Business
21 March, 2026
Down to business
THE Cassowary Coast Business Women’s Network marked International Women’s Day in style on 8 March, gathering at Kurrimine Beach for a special ‘Bubbles at the Beach’ event in celebration of International Women’s Day and 22 years of empowering local women in business.
Members and guests enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by chef Marco and hosted by Ali Eberhard and team at King Reef Resort.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Give To Gain’ encouraged generosity, collaboration and the power of reciprocity. The message was clear: when communities invest in women, opportunities grow, and when women thrive, everyone benefits.
Attendees paired up for conversations designed to uncover shared interests, experiences, and professional insights. In many cases, the randomly matched pairs discovered surprising similarities, sparking lively discussions and new connections. Each duo later shared what they had learned about one another, creating a fun and meaningful way to strengthen relationships across the region’s business community.
Lucky winners of birthday prizes were Brooke Fisher, Deb Harle and Hannah Baird.
The event also reflected on the network’s beginnings. On 8 March 2004, the group held its very first meeting to decide whether to proceed, and 22 years later, its success speaks for itself.
The group’s increased growth and popularity is a testament to the network’s enduring credibility, community spirit and founding president Jennifer Downs, who attended the special celebration.
Membership has grown significantly, rising from 19 members three years ago to 72 today. The network continues to attract both long term locals and newcomers who value a supportive, professional environment where women can develop their businesses and build strong connections.
With a vibrant mix of members and guests, the network is thriving and expanding its support for women across the Cassowary Coast.
The next event is on 21 April at Shanti Café, Mission Beach, where Patrick and his team will serve Mediterranean inspired cuisine. Guests will work in small teams to assess their knowledge of the Cassowary Coast region, local businesses, the network, as well as a dash of general trivia, promising a fun, social evening with stacks of new facts to discover.
Bookings are available online via www.ccbwn.org.au.
Read More: Innisfail