Delegates attending Hort Connections 2019, the biggest event in the Australasian horticulture industry, will have an opportunity to make a real difference to women who are doing it tough by supporting a special charity partner.

The annual Women in Horticulture event is sponsored by Boomaroo Nurseries and will be held during Hort Connections 2019 in Melbourne on Wednesday 26 June from 2:30pm. AUSVEG and Boomaroo Nurseries have partnered with the charity Share the Dignity, which facilitates the donation of sanitary products to allow women who are in a crisis, or homeless, with a sense of dignity at a time when they need it most.

The charity makes a strong on-the-ground difference to homeless women and victims of domestic violence by providing them with thousands of personal hygiene products every year. Share the Dignity also funds funerals for victims of domestic violence and campaigns for justice for women across Australia.

“Having dignity, which can be as simple as having access to personal hygiene products, is something that many of us take for granted,” AUSVEG Deputy Chair Belinda Adams said.

“This year’s Women in Horticulture event provides a rare opportunity for delegates to help make a huge difference in the lives of women who are really struggling.”

Boomaroo Nurseries Head of Marketing, Strategy and New Business Development Emily White said there are a range of ways for delegates to make a donation to Share the Dignity.

“We are encouraging everyone attending Hort Connections, including the Women in Horticulture event, to bring along any unopened personal hygiene products for donation. There will also be an opportunity to provide a cash donation during the event, or you can donate directly on the charity’s website at sharethedignity.com.au,” she said.

“In order to make a real difference we will need as much support as possible from our delegates, because a small act of kindness will go a long way to providing dignity to Australia’s most vulnerable women.”

In addition to partnering with the charity, the Women in Horticulture event will allow more than 250 delegates to hear from two inspiring keynote speakers – Australian zoologist Tammie Matson and Wise Advocate Enterprises CEO Josie Thomson – about developing resilience and maintaining wellness in order to live a truly happy, meaningful and fulfilling life. The finalists for the 2019 Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award will also be acknowledged.

Last year, the Women in Horticulture event raised more than $7,000 for the National Breast Cancer Foundation’s GO PINK week, to help achieve its goal of zero breast-cancer related deaths by 2020.

Hort Connections 2019 is the premiere event for the horticulture industry and will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 24-26 June. For more information or to register, visit hortconnections.com.au.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: 03 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au