Revealed: Meet the inspirational women of the Limestone Coast
They’ve battled body dysmorphia, climbed the corporate ladder and led the way in their charity work — meet some of the inspirational women of the Limestone Coast.
Mount Gambier
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They have tackled body dysmorphia, made strides in male-dominated industries, challenged the status quo and made massive contributions to the community they live in.
In celebration of International Women’s Day meet some of the Limestone Coast’s most inspirational women.
Tessa Deak
Artist, advocate and trainer — at just 23 Tessa Deak has been living with myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, for nearly a decade.
Though managing the disease is a “balancing act” which changes daily, Ms Deak’s passion for improving accessibility and inclusion for people living with disability is unshakeable.
Among her many hats, Ms Deak works as a disability inclusion training facilitator for JFA Purple Orange, educating the Limestone Coast and wider SA.
“I also get to do that with our local Just Relax: Let’s Talk About Disability project which I run with other local disabled advocates to educate students on disability,” she said.
Despite her current visibility and role as an educator, one of Ms Deak’s most impressive feats was overcoming her terror of public speaking.
Ms Deak said she was forced to “step up” during a CFS Awareness Night where she had to give a speech on her personal experience with the condition.
“I was absolutely terrified but I found a taste in using my experience to help others understand and connect and haven’t been able to turn back since,” she said.
Jenny Marshall
Often seen around Mount Gambier in tow with her rescue greyhound Dreamy, Jenny Marshall’s sunny disposition has been acquired through hard work and a battle with self-worth.
Following a perfect storm of biological and environmental factors, coupled with severe abuse, Ms Marshall “ate to compensate” and was 132kg by 12-years-old.
In 2021, Ms Marshall published her book Death by Chocolate Cake: My Journey Through Obesity With Love, which has reached a global audience.
Ms Marshall was constantly greeted by stares and was “used to being bullied everywhere”.
After moving to the South-East and failing to receive help from any of the fundamentalist churches Ms Marshall met a life-changing friend — who kickstarted started a journey of recovery.
“She got teary when I said ‘I think I might want to live now’,” she said.
“She said that’s good because I wonder what life would be like without your friendship.”
Now over 100kg lighter, Ms Marshall has had several surgeries to remove excess skin.
“The defining moment was when I went out for coffee after the second surgery,” she said.
“The atmosphere was different and I couldn’t understand it was so peaceful — and then I realised no one was staring.”
By sharing her story Ms Marshall said she wanted others to understand “whatever it is you’ve got is okay”.
“You start living your life from that point — you are worth it, you’re valuable.”
Gail Richards
Leading one of Mount Gambier’s real estate firms, Key 2 Sales principal and sales consultant Gail Richards has been highlighted as an inspirational woman of the Limestone Coast for her amazing philanthropy.
Her charity work through Key 2 Sales has evolved over the years, but after the tragic death of her grandmother, Ms Richards made it her mission to help raise funds for Mount Gambier’s palliative care unit.
A charity ball last year raised $33,000 towards a “cuddle bed”, which is built like a standard hospital bed but allows palliative patients enough space for a loved one to cuddle up next to them.
“When my gran passed away — she had bowel cancer and spent probably the last three weeks in hospital during Covid,” she said.
“There were very limited visiting times for us to go in — we relied heavily on the hospital staff — this was a way of giving back.
“Unfortunately, the timing of grans passing meant that we had a very awful experience because you have got time but you weren’t able to spend as much as you would have liked with them.
“The cuddle bed seemed a great fit because it’s giving families time to connect at a very sad time.”
Ms Richards is now working towards bringing a dedicated hospice facility in Mount Gambier.
Luci Virgo
After struggling with her identity for years, Lucy Virgo, a trans woman, is now living her authentic life in Mount Gambier.
Ms Virgo said she knew was not a boy from three-years-old, but lived in secret and fear of others finding out.
Living in a regional, conservative community Ms Virgo said it has been great to see a more accepting social culture take root in the Limestone Coast.
“I had to hide it — I was wearing layers — masks just to conceal who I was,” she said.
Though she’s been welcomed by most, Ms Virgo’s transition was not smooth sailing — with a work colleague ‘outing’ her to upper management.
“They didn’t understand what it meant to ‘out’ someone, that in many places that’s dangerous,” she said.
“I didn’t see much choice but to make it official and take ownership of the situation.
Since coming out Ms Virgo said “some people have struggled to really accept me”.
“(But) within the last five years, there’s been quite a difference within the community — but I have been accepted as myself everywhere I go,” she said.
“That’s an incredible feeling.”
Dr Monique Kanters
Coming from a regional farming community in Canada, Dr Monique Kanters knew she wanted to improve health offerings for rural communities after she migrated to Australia.
