Mackay's Premier IWD Event Unites Over 550 Attendees To Empower Women

Last week, Mackay's premier event on the International Women's Day calendar was a roaring success, with over 550 women, men, and students coming together to celebrate and learn from each other. The Resource Industry Network (RIN) pulled out all the stops to make this a memorable event that highlighted the progress made towards gender equity and the work that still needs to be done.

Katie Brennan, an AFLW player, inspired the guests with her keynote speech, sharing her wisdom on the three keys to creating successful teams: resilience, belonging, and connection. The panel discussion that followed was just as enlightening, featuring three remarkable women: Courtney Drysdale from Crop Wise - Mackay, Charlotte Nash-Stewart from FIELD Engineers, and Linda Murry from BHP. They shared their views on what equity means to them and how pushing through the discomfort can lead to success.

The event was a perfect mix of education, connection, and fun, thanks to the great food, the amazing emcee Kat Davidson, and Mayor Greg Williamson's inspiring speech on gender equity. The generous support from the major partner sponsors, including BOQ Mackay City, Mackay Regional Council, BHP/BMA Mitsubishi Alliance, and Glencore, and the Student Ticket Sponsor Local Buying Foundation, made it possible to deliver such a remarkable event.

The event was a reminder that while much has been achieved in the fight for gender equality, there is still much to be done. With events like RIN's International Women's Day celebration, we can continue to inspire the next generation and bring long-term change to the issues facing women in the workforce, both regionally and globally.

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The Resource Industry Network’s International Women’s Day luncheon was the region’s largest IWD event in 2023. Photos supplied: RIN

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