Matriarchs of Maribyrnong 2026
This year for International Women’s Day, we want to celebrate the Matriarchs among us
Please join us and nominate a local Matriarch in your world.
Matriarchs are women who lead with strength, love and power. They are the ones who hold families and communities together, who advocate for others, share wisdom and create change through their actions. Matriarchs pass on knowledge, culture and values, provide care and guidance, and often support others quietly and consistently.
By nominating a Matriarch, community members are recognising women whose influence extends beyond themselves, women who uplift and support others. This project is about honouring women’s leadership in all its forms and celebrating the women who make Maribyrnong a stronger, more connected place.
The Matriarchs will then be professionally photographed and their photos and stories shared across Council and at an exhibition at Footscray Town Hall on 4 March 2026 they will be invited to attend.
Please contact socialplanning@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au with any questions.
Please fill out the Expression of Interest form below.
Nominations close on Sunday 8 February 2026. All women nominated will be contacted by 12 February 2026.
International Women's Day 2026 Theme
Balance the Scales
Celebrating Matriarchs and combating ageism sits at the heart of the 2026 International Women’s Day theme, Balance the Scales.
Older women are too often made invisible, with their leadership and lived experience undervalued. Yet Matriarchs are often the quiet architects of justice in families and communities, advocating and leading long before systems respond.
Recognising Matriarchs is an act of justice. It challenges age-based discrimination, affirms women’s right to dignity and influence, and helps rebalance power across generations, supporting fair and accessible justice for every woman and girl.
Click here to view form.