Our women on the front line
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
We have so many local heroes in the Douglas Shire and mostly they go unrecognised. But Newsport salutes their contribution to our community and to celebrate International Women’s Day this Wednesday March 8th, nine of these remarkable women gathered in Port Douglas to talk about the strengths they all bring to our emergency and lifesaving services.
It’s hard to believe that there was a time in Australia when women were not permitted to wear a Fire Fighters or Police uniform, and Surf Lifesaving? well, that was as blokey as you could get.
Today women proudly wear the uniform of these great organisations and excel at what they do and they don’t even have to wear a uniform to be the backbone of these vital services.
Jamie Kleinhans has a master's degree in Disaster Risk Management and puts that to good use at the Douglas Shire Council and told Newsport “It’s about deeds not words, which is why I volunteer with a local emergency services group as well as carrying out an important role at the Council as the Douglas Disaster Management Officer”.
Karen Petherbridge from the Mossman SES says International Women’s Day is one day of the year we can honour the work of women in saving lives. “Women have clearly defined what path they wish to take and there’s no stopping us now” she said.
Port Douglas Police Officer Judy Clayton was quick to put forward her thoughts “Women can be
invaluable in certain call outs like domestic violence and assault situations for example, where they defuse a situation very quickly especially if a woman is involved, trust is very important”.
DSC Councillor and firefighter Abigail Noli says there’s always a sense of teamwork involved with what they do and no segregation between male and female. “That doesn’t exist anymore” she says.
China roadblock
One of the most heartfelt comments to Newsport came from Enya Riley from QLD Fire and Rescue. “I am originally from China and when I came to Australia eight years ago and joined the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, I found such respect from people around me.
The men treated me as an equal which was very different to what I experienced in China when I tried to join the army, the men put up so many barriers, it was impossible to gain any success as a woman”.
Enya was positively gushing as she spoke about Australia and the freedoms we have here. “You can make dreams come true in Australia and as a woman you have every opportunity live up to your full potential”.
On the day
They mightn’t be in uniform but two other local women, who will pass on their stories of inspiration, will be guest speakers at a lunch on International Women’s Day, Tuesday 8th March 2022 at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas. Tennis Legend, Judy Dalton AM, and Rural Doctor of the Year, Dr Renee Cremen, will support this year’s theme #BreakTheBias.
All proceeds from the day will be donated to local charity, ‘Pink In The Tropics’, a community based charity Breast Cancer Support Group supporting those recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment and survivors.
For more information or to book click here, visit www.trybooking.com/BXIJQ or call (07) 4099 5888.