UNIFORM AND CIVVIES FIND COMMON GROUND
PROFESSIONAL women of North Queensland in camouflage and civilian clothes have gathered for a firstof- its- kind forum to discuss fostering leadership and change in the community.
3rd Brigade, in partnership with the Townsville Business Women’s Circle yesterday held the inaugural North Queensland Defence Women’s Leadership Forum, which drew almost 200 people. Influential women in the Australian Army, including Major General Kathryn Toohey, and community leaders including Mayor Jenny Hill and TEL CEO Patrica O’Callaghan were invited to speak and to share knowledge and experiences.
The forum also acknowledged the contribution of women in the North Queensland community and further enhanced the professional relation- ship between Defence and the community.
The forum’s overarching theme is “leadership, change and innovation”.
3rd Brigade Commander Brigadier Chris Field, a driving force behind the forum, said the intention of the event was to foster the personal and professional potential of women living and working in the North.
Townsville Business Women’s Cir- cle president Joanna Murray said she hoped this year’s event could lead to an annual forum.
“We wanted to look at how we could walk together to decrease barriers for women in the workforce, not just in the defence community but also civilian, and work together to bring in change and opportunities for leadership and mentoring,” she said.