The Chronicle looks at 20 of the most influential women of the Darling Downs

In honour of International Women’s Day, The Chronicle looks at 20 of the most influential women on the Darling Downs, inspiring the next generation of female athletes in our region.

Tori Gallegos, Emilee Cherry and Jackie Gallagher

TOOWOOMBA and the Darling Downs has always been a fostering ground for the exceptional female sporting talent across a variety of codes.

More importantly, the region boasts a number of women that are inspiring the next generation to either follow in their footsteps or forge a new path in their own right on the grandest stages.

In honour of International Women’s Day on Tuesday, The Chronicle looks at 20 of the most influential sporting figures on the Downs.

Zimmorlei Farquharson. Photo: Paul Kane/Getty Images

ZIMMORLEI FARQUHARSON (AUSSIE RULES)

The Dalby Swans junior made her AFLW debut for the Brisbane Lions this year.

Showed natural talent at a young age and worked hard to get to the level she is at now.

Progressed through the Lions Academy and junior rep programs to demonstrate to locals on the Downs the pathways are there to get to the top.

Allstar Gymnastics owner Vicki Flamsteed with Lilly Killgour (back, left) and Sophie Chester (back, right) and (front, from left) Nelly Tudman, Harper Pavey and Lucy Campling. Picture: Kevin Farmer

VICKI FLAMSTEED (GYMNASTICS)

The heart and soul of Allstars Gymnastics, Flamsteed has played a pivotal role in the development of both young men and women to reaching their lofty goals in the sport.

The owner has poured in tireless hours of work to help athletes compete strongly and achieve highly at various high profile events.

Bec Stower. Pic: Claudia Williams

BEC STOWER (NETBALL)

The head coach of the Darling Downs Panthers and a big reason for their success in recent times.

Laid the platform professionally to turn the wearing the club’s colours into an honour, and her skills have been recognised after being named Queensland U17s coach for the upcoming nationals.

Aleisha Neumann. Photo: Nev Madsen

ALEISHA NEUMANN (HOCKEY)

Boasts a high level of both playing and officiating ability in hockey.

Neumann went to the Olympics in Tokyo last year as an umpire, with further World Cup and Commonwealth Games honours on the radar.

A national league player as well that is providing a great example for the young players coming through.

Maddy Sears. Photo: Bev Lacey

MADDY SEARS (RACING)

Forming a training partnership with father Tony, Maddy is showing her skills as a horsewoman in her own right.

The combination makes her the leading female trainer from Toowoomba in the metropolitan premiership, empowering female apprentice riders on their mounts along the way.

Ria Thompson, Rowena Meredith, Harriet Hudson and Caitlin Cronin. Photo: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

HARRIET HUDSON (ROWING)

Shot to prominence as part of the women’s quad sculls team that brought home a bronze medal at Tokyo.

The eyeballs of many across the Downs were drawn to the efforts of the Warwick athlete, who helped to put the spotlight on rowing on the biggest stage of them all.

Tracey Tunstall, Janelle Robb and Janelle Sothman (right). Photo: Contributed

JANELLE SOTHMANN (FOOTBALL)

For many years Sothmann has been at the face of football on the Downs, heading up the league as regional manager.

Has dedicated her time to growing the game.

Her service over her tenure has earned her life membership with South West Queensland Football.

Jackie Gallagher with (from left) Carter Blades, Jai Gordon and Lily Hanssen. Photo: Contributed

JACKIE GALLAGHER (ATHLETICS)

Gllagher has served as the director of athletics at Toowoomba Grammar for seven years now, helping elite junior athletes chase their dreams.

With an eye for the next gen, the Darling Downs Athletics coach has continually pushed for further upgrades and infrastructure to benefit athletes in the region for years to come.

Emilee Cherry. Picture: Julian Andrews

EMILEE CHERRY (TOUCH/UNION)

A dual-sport star that will go down as one of Toowoomba’s best ever athletes.

Cherry’s tenure started in touch football where she went on to represent Australia, before switching codes and winning Olympic gold in Rugby Sevens.

Still helping out with the SWQ Swans and giving plenty of inspiration to young players coming through the ranks.

Senior Constable Cath Nielsen. Picture: Contributed

CATH NIELSEN (HOCKEY)

An inspiration for her line of work in the police force, Sen Con Nielsen is also a high level hockey player doing a lot for the sport locally.

A chair of selectors for Toowoomba Hockey, Nielsen represents at the Masters level and has done a lot in combining sport and charity.

