Community
24 July, 2026
Special day for ladies
DERRINALLUM and Lismore residents are being invited to join together for a special ladies day early next month, which will support Australia’s only regionally-based cancer research institute.
The Women of the Demons Ladies Day will be held at the Lismore Recreation Reserve social rooms on Seymour Street on August 8.
Lismore-Derrinallum Football Netball Club social committee and club life member Emily Murray said she is hoping this year’s ladies day sees more traction.
“We’ve always had a ladies day, which hasn’t taken off as well as what it potentially could,” she said.
“I thought this year we’d really knuckle down and try and make it a great community-based event in the regional area.
“I think, for our local small-town football clubs, that’s what it’s really about – community and supporting each other.
“I thought a ladies day would be a perfect opportunity to welcome the wider community into our club and not just make it like a sporting community event, but a wider community event.”
This year, the event will be raising funds for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute with all attendees encouraged to add some pink in recognition of cancer charities.
Ms Murray said the decision to support the institute came from the strong regional connection Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute has.
“Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute is Australia’s only regionally-based cancer research facility,” she said.
“There’s not one person who can’t really say cancer hasn’t affected them in one way or another and, with our club being based in a regional area, everyone knows about having to travel somewhere for treatment.
“I think supporting a regionally-based institute is something we can all relate to a bit more.
“I think people would be more than happy to donate their month and get together for something they can resonate with.”
The ladies day will commence at 2pm, with all attendees receiving a drink on entry – non-alcoholic drinks will be served to attending juniors.
Bar facilities will also run during the event.
Ms Murray said attendees will also get an entry into the lucky door draw, with the prizes donated by local businesses.
“We’ve got some grazing platters on the table, so people can either book a single ticket or a group can book a table together,” she said.
“We’ll have prizes to be won throughout the day with some fun games and raffles.
“Coming from Melbourne we have a cancer research scientist from Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute as a guest speaker.
“She will come give a rundown about what they’re about – they will share Fiona’s story.”
Ms Murray said a local family will also be guest speakers at the event, with the wife originally from Mingay.
“Both husband and wife were diagnosed with cancer – the wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and her husband was diagnosed with throat cancer,” she said.
“Their daughter was in Year 12 at the time, and they’ll be speaking as a family unit to show how cancer affected them differently – those who were personally diagnosed and the family.
“Thankfully both husband and wife so far have won their battle against cancer and I just think it’s important for them to come and speak as a family unit.
“They’ll just be so light hearted but it’s still a serious issue that needs to be addressed – no question is too scary.
“They’re going to be very open to answer any questions that anyone may have and I think they’ll be a fantastic part of the afternoon.”
Musician Anna Oliphant Wright will provide live music over the afternoon, with the rooms also having a view of the football and netball games slated for the day.
Tables of eight are available for the event, with tickets at $30 per adult and $15 per junior.
Ms Murray said the junior ticket was a way to involve younger members of the community, particularly with limited opportunities from football and netball clubs,
“For them, it can be a really inclusive event – they can book a table with their team, their friends or their mums or nanas.
“I think it’ll be really nice to get those young girls involved and just to teach our younger girls of our community just to be on the front foot with their health.”
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