Full list: The Southern Downs’ 22 most inspirational women making a difference in the region revealed
From artists and athletes to doctors and businesswomen, the Southern Downs is filled with women who are excelling in their fields and making life in the region a better place. To celebrate International Women’s Day, here are some of the inspiring stories of the most influential women in the region.
Warwick
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From artists and volunteers to doctors and businesswomen, the Southern Downs is filled with women who are excelling in their fields and making life in the region a better place.
To celebrate International Women’s Day, Warwick Daily News has compiled a list of the 22 inspiring women and their stories from around the region.
Here are 22 in no particular order:
Dr Claire Schmidt, doctor/business owner/manager
Allora’s Dr Claire Schmidt took over management at Allora Medical Centre in late 2022 after being a GP at the clinic for three years.
The superstar doctor also co-owns Victoria Hill Lamb with her husband, Stephen, and on top of her busy schedule also helped in saving the practice from possible closure at the end of 2022.
“There would have been a strong chance it was going to have to close, which would have been a real dreadful shame,” Dr Schmidt told Warwick Daily News last year.
Tess Cullen, sports president
Warwick rugby powerhouse Tess Cullen is a defiant and busy woman with many hats, made the grade this International Women’s Day after she was nominated by a member of the communiy for “always (being) a champion for women and the amazing things they do”.
As well as being a mum to a 17-month-old baby girl, Mrs Cullen works in school admin, and finds time to coach, volunteer, and be the current president of the mighty Warwick Water Rats Rugby side.
“My personal belief is that every woman is a strong woman - women truly are incredible and if in the right environment and surrounded by the right people, we are all capable of doing incredible things,” she said.
Mrs Cullen said the women that inspired her most are her mum, Jacinda Ardern and Ruth Bader Ginsburg as they were “all strong, intelligent and kind women who have overcome many personal struggles to achieve amazing things”.
Clare Hine, lawyer
Defence lawyer Clare Hine knows the ins and outs of Warwick, providing some of the finest legal expertise across the Southern Downs.
Ms Hine worked as schoolteacher, a mental health nurse and a general manager of a youth non-for-profit before she had an inspirational midlife career shift when she started a studying a law degree.
For seven years Ms Hine would wake up daily at 4am to study before going to work.
“I feel renewed as a human being. It’s a wonderful thing when you finally do something you aspire to do,” Ms Hine told Warwick Daily News in 2018.
Leah Kelly, artist
Allora artist Leah Kelly recently presented her inspiring debut art exhibit dealing with themes of strength and surviving trauma, based around the difficult topic of domestic violence.
The artist told Warwick Daily News domestic violence was a topic rarely spoken about, often regarded as “other people’s business”, and hoped her artwork allowed vulnerable people to feel like they weren’t alone in the struggle.
“People came up to me and were telling me their story even though I had never asked, but they felt like they could in the exhibition,” she said.
Brittney Dugdale and Layla Wolfenden, horse rescuers
For best mates Brittney and Layla, their friendship led to them making a real difference in the community with their business L & B Horse Rescue and Rehoming.
The pair met in early 2022 and quickly bonded of their shared love of horses and their mutual dismay at seeing sick or neglected horses on Facebook.
Since then, they’ve grown their horse rescue service to have multiple horses at their property at any one time and are looking to expand to a bigger property this year.
Sheryl Windle, councillor
Southern Downs Regional Councillor Sheryl Windle has been working to better the region since 2016, making the decision to enter local government after wanting an “opportunity for me to become involved in processes to try and ensure a better future for our residents”.
Ms Windle said gender inequality was the biggest barrier to female empowerment in 2023, although there had been some improvements.
“It is evident there is still a lack of equal opportunities for women both in education and the workplace,” she said.
“Working women also face barriers when navigating work commitments while meeting the needs of family life.
“Always have a go - you won’t know what you may be able to achieve if you never try.”
Julie Unwin, teacher/ changemaker
Teacher and Share the Dignity volunteer Julie Unwin decided she wanted to make a change for her community after witnessing students miss school on a monthly basis due to their families being unable to afford sanitary items.
“This started me on a very determined mission that I wanted no girl or woman in our local community to not have access to sanitary items,” Ms Unwin said.
“Never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. I always share this quote and have it written in my notebook.”
Ms Unwin and Share the Dignity were instrumental in getting Warwick Hospital a ‘Pink Machine’ which dispenses sanitary items for women and girls in emergencies.