Shannon Townsend proudly holds the award with Glennie Aquatic Centre swim instructors Cassandra Daniells, Kim Hess and Vicki Castles. Picture: Contributed

SHANNON TOWNSEND (SWIMMING)

One of the most experienced swim coaches in Toowoomba with more than 20 years of experience, Townsend has helped athletes across the region to reach their goals.

Townsend serves as the aquatic centre manager at The Glennie Aquatic Centre, has been recognised by Swim Australia for her work and is also a yoga teacher.

Weightlifter Tori Gallegos. Picture: Nev Madsen

TORI GALLEGOS (WEIGHTLIFTING)

One of the youngest athletes on the list, but her accolades have served to extend her inspiration beyond her years.

Many young female lifters are looking up to Gallegos, who continues to raise the bar both literally and figuratively, with the Comm Games on the radar.

Georgia Voll. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images

GEORGIA VOLL (CRICKET)

Another of the young guns on the list that is firing on all cylinders and taking all before her.

Voll made her Australia A debut at just 18 years of age on the back of a strong season at the WBBL level.

Has local girls looking up to her and wanting to follow in her footsteps.

Jennifer Screen (left). Picture: Mark Scott

JENNIE SCREEN (BASKETBALL)

A Toowoomba Mountaineers junior, Screen went on to represent Australia at the Olympic Games during an illustrious career.

The Opals great is still in the limelight with her role as an ambassador and commentator, continuing to give young girls not only in Toowoomba, but across the country a role model to aspire to.

Jackie Stephson. Picture: Kevin Farmer

JACKIE STEPHSON (RUGBY LEAGUE)

The Toowoomba Rugby League has a reputation as being one of Queensland’s best leagues, and the work behind the scenes of Stephson doesn’t go unnoticed.

The league and club co-ordinator with Toowoomba and Warwick has played a big role in the organisation, and was a driving force to launch the senior women’s competition.

Tarhlea Apelt. Picture: Contributed

TARHLEA APELT (SPEEDWAY)

HISTORIC feats at the speedway come in many forms.

For Toowoomba, Tarhlea Apelt’s will be hard to top.

Last year the local driver became the first woman to compete in the sprintcars category in Toowoomba at just 18 years of age.

Now firmly in the midst of her first season, Apelt said she has experienced the highs and lows of competing on the big stage.

“It’s been a challenging six months since I started off the season,” she said.

“Being the first season, it’s come with its fair share of crashes and damaged cars along the way. I’ve had some good runs and we’re slowly working our way back up.

“Going through the tough times makes the good runs much sweeter.”

Despite being one of the youngest competitors and the only female in the ranks, Apelt said she has been welcomed onto the scene.

“I’ve made a lot of great mates, and most I’ve raced with in the past,” she said.

“A lot of others have been doing it for more than 10 years. It’s a sport where they don’t care if you’re female or not, once the helmet is on we’re all equals.

“They’ve been watching my previous race history and know how competitive we are. They will often lend a hand and show great sportsmanship.”

The family aspect of the sport is something that Apelt loves, competing under the Apelt Floors Motorsport banner.

“It’s a family sport and that’s really cool,” she said.

“We’re all competitive and I never thought I’d be racing a sprintcar. It’s been nice having the whole family involved.

“We had a lot of accomplishments racing the Formula 500s. Our best was a second-placed finish just on the heels of an ex Australian champion. Right there I felt like we accomplished everything we wanted to.”

With many in the stands at Hi-Tec Oils Speedway looking up to her, Apelt’s advice for young women is to chase what they dream.

“If it’s something they want to pursue, you have to work hard and your way up to it,” she said.

“Never be shy to ask for advice or be scared to ask for a helping hand.”

Jana Anderson. Picture: Nev Madsen

JANA ANDERSON (AUSSIE RULES)

IT’S one of the biggest roles on the Darling Downs, but Jana Anderson is up to the task.

A career dedicated to sport and helping young people reach their dreams has led her to a major job in AFL Darling Downs.

Anderson took over as the competition manager earlier this year, where she is looking to carry the baton and lead the way.

“After working as a sports co-ordinator in the region I was heavily involved in the local club space for so long, and I’m really excited to take on a new role,” she said.

“I’m hoping to continue the great work Mitch (Simpson) has done and to try and strengthen the competition across the men’s, women’s and junior landscape.

“We want to ensure those junior pathways and the senior competitions moving forward.”

Anderson has seen first hand the level of talent that is present on the Darling Downs, and one of her main ambitions is to make sure they get the chance to succeed and chase their dreams.

