Leading women inspire

QUEENSLAND energy and water ombudsman and indigenous outreach officer Francine O’Rourke has called on young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to “let their light shine”.

Ms O’Rourke joined Torres Shire Council Mayor Vonda Moar-Malone and Workplace Gender Equality Agency director Libby Lyons at a special NAIDOC week panel discussion at JCU yesterday, focusing on the invaluable contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait women.

Ms O’Rourke said the event was an emotional affair.

“At the end, more than half the room was in tears with stories from all of us. You could feel the love in the room,” she said.

“I have had the last couple of weeks to reflect on how I would have done everything if LEADERS: Vonda Moar-Malone, Francine O’Rourke, Libby Lyons. mum wasn’t there to pick up the pieces.

“The focus on women is absolutely overdue … Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are just doing whatever it is they do for the love of it and are supporting each other.”

She told young women to not feel ashamed about standing up or speaking out. “Shame was never with our mob, it was introduced,” she said.

My Pathway communication manager Rebecca Stone said the event aligned with the company’s mission to empower jobseekers and work with Aboriginal communities.