Equality, progressive conversation, and inspiring guest speakers were on the menu at Monday morning’s International Women’s Day breakfast.

The event, organised by Narrabri Shire Council and hosted at The Crossing Theatre, followed this year’s theme of “choose to challenge”.

Attendees were treated to a delicious breakfast before hearing from MCs Ali Smith and Katie Watson of the Bush Wanderlust podcast.

The duo introduced the event’s guest speakers, Moree’s Dimity Smith, National Rural Women’s Coalition representative Rechelle Leahy, and local Narrabri teacher Ebonnie Whan.

Each speaker had their own story to share, with commentary on being a woman in rural Australia.

Dimity Smith was first to speak.

As a trained psychologist, project officer for the NSW Department of Primary Industries, and founder of GRO Rural Events and Marketing, juggling multiple responsibilities is nothing new for Dimity. She is passionate about helping other women achieve their goals.

In her time working across multiple positions and industries, Ms Smith said she has learnt a few tips to encourage inclusivity for women at work. Her top ten pearls of wisdom included: inspire connection; celebrate the ‘shiny; turn challenges into opportunities; celebrate the wins, no matter how small; build opportunities for collaboration; learn every day; set goals for both you and your communities surrounding inclusion and diversity; do what you can as an individual and make choices that work for your situation; take people along with you on the ride, and; remember that female success is not like a pie, there’s a well-deserved piece for each of us.

Ms Smith acknowledged that regional women can often find themselves isolated socially, geographically, and even within their occupation.

She advised the audience to embrace technology as a tool to help lessen this gap, and network with other inspiring women.

Ms Smith calls these motivating women, who radiate confidence and success, ‘shiny, and explained that rather than competing with shiny personalities, we should embrace them and work together as we choose to challenge inequality.

“By sharing our successes with other women, we too become ‘shiny’,” she said.

“By working together, Ms Smith believes regional women will achieve greater wins and foster resilience and strongly encourages more local women to get involved with mentoring programs, where they can share and learn from one another.

Rechelle Leahy began with a brief history of International Women’s Day, saying the first celebration was recorded overseas 110 years ago.

The occasion was made official by the United Nations in 1975, a body that has since invited Rechelle to speak in New York on two separate occasions.

Having dealt with a range of government initiatives, and a UN commission, Rechelle explained that women are significantly underrepresented in decision-making positions.

In a 2020 survey, the UN found that only 18 per cent of enterprises had a female chief executive officer.

In 2019, they found that women held only 28 per cent of managerial positions globally, figures almost identical to a 1995 survey.

Passionate about advocating for rural women, Rechelle said these disproportionate figures simply aren’t good enough.

“You should never think that you can’t make a difference just because you’re from a regional community.

“Equality is our goal, but access is our right,” she said.

Rechelle encouraged attendees to choose to challenge, even if it’s from their own homes,” she said.

She believes that, by getting involved in your local area, you can inspire change and promote equality.

Dimity asked the audience to say yes to that board meeting, or to volunteering yourself for greater responsibilities at work, or to fostering those new connections.

“Saying yes, and feeling the fear of putting your hand up but persevering anyway, often results in some of the best opportunities,” she said.

The final speaker of the event was Narrabri’s own Ebonnie Whan.

Introduced as a mum, local teacher, podcast host, and all-around ‘do-er’, Ebonnie began her presentation with a humble sentiment.

“I want to let you all in on a little secret. Despite my achievements, I’m far from perfect,” Mrs Whan said.

“I’ve learnt to accept my shortcomings, and it has made me see the beauty in the imperfections around me.

“There’s no shame in making mistakes, so long as you learn and grow from them.”

Mrs Whan went on to explain how she got to where she is today, including why she became the host of her own podcast.

Having tragically lost her best friend due to unresolved sexual assault trauma, Mrs Whan chose to challenge her grief, and made it her mission to encourage all women to speak up.

She started her podcast, Conversations for Ally, in memory of her beloved friend Dr Alexandra Jane Tapp.

It shares the real-life stories of rural Australian women, be they inspiring, heartbreaking or joyous.

Mrs Whan hopes that, by sharing the tough stories alongside the good, her listeners will be encouraged to have those difficult conversations and seek help when they need it.

“It’s not what happens to you that matters, it’s how you deal with it.

“I’ve learnt that we win with kindness, and conquer with forgiveness,” she said.

The presentations were followed by a brief intermission and then a question-and-answer session.

The speakers addressed topics such as: raising feminists, no matter their gender; shifting language choices to promote equality; gender roles at home; and working hard to achieve personal goals.

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