International Women's Day: celebrating women of the Maranoa

To mark International Women's Day, The Western Star has profiled six influential women from the region.

ZONTA: Heather Hall, Sue Sands, Elizabeth Cozloff, Rachel Farndon, and Marion Lucht. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

CELEBRATED on March 8 for more than 100 years, International Women's Day is a chance for the world to recognise the achievements of women and highlight gender equity.

To mark the day, The Western Star spoke to six women from the Maranoa who have influenced their community and colleagues in different ways.

A leader in health

MORE than a decade in the Ambulance service has taught Loretta Johnson valuable lessons.

Serving in Longreach and now Roma, Ms Johnson has made it her mission to mentor her colleagues at the QAS, shaping them to become strong and resilient leaders in health care.

"I've been an executive leader in Roma for two-and- a-half years, and prior to that I was a leader out in Longreach,” she said.

"My role is to make sure that we continue to get ambulances and healthcare to people who need it in rural Queensland.”

Ms Johnson told The Western Star the hard-working officers at the Roma QAS base are striving to be the best they can be, and part of that has included lifting up fellow women in the service.

"It is vital to recognise what female leaders bring to an organisation; I'm very fortunate that we have an officer in charge in Roma who is a female leader, and has come on a journey of leadership as an officer in charge,” she said.

"I think female leaders have a lot of talent, and it only takes one strong leader to bring out the best in others.”

Loretta Johnson (centre), with colleagues Danielle Walton (left) and Morgann Farndon (right) representing the Queensland Ambulance Service at the Aspiring Women Leaders Summit. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

An advocate for rights

CARING for others comes part-and-parcel with Heather Hall's career as a nurse, and that same drive to help others is part of what led her to Zonta.

Ms Hall said the group has been a way to advocate for women's rights.

"This is my 16th year in Zonta,” she said.

"I got involved through a friend of mine who has since passed away; it was because of her.

"I've always has a strong feeling for women's rights - human rights, really - because I am a registered nurse, and that is what started it.”

International Women's Day is always significant for the ladies of Zonta, Ms Hall said.

"For us, it is one of our biggest days of recognition,” she said.

"This year it is 'balance for better', which is giving women across the world the opportunity to better themselves, to be accepted, to have an opportunity that perhaps isn't available all the time.

"Apart from that, it is also an opportunity for us to invite people to enjoy a breakfast, showcase Zonta, gender equity and balance for better.”

Heather Hall. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

A supporter of sports

IN NETBALL and rugby league, Leona Collins is always cheering on the young sports people of the southwest.

In her day job, Ms Collins works for the Beyond Broncos program in local schools.

Ms Collins told The Western Star her work is all about supporting girls in Years 7-12.

"We target attendance, retention, academics and participation, and I cover everywhere from Dalby to Cunnamulla,” she said.

"I like the program and how it works, because it is a girls program that helps them to be a better version of themselves.”

On the netball court, Ms Collins encourages the region's up and coming athletes through coaching and creating pathways to state level teams.

"I was one of the founding members of Maranoa Netball; now I help make a pathways to become a state player, and am a coach for the Panthers Country Cup,” she said.

"I just love the opportunity that sports bring.

"I have always been a sporty person, and love that we've been able to pave a way for our girls.”

Leona Collins. Picture: Tom Gillespie

A driven councillor

FOCUSED and locally-minded, Joy Denton spent 15 years as a local councillor, always determined to represent the community of Injune.

Wanting to help grow the town, Ms Denton said she ran for office to achieve one goal.

"It was mainly the lack of available land in Injune; there were no houses for sale at the time and there was only one vacant allotment,” she said.

"There was no land available, and the town was land-locked by Native Title - I wanted to try and get some available for expansion.

"Over the years there has been a lot of people wanting to build here and haven't been able to, and now that land is available.”

Offering advice to councillors of the future, Ms Denton said dedication is what matters most.

"They have to be committed to doing the job, because it is a lot of work representing a big community - it is the whole Maranoa,” Ms Denton said.

"It is a big commitment if you are going to do it properly.”

Joy Denton. Picture: Quintin Maddern

A motivated business owner

BEING a business owner and a mum, Sharni Beck is always working hard.

She recently took over Loot Homewares on McDowall St in Roma as part of a homecoming, and has hit the ground running on her first ever business venture.

Support from friends and the community at large gave the revamped shop a kick-start just before Christmas, which was encouraging for Ms Beck.

She said trying to name one person who has motivated her was difficult, because everyone around her has something to teach.

"All kinds of women inspire me, from toddlers who remind me to get back to the simple things in life, to my mum, aunties, grandmas, and celebrities and authors who share their life experiences,” she said.

Being her own boss, Ms Beck takes charge every day, and said it is so important for people to back themselves in whatever they do.

"We take inspiration from every woman in our lives, and I think we should recognise ourselves too, because we can inspire ourselves,” she said.

Sharni Beck. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

A patron of the community

HER name crops up in countless community groups around both Roma and Injune, so it is no wonder that councillor Puddy Chandler ran for office three years ago.

Currently serving her first term on council, Cr Chandler is a passionate advocate for the arts across the region, and the betterment of the Maranoa's smallest of towns.

"I've been involved with the Maranoa Regional Council since 2008, but have only been a councillor for this term, which is three years so far,” she said.

"Because of the history I had with community organisations - being president of the Injune Tourism Association since 2003, president of Advance Injune for a while and a field officer for the Parthenium Action Group at Injune - there was already a lot to do with the council.”

Cr Chandler is also president of the Roma Show Society, and remains heavily involved in both arts and tourism through her portfolio as chair for Arts, Tourism and Heritage.

Cr Puddy Chandler (left) with friends Judy Behrend and Ros Arthur. Picture: Marguerite Cuddihy

Originally published as International Women's Day: celebrating women of the Maranoa