Federation Square came alive on Saturday as thousands gathered for the inaugural Thrive: Multicultural Women’s Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, creativity and community.
Under clear blue skies and warm sunshine, attendees were treated to a day filled with live music, dance, fashion and storytelling that captured the essence of Melbourne’s multicultural spirit.
The atmosphere was electric, reflecting the city’s diversity and the shared joy of women coming together to celebrate identity, connection and empowerment.
Another major highlight of the day was the Cultural Storytelling Panel, where powerhouse women shared their lived experiences and the challenges they have overcome.
Among them was Democracy in Colour’s Noura Mansour, a Palestinian educator and community organiser, whose reflections on resilience, belonging and justice deeply moved the audience.
The panel shone a light on the strength and solidarity of women who continue to advocate for change and inclusion across communities.
The Fashion Showcase, curated by Grandma Funk’s Melissa Chacón and designer Masave Sangeetha Singh, was another crowd favourite. Models from across cultures took to the stage in bold, expressive collections that celebrated identity, pride and individuality, earning cheers and applause from the audience.
Performances throughout the day kept spirits high, from traditional drumming and cultural dances to soulful live music and contemporary acts, transforming Federation Square into a mosaic of sound, rhythm and unity.
A particularly heartfelt moment came when veteran social worker Theresa Sengaaga was honoured as Thrive 2025’s Empowerment Pioneer for her decades of impactful work across African communities in Victoria.
Sengaaga has helped empower countless individuals, equipping them with the tools to build identity and confidence while confronting discrimination and racism.
The festival also featured inspiring contributions from Dr Nisha Khot, Board Chair for the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH), and Chikumbi Chifuntwe, President of the Zambian Association of Victoria, who both shared powerful messages about leadership, belonging and the importance of representation.
The festival was proudly presented in partnership with the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health, with support from key sponsors including Optus, Medibank, Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, Netball Victoria and the Victorian Government.
Festival founder and director Mibengé Nsenduluka said the turnout and energy exceeded all expectations.
“To see thousands of people come together in the heart of Melbourne to celebrate women and culture was incredibly special. Thrive was created to unite communities and honour the stories that make us who we are, and that’s exactly what we achieved,” Nsenduluka said.
As the sun set over the Yarra, the inaugural Thrive Festival left an unforgettable mark and a promise of even bigger celebrations to come in the years ahead.
