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UPDATE 3.30pm: Ms Gillard closed the event in speaking about the need for everyone to stand up and call out gendered reporting or gendered criticism – not just the woman in the spotlight. 

Noting that Hillary Clinton faced similar struggles, Ms Gillard said regardless of political persuasion, gendered barbs undermined democratic debate. 

UPDATE 2.30pm: A cluster of Bendigo locals on stage peppered Ms Gillard with questions, with some of the most insightful questions coming from high school students.

The discussion spanned, mental health, and schooling on a global level, and gender equality.

"I am an optimist on where we will end up," Ms Gillard said.

"We have a bit more to go before we see true equality."

She said gender equality had already advanced in her lifetime, recalling her own school days where she was studying "laundry" while boys took classes in metalwork.

Girls continuing to study in mathematics and sciences would help keep their future options open, she said.

UPDATE 2.15pm: Australia's first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard was warmly welcomed onto the Ulumbarra stage in Bendigo on Monday afternoon. 

Ms Gillard said it was a delight to be in Bendigo and told listeners there was a life after politics.

During her address, Ms Gillard shared her passion for education, explaining that 124 million children today do not have access to primary and lower secondary schooling.

Between her role as chancellor of Ducere and the hard policy work at the Brookings Institute in Washington, Ms Gillard said she is continuing to advocate to universal education.

EARLIER: From rubbing shoulders with the likes of Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton, former Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be gracing Bendigo’s Ulumbarra theatre today. 

Australia’s first female Prime Minister will be sharing pearls of wisdom about business, education and leadership with Bendigo students and community members alike. 

The highly anticipated Bendigo Business Council’s leadership lunch takes place from 12pm.