International Women’s Day: Celebrating the movers and shakers in the Mid West community

On International Women’s Day, we celebrate all women — mothers, wives, daughters, friends, community leaders, those defying stereotypes and making their mark. The Guardian showcases a dozen movers and shakers in the Mid West community — some you may have heard of, others not. But what they all share is a passion to empower themselves and others. TARYN KINGDON-MYERS Working on the frontline in healthcare during the pandemic is no easy feat, but one Geraldton emergency department nurse is loving every minute of it. About six years ago, Taryn Kingdon-Myers moved to Geraldton where she used her background in medical science to land a job at the front desk of Panaceum Medical. Wanting to challenge herself further, Mrs Kingdon-Myers started studying to become a registered nurse and quickly landed a job in January. Mrs Kingdon-Myers still pinches herself over the opportunity, saying only a select few receive paid hospital placements straight after graduating. While being on the ED during the pandemic can be a challenge, the new nurse says working with hospital COVID protocols is all she knows. “I have only been a nurse for a month or two, I don’t know anything different,” she said. “As a new grad I am still learning every day . . . I have come in with these bright eyes and I am loving it.” She also makes maintaining a healthy work-life balance a breeze, with Mrs Kingdon-Myers and her wife welcoming a baby girl into their home in November. With the couple being naturally “cool, calm and collected”, Mrs Kingdon-Myers said the transition to parenthood had been a relatively smooth one. “We are such a great team anyway, so that has made that transition really easy,” she said. “I count my lucky stars, I really think we are living the Australian dream.” ANGELA TEALE Angela Teale’s Instagram handle swiftly sums up her two jobs in one — rocket science mum. Specifically, the mother of one’s field of expertise is astrodynamics and aerospace engineering, and it’s safe to say very few people in the world have her skill set. She’s got to where she is through hard work and fate — moving to regional WA in 2015 after falling in love with her West Aussie husband. Ms Teale is now enjoying her “dream job” working for US company Slingshot Aerospace, but bases herself in Geraldton. One of her downright cool achievements has been leading the development of a world-first app, Slingshot Beacon, that tracks satellites to avoid them crashing into each other. It gives the owners of satellites — costing up to $400 million — the chance to communicate and make any moves. “I love breaking stereotypes, but I love astrodynamics and aerospace engineering more; breaking stereotypes just happens to be a bonus,” she said. Ms Teale said it was important to remember women have played a huge part in the space industry since 2022. As depicted in the movie Hidden Figures, before computers could perform math people did it by hand and were called “human computers”. As many men were called to war, women took on this role and excelled. By pursuing a path that wasn’t an obvious choice but one she was passionate about, Ms Teale is an example to her own young daughter and other girls that they can do whatever they want. “Stepping outside your comfort zone can be terrifying, but it’s so worth it,” she said. “Pursue your passion in a field that you’re interested in, even if it’s male-dominated ... be confident in your abilities and don’t be afraid to speak up.” Ms Teale, who last year was a finalist in the female leader of the year category for the Australian Space Awards, said in 2022 there were “more opportunities than ever before for women to have it all”. “Career and family can both be balanced if you want them to be. I love that my work is meaningful and I can be there for my family when they need me,” she said. EMMA MCNERNEY When Emma McNerney had her son Bryce, now two-and-a-half, she took him along to all her client and board meetings. She didn’t ask for permission and didn’t apologise. “I just did it. And they made room for us. And it’s a whole new world for us. And them,” the general manager of creative impact hub Euphorium said. Ms McNerney also works for support service Ngala, running leadership positions and is the only women on the board of the Geraldton Community Bank. While women may form the majority in the arts sector, it doesn’t mean Ms McNerney hasn’t come across gender bias and discrimination. “Just because we’re potentially the majority doesn’t mean we have the strongest voice. We’ll be sitting in a room where I’m the one with the information, the knowledge and the experience and they’ll still defer to the man in the room. Or I’ll say something and it will be disregarded and then a man says the same thing and it will be listened to,” she