This week we have been celebrating International Women's Day at St Joseph's College. As part of our celebrations, our Junior and Senior Captains worked extremely hard to create a video about International Women's Day and then invited all students to write down the name of a woman who inspires them. These names were displayed on post-it notes and then added to the wall in the Oak Centre to highlight the word EQUITY for everyone to see.

We would like to congratulate our leaders for their efforts in raising awareness and celebrating women for their achievements.

When we enter through the cast iron gates of St Joseph's College, it is sometimes easy to forget about the many many others who have walked the same footsteps before us. More than 20 staff members attended this College who care deeply about this lived tradition. Attending St Joseph's College means you become part of a tradition and are inducted into a community that you will forever be a part of.

This week we have been featuring some wonderful women from our College community on our social media platforms, who have gone on to do some amazing things post their time at St Joseph's College.

Annabel graduated from St Joseph’s College in 2018, however, she returned in 2019 to work with our Learning Enhancement team in supporting our students. After only picking up AFL at the beginning of 2021, Annabel was recruited by the Geelong Cats as the 15th pick in the AFL Women's draft that same year and has since secured her spot as an important part of Geelong’s backline as an intercepting defender.

When asked what International Women’s Day means to her Annabel said:

"International women’s day means to me a day to celebrate all the strong women I have in my life. I have been lucky enough to be raised by women I admire and who have shaped me into the woman I am today. St Joes provided me with lots opportunities to grow and challenge myself. I am grateful for all the support and experiences that I had at St Joes."

Freya grew up on a dairy farm in Leitchville and traveled by bus to St Joseph’s College everyday. She graduated in 2002 and was accepted into Melbourne University where she completed her medical degree in 2007. Freya has since worked and trained at Western Health, Alfred Health and Ballarat Health Services and has recently returned to Echuca as a Specialist Respiratory Physician. Freya is passionate about improving the health service provisions in the area that she grew up in.

“A lot of regional places, including Echuca Moama need more access to specialist medical care so hopefully I can be useful in that regard," said Freya.

Freya is also passionate about encouraging women to reach for the stars and hopes to see them get more recognition and appreciation for the work that they do.

"Historically women have been an underappreciated group of people in almost all cultures worldwide. We are lucky in Australia compared to a lot of other places but women still do more work than men, get paid less for their work and receive less recognition for it. I feel like International Women's Day goes some way to increasing appreciation for the contribution we make. I'd love to see the girls of the next generation take it to the next level and smash through the glass ceiling. When I was studying at St Joseph's College it never mattered that I was female - I was always encouraged to aim high and achieve success in whatever I did. I have very fond memories of the place and am very appreciative of the education I received there, I could not have been luckier in my school."

Candace is a proud Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri and Gunnai woman and past student of St Joseph's College. Candace is the founder of the Bowarring Mentor Program, which she founded in 2020 with the intention and goal of supporting and empowering young Aboriginal women in our community. The Bowarring Mentor Program is about strengthening young people's cultural identities through listening to Elders, hearing stories and feeling proud of who they are and where they come from. The program also incorporates many activities such as art, dance, photography and weaving that include significant cultural background and learnings. Candace is passionate about the education and success of our young people. "They are our next generation of strong leaders and I hope that my program is a place that they can grow, learn and gain knowledge so they can become empowered within," she said.

“I believe International Women’s Day is important to celebrate all the women doing extraordinary things. Every woman deserves to be celebrated for things, big or small because sometimes we are so giving and driven that we sometimes forget how much of an impact we have on the people around us and how much we mean to our loved ones and communities. International Women’s Day is a day for us all to reflect and celebrate ourselves as well, celebrate the small wins as much as the big ones because it takes strength to keep going, especially on harder days. But those are the days that we need to look back on and feel proud that we did it and that we are still here,” said Candace.

Sarah is the eldest of the Jones family who all attended St Joseph’s College. Her professional career began while she was still at St Joseph's College, when at just 17 she was afforded the opportunity to work at the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Seven Network.

Through her grit and determination to follow her passion for sport, this opportunity developed into a part-time job with magazine program Sportsworld while she studied Journalism at RMIT University. Today, Sarah is a highly celebrated sports reporter and broadcaster. She brings together Fox Footy's team of experts with her insightful and concise interviews with players and coaches at ground level as the matches unfold. Her long association on Channel 504 has included work on a vast range of programs including White Line Fever, Saturday Central and On the Mark.

“International Women's Day is a chance to champion women and celebrate the wonderful and diverse roles they play across many industries,” Sarah said.

Emma Beer is a queer artist who grew up on a sheep farm at Echuca West. From a very young age Emma loved to paint, just as much as working on the farm with her family. Emma didn’t always enjoy school. Although she had great friends, she struggled learning to read and write. By the time Emma made it to St Joseph's, she already knew that going to art school to become an artist and teacher is what she wanted to do.

At 18, Emma moved from country Victoria to Canberra to study at the Australian National University School of Art to major in painting. From there, Emma has built an art practice and life that is part method, part love. Emma is admired for her hard work, strong focus, and determination, resulting in a 15-year practice of painting and showing work both nationally and internationally. Work by the artist is included in the Canberra Museum and Art Gallery collection, Art Bank, The Macquarie Group Collection, The Australian National University collection, The Embassy of Spain collection, Australia and numerous private collections throughout Australia, Singapore, Scotland, England, France, and Spain.

“My time at St Joes was fundamental and foundational for setting myself up for the ‘real’ world. The teachers I had were mentors to me and I looked up to them. I can honestly say some of them are still my good friends. My advice to anyone and everyone is to do what you love and you'll be the best and most happy version of yourself. International Women's Day to me is a celebration of successes big and small, empowerment, and giving thanks to the women in our community.”

Brooke O'Brien

Co Student Agency and Voice Leader

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