Our Story
What we do
Seven Sisters Festival creates a powerful, respectful, and supportive space where those who self identify as women—across all lived experiences—can be heard, seen, and celebrated. It's a place to share wisdom, heal in community, and inspire one another on our individual and collective journeys.
Over the past decade, this drug & alcohol free wellbeing event has drawn in tens of thousands of individuals, touching hearts, transforming lives, and continuing to serve as a vital platform for diverse voices, creativity, and authentic expression.
Seven Sisters continues to offer opportunities to connect, contribute, and uplift one another. It is a space to gather tools, resources, and inspiration to support each participant’s truth, growth, and sense of possibility—across all areas of life.
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AWAKEN * RELEASE * TRANSFORM
How did it begin?
FOUNDERS STORY
In 2011, at 23, I attended my first women’s circle—and everything changed. Surrounded by honesty and celebration, I experienced the power of women uplifting each other without comparison. It sparked a deep calling to create spaces for healing, growth, and connection.
As an Osteopath and healer, I had seen the courage that transformation requires—but I knew more was needed. I envisioned a place where people could connect with inspiring teachers, healers and rediscover and empower themselves with tools for healing, held by nature and community.
Five months later, with the support of friends and family, Seven Sisters Festival was born.
Since then, it has become a sanctuary for tens of thousands—a place of learning, celebration, and soulful transformation. What began as a vision is a continuous growing movement of shared truth and connection.
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Tell us about the name
Why Seven Sisters?
When I first began exploring the idea of creating a women’s festival, the name Seven Sisters emerged with clarity and energy—it felt deeply resonant. I was drawn to the alliteration, the spiritual associations with the number 7 and the sense of sisterhood it evoked.
What I didn’t fully realise at the time was the rich cultural and spiritual legacy the name carries. Seven Sisters is widely associated with the Pleiades star cluster—a constellation surrounded by powerful stories across many cultures, including the Ancient Greeks, the Chinese, Japanese, Hindu, Aztec, and First Nations peoples of Australia and North and South America.
In particular, I’ve come to learn of the sacred Dreaming stories of the Seven Sisters held by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These stories carry deep cultural and spiritual significance and are part of living knowledge systems that continue to guide and shape connection to Country. Permission and guidance was sort from local Elders for the continued use of the name.
Although the festival is not focused or orientated around these stories, I’m grateful that the name invites sharing, reflection, storytelling, and remembrance. It reminds us of the collective threads that connect us across time and culture and reminds us all that the light of the Seven Sisters Stars shine down on every human being—connecting us all.
– Founder Dr. Lauren Woodman
Tell us about Country
The first Seven Sisters Festival was held in 2012 on Yorta Yorta Country and honoured with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Ella Anselmi. It was later relocated to the lands of the Boon Wurrung people, where for eight years we were Welcomed by Senior Elder N’arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs AM.
We are now honoured to hold the festival on the lands of the Taungurung people and to be Welcomed by Aunty Jo Honeysett, Aunty Bernadette Franklin, and Aunty Michelle Monk.
"Permission was respectfully sought from Traditional Custodians to ensure cultural appropriateness of the venue and its use."
We pay our deep respects to the Traditional Custodians of these lands—past and present. We honour the enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to land, waters, skies, and culture, and acknowledge that this sovereignty has never been ceded. We commit to walking respectfully on Country, listening deeply, and fostering ongoing relationships grounded in care, consent, and cultural integrity.
Social Change & Impact
Social Change & Impact
PROGRESS NOT PERFECTION
We all have many visions and changes we would love to see not just in the world, but at Seven Sisters Festival.
We’re committed to continually listening, taking on feedback and making meaningful progress wherever we can with the time, resources, and finances available.
Each year, we actively listen to community feedback and use it to guide our growth. Our aim is to continually evolve into a festival that reflects the values of care, inclusion, and integrity—one the community can truly feel proud to support.
We know we won’t always get it right, but we’re here for the learning—and we’re in it for the long haul.
Below, you’ll find some of the steps we’ve taken so far.
If you would like to give use further feedback please email info@sevensistersfestival.com
Partnership
Seven Sisters Festival’s is always looking for new partnerships with like-minded organisations.
We have a range of opportunities to allow your organisation to be involved with the festival and we’re always happy to talk about any other creative ideas.
Lets chat! partnerships@sevensistersfestival.com
