On Tuesday 11th October, nearly 200 guests, including Ministers and Members of Parliament, leading industry professionals, high school educators and high school girls from across Queensland converged on Victoria Park for UNIQ You’s International Day of the Girl Breakfast.
The breakfast celebrated the 10th anniversary of UNICEF’s International Day of the Girl and raised funds towards ensuring geographical location is no barrier to the career aspirations and opportunities of Queensland’s regional and remote girls.
UNIQ You CEO Tanya Meessmann said the fundraiser has exceeded expectations, providing more regional and remote schools with access to the UNIQ You service than was initially hoped.
“It was incredible to be joined by nearly 200 guests passionate about advancing the opportunities and future prosperity of Queensland’s rural and remote girls on International Day of the Girl.
“Thanks to the generosity of organisations and individuals that attended, we are thrilled to be able to connect girls from high schools across regional and remote Queensland with our service, so they can access inspiring role models who are shaping the industries and careers of the future.
“These sponsorships provide opportunities for high school girls to have conversations that can change the trajectory of their future and provide future economic empowerment,” Tanya said.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, the Honourable Shannon Fentiman, opened the breakfast.
“It was wonderful to join educators and students from throughout Queensland to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl and acknowledge the importance of and potential of young girls.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to breaking-down gender barriers. Because every girl in Queensland must be given equal access to all the exciting opportunities this state has to offer. Thank you UNIQ You for hosting the event and for the work you are doing for girls in regional and remote Queensland,” Minister Fentiman said.
According to Rockhampton State High School QVSA CQ Coordinator Breeha Sinnamon, geographic location and funding is a real barrier for their school and sponsorship will have a significant impact.
“Our geographic location, 700 kilometres from South East Queensland, and funding make it really difficult for our students to access the same opportunities as their city counterparts.
“You can’t be what you can’t see and it’s really important for our girls to see there are people doing their dream jobs and UNIQ You makes this possible.
“We are so grateful and excited to be part of the program. Access to UNIQ You will make such a difference for our girls and help them follow their dreams and passions,” Breeha said.
Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert, Member for Macalister, Melissa McMahon, Member for Cooper and former Young Australian of the Year Jonty Bush and Member for Pumicestone Ali King attended the breakfast at which Robert Walters Brisbane Director, Jane Lowney and Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Steven Boxall also spoke.
UNIQ You’s International Day of the Girl Breakfast, sponsored by Robert Walters, raised funds towards providing regional Queensland secondary schools with one-year fully subsidised access to UNIQ You. The service connects grade 9-12 high school girls (and their guidance and career officers) with over 60 inspiring industry advisors drawn from sectors under-represented by women.
Image (left to right): Principal of Tully State High School Richard Graham, UNIQ You CEO Tanya Messmann, Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, The Honourable Shannon Fentiman, Lourdes Hill College Careers Counsellor Richelle Staley, Lourdes Hill College students, Grace Fleer and Ava Cooke.