V
PUMP
The Samford Progress Association’s free community newspaper printed continuously since 1977.
The ILLAGE
@TheVillagePumpSamford
“Your Community Newspaper, owned by the Samford Community and produced for the benefit of the Samford Community.” 28 JUNE 2024
P: 0477 663 696 E: editor@villagepump.org.au NEXT DEADLINE THURSDAY 04/07/2024
STEM PUNKS MEETS A DUCHESS Fiona Holmstrom, Commercial Director of STEM Punks, a local business educating globally, has been named the Global Impact Award winner of the 2024 Women Changing the World Awards, presented by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson in Windsor. The Women Changing the World Awards celebrates and recognises women achieving outstanding success in areas such as sustainability, humanitarian work, leadership, advocacy, education, health and innovation. The awards are designed to recognise the growing number of women who are leading the way in making the world a better place for us all and inspire other women to answer the call to take action. The event was hosted by Dr. Tererai Trent, an internationally recognised voice for quality education and women’s empowerment. “These exceptional women are here to awaken hearts, give permission to recapture dreams, and inspire the women of the world to come together to forge a brighter path for all. The rising of women is the awakening of everybody,” said Dr Trent. Fiona Holmstrom was thrilled to win gold for Global Impact at the Awards ceremony. “Winning this award is an incredible honor and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team at STEM Punks. It reinforces our commitment to making a lasting impact through education and innovation. This award is important to me because it highlights the importance of
empowering the next generation with the skills they need to shape the future,” said Fiona. “I was truly inspired by the other women in my category and those I met at the event. Their stories of resilience, creativity and passion for making a difference were incredibly motivating and affirm the power of collective action.” Apart from the Global Impact Award, Holmstrom also won Gold for the Businesswoman of the year, as well as a Special Award from the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.
Dr. Trent’s vision for these awards is to empower women everywhere to reclaim their sacred dreams and call in women across the globe to unite and pave the way towards a better future for all. It can be challenging to create change in the world and Fiona Holmstrom gives this advice for others thinking about following their calling to make a difference. “Believe in your vision, stay persistent, and surround yourself with a supportive community. Every small step counts towards making a significant impact.” In the last 12 months, Fiona has successfully launched STEM Punks’ global online education platform, collaborated with international partners to expand STEM education in underserved communities, and developed innovative learning resources that have reached over 200,000 students worldwide. She attributes this success to a passionate team, a clear mission and unwavering support from industry. Fiona is committed to continuing to make an impact through her work, and her vision for the future is to expand STEM Punks’ reach even further, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to engage with STEM education, regardless of their background or location. Women Changing the World Awards: wcwawards.com. Stem Punks: www.stempunks.com.au
Shop local at the Lifestyle Centre Plant Nursery • Cafe • Gifts & Homewares • Yarn Shop Health & Beauty Services • Book Shop ... and even more! Find more info & open hours at www.lifestylecentre.co
225 Mt Glorious Rd, Samford ph. 3289 6276