#BalanceforBetter International Women's Day lunch in Orange

Since the start of this century Ms Brell has made about 15 trips to Nepal to help those in need, while at the same time running her own professional training company, Keys to Success.

She spoke at the Orange Regional Conservatorium function, along with the Women's Hygiene Program's Lois Willing, about the plight of girls and women in the poverty-stricken Asian nation.

VIDEO: Highlights of the International Women's Day lunch …

"Aren't they gorgeous," Ms Brell said, pausing her presentation on photos of Nepalese women.

"It's really hard to work out how old they are because their lives have been far different to ours.

"I don't think we work quite as hard as these women."

Mrs Willing highlighted the struggles facing Nepalese women, even with simple, day-to-day matters like obtaining sanitary products.

She said education was the silver bullet to raising the standard of living for women everywhere.

"As an educator I also believe very strongly that education is the way out of poverty," Mrs Willing said.

"It's crucial therefore that the girls get a good education."

The theme for this year's day was #BalanceforBetter, a call to action to drive gender equality across the world.