The Seven Sisters Festival is designed for women to design their own program on each of its four days. Photo: Andy Wilson
Photo by
Andy Wilson
The Seven Sisters Festival continues its welcome return to the Goulburn Valley from November 24 to 27 in its 11th year of celebration and nurture.
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The retreat-styled women’s festival will be held on the Glenaroua property of founder Lauren Woodman after eight years on the Mornington Peninsula.
Dr Woodman first held the festival in Kialla West in 2012 and attracted 350 women.
This year’s festival is aiming to accommodate 2,500.
The alcohol and drug-free event is open to women and people who self-identify as women and features seven workspaces to give attendees a variety of experiences.
The festival gives opportunity for women in the rural community to have what Dr Woodman describes as an ‘immersive experience’.
“What makes it unique is that attendees can curate their own program from all the options,” Dr Woodman said.
“There are no keynote speakers or anything like that, which is a good thing.
“You can start your day with yoga, then do some art or music or whatever you want from the many options.
“Afterwards you could attend a dance class, such as either a sacred rage dance or Bollywood dance.
“There is also a massive healing village with about 90 healers and readers working on a donation basis.
“So it is good value for money.”
Festival founder Lauren Woodman said the event was multigenerational. “Mothers bring teenage daughters, others bring grandmothers and aunts and cousins."
The festival will have ‘mums and bubs’ lounge and a hammock area for resting.
A small village of more than 100 stalls from around Australia will line the main thoroughfare.
“Women tend to do a bit of shopping,” Dr Woodman said.
“We had a lot of applicants for stall holders and so we have secured the best.”
The festival has already connected with the Seymour community, including the CFA and Scout troop, and the Seymour Men’s Shed has constructed picnic benches.
A welcome to the Taungurung country and smoking ceremony has been arranged with local elder Aunty Jo Honeysett, and First Nations dancers will again perform.
Attendees describe the festival as an “institution” which Dr Woodman is confident will continue at its new location.
“The festival is so life-changing for people. It’s for those who need a bit of a life re-set,” she said.
“The floods in October (2022) affected many and we know that this affected rural women, so hopefully they can come and recalibrate.”
Last year’s flooding has resulted in a major overhaul of the site where Dr Woodman and her team of overseas backpackers are currently working around the clock with excavators and turf lawn installations to complement the view of the valley and surrounding hills.
Past festivals have been sold out, and this year Seven Sisters is offering some ‘Rise Up’ goodwill tickets to help those in need.
Dr Woodman and Rani the Pomeranian oversee the reconstructed site for this year's festival, which aims to beat last year's record crowd of 3100.
“It is multi-generational too,” Dr Woodman said.
“Mothers bring teenage daughters, others bring grandmothers and aunts and cousins.
“We have discussion groups to help young girls learn more about their changing bodies and hormones and also for those going through menopause.
“People come year after year and see it as their own little retreat.”
Further information about the range of packages, including options for accommodation, can be found at:www.sevensistersfestival.com
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