Merici College #IWD2021 Celebration

A sincere thanks to our students, parents and staff for supporting our 2021 International Women's Day (IWD) celebrations. IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. Significant activity is witnessed worldwide as groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or rally for women's equality. 

This year’s IWD 2021 campaign theme is #ChooseToChallenge. A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day. We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

From challenge comes change, so we urge you all to choose to challenge.

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome our guest speaker Tara McClelland, 2021 ACT Young Australian of the Year, to our celebration.

Tara works tirelessly to support and advocate for the rights and wellbeing of ACT’s young people. In her professional role as Youth Worker with the Salvation Army, Tara works with 16-25 year olds experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, homelessness, helping to expand their skills while in crisis accommodation. She is particularly passionate about advocating for young people’s mental health issues, which is the focus of her strength-based empowerment practice. Tara also dedicates her free time to volunteer work with the Youth Reference Group at Headspace Canberra, where she helps apply for funding, organises events to support mental wellbeing, and holds school information sessions.

Tara spoke about her life’s journey and personal reflections and the importance of taking the opportunities that are presented to you, accepting the challenge and moving forward. Tara encouraged our students to take that step forward; even the smallest act of service can make a huge difference. She stressed that in Canberra, the community is full of incredible opportunities that are just waiting for the young people, “Your voice is important and deserves a platform. If you see an injustice, if you have something you want to give back to, now is the time!”.

Tara went on to say, “Just as the IWD theme says “Choose to Challenge”, now is the time for us to speak up, stand out and create the world we want to be a part of. There may be gender biases, inequality, mental health, racism, climate justice; if you are passionate about it, speak up”.

Tara concluded her Address by noting that as ACT Young Australian of the Year, she would like to use her platform to ensure that young people’s voices are collectively heard, and that the issues effecting young people are taken seriously and that action and change is made, because together a difference can be made.

 

Thank you Tara for your truly inspirational address. You are an amazing woman, a wonderful role model for all our students and community and we look forward to working together on special projects in the future.

We would also like to thank and acknowledge our Hospitality students and Hospitality Teacher Trish Young on preparing and serving delicious canapes! The food was amazing and service was amazing!

#IWD2021 #mericiibworld #DareToDream #ChooseToChallenge #mericipride

 

Full image gallery here.

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