The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys were proud to partner with the Townsville Business Women’s Circle this week to champion for gender parity and spend time with a strong contingent of our region’s business women, ahead of today's International Women’s Day.
Tuesday's luncheon, held at The Ville Resort-Casino, was focused on sparking discussion on the 2018 International Women's Day theme of #PressforProgress and also looked to set direction and strengthen relationships within the local business community to achieve real outcomes for gender parity.
Cowboys CEO Greg Tonner was a guest speaker at the event and said the partnership with TBWC was about learning more about gender equality.
Lieutenant Colonel Sara Molloy, Senior Health Officer 3rd Brigade, and Cowboys CEO Greg Tonner
“When there is equal respect across all genders, it is better for our community and better for our business – both of these are very important to the Cowboys,” Tonner said.
“We receive a lot of passion and support from our community, and it is very important to us that we give back – and further exploring this space is one way we believe we can continue to make a difference and inspire change.
“We know that cities and regions that create a culture of gender equality will grow faster and attract more opportunity than those without, and I believe that Townsville and North Queensland has a fantastic opportunity in this space, and it's why we wanted to be involved.”
Representatives from Queensland Country Credit Union, Cowboys major partner
The Townsville Business Women’s Circle are the only not-for-profit business women’s group in Townsville, created to connect and develop the working women and men of the region through new, inclusive and practical opportunities to learn and grow.
For more information on the Townsville Business Women's Circle, visit tbwc.com.au
A highlight of the event was a keynote address by Julie McKay, Head of UN Women National Committee Australia, who lead discussions about the power of change and the opportunities gender equality can create.
Ms McKay challenged the audience to make a personal pledge to shift the dial on gender equality in their own personal and professional lives, emphasising that "change will not happen on its own".
Cowboys general manager community Fiona Pelling, NRL Cowboys House education manager Mary McInnes and NRL Cowboys House project manager Gayle de la Cruz
International Women’s Day celebrations and events will be held across North Queensland – for more information, visit internationalwomensday.com.
