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PRESENTED BY GREEN ANT INC. - ARTS NETWORK TEAM
International Women's Day 2009 was a wonderful celebration of local women and the contributions they make to our community.
The dinner included presentation of the "Women Who Make a Difference" awards, a great opportunity to recognize and celebrate all of the terrific women that go out of their way to make our community the wonderful place it is.
BROTHERS Leagues club was all about the sisters on Friday night, as members of the community came together to recognise local ladies who had done their bit to make the region a better place. Gail Smith, Lydia Massa and Brenda Harvey were awarded for their contributions in the “Women Who Make a Difference Awards” with Innisfail State High School student Vanessa Wolfe being named Young Woman of the Year.
 The humble recipients were chosen from a pool of 25 nominees, with the winners all expressing their surprise at being given the top honours among so many worthy women. ‘I was really proud but it was such a shock just because of all the amazing things the other women are involved in,” long-time urban volunteer fire fighter and foster carer Ms Smith said. “I just do what I love and it’s true when I say kids are my joy and fire fighting is my adrenaline and they are two areas that we really need to see more women involved in.”
Ms Harvey, who was instrumental in setting up the Mission Beach Meals on Wheels branch 26 years ago, said she was also inspired by being in a room full of so much talent. “It was a wonderful night and amazing to see how much these ladies had achieved on their own.” Ms Massa, who has been fundraising for the Queensland Cancer Council for the past six years, believes volunteering has given her a sense of purpose. “This is what makes our town work so well,” Ms Massa said. “Seeing how many woman give of their time so freely was a humbling experience for me because without volunteers the community would break down.”
Year 12 student and school captain, Vanessa, represented the younger generation and said it was an honour to be recognised among so many talented women and hoped the award would help youth issues gain recognition. “I think especially the youth, but also the community in general, needs to be made aware of issues happening within our own town,” she said. “Even some of the kids at school have no idea about what is going on and how some people have to live. “It is a real honour for me to be able to increase that awareness.”
Event report courtesy of Innisfail Advocate reporter, Alita Pashley.
Green Ant Inc host International Women’s Day annually early March. For more information about this event please contact Katy on ph 40618965 mob 0419791472 or email greenant_inc@qld.chariot.net.au
Visit the International Women's Day website for more information: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/
Sponsors
GAI wish to acknowledge and thank the wonderful sponsorship of this event provided by:
| Radio 4KZ |
Innisfail Advocate |
Innisfail Business Women’s Network |
| Tropical Coast Business Women |
Provision |
Moore Stephens |
| Hogan & Associates |
Jamie Banno Building |
Cairns Family Holidays |
| Ursula's Relaxation & Beauty |
Mayocchi Building |
Hazel Holland Bowen Therapist |
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