March 6, 2018
South Burnett Women have put together a program of events for Queensland Women’s Week aimed at “empowering women of all ages”.
President Caroline Cavanagh said the year’s program had far greater scope than previous years and she was excited by its potential.
“Whether you are an artist or an educator, a Year 9 girl or a successful professional woman, there is an event available to inspire and encourage you,” she said.
She said the week had kicked off on Tuesday with Year 9 girls from every high school across the South Burnett beginning a series of workshops run by Enlighten Education
Enlighten Education Program Director Storm Greenhill-Brown said the “Butterfly Effect” program would explore a range of topics from helping girls to discover their own inner beauty to managing friendships and even developing business plans.
“Rather than telling girls what to do, we’re aiming to inform, inspire and empower them,” she said.
“We want to encourage these young teens to be discerning consumers, critical thinkers and find their own voice and power in a complex world,” she said.
On Tuesday evening, Ms Greenhill-Brown was the keynote speaker at a “Celebration of Educators” dinner at Taabinga Station.
The sold-out event provided an opportunity for teachers to network and discuss the pressures and issues felt by teenage women in our society and how educators can best empower and support students.
Ms Cavanagh said both the dinner and the schools program had been supported with a $10,000 grant from the Commonwealth Bank made available as part of the CommBank Foundation’s “Centenary of Giving”.
“We’re very grateful to both the CommBank and other sponsors including the Lions Club of Kingaroy, Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff and the Red Earth Community Foundation for helping us to make our vision a reality,” she said.
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The breakfast is a major fundraiser for the annual Ellen Mary Kent Hughes Memorial Scholarship which offers $5000 to a woman from the South Burnett who will be starting university the following year.
This year’s bursary recipient will be announced at the event.
The keynote address will be delivered by Queensland Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network (QRRRWN) president Melissa Barnett.
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The week’s celebrations will conclude with the launch of an exhibition, ROAR, at the Kingaroy Regional Art Gallery on Thursday evening from 6:00-8:00pm.
South Burnett Women’s arts co-ordinator Olivia Everitt said ROAR would celebrate what it means to be a woman in regional Queensland.
“Almost 30 artists have entered just over 40 pieces into the exhibition making it an impressive collection of works you won’t want to miss,” Ms Everitt said.
She said that thanks to the support of sponsors, including the South Burnett Regional Council, Peddle Thorp and Taabinga Station, more than $2000 in prize money would be available to artists across three categories.
The event will also raise funds for South Burnett CTC’s domestic violence support work for women and their families.
