Behind every story of strength, there’s often someone who helped us find it, a friend, a mentor, or even a stranger. These stories explore the people and connections that lift us up, and the surprising ways they shape who we become.
This November, Generation Women Australia: On the Road comes to Wollongong with a powerful line-up of six local Illawarra women — in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s+ — stepping on stage to share stories of strength, connection, and courage.
Through laughter, tears and truth-telling, you’ll hear how community and relationships can transform us — and be reminded that none of us has to face life alone.
Expect to laugh. Expect to cry. And expect to leave with a deeper sense of the ties that hold us together, and the strength we gain from one another.
This special event is proudly presented in partnership with West Street Centre and funded by Create NSW.
💫 Our Performer Line-up:
Team 20s - Shayne de Groot is lezzo and probably non-binary... but is also non-committal. They grew up on the far south coast of NSW, on unceded Yuin Country. Shayne is a playwright whose works have been longlisted for the Griffin Award and the Martin Lysicrates Prize; their debut play ‘dog’ was nominated for a Wayahead Mental Health Matters Award. Their work is grounded in queerness and mental health advocacy.
Team 30s - Mara Jean Quinn is a filmmaker, actor, writer, and artist. Her debut feature Andamooka screened at festivals worldwide and releases on VoD 3 Dec. She also made the ABC iView doco Desert Metal Dreaming and short The Tingle Test. Alongside consulting in film, Mara is producing the female-led thriller The Dog Walker, the kids’ animation Big Red, and writing a new feature exploring matrescence.
Team 40s - Lucy Nelson is an award-winning writer living on unceded Dharawal and Wodi Wodi Country. Her work appears in Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Big Issue and elsewhere. She has received the Newcastle Short Story Award and the Writing NSW Varuna Fellowship. Her new book Wait Here is published by Simon & Schuster.
Team 50s - Wendy Campbell is a Anaiwan and Kamilaroi woman, brought up between northwestern NSW, Qld and the Illawarra. She has had a keen passion for social justice from a young age and which lead her to obtain her degree is social welfare. She is a proud mother of two children and one beautiful granddaughter.
Team 60s - Debbie Arecco is a proud mother of 3 adult children and very actively involved with my 10 beautiful grandchildren. Her greatest professional achievement has been working with profoundly disabled children and adults . She also loves spending time with my church community where she co-ordinates a craft group as well as being a scripture teacher.
Team 70s - Born in Adelaide to Dutch post war migrants, Marianne Himmelriech has spent a lifetime in Wollongong observing its changing dynamics. Marianne through adversity has had to accept new ways of developing belonging and resilience in order to experience the quiet power of community which is so necessary for inclusion and survival .
About Generation Women
Generation Women is a global storytelling movement that celebrates women’s voices across the decades.
Founded in New York in 2017, Generation Women launched in Sydney in 2018 and Melbourne in 2020. Every show features six storytellers — one from each decade of life, from her 20s to her 70s+ — sharing original stories on a shared theme.
Why Generation Women Australia?
Generation Women Australia is proudly award-winning and is the only chapter in the world to offer an ongoing membership program, giving our community even more ways to connect, belong and grow between shows.
This event is proudly presented by Generation Women Australia, founded by Donna Logue, and hosted by Inez.
Generation Women was originally created by Georgia Clark in New York.
Event Details
📍 Side Door Theatre
293-297 Crown Street, Wollongong NSW 2500
🕢 Doors at 6:30 PM
🎤 Show at 7:00 PM
Want to feel even more connected?
✨ Membership is Now Open!
If you love our nights, don’t let the stories stop here. Join Generation Women Australia as a member and be part of the movement all year round.
🎁 What You Get as a Member
✔️ 120 brand-new true stories every year (20 live shows, 6 storytellers per show)
✔️ $1,000+ library included — 30+ full shows on video & audio, instantly
✔️ A searchable story library — find what you need by theme, generation, or mood
✔️ An exclusive member hub — reflect, connect, or simply watch quietly
✔️ 1:1 welcome concierge — real human support to help you settle in
✔️ Member-only bonuses — surprise giveaways + perks
✔️ Discounted tickets — save every time on Sydney & Melbourne live shows
💛 Membership is open right now in Sydney, join us today and make sure women’s voices stay seen, heard, and celebrated.
Already a member? Don’t forget to enter your discount code at checkout for $10 off your ticket.