Noo Esteban Shepherd, charity manager
Churches of Christ campus manager Noo Esteban Shepherd has been making a difference in the community for the past 17 years, hosting events and activities throughout Warwick and the Southern Downs.
Ms Shepherd actively betters the community through providing meals to children at local primary schools, co-ordinating an intergenerational playgroup at Churches of Christ, orchestrating a plethora of community events and organising a community Christmas lunch among much more.
“(The most inspirational women are) the quiet achievers, the women who rise by lifting others, especially the women in my circle who I’m blessed to call my friends,” Ms Shepherd said.
Clare McHugh Von Stieglitz, volunteer
Clare McHugh Von Stieglitz is a keen volunteer in the community, being involved with several organisations including Carbal Medical Services, which she helped begin as a van, Community Development Services in Stanthorpe and Mercy Services in Toowoomba.
Ms Von Stieglitz is also the active admin of Warwick Gardening QLD, a Facebook community that regularly hosts events and meetups, boasting almost 1500 members.
Ms Von Stieglitz said her best advice for the next generation of women was “the sky's the limit and don’t accept it can’t be done as an answer”.
Cynthia McDonald, councillor
Southern Downs Regional Councillor Cynthia McDonald wanted to get into local government following her desire to assist the community and felt she could use her logistic, management and leadership skills to assist the Southern Downs community.
Ms McDonald said she was “molded” into the woman she is by the influence of her grandmothers, who have provided inspiration throughout her life.
“My nanna who recently passed away, assisted with the upbringing of three generations of our family, she assisted me with irreplaceable life skills and my other grandmother was a returned WWII veteran and inspired my strength and determination to succeed,” Ms McDonald said.
Ms McDonald said she would mirror some advice from her grandfather, that “women can succeed in any career or vocation that they aspire to”.
“Aim high but always remember you need to maintain a work-life balance,” she said.
Bianca Fitch, support worker
Local legend Bianca Fitch has been running B’s Support Service, focusing on providing disability support in Warwick since 2017.
Ms Fitch began her support business after a family friend was looking for a support worker at the time, so Ms Fitch decided to complete her Cert III in community services in just 12 weeks, all while caring for a four-year-old and a nine-month-old.
The mum-of-two said negative stereotypes were the biggest barrier for women achieving female empowerment right now.
“Things like ‘a mum can’t run a business and raise a family,’ just watch us,” she said.
Debbie Wilmot, business owner/ volunteer
Born and raised in Stanthorpe, Gracious Giving store owner Debbie Wilmot is very familiar with her community and is passionate about giving back through volunteering.
Besides running her business alongside her daughters, Ms Wilmot is a tireless volunteer in Stanthorpe, acting as the chairwoman for the Stanthorpe Cancer Support Group, Zonta group and multiple sporting teams and organisations.
Ms Wilmot said she just hopes to make a positive difference in the community and “if I can make a difference in one person's life, it is worth it”.
![Gracious Giving owner Debbie Wilmot said “[you] have patience and stay focused, try not to lose sight of what your goals are and why you started doing what you're doing.”](https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/255d32890806b1dd48dd52b35dbe1793?width=650)
Peggy Channon, winemaker
For more than 20 years, Peggy Channon and husband Robert have been producing award-winning wines at 32 Bradley Lane, west of Stanthorpe.
As well as being an expert in her craft, Mrs Channon also was the Zonta Club president in her district, empowering and elevating women throughout the community.
“We need to be aware that there are so many really unsung women in the community who work hard, who contribute, who are not necessarily paid, in fact very often not paid for what they do as volunteers and without them the community would be so much worse off,” Mrs Channon told Stanthorpe Border Post in 2020.
“There’s quite a lot of women who quietly work hard, achieve so much but yet just pass under the radar.”
Debbie Stevens
The inspiring story of one Warwick mother’s resilience and strength moved the Rose City last year.
Ms Stevens’ daughter, Daisy, was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Apert Syndrome, which affects one in 65,000 newborns and can cause early fusion of the skull, hands and feet bones.
But despite Daisy’s challenges in life, Ms Stevens said it has just become a part of their world that the family managed every day.
“We were given Daisy for a reason and she’s here to teach us so much, which she already is,” she said.
“We just make it work for Daisy. You find time and strength that you never thought you’d have.”
Dr Louise Clarke, doctor
Co-owner and doctor at the Condamine Medical Centre, Dr Louise Clarke has a deep passion for women’s health and family care.
