A Word from the Principal

I grew up in an era where I often heard the phrase “the lucky country” when referring to growing up in Australia. I have to say that, indeed Australia is luckier than a lot of other nations around the world.  Just looking at the COVID statistics this again hits home. Sometimes I hear my son refer to his sister’s problems as “first world problems” and again I am reminded that we do in fact live in a wonderful country.

On International Women’s Day (Monday 8 March) I think of the work that has gone before me to make Australia a more equitable country. How sporting leagues have moved tremendously in the last decade to bring about pay parity (there is still room to move on this) and how boardrooms and courts of law are now beginning to reflect a diverse nation.

In a country where we do not have as obvious an issue with female genital mutilation or slavery, we still have room to improve on our global statistics. Only last month another 279 female students were kidnapped from their school in Nigeria. Of course, statistics bely the story they hide.  Stories of fear and manipulation, of discrimination and poverty. Stories that remind us how lucky we are.

This year’s theme for International Women’s Day is “Choose to Challenge”. It is important not to become too complacent with our lives, it is important to remember those strong and inspiring women who have made change possible.  For our female counterparts around the world, we now need to be their voice – we need to continue to challenge the stereotypes and practises that exist which restrain women and keep them in poverty and isolation. Be that violence or unjust laws – our voices need to challenge.  In Canberra currently, voices are calling to powerful leaders to change practises that have silenced women’s voices within our society. 

It is our responsibility to guide and form young people today who see their role as being a part of a much larger community. To form in our young people an understanding of their social responsibilities and a drive to make social equality a reality not just in Australia, but in the rest of the world. Our hope for the future is our young people and they are inspiring. In the words of one of my favourite lyrist’s:

So be the young, the brave, the powerful 'Cause the world is standing waiting for someone to come and change it

                                                                                                                                James Blunt

Our work at Mount Carmel today, is not unlike the work of the three Sister’s of Charity who first came to Hobart to make a difference. They worked alongside the community to support the women at the Female Factory; to visit with the orphans and children; to support the women living on the ship Anson on the Derwent River and to give voice to and challenge the government of the day on their treatment of women. We continue to work with our community, to forge connections and to support  equitable and just pathways for our students. Let us continue to challenge.

Thought of the Week

A challenged world is an alert world and from challenge comes change. So let's all choose to challenge. (www.internationalwomensday.com)