No Woman Left Behind lunch held ahead of IWD as NT News Woman of the Year 2025 noms open
This Territory educator from the outback was pushed into the spotlight after being crowned the NT News Woman of the Year. Here’s why she’s calling for more of the NT’s unsung heroes to be celebrated.
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The inaugural winner of the NT News’ Woman of the Year award embodies the theme of this year’s ‘No Woman Left Behind’ luncheon, with the advocate for mums and bubs out bush a panel speaker at the event.
The educator from the outback Rachel Thorne shines – both figuratively and literally – as she burst through the doors of the International Women’s Day event at Mindil Beach Casino Resort, with glitter sprinkled through her hair.
“When you’re from the bush, you really need to shine,” Ms Thorne said with a laugh.
For more than a decade, the New Zealand national has dedicated herself to educating and inspiring students in some of the Territory’s most remote classrooms.
But as Gunbalanya’s Families as First Teachers program educator, Ms Thorne knows that learning doesn’t stop in the classroom.
With a cup of tea, a snack, a joke and often a song, Ms Thorne creates a safe place for mums and bubs.
“It’s so crucial for their wellbeing, their mental health and for their family structure,” she said.
“It gives an opportunity for women in remote communities to have a voice.
“It's about building a sisterhood of women and giving them a platform for them to be able to share their challenges and not be ashamed.”
On Friday Ms Thorne credited the NT News Woman of the Year Award for bringing extra attention to this critical program working with some of the Territory’s most vulnerable families.
“(The program is) federally funded and every year they have to say ‘yes or no’ if the funding will be given to the FaFT program in these remote communities,” she said.
Last year the 55 centres — and the 2600 remote mums and bubs — in the FaFT program were saved from a Federal funding cliff, extending its lifeline by another 12 months.
Like many of the women nominated in last year’s NT News Woman of the Year Awards, Ms Thorne said she was “shocked” and humbled to be a winner for doing her “day-to-day job, passion”.
“Winning last year was the top – the top-top – (highlight) of my career,” she said.
Ms Thorne called on every Territorian to use this year’s nomination process to celebrate those grassroots community leaders and unsung heroes
“The NT News has done such an amazing thing to be able to showcase, highlight all the normal joe-blow persons who believe that they’re not doing much, (but) truly have a big impact on their community.”
Nominations for the 2025 NT News Woman of the Year Awards are open from March 7 to March 31, 2025.
IN PICTURES: ‘No Woman Left Behind’ luncheon
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