Dr Kanters, from Hawkins Medical Clinic, is a GP obstetrician and has seen first-hand how limited medical services affect farming communities.
“I know all about what happens when you start losing doctors because I experienced that myself growing up,” she said.
“When I decided to go to medical school, the only thought I had in mind was to be a rural GP.
“I was quite determined that what I experienced and my family had experienced in Canada, I wasn’t going to let happen here.
“I was going to be part of the solution really in making sure that doctor stayed in rural Australia.”
In January this year, Dr Kanthers helped open a dedicated women’s medical clinic under the Hawkins umbrella.
Dr Kanthers said there were several women’s health issues that could be better addressed in the Limestone Coast.
“It’s is part of my philosophy of making sure that women get the services that they need for their health care — where they need it,” she said.
April Hague
Talented mural artist April Hague initially moved to the Limestone Coast on a 12-month teaching contract.
However, she soon fell in love with the region, making it her home for half her life.
“There’s a real buzzing arts community and it’s a really great place to practice my craft,” Ms Hague said.
Along with her work as a working artist Ms Hague, works part-time as an art teacher for Allendale East Area school.
With the help of a grant from the City of Mount Gambier Ms Hague ran a workshop to help connect local female artists and help their wellbeing.
“It all sort of culminated in a public piece, which is on Heriot St,” she said.
“A lot of artists kind of work away solo in their studios and don’t sort of get to interact with others too much.
“It did have a bit of a wellbeing focus of gathering people together to work on a common goal.”
Ms Hague wanted to welcome residents to her life drawing classes, which she conducts monthly at the Riddoch Art Gallery alongside another artist.
Rhiannon Mathers
After showing little interest in following in her father’s footsteps, Rhiannon Mathers wound up becoming pursuing a career in the male-dominated field of chemical engineering.
Following a careers expo held at high school, Ms Mathers said she challenged an aptitude profile that highlighted a career as an accountant.
Ms Mathers said the test did not resonate with her, prompting her to approach the host of the testing panel.
“He took one look at it and he said, ‘Oh, that’s funny you’ve got an engineering profile’,” she said.
“I thought that was quite funny because I’ve been trying so hard to run away from it my whole life.
“I sort of realised (engineering) is actually a lot of things that I found really interesting.”
After completing her studies, Ms Mathers moved to the South-East to begin working with toilet paper manufacturer Kimberly-Clark, the makers of Kleenex.
Six months ago, Ms Mathers jumped at the chance to take a leadership role with Timberlink.
“I’m really passionate about seeing women in leadership roles and like getting the balance more even across industries, especially when it comes to STEM,” she said.
Ms Mathers has also recently joined the Women in Regional Business and Development board and is looking forward to promoting the STEM field to other women.
“I’ve only just started to become involved in a lot of the operating side of the board and decision making processes,” she said.
“One of the things that I’ve learned and I’m so glad I learnt it early, is to make brave moves because it’s okay if you don’t get the outcome — you’ll learn a lot.”
Di Ind
Though there are still many steps to take, there have been great strides in social acceptance for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Di Ind, 57, who identifies as a lesbian, said it was much harder living her life out in the open.
“I left my hometown of Mount Gambier to seek solace in the city,” she said.
“That way I was around for like-minded people like myself was very hard back in back to the mid to late 80s.”
However, with a mission to change rural mindsets, Ms Ind moved back to the region more than 20 years ago.
Since then, not only has she been a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, but she has embedded herself into the community — working for several organisations.
Ms Ind has previously spent time on the board of Women in Business and Regional Development and Pangula Mannamurna.
Currently, Ms Ind splits her time between Four Reasons Why — which actively responds and assists vulnerable people who fall through the cracks — as well as Limestone Coast Connect and Spare Change for Kids.
“I genuinely enjoy helping people to be the best they can be and whether it’s just a few kind words or actually rolling up my sleeves and helping people out,” she said.
“That’s just who I am, that's just what I like to do.”
Claire Perrin
After embarking on her own journey of healing, Claire Perrin discovered what she was “born to do”.
Making the tree change from Melbourne to Mount Gambier during the pandemic, Ms Perrin works for Lifeline as a crisis counsellor.
“I found it quite late in life (but) my varied life experiences led me to this role,” she said.
“I’ve definitely struggled with depression and anxiety my whole life.
“So I definitely understand what some people are talking about.”
Ms Perrin said when it came to mental health “we can be our own worst enemy” and wanted to encourage others to be kind to themselves.
Dealing with people at their most vulnerable, Ms Perrin said it was important not to take her work home with her.
“The training that they give you about your own self care is really good — there’s always support there,” she said.
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