said. “But it’s getting better. A lot of people, especially in our generation, are becoming a lot more aware of it.” Ms McNerney said that in her experience some women struggle with “imposter syndrome”, which required a shift in mindset. Although she said it was still a shame so many gender imbalance issues still needed addressing in 2022, she believed it would take time for society to change. “But it will come,” she said. LEAH HIRST Leah Hirst believes if you speak up, your voice will be heard. That’s what she has experienced in her career, saying when she found out she was being paid a lot less than male managers in a previous job, she took it to her boss and it was rectified. “I think women just have to stand up, let their voices be heard and really get amongst it and not be afraid,” she said. Working in a leadership position in the male-dominated resources sector, the co-founder and director of JMH Group — which does maintenance and repair work on heavy plant and machinery — said she would love to see more women enter the sector and believed there were opportunities open to them. She and husband Jaydon employ a workforce of about 80, of which more than 90 per cent are men. “I would love to see more female heavy duty diesel mechanics. I feel like there’s definitely room for more women in our industry,” she said. Mrs Hirst said the gender inequality was “definitely improving” and felt women in Geraldton were well-respected within the industry and business community. She also encouraged women to pair up with a mentor, someone they trusted to be a sounding board to discuss any concerns and how to address workplace issues. KATHRYN JACKSON A sense of civic duty might seem like an old-fashioned notion to some, but not to Kathryn Jackson. The town planner by trade stood for election as a Liberal candidate in the Upper House after being pre-selected at No.2 on the Agricultural Region ticket. She didn’t get elected as the McGowan Government was swept back into power in a landslide victory, but it hasn’t put her off having another go in the future. She is currently the vice-president of the State Liberal Party, a keen hockey, football and cricket player, community volunteer and mum of two young kids. “I’m someone who thinks don’t complain about things. If you want to change things, get in and do it,” she said. Ms Jackson said many organisations and groups had a healthy viewpoint on gender issues. “There’s just some businesses that aren’t on board yet, and they’re the ones who need our focus and attention,” she said. She said it was important not to tar all men with the same brush. “There are actually some really good men who champion equality for women,” she said. But the political aspirant is still well aware of what many women still have to face, even when passing strangers on a street. “I think all women still experience some yuckiness from time to time. When I was campaigning, I was on pre-poll and I’d have men walk past and say ‘I won’t take your flyer, but I’ll take you home’. You can still cop some nasty stuff that needs to be dealt with,” she said. When asked what the best thing was about being a woman in 2022, Ms Jackson said: “I’m so encouraged that I can be a mum, but pursue a career . . . that’s now acceptable. I don’t have to choose. I can actually go: I will play sport and I will have a career and I will be a mum and that’s OK. I’m allowed to navigate that without the stigma there has previously been for women before me.” ALEXIA PARENZEE Not only is Alexia Parenzee an impressive singer-songwriter in her own right, she is a champion for other local musicians. She recently helped found Regional Sounds, a musicians’ collective which has set up home in the old Railway Station building on Marine Terrace. It’s a hub for musicians and music fans to help strengthen the local industry. “By having this hub whereby artists can deepen their musical knowledge, workshop ideas, create new music, and be supported to cultivate career pathways, will be a crucial part in building up a sustainable future pathway for music in the regions,” Ms Parenzee said earlier this year. “To have found a home for original music in the region in the heart of Geraldton is just incredible.” West Australian Music regional officer Nigel Bird has singled out Parenzee for praise in the past, saying she “contributes so much behind the scenes”. Her first recorded song, Creed and Colour has garnered national radio play and Mr Bird is just one of many fans who is certain Parenzee’s future will be bright. Parenzee originally hails from South Africa and found herself traversing through France, Mongolia, South East Asia and New Zealand before settling in Geraldton. Her music pays homage to her cultural heritage while also drawing inspiration from songwriters and soul singers of the 70s. Triple J Unearthed described Parenzee’s