FEMALES around the world marked International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8.
The UN themed the 2015 IWD as "Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!"
The organisation said: "It is the time to uphold women’s achievements, recognise challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part."
Among the celebrations was a luncheon held at St George in the lead-up to the official day, attended by 240 people.
Luncheon organiser Robin Fuhrmeister said the ninth annual event was a great way to bring local women together.
"We have so many multicultural residents in town, for us it's making sure women have the opportunity to have a voice and are given a chance to network," Ms Fuhrmeister said.
"We're all time poor, we're all busy.
"This gives us one day a year we can all sit down and have a chat."
Heather Wilson, Wilgunya, and Chloe Brown, Bonathorne, Dirranbandi. Click on the image to view a gallery from the event.
Guest speakers were Debra Howe, joined by St George ladies Kym Macfarlane and Jayne Davidson.
Ms Howe spoke of her experiences as she dealt with multiple cancers. She also previously won the 2010 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Community and Government Award.
Ms Macfarlane discussed her family's personal battle with drought, experienced on her properties at St George and Charleville.
Ms Davidson shared her journey from enduring flooding to volunteering in an overseas orphanage.
With 2016 set to be the tenth IWD luncheon at St George, Ms Fuhrmeister said plans were already underway.
"It's making sure women have the opportunity for have a voice and are given a chance to network."
She said the committee plans to grow the event to accommodate 300 guests.
"We've already approached some ladies to speak," Ms Fuhrmeister said.
"Next year is all about celebrating our successes for ten years and bringing some of the ladies back who have spoken at the beginning and seeing if their lives have changed."