Each event will have a unique atmosphere and setting: one hosted at the ANFE Italian Club and the other, organised by Co.As.It. Community Services, will be at the Marquee in Victoria Park.
At the ANFE Italian Club on Saturday, March 7, the much-anticipated International Women’s Day High Tea will return—an event that has become a cherished tradition.
The initiative combines the elegance of the classic high tea with an authentic Italian touch: alongside the refined service, guests will enjoy espresso coffee, homemade sweets prepared from recipes passed down through generations and the traditional Mimosa cocktail—the emblematic drink of March 8 in Italy.
The program includes a two-course lunch with beverages and a welcome prosecco, all set within a convivial atmosphere that blends elegance, memory and a sense of belonging.
For ANFE, March 8 carries even deeper symbolic meaning. The association was founded on that very date by the Hon. Maria Federici Agamben, a prominent figure in Italy’s post-war social and political landscape.
It is also noteworthy that the Brisbane branch had a woman as its first elected president, Vera Frola—a powerful sign that female leadership has been part of the organisation’s identity since its beginning.
Women have always played, and continue to play, an irreplaceable role in transmitting traditions, building networks and driving innovation within the Italian community, supporting families, creating social connections and leading associations.
Also on Saturday, March 7, Co.As.It. Community Services will celebrate International Women’s Day with an event inspired by the theme Balance the Scales.
In an elegant, floral setting, the day aims to offer a moment of reflection while highlighting women’s contributions to contemporary society.
The event will be hosted by Kim Skubris, and one of the highlights will be a fashion show by Laura Churchill, whose previous presentations have been widely appreciated for blending elegance, creativity and feminine identity.
The gathering is intended as an opportunity for dialogue and connection, in line with Co.As.It.’s mission to support women through social services, programs and cultural initiatives.
Although the two events differ in format—one more intimate and rooted in club tradition, the other broader and more institutional in a major city venue—they both seek to recognise and celebrate the central role of Italian and Italian-Australian women in building the community.
Italian women have played a fundamental role in the history of migration. They have been custodians of language and traditions, held families together during the most difficult times, and worked both inside and outside the home, often quietly contributing to the stability and growth of the community.
They have founded associations, led organisations and promoted culture and solidarity.
Celebrating International Women’s Day in Brisbane therefore means not only marking a special day, but also honouring a history of resilience, determination and female leadership that has shaped the past and continues to guide the future of the Italian community in Australia.