Dr Clarke has been practising medicine in Warwick for almost 30 years, and has been an integral part of the town and its social fabric since 1995.
The mother-of-three also is a passionate guest speaker, having been a main draw for one of the Women of Warwick forum events.
Nancy De Prada, volunteer
Southern Downs Citizen of the Year in 2019, Nancy De Prada is known throughout the region for her effort and dedicating her time with a wide range of volunteering roles.
From Jumpers and Jazz, to Crime Stoppers, to the local theatre scene, the inspirational Ms De Prada is known to offer a helping hand, as well as being a founding organiser with Warwick Pentathrun and supporter of the Warwick Netball Association.
“If someone needs help and I can help, then I will help,” she told Warwick Daily News in 2019.
Linda Bunch, volunteer
Warwick sporting icon Linda Bunch is a passionate and keen supporter of women and girls getting into sport.
The well-known and highly regarded volunteer is said to spend “about 20 to 30 hours a week” volunteering around the junior and senior sides of the Warwick Netball Association.
The long time club secretary and Netball Queensland Volunteer of the Year told Warwick Daily News, “I love every minute of it”.
Catherine Cazaly, nurse/charity owner
A Warwick nurse who feeds the needy and inspired residents across the Southern Downs during the drought period had morals instilled at a young age.
“That’s just how my mum and dad raised me, everyone is important, everyone has something they can offer,” Ms Cazaly told Warwick Daily News in 2019.
Residents might recognise Frankie the Warwick Community Van, found in Leslie Park, offering fresh-cooked meals, hygiene products and clothing to anyone who needs it.
The van, run by Ms Cazaly and the Warwick Seventh-day Adventist Church, is still going strong providing meals in Leslie Park in 2023, five years after the charity project began in 2018.
Rebecca Butler, teacher aide/business owner
One Warwick teacher aide’s love for helping the youth of the region grow into independent adults has led her to open her own business on the side.
Rebecca Butler formed L2Drive a year ago after discovering an opening in the market and found “the joy and satisfaction that I receive from working with young people as a teacher aide has transferred to my business”.
Ms Butler said being able to support and educate learner drivers while encouraging them to become a the safest driver they could be was her favourite part of the job.
“Surround yourself with women who are strong, that’ll inspire you, and make you a better person - dream big and be true to yourself,” she said.
Stacey Cantwell, volunteer
For one Warwick mum, there aren’t enough hours in the day for the amount of volunteering she does, but somehow she finds a way.
Stacey Cantwell has lived in Warwick for almost 10 years, and is passionate about volunteering in the community and supporting children with learning disabilities and behavioural problems.
Alongside being a JP, CWA volunteer and president of the P & C at Wheatvale State School, Ms Cantwell advocates for all children.
“Especially the neurodivergent ones, the ones who don’t quite fit in, the weird and wonderful ones, because they are often the unheard children, flying below the radar or labelled as dysfunctional or naughty,” she said.
“When you get to know them their outside the box thinking and attitudes are what we need to solve some of the big problems in this world.
“Be brave and open conversations with your grandmothers, mothers, aunts and friends with the hard questions, they have been through so much and there is knowledge there for the taking if you are brave enough to ask the awkward questions.”
Rosalyn Keim, volunteer
Rosalyn Keim’s dedication to volunteering in the community has resulted in her winning this year’s Citizen of the Year Award for the Southern Downs and be called an “inspiration for many” by Mayor Vic Pennisi.
Ms Keim is a keen member of the Warwick Lions Club and actively supported the community throughout the droughts by distributing water, food and vouchers to local families.
Additionally, Ms Keim was instrumental in recovery and support during the Lismore floods, organising a group to assist with recovery and distribute food in the affected communities.
“I feel like volunteering has helped me more than I’ve helped other people, I had two choices, I could have just stayed at home and mope, but for my mental health I made sure to get out and be in the community,” Ms Keim told Warwick Daily News in January.
Every woman out there
While we have to limit our list, Warwick Daily News believes every woman should be recognised, celebrated and acknowledged, particularly on International Women’s Day. This celebration is for every woman who is living her truth. Who is getting up every day even when times are tough. Who is chasing her goals. Who is raising the next generation of strong women and men. Who are married and who are single. Bravo and cheers to you.
If we missed anyone you think deserves a special International Women’s Day shoutout, let us know below.
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