Community & Business
22 March, 2024
Women embrace leadership program
EIGHTEEN Indigenous women from Ravenshoe have celebrated their graduation from a leadership program aimed at teaching them new skills and connecting them with other women.
The graduation aptly took place on International Women’s Day at a ceremony for the women who all completed the Ravenshoe Indigenous Women’s Leadership & Development Program (Deadly Women).
The women were awarded their graduation VET accredited certificates for Certificate 1 in Workplace Skills and Certificate 1 in Tourism (Australian Indigenous Culture).
The free two-week program they took part in was held in community over a four-month period and was open to any First Nations Women over the age of 18 years who had a desire to learn and grow new skills, meet other “Deadly Sisters” and achieve nationally recognised qualifications.
The program was initiated through funding from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and delivered by the Reef & Rainforest Research Centre and INLOC.
“We admire these graduates’ willingness to learn and succeed despite the family commitments, challenges and demands many of them faced. It is testament to their resilience and desire to become leaders in their communities,” Reef & Rainforest Research Centre managing director Sheriden Morris said.
Some of the graduates of the program are now considering further studies or to apply to become local rangers and tour guides, and some are planning to learn how to establish their own businesses and progress their careers which is an exciting outcome from the training.
“This is a program that is about giving a hand up. The fact is, living in regional Queensland does come with some challenges. First Nations women don’t always have opportunities on their doorstep, whether that be education, training and services, any number of things.
“This program is about investing in the women, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunties and grandmothers and providing a chance to gain some important leadership skills.”
Ark Energy, the proponent of the Wooroora Station Wind Farm, sponsored this chapter of the program.
“Providing locals with meaningful opportunities to develop their skills and gain employment is exactly the type of initiative we seek to support in communities,” Ark Energy’s acting general manager – development Queensland, Damian Vermey, said.
