A South Gippy woman who has championed Women's Sheds across Victoria is calling on the community to support a movement empowering women and girls to shape their own futures through practical skills and social connection as International Women’s Day approaches.
Jen Belsar, who has been instrumental in establishing Women's Sheds across Victoria, will speak at a special International Women’s Day event in Foster on Thursday, 12 March at 5pm at the South Gippsland Hospital Community Health Centre.
The event aligns with the United Nations Women Australia's call to "Balance the Scales", which demands that "every woman and girl – regardless of her background or identity – deserves to feel safe, heard, and free to shape her own future."
Jen's journey began with the Women's Shed program at Alphington Community Shed, followed by another in Garfield. She now conducts regular welding workshops for women at her Hammerhead Gallery and was instrumental in founding the Korumburra Women's Shed, securing a lease for the former Railway Goods Shed in April 2025.
"There is a perception that women should be doing other things other than getting dirty using power tools," Jen told Korumburra3950.com.au in an interview. "Women live in houses and houses need maintenance. If you can do that yourself you are not dependent on someone else."
The social connections and shared goals add another dimension to the Women's Shed experience.
"This is a community project showing how far women have come and also the region," Jen said. "We've had women from Foster to Loch and all the far edges of the South Gippsland Shire. We also have women from outside the shire who come in with the idea of learning how to use power tools."
Jen emphasised the importance of community connection, particularly for older women moving to new areas.
"When you are a younger woman your connections are built through the children: through school and kids activities, and then through your own work and sport," she said. "When you get to an older age it's like well, how do I make friends now when moving to a new area?"
When Korumburra lost its shed two years ago, members felt they had lost their tribe and friends.
"The beautiful thing is that you can make friends instantly in this group which is really important for a lot of our members," Jen said. "The resilience, the sense of community, the friendships … you can't put a value on it."
Jen is coming to Foster on Thursday, 12 March at 5pm to speak about Women's Sheds and their impact on the South Gippsland community. RSVPs are essential as numbers are strictly limited. Contact South Gippsland Hospital Community Health Centre on 5683 9777 or email reception@sghs.com.au.
