On Wednesday 8 March 2023, City of Greater Bendigo Deputy Youth Mayor Lilly Correll attended the International Women’s Day celebrations at Parliament House Victoria at the invitation of Deputy Premier and Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan.

More than 120 influential women were invited to attend the Parliament House event. All of them are outstanding community members that have received recognition for their accomplishments throughout Victoria. Deputy Youth Mayor Lilly Correll had the honour of speaking with so many incredible women and embraced their knowledge with tremendous excitement.

The guest speaker, Belinda Young, the Victorian recipient of Local Hero 2023 at the Australian of the Year Awards, passionately discussed how she empowers women in her neighbourhood through her "Mums of the Hills" Facebook page, which has expanded well beyond a simple Facebook group. She espoused the value of human connection and the fact that, in emergency situations, our reliance on the internet isn't necessarily a negative thing. She described how, while living in the Dandenong Mountains, she had to improve her skills to deal with life on her tiny property as a woman. This realisation came to her after she fell off a ladder while alone at home. For Deputy Youth Mayor Correll, Belinda Young's speech and presence was inspiring young women by showing them that it is possible for one woman to start something amazing and that it just takes a single incident—falling off a ladder—to spark an innovative concept.

Belinda Young’s support for better NBN and MOtHs (Mothers of the Hills) initiative is what earned her Victoria’s Local Hero for 2023. Deputy Youth Mayor Correll was left feeling tremendously encouraged and pleased to be a woman by this amazing speaker and inspirational woman.

Ministers and other influential women also spoke during this event including; Minister for Women, Natalie Hutchins; Shadow Minister for Women, Cindy McLeish; and Speaker of the Victorian Legislative Assembly Maree Edwards.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Maree Edwards, and the Deputy Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, both treated Deputy Youth Mayor Correll with the utmost warmth. She was excited to speak with them both and discuss Greater Bendigo at length.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan was kind enough to get Deputy Youth Mayor Correll a seat to watch Question Time at Parliament House after the event. Deputy Youth Mayor Correll watched in awe as Maree Edwards, an incredibly strong woman, artfully kept the room in check, as both sides debated on questions surrounding energy and efficiency, and updated the room on International Women's Day, and just how far women had progressed.

Deputy Youth Mayor Correll said, “It was inspiring to watch both the Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards and the Member for Bendigo East and Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan speak so eloquently in Question Time.” Deputy Youth Mayor Correll had a bird's eye view of the chamber and felt proud to see so many women sitting in Parliament, everyone dressed in small symbols of purple to celebrate women and their achievements.  

After question time, Deputy Youth Mayor Correll had the incredible honour of hearing Judy Maddigan, the first female Speaker of the House, speak on the history and current position of women in politics. She discussed how far women had come and the advancements they had made since being permitted to run for office in 1923. Then, Deputy Youth Mayor Correll met Judy Maddigan and asked, “What her best advice would be for a young woman like herself?” Judy Maddigan advice was: 'Never give up'.

Deputy Youth Mayor Correll gained a newfound sense of pride in being a woman after the day, which included lunch with presenter Belinda Young, viewing the House in operation, and hearing Judy Maddigan speak. These opportunities made available to young women in the community of Greater Bendigo are crucial in connecting and empowering people like Lilly to pursue greatness and realise their objectives. This opportunity was provided by being a member of the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council, which only emphasises the significance of the Youth Council and the contributions it makes to the community.