International Women's Day
Published on 04 March 2026
International Women’s Day is on Sunday 8 March, a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender equality.
Balancing the Scales at The Wangaratta Sports & Aquatic Centre this International Women’s Day means a chance for us to recognise all the incredible women who uplift our community through leadership, resilience and passion. This year's theme, “Balancing the Scales” means to reflect on equity in sport, recreation and exercise.
This International Women's Day, we are excited to share and celebrate two local women who inspire balance, inclusion and empowerment every day.
Laura Nelson, Customer Experience Officer
If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the Wangaratta Sports & Aquatic Centre, chances are you’ve had a chat with Laura. And if you’ve been in more than once, then you already know one of her superpowers: remembering every single patron’s name. Laura brings a warmth and familiarity to the Centre that makes people feel seen, welcomed and genuinely part of the WSAC community. Setting the tone for the culture of women supporting women.
But there’s so much more to Laura’s story than the WSAC front counter. After surviving meningitis in 2011, eight weeks in hospital and months re-learning how to walk, followed by a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, Laura emerged with a new kind of strength, and a fierce commitment to helping every woman feel supported, seen and celebrated. At WSAC, Laura’s made it her job to ensure woman has a place where they can feel amazing, capable and completely themselves, and she shows up for it every single day.
Laura has also dedicated more than a decade to the emergency services, serving with both VICSES and CFA. She's guided teams through some of Victoria’s most significant emergencies, including the 2019 and 2020 bushfires, the 2022 Goulburn Valley floods, and the 2024 Warrenbayne storm event. From logistics and relief centre leadership to water rescue triage and divisional command operations. Her service has been recognised with a National Emergency Medal, a VICSES Service Pin for significant incident contribution, and in 2025 she marked an impressive ten years of service.
Her commitment to gender equality is equally powerful. As a core member of the VICSES Women in Rescue working group, Laura has helped design initiatives that build confidence, capability and a sense of belonging for women in operational rescue roles, work that contributed to her receiving the 2025 Emergency Services Foundation Women’s Equity Initiative Award. She also did Life Saving Victoria’s “Ready to Lead” program in 2024 and stepped into mentoring roles that continue to uplift other women across the emergency management sector. In 2025, she expanded her service again by joining the Molyullah CFA and District 23 Rehab Unit.
Raised locally since she was four, Laura has worn many hats across nursing, tourism, community recovery and emergency services before joining WSAC in 2023. She is a mother and stepmother of five. And because that doesn't keep her busy enough, every September she leads the Benalla SES “Step It Up” challenge, and she regularly takes part in the Melbourne Firefighters Stair Climb for suicide awareness.
At WSAC, Laura is a big believer in women supporting women. She says that “our team works because we recognise and celebrate each other’s strengths. We’re different ages, backgrounds and experiences, and that diverse mix is exactly what creates a truly balanced, nurturing culture that lifts everyone up”.
And for Laura, International Women’s Day really comes down to one thing: reminding women just how strong, capable and deserving they are, and celebrating everything they bring to our community - not just for 1 day, but 365.
Jackie Hobbs, Group Fitness Instructor
If you’ve spent any time in our studios or wandered into the café after a class, you’ve probably met Jackie Hobbs. And if you haven’t, she’s the one who will always stop what she’s doing to have a chat with anyone, about Pilates, running, cycling, or whatever you need to get off your chest. Whether you’re a regular or walking into one of our classes for the very first time.
At WSAC, Jackie teaches cycle and Pilates, and it doesn’t take long to realise how passionate she is about what movement can do for women. She especially loves teaching Pilates because of how transformative it is for women navigating peri‑menopause and menopause. Jackie says middle‑aged and older women are often forgotten about in the fitness world, when really, this is exactly when strong female role models matter most. Her philosophy is simple: it’s everyone’s first time living life, and we all deserve support through every phase of it.
Jackie’s endurance journey is one she shares proudly. Her first triathlon, completed when she turned 40, was a birthday present to herself, a personal challenge to celebrate hitting 40 with confidence instead of fear. Believing women shouldn’t shy away from ageing; but embrace it. And she’ll happily remind anyone that many of us hit our endurance prime later in life.
Injuries slowed her down for a while and running became a smaller part of her life. But a few years down the road, when the Centre Against Violence (CAV) put together a fun run team – she realised “some causes are just bigger than me.” She brought herself out of retirement because of how deeply she believed in what CAV was doing. Now three years in, Jackie not only became an ambassador for CAV, but spent a year training for and then completing a half‑marathon (in her 50’s). Surprising herself by not only achieving the goal but genuinely enjoying the challenge. Her message is clear: strength belongs to women at every age.
Jackie, originally from Corowa moving back to the region in 2010. Has become a treasured part of the WSAC family. One of the things she loves most about the Centre is the team she works with. A mix of older adults, teenagers starting their first job, parents, and everyone in between. The variety, she says, is priceless. It shapes the whole culture of the Centre and helps create a place where every woman, of every age, background and stage of life - feels they truly belong.
Jackie often says women spend their lives filling up everyone else’s cup. So in true International Women’s Day spirit, she believes in helping women refill their own. You’ll find her at WSAC almost every day, not because we’re making her, but because working with women, connecting with them, and watching them grow doesn’t drain her energy; it fills her up. Being here quite literally refuels her.
Empowering women isn’t something Jackie switches on for class and off when she leaves. It’s the beating heart and core of who she is, in the café, the community, and in the way she champions women to embrace their age, strength and story.
We are very proud to celebrate women like Laura and Jackie.
Our work doesn’t stop with sharing their stories.
We’re committed to continually improving the experience of women and girls who walk through our doors, through better programs, accessible spaces, stronger representation, and creating an environment where every woman feels supported, confident, safe and welcome.
To help us keep “balancing the scales,” we want to hear from you. Your voice helps shape a more inclusive, welcoming and empowering WSAC for everyone.
Click here to view form.