INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2023

As we celebrate International Women’s Day in 2023, we are reminded of the importance of embracing equity and the impact it can have on creating a more just and equal world.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Embrace Equity”, a call to action for individuals to recognise and address the inequalities that women continue to face, particularly those from marginalised communities.

While progress has been made in recent years towards gender equality, it is essential to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go. Women from marginalised communities continue to face discrimination and bias in multiple areas of life, such as education, employment, healthcare, and politics.

As we reflect on the achievements of women in our own community, we must also recog-

Amanda Camm

MEMBER FOR WHITSUNDAY nise and honour those whose contributions have often been overlooked or ignored.

With one of the most recognisable faces in the Whitsundays, our local state member is seen regularly attending events, handing out awards, supporting charity BBQs, manning community stalls and cheering-on sporting teams.

At the forefront of local issues, she is also on the pulse and committed to advocating for our region when she travels down to Parliament House in Brisbane.

Raised in Proserpine, Amanda grew up near the O’Connell River and lived in the Pioneer Valley for much of her teenage years.

Throughout her childhood, she would spend all school holidays visiting family between Proserpine and Midge Point.

It is only by embracing equity that we can ensure that every woman has an equal opportunity to thrive.

This International Women’s Day, let us work towards creating a world where every woman has equal access to opportunities and resources.

Let us acknowledge and honour the contributions of women from all walks of life and commit to taking action to address the inequalities that still exist.

By working together towards equity, we can create a future where every woman can achieve her full potential and live a life free from discrimination and inequality.

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: ENERGETIC, COMPASSIONATE, HARD-WORKING

She now lives in the Northern Beaches of Mackay, which is the southernmost point of her electorate.

Amanda’s career has been both diverse and varied, from positions in the travel industry to securing charity partnerships with major mining companies.

She began her career in the sugar industry, transitioning from sugar chemist to farmer and then moved into social and economic development and Local Government, where she served as Mackay’s Deputy Mayor.

“This provided great experience for my current role as Member for Whitsunday with various Shadow Minister responsibilities,” she said.

Julie Hall

“No two days are the same in my role as the local member but by far the most enjoyable part is being able to connect with people across the community and help make a positive impact.”

In her own time, Amanda enjoys being with her family, hiking national park trails, doing yoga and has recently taken up playing golf. She also loves catching up with friends from all over the country, usually over facetime with a glass of wine at the end of the day.

Despite her incredible achievements, Amanda says that her biggest success in life is watching her three children become young adults.

MAYOR OF WHITSUNDAY REGIONAL COUNCIL

Bringing with her a wealth of knowledge from 16 years running her own business in the private sector, Julie is both a talented entrepreneur and published author who created an internationally recognised personal development profiling system.

These incredible credentials form the foundations of her role as Mayor of the Whitsundays and since August last year she has poured energy, enthusiasm and countless hours of dedication into the position.

Originally from Glenelg, South Australia, Julie moved to rural SA with her family when she was nine years old. Her childhood cultivated a love for regional living and after residing

DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY IN THREE WORDS: WORKAHOLIC, LOYAL, FUN in the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast for 16 years, she found her paradise in Bowen.

Julie has three grown children and four grandchildren and says they are the best thing that ever happened to her.

On the rare occasion she doesn’t have community commitments on weekends, she enjoys fishing, camping and sailing.

During her life, Julie has held many positions in male dominated fields and during this time she has witnessed firsthand where the renumeration for women in the same role is not always equal, especially in the sales and management roles.

“If you do the same work and the same hours, you should not be discriminated against because of your gender,” she said.

“Life continues to be a challenge for women in the workplace, but I am elated to stay that Council is playing its part in women’s equality.

“Our renumeration packages are equal wages for both men and women in the same role and our indoor and outdoor workforces combined workforce is 60 pe cent Male and 40 per cent female.

“I’ll admit we still have room to do better but it is exciting Council is headed in the right direction.”

Beth And Jen Walters

When Cartridge Universe Whitsunday owner Jen Walters says her business is family-owned and operated, she means it.

Alongside her daughter, Beth, Jen is the face of the printer and printing supply store in Cannonvale, working in the ever-changing industry for over a decade.

Moving to the region 18 years ago from Goulburn in New South Wales, Jen was later followed by Beth in 2015. Bringing their families to the Whitsundays, they now enjoy the lifestyle and work alongside each other as a mother-daughter team.

With assorted backgrounds in various administrative positions in legal and accounting for Jen and a