“Often girls would ask why I was doing the role, a lot of it was in the volunteer space,” she said.
“It was about making sure they don’t miss out. I’m a big advocate for ensuring Darling Downs and country players get the same opportunities as our city players, and they’re not being left behind because of things like transport.

“Without our juniors we don’t have seniors so we have to continue growing.”

Anderson is also intent on ensuring young girls and women across the region have the opportunities to go as far as they can in the game.

She credits former Dalby Swan and Brisbane Lions pathways player Zimmorlei Farquharson as a perfect example of how locals can make it big in the sport.

“With the U17s girls competition at Highfields, a lot will continue on to play in the U14s and women’s comp as well,” she said.

“There’s also the chance to be selected to the Brisbane Lions Academy. We’re very fortunate to have five Darling Downs girls in the final U19s squad looking to be selected into the Queensland state team.

“It’s an exciting time for the pathways in the sport.

“It’s great for our young athletes like Zimm doing so well. It gives local players that might’ve played with her that drive, and helps them to see the pathway moving from DD footy into the big league.”

Demi Hayes. Photo: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

DEMI HAYES (RUGBY UNION)

AS far as achievements goes, captaining your country is situated right near the top.

It’s an honour Demi Hayes achieved last year when she led out the Australian Rugby Sevens team in Dubai.

Growing up near Glenmorgan, Hayes went on to study in Warwick and Toowoomba while her rugby talent shone through.

Earning her place among the playing group on the international Sevens circuit, Hayes went to the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, before rounding out the year with the top position in the side.

“It’s been very exciting and such a privilege to captain such an amazing team,” Hayes said.

“We came back at the end of Tokyo disappointed, but we’ve worked hard to get the results we have (three gold medals since).

“I’ll have Charlotte Caslick joining me as co-captain. To have her support will be great. We know how experienced she is and she’s such a good role model.”

Despite being just 23 years of age, Hayes has been involved in the national program for half a decade now, with what’s to come exciting her, particularly with the close group they have.

“I’ve reflected on the five years I’ve been in the program, and I look at how far I’ve got to go and it’s exciting,” she said.

“Our youngest player is 18 through to Sharni Williams who is 34. For the age group we have, we are such a tight-knit group. We absolutely love playing with each other and that has showed at our last few tournaments.”

Completing her schooling at Fairholme College, Hayes said her parents have been a massive factor in helping her get to where she is today.

“I was very fortunate that my mum and dad supported my sporting achievements from a young age,” she said.

“They pushed me a little bit to follow the leader and chase the pathways that rugby brought me to.

“You see so many young Downs people at the likes of Fairholme, Glennie and Scots (PGC) being brought through, and I hope they see the platform to chase their dreams.

“It’s changed so much. The year before me was the first Darling Downs team in 2014 and it’s crazy to see how far it’s come.”

Having provided a first hand example of how young girls with talent and a dream can reach the international stage, Hayes encouraged those with a similar goal to never stop chasing it.

“Keep pushing those boundaries to where you think you can go,” she said.

“The pathways are set up for you to succeed. Take advantage of the coaches and physios that are there to make you the best player you can be.

“Put yourself in a position to perform your best, and enjoy it. It’s one of the most exciting and fun parts of your life.”

Toowoomba Turf Club CEO Lizzy King. Picture: Kevin Farmer

LIZZY KING (HORSE RACING)

THERE’S no other locally produced sport that gets as much regular national attention as Clifford Park’s Saturday nights.

Beamed around Australia, Toowoomba’s racing scene draws eyeballs and punting dollars from everywhere.

Lizzy King serves as the CEO of the Toowoomba Turf Club, one of Queensland’s biggest race clubs.

It’s a role she took on after years of working closely at the club, allowing her to shine in an increased capacity.

“I had already been here for four years at that stage in a business development role and immersed myself in the club as much as I could,” she said.

“When the opportunity presented itself, I questioned myself and asked if I would be capable.

“I had a few people around me like my husband and an incredible board that were very supportive.

“To be able to get the role as an internal appointment is rare I’m told. I’m a firm believer in the right person being picked for the job, not because of gender. The board saw my passion for the sport and the club.

“The fact the board had wonderful faith that I could take over the role and bring my flare to it, meant so much to me. It still does.

“I have a wonderful board to work with that has such a diverse skillset. We’ve received terrific support to look at the bigger picture, including future proofing Saturday nights.”

Nobody could’ve foreseen what would’ve unfolded within the first 12 months of King’s tenure, as Covid rocked the industry like never before.

“I walked in and within the first couple of months we had to deal with Covid,” she said.

