The Drinks Association International Women’s Day Lunch has become an important fixture on the industry calendar. It’s a day to reflect on progress, leadership and the structures that help women thrive.
For the past three years, the lunch has also played a practical role in supporting the work of the Katrina Dawson Foundation through funds raised via the event raffle.
For a small foundation with an intentionally focused model, that support has been significant.
“We don’t have the resources to run fundraising events,” says Nikki Dawson, CEO of the Katrina Dawson Foundation. “We’re a very small charity. So when we have an opportunity like this – with continuity and a concentrated audience – it’s incredibly valuable for us. We have given out 29 scholarships over the past 11 years, and we would not have been able to do what we have without the generous support of the Drinks Association and everyone who attends this lunch on International Women’s Day.”
Removing structural barriers to education
The Katrina Dawson Foundation was established in memory of Katrina Dawson, whose life reflected academic excellence, leadership and a deep commitment to justice and service. Today, the Foundation supports young women with exceptional potential through education-focused scholarships.
Its longest-running partnership is with Women’s College at the University of Sydney, helping remove financial and logistical barriers that would otherwise limit where and how these women can study.
“If some of these girls weren’t at Women’s College, they simply wouldn’t be able to study at Sydney Uni,” Nikki explains. “They’d be working three jobs to pay rent, or commuting hours each day. Women’s is what actually makes that education possible.”
Many scholars come from regional or outer-metropolitan areas, where distance, cost and limited networks can narrow opportunity.
“It’s such a strong environment,” Nikki says. “The networks are there. The doors open. It changes what they’re exposed to and what they can realistically access.”
“For us, it’s never just been about writing a cheque,” Nikki says. “I meet the scholars, help find mentors and get to know them. We stay personally connected. We want them to feel part of a whole community.”
What sustained support makes possible
Since partnering with the Drinks Association in 2023, funds raised through the International Women’s Day Lunch have increased year on year, reaching almost $40,000 in total, with almost $20,000 of that coming in 2025 alone.
“When you look at it cumulatively, those numbers are incredibly meaningful,” Nikki says. “For a foundation like ours, that level of support allows us to think more deliberately about impact and sustainability.”
That stability has enabled the Foundation to refine its focus. From 2026, KDF will award a higher-value scholarship each year, supporting women whose academic excellence and leadership potential suggest long-term, systemic influence.
Also in 2026, a new partnership has been established with the John Monash Foundation. Alongside its undergraduate scholarships, the Katrina Dawson Foundation will also provide a postgraduate scholarship in partnership with the John Monash Foundation, supporting women undertaking advanced study with the potential for significant public and societal impact. The Monash scholarship provides $100,000 per year for postgraduate study, for up to three years.
“For us, it felt like the right time,” Nikki explains. “The Monash Foundation embodies the kind of ambition, education and impact that Katrina herself would likely have pursued.”
As the Foundation enters this next phase, the role of long-standing partners becomes increasingly important.
“As we pivot towards deeper impact and more substantial scholarships, the support we receive through the Drinks Association has become even more meaningful. We could not be more grateful for the continued generosity of the Drinks Association and its members,” Nikki says.
The 2026 International Women’s Day raffle includes a total prize pool of $22,000+. Tickets will be available to purchase by attendees at the International Women’s Day luncheon on Friday, 6 March 2026, at Royal Randwick, Sydney.