Kim Wann, Louise Bizzell and Rebecca Steinmuller at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon guest speakers (from left) Melissa Keogh-Lancaster, Lauren Humby and Alison Kennedy at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Bronwyn Blanck (left) and Tess Lawry at Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) event MC Kim Stokes, Protea Place CEO Amanda Dalton and president Megan O'Shannessy at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Jessica Dawson, Jenna Hall and Jill Tyler at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Julie Forster, Kathleen Flower and Amanda Pearl at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

At the Protea Place International Women's Day luncheon are (from left) Kayci Delaney, Megan Thomas, Tammy Riehl and Allison Faulkner at Fitzy's, Tuesday, March 8, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer