International Women’s Day

In celebration of International Women's Day, this month's featured ‘History Through Film’ documentary is 'Abortion, Corruption and Cops: The Bertram Wainer Story'. Catch a free screening at the library! Bookings are required.

In 1967, a young woman came to Dr Wainer's Melbourne surgery seeking emergency medical attention for a backyard procedure gone wrong. For Dr Wainer, this was the start of a long campaign to overturn laws that made terminations a criminal offence. In the process, he uncovered a tangled web of corruption, crooked deals and secret affairs.

Please note, this documentary covers themes that may upset some viewers. Please read the event description to decide if this program is right for you.

Monday 3 March, 2pm to 3.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
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Make your own personal pendant with guidance from local indigenous artist, Mandi Barton. Mandi is a Yorta Yorta Woman and Creative Designer who combines her artistic experience and wellbeing knowledge to create culturally safe spaces for the community.

In this hands-on, mindful workshop, Mandi will show you how to use traditional materials and techniques to create a pendant that is unique to you and your personal story. Bookings are required.

Wednesday 5 March, 1pm to 3pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
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Make your own unique artwork with guidance from local indigenous artist, Mandi Barton. Mandi is a Yorta Yorta Woman and Creative Designer who combines her artistic experience and wellbeing knowledge to create culturally safe spaces for the community.

In this hands-on, mindful workshop, you will make a unique piece of artwork using symbols, icons and words that reflect a personal story or memory. Bookings are reuquired.

Thursday 6 March, 10am to 12pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
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Author, Lucy Sussex, introduces 'Outrageous Fortunes' - the gripping story of Australia's first female crime writer and her career-criminal son.

When Mary Fortune arrived in Melbourne in 1855, she was determined to reinvent herself. 'The Detective's Album' was the first book of detective stories to be published in Australia and the first by a woman to be published anywhere in the world. Her work appeared in magazines and newspapers for over forty years – but none of her readers knew who she was. She wrote using pseudonyms, often adopting the voice of a male narrator to write about 'unladylike' subjects.

When Mary died in 1911, her identity was nearly lost. In 'Outrageous Fortunes', Megan Brown and Lucy Sussex retrieve Fortune's astonishing career and discover an equally absorbing story in her illegitimate son, George. While Mary was writing crime, George was committing it, with convictions for theft and bank robbery. In their intertwined stories, crime fiction meets true crime.

Come and learn more in this fascinating discussion with the author. Bookings are required. Copies of 'Outrageous Fortunes' will be available for purchase on the night.

Thursday 6 March, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
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As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Melton City Libraries will be showcasing films and resources that highlight women and girls, and the important role that they play in our history and society.

Bring the whole family to enjoy 'Moana', an animated musical adventure set in ancient Polynesia. Moana, the strong-willed daughter of a chief of a coastal village, is chosen by the ocean itself to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. (PG, 113 mins). Bookings are required.

Saturday 8 March, 1pm to 3pm, Caroline Springs Library & Learning Hub
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As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, Melton City Libraries will be showcasing films and resources that highlight women and girls, and the important role that they play in our history and society.

'Hidden Figures' is a biographical drama about three African-American mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race, facing both racism and sexism with grace and determination. (PG, 127 mins). Bookings are required.

Thursday 13 March, 5.45pm to 8pm, Melton Library & Learning Hub
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Join Jieng Round Table for a special free event in honour of International Women’s Day to:

• create a platform for people from different generations (youth, adults, seniors) to share experiences, challenges, and coping strategies related to mental health

• reduce stigma by showing that mental health is relevant to everyone, regardless of age and gender

• foster empathy and understanding between generations, recognising how mental health experiences evolve over time. 

This event is open to ALL audiences aged 16+ who are interested in intergenerational conversations about mental health through African lenses.

Individuals of all genders are encouraged to attend this event.  Tea, coffee and finger food provided.

Saturday 22 March, 12pm – 3pm, Melton Library and Learning Hub

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