Community & Business
26 February, 2024
Women set to inspire at lunch
TWO inspirational speakers will tell their story at next month’s gala International Women’s Day luncheon to be held at Mareeba.
The event on 8 March at the Mareeba International Club promises to be a lot of fun, with live entertainment, plenty of prizes on offer, great food and good company, as well as two women working in the agricultural sector who will reveal what life is like for them on a daily basis.
Mandie Scott, from Millstream Springs Cattle Company, will talk about her transition from being a registered nurse to the owner of a cattle property.
Growing up, Mandie’s dream was to become a nurse which she fulfilled in 1995 when she graduated from James Cook University. She married, had four children, and moved to Ingham where she managed a very busy medical practice as well as managing and working a cane farm.
In 2016, the couple purchased a cattle property known as ‘What a View,’ now called ‘Millstream Springs Cattle Company’, between Millaa and Ravenshoe. They moved to the cattle property in 2019 and began the journey of breeding Brangus and Ultra black cattle for the stud and commercial market.
“I had no cattle or farming knowledge and felt very much out of my comfort zone,” Mandie said.
“There were a lot of trials and tribulations and learning from mistakes along the way. The cattle are now attracting a lot of interest from Brangus and ultra black studs and commercial operations on the Tablelands and down south.”
Having grown up on a tobacco farm in Mareeba, where she learned the ropes of farming from a young age, Angela Nason has now taken that passion for farming and put it into a business that provides a link between more than 150 famers and producers and the general public.
After pursuing careers in real estate and hospitality, Angela found herself drawn back to her roots during the Covid-19 pandemic when her family's farm faced challenges due to disrupted markets.
In response, she spearheaded door-to-door deliveries of their produce, which quickly evolved into the establishment of Tablelands to Tabletop which is now in its fifth year of operation.
A highlight of the IWD luncheon will be a performance from pole dancing expert Sandra Schmidt.
Sandra comes from Pole Play Studios in Cairns and has been pole dancing for over a decade.
During her time as a dancer, she has not only gained immense physical strength but also learned to face her fears, build her confidence and empower herself and other women around her.
“Pole dancing provides endless opportunities to practice facing my fears and challenge self-doubt,” she said.
“It has taught me to celebrate my body for what it can do for me instead of solely focusing on what it looks like.”
Sandra says pole dancing had allowed her self-confidence and self-worth had a chance to flourish.
“On top of the solitary benefits, Pole Play Studios is also home to an incredibly supportive network of women of all different walks of life.
“Pole Play Studios tribe is full of women cheering each other on, inspiring each other and lifting one another up, making me leave my dance classes empowered to take on any challenge.”
Kuranda singer Nicole Nighthawk will no doubt keep the lunch attendees entertained, with 20-plus years in the music industry.
“In my years in the music industry, I have seen a slow shift from a male-dominated rock and pop scene to a new era where women are rising up with empowered voices, taking the reigns - writing, producing, mixing (jobs which were once considered male roles), and breaking down the barriers and expectations of how women in music entertainment should look and act,” she said.
“As an artist, being able to authentically express myself through music is important.
“I recognise and celebrate the grit and determination of the brave women in the music industry who have paved the way for future female artists, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”
The luncheon will also provide attendees with a wonderful choice of food as well as free gifts for everyone.
Seats are selling fast, so go to www.trybooking/COWDE now. Tickets are $50.
