International Women's Day SA

Recognising South Australian Women's

Achievements Since 1938

The first organisation of its type in Australia to acknowledge womens' contribution and service to the communities of South Australia.

International Women's Day SA

Recognising South Australian Women's Achievements Since 1938


The first organisation of its type in Australia to acknowledge womens' contribution and service to the communities of South Australia.

About IWD

We are a registered South Australian

Not-For-Profit Organisation

The first official meeting of the International Women’s Day Association (SA) Inc was held in 1938 and attended by the Women’s Council of Trade Unions, the Women’s Peace Pledge Union, the League of Women Voters, the Women’s Welfare League and many other women’s groups.

Our governing committee which is elected at each year’s AGM protects and furthers the objectives and purposes of the Association, which are:

• To hold a public function at least once per year which includes to celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8th) each year; and

• To undertake appropriate other actions as and when decided by the Committee from time to time to ensure that the celebration of International Women’s Day is appropriate to the purpose of raising the status of women in the community as a whole; and

• To elevate to eminence of women by promoting, encouraging and recognising the contribution by South Australian women in fields such as community involvement, leadership volunteering and mentoring, across all commercial and non commercial sectors.

Membership is free, join us here.

We also welcome enquiries from people interested in joining committee of the
International Women’s Day Association (SA).

SPONSOR AN EVENT
JOIN THE COMMITTEE
MORE INFORMATION HERE
MORE INFORMATION

IWD Annual Events

International Women’s Day is globally recognised annually on March 8th

IWD SA’s event is always held on or near this date. Watch for announcements as tickets sell fast. Pre-Covid IWD SA’S luncheons, at which the achievements of South Australian women were recognised and issues affecting women worldwide discussed attracted large audiences in the many hundreds.

From 2022, IWD SA’s celebration of International Women’s Day has taken the form of a High Tea at Adelaide Town Hall and has also proved very popular. Attendees hear addresses by guest speakers, community leaders selected to speak on a topic related to current issues impacting women and which relate to their particular area of expertise whilst aligning with the International Women’s Day theme for the year. Some more recent topics have been in 2020, Australian Women and Poverty; in 2023, Women and Ageing and in 2004, Economic Empowerment for Women.

At the event, annual Awards are  presented to individuals in recognition of their contribution to further the voice of women through their community service and personal endeavours. The audience typically is made up of predominately by women along with some men from a wide range of personal and professional backgrounds: Governor of South Australia, State and Federal members of Parliament, local government Mayors, university academics, prominent community leaders, corporate and business representatives, school students, public servants and others from various walks of life.

The annual IWD event gives people an opportunity to publicly show their support for women and their commitment to gender equality. People tell us how much they enjoy our events, many returning year after year. Generally the event is self-funded through ticket sales and supplemented as much as possible with external sponsorship.

SECURE YOUR 2026 TICKETS HERE

IWD Awards

It is a great honor to receive an International Women’s Day South Australia annual Award. Each year individuals are nominated for community service awards, the winners of which are presented at IWD SA’s annual event held in March. Please nominate someone you know or know of who is doing great work to support women in their community.

The awards are as follows:

Irene Bell Award

Irene Bell, who was born in 1906 and died in 1995, was a member of the International Women’s Day Committee for more than 35 years, 30 of which she was the Honorary Secretary. The Irene Bell Award seeks to recognise and value service to women in South Australia.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF NOMINATION FORM HERE

OR

Closing date: 7 February 2026 Winners and their nominators will be notified by email from the IWD Committee before 28 February 2026 Forward nomination papers to: Email awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au Post IWD Association SA Inc. PO Box 488 or Fill in the online form and submit Torrensville Plaza SA 5031 Fax 08 8352 1266 For further information contact Award Subcommittee awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

AVAILABLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
NOMINEE NAME

Irene Krastev Award

Irene Krastev was a founding member of the Migrant Women’s Lobby Group, which presents the award to a woman from a migrant or refugee background who has made a significant contribution to the community.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF NOMINATION FORM HERE