songs as weaving a “tapestry of cultural fibre with poetic lyricism and elements of mythical intrigue and a little sugar.” A songbird who is ready to take full flight. JULIA AND TIANI TEAKLE Football’s rising stars Julia and Tiani Teakle are taking their sister act to the big city, impressing AFLW circles along the way. Tiani, 15, and Julia, 18, have quickly established themselves as football’s rising stars after signing on as East Fremantle Sharks’ latest recruits in their journey towards the AFLW. Kicking half of East Fremantle’s goals in her debut game against 2021 premiers, Swan Districts, this year Julia has also proven her talents in the classroom — placing in the top 4 per cent of the State’s graduating Year 12’s last year. Embracing her new city life as she settles into her physiotherapy studies at the University of Notre Dame, Julia said her secret to success and happiness is embracing all aspects of her life. “Of course I want to make it into the AFLW, but football isn’t and can’t be the be all and end all of my life,” she said. “Not putting that pressure on myself is important, I play football because I love it. “I’ve gotten to where I am today because of the inspiring women I’ve looked up to in Geraldton, I couldn’t have done it alone.” Sister Tiani however, said the AFLW was her end goal, one which she’s sure to achieve. “Growing up I always wanted to reach the highest level possible in anything I did, push myself and be in that environment where others are the same,” she said. “I think I’m succeeding in footy because I love it — enjoying the game is key because you don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.” Whether it’s on the field as players or off the field as support, the sporting world is sure to bag winners in the pair. ROXANNE ROUX There’s never a dull moment when Roxy Roux is around as she paves the way of the AFLW for future generations. While the 19-year old has made a lasting mark on the national sporting stage, Roux has been breaking down barriers for years starting in her Mid West hometown of Dongara. At only 12 years of age, she ran onto the field as the only female in the Dongara Eagles Junior Football Club when no girls team existed. The club even went as far as voting her in as captain when rival clubs wanted her barred from the competition. Not forgetting her humble beginnings in the club which started her now booming career, Roux has continued to help the club gain grants and continue providing a place for young athletes. “Dongara gave their all to me and supported me through my years of footballing. They really got behind me,” she said in 2020. “Being able to give them back something is really special because they gave me so much, as did the whole Dongara community.” Unlike the men of the football world, when Roux is off the field she’s also juggling training and full-time work as a team leader at Rebel Sport, proving that women can do it all. BROOKE BLURTON She’s Australia’s unofficial queer icon who has used her newfound star power to work towards universal access to health care and education. The 27-year-old Noongar-Yamatji woman, who grew up in Carnarvon, was thrust into the spotlight last year as the first Indigenous and bisexual woman to be on Australia’s Bachelorette. While she may not have found her love on the reality show, she hasn’t wasted her fame with flat-tummy tea and the like, instead she is working towards ensuring no child experiences the struggles she faced growing up. “A lot of people don’t have access to normal day-to-day dental hygiene products . . . and I fell into that category once upon a time, growing up in poverty,” she told Now To Love this year. “Growing up, my family, we did struggle with stability and financially. My mum tried to do the best she could with what she had for all of us kids,” she said. “I am one of five. “I feel very lucky now having (everything) so easily accessible, but I don’t take that for granted.” Not only putting her power behind poverty, Blurton is starting conversations on sexuality and mental health. Unlike other reality TV characters, it’s safe to say Blurton won’t be your forgettable silver screen star. ROSIE SITORUS When it comes to regional leaders, Rosie Sitorus is a jack of all trades, with her incredible voice, way with words and passionate drive. Not to be pigeonholed, Sitorus is a wildly successful muso, artist and comedian. However, her passion lies in Aboriginal language. Studying law at university, Sitorus quickly took a left hand turn into linguistics and began working at the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre to support the community to reconnect with, learn and speak their language. Among her many accolades, Sitorus was jointly nominated for two WA Music Song of the Year awards in 2021 with Thiinma elder Peter Salmon for the song Warri Yungu, Warri