FCJ College will once again host an International Women’s Day breakfast at its Marie Madeleine Centre on Arundel St in Benalla from 7.15am to 9am on Friday, March 8.
Guest speaker at the event will be Clare Hanlon.
Ms Hanlon is the Susan Alberti Women in Sport chair and co-chair of the Inclusion and Advisory Group of AusCycling.
She is known for breaking barriers and increasing opportunities for women and girls as leaders and players in sport.
An internationally recognised scholar, Ms Hanlon’s journey has been marked by triumphs and personal hurdles.
And that journey started some years ago in the corridors of FCJ College.
“The purpose of me presenting at the breakfast is hopefully to inspire attendees, and that’s not only the girls,” Ms Hanlon said.
“It’s also women and men who attend the breakfast to talk about how they can build their support networks, grow their mental, social and physical health and have a purpose.
“Which can help them feel like they belong, have relevance and feel empowered to do what they want to do.”
Ms Hanlon said this all aligns with the global theme of IWD 2024, which is Inspire Inclusion.
The IWD website states that:
When we inspire others to understand and value women’s inclusion, we forge a better world.
And when women themselves are inspired to be included, there’s a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
Collectively, let’s forge a more inclusive world for women.
Ms Hanlon said that message will inform her presentation at the FCJ breakfast.
“Generally, I’ll be talking about life, challenges, how to feel empowered and moving forward.
“Then, specifically, I’ll be talking about my lived experience coming from a rural upbringing on a farm in the Benalla LGA and being an average-grade student.
“To being flown to the United States to be a keynote speaker at a global conference collaborating with Puma Global to encourage girls in sport and being an inaugural director at the Oceania Gymnastics Union. You can be what you can see, and I think that’s a big thing to note, and that’s what I want to inspire as well.”
Ms Hanlon said she’d made mistakes and had to overcome hurdles, and wants to let attendees at the breakfast know that is part of achieving success.
“It’s what has led me to where I am today,” she said.
“And who knows where it will lead me tomorrow.”
There is sure to be some young people, and maybe some older, in the audience on IWD who might not have found their path in life, yet.
“It’s important for everyone to know if we have good social, physical and mental health that helps us regardless of what we do,” Ms Hanlon said.
“There are enough seats at the (IWD) breakfast for 200 people.
“Roughly about 40 of those will be students. So I’m really looking forward to presenting to the whole Benalla community.
“We all need that social boost, that confidence, and to feel empowered that we can go out and we can do things.”
Tickets for FCJ College’s IWD 2024 breakfast are available via www.ticketebo.com.au/fcjcollegebenalla/