9 March 2025
In the Concert Hall
Talks and Ideas
In theatre and livestreamed
Shame, stigma and marketability are the three key features of anything to do with women’s health, and perimenopause and menopause are no exceptions... Join our panel as they bring expertise - and a bit of humour - to the latest “hot” topic exploding the algorithm.
| Date | Time |
| Sunday 9 March 2025 | 2pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $35 |
| Livestream | $15 |
| Livestream Festival Pass | $70 |
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
Sydney Opera House Insiders pre-sale
9am, Tuesday 14 January 2025
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What’s On e-newsletter pre-sale
9am, Wednesday 15 January 2025
General Public tickets on-sale
9am, Thursday 16 January 2025
Social story
Download the Social Story for All About Women 2025. Download PDF
Wheelchair accessible:
There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in our theatres. To book accessible seating contact Box Office:
Telephone
+61 2 9250 7777
(Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST)
Email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com
Auslan Interpreted
Auslan interpretation service is provided for audiences who are deaf and use Australian Sign Language (Auslan). Experienced Auslan interpreters stand to the side of the stage and translate what the speakers are saying into Auslan. A block of seats is reserved for users of this service to ensure a good view of the interpreter and the stage. To be seated in this area, please approach Front of House when entering the venue. Book now
Closed Captions
Captions are text descriptions that display the session's dialogue, identify speakers, and describe other relevant sounds that are otherwise inaccessible to people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Captions will be available via your personal device (phone), to access the captions on your personal device (phone), scan the QR Code on the sign displayed at the entry to the venue.
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
This talk runs for approximately 60 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for ages 15+.
Em RuscianoMy entire body and its inner workings are being controlled by a drunk, vindictive cat.
Useful information:
Hormones with a life (and business model) of their own
Women’s health has always been a politicised and commercialised space, and the conversations around perimenopause and menopause are no different. Awareness of the pre-menopausal hormonal phase – complete with mood changes, increased anxiety, sleeping problems and the classic hot flushes – is skyrocketing.
But with increased awareness comes increased marketability and the “goopification” of healthcare. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) falls in and out of fashion leaving many to wonder if it’s over- or under-prescribed, and private practitioners are popping up everywhere. Medical advice varies wildly, with many women sharing the sense of solidarity that comes from talking with friends, only to be entirely dismissed by doctors. The only common theme is that clear answers are near-impossible to find.
Our panellists will discuss this hot button topic, sharing stories and debunking myths surrounding this trending topic in female healthcare.
Presented by Sydney Opera House
Livestream this event
Can't make it to All About Women in person? Watch this talk live streamed from the Opera House stage directly to your living room.
meet the panel
Susan Davis (she/her)
Professor Susan R Davis AO, MBBS, FRACP, PhD, FAHMS is Director of Monash University Women’s Health Research Program, Head of the Women’s Endocrine Clinic, Alfred Hospital Melbourne and consultant Endocrinologist Cabrini Medical Centre.
She is an internationally recognised expert on sex hormones and ageing, including menopause and its health sequelae. Her epidemiological research across the adult female lifespan focuses on determinants of physical, psychological and sexual wellbeing. Her clinical trials program has led to paradigm shifts in the understanding of testosterone in women, with current trials examining the role of hormones on cardiometabolic health, cognition, musculoskeletal health and sexual function. She has received numerous prestigious research awards, most recently the Elizabeth Blackburn Award of the NHMRC, Ross Hohnen Award of the Australian Heart Foundation and the RACP College Medal. Professor Davis is a past President of the International Menopause and the Australasian Menopause Societies and is an Executive Council Member of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.
Dr Fatima Khan (she/her)
Dr Fatima Khan is a highly skilled perimenopause and menopause specialist with a holistic approach to women’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. She completed her medical training in the United Kingdom from Imperial College London in 2007 achieving a Bachelor in Medicine and Bachelor in Surgery. She also achieved a Bachelor in Science in Pharmacology and Therapeutics with publication of her research. Dr Fatima has an Advanced Menopause Certification accredited from the British Menopausal Society and Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive and Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This was achieved after training extensively at Kings College London, which is a tertiary referral centre for menopausal women with complex medical backgrounds. She has also undertaken further training in the USA on optimising hormonal health for longevity.
Grace Molloy (she/her)
Grace holds a Masters of Nursing, is an ex-Big4 accountant and has two decades of experience working in corporate strategy and partnerships. She is a member of the Australasian Menopause and International Menopause societies and has worked alongside Australia's pre-eminent medical researchers and biotechnology innovators to advance medical breakthroughs through clinical trials.
Seeing Australian businesses lose experienced leaders early due to menopause symptoms, Grace co-founded Menopause Friendly Australia to ensure employers have access to the support they need to help people thrive through this inevitable life stage.
Em Rusciano (she/her)
Em Rusciano is an Australian comedian, singer, writer and media personality celebrated for her vibrant energy, sharp wit, and unfiltered approach to storytelling. Em is a writer, singer, stand-up comedian and podcaster.
Rusciano first rose to prominence in 2004 as a finalist on the second season of Australian Idol, showcasing her powerful voice and stage presence. This experience catapulted her into the spotlight, leading to successful stints in radio, where she co-hosted high-profile breakfast shows on Perth's 92.9FM and Sydney's 2DayFM.
A prolific creator, Rusciano has become a prominent voice in podcasting with Emsolation, a wildly popular show co-hosted with her best friend, Michael Lucas. The podcast combines sharp social commentary, pop culture deep dives and personal anecdotes, offering listeners a mix of humor, insight and heartfelt connection. Additionally, Rusciano hosts Anomalous, a podcast exploring the experiences of neurodivergent individuals, drawing on her own diagnosis and advocacy for inclusivity.
Rusciano's live shows have also earned critical acclaim, with her most recent production, Outgrown, captivating audiences with its raw and hilarious reflections on life's transitions, motherhood and self-discovery. Known for blending comedy, music and storytelling, her performances are a testament to her unique creative vision and ability to connect deeply with her audience.
She is also a published author, with her memoir Try Hard: Tales from the Life of a Needy Overachiever, offering a candid and humorous look at her life and career. As a mother of three, Rusciano often weaves her parenting experiences into her work, resonating with audiences who appreciate her honesty and relatability.
A passionate advocate for mental health, neurodiversity and inclusivity, Rusciano uses her platform to challenge societal norms and foster meaningful conversations. Her authenticity and versatility continue to make her a beloved figure in Australian entertainment.
Gabrielle Jackson (she/her)
moderator
Gabrielle Jackson is the Deputy Editor of Guardian Australia, where she has worked since 2014. She is the author of Pain and Prejudice: How the Medical System Ignores Women and What We Can Do About It, which has been published in Australia, NZ, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and China. She won the 2016 National Medicinewise Award for her reporting on endometriosis and is a member of the Walkleys Judging Board.
Plan your visit
Venue information
Our foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six minute walk to the Opera House.
Frequently asked questions
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Please take your seats as soon as you arrive.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval.
Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.
In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. Resale restriction applies. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Please contact Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend.
Foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances.
Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.
