The November event is a first for central Victoria and will draw together members of the sector, students, and government representatives. 

It will be free and open to the public, which steering committee member Sue Masters hoped would encourage people to learn more about the work being done to mitigate disadvantage in their community.

The showcase was born of the close ties organisations within the sector share.

“Often there is a lot of interaction and referral,” Ms Masters said. 

“Many of the agencies deal directly with women escaping family violence.”

She said people working in the space were keen to learn more from other agencies, but had limited opportunities to attend each other’s annual general meetings or annual stakeholder meetings. 

“Rather than compete for venues, dates, attendees and guest speakers, the concept of collaboration and coordination was conceived,” Ms Masters said.

In addition to the meetings, a guest speaker and panel discussion will be organised for the one-day event. 

Organisations will be host information stalls at the start of the showcase, and attend networking drinks at the end. 

The event will run from 1pm until 7pm on November 24.

“In a post-council election environment, the event would serve to demonstrate to potentially new councils how local community sector organisations, government departments and policymakers are working across local, regional, state and national levels,” Ms Masters said. 

The day after the showcase is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the start of the United Nations’ 16 days of activism against gender-based violence. 

Community Sector Showcase organisers have selected orange as its colour theme to show support for United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign.

Major landmarks worldwide will be lit orange to raise awareness for the UNiTE campaign.

One in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence, mostly by an intimate partner.