Posts in ENGAGING VOICES
Ain't no hood like Motherhood

Robyn Geiger can clearly remember the day she became a mum. When she looked down at her first-born son Bradley face, she thought from that moment they could show her 100 more babies and she would still be able to pick him out.

“I fell so in love with that little face.

“My second thought was, I must thank my Mother for having me. I was a second born child and I thought, wow, she went back and had me after having to go through this. I so wanted to thank her …. Funny isn’t it?”

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A trailblazer leading the way for all women...

JSP Founder Fallon Drewett sent Bella Management Chief Executive, author and speaker Chelsea Bonner 8 questions in the lead up to her visit to Mackay to attend JSP’s Leading Ladies event on August 17, where she will share her Body Image Warrior story and what it means to be a trailblazer. Here is Chelsea’s inspiring and funny answers….

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It will take time for every leader in every country to embrace the full potential of women...

I’m surrounded by so many amazing women – I really do feel very blessed. My main role model though has always been my maternal grandmother. She was the most kind, caring, resilient woman, who just had the courage to face life front on.  She lived a simplistic life, appreciating all that she had. At times in my own life I have been grateful to have the family traits of courage, determination and resilience.  I have managed to succeed in times of adversity with the traits passed down to me by the amazing women who came before me. My existence is do or die.” - Belinda Hassan

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IWD 2019: Balance for better...

Today’s feature for our #balanceforbetter online campaign is Suzanne Brown, Director (Solicitor) and QLS Business Law Accredited Specialist from McKays Solicitors.

 Suzanne  believes International Women’s Day brings into focus, and gives an opportunity to celebrate some of the amazing and accomplished women in the Mackay region.

“Women are literally taking over the world! I feel like in a few years we will be having a conversation about how to re-engage men…and having an International Men’s Day!”

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Put your hand up and challenge the status quo...

Kylie Porter can’t wait for a time when we don’t need one day to highlight the role of women – that balance is just the everyday norm.

 “A controversial statement I know.”

 However, in saying that, Kylie believes International Women’s Day is a good opportunity to shine a spotlight on the many opportunities that exist for women in the world today.

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We need to recognise and acknowledge that gender is important...

Minds Aligned partner Nick Bennett said it is important to him that we recognise and acknowledge that gender is important and we need each other to play our roles in creating and improving society and community.

“It is not a matter of losing gender identity but claiming it and knowing what it means as a value and contribution to enhancing others existence, opportunities and lives,” he said.

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It is time to create conversations about the importance of balance...

You may know Jay Shipston as one half of Triple M’s Jay and Dave breakfast radio show but did you know he is a proud feminist? Well he is and when asked to be part of the JSP International Women’s Day (IWD) online campaign he embraced the idea with an open heart.

 After posting a sneak peek photo of our photoshoot for the #balanceforbetter on social media a few weeks back a comment was left on his post from a man who clearly wasn’t in support of the cause.

He said, “Women already have too much too say, don’t encourage them”.

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We all can be powerful influencers...

Rowena Hardy from Minds Aligned said It can be easy to feel isolated living in a regional area when it seems that everything happens in capital cities or larger regional centres, yet some of the most resilient and pioneering women live in these areas. 

“ I recognise that women are hungry for knowledge, information and support for how to improve their lives ,” she said.

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Education is the key to a gender-balanced world...

MAYOR Greg Williamson has never ironed one of his wife Annette’s dresses and she has never ironed one of his shirts.

In his words they “have attacked everything as a team”.

This year’s campaign theme for International Women’s Day on Friday March 8 is #balanceforbetter while celebrating women’s successes and calling for a more gender- balanced world.  

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Once Upon A Female: Clare Desira making happiness a habit one top five at a time

CLARE Desira laughs through the phone; it is infectiously light and warm like a hug. Her happiness beams through her voice and her tone sounds at ease, content and connected with who she is. Clare believes that happiness is a habit and it is this belief that is the foundation of the Top Five Movement, she is the founder of. The Top Five Movement in essence is simple tools for a happier life.

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Once upon a female: The story of Alanna Bastin-Byrne from Femeconomy

Alanna Bastin-Byrne is resilient, extroverted, industrious, humorous and a planner. Like, most women living in today’s modern world, Alana is generous, supportive, courageous, tough and kind. Women like Alanna are the perfect combination of steel and cotton wool, able to be strong and feminine all at once. She believes women are tough in the modern world, but as the stories of women in history have shown, women have always had to be tough.

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Once upon a female: The story of Emily Somers from BraveryCo.

EMILY Somers is covered in tattoos. Not the inked version, but scars from radiotherapy, which she bravely wears. A week before her 27th birthday Emily was diagnosed with 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, after she found a lump above her collar bone.  Her life went from parties, advertising, design and 24/7 fun to chemotherapy wards, oncology appointments and constant naps.

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