Baba. She’s also using Mr Salmon’s knowledge of country to create a biology book of the local flora and fauna as well as artworks and songs. Last year she said language was key to Indigenous identity and had hopes to preserve the critically endangered Thiinma language. “What language gives to you is a connection to your family, to your past and to a future where you’re not around . . . and so, without language, you lose that connection, and if you lose connection, you have nothing,” she said. With her love for regional communities, Sitorus has quickly become a nurturing and strong mentor for the Geraldton community. PIA RICHARDSON Women’s International Day is fast approaching and one local lady who meets the criteria is empowering business owner and mother of three, Pia Richardson. When COVID-19 began to interrupt Soul Food’s business flow, Mrs Richardson didn’t come short of helping the community. Although she is a busy mother she holds a passion for engaging with others around Geraldton close to heart. Mrs Richardson says although her business is struggling due to the pandemic, she is thinking of organic ideas to keep income flowing. “The cafe has lost about 30 per cent of business since COVID-19 arrived in Geraldton, so I’ve had to come up with other ways to keep income flowing,” Mrs Richardson said. Mrs Richardson offers a contactless delivery of cooked health foods to help the vulnerable community. “I’ve come up with the idea of weekly meal boxes which can be picked up or delivered for when COVID is in the community,” she said. Despite running her cafe, Mrs Richardson also is a hypnotherapist, holds yoga classes to inspire women to feel grounded and offers food to the homeless community when she can. “I’ve been clean and sober for 14 years, but I know the struggle of addiction and being at rock bottom,” she said. Mrs Richardson wants to offer a safe place for people and said she’s in a perfect position for helping. “Showing up as a mother I can sometimes struggle knowing when to say “no”. My goal at the end of the day is to be spending time with my kids at home,” she said. “I believe a lot of women undervalue themselves. The main thing I want to do is show women they can do anything.” LUCY MURDOCH AND ALEESYA AMIRIZAL Young people are often accused of being politically disengaged, but two Geraldton teen advocates have proved the critics wrong with their efforts to empower the voiceless and instigate positive change. Champion Bay Senior High School student Aleesya Amirizal, 17, and recent Year 12 graduate Lucy Murdoch, 18 have played key roles in organising local protests against government inaction on climate change. Lucy has had an opinion piece published by the Sydney Morning Herald where she explained the devastating impact the expansion of gas fracking could have on Geraldton. “Climate change is an everybody issue, and government and business are not doing enough about it. The only way they will start doing enough is by pressure from the people, especially young people, because it is our future,” she said. Aleesya has also used her social media following to get people thinking about politics and global events, such as the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She has attended Black Lives Matter rallies in Perth and events in support of those persecuted in Afghanistan, a cause which Aleesya says is particularly close to her heart. “Afghanistan has a very large Muslim population, so it does impact me a lot emotionally because they are so similar to me and my family,” she said. With a keen interest in debating and using her voice for good, Aleesya is considering pursuing studies in law, political science or international relations in Canberra after she graduates. BILLI MARSHALL Breaking down the walls of WA’s male-dominated agricultural industry, Billi Marshall is standing tall as a pillar of influence for women across regional WA. Not only is the cattle veterinary worker dominating her field, she has founded Advocate AG, a platform for your Mid West people to connect on personal and professional levels. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she saw the need in the region to connect farmers in danger of losing themselves amid their demanding days. Knowing she’s making huge impacts for women and young ag workers, Ms Marshall is doing all she can to support and propel her peers to ensure a better and more diverse future for the industry. “My advice for women, not only those in the agricultural industry but as an entity is simple: we’re just as good.,” she said. “What determines your success is not what gender you are but the level of determination you have that drives you. If you want it badly enough no one can stop you.” While COVID-19 may have brought chaos and confusion, there’s no doubt Miss Marshall will continue to trailblaze a path for woman in ag.