The Orana Every Woman Festival.Three festivals. One evolving vision. A fourth on the horizon.
What began as a single free day at the Cultural Centre has grown into a week-long regional celebration — and it's still growing. Here's the story so far.
Four editions, one throughline.
The first ever. A free community day at the Western Plains Cultural Centre — ~350 women, 3 panels, entertainment, community services, free lunch. Every panel session fully attended.
Same format, quietly bigger. Slightly increased attendance, all panels at capacity, expanded service participation and community support.
The leap: a full week. 520+ women through the door, ~1,000 attendances, 40 events across 7 days, a sold-out finale at Crossroads, and recognition in the NSW Parliament.
4–8 March 2027. This edition launches alongside a new year-round home — The Orana Woman — with the festival as its annual peak.
Three women, a free day at the Cultural Centre, and the first Moment Lounge.
The festival began as the Dubbo Women's Festival — built by three women: Lorna Brennan, Joanne "Nurse Jo" Phillips, and me (Sharon Quill). A free day of care, information and connection at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, with panels on the health topics nobody was talking about, lunch under the trees, and the first Moment Lounge — created by Erifili Davis and supported by our first believers and sponsors, Charnie Tuckey and Rose Prout.
It grew the way good things grow out here: by trust.
By 2026 it had become the Orana Every Woman Festival — 520 women, nearly 1,000 attendances, 40 events across seven days, women travelling from 50km and further, a sold-out finale at Crossroads, and recognition in the NSW Parliament.
"I drove three hours. I'd do it again. There's nothing like this anywhere else in regional NSW — and it matters that it exists here, in Dubbo."
The week, as it happened.
Seven days. One region, holding the line.
Sold out at Crossroads. Recognised in the NSW Parliament. Women travelling from 50km and further.
The sisterhood shaping this Festival
This list is a starting point — the festival is co-created with dozens of artists, community services, businesses and local leaders across the Orana. If a name is missing, please get in touch.
A fourth festival. A new home for it, year-round.
2027 marks the next edition — and the launch of The Orana Woman, a living platform for the women of the Orana, with this festival as its annual peak.