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Deadly Women Celebrate International Women’s Day in Cairns

Key takeaways

  • More than 60 people attended the Deadly International Women’s Day event despite heavy rain, highlighting strong community commitment to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and collaboration across northern Australia.
  • Speakers reflected on the importance of bringing culture, identity and lived experience into leadership roles, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continuing to create pathways in business, arts, education and community leadership.
  • The event was hosted by the TNQ Drought Hub through its Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise (SATSIE) Program, working in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures. The event demonstrated the Hub’s role in supporting leadership, enterprise and community capacity across northern Australia.

Despite heavy rain and challenging weather, more than 60 people gathered on Friday, 6 March, to celebrate Deadly International Women’s Day, a powerful event highlighting the strength, leadership and stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

The event was hosted by the TNQ Drought Hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise (SATSIE) Program in partnership with the ARC Centre of Excellence for Indigenous and Environmental Histories and Futures (CIEHF). The morning brought together an inspiring group of First Nations women to share their experiences of leadership, culture and community.

The event was expertly facilitated by Professor Felecia Watkin Lui, who guided the conversation and reflections throughout the morning. Professor Lui reminded attendees of the importance of acknowledging the generations who came before us.

“It is important to remember those that came before us and the incredible stories of resilience and survival that have brought us to where we are today,” she said.

L-R - Sam Martin, Connie Rovina, Destiny Dewis, Julie-Ann Lambourne and Prof Felecia Watkin Lui

The speaker line-up featured an impressive group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women making significant contributions across business, community leadership, the arts and cultural education.

Julie-ann Lambourne, Managing Director of Strait Insight Consulting and Co-Chair of the Queensland Indigenous Business Network, shared her insights on strength, leadership and community. Her powerful opening set the scene for sharing stories of struggles, surviving and thriving and highlighting how true leadership lifts others up and brings them along.  

Entrepreneur and mentor Destiny Dewis, Managing Director of 3 Cultures, spoke about the importance of financial literacy and practical support for Indigenous families and communities to build long-term wellbeing and economic independence. She also talked about the importance of connecting to country.

Artist and Chairperson of UMI Arts, Connie Rovina, delivered a powerful reflection on this year’s International Women’s Day theme, Balance the Scales.

“For me, it has never meant changing who I am to succeed. It means bringing my whole self – my culture, my community and my story – into every space I enter. When I began my career, Aboriginal women were barely seen in Government uniforms, emergency services, business ownerships or boardrooms. But we are here now. And we are opening doors for the women who follow.

You do not have to choose between your culture and your career. You do not have to leave your identity at the door to earn a seat at the table. The table needs you exactly as you are. We are the daughters of women who survived the unimaginable strength lives within us. And that strength is what continues to balance the scales.”

Also speaking was Samantha ‘Bush Tukka Woman’ Martin, founder of Tribal Voice Connections, who shared her journey of promoting Indigenous cultural knowledge and strengthening global understanding of Aboriginal traditions through her work in film and TV and education. She discussed sharing her culture on the world stage and the challenges from having to teach herself to read to being the author of three books.

Throughout the morning, speakers reflected on the importance of supporting one another, lifting each other up, and creating pathways for the next generation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women leaders.

The event was a heartfelt celebration of culture, resilience and leadership, and a reminder that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women continue to shape positive change across communities, businesses and organisations.