March 10, 2016
International Women’s Day was marked on Tuesday with the official launch of a new women’s group and a $5000 scholarship at a breakfast for 150 people.
Guests spilled out onto the deck of the Cassis Restaurant on the Booie Range for pre-breakfast coffee and a chance to network before the morning got underway.
Guest speakers Narelle Black and Wendy Exelby provided inspiration, talking about how they had overcome challenging circumstances in their lives in two very different situations.
South Burnett Women, which has been operating for barely a month, was overwhelmed by the support shown for the event, which introduced the new group and its aims.
“Our goal is to connect, empower and encourage women of all ages and backgrounds in our region. and it was exciting to see this happen in such a positive way on Tuesday morning,” president Caroline Cavanagh said.
The breakfast was also used to officially announce the inaugural Dr Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship.
Dr Ellen Mary Kent Hughes became Queensland’s first female councillor when she was elected to the former Kingaroy Shire Council in 1923, and the South Burnett Regional Council forecourt in Glendon Street, Kingaroy is named in her honour.
The scholarship will offer a $5000 grant to support a local woman embarking on tertiary education.
The committee acknowledged the important contributions of the founding scholarship contributors, who included Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington, Centacare Community Connections, SBcare, South Burnett CTC, the South Burnett District Law Association and Swickers.
“The generous support of these founding contributors, combined with the proceeds of the International Women’s Day breakfast, has been a key factor in enabling the scholarship to be offered,” Ms Cavanagh said.
The breakfast was also supported by South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kraztmann, Cr Damien Tessmann, the Tarong Power Stations and Meandu Mine.
Local businesses Hair Allise, Flamingo Wish, Kingsley Grove Estate, Kelly & Frecklington Solicitors, Kingaroy Photo Lab, Snap Fitness and Trilby Retreat also supported the breakfast through raffle prizes.
A local farming family also donated bunches of proteas, with all sales donated to the scholarship.
Nancy Jayde Photography and Torkit Business Solutions donated their time, photographic and media talents for the morning.
Applications for The Dr Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship will open in mid-2016, and details and criteria for the scholarship will be announced in the near future.
[Photos: Nancy Jayde Photography]
