Bryce pays us a visit

Southbank celebrated International Women’s Day with a visit from the most powerful woman in Australia, Governor General, Quentin Bryce.

Ms Bryce was in town to attend the Half the Sky event at Melbourne Recital Centre, held to commemorate International Women’s Day.

The event included a speech from Ms Bryce, among other guests, plus performances from high-profile female artists such as Clare Bowditch and Em Rusciano.

International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) spokesperson for Half the Sky Kelly Smith-Holbourn said the event was a great success and the organisers were thrilled with the response to it.

“We were really pleased with how the event turned out. All our artists and speakers gave moving and outstanding performances and we had a great crowd of supporters who really made the evening into the uplifting celebration that it was,” Ms Smith-Holbourn said.

She said Ms Bryce’s speech was one of the highlights of the day.

“IWDA’s president Therese McCarthy and executive director Joanna Hayter were both very relevant and engaging as well. The artists donated their time and did a fantastic job.”

“We were lucky to be able to hold Half the Sky at Melbourne Recital Centre in the arts precinct of Southbank. It’s a beautiful venue that was perfect for the occasion, and the location was convenient both for us and for our guests.”