OR

Closing date: 7 February 2026 Winners and their nominators will be notified by email from the IWD Committee before 28 February 2026 Forward nomination papers to: Email awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au Post IWD Association SA Inc. PO Box 488 or Fill in the online form and submit Torrensville Plaza SA 5031 Fax 08 8352 1266 For further information contact Award Subcommittee awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

AVAILABLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
NOMINEE NAME

Barbara Polkinghorne Memorial Award

Barbara Polkinghorne was the daughter of Leonora Polkinghorne, a noted early feminist, who stood for Parliament in South Australia in 1930. Barbara trained as a journalist and worked in the newspaper industry, developing strong and clear views about the portrayal of women in the media. Her Cassandra column for the Women’s Electoral Lobby Newsletter was clear, concise and often cutting and was popular reading for women all over Australia.

DOWNLOAD THE PDF NOMINATION FORM HERE

OR

Closing date: 7 February 2026 Winners and their nominators will be notified by email from the IWD Committee before 28 February 2026 Forward nomination papers to: Email awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au Post IWD Association SA Inc. PO Box 488 or Fill in the online form and submit Torrensville Plaza SA 5031 Fax 08 8352 1266 For further information contact Award Subcommittee awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

AVAILABLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
NOMINEE NAME

Young Women’s Community and Spirit Award

The South Australian Young Women’s Community and Spirit Award aims to recognise outstanding achievements and dedication of young South Australian women aged 12-30 years.

OR

Closing date: 7 February 2026 Winners and their nominators will be notified by email from the IWD Committee before 28 February 2026 Forward nomination papers to: Email awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au Post IWD Association SA Inc. PO Box 488 or Fill in the online form and submit Torrensville Plaza SA 5031 Fax 08 8352 1266 For further information contact Award Subcommittee awards@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

AVAILABLE AWARD NOMINATIONS
NOMINEE NAME

IWD Constitution

International Women’s Day Association of South Australia Constitution

 Click here to download a copy of the current Constitution.

IWD FAQ

In case you have questions?

Once tickets go on sale each year, usually in December, we’ll place an online booking link to trybooking.com on this website, please also check notifications on our Facebook page.
If you wish to discuss other payment options, or request a tax invoice please email the Committee via info@iwdcommitteesa.org.au.

There are 10 seats per table.
If you wish to organise a table with colleagues or friends, it is best to book and pay for all the tickets at the same time. We will reserve a table for you and your party.

In trybooking, select Quantity = 10, and click on Continue Booking, eventually paying for all 10.
A specific table will be allocated to you, so please ensure the other 9 guests are aware your booking name for when they arrive at the venue.

You can follow us on Facebook or join our mailing list.

Your support to IWD SA will help ensure the recognition of South Australian women for their contributions to communities, continues. We are a community organisation run entirely by volunteers since 1938 and that is something worth preserving.
We would love to be able to do more to support the women of South Australian Women, particularly in marginalized situations and they need your help.
We will welcome your contribution in a number of ways.
Cash sponsorship
Buy a table or tables at the annual event
Donate a prize for the Raffles, First Ticket Purchased or Lucky Spot, all drawn and presented on the day. 
Donate a prize for Award winners, also presented on the day
Donation of an additional amount towards the cost of a table
Contact the committee via info@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

The Committee welcomes new members at any time. We hold monthly meetings a mix of face to face and ZOOM, with more frequent meetings and working bees closer to the annual event.
Interested? We love seeing new faces around the table. Find out more via committee@iwdcommitteesa.org.au

Awards are made to women of any South Australian community, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and young women. It’s a huge honour to be nominated, please put a smile in their day by submitting a nomination for someone you know or know of. You can download the Nomination Form for each award by clicking the links below.
SA Young Women’s Award
Irene Bell Award
Irene Krastev Award
Barbara Polkinghorne Award

Contact Us

You can contact us at the postal address below, email us or fill in the contact form and send. We'll reply as soon as possible.

  • PO Box 488, Torrensville Plaza SA 5031
  • info@iwdcommitteesa.org.au
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