Join the Celebration: Lydia Williams to Headline AusIMM's Inspiring IWD Event in Melbourne
Lydia Williams, Matildas star and the first Aboriginal goalkeeper for Australia, will headline as the keynote speaker at AusIMM’s 2025 International Women’s Day Lunch in Melbourne.
In 2023, the Matildas ignited a national frenzy, capturing Australia’s heart and making global waves as they claimed fourth place in the FIFA Women’s World Cup—the highest finish ever for an Australian football team. The excitement swept the nation, from our living rooms to the streets, as people of all ages cheered for the team that united a country in pride. You’d have to be living under a rock to have missed the buzz. Now, in 2025, AusIMM is thrilled to bring this energy to the stage, with one of the team’s most iconic figures—Lydia Williams—headlining the International Women’s Day Lunch in Melbourne on Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
Lydia Williams, a two-time Olympian and the first Aboriginal goalkeeper for Australia’s Matildas, has had a career that most can only dream of. With 138 caps for the national team, she’s played for top clubs worldwide, including stints with PSG, Arsenal, and Brighton & Hove Albion Women in the English Women’s Super League. Currently playing for Melbourne Victory, Lydia’s achievements extend beyond the pitch—she’s also the author of two beloved children’s books, "Saved!" and "Goal!", which focus on the importance of friendship, teamwork, and resilience.
In her early years, Lydia grew up in Kalgoorlie, playing AFL and travelling to Aboriginal communities across Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Read more about her early life in this article with NITV.
Her story doesn’t end with the final whistle of the game. Having just completed the Paris 2024 Olympics, Lydia will reflect on her incredible journey, from her early days in Australia to competing on the world’s biggest stages. Her keynote at AusIMM’s IWD Lunch in Melbourne will delve into the challenges she’s faced, the highs and lows of her career, and her future as she embarks on life after football. Lydia’s story of breaking through barriers in sport resonates with women across industries—especially in mining and resources, where the journey toward greater diversity and inclusion is ongoing. Her achievements highlight the significance of a supportive team and culture, reinforcing that we can drive positive change together, not just in sports but also in our workplaces and communities.
With AusIMM’s 2025 IWD theme, "Driving Positive Change Together," Lydia’s keynote will inspire and encourage attendees to reflect on the role we all play in fostering positive change in our workplaces and communities. Her message of perseverance and leadership resonates far beyond the world of sport, and her unique perspective as a ground-breaker in a male-dominated industry makes her the perfect speaker for this important event.
Lydia's keynote is just one highlight of the event, attendees will also have the rare opportunity to engage with Lydia directly in a Q&A session, where she’ll reflect on her career, share what’s next for her, and offer insights into how we can all continue to push for progress. This is your chance to ask one of Australia’s sporting legends about her journey, her next steps, and how she plans to keep driving positive change.
This AusIMM International Women’s Day lunch is sure to be a sell-out, so don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this inspiring and empowering day. Join us on 11 March 2025, in Melbourne, for an afternoon of celebration, reflection, and motivation. Join us as Lydia Williams shares her story and be part of the movement to drive positive change together.