“To be able to navigate through that and keep the club healthy and financial was extremely important. We’re a members owned club so we had to be able to communicate with them.

“The 2020 Weetwood was run under the most difficult of conditions with the square metre rule, as well as the industry side of things.

“The club came through Covid pretty well, and for us to lead the way with some of the smaller clubs in the region, it’s important for us to be seen as that big brother that always helps out.”

Since the dawn of time the racing industry has been viewed as male dominated, with trailblazing jockeys and administrators defying the norms at the turn of the century.

Now King believes that is changing, with a more diverse range of participants than has ever been seen before.

“As far as the female jockeys go, I think around 70 per cent of all apprentices are female. They’re coming through thick and strong,” she said.

“We had a few nights where the girls rode the whole card. They’re a bit like me, they don’t want it to be girls vs boys, they just want a level playing field.

“They don’t see gender as part of their competition and I feel the same way. I’ve been incredibly well supported and welcomed by other racing clubs who I’ve worked quite closely with.

“Never once have I been treated differently. The racing industry knows that females are so heavily involved in all facets, it’s not a consideration anymore.

“That’s great. It shows progress and a great future.”

King’s advice for women in the racing industry is simple.

“You have to be your genuine self,” she said.

“This industry is one that will call your bulls*** if you do it. It keeps you honest.

“I like to think I’m firm but fair with the things I do at the club. We’re all in it for the common cause.

“Speak up. Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard. Be your authentic self and stand firm.”

Brisbane Broncos NRLW players Shenae Ciesiolka (left) and Jada Ferguson. Photo: Contributed

SHENAE CIESIOLKA (RUGBY LEAGUE)

FOR some in rugby league circles, being a role model for the next generation doesn’t fit in the job description.

That’s not the case with Toowoomba’s Shenae Ciesiolka.

The Brisbane Broncos NRLW flyer embraces the opportunity to have young girls not only on the Darling Downs, but across the state look up to her.

“Everything starts with grassroots footy at a club or school,” Ciesiolka said.

“For those that look up to me, they can achieve what I have.

“I started where they were, and it’s exciting to show them and map out a pathway. They have to believe everything is possible, be committed, be resilient and they can get there.

“Coming from a smaller town, you get a lot of recognition from the local community and the support is humbling for me.

“Anything I can do, I’m always happy to help anyone that wants to reach out.”

The opportunities for girls and young women looking to get into the game now are a far cry from the situation Ciesiolka endured as a young girl just wanting to play footy.

“A lot of kids these days are lucky to have the opportunities they do,” she said.

“When I was young we played league with the boys and then couldn’t play from U12s until the open women.

“The pathways didn’t exist. Now rugby league is played in school sport, there’s the chance to represent the Darling Downs, go to state championships and play in more junior carnivals.

“It’s great to see the women’s game is growing. There’s more teams in the NRLW, pay is increasing and there’s more media exposure.

“If I was in a young girl’s shoes, I’d be looking up to role models in this league and thinking that if they can do it, so can I.”

Ciesiolka will embark on her second NRLW campaign for the Brisbane Broncos after last year’s competition was delayed due to Covid.

With the first round getting underway this weekend, she is preparing for a new test as she plays in the centres for the first time.

“It’s very exciting. I’ve been biding my time and am now working my way in,” she said.

“It’s been a big learning experience for me. I haven't played there before but am taking on as much feedback as I can and learning at training.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge and to improving as the year goes on.”

Her first test comes up against two of the most credentialed centres in the business, New South Wales representatives Jessica Sergis and Isabelle Kelly, as the Broncos face off with fellow heavyweights the Sydney Roosters.

Despite the Broncos being once again favoured to be there when the whips are cracking come finals time, Ciesiolka said they aren’t getting ahead of themselves just yet.

“We’ve got a new team this year and there’s about 10 girls that haven’t played for the Broncos before,” she said.

“As a team so far we haven’t won anything yet. We’re only focusing on the present at the moment and not on the past.

“We’re definitely capable and we have the team to be successful, but we’re taking each game as it comes.”

This year has given Ciesiolka extra reason to smile, with cousin Jada Ferguson earning her place in the squad as well.

Earning her place on the interchange bench to run out onto McDonald Jones Stadium this weekend, she said Ferguson is taking everything put in front of her in her stride.

“Jada’s still very young and has a lot to learn, but she’s been killing it at training,” she said.

“She’s been doing really well and I’m excited to play alongside her and to be able to share that experience with her.

“To be able to play on the big stage with my cousin would be